Chapter 133: A Masterclass in Empty-Handed Profiteering

Xiao Meier was different from these people.

On the surface, it seemed that the Four Great Families had brought their current predicament upon themselves. In truth, however, Xiao Meier understood that everything had merely been orchestrated behind the scenes by Lin Li. The Four Great Families were nothing more than one link in the chain through which Lin Li had fanned the flames.

Previously, he had sneered at Lin Li’s abilities. He had believed that even with the Qin Group in Lin Li’s hands, it could never pose any real threat to the whole of Jiangcheng. But now, that notion had been thoroughly discarded.

They had to admit that Lin Li’s capabilities were plainly evident. And the changes he might bring to all of Jiangcheng in the future could far exceed anyone’s imagination.

“Miss Xiao, you put it so beautifully… I honestly don’t know how to respond.”

Xiao Meier smiled at him. “Mr. Lin, as long as I, Xiao Meier, am here, you will have a rock-solid ally.”

“Others may not see it, but I know you are not someone content to remain in Jiangcheng.”

Lin Li’s ambitions were vast. A small place like Jiangcheng could never satisfy him.

There were still countless matters waiting for him to resolve.

Seeing how serious Xiao Meier looked, Lin Li smiled and shook his head. “Miss Xiao, you really are an interesting person.”

“I agree to what you proposed.”

“As for how you explain our cooperation to your father, though, that will be up to you.”

Lin Li knew that Xiao Meier had probably already found the best way to resolve the problem before coming to him. He simply had not understood the details at the time.

Now that he thought about it, among the several leading women, Xiao Meier was the one who saw the situation most clearly.

Lin Li had only just stepped out of the bar when he immediately received a call from Leng Ningxue.

The old men of the Four Great Families had all been thoroughly brainwashed by Ye Aotian. Yet no matter how eloquently Ye Aotian spoke, each of them still had his own thoughts. Apart from Leng Tianyi, who still wanted to deal with Lin Li, Lin Yousheng might also have been persuaded.

But whatever the case, the Lin family had always been cautious and prudent. They would not act recklessly.

Moreover, after Lin Yiyi had conducted her investigation, she had failed to find any weakness in Lin Li. This had caused Lin Yousheng to lose his nerve.

They could certainly continue with the plan, but it would offer them little real benefit.

Therefore, to prevent such an outcome, the best choice was naturally to let everything go at this point.

As for the Xiao family, because of Xiao Meier, Xiao Qimin did not have much say in the matter. Besides, the rumors that the Four Great Families were beginning to splinter had largely been spread because of him.

Before this, Ye Aotian had also made one insinuation after another, to the point that anyone unaware of the truth might have believed Xiao Qimin had already decided to betray them.

“The Four Great Families really are united only on the surface. In reality, every one of them has already begun planning their next move.”

Leng Ningxue sounded quite excited as she said this.

Although the Four Great Families appeared to have complete control of the situation, it would not be long before they paid the price for what they had done.

“I just met with Xiao Meier.”

“She has agreed to donate a sum of money to us in the Xiao family’s name. But we can also use this opportunity to openly call upon Jiangcheng’s businesses to contribute.”

This time, the Qin Group had encountered such a massive “crisis.” Could the successful entrepreneurs of Jiangcheng truly stand by and do nothing?

The answer was obviously no.

At least from Lin Li’s perspective, he hoped that all of them would lend him a hand.

The amount did not matter for now.

But at the very least, they had to make their position clear.

“Sister Xiao really is as clever as ever.”

Strictly speaking, Leng Ningxue was the principal female lead. Yet among Ye Aotian’s women, Xiao Meier had always been the one who held the initiative.

Of course, this was inseparable from her exceptional abilities.

“So there’s no need to worry about the Four Great Families for now. They have already fallen apart on their own. We only need to take care of our own affairs.”

At this point, Ye Aotian was the one who should be anxious. Lin Li had no reason to worry.

After ending the call with Leng Ningxue, Lin Li immediately told Wang Qisheng about his plan.

Wang Qisheng fell silent for a while after hearing it.

“Your counterattack against the Four Great Families is indeed ingenious. Even I never thought of using such a method to pressure them.”

“But after suffering a setback at your hands, will the Four Great Families really be willing to give in so easily?”

“What if those people remain as resolute as before? What are we supposed to do then?”

There was a trace of concern in Wang Qisheng’s voice.

The Four Great Families possessed considerable strength. Whatever happened, they could not underestimate their influence.

“That is why I need you to personally step forward and convene this meeting.”

“I want you to gather the heads of all the companies in Jiangcheng. If everyone contributes something, it can also be considered publicity for their own businesses.”

What Lin Li was doing now resembled little more than extortion by clever means.

Of course, Wang Qisheng knew that Lin Li would provide appropriate compensation in return. But while the matter sounded simple, carrying it out would be extremely difficult, and it was bound to offend certain people.

“I can’t give you a definite answer yet, but I’ll arrange it immediately.”

“If more members of the Four Great Families are willing to participate, I believe even more people will be willing to donate.”

After ending the call, Lin Li felt much more at ease.

Ye Aotian had believed that he could use the Four Great Families to seal off Lin Li’s future completely. He would never have imagined that Lin Li had long since made preparations.

Once the donation ceremony was handled properly, they could begin work immediately.

Lin Li could endure losing a few days to the matter.

He simply wondered what Ye Aotian would think once he learned the truth.

Just as Lin Li was feeling pleased, he suddenly heard a familiar voice ahead.

At that moment, Lin Yiyi was still considering how she should explain everything to her father. Then she saw Lin Li walking toward her.

“Have we met somewhere before?”

Lin Li studied her curiously.

Lin Yiyi shook her head. Without even acknowledging him, she turned and walked away.

From the look of her, she was clearly afraid that Lin Li might say another word.

Lin Li was quite satisfied with her reaction.

“Looks like she really believes it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t treat me this way.”

Lin Yiyi was unwilling to deal with Lin Li now simply because she still had no idea how she was supposed to face him in the future.