The sound of chairs and tables being pulled over alarmed the tycoons strolling by the pond.

Everyone was a bit puzzled. Logically, when inviting someone to a meal, whether for celebrations or banquets, the seating and some ready-made cold dishes are prepared in advance for the guests.

Why is it the other way around now, preparing after the people arrive?

Xiao Feng and the others naturally had no such doubts and continued to wander leisurely.

At that moment, an elderly voice rang out from behind: "Mr. Xiao's intelligence is extraordinary, making this old man have to admit that youth are to be feared, youth are to be feared indeed."

Everyone turned around simultaneously and saw Guan Huarong, who was smiling. This smile was perfectly measured, neither too intimate nor lacking in enthusiasm.

Xiao Feng replied without courtesy, "It's always the new waves that push the old ones forward. If one generation is not as good as the previous, how would our grand Huaxia stand on the international stage?"

"Well said!" Guan Huarong praised, "It seems Mr. Xiao is not only very wise but also has a broad vision."

This was undoubtedly flattery, but coming from Guan Huarong's mouth, it felt surprisingly sincere.

And it's often those who make you unable to detect their flattering that are the true masters of the art.

"Old man, my brother Xiao Feng is so excellent that you don't need to remind us," the young girl said expressionlessly. "If you have nothing else, don't disturb us from enjoying the scenery, okay?"

Usually, when the little girl heard someone praise Xiao Feng, even if she didn't particularly like the person, she wouldn't dislike them, like Di Junxiong who respects Xiao Feng greatly.

But Guan Huarong was different. Ever since Zhen Jinghan introduced his fortune-making during national crisis, the little girl found it difficult to have any good feelings towards him.

The others evidently felt the same way and didn't think there was anything wrong with the little girl's behavior of "hitting a smiling face with a fist."

Guan Huarong smiled, "To be frank, the reason I'm here this time is to explain why I am appearing here."

"We would like to hear the details." Xiao Feng said calmly.

"Because of the Relics matter, Bi Quan and his son suffered a big loss, and they hold Mr. Xiao accountable for it," Guan Huarong explained directly. "And calling me here was their attempt to drag me down with them."

He paused, seeing that Xiao Feng had no intention of responding, and continued, "According to the original plan, Bi Quan intended for me to help him by subtly probing during dinner to roughly deduce the level of Mr. Xiao's entourage.

Then determine the next step based on the deduced results."

"What's the next step, hiring a killer?" Su Yuzhuo asked coldly, her eyes flashing with sharpness.

Guan Huarong pondered, "That's unlikely, or rather, they wouldn't immediately put you all to death.

Because, according to Bi Junxian's character, he would undoubtedly advocate tormenting you mentally or physically first, and only consider killing after they've had their fill of satisfaction.

As for Bi Quan, he would first try to find a way to make up for the loss, and only if that fails would the idea of killing to silence emerge."

Xiao Feng and the others exchanged glances, unable to resist doubting whether this old man was friend or foe.

To say he is an enemy, he not only revealed Bi Quan's plan but also helped analyze the situation—something an enemy wouldn't logically do.

But to say he is a friend would also be inappropriate.

Because for Guan Huarong to be present here and stay until they arrived means he must have made some kind of dirty, you know, transaction with Bi Quan.

Thinking of this, Xiao Feng asked, "From what you're saying, does it mean you agreed to help Bi Quan and he gave you some kind of benefit?"

Guan Huarong nodded, then shook his head, saying, "Though the outcome is correct, the order needs alteration. He promised me benefits first, then I agreed to cooperate with him."

"So now that you're telling us all this, what do you intend to achieve?" Lin Jiaxuan frowned and asked.

"Of course, it's to keep a backdoor," Guan Huarong said earnestly. "I don't know if you people are really some big shots, but what if you are?

So, I will still cooperate with Bi Quan. If you guys turn out to be someone I can't afford to offend, I, Guan Huarong, am willing to offer a billion to apologize.

Conversely, if you are just bluffing, then even Bi Quan alone would be challenging to deal with, and whether I, Guan Huarong, participate makes little difference."

Saying this, before Xiao Feng and the others could respond, he immediately added, "Of course, one can't have it all in life.

I can promise, should, and I'm saying should,

should you really be bluffing, I will provide some degree of leniency when needed."

Having listened to Guan Huarong's remarks, everyone present was dumbfounded, having an unavoidably eye-opening experience.

To be frank, such maneuvering was a first.

Is this a thing now?

Everyone present wasn't someone unfamiliar with the big scenes, yet Guan Huarong did indeed have a knack to astonish them all.

After snapping back to attention, Xiao Feng couldn't help but think of someone—Du Linlang, who claimed she wanted to be a double agent.

This behavior, undoubtedly, was fence-sitting in its essence, yet executed much more skillfully.

Lin Jiaxuan snorted coldly, "Mr. Guan has a good calculation. In plain words, you are gambling. If you lose the bet, you pay a billion and can keep yourself safe.

And if you win, you can gain more than a billion in benefits.

You say you can't have it all, yet everything you're doing is solely for your own benefit."

Guan Huarong, unfazed, replied, "If a person does not look out for themselves, the heavens will destroy them. We are discussing this, not finalizing anything; young lady, there's no need for such a temper."

After speaking, he turned his eyes to Xiao Feng, clearly knowing that whether this could succeed ultimately depended on whether this young man agreed.

Lin Jiaxuan crossed her arms, almost anticipating how Xiao Feng would choose, after all, this guy has always been contrary to her.

Xiao Feng thought for a moment and smiled, "Mr. Guan, I also have an idea, shall we discuss it?"

"Please go ahead, Mr. Xiao."

"It's simple really, I want to kill you now, and if I fail in the end, I'll compensate you with a billion. You must guarantee no subsequent revenge; if successful, then consider it a free loss."

At this point, Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes, "Mr. Guan, what do you think?"

Guan Huarong frowned slightly, picking up on the deep meaning in Xiao Feng's words.

Because this statement perfectly summarized the essence of his behavior.

"Are you saying, Mr. Xiao, that you disagree with my previous proposal?" Guan Huarong said solemnly.

Xiao Feng's response was brief and crude: "Agree my ass!"

Guan Huarong's eyes widened immediately; no matter how meticulously he calculated, he never expected the opposite would curse him directly so boldly.

Lin Jiaxuan, with arms still crossed, wore the same expression.

This guy, why isn't he contradicting me this time?

It has to be said, habit is a terribly fearsome thing.

Lin Jiaxuan had gotten used to Xiao Feng opposing her, and when he occasionally didn't, she found it hard to believe.

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