It was Shentu Tianyin.

“I’m sorry, I have to get this.” Xia Lei left the table, walked several meters away and stopped to answer her call.

“Lei, I...” Shentu Tianyin spoke but stopped.

“What’s the matter?” Xia Lei was puzzled. “Why are you stuttering?”

Shentu Tianyin was silent for a moment. “I don’t know how to tell you this, I...”

“You can tell me anything. What is it?” Xia Lei had his guesses but he wasn’t sure.

“I made a mistake. I’m so sorry.” Shentu Tianyin sounded very regretful.

He smiled bitterly. “Is it because of this? How many times have I told you? The past is the past. Every person makes mistakes. We cannot dwell on it.”

“About that...’’ Shentu Tianyin hesitated but finally said, “I don’t know who reopened the case. Several people came to my house this evening, saying they’re some investigative team. They asked me several questions that were hard to answer. I didn’t want to bother you but I also don’t know what to do, so I...”

“Are these people still in your house?”

“Yes.” Shentu Tianyin sounded frantic. “They even asked me about your father. They were hinting to me that it might have something to do with your father. What should I do?”

Xia Lei looked at Yu Shanhe and Ling Han at the table and saw their faint smirks. Suddenly, he understood something.

This was not a meal between friends. It was a negotiation filled with mind games. In order to gain the upper hand, they had hid several tricks up their sleeves. Yu Shanhe and Ling Han had just played their cards!

Xia Lei turned and said flatly, “Don’t worry, you’ll be alright.”

“But they showed some evidence, I’m worried...”

“Trust me, you’ll be fine.”

“Can you come to my place? I want to talk to you,” said Shentu Tianyin.

“I’m in the middle of a negotiation, I can’t.” After a moment of thought, he said, “What about this. Deny everything. If they force you, push all responsibility to me. You don’t need to do anything else. Don’t be afraid.”

“Alright, I’ll do as you say,” said Shentu Tianyin.

Xia Lei hung up and returned to the table. He smiled. “Women are troublesome, calling me about trivial matters.”

Ling Han spoke up, “If it’s an emergency, you don’t have to accompany us. You can leave us here. It’s just dinner, we can eat another time.”

“It’s not a serious matter,” said Xia Lei with a grin. “It’s my ex-wife, Shentu Tianyin. You must know her.”

Ling Han smiled. “The richest woman in China, who doesn’t know her? Is she alright?”

“It’s the same matter as before. I thought that case had already been closed. I don’t know why some investigators are re-opening the case again.”

Yu Shanhe answered flatly, “I know about that case. It involves national assets worth billions. With such a large number, it will always be a major case. Xia Lei, I think you should go see her. You were once wed. You should help her when she’s in trouble. Then again, the investigators will definitely give you face.”

“The investigators are obviously here just to cause trouble. Will they really give me face?” asked Xia Lei.

Yu Shanhe said, “If they don’t, then mention my name. I have a little reputation around here.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Xia Lei.

Ling Han said, “Brother, you don’t have to be embarrassed! We are friends now. Isn’t it normal for friends to help each other?”

Yu Shanhe grinned. “We must be as sincere as friends. Xia Lei, I have a plan that I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. Today’s a good chance to talk about it.”

“What sort of plan?”

“Ling, make a call and ask who sent that team. Help Xia Lei settle this problem. I’ll talk to him first,” said Yu Shanhe.

“Alright, I’ll call someone.” Ling Han stood up and walked to the window. He fished out his phone.

Xia Lei privately thought to himself, “Why are they still putting on a show? This is a restaurant, not a movie set.”

Yu Shanhe then said, “My plan is for you to work with China Industrial Group.”

“Work with China Industrial Group? Mr Yu, how?” probed Xia Lei.

“Research and development of new weaponry and production.”

“Elaborate.”

“Shenzhou and your Thunder Horse are both researching the new tank, right? I think overlapping research is a waste of our country’s resources. If both companies can share skills and talents, then we can develop a new model. This will benefit the country too.”

“You have a point. Then what sort of cooperation do you suggest?”

“Shenzhou has a large team of research personnel and capital machinery. This is what your Thunder Horse lacks. Don’t you have a project on rare materials? Let the Shenzhou team participate in the project too. With two organisations working together, you could guarantee results,” said Yu Shanhe.

“What about production?”

