Chapter 479: Trouble Comes Knocking at the Magnificent Tang Corporation
As the first campus flower of Shanghai University, Mu Wanying was the focus of everyone's attention no matter where she went, while Tang Xiu had also become a famous celebrity in the campus due to his song and zither play that caused a sensation throughout the country. With them walking shoulder-to-shoulder on the road inside the campus, the eyes of numerous people were naturally attracted to them.
Nevertheless, they had long been accustomed to being the focus of attention and promptly ignored them.
"Anyway, why did Li Xinjie and the others leave in a hurry, Wanying?" In the tree-lined road, Tang Xiu proceeded forward as he asked curiously.
"They probably have something urgent to do!" Mu Wanying replied with a faint smile.
There was a note of evasion in her reply.
Possessing both good looks and brains, she knew perfectly well about the disposition of her dorm sisters, how could she not be aware of their intention? They were hoping that she could build up a relationship with Tang Xiu? Hence, they excused themselves and took their leave due to some matters, hoping that she would get along with Tang Xiu.
Alas!
Regardless, Mu Wanying secretly sighed. She had already exposed what she felt inside last night. It was indeed blanketed tactfully, yet Tng Xiu's attitude made her very helpless. She had never expected that a male student who was two years younger than herself would reject her.
Ring, ring, ring…
A mobile phone's ringtone sounded.
Tang Xiu took his cell phone out and looked at the number on the screen. After connecting the call, he said with a smile, "Kang Xia, something happened for you to call me at this time?"
"Boss, our Magnificent Tang Corporation has encountered some trouble." From the phone, Kang Xia's answer was ice cold.
"What trouble?" Tang Xiu frowned.
"Our Magnificent Tang Corp's business has been extremely good ever since listing our three products. Nevertheless, due to us employing a business policy of producing and marketing these products by ourselves with no business agents in the middle, half a month ago, many commercial giants from various countries engaging in the liquor business, cosmetics, and healthcare products have sent hundreds of their representative companies to our Magnificent Tang Corp, wanting to secure a cooperation with us."
"You already talked to me about this issue. My answer was very simple, that our products won't be marketed out of the country for the time being. Then, what exactly is the matter?" Said Tang Xiu.
"I rejected their offer completely as per your instructions, Boss," said Kang Xia with a forced smile. "Yet, relying on their wealth and strength, a dozen forces carried out large-scale attacks on some raw materials needed by our Magnificent Tang Corp's products. Just last night, some people secretly contacted several top executives of our company and offered a stellar amount of money in the hopes that they could get the formula for the Gods Nectar, Skin Care Lotion, and Scar Removal Cream to be sold to them. Fortunately, your show of strength in the company's celebration banquet in Star City a few days ago has made them aware of your strength, and they even obtained a lot of rewards there. Hence, they promptly reported it to me about this."
A cold light burst inside Tang Xiu's eyes.
The formula?!! That was the core secret of the three products of the Magnificent Tang Corp. Once the formulas were exposed, others would be able to imitate it on a large scale, thus greatly impacting his company's business.
Cutting off one's source of financial resources was akin to killing his own parents!
Despite Tang Xiu himself regarding money as a very light issue, yet seeing now as how others were threatening him and wanting to cut off his financial source, it was something he could never accept.
"Kang Xia, I'll assign a group of experts to Star City again under you. Don't act rashly at first. Just protect our core secrets and our company's top executives. I will have a holiday two days later. I'll solve those people by that time."
"Boss, why don't we solve these hidden problems in advance?" Asked Kang Xia.
"Are you sure? You have the confidence?" Asked Tang Xiu back.
"Confidence?" Kang Xia forced a smile. "The background of those parties are very strong. There are two forces that can be said as very terrifying. Let alone the present strength of our Magnificent Tang Corp, even if our strength is a hundred times stronger than now, I'm afraid…"
"Which forces, exactly?" Asked Tang Xiu, frowning.
"It's the Cubo Clan, an Italian mafia syndicate, and the Brauns Group from the United States," said Kang Xia.
Tang Xiu memorized these two names and said, "Got it. All you gotta do now is protect the core secrets and top executives of our company before I get back. As for the raw materials, buy as many of them as you can, and keep quiet if you can't. At the worst, just send the factory workers home temporarily."
