Chapter 48: Just Kidding
Chapter 48: Just Kidding
Yu Meilin didn’t hold back either, saying coldly, “Since you call me sister and he’s your brother-in-law, how could you talk about him like that? In front of several leaders, aren’t you afraid of making our Yu Family lose face?”
Yu Jiahao sneered, “I never saw him as a brother-in-law. He doesn’t deserve it. Your biggest failure was bringing him into the Yu Family as a live-in son-in-law. You’re the one who embarrassed the Yu Family.”
“You…” Yu Meilin was fuming.
Ge Jun stared intently at Li Zian. He thought Li Zian would talk back, so he could ambush him unexpectedly. But Li Zian stood calmly behind Yu Meilin, a faint smile on his face.
Cousin Sister wondered, is this still the sharp-tongued Li Zian she knew?
The tall leader laughed it off, “Oh, I didn’t know Mr. Yu and General Manager Yu were siblings. We’re here to discuss the copper mine investment. Let’s talk about family matters another time, alright?”
Yu Jiahao said, “I really like this copper mine. I will pay the overdue Mineral Resource Compensation Fee and increase the investment. I represent the listed company Dajiang Group. We not only want to invest in this copper mine but also enter your local real estate market to boost the local economy.”
The leaders couldn’t help exchanging glances again, their faces showing excitement.
Yu Jiahao continued, “According to relevant laws, if the mine owner fails to pay the Mineral Resource Compensation Fee, the local government has the right to revoke their mining rights and initiate legal auction procedures. We can skip that step. I’ll take over directly, pay the previous owner’s outstanding Mineral Resource Compensation Fee, and continue developing this copper mine.”
The tall leader stood up, a thrilled smile on his face, “Since Mr. Yu is so straightforward, we’ll handle this as a special case. We’ll go back and hold a meeting to discuss our cooperation with Dajiang Group and finalize it as soon as possible.”
Yu Jiahao shifted his gaze to Yu Meilin’s face, a sinister smile curling his lips.
The tall leader said, “General Manager Yu, I hope you understand our situation. Given your circumstances, we have to follow the regulations.”
Yu Jiahao looked at Yu Meilin and added with a smile, “Sis, I’m not snatching this from you. Business has no regard for family ties. Besides, I gave you a chance, but you didn’t take it.”
Yu Meilin glanced back at Li Zian.
She still remembered the saying about husband and wife working together.
Since Li Zian came out of the mountains, he had solved so many problems for her. Subconsciously, she had developed a habit of “turning to Zian for external matters.”
Just as Li Zian was about to speak, Ge Jun cut in first.
“Ah, Meilin, what’s the use of looking at him? Jiahao is right. He’s just a villager from the mountains, totally unworthy of you. For such a big matter, you should consider Jiahao’s offer. Only he can help you.”
Li Zian waited for him to finish before speaking, “I thought you had some real cards to play. Turns out you’re just trying to fool the leaders with empty promises. Yu Jiahao, you want to buy this mine for just over ten million? Are you out of your mind? This mine had billions in initial investment. Who’s going to compensate for that? Can you afford it, Yu Jiahao?”
Ge Jun retorted, “Billions? Why don’t you just rob a bank?”
Yu Meilin looked confused too. She never invested billions in this mine.
Li Zian said, “Now you’re the ones trying to take it, not us selling it. If you really want to buy this copper mine, fine. We’re family, so we’ll give you a 20% discount. Let’s say five billion.”
“Hahaha…” Yu Jiahao laughed.
Li Zian played along and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Yu Jiahao stopped laughing, not hiding his disdain, “You must be desperately poor. If you want to extort money, at least do it properly. Truly a mountain villager. Do you have any idea how high a pile of five billion would be or how much space it would take? You just throw out numbers. You say you invested five billion, so I should pay you five billion?”
Li Zian shot back, “If you don’t have the money, why are you putting on airs here? This mine belongs to New Star Company. Meilin is the rightful owner. If you want to buy it, bring five billion. If not, get lost.”
Yu Jiahao snorted coldly, “You don’t get to decide this.”
He glanced at the tall leader.
The tall leader said, “Let’s settle it like this. Mr. Yu, we’ll go back now to discuss cooperation with Dajiang Group. You can come with us.”
Yu Jiahao smiled and said, “Leaders, please take my helicopter back. Cousin, you stay here and make sure they don’t touch anything.”
His tone made it sound like the mine was already his.
Ge Jun responded, “Don’t worry, Second Young Master.”
Then Li Zian suddenly said, “Leaders, if we pay the Mineral Resource Compensation Fee, can you still sell our mine?”
The tall leader paused slightly, “Of course not, but the problem is you can’t pay the money.”
Yu Meilin said, “We already paid. I paid it when I went to the bank to withdraw money, including the late fees. We don’t owe the local government a single cent.”
The leaders were stunned.
The smile on Yu Jiahao’s face froze in a second, like it was glued on.
Ge Jun’s mouth hung open, but no sound came out.
Yu Meilin took the receipt from her briefcase and handed it to the tall leader.
The leaders passed around and examined Yu Meilin’s receipt.
Ge Jun suddenly blurted out, “Leaders, look carefully. It must be a fake receipt made by that guy. They have no money. New Star Company is almost finished!”
Li Zian smiled, “Cousin Sister, what’s wrong with your IQ? Would we lie to the leaders about something like this? Whether the local finance bureau received the money can be checked with a phone call. Only someone with your IQ would forge something like this, right?”
