Chapter 106 A Win-win Deal

Zhang Zibang had a totally different character from his sister, Zhang Ziyu. He was calm and composed and acted prudently and tactfully, while his sister was willful and had a temper. The relationship between Qin Sheng and the duo started two years ago. The forces of the Zhang family spread through Hunan and Hubei. It was a powerful invisible family, but it had a deadly rival, the Song family, which was not weaker than the Zhang family. Especially those years, the Song family had seen its vigorous development in the political circle and gradually began to suppress the Zhang family. The two families had a feud because of ancient jade, the family heirloom of the Zhang family. It was said that the ancestors of the Zhang family grabbed it from the old master of the Song family. The ancient jade was precious and had an over-1000-year history, so there was bad blood between the two families.

Over the century, the Song family had never forgotten about this and wanted to get back the ancient jade that originally belonged to them. However, their strength had been inferior to the Zhang family’s, so they did not dare to offend their rival. Until now, they became powerful and started thinking about how to get it back.

Since they were unable to grab it in public, they had to steal it. The Song family found good helpers and sent them into the old house of the Zhang family to steal it during the birthday celebration of the old master of the Zhang family. They got the jade, but unfortunately, only one helper escaped alive. The man with the piece of ancient jade in his hand exerted all his strength and shook off the pursuers. He was seriously injured and almost died when he b.u.mped into Qin Sheng. Before he died, he gave Qin Sheng the piece of jade, which brought misfortune on the latter. Since then, Qin Sheng had been chased after by the killers from the Zhang and Song families. He had a battle of wits and courage with the two families during his escaping trip, so he got acquainted with Zhang Zibang and Zhang Ziyu. However, Qin Sheng had a more intimate relationship with the daughter of the Song family than the Zhang family and almost married into the Song family.

Zhang Zibang did not expect that he would b.u.mp into Qin Sheng when he tracked that thing. What a piece of luck! He was more surprised to know that Qin Sheng got involved in this matter.

Qin Sheng invited Zhang Zibang and his people into the lobby and sat opposite him. Qin Sheng had Zhao Song and Hong Tao standing behind while Zhang Zibang had Zhang Ziyu and a few minions. The violent lady Zhang Ziyu stared violently at Qin Sheng as if she would eat him alive. Actually, Qin Sheng had no idea how he offended her.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Qin Sheng. How is it going?” said Zhang Zibang, who palmed the rudraksha bracelet and stared at Qin Sheng with a big smile. He ignored Bi Yong, who was tied to the pillar, when he came in. After all, Bi Yong was just his p.a.w.n, a n.o.body.

Qin Sheng quipped, “I didn’t expect to meet you and your sister here. What a coincidence! It must be a quirk of fate.”

“Yep, it’s fate but not good. Tell me why you invited me here. You’d better give me a reason not to kill you,” Zhang Zibang said with a significant look. It really tallied with a Chinese idiom: Fancy finding by sheer luck what one has searched for far and wide. They had lost track of Qin Sheng and did not expect to meet him again. Compared to that thing, the piece of ancient jade was more important.

Zhao Song’s and Hong Tao’s faces changed slightly. They had guessed that Qin Sheng and the gang of people were not friends. Now they thought they were likely to be enemies, so they wondered what Qin Sheng wanted to do.

“Brother Zhang likes to talk big. If you were able to kill me, you could have done it two years ago, instead of chasing me until now. I know once we meet, I’ll reveal my ident.i.ty again. I guess you’re more eager to get the ancient jade, instead of that thing,” Qin Sheng said with interest. This was also the decision he made after careful consideration.

Zhang Ziyu snorted, “We want both.”

“The piece of ancient jade originally belongs to your family. It’s useless to me. If I don’t give it to you, from today on, I might be chased by your family again. Maybe you will tell the Song family my whereabouts. I don’t want to live such a wandering life, so let’s fix it today.” Qin Sheng ignored Zhang Ziyu. In his eyes, Zhang Ziyu lacked femininity and was totally different from Miss Song, who was gentle and elegant.

Zhang Zibang said with a faint smile, “Get to the point.”

“The point is that you can get what you want, the two things, but we need to make a deal, which is not only good for you but also makes me willing to hand over the precious things. What do you think?” Qin Sheng took the teacup and said shrewdly.

Zhang Zibang had long known that Qin Sheng was not a good person and might plot something in private, so he frowned and said, “Tell me about your plan. If it’s a good deal, I’ll consider it.”

“Absolutely a good deal. Do you want the thing? To be honest, I really don’t know where that thing is. Only Hong Xing knows about it. Let’s work together to find Hong Xing. You can get the thing and I only want Hong Xing. After that, I’ll tell you where the piece of ancient jade is. How about it? Is it a good deal?” Qin Sheng laughed and said. It was a profitless deal for him, but the piece of jade had caused him a lot of trouble. The Zhang family would know his whereabouts sooner or later. He worried that he would get involved in the fights with the two families. Now he wanted to have a peaceful life. Hence, he was unwilling to embroil himself in this matter and wanted to draw the line between them.

Zhang Zibang thought for a while and said with interest, “It seems to be a good deal. It can be said that I’ll take advantage of you, but how can I believe you?”