"Roger that!" Replied Kang Xia.
Tang Xiu ended the call. As he saw the curious look in Mu Wanying's eyes, he said in a subtle manner, "Something happened in my company in Star City."
Mu Wanying nodded and asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No need," Tang Xiu shook his head. "I can solve it myself."
"I know you're very powerful, but one's individual ability is limited, after all. If there's a need of it, please speak to me freely. Though I myself am not the one with the ability, yet I'm the one in the family my Grandpa dotes on the most," said Mu Wanying.
"Wanying, we've been getting along well, but I don't know much about the situation in your family. Are you by any chance from Beijing?" Tang Xiu's complexion suddenly changed a bit, as he looked at her and asked out of curiosity.
"Ehh, you know nothing about my family, I suppose? Seems like I cannot arouse your curiosity, hmm?" Mu Wanying looked at Tang Xiu with a strange expression.
"No, it's not like that." Tang Xiu shook his head as he smilingly replied. "We're friends. But it doesn't mean that I need to know your family's background or something like that. You see, now that the topic came to this point, I wouldn't have had the idea to ask you!"
"I'm from Beijing's House of Mu." A hint of smile outlined on the corner of Mu Wanying's mouth. "And my Grandpa is Mu Chengfeng."
It's him?
Tang Xiu was startled inside, and a surprised look appeared in his eyes. Though the Mu Family from Beijing was slightly inferior to the Tang Family, they were definitely a powerful family. The Mu's Family Head, Mu Chengfeng, was an illustrious senior official in the country in the past, and one of those who stood at the apex in the country.
"Never thought you would be a lady from a great house." Surprise only stayed for a second on Tang Xiu's face, as it was then replaced by a light smile afterward.
While holding her smile, Mu Wanying said, "If anything, I was very young when I met Tang Ying back then. I didn't know what background or anything a house could have. But after I grew up, casting aside our family's background, we then became bosom friends and talked about anything. Otherwise, with the pride carved in Tang Ying's bone, how could I have become a her sister, to begin with?"
"It's not the person's fault to act snobbish, but the common customs that influence them," said Tang Xiu.
"True that, I agree!" Mu Wanying's eyes lit up; Tang Xiu spoke what she had in mind.
Quickly, the duo parted ways at an intersection. Mu Wanying had to return to the dormitory, while Tang Xiu headed straight to the classroom building. There was only one class this morning, and despite him already have studied and grasped the content for the course independently, it was still necessary to attend class.
The credit system made him not dare to skip any more classes.
His classmates had already arrived inside the classroom. Seeing Tang Xiu's arrival, the originally lively classroom turned devoid of any sounds in just a few seconds. Many people took out their cell phones and looked at something in it before they set their eyes on Tang Xiu. There were various complex expressions on their faces.
"Holy cow, Tang Eldest Bro's face seems to have bathed in a spring breeze. Was it because you just had good things coming to you? Hehehe… Today, the most famous person on our campus is definitely Eldest Bro Tang. However, the one that people are most hostile toward, too, is definitely no one but you, Tang Eldest Bro! Anyways, did someone throw eggs and bricks at you when you got here?" Yue Kai flung his long hair in front of his forehead and smilingly inquired.
"Big Bro Tang is so clean and spotless, how could he have those rotten eggs and muddy footprints on him? Besides, they are just jealous. They just say grapes are sour because they can't eat them. Anyhow, Tang Big Bro, this Old Hu will say here and now. Whoever dares to make life difficult for you, that's equal to making life difficult for me, Hu Qingsong!"
"Yea, count me in!" Xue Chao also shouted.
Tang Xiu was at a loss whether he had to cry or laugh upon seeing the trio, and asked, "What the hell are you talking about, guys? Who is the most famous? And what is this about me becoming the target of everyone's hostility? I didn't even brought my car today; keeping low profile as always. How could I offend people anywhere?"
Hu Qingsong raised the gadget in his hand and loudly said, "Don't tell me you know nothing about it, Big Bro Tang? There was a rumpus on the campus forum, saying that you and Mu Wanying came together this morning. Even fools are able to guess that you've been together last night. Do you think no one knows what happens when a man and woman get together, huh? Anyways, the photos of you and the great belle Mu coming together from outside the campus have already been uploaded into the campus forum. I myself just had a look at them, and there are at least a hundred posts, all of which are news about you. You see, the number of clicks and comments are simply hiking up to the top!"
