Urban Seduction: Housewives Club

Chapter 2297 - 619: Wang Yue’s Wicked Scheme (3)

Seeing that his master was convinced, Wang Yue seized the opportunity to add, "So even though there's a bit of scheming in the way we do this, the result will be good. I'm sure Grandma Shen will thank you afterward instead of hating you."

"All right. I'll play the villain and help you this once," Yu Suxin said, feigning reluctance, though in her heart she had already accepted Wang Yue's argument.

In the reception hall, Shen Siying had waited nearly two hours before Zhang Hong finally appeared again.

She hurriedly asked, "Head Zhang, have you reached a decision?"

"In principle, we can accept your terms, but what can the three major families of Jinling offer?" Zhang Hong asked coolly, as if he didn't think much of them.

"We can give you half our assets, and you can freely establish a presence in Jinling. The three families will cooperate with you fully."

Shen Siying knew better than to reveal her bottom line at the start of a negotiation.

She had to try to get the best deal she could.

"Half? Do you think we're beggars?" Zhang Hong sneered.

"Jinling is a tiny place as far as the Zhang family is concerned. What would half your assets even be worth to us?"

"Seventy percent, and we'll do everything we can to help you whenever you need us," Shen Siying added, sweetening the deal.

Zhang Hong looked impatient and waved his hand.

"Don't play that game of raising your offer bit by bit. Tell me your bottom line, and I'll consider it. Remember, you only get one chance. If I'm not satisfied, there'll be nothing to discuss!"

Shen Siying was furious. Even though she knew she wasn't a match for him, she wanted to fight the hateful man.

But for the sake of the three families and to buy Wang Yue time to grow, she had to endure the humiliation.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Everything. We'll hand over all our assets and leave Jinling, giving you all the territory. Will that do?"

"That's more like it," Zhang Hong said with satisfaction, then added, "But your willingness to do this so readily makes me uneasy."

Shen Siying's heart skipped a beat. She quickly steadied herself and asked, "What makes you uneasy?"

"If you're willing to make such a drastic sacrifice, you must be a tough woman. I'm worried you'll retaliate after we let you go," Zhang Hong said meaningfully.

Shen Siying's heart skipped another beat. Then she put on a helpless look.

"We're just three small families. We know our place. Does Head Zhang really think we're capable of retaliating?"

"That's true," Zhang Hong said, rubbing his chin.

"All right, I agree to your terms in principle. But you'll need to discuss the details with one of our guest elders."

"A guest elder?"

Shen Siying asked, puzzled. She had already agreed to hand everything over. What was left to discuss?

Still, she had agreed to give up everything, so she wasn't afraid of meeting the other person. She nodded.

"Fine. Please ask the guest elder to come here."

Zhang Hong shook his head.

"You won't be meeting here. She wants you to go to her residence."

"Her residence?" Shen Siying's heart sank. She had a bad feeling, and wondered whether the guest elder had improper intentions toward her.

That wouldn't be surprising.

Shen Siying knew her own looks and figure were exceptional, and she had a mature, alluring charm.

If she encountered a lecher, it would be only natural for him to have ideas about her.

But she had no choice now, so she decided to go meet the elder.

If it came to it, she would fight to the death. She would never let him have his way.

Zhang Hong then arranged for a woman from the Zhang family to escort Shen Siying to a quiet little courtyard behind the estate.

"Senior Shen, the elder is waiting inside. Please go in," the woman said politely, then turned and left.

With a heavy heart, Shen Siying opened the courtyard gate and walked in.

"Is that Ms. Shen? Please come in," a voice said as soon as she entered.

The sound instantly eased her anxiety. The voice belonged to a woman, not the lecher she had imagined.

Now that she knew the elder was a woman, Shen Siying felt much less worried. She quickened her pace and entered the reception room.

A tall woman in civilian clothes sat in the main seat. Even though Shen Siying was a woman herself, she couldn't help being dazzled by the sight.

Shen Siying had always been confident in her own looks, but she had to admit that this woman was even more beautiful.

Of all the women she had ever seen, only her fellow mother-in-law Su Mengyan could surpass her. At most, the others were her equal.

The woman's bearing and figure were also outstanding, in no way inferior to Shen Siying's.

Shen Siying had never imagined that a family as despicable as the Zhangs could have such a stunning woman as a guest elder.

Beautiful people had one natural advantage: it was easy for others to feel favorably toward them. So when Shen Siying saw Yu Suxin's face, her anxiety eased even more.

"Shen Siying of Jinling's Chen family greets the elder," she said, not mentioning her connection to the Hua family and making it clear that she represented only the three major families of Jinling.

"You're too kind, Ms. Shen. Please sit," Yu Suxin said with a smile. "My surname is Yu. You can call me Elder Yu."

"Thank you, Elder Yu." Shen Siying gave the customary martial artist's salute, then sat down below her. "What is there left for us to discuss?"

"I know the terms you offered, and I'm generally satisfied," Yu Suxin replied. "But our family head's concerns aren't unfounded. We don't want a group that might retaliate against us at any time lurking in the shadows."

Shen Siying smiled bitterly. "Do you really think we're capable of retaliating against the Zhang family?"

"That's not impossible. History is full of small players rising against the odds," Yu Suxin said evenly.

"The Zhang family is powerful, but it isn't invincible. We need to be prepared."

"What do you suggest, Elder Yu?"

This elder was saying much the same things as the Zhang family head, but clearly already had a solution in mind.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have summoned Shen Siying.

"It's simple. If the three families give us a piece of leverage that would ruin them if it became public, then we can hold it and rest easy," Yu Suxin said.

"What kind of leverage?" Shen Siying asked.