Contract Marriage: Billionaire and His Deaf Wife
Chapter 342: Don’t Underestimate the Old Man (9)

Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Don’t Underestimate the Old Man (9)

"What should we do now? Are you never planning to go back?"

"Go back for what? He says the house is his, and my wife can’t enter. I just want to be with my wife. What’s the point of going to a place without her?"

Zhan Dapeng and Zang Xiaolian both wondered whether the man was just talking big or if he really intended to cut off his relationship with his father.

"Second brother," said Zhan Dapeng, who was more level-headed, "after all, the chairman is your dad. Sister-in-law definitely doesn’t want to be the reason for a rift in your father-son relationship. That would make her feel like a criminal."

"My sister-in-law wouldn’t mind being that criminal," said Xiao Yebai, unabashedly.

Hearing Xiao Yebai say this so brazenly, Zhan Dapeng and Zang Xiaolian glanced nervously toward the kitchen, unsure if Gu Nuan had overheard.

Seeing their expressions, Xiao Yebai scorned, "I’ve told you before, don’t underestimate your sister-in-law."

"Second brother—" Zhan Dapeng and Zang Xiaolian were puzzled.

"You think my sister-in-law can’t see through the old man’s schemes? Do you really think the old man was putting on an act, and that he actually didn’t want to drive us away?"

Isn’t that so? Zhan Dapeng and Zang Xiaolian thought. After all, they are father and son, it’s not possible for them to completely sever ties, is it?

Xiao Yebai snorted coldly, "Are you still unaware of his true nature? His ambition is huge; he wants to control everyone. I’m just another one of his pawns. He’s had plans for me for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Dapeng was first shocked. Considering the many people in the Xiao Family who were scheming about Xiao Yebai’s marriage, Xiao Jianming, as Xiao Yebai’s biological father, certainly couldn’t be oblivious to his only son’s future marriage prospects. That implied Xiao Jianming already had an ideal candidate for his daughter-in-law in mind, although he never let slip a hint.

"Second brother, do you know something?" Zhan Dapeng asked quietly.

"The old man sent me to acquire that port. Xiaolian went with me; ask him," Xiao Yebai said.

Zang Xiaolian looked distressed.

What could he know? Wasn’t he just a lackey? Schmoozing was unavoidable in business negotiations, and since Xiao Yebai never liked boozing and entertaining, he delegated such tasks to others. Of course, this time, for the port acquisition, since Xiao Yebai had handled it beautifully, offering a fair price that pleased the sellers, he really put in the effort to book a top-notch restaurant to entertain them.

What was crucial was that their trading counterparts were no ordinary players. Only after personal contact did they learn that the other party had been an executive in one of the top investment banks in the United States and had moved beyond state enterprise to establish a major company.

An innovative company name stood out—Yaobang, brimming with the taste of great ambition.

"This company is just starting out," said Zang Xiaolian. "According to our counterparts, it was established just two years ago. But like the port we are now dealing with, they effectively already have control. After all, it’s a group of elites from state enterprises with significant advantages in connections. These are all analysed by the second brother. They know exactly what a fair deal is. They are not ordinary businessmen afraid of missing out on deals. For this reason, the second brother didn’t bargain but chose to raise the price instead."

Zhan Dapeng inwardly marvelled, thinking about how the business environment was ever-changing and unpredictable, where one could be overtaken by newcomers at any moment. Changda has risen through ranks from small beginnings as well.

For businesspeople like Xiao Jianming, who had weathered many storms, it was a personally painful reminder of the need to be prepared for future challenges.

The big fish eating the small is the best method for giants to swallow up emerging companies. But not all young fledgling companies can be easily devoured, especially if they originate from a dislodged piece of an old crocodile, possessing unparalleled innate advantages, like Yaobang.

Joining forces with the strong became the second-best option. However, loyalty in business partnerships is nearly non-existent. But if it involves two powerful families, a marriage alliance becomes the most reliable choice. The property can be inherited jointly by the descendants of the heirs to both families.

If Xiao Jianming truly had Changda’s future in mind, how could he possibly discard his most precious chess piece—his son?

Moreover, Xiao Jianming had already taken such action once with his own eldest daughter. Xiao Shumei’s choice of marriage partner was an internal secret known to the Xiao Family.

The Zhao Family business was not in liquor but in commercial real estate, with investments primarily in production bases, such as vineyards and coffee bean plantations, among others.

After much deliberation, Xiao Jianming decided that merging with the Zhao Family was the best choice. Because the vineyards and plantations the Zhao Family invested in were close to what could pave the way for Changda’s future overseas tourism industry expansion.

All of these were confirmed as Changda’s second subsidiary, the Cultural Entertainment Tourism Group, started rapidly expanding its performance and its profits were on the verge of surpassing that of the first subsidiary.