Tang Xiu rolled his eyes, as he took out his mobile phone to open the campus forum. What made him dumbfounded was that he got rained down by streams of curses within such a short time. Many male students were looking for him, asking him to a duel and saying that they wanted to snatch Mu Wanying back from him.
It's only a bunch of trashes that have nothing to do with their free time.
Shaking his head, Tang Xiu grumbled inwardly, before he said out loud, "Fellow students, these are fabricated lies! Please don't believe them! My relationship with Mu Wanying is pure and chaste. We're nothing but a Senior Sister and a Junior Brother in the campus, nothing else at all. We came here together because she stayed at my house last night."
"Oh, oh…"
Immediately, apart from Yue Kai and Zhao Liang who visited Tang Xiu's villa last night, the rest clamored with odd expressions. One of the classmates with long mustachios shouted, "Awesome! You're really awesome, Big Bro Tang! How long has it been since we started our term? Yet you have unexpectedly brought the Great Belle Mu to your place already?!! O' Saint of Love, O' God of Amour, please show us your grace and kindness to teach us, these singles, these damned bachelors, to get out of that fucking list!"
Tang Xiu turned around and snappily said, "What drivel is this? What do you mean with this Saint of Love and God of Amour? We are all classmates. Once a fellow student, we're close relatives for three lifetimes. The males will become good buddies, while the females will be good sisters. Anyhow, I'll treat you all in the campus's snack street at noon, and Yue Kai will pay the bills. Later on, everyone must act charitably, to wash away the injustice on my behalf!"
"Huh?" Yue Kai angrily called out. "YOU INVITED THEM! BUT WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT? HOW CAN I AFFORD PAYING FOR ALL THESE PEOPLE?"
"Be at ease, I'll take you to someplace some other day," said Tang Xiu with a chuckle.
"Aargh! My pocket money will be cleaned out!"
Chapter 480: Being Looked Down and Despised
The mind of students was actually very simple. In particular, were the freshmen, who had just entered university and had not been misguided by their peers, or had their minds invaded by the social intrusion of materialistic desires, leading them to have less snobbish thoughts. Such trivial favor was enough to make them smile and look satisfied.
As for Yue Kai, he was a local richie, and it was something everyone in class knew very well. After all, for a freshman to drive a BMW was definitely a rare occasion.
However, for Yue Kai to pay the bill was Tang Xiu's way for him to get along with everyone else.
Class was boring and rather tedious. Tang Xiu spent his time comfortably in the joyous atmosphere of the classroom, and then went to the campus library. His application for the library card had been approved, so he borrowed some books and left the campus in a hurry.
After returning to his place, Tang Xiu looked at the five children wearing dirty clothes. The five were sweating profusely as they practiced martial arts. He clapped his hands and smilingly spoke to them, "All right, guys. Go wash your face now, I'll take you to buy some things."
"All right!"
Though there was a pleasantly surprised expression on their faces, they didn't cheer. Tenderness and immaturity was missing from them, replaced by the sign of maturity a few ahead of their real age. Tang Xiu felt somewhat satisfied after this, though he was also a bit sad and distressed inside.
They were orphans! With no relatives or friends, they were bound to have a rough fate. For homeless children, they were always without sufficient food to eat, and anything may happen to them!
Such a tragic fate came knocking while they this young, yet this predicament didn't strike them down. Though they were once adopted, it was kind of sad and sorrowful for them to have a brawl with another group of children just because of two packs of instant noodles just after they had started wandering the streets for a few months.
While quietly watching their backs as they ran to the back door, Tang Xiu secretly made up his mind that regardless of whether they could become his trusted subordinates or not; regardless of whether they could get the opportunity to learn immortal cultivation techniques or not; he would never let them alone, abandoned, homeless, and forsaken yet again.
However, testing them was necessary, and the tempering he imposed on them would not reduce.