This reminded the leaders. The female leader took the receipt and walked to the corner, “I’ll make a call to check.”
Yu Jiahao stared coldly at Yu Meilin, “Where did you get the money?”
Yu Meilin replied calmly, “Your brother-in-law borrowed it from his friend.”
Yu Jiahao said coldly, “Impossible. Who would lend over ten million to a mountain villager? Grandma gave it to you, didn’t she?”
“I can’t be bothered talking to you.” Yu Meilin didn’t even want to look at Yu Jiahao anymore.
What kind of brother acts like this?
Pushing his sister into a corner, and when that fails, making false accusations.
Yu Jiahao then glared at Li Zian, his eyes fierce, “How could you possibly borrow over ten million?”
A faint, carefree smile touched Li Zian’s lips, “Not just over ten million, but twenty million. My friend also said if it’s not enough, just ask.”
“Impossible!”
“Are you saying you’re the only rich person in the world? But you’re not that rich yourself. Even that helicopter belongs to the company. You say you represent Dajiang Group, but I don’t think you can. The Chairperson of Dajiang Group is Meilin’s father, my Father-in-Law. Aren’t you afraid he’ll slap you for saying that?”
Yu Jiahao’s face turned red and pale.
Then the female leader came back, “I made the call. General Manager Yu did pay the overdue Mineral Resource Compensation Fee for the mine, including all late fees and relevant taxes. Nothing is owed.”
The tall leader looked embarrassed, “Why didn’t you tell us you paid the debt?”
Li Zian said, “You didn’t ask. I saw the leaders showing this Mr. Yu around the mine, so I thought he was really here to buy it. After all, he came in Dajiang Group’s helicopter—quite impressive. This mine’s market value is eight billion. I wonder if Mr. Yu has that much money to buy it?”
If asked again, he’d say eighteen billion. He could name any amount; it’s not like he had to pay taxes or face legal consequences.
“Enough!” Yu Jiahao snapped in anger and humiliation, “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”
Li Zian grinned, “Yes, it was on purpose. Just kidding.”
Yu Jiahao suddenly stepped forward, raising his hand.
Li Zian looked at him smilingly, not moving an inch.
Yu Jiahao’s hand hung in mid-air.
He couldn’t win a fight.
That was the only reason he stopped.
But Li Zian kept fueling the fire, “Look at you. You want to hit me but don’t dare. You want to buy the mine but don’t have the money. If I were you, instead of embarrassing yourself here, I’d tuck my tail and run.”
Yu Jiahao really wanted to strangle Li Zian.
But it was just a thought.
He really couldn’t win.
After a few seconds, Yu Jiahao calmed down, “Leaders, you should consider Dajiang Group’s future investments and the huge boost they’ll bring to the local economy. Transfer this copper mine to me.”
The tall leader pondered briefly and said, “That’s something for your two companies to discuss. You’re family. Talk it over among yourselves first, then come back to us.”
The leaders left.
It felt like another slap on Yu Jiahao’s face, stinging badly.
The leaders left so decisively because of Li Zian’s words. They realized Yu Jiahao had no real intention of large-scale investment here, maybe not even sincerely wanting to buy the copper mine. And Yu Meilin was still the daughter of Dajiang Group’s Chairperson. The helicopter belonged to Dajiang Group too. They had no reason to illegally strip Yu Meilin of her legitimate mining rights just to please a rich kid who tried to fool them.
They were all leaders; they knew how to read people. You can fool me once, but not twice.
Yu Jiahao shot a hateful look at Li Zian and Yu Meilin, said nothing, turned, and walked away.
Ge Jun gestured with a limp wrist, “Just you wait, this isn’t over!”
“Sissy.” Li Zian said.
“You…” Ge Jun stomped his foot and followed Yu Jiahao toward the door.
Yu Meilin suddenly said, “Stop!”
Yu Jiahao turned back, looking coldly at Yu Meilin.
Yu Meilin said, “I never thought you’d go this far. You came today, you did what you did. Our sibling bond ends here. Don’t call me sister anymore. I don’t have a brother like you.”
“Fine!” Yu Jiahao spat out two icy words and walked out of the meeting room without looking back.
Yu Meilin watched Yu Jiahao’s back, staying silent for several seconds before speaking, “I know him. He won’t give up. As long as Grandma is with us, the Yu Family won’t give up either.”
Her heart felt heavy.
Li Zian said softly, “I’m here. It’s okay.”
Yu Meilin looked at Li Zian.
Li Zian looked back at Yu Meilin.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
Li Zian thought to himself, “Is she waiting for a kiss? Or is she expecting me to kiss her?”
In TV dramas, after such a gaze, the next step is usually the male and female leads kissing.
Finally, Yu Meilin broke the silence between them, “How do you want me to thank you? Think about it and tell me later.”
Li Zian smiled, “We’re husband and wife. Do we need to be so formal?”
“Can’t husband and wife be polite to each other?” Yu Meilin retorted.
This was heading toward another dead-end conversation.
Li Zian thought for a moment and said, “Come with me to Jingua Village tonight. We’re guests at Kaqianda Jielong’s house. I cured his illness, so he wants to slaughter a sheep to thank me. You should come too, so you can meet him. We’ll need to get along with him for the copper mine’s future. It’ll be good to know him.”
“I’ll go with you, but that doesn’t count.” Yu Meilin still stared intently at Li Zian, a hint of expectation in her eyes.
Li Zian thought again, “Can you give me some of your skincare products? I got badly sunburned today. I want to use some.”
Yu Meilin was speechless.