Chapter 172 — The Shocked Zhou Tianxiang
Years of Heartflutter · Page 2 of 5
"I... of course not." Zhou Tianxiang was somewhat at a loss. Old Charles's manner now could not have been better—a complete reversal from before—which left Zhou Tianxiang, for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
"Heh heh, this gentleman, I imagine you know him too, so I needn't introduce him again!" Old Charles pointed at Yang Yanzhou. "This business was handled a bit shabbily. I didn't know you were Mr. Yang's father-in-law; had I known, I wouldn't have said those things before!"
"You two are—" Seeing that old Charles and Yang Ce seemed quite familiar with each other, Zhou Tianxiang was astonished. In his eyes these were two men who could never possibly have crossed paths, and now they sat together—which made Zhou Tianxiang feel this world was simply too bizarre, so bizarre that he scarcely knew which way was up!
"Heh heh, Mr. Yang is my close partner. The two of us will be carrying out many deep collaborations in the future; we have just reached a consensus. Isn't that so, Mr. Yang?" old Charles asked with a smile.
Yang Ce was somewhat exasperated—old Charles still did not quite trust him. Fearing Yang Ce might renege after going back, he was now forcing him to declare his position! Yang Ce said, "Naturally. Uncle Zhou, since Mr. Charles has already recognized his mistake, you needn't hold it against him, all right? If you won't forgive him, then I can only call off my cooperation with him!"
Having said this, Yang Ce felt greatly satisfied, thinking: So you like to trip me up—now taste a little of your own medicine! Sure enough, no sooner had Yang Ce finished speaking than old Charles's expression changed drastically. He could not help but regret having been so meddlesome. Yang Ce had already agreed to him—what was there left to worry about?
By saying what he had, he had only driven himself into a dead corner, making himself lift the stone only to drop it on his own foot.
In truth, with an enterprise as vast as old Charles's, he was not afraid of not being able to give it away—who would refuse free money? But entrusting it to a reliable person was not so easy.
Since old Charles had found someone as suitable as Yang Ce, naturally he was unwilling to let go. Yang Ce was, after all, the personal disciple of the King of Assassins, so his life was bound to the assassin's trade, and he would devote himself to the assassin's cause all his days.
But Yang Ce was the King of Assassins, and Wang Yanqiu was the sole heir of the Butterfly Family—meaning the Butterfly Family's enterprises would ultimately fall into Yang Juehuan's hands as well. The Butterfly Family's holdings were larger than his own Charles Family's, so Yang Ce might not even think much of his estate, much less spare the extra effort for it.
It was precisely for this reason that old Charles was especially afraid Yang Ce might go back on his word.
Hearing Yang Juehuan's words, he sprang to his feet with a rush, walked up before Zhou Tianxiang, and said with earnest feeling, "Old Zhou, tell me—how have I treated you all these years? Apart from this one matter, have I ever done you wrong?"
"Sir, why do you say such things? No, never—you have always been good to me..." Zhou Tianxiang said in fear and trembling, secretly astonished as well. Yang Ce's mere mention of calling off the cooperation had drawn such a reaction from old Charles—it seemed that in their partnership, Yang Ce held the upper hand!
"In that case, it means you've forgiven me?" old Charles pressed.
"Yes, I have already forgiven you!" Zhou Tianxiang nodded. "I can understand how you felt at the time."
"It's good that you can understand!" Old Charles nodded, saying somewhat helplessly, "Who among us isn't doing it all for his own children?"
Yang Ce watched old Charles with a half-smile—this old fox, always playing on sentiment. But he had only meant to frighten him a little; there was no real need to call off the cooperation.