In the future, anyone who wanted to be in his trust as well as be his right arm must endure pain and suffering ordinary people were unable to bear. They must use everything they had to fend off the predicament by their own sweat and blood. For those who were able to persevere through the mighty waves that crashed on the sandy shore, and then finally survived, they would be the ones who were qualified and eligible to follow him back to the Immortal World, going to a wider world arena, galloping and opening that place with their fists.
***
In a nearby commercial street…
Leading the five children, Tang Xiu strolled around a family store to buy things for them. For each child he bought four sets of clothes, shoes, and socks; while the design and color were freely picked by each of them. He found that despite of them not having gone go to school yet, they were actually able to read, so Tang Xiu also bought a lot of textbooks, such as foreign language books as well as many others.
After two hours, it was already 12 at noon. His Range Rover had already been sent back, so its entire trunk was now filled with the purchases.
Afterward, Tang Xiu took them directly to the Everlasting Feast Hall since he had an appointment with Li Laoshan there. From Chi Nan he learned that Li Laoshan had booked an ordinary box. As he handed the children to Chi Nan, he went straight to find Li Laoshan.
"Old Brother Li, I have tons of things to do in the afternoon, so I not drinking at this time," said Tang Xiu smilingly as he pulled the chair and sat across Li Laoshan.
Li Laoshan nodded. Rubbing his hands, he said, "Anyways, Brother Tang, can you sell me a batch of Gods Nectar through the back door of your Magnificent Tang Corp?"
"Old Brother Li, Gods Nectar is currently being produced in small numbers, and now the market is in short supply of it. Even though I'm the owner of the Magnificent Tang Corp, I can't guarantee that we have that many Gods Nectar in stock. How about this. Send someone to Star City to look for Kang Xia to take ten boxes of Gods Nectar? Just think of it as the compensation for me being unable to accompany you drinking today."
Ten boxes?
Li Laoshan was overjoyed and smilingly said, "Brother Tang, I know that Gods Nectar is not cheap, so I must still pay for them. Ten boxes are enough. You don't know yet, but for us, the businessmen from the North, drinking Gods Nectar is considered an honor. If you invite someone to dinner and serve Gods Nectar, you will definitely make the guests satisfied, and gifting it would be considered as giving them face."
After saying that, he blinked and spoke with his voice toned down, "Brother Tang, let me tell you a secret. Nowadays, gifting money is not as good as gifting Gods Nectar, because this wine is simply very difficult to buy."
"It seems that Gods Nectar is really popular," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
"Yeah, it's far more than popular, if you ask me," said Li Laoshan. "It's sought after and praised by countless people. It's a pity that the Magnificent Tang Corp has a very limited production of it, though. You know, I've sent people and wasted a great deal of effort, yet I only got a box. I simply cannot smell other wines ever since I tasted Gods Nectar. Ah, that's right. Is your company short of funds? If it is, just tell me. Though I'm about to face that action, taking out several hundred million yuan wouldn't be a problem for me as long as your Magnificent Tang Corp added a few more production lines for Gods Nectar. Rest assured, brother. This old brother of yours doesn't want interest on the loan, and you can decide when to pay it back."
"Old Brother Li, it's not that I'm lacking funds, to be honest," said Tang Xiu smilingly. "It's just that the establishment of the Magnificent Tang Corp is just too small, and it's been only a short time since we entered the liquor business. We must carry it out with a slow production even though the wine is doing well on the market. Otherwise, not only will I only bite off more than I can chew, I would even get choked to death. Anyhow, I accept your good intention, though; but forget about lending me money. After you have finished this batch of Gods Nectar you can go directly to Star City to find Kang Xia."
Li Laoshan nodded and looked thoughtful before he replied, "You're right. So be it then, and let us not talk about this anymore. Say…"
Knock, knock…
A knock on the door interrupted him.
The door pushed open and a young and beautiful woman in a long red dress and red high-heeled shoes, with long flowing hair, entered the box with a smile. Everything on her was of famous brands, even her handbag and jewelry hanging on her were also very expensive.
"Honey, I'm not late, am I?" The woman's slender waist was akin to a willow tree as it swayed from side to side when she came toward Li Laoshan.
