Chapter 330: Chapter 330

"Discussing cooperation is fine, but surely you know why I asked you here today!" Qi Longbing saw her dodge the issue again, her unwillingness to face reality making her retreat like a turtle into its shell. He felt it was time to teach her a lesson, to make her understand that no matter where she was or what her status, she could not escape him.

"The purpose of coming?" Hua Xiaomo looked at him and then chuckled dryly. "Isn’t it just to have a meal?"

Her question made Qi Longbing almost laugh. "You are the chairman now, Miss Hua Xiaomo. Your intelligence... Don’t tell me this is the extent of it."

"Sorry, I just thought it was only a meal. If President Qi has any other requests, then I’m afraid I can’t agree to them." Hua Xiaomo rejected him quickly and directly. She felt that if he continued to speak in such a way, it would be an insult to both of them; she didn’t want to accept it, nor did she want to engage further with such talk.

"Really? You can’t agree?" Qi Longbing easily saw through her thoughts and quickly added, "If you can’t agree, then why would you and your general manager fly thousands of miles to City A?"

"Your company has indeed made remarkable achievements in the gaming industry. However, don’t forget that if your company wants to go public in City A, you might not be able to list without a guarantor or due to other reasons. That would greatly limit your company’s development."

Qi Longbing wasn’t afraid to intimidate her directly; he knew much more clearly than she did about the standards for listing and certain insider operations.

Frankly speaking, if she wanted to go public, she wouldn’t be able to do so successfully in City A if the Qi Imperial Court didn’t support her.

The concept of going public hardly needs further explanation. It means one’s net worth multiplying many times over.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him. Even if she was somewhat bewildered, she understood the implication behind his words. "Qi Longbing, you want to stop my company from going public? How can you do this?"

Hua Xiaomo was thoroughly annoyed. Fine, if cooperation was off the table, then so be it. At worst, she could find another company to collaborate with. However, going public was an essential step for their company. Was it all going to fall through just because of what this man said? Isn’t that utterly ridiculous?

"The initiative is in your hands, Hua Xiaomo. Whether your company goes public or not... well, going public isn’t as simple as you might think," Qi Longbing told her directly, then circled her with a cunning glint in his eyes.

"Going public is just a way for the rich to get richer. You can be considered a semi-successful individual now. So, if you wish to climb higher, you must cooperate with this tacit understanding. I wonder if you comprehend what I’m saying." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩

Qi Longbing spoke swiftly. He then walked over to the liquor cabinet, took out a bottle of Lafite, and quickly filled two tall glasses. Walking back towards her, he handed her one.

"If you still want to cooperate, if you still want to go public, then drink this wine. We can then discuss things properly, without this hostility," Qi Longbing said, raising his glass towards her as if for a toast.

Hua Xiaomo hesitated. How could she give up on the company going public? No. She absolutely couldn’t. The company had grown so large; the only way forward was to continue pushing upwards, not to head downhill.

Hundreds of employees were counting on her and the general manager to personally step up, secure the necessary contracts, and ensure the company’s successful listing in City A. This was the hope of so many people; how could she give up so easily!

If she gave up, many would be disappointed, and many would lose faith in the company. Wouldn’t that mean the company’s development would stall? No, she couldn’t let that happen. She had to get the company listed for a brighter future.

She could take their gaming software worldwide; she believed that then, even more players would love the games they created.

"Let me think about it." Hua Xiaomo didn’t lift her glass, but Qi Longbing’s glass had already touched hers, and the two glasses made a pleasant CLINK.

The sound sent a tremor through Hua Xiaomo’s soul.

Qi Longbing watched her, a faint glow in his eyes. He truly wanted to embrace her, but he knew that at this moment, only with enough patience could he conquer this increasingly formidable woman.

If the Hua Xiaomo of the past, aside from lacking money, was powerful in every aspect, then the current her was as indomitable as a fortress. Her every facet was now perfectly composed—be it money, status, or her beauty. She lacked nothing. So, to control such a woman, he needed to invest more thought and effort.

He was willing to devote so much attention to her, even if it took a lifetime. What of it!

He had already decided never to marry. Even if it meant he would just be with her , engaged in a lifelong romance, he was fine with it.

As for the matter of an heir, he didn’t want to concern himself too much. Wasn’t there still Qi Lingfeng? The future of the Qi Family could be entrusted to Qi Lingfeng; he was more than capable of ensuring its prosperity. So, he didn’t need to worry about that at all. He just wanted to be with this woman before him forever, even if their relationship wouldn’t ’blossom and bear fruit.’ He wouldn’t regret it.

He only wanted this feeling to last forever, without any change. Otherwise, he would feel he was no longer himself.

"Alright, I’ll give you time. But don’t make me wait too long because, as you know, I’m not a very patient person. Yet today, you’ve certainly made me exercise my patience," Qi Longbing said with a laugh. Then, taking her hand, he led her to sit with him on the corner sofa, carefully studying her face.

"It’s been five years, Hua Xiaomo. Tell me, in these five years, have you ever thought about me?" Qi Longbing gazed intently at Hua Xiaomo, his eyes full of tenderness.

Hua Xiaomo blushed under his gaze and turned her face away. The man beside her then put his arm around her shoulder.

Hua Xiaomo grew nervous and unsettled. Unexpectedly, his face drew close, as if he were about to kiss her cheek.

Startled, Hua Xiaomo jerked, and the wine in her glass splashed all over his face.

Even Qi Longbing’s shirt was instantly soaked, blooming with a large, dark stain.