Qin Sheng replied slowly, “Believe it or not, it’s up to you. I only want Hong Xing, instead of that thing. This is the task that our boss gave me, but with my own ability, I can’t find him. As for the second thing, you don’t have to doubt it. You already know where I am. If I don’t tell you, won’t you torture me to death by your family’s means?”

Zhang Zibang burst into laughter and said, “Qin Sheng, do you have the capital to bargain with me? When I saw you, that thing was not important. I want to get the thing which belongs to my family more. Do you think that you can leave here today?”

As his voice fell, several men rushed in and surrounded Qin Sheng and his people with the present minions. Obviously, they did not intend to let them go.

Qin Sheng’s face fell slightly. Zhao Song and Hong Tao also got nervous as if they were facing a formidable enemy. Unexpectedly, an intense confrontation swept away the originally harmonious atmosphere.

Qin Sheng was still composed. He shook his head and said with a wry smile, “Brother Zhang, you don’t have to treat me with such a formation. Even if we fight, you might not be able to stop me. Otherwise, I would have been caught by you many times over the past two years. I gave you only one opportunity. If I get out of here alive, I can tell you for sure that the next time you see the piece of jade, it will be in the hands of the Song family. After all, I’m the fiance of Miss Song. Hahahaha.”

Zhang Zibang laughed out although it sounded a bit embarra.s.sed. He said with a smile, “Qin Sheng, Qin Sheng, you’re still that Qin Sheng, who has never allowed himself to be pushed around. Well, I just make a joke with you. Now that it’s a good deal, how can I not agree with it? Do I have any reason to refuse it?”

Qin Sheng slowly got up and walked toward Zhang Zibang. Then he took the initiative to reach out and shake hands with him, saying, “This is Brother Zhang I know. I hope we can cooperate happily.”

Zhang Zibang shook his hands violently and said in an unhurried tone, “But I have to warn you, don’t play tricks on me, or I will definitely make you feel that to live is no better than to die.”

“Brother Zhang, you can rest a.s.sured. I have no reason to lie to you,” Qin Sheng said with a grin.

The enemy became his ally. Qin Sheng had achieved his purpose. At least, he did not have to get the wind up like two days ago. Using a piece of ancient jade, which never belonged to him and was useless to him, he got an ally. This was a win-win deal.

Shaking hands with Zhang Zibang, Qin Sheng looked at Zhang Ziyu, who was standing by. He also offered his hand and said, “Ziyu, we’re allies. You’re a girl, so don’t use violence anymore. It’s not what a lady should do.”

Unexpectedly, Zhang Ziyu did not put Qin Sheng in her eyes and shouted, “p.i.s.s off.”

This made Qin Sheng quite embarra.s.sed. Zhao Song and Hong Tao also wanted to laugh but they did not dare to.

“Then, I hope that we can keep in touch with each other. Once you find Brother Hong, I hope that Brother Zhang will tell me as soon as possible.” Qin Sheng said with fervour in his eyes.

Zhang Zibang nodded and said, “Don’t worry about it.”

The cooperation was settled and there was no big fight between both sides. Zhang Zibang and his sister left with their minions. Qin Sheng and the rest also planned to leave Meijiawu. Obviously, it was not suitable for them to stay anymore.

In the car, Zhang Ziyu asked in puzzlement, “Brother, why did you agree to cooperate with the hooligan? Your cooperation with him is like asking a tiger for its skin. He used to take advantage of us over the past two years.”

“Ziyu, it’s not as simple as you think. The thing and the ancient jade of our family, which one is more important?” Zhang Zibang asked thoughtfully.

Zhang Ziyu replied without thinking, “Of course, the ancient jade is more important. That’s our family heirloom.”

“I have embarra.s.sing status in our big family. It’s hard for me to make a difference, so I have to bet on it. If I get the ancient jade, the old master will see me in a new light. Now have you got it?” Zhang Zibang said slowly. Qin Sheng had his own consideration, but Zhang Zibang considered more, which was the real purpose of his cooperation with Qin Sheng. If this cooperation succeeded, he would get the thing and the piece of ancient jade. Then he would rise up and rank high among the younger generations.

Zhang Ziyu instantly understood and nodded, saying, “Brother, I got it.”

In the small courtyard of Meijiawu, Zhao Song asked, looking dubious, “Brother Qin, is the pair of brother and sister reliable?”

“As long as I am in Hangzhou, they are reliable. There’s no doubt that they are our absolute allies. You don’t understand the importance of the ancient jade to them,” Qin Sheng said with interest. This was not a question of the value of the ancient jade, but it was related to a 100-year feud between the two families. It was all about face, which was the most important thing.

Zhao Song and Hong Tao naturally felt confused and said with a frown, “Since they’re reliable, we’ll find Brother Hong with the help of our ally. I just wonder whether Brother Hong has been killed or not.”

“Whether he is dead or alive, let’s find him first.” Qin Sheng said with a calm look, “Let’s go. Find a new stronghold. We can’t stay here any longer.”

Looking back at Bi Yong, who was tied to the pillar, Zhao Song asked, “Brother Qin, how should we deal with him?”

Qin Sheng narrowed his eyes and thought for a while. Then he sneered, “Kill him.”