Chapter 188: Negotiation

Red Rose was originally a bar that Cui Jinghui used to rack up merit. But now, without him realizing it, it had shifted to a defensive position, appearing extremely passive. Cui Ziqing had only just realized this.

The wine that Red Rose was currently serving could not be ordered by the Cui Family, and even their Sommelier couldn't taste what kind of wine it was. Furthermore, it was difficult to mass-produce this type of wine in Jiuzhou; only the Maldives could produce it. With just this single line of defense, Cui Jinghui could not break through, let alone take down Red Rose.

If there was no other way, then they would have to negotiate peace. Under these circumstances, there was no other option but to negotiate with Red Rose.

"Cousin, what did you say? You want me to shake hands and make peace with him?" Cui Jinghui was furious after hearing Cui Ziqing's suggestion.

"Jinghui, I know you're angry, but there's nothing else we can do. Look at the current situation; it's not just about Seattle."

"If Red Rose intensifies its efforts, our entire Cui Family's business could be threatened."

Over the past few days, Cui Ziqing had been monitoring the operations of Red Rose, and business was booming, with every seat filled every night. Conversely, the Cui Family had a total of seven bars in Yebai, but business was incredibly bleak, not even half as good as Red Rose. Customer traffic had dropped by 4/5 compared to before; they basically had no customers, as everyone was concentrated at Red Rose.

Red Rose's business was growing larger and larger; they had even bought the shops on both sides, knocked down the walls, and the combined area was larger than the Cui Family's five bars in Yebai put together.

Cui Jinghui also understood that even if she didn't say it, this matter would soon attract the family's attention. But he still couldn't bear it; he wanted to clash with Zheng Qian. Cui Jinghui was unwilling to just let Zheng Qian's Red Rose off the hook like this!

"Cousin, how about this, I actually have a way..." Upon hearing this, Cui Ziqing felt a chill run through her body. "Absolutely not!"

The next day, the Cui Family held a family meeting to discuss this matter. Old Master Cui, the three elders Cui Chengsi, Cui Hongliang, and Cui Weiyi, as well as the third-generation juniors, Cui Ziqing, Cui Jinghan, and Cui Jinghui, were all present.

"Jinghui, tell us, what is the situation with this Red Rose?" "Uncle, the situation is like this." Facing the elders' questioning, Cui Jinghui downplayed the threat posed by Red Rose and focused on describing his plan.

"Hmph, simply absurd!" *Slap!* Cui Chengsi slammed his hand on the table, accusing Cui Jinghui of concealing the truth and deceiving his superiors and subordinates. "We have already grasped the actual situation!" "When your father first handed this matter over to you, I was one hundred percent against it, and now you've still messed it up." "In the current situation, do you think this can be solved with those low-class methods of yours?"

Was Cui Jinghui's brain broken? He actually suggested seizing the Yebei Pier. Cui Chengsi looked at Cui Jinghui with annoyance. This uncle of his was the eldest in the family, held a pivotal position, and had an extremely powerful aura. Much of the temperament Cui Ziqing possessed was inherited from Cui Chengsi.

These words were meant for Cui Jinghui, but also for his father, Cui Hongliang, who had always doted on him. "Hongliang, look at what you've spoiled your child into; he can even come up with such despicable methods. Did you really not know anything about this?"

Among the second generation of the Cui Family, Cui Weiyi's family looked down on Cui Jinghui the most, feeling that he was incompetent and completely unsuitable for managing the Cui Family's business. Cui Jinghan viewed Cui Jinghui through tinted glasses precisely because of his father's daily influence.

"Jinghui actually meant well, and I only just found out about this situation too," Cui Hongliang defended himself and his son. "Forget it, I won't say anything more. Jinghui, the matter of you wanting to seize the Yebei Pier must absolutely not happen!" "You must prioritize the family's interests!!"

"Exactly, Jinghui, do you know that's illegal? After playing outside for so long, have you picked up street-level habits? Using these kinds of methods to deal with Red Rose? Do you think you can win? Even if you win, is it honorable?" Cui Jinghan looked righteous at this moment, not missing any opportunity to mock his cousin.

Cui Jinghui was ten thousand percent unconvinced in his heart. *Who the hell are you, Cui Jinghan, to act like a good guy right now? Who in the entire Cui Family doesn't know about the crappy things you've done? And now you're jumping out to lecture him? Do you have no shame?*

"Jinghui, if we cooperate with Red Rose, both sides can profit." "Have you thought about the fact that Zheng Qian can buy the shops around Red Rose, so couldn't he also open a bar in other places?" "We have seven in Yebai, and over a hundred bars across all of Yezhou. What if Zheng Qian opens bars in other locations?" "If there's a Red Rose in Yebai, then he could open a Pink Rose in Yenan Dock, a Green Rose in the east of Yezhou, and a Golden Rose in the west of Yezhou." Cui Ziqing said earnestly.

Everyone praised her one after another; Cui Ziqing was indeed the most thoughtful. If Cui Ziqing were a man, she would have likely been supported to take the position long ago, and no one would dare say anything. However, the Cui Family had a large estate, and in the future, Cui Ziqing would be a married daughter, like spilled water; if she were to manage the Cui Family's assets, it would be equivalent to handing everything over to someone else. The heir still had to be chosen from Cui Jinghui or Cui Jinghan.

"Ziqing is right; even our Cui Family couldn't handle so many Roses!" Cui Chengsi said.

*Thump, thump, thump!* Sitting in the main seat without saying a word, Old Master Cui struck his cane heavily three times. Everyone instantly shut their mouths, and the room fell into silence. Old Master Cui was advanced in years and had long since retired to the second line, leaving many of the Cui Family's decisions to his three sons. When they couldn't reach an agreement, they would choose to vote. Whether to continue fighting with Red Rose or to negotiate cooperation. The result was 2 to 1. The families of the eldest and third sons both chose cooperation. Old Master Cui also had this inclination; after all, something that threatened the interests of the entire Cui Family was undesirable. Once there was any sign of trouble, it had to be nipped in the bud. The family sent Cui Ziqing to represent the Cui Family to negotiate with Zheng Qian.

... Red Rose. Third-floor supreme booth. Several men in suits were surrounding Zheng Qian, toasting him. These people were not the team of bodyguards with Duan Qiran, but leaders from the school. Accompanied by Song Qingli, Zheng Qian had also invited Shi Yuzhu, who hadn't attended the alumni association.

"Little Shi, you are also an outstanding alumnus of our school; why didn't we see you at the alumni association?" one of the leaders suddenly asked. Shi Yuzhu laughed happily. "Leaders, I just happened to be sent on a business trip by my family that day and really couldn't get away!" "How about this, I'll punish myself with a drink." Shi Yuzhu raised his glass and downed it in one gulp. "Good! Little Shi has a great capacity for liquor!"