NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Chapter 25: I Want to Spar with You Every Day
As Zeng Shen was admiring Master Kuo's craftsmanship, he noticed a gaze fixed on him. Looking up, he met the eyes of Ms. Liu across from him. He offered a slight smile and continued watching the jade carving process.
However, unbeknownst to Zeng Shen, his simple smile had a profound effect.
Ms. Liu felt a sudden surge of intuition. She had a strong feeling that if she asked this young man for help, he would assist her. Hope ignited within her, and she entertained the idea of inviting him out for a meal to discuss her difficulties. Her face flushed slightly, and she adjusted her neckline.
...
Soon, the fist-sized Green Dew Imperial Jade was fully revealed in Master Kuo's hands. He held it for a long time, mesmerized by the energy emanating from the jade, before reluctantly passing it to Shi Mingqiang.
"Mr. Shi, the carving is complete," Master Kuo said, handing over the jade.
"Thank you for your hard work, Master," Shi Mingqiang replied, receiving the jade. Instantly, he felt invigorated, the fatigue lifting from his body, as he sensed the immense value embedded within the rare jade.
Turning to Zeng Shen, he said, "This is incredible, my dear nephew. If my company handles the promotion and development, and the scientific community gets wind of it, we could auction this for at least one billion."
"Great, I'll leave it to you, Uncle Shi," Zeng Shen replied calmly. "But I want a one-billion risk agreement."
Shi Mingqiang hesitated.
Noticing this, Li Yuqing turned to Zeng Shen, "Brother Shen, Uncle Shi might find it difficult to sign such an agreement."
"Why?"
"Because a risk agreement like that requires assets totaling one billion," she explained.
"Ah, I see," Zeng Shen nodded. "Uncle Shi, what's the highest risk agreement you can offer?"
After a moment of thought, Shi Mingqiang replied, "Including my company's assets and my personal property, about seven hundred million."
"Seven hundred million is fine," Zeng Shen agreed without hesitation.
Shi Mingqiang was taken aback by this show of trust. This was a one-billion project. If anything happened to the jade, or if he decided to claim it was lost, he'd only need to compensate seven hundred million.
Of course, Shi Mingqiang had no intention of such deceit. It would ruin his reputation.
"Thank you for trusting me," Shi Mingqiang said, calling an assistant to print two agreements: one for seven hundred million and another for ten million. A lawyer was summoned to witness the signing.
Half an hour later, the agreements were signed, each party keeping a copy.
Shi Mingqiang, holding his copy, felt elated, viewing Li Yuqing's boyfriend as a godsend and a future benefactor.
He placed the agreement securely in his safe and handed Zeng Shen a dark gold card. "According to the agreement, there's one hundred on this card for you now. The rest will be transferred after the auction."
"Thank you," Zeng Shen accepted the card, left with the agreement and Li Yuqing.
Ms. Liu, who had witnessed everything, quickly signed her own ten-million agreement with Shi Mingqiang and hurriedly followed Zeng Shen and Li Yuqing.
But by the time she reached the 20th-floor corridor, they were gone. She hurried to the elevator, her heels clicking on the floor.
The elevator lobby was empty. She anxiously looked at the closed elevator doors, seeing one indicating the -2 level.
"They went to the second basement," she realized, pressing for another elevator.
When the elevator opened on the -2 level, she stepped out, scanning the vast parking lot, but saw no sign of them.
"Where did they go?" she murmured, feeling lost. She considered returning to Shi Mingqiang to get Zeng Shen's contact information.
"Ms. Liu," a voice called from behind.
Startled, she turned to see Zeng Shen standing calmly, a slight smile on his face, as if he'd been waiting for her.
"Were you looking for me?" Zeng Shen asked with a smile.
Instinctively, Ms. Liu wanted to deny it, but something in his eyes told her honesty was the best policy if she wanted to keep talking to him.
"Yes, I was looking for you."
"What for?"
"I need money."
"You can borrow from a bank."
Ms. Liu smiled bitterly, "Without enough collateral, they won't lend to me."
"So you want to use my risk agreement as collateral?" Zeng Shen asked, holding the agreement.
"Yes."
"Sure, take it."
...
Meanwhile, Shi Mingqiang was on his way to the second basement, intending to get insurance for the jade stones.
As he exited the elevator, he overheard the conversation between Zeng Shen and Ms. Liu.
His mood darkened.
That was his life's work!
...
"Are you really willing to give it to me?"
Outside the elevator, Ms. Liu suspected Zeng Shen was joking.
"Yes."
"You're not joking?"
"No."
"Nothing's free. What do you want in return?"
"I want to spar with you every day."
"What?" Ms. Liu was taken aback.
"Haha, just kidding. Don't take it seriously," Zeng Shen laughed. "Let's exchange WeChat. I'll let you know what I want tomorrow."
"Alright," Ms. Liu agreed, pulling out her phone. "Should I scan you, or you scan me?"
"I'll scan you. By the way, what's your name?"
"Liu Miao."
"Liu Miao?"
"Three waters, Miao."
"Thank you for trusting me with this risk agreement. If you need help in the future, just ask," Liu Miao said sincerely.
"Alright," Zeng Shen replied with a smile.
To her, this agreement was invaluable. But to him, it was just paper.
With the impending cataclysm and knowing the wealth in his jade mine, his perspective had shifted.
Knowing he could have endless wealth when needed made material concerns insignificant.
For Zeng Shen, the agreement wasn't as valuable as the survival points he could gain from Liu Miao.
Most people were still stuck in old ways of thinking, like Shi Mingqiang, who couldn't comprehend Zeng Shen's actions.
...
In the elevator lobby, Shi Mingqiang regretted not involving his rival.
That was his compa
ny and life's work!
It felt like he'd entrusted his precious legacy to Zeng Shen, only for it to be given away.
He felt he'd been too hasty.