"You bastard, you're kidding me!" Qi Liangcai finally reacted, roaring with anger at Jiang Hai's words.
"Oh? Not bad—your IQ has improved. You even know I'm joking," Jiang Hai said with a calm smile, looking directly at Qi Liangcai.
Qi Liangcai's eyes practically burned with fury. Had Jiang Hai teased Qi Zhengtao instead, that man would have rushed over immediately for a fight. Right now, few could actually beat Jiang Hai—but Qi Liangcai was more calculating, less impulsive.
"Jiang Hai, what do you mean?" Qi Song stopped his son, his own face tight with anger.
"What do I mean? I mean exactly what I say," Jiang Hai replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Have we—father and son—ever offended you?" Qi Song asked, genuinely puzzled. He didn't remember any grievance.
"Haha, you really have a short memory! Who was it that took refuge with the An family and then came to my mother-in-law's house to bully me?" Jiang Hai chuckled darkly. To these men, apparently, that wasn't an offense.
Indeed, the dirtiest worlds are politics and business.
As the saying goes: there are no permanent enemies in business, only permanent interests.
Since ancient times, China valued scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans. But merchants—despite being revered abroad—ranked low domestically, because many had no moral compass. To make money, they'd betray friends, switch sides, and even destroy entire families over trivial matters.
Qi Song exemplified this perfectly. He saw nothing wrong with his past actions and confidently asked if there was any rift between them. Little did he know, the rift was massive.
In the room, the only person who wasn't a merchant by nature was Jiang Hai. Qi Li had once been entirely business-minded, but now, centered around Jiang Hai, she had softened a bit.
"We did that for the Qi family's sake. Our original choice wasn't wrong. It's easier to prevent a feud than to resolve one later. Better one friend than one enemy," Qi Song said, seemingly selfless—but Jiang Hai inwardly wanted to kick him. He restrained himself, uncertain whether the old man could survive the blow.
"That depends on whether the person is worth befriending. Your business-minded diplomacy means nothing to me. Since we are enemies, I treat you as such. You betrayed us and sought refuge with the An family—your survival or death is irrelevant to me. Even if you speak at length, my stance remains," Jiang Hai said coldly.
The expressions of the four men present darkened. Jiang Hai's words made it clear: they were enemies now. Not attacking them directly was already giving them face. Want his cows? Dream on.
"You bastard, what do you mean? You think you're awesome just because you raised two cows? Today, I'll show you what my grandfather Qi's methods are!" Qi Zhengtao couldn't tolerate it.
He stepped forward, fists ready, glaring at Jiang Hai. Jiang Hai smirked, anticipating the attempt. If Qi Zhengtao got cocky, he'd teach him a lesson—make him understand that not everyone could be bullied.
Jiang Hai didn't dare attack the older men—too risky if he lost control—but Qi Zhengtao? No mercy.
"Qi Li, is this your doing?" Qi Song intervened, stopping Qi Zhengtao. He turned to Qi Li, explaining calmly: their real goal had been to import cattle from Qi Li Restaurant and raise them themselves. They had seen the restaurant's profits and viewed it as a lucrative investment.
Repeatedly, they had approached Qi Li, tried to pressure other shareholders, even suggested merging the four restaurants into Qi Corporation. But Qi Li resisted every time, refusing to confront them directly. When Jiang Hai appeared, they assumed she had called him to help—but they hadn't expected him to be the owner of the cattle.
No wonder Qi Li kept others away from the four restaurants. Their husband-and-wife operation was sacred. To these people, making money without them was akin to murder. Family ties? Nonexistent.
Jiang Hai saw this clearly and flatly refused. These cattle were a protected breed under U.S. law, also safeguarded by him—it was impossible for them to seize them.
"Jiang Hai is my husband. Since I'm married to him, I naturally follow his lead. Whatever he says, I do," Qi Li added, smiling slightly.
The faces of Qi Song and the others darkened. Realizing further argument was futile, Qi Song waved them off and exited the office. Jiang Hai frowned slightly.
"Dad, are we just letting this go? Young Master Zhang has settled the customs, and this matter was 90% certain—but Jiang Hai's sudden intervention has ruined our plans," Qi Liang muttered as they left the office.
"This isn't over… We need to make them reveal their strategy. Let's go," Qi Song said, narrowing his eyes, walking forward. The others followed reluctantly—except Qi Zhengtao.
"Dad, Uncle, you go ahead. I'm going to the restroom," he said suddenly, darting away.
"Xiao Si, keep an eye on him. Don't let him mess with our people," Qi Yuanlong instructed Lv Si, Qi Zhengtao's wife.
Lv Si's father had been a talented general manager in a Qi subsidiary. Naturally, Lv Si was quiet, well-educated, and competent. Though married to Qi Zhengtao—a man with no business sense—she became the face of Qi Yuanlong's lineage within the company. While her husband and father held nominal titles, Lv Si wielded real influence.
"Yes, I'll watch him," Lv Si nodded respectfully.
Unbeknownst to them, Qi Zhengtao had already slipped into the security department.
Company security often employed a few "socialites"—men who intimidated troublemakers. While they weren't expected to patrol, they earned far more than regular guards. Qi Zhengtao, known as the heir, had limited respect among regular employees, but here he was, commanding some recognition.
Inside the lounge, four or five security men sat, smoking and playing cards. Company policy forbade smoking, but they ignored it. When they saw Qi Zhengtao, they stood and grinned.
"Hey, Young Master Qi! Want to play a few rounds?" one asked.
"You're not up to my level," Qi Zhengtao said dismissively, observing their pile of coins.
"True, we're not at your level. Just killing time…" they laughed.
"Enough. My wife will be here soon. I'm here to trouble you with something," Qi Zhengtao said, waving off the jokes and preparing to give instructions.