Cooperation

"So that's how it is. You provide the raw medicine, and we'll handle the packaging and sales."

However, Qiao Xin also voiced her concerns. "Is the production quantity of the raw medicine stable? And will the variety be limited?"

"Stability won't be an issue. As for variety, I'm just temporarily introducing the