Ji Zhe and Chu Hai immediately dropped to their knees in fright.
"Miss Liu, Miss Li, we’ve done wrong—please spare us!"
Li Xiaohui was completely dumbfounded by this.
Wait, what are you two doing?
I just came here to issue a challenge—why are you so terrified?
Liu Yutong walked over with an exasperated sigh, her tone laced with mild amusement. "President Ji, President Chu, what’s this about? You’re my honored guests. Get up and speak properly."
Ma Da, barely suppressing a laugh, quickly stepped forward and grabbed both men by their arms, hauling them up from the floor. "Exactly! Brothers, get up—the floor’s cold. Our young lady is the most reasonable person; she won’t do anything to you."
Half-supported and half-dragged by Ma Da, Ji Zhe and Chu Hai rose to their feet, still bewildered.
This didn’t make sense. Didn’t Li Xiaohui come to complain to Miss Liu? Were they really being let off just like that?
Still, they had to explain themselves.
"Miss Liu, we truly didn’t know Miss Li’s internet café was right across the street. That Yanwang Internet Café project was handled by my subordinates—I had no idea!"
"Exactly! Miss Liu, please understand, President Ji meant no harm. He would never intentionally oppose Miss Li!"
Li Xiaohui scratched her smooth forehead, her big eyes filled with utter confusion as she watched their panicked display. "Hey! What the heck are you two thinking? I, Li Xiaohui, do things openly and honestly—since when do I need you groveling like this?"
"I came to find Sister Yutong to formally declare war on that Yanwang Internet Café!"
"Since President Ji is the backer behind Yanwang, this works out perfectly. I’m going to defeat it fair and square—I’ll prove to everyone which internet café is truly superior! And I’ll make sure you regret not investing with me! This is a challenge, got it? Not a threat—a fair competition between our businesses!"
Ji Zhe: "…"
Chu Hai: "…"
So… that’s what this was about?
They’d nearly been scared to death.
Liu Yutong pinched the bridge of her nose, a faint, resigned smile tugging at her lips.
She finally understood—these two had completely misunderstood Li Xiaohui’s straightforward competitive spirit, mistaking it for some kind of vengeful retaliation.
"Ahem… President Ji, President Chu, my little sister here is just like this—bold and unfiltered. Her way of expressing things might be… well, blunt, but she always plays fair. You don’t need to worry about that."
"I’ve also heard from Xiaohui that your company’s internet café is right here in Bright Pearl City."
"Let me be direct, President Ji—this investment of yours is doomed to fail."
The office fell silent.
Though Ji Zhe knew Liu Yutong’s words weren’t a personal attack, hearing her so confidently declare his carefully vetted project a failure still stung his pride.
After all, he was one of the most renowned venture capitalists in the country—he had an eye for promising ventures. The internet café project’s blueprint was solid, its positioning precise, and its prospects undeniable!
Still, he didn’t dare openly contradict Liu Yutong. He could only force an awkward chuckle.
"Of course, I’m not saying your judgment is flawed. On the contrary, the investment itself is sound—it’s just given to the wrong person. President Ji, you know as well as I do that investing in a project often boils down to investing in the people behind it. This time, you backed the wrong horse. A real shame."
She gestured to Li Xiaohui beside her. "Xiaohui’s internet café chain will also expand nationwide. Whatever industry she sets her sights on, Wanlong Hui will support her all the way."
"President Ji, would you dare to make a wager with Xiaohui? Let’s say… one month. If Xiaohui’s first Bright Pearl City location can double the monthly revenue of your internet café, she wins."
"In that case, you’ll withdraw your investment from Yanwang and redirect it into Xiaohui’s project. How does that sound?"
"Hiss—"
Both Ji Zhe and Chu Hai sucked in a sharp breath.
One month?
Double the revenue?
They already knew Li Xiaohui’s first location was directly across from Yanwang’s flagship store in Bright Pearl City.
In other words, both businesses shared nearly identical foot traffic, demographics, and surroundings.
To double revenue under such conditions? That was practically impossible!
Yanwang Internet Café was already positioned as a mid-to-high-end venue, with top-tier hardware, premium ambiance, and substantial marketing.
Its current monthly revenue was already impressive—several hundred thousand. To double that, Li Xiaohui’s café would need to pull in close to a million.
The terms were almost unfairly stacked in his favor. He couldn’t see any way he could lose.
"Miss Liu, isn’t this bet a bit… harsh? Of course, I’ll state here that even without the wager, I’d be happy to redirect funds to Miss Li’s project."
Liu Yutong arched a delicate brow. "President Ji, are you implying Xiaohui can’t possibly win and you’re trying to go easy on her?"
"N-no, that’s not what I meant! I have full confidence in Miss Li’s abilities! She’ll definitely pull it off…" Even Ji Zhe heard the lack of conviction in his own voice.
"Good."
Liu Yutong decisively concluded, "Since President Ji also believes Xiaohui has a chance, the bet is settled. One month."
"If Xiaohui wins, you’ll withdraw your investment from Yanwang and reinvest it in her chain."
"Of course, a fair wager requires stakes from both sides. If Xiaohui fails, I, Liu Yutong, will personally compensate you double Yanwang’s one-month revenue in Bright Pearl City—no matter the amount. President Ji, are these terms acceptable?"
Double the monthly revenue as compensation?
This scale of confidence…
Ji Zhe couldn’t help but admire Liu Yutong’s boldness.
Moreover, the more he interacted with her, the more he sensed there was far more to her than met the eye.
Beyond the aura of a mafia princess, she carried the unmistakable potential of a true business leader.
Perhaps today’s visit wasn’t just about throwing money away—perhaps this really could become one of his most lucrative investments yet.
Without further hesitation, Ji Zhe agreed. "Very well! Miss Liu speaks decisively—this wager is on!"
"Excellent! Then we’ll let the results speak for themselves."
Liu Yutong turned to Li Xiaohui with an encouraging look. "Xiaohui, did you hear that? One month. Double. Don’t disappoint me."
"Don’t worry, Sister Yutong!"
Li Xiaohui puffed out her chest and raised a determined fist. "Huangquan will prevail!"
Ji Zhe and Chu Hai froze.
This was the first time they’d heard the name of her internet café.
Wait… did she just say "Yellow Spring"?