A smile outlined on the corner of Li Laoshan's mouth, as his palm patted the woman's buttocks. He then smiled and said, "You aren't late, and the dishes are not yet cold, either! Anyhow, Brother Tang, let me introduce you to Wenwen, Sun Wen. She's my woman in Shanghai. That's right, I just set up a small company in Shanghai, a home renovation company. She's responsible for taking care of the place on my behalf here."
"Please have a sit!" Tang Xiu faintly smiled and gestured.
Tang Xiu didn't feel like paying attention to Li Laoshan's private life. Hence, he wouldn't repel the woman since she was Li Laoshan's woman. After the greetings, Tang Xiu smiled lightly and said, "Old Brother Li is truly a person who knows how to enjoy life, yet I never thought you would also have a 'company' in Shanghai, too."
Upon hearing the subtle meaning in Tang Xiu's words, Li Laoshan looked awkward for a moment before it flickered away. Then, he laughed and said, "Ah, kind of laughable isn't it, Brother Tang? Anyhow, I set up a small company in Shanghai mainly because Wenwen doesn't want to stay in the Northeast, so I let her live here. Anyways, Wenwen, this is Tang Xiu, my buddy."
A shrewd look suffused in Sun Wen's eyes when she looked at Tang Xiu, and then sat next to Li Laoshan and smilingly said, "How do you do, little brother? There are not many people who can catch the eyes of our family's Old Li. Anyways, may I know what occupation little brother is currently engaged in?"
Little brother?
Tang Xiu's complexion coagulated, while Li Laoshan was dumbfounded.
After a moment of silence, Tang Xiu calmly answered, "I'm a student."
A student?
Sun Wen was startled for a moment before a disdaining look flashed in her eyes. Li Laoshan's introduction originally piqued her interest toward Tang Xiu, but his answer made her totally uninterested.
"Ah, being a student is really great. They are like flowers in a greenhouse. An age of having a dream in the cradle. My family's Old Li is really great, for he never sees the status of others when making friends. As long as he likes you, anyone can become his good buddy. Little brother, it seems your disposition and temperament really hit off well with Old Li."
"SHUT UP!"
Li Laoshan finally responded, and angrily scolded.
Tang Xiu waved his hand while smiling and said, "You're right. Old Brother Li and I do indeed hit it off pretty well. Furthermore, we indeed didn't care about such old-fashioned things about each other's backgrounds and identities when we got acquainted. Anyhow, Old Brother Li does have very good luck for being able to meet a woman such as you who really understands him."
Somehow, Sun Wen's expression was a bit odd, as she hesitated for a moment and then said, "I'll tell you, then! Our family's Old Li has unusual vision. There are indeed few men in the world who can be on par with him, yet I have never found one."
"SCRAM!"
Li Laoshan finally could no longer stand it. He slapped the tabletop and angrily yelled.
"Honey, you…" Sun Wen looked blank. She was evidently praising him in front of someone else. She didn't understand, why would Li Laoshan be angry and scold her?
"Dear, why you…"
Out of anger, Li Laoshan angrily yelled, "Didn't you hear me? SCRAM! And see how I will pack you up when I go back. You're disgraceful!"
Tang Xiu's mouth twitched a few times and secretly sighed inside. He had no favorable impression toward Sun Wen, for he could sense her stupidity from her words and mannerisms. However, didn't she look very smart when she entered?
"Old Brother Li, we don't speak in such a way with our own family. Let us just forget it! Don't become upset because of such a trivial matter. Let's get together, eat, and enjoy the happiness, shall we?"
Knock, knock…
The door was knocked once again. As the door was pushed open, Chi Nan personally brought two dishes inside. After placing them on the table, she looked at Tang Xiu and said with a smile, "Boss, the children are currently having a meal in the next box. I'll tell them to go to my office to wait for you after they've finished their meal."
"All right!" Tang Xiu nodded. He suddenly recalled something and quickly said, "Chi Nan, they will be living together with me for some time. Help me find some housekeepers to help them with daily activities. Also, find several private tutors as well. The tutors must be from all subjects and they have to devise the curriculum and teach them basic knowledge first."
"Boss, about the time…" asked Chi Nan.
"A maximum of one month," said Tang Xiu.
"All right. I'll keep it in mind and will immediately make some calls. Also, I'll take them to the Bluestar Villa Complex later," said Chi Nan respectfully.
"All right!" Tang Xiu nodded.