Rags to Riches: The Rise of a Dual-Talent Prodigy
Chapter 53: Make a move? Then can I fight back?

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Make a move? Then can I fight back?

After Li Shuyun finished her class, she quickly ran to find Li Hongsheng.

She rushed into the office of the Magic Plant Department head with a newly purchased towel, only to find her grandfather sitting at the desk, reviewing the recent bargaining match.

"This round is hard to crack..." Li Hongsheng stroked his chin thoughtfully, "I don’t have her weaknesses at hand, know little about her, and yet, need something from her. It’s indeed difficult to crack her monopoly as the only seller."

Reckless, he should have kept calm initially, researched Qian Qi well, and then formulated a bargaining strategy.

Li Shuyun glanced at the note paper filled with dense notes of his conversation and movements with Qian Qi, analyzing many advantages and disadvantages, clearly showing he had put much thought into it.

Li Shuyun wasn’t surprised because it’s Li Hongsheng’s habit; as the director of the Magic Plant Research Institute, he had to personally seek sponsorship and investment.

But seeing a particular line, she couldn’t help but frown and pointed at a specific quote from Qian Qi, asking, "Grandpa, did you and the principal seriously not even prepare a cup of tea?"

Li Hongsheng froze for a moment, then suddenly slapped his forehead.

Something went wrong; he’d made a big mistake.

Perhaps because Qian Qi was a student from his department, he subconsciously placed her in a lower position, along with the principal, trying to gain the upper hand from the student.

Seeking advantage aside, they didn’t even prepare any tea. Who would ask for a favor yet fail to prepare a welcoming tea?

No wonder Qian Qi’s attitude was increasingly rigid afterward, refusing to say a word and directly walked away.

Li Shuyun sighed helplessly as she sat by, "Let’s set this aside first, Grandpa, have you prepared the ten million?"

"No, you know our family’s situation." Li Hongsheng lowered his head, continuing to ponder his bargaining tactics.

"Haven’t you borrowed from your friends?" Li Shuyun suggested, "As long as we purchase the Fire Qilin Lotus cultivation method, we can surely repay."

Li Hongsheng paused, remaining silent.

Getting no answer for a long time, Li Shuyun felt a bad premonition and, in a broken voice, exclaimed, "Grandpa, you haven’t borrowed from them already, have you?"

Li Hongsheng tried to explain, "I had no choice, you know your parents manage money strictly, so I could only borrow from old friends..."

Borrow too frequently without repaying, how could he still have the face to borrow again...

Li Shuyun twitched her mouth; she thought that in this aspect, her grandfather was truly outmatched by Qian Qi. At least Qian Qi managed to cultivate the Fire Qilin Fruit back then, of quality much higher than hers, and the remaining Fire Qilin Lotus has now also produced a fruit.

Calculating carefully, she simply profited hugely.

"So what do you plan to do now?" Li Shuyun asked.

"I borrowed money from Zheng, and now we’re figuring a way to squeeze the price down." Li Hongsheng recalled something and looked at Li Shuyun expectantly, "Yunyun, do you know Qian Qi’s weakness? I plan to use it as a trump card!"

Li Shuyun: ???

She thought Qian Qi’s weakness was that her temper had improved, she didn’t even beat you up!

"Grandpa, don’t threaten Qian Qi!" Li Shuyun sternly advised, "Don’t test her patience; although she appears good-natured and smiling now, she was ruthless before. If you push her too far, what will she do if she attacks you?"

"Attack?" The old man suddenly became even more excited, "Then can I fake an injury? Do you think faking an injury would work?"

Li Shuyun: ???

Help! Grandpa, have you understood the severity of the situation!

"She really would attack!" Worried her grandfather might get beaten, Li Shuyun had to reveal the truth, "She used to wreak havoc on many classmates’ Magic Plants and fought quite a lot. Even the E-level Fire Qilin Lotus I cultivated, she smashed the Fire Qilin Lotus without any sodium bicarbonate solution, forcing it to live!"

Li Shuyun took a deep breath and exclaimed, "If you’re beaten to a fracture, I won’t be going to the hospital to take care of you!"

Li Hongsheng blinked and, after a moment, happily slapped his thigh, "It has to be you, I have an idea now! Tomorrow, I’ll threaten her with expulsion due to poor conduct!"

Li Shuyun: ???

After all I’ve said, haven’t you grasped a single key point?

...

Li Hongsheng arranged another meeting with Qian Qi.

This time, he invited her and the principal to a restaurant in the city center.

Li Hongsheng had spent considerably, ordering a whole table of dishes, indicating his determination to completely succeed in the negotiation this time.

When Qian Qi saw the table full of good food, she beamed happily; she normally wouldn’t splurge on such meals, but since Li Hongsheng was generous, she naturally wouldn’t be reserved.

Just as she was about to dig in, Li Hongsheng suddenly spoke, "Qian Qi, I heard you used to fight with classmates often and wreck their Magic Plant projects?"

Qian Qi’s chopsticks paused mid-air.

She raised her eyebrows, seeming this time, the old man was serious.

She set down her chopsticks and nodded, "That’s correct."

There was no need to deny it; when she transmigrated over, she asked the system if those incidents were done by the original owner and if there was any hidden story.

The system confirmed confidently that the original owner did them.

Hence, she had no plan to ’cleanse’ the past actions of the original owner.

Nor did she intend to ’cleanse’ herself, who inherited this body.

"Regarding the loss to those classmates, I will provide compensation later." Qian Qi crossed her hands under her chin, the smile in her eyes concealed, "I believe they won’t hold it against me."

Li Hongsheng was momentarily stunned, evidently not expecting Qian Qi to respond like this.

However, it’s not a big deal; it’s just the starter.

Li Hongsheng continued his assertion, "But these incidents have already occurred, causing a very negative impact, and I’ve heard you’ve charged fees to help classmates with their homework."

"Moreover, you’ve sold Magic Plant by-products and Magic Plant fruits to students without the Institute’s authorization, disregarding student safety by selling unlicensed products, this kind of behavior significantly undermines the school’s reputation, resulting in various adverse impacts."

"As the director, I have the authority to expel you!"

Li Hongsheng glanced at Qian Qi, whose face was gradually darkening, and drank a sip of tea feeling slightly pleased.

He believed it’s appropriate to present authority upfront; although it might cause adverse effects, he trusted Qian Qi, being intelligent, would understand the pros and cons.

If she got expelled, she would lose the source of Magic Plant Seeds. Once the Institute issued a statement declaring her products had chronic side effects, no one would dare patronize her business.

And even if some dared, she’d have to sell these in hiding for her entire life.

It’s akin to mutual destruction; if Qian Qi wanted better resources in the future, she would definitely figure it out.

Qian Qi rubbed her chin.

She had indeed considered that Li Hongsheng might threaten her with expulsion.

Although she could survive by farming with her past life’s knowledge if she left school, it would certainly not be as lucrative as growing Magic Plants and concocting Magic Potions.

To have a sweet and rosy retirement life, she must earn dual degrees from the Magic Plant Department and Magic Beast Department, to secure legitimate sales channels and favorable measures.

Qian Qi wanted to earn money openly rather than hiding in shadows living a nerve-wracking life.

But she couldn’t just lower the price for Li Hongsheng for free.

The reason she was so firm before was to force Li Hongsheng into desperation, to summon up the courage to negotiate with her.

Only then could she reap some "benefits" besides money.

Qian Qi’s crossed hands blocked her mouth, the covered corner of her mouth slowly curled into an evil and sinister smile.

"Lowering the price, it’s not impossible."

She uttered slowly, her shoulders slightly trembling with excitement, black eyes flickering like an ancient cunning fox, and because her expression was out of control, her whole aura emitted distortion and perversion.