Chapter 32: The Gambit

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Chapter 32: The Game of Wits
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Doing business was much like waging war. Whether now or in the future, “information” would always be a crucial factor. Especially in Li Qi’s highly advanced technological age, the slightest lapse in caution or the slightest inadequacy in one’s security measures could allow a company’s information to be stolen by its enemies. Sometimes, a single piece of confidential information was enough to bring about complete ruin.

That was the meaning behind the saying: Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

In his own era, Li Qi had witnessed countless cases in which companies went bankrupt after their secrets were stolen, so he understood this far more deeply than the people here did.

At present, he could certainly be regarded as Drunken Immortal Residence’s secret weapon. Almost the entire rise and fall of the establishment rested on his shoulders alone. If he were exposed to the public too soon, it would do nothing but harm both him and Drunken Immortal Residence. That was why he had instructed Madam Qin and Wu Furong not to tell anyone that he had invested in the establishment. Even Wu Xiaoliu knew only part of the truth.

Yet now, this Madam Bai had recited every detail of his investment in Drunken Immortal Residence without missing a single word. How could that not astonish him?

Astonished though he was, Li Qi had seen plenty in his time. After a brief pause, he shook his head and laughed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

In his heart, he had already begun treating Bai Qiannuo as an enemy.

“Really?”

Bai Qiannuo gave a sly little laugh. “Don’t you want to know how I found out?”

Of course he wanted to know. But he was also afraid that Bai Qiannuo was deliberately testing him. Thus, he put on an unconcerned expression, shrugged, and smiled. “Found out about what? Madam Bai, the more you say, the more confused I become.”

“Confused? I think you understand the matter better than anyone.” Bai Qiannuo snorted inwardly. This man truly was a fox through and through. Even now, he stubbornly refused to admit anything.

Li Qi chuckled. “Madam Bai, how could you possibly know what I’m thinking? Could it be that you secretly stole my little heart just now?”

Faced with Li Qi’s leaping train of thought, Bai Qiannuo suddenly felt utterly powerless. In all her life, she had never imagined that simply speaking with someone could be so exhausting. Then inspiration struck her. With a sigh, she said, “It seems you truly know nothing about this matter. Very well. In that case, I shall go tell Master Cai not to waste his efforts. Drunken Immortal Residence has already been bought by someone else.”

With that, she turned as though to leave.

Master Cai? Could she have been sent by him?

Li Qi’s heart jolted. If that old fox learned that he had already acquired Drunken Immortal Residence, his entire plan might well collapse. He hurriedly called out, “Madam Bai, please wait.”

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A flicker of amusement passed through Bai Qiannuo’s eyes. She turned around and asked with feigned puzzlement, “Is there something else you need?”

Li Qi narrowed his eyes. “Were you sent by Master Cai?”

“Since this matter has nothing to do with you, there is naturally no need for me to say more. If I have offended you, please be magnanimous. Farewell.”

Damn it! This woman was truly despicable. She actually dared to threaten him!

Li Qi frowned, thoroughly irritated. Yet he also understood perfectly well that from the moment Bai Qiannuo had revealed that he had acquired Drunken Immortal Residence, he had already been placed at a disadvantage. Since matters had come to this, he could only surrender. With a sigh, he said, “Very well. I admit it.”

A smug smile tugged at the corners of Bai Qiannuo’s lips. Deliberately putting on a puzzled expression, she asked, “Admit what?”

Grinding his teeth, Li Qi said, “Since you already know, why bother pretending not to?”

Watching his puffed-up expression, Bai Qiannuo burst into laughter. “I merely learned it from you, young master.”

“Indeed, a renowned teacher produces an outstanding pupil.” Li Qi gave her a thumbs-up and praised her without the slightest trace of shame.

Bai Qiannuo gave a soft, disdainful click of her tongue and muttered, “You really have no shame.”

“Your praise is too kind, too kind!”

Li Qi laughed heartily, then asked in a serious tone, “Please forgive my presumption, but where exactly did you hear all this?”

“You’re such a clever man, Young Master Li. Do you really need to ask me?” Bai Qiannuo replied with a faint smile.

Li Qi cast her a suspicious glance and frowned. “Could it have been Madam Qin?”

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Aside from Li Qi himself, only Madam Qin, Wu Furong, and the maid Little Tao knew about the matter. Wu Furong had been with him constantly these past few days, so it was unlikely that he had leaked the secret. Little Tao was Madam Qin’s maid; even if she had been the one to speak, she must have done so at Madam Qin’s instruction. Thus, Madam Qin was the most likely source.

Even so, Li Qi did not dare conclude with certainty that Madam Qin had been the one to tell Bai Qiannuo.

A trace of admiration flashed through Bai Qiannuo’s eyes. She nodded with a smile. “Actually, even if you had not asked, I was planning to tell you, lest you go and question Sister Wang later.”

“Sister Wang?” Li Qi asked in confusion.

“Sister Wang is Madam Qin!” Bai Qiannuo said anxiously, stamping her foot.

Li Qi suddenly understood. “Oh, oh—sorry, sorry. But why would Madam Qin tell you about this? Are you relatives?”

“Of course not.” Bai Qiannuo shook her head. “However, our homes are separated by only a single wall, so Sister Wang and I have known each other since childhood. We are closer than sisters by blood. Although Sister Wang is accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she knows absolutely nothing about doing business. So after she finished discussing the matter with you that day, she invited me over and told me everything, hoping I could help her determine whether the installment arrangement would benefit or harm her. But you may rest assured, Young Master. I, Bai Qiannuo, may not be a paragon of virtue, but I am certainly no faithless wretch either. I have not told anyone about this.”

So the two of them were neighbors! The world really was a very small place.

Learning that Bai Qiannuo was not an enemy, Li Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Sigh. Madam Qin is wonderful in every way, but she is far too pessimistic. Such an enormous stroke of good fortune—why would she need to ask anyone else? Anyone with a sound mind would gladly approve it. Madam Bai, you’re so clever. I’m sure you must have leaped for joy on Sister Wang’s behalf at the time.”

Bai Qiannuo gave a delicate laugh. “Do not make wild accusations. It is true that, if matters really were as you described, this would not necessarily be a bad thing for Sister Wang or the Qin family. But in my opinion, the person who benefits most is none other than you. You practically acquired half of Drunken Immortal Residence without spending a single coin. I’m sure you must have been overjoyed enough to jump several feet into the air.”

“Hey, hey, don’t say things like that. How can you claim I had no money? Let’s not even discuss anything else—just consider that stinky tofu. I’m sure you’ve heard about it. It’s made with several premium ingredients, so the cost is extremely high. Madam Qin didn’t contribute a single coin toward it; I bore the entire expense myself. Besides, I said it was an installment arrangement, not that I wouldn’t pay. And my offer was more than twice as high as Master Cai’s. Yet you still say I took advantage of her. Sigh. It seems Madam Qin made a poor decision in asking you to advise her.”

Li Qi shook his head and sighed.

End of Chapter

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