Stay Home Daddy: I Was Reborn After My Daughter Passed Away
Chapter 718: Seven hundred and thirteen: clever tactics

Chapter 718: Seven hundred and thirteen: clever tactics

The man was slightly overweight and wore small glasses, looking very fortunate.

But at the first sight of him, Gu Chen felt that this man seemed very kind and looked very easy to get along with.

"Boss Gu, hello, my name is Xiong Qianyang."

However, when the man introduced himself and mentioned his own name, Gu Chen instantly took back everything he had just thought.

He had just been thinking how easygoing the person in front of him must be, but upon learning this was Xiong Qianyang, Gu Chen suddenly had no good feelings left.

To his surprise, the stout man before him was actually Xiong Qianyang, which was quite unexpected for Gu Chen.

"Hello, I am Gu Chen."

Gu Chen spoke directly to him at this moment, without a hint of politeness in his tone.

"Boss Gu is really young and accomplished, and looks exactly like you do in photos. I didn’t expect that you don’t photograph well—on TV, you don’t look nearly as handsome as you do now."

He laughed as he said this to Gu Chen, giving off the impression that he was trying to flatter Gu Chen.

In fact, Gu Chen felt extremely puzzled; he had thought that Xiong Qianyang would be hostile upon meeting him.

He even expected to be treated discourteously in conversation.

Yet, unexpectedly, his current conversation with Gu Chen was so polite that it felt as if they were old friends.

For a moment, Gu Chen found himself somewhat favorably disposed towards him, internally. But Gu Chen knew very well that it was just an illusion; the man before him was ruthless and had driven who knows how many people to their deaths. He mustn’t be fooled by this guise of benevolence.

"Boss Xiong, I’ve long admired your big name, and after hearing about your Qianyang Commerce Association, I’ve always approached it with an attitude of learning."

Nevertheless, Gu Chen’s on-the-surface skills were still quite passable, so he said this to him.

"Not at all, not at all. What I’m doing is just trivial business. Though the Qianyang Commerce Association is publicly mine, it really belongs to everyone. Because everyone is here, that’s why there’s such an association. If one day everyone leaves, and only I, Xiong Qianyang, am left, then I, Xiong Qianyang, am nothing."

He said this to Gu Chen with a very humble feel.

But Gu Chen was very clear that the man before him was merely lying.

Certainly, he spoke one true point: if the commerce association were only him, Xiong Qianyang, then the association wouldn’t amount to much. However, the association would never be just him alone, so effectively, the commerce association is still Xiong Qianyang’s.

At this moment, Xiong Qianyang seemed to be playing a word game, saying this to Gu Chen, a pity that Gu Chen was not falling for it.

"May I ask, Boss Xiong, why did you ask to see me today?" Gu Chen inquired curiously at that time. He didn’t want to exchange too many pleasantries, just to get to the bottom of things quickly.

"It’s like this: I’ve heard that someone in our association has offended Boss Gu.

It seems to be over the liquor business—I heard that Boss Gu opened a bar that is doing quite well.

However, there are a few in our association who run nightclubs.

They’re very jealous of Mr. Gu’s business.

So they wanted to use our association to put commercial pressure on your bar, right?"

Suddenly he said this to Gu Chen, catching him off guard; Gu Chen hadn’t expected him to be so forthright at this moment.

For a moment, Gu Chen did not know what to say.

In theory, this was exactly what the man claimed.

"That’s just too much. Boss Gu, I assure you, our Qianyang Commerce Association absolutely did not intend any such thing.

After they told me about it, I criticized them very harshly, and I’ve even warned them—if they dare to take any vindictive action against your bar again, I’ll kick them out of our Qianyang Commerce Association.

And have them forever removed from our list!"

He spoke very sternly at that moment as if he couldn’t wait to dismember those three nightclub owners.

Gu Chen was stunned; he hadn’t expected Xiong Qianyang to speak this way.

Before coming, he had considered many possibilities, such as Xiong Qianyang openly berating him in front of everyone, mocking him, but he never imagined that Xiong Qianyang would apologize to him and also criticize his people.

In that instant, Gu Chen was confused about what Xiong Qianyang’s next move would be—it surely couldn’t be this simple.

"Boss Gu, I didn’t invite you here today for any other reason.

First, I wanted to apologize to you in person; second, I wanted to tell you that our Qianyang Commerce Association is very, very supportive of every businessperson’s right to trade. I personally also support you very much.

If you have any trouble, you can also come to me.

After all, in this matter, we were the ones in the wrong first. Consider it a favor I owe you.

Later, if you have any issue, no matter what kind of trouble, you can come to me, and I will definitely help you resolve it. If I can’t, then there’s no reason for my Qianyang Commerce Association to exist."

After saying that, Gu Chen could only think of two words.

Smart!

He never expected that Xiong Qianyang’s ultimate goal would be this; his way of speaking was ingeniously clever, nearly an art form.

Speaking so tactfully, circling round and round and yet still revolving around the issue of a favor, hinting so much was just to recruit him into the fold.

Although Gu Chen had an inkling of his agenda before coming, hearing him say it out loud still left Gu Chen with a small shock.

Just how clever must a person be to think of such a method, to effortlessly offer a favor of his own accord, implying that Gu Chen could ask for his help at any time? However, Gu Chen was very clear that as soon as he asked for help, from then on, he and Xiong Qianyang would have an inseparable relationship.

And he would eventually become a part of his network, ultimately joining their Qianyang Commerce Association.

Gu Chen thought he might be of use to them due to his worth, but he didn’t expect such a savvy tactic.

It wasn’t about his opposition or agreement at all; he was being brought on board the ship regardless.

"Boss Gu, enjoy yourself here. If you need anything, just let me know. Consider this place like your own home, and we’ll talk more after the event," Xiong Qianyang said and then left.

Leaving Gu Chen standing there alone, at a loss.