Yu Shanhe was still smiling. “You have too many orders. I suggest you delegate some to the China Industrial Group. You just have to provide the technology and product specifications. Shenzhou is a large-scale military manufacturer and has many subsidiary companies. They can help you increase production.”

Xia Lei laughed in his heart. Cooperation? More like shameless piggyback riding on his company. The China Industrial’s tank must’ve been unable to beat Thunder Horse’s tank. The weaker side has to work with the winning side if they can’t win. Aren’t they mooching off Thunder Horse’s work? Once this project is completed, Shenzhou might just receive more orders than Thunder horse!

As for the project involving new materials, he had already gotten support from the Academy of Sciences, why would he need China Industrial? This cooperation was just cutting a slice of cake out for China Industrial Group!

“Xia Lei, what do you think?” Yu Shanhe looked at him in anticipation.

Xia Lei thought for a moment. “It’s a major decision, I need to think about it.”

“Of course.” Yu Shanhe turned to look at Ling Han. The latter kept his phone and walked over.

“How was the discussion?” asked Ling Han with a grin.

Yu Shanhe said, “Xia Lei said he’ll think about it.”

Ling Han’s brows were slightly furrowed. “Brother, I almost got into a fight over your ex-wife’s case. You’ve seen how sincere I am, no? You can’t do this alone forever. It’s a large cake, how can you swallow the entire thing? If you eat the cake, everyone’s going to starve. Help others and you’ll get a lot in return. If everyone helps each other, it’s a win-win for all.”

Xia Lei smiled. “Both of you are implying I should join your team then?”

Yu Shanhe did not speak.

Ling Han said, “You can put it that way. You must be unwilling to stand alone against so many people, right? If you’re happy, everyone’s happy. You’re already worth billions, you won’t be able to spend it all in two lifetimes. You’ve done so much, but you’re not a politician either. Why do you want to put yourself in such a lonely place?”

Yu Shanhe interjected, “Yeah, I’ll call you Little Xia as a friend. Little Xia, our life is short. Why do you want to earn so much? Sometimes, you can take a step back and your life will change.”

“Hehehe...” Xia Lei chuckled. “You both really put a lot of effort into this. First you send investigators to dig up dirt on my ex-wife, then you come here to convince me to help you. You both never had plans to reconcile. You’re just here to force me into cooperation, right?”

Both their faces darkened.

Xia Lei continued, “I think you’re both overestimating your own strengths. Do you think you can make me crumble just over some trivial matter with my ex-wife? I’ve always taken responsibility for that, and I’m still living well, no?”

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Ling Han laughed coldly. “Brother, you spoil the fun.”

“I’m not spoiling the fun, you just don’t have enough cards in your hand,” said Xia Lei.

“What about your father’s case?” asked Ling Han coldly. “He’s part of the special forces of our enemy.”

“I have a pardon.” Xia Lei remained unbothered.

To Yu Shanhe, with his position and pride, plus Shentu Tianyin’s old dirt and Xia Changhe’s special identity, even if Xia Lei did not agree to all of his conditions, he would still compromise something. His own identity was actually one of his cards in his negotiation, yet he didn’t expect Xia Lei to say no even after making so many offers!

After a short moment of silence, Yu Shanhe said, “Xia Lei, you think I won’t take action just because of your position? Alright, even if I can’t touch you now, you think I can’t touch the people around you? Or perhaps you don’t think I have the capability to?”

Xia Lei grinned. “Mr Yu, I think I’m more used to this side of you. I was very uncomfortable with the front you put up just now.”

“Hmmph!” Yu Shanhe said coldly. “Ling Han, call the investigative team. Tell them to capture Shentu Tianyin. Bring her away for interrogation.”

“Brother, is this really necessary? Isn’t it better for everyone to make money together, to grow rich together?” Ling Han took out his phone and looked at Xia Lei, waiting for his answer.

Xia Lei said flatly, “I have forgiven many people because they were worth my forgiveness. I have many friends and some are willing to die for me. But I will never forgive you two because you do not deserve it. I will never be your friend. You are both crocodiles who would eat your own partner. How will you ever make friends?”

Yu Shanhe instructed coldly, “Make the call, let’s not waste time with him. Get them to bring Shentu Tianyin away. Then send people to investigate Haizhu, the policewoman. See if she has done anything illegal.”

Ling Han dialled his phone.

“Wait,” said Xia Lei.

Ling Han stopped. “Changed your mind?”

Xia Lei then turned to the lady sitting quietly aside and asked, “Hey Miss, wanna come over here for a drink?”