Old Master Qi, being an experienced and worldly-wise man, had essentially confirmed over the past month of observing and getting to know Jiang Youli that this young woman was no ordinary person.
Just based on the earlier deepfake video involving Long Yuan and his uncle's scandal, Old Master Qi dared to conclude that either Jiang Youli herself possessed unknown influence, or she had a mysterious backer behind her.
That was why he showed such respect to Jiang Youli, a member of the younger generation.
From his perspective, it was already sufficient that the Qi family could one day be entrusted to a capable grandson like Qi Huan. With the added backing of Jiang Youli, who had a mysterious background, the Qi family would surely secure its position as the foremost wealthy and powerful family in the capital for a long time.
Moreover, there was even a possibility that the Long family could be crushed under the combined efforts of his grandson and his prospective granddaughter-in-law, Jiang Youli.
Ignoring Qi Feixue’s resentful gaze, Jiang Youli replied, “As for Qi Feixue and Qi Shaoxiong teaming up to mess with Huanhuan, I’d like to know, Grandpa Qi, how do you plan to punish them? Or rather, if you don’t have the heart to be harsh on your own grandchildren, then you might as well come up with some real compensation for Huanhuan.”
Jiang Xing was all too familiar with this scenario—it was just like when Jiang Zhao had tampered with the brakes, and his sister Jiang Youli had seized the opportunity to take control of Star Entertainment’s shares.
Could it be that Jiang Youli was planning a similar compensation this time?
“For example?” Old Master Qi inquired.
“For example, give Huanhuan 10% of the shares in Qi Group’s parent company,” Jiang Youli said bluntly.
“Grandfather, no!” Qi Feixue was the first to protest.
Jiang Youli raised an eyebrow. “Since Qi Feixue thinks this condition is unacceptable, then I’ll propose another one. Let Huanhuan take over the non-ferrous metals business in Africa. How about that?”
Unexpectedly, Jiang Youli had set her sights on the assets under their family’s management. Qi Feixue stood up angrily. “Jiang Youli, don’t push it! Who do you think you are to dictate what our Qi family’s businesses should do?”
Turning to her grandfather, she added, “Grandfather, you’re not actually thinking of agreeing to Jiang Youli’s absurd demand, are you? The African operation was built up through my father’s hard work. Don’t you know he almost lost his life over there when rivals went after him?”
Old Master Qi scolded sternly, “Then what do you want? Don’t you want to be cured of the poison anymore?”
Qi Feixue said anxiously, "Grandfather, there are far more straightforward ways to get Jiang Youli to administer the antidote for me—why do you have to beg her? Just threaten her: if she refuses to treat me, use our power to bankrupt the Jiang family. With the Qi family's influence in the capital, dealing with the Jiang family as they are now shouldn't be that hard, right?"
Jiang Youli let out a scoff. “Qi Feixue, you sure have a big mouth for someone who thinks bankrupting my Jiang family is that easy.”
“Have you ever really looked into how competition between companies works? Do you think all it takes is a few words to destroy a noble family like mine that stands among the second tier? I bet you don’t have a clue. After all, your father Qi Tianhuai’s younger brother Qi Shaoxiong would never let you meddle in the African business, would he?”
Even the Long family had to go to great lengths to go after Star Light Entertainment—acquiring small entertainment companies, investing in the established Windstorm Entertainment, and burning through money behind the scenes to cut off all of Star Light’s resources. What makes you think Grandpa Qi would go through so much trouble just to cure your poison, to the point of taking on my Jiang family?
Qi Feixue retorted, “Why? Because I’m Grandpa’s biological granddaughter, that’s why.”
Jiang Youli said, “Grandpa Qi has so many grandchildren. I doubt he would invest that much energy into you, a granddaughter who contributes nothing to the Qi family’s development. The fact that he personally asked me for help with your antidote already shows he cares enough.”
Qi Feixue was left speechless by Jiang Youli.
For a flicker of a moment, she seemed to waver.
With so many grandchildren, maybe she really wasn’t that important to Grandpa.
Old Master Qi spoke up, “Alright, Xue’er, do you want the antidote or not?”
Then Qi Shaoxiong chimed in, “Sis, say less. Grandpa is negotiating with Miss Jiang just to get you cured.”
Even her own brother was saying this. Qi Feixue sulkily sat back down.
Qi Shaoxiong continued, “Grandpa, just like my sister said, the assets in Africa were built by our father with blood and sweat, almost at the cost of his life. So I can’t allow those assets to be handed over to Brother Huan.”
Jiang Youli said, “So that means you agree to Grandpa Qi gifting Huanhuan ten percent of the Qi Group’s parent company shares?”
This time, Qi Feixue was furious but kept her mouth shut.
After all, she really did need Jiang Youli to cure her poison.
Qi Shaoxiong glanced at Old Master Qi and said, “Using ten percent of the parent company’s shares to save my sister’s life? I’ve got no problem with that.”
Old Master Qi didn’t waste words. “Since you have no objections, then it’s settled. I will transfer ten percent of the Qi Group’s parent company shares to Huan’er.”
“Thank you, Grandpa.” Qi Huan’s expression was flat, showing little joy.
To him, he was bound to become the Qi family heir anyway. Getting the parent company shares now was just an early withdrawal of his own inheritance.
Jiang Youli took out a porcelain bottle and shook out a pill. “Eat this. It’s the antidote.”
Qi Feixue took the pill without a second’s delay. She didn’t even drink water—she tossed it into her mouth and swallowed it whole. The bitter taste of the medicine spread in her mouth, but she felt a refreshing relief, as if she had narrowly escaped death.
Seeing that Qi Feixue’s poison was neutralized, Jiang Xing immediately looked at Jiang Youli with anticipation. “Youli, cure my poison too…”
Jiang Youli gave a mocking smile. “Jiang Xing, I only said I would cure Qi Feixue’s poison. I never said I would cure yours.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xing’s expression froze. “Youli…”
Jiang Youli sneered, “I cured Qi Feixue’s poison and got my fiancé Huanhuan ten percent of the Qi Group’s parent company shares. If I cure yours, what do I get? Your cheap, worthless thanks? Or your next backstab?”
Jiang Xing’s expression completely shattered. He clenched his fists, his voice hoarse and strained. “Youli, do you really have to be so ruthless with me?”
Watching Jiang Xing’s expression shift from hope to panic, then to fury, Jiang Youli said, “Since you came here to testify for Qi Feixue, she must have promised to help you get the antidote as well. Now that I’m not giving it to you, it’s not my problem—it’s Qi Feixue’s. It’s because she didn’t keep her promise and figure out a way to make me cure you. So how can you say I’m trying to finish you off? It’s Qi Feixue and Qi Shaoxiong who broke their word, isn’t it?”
This reasoning was, in fact, correct.
Jiang Xing had no choice but to turn to Qi Shaoxiong. “You promised me that if I testified before the elder Qi that your sister Qi Feixue was innocent and that my sister Jiang Youli was the one who poisoned her, you would have my sister Jiang Youli cure my poison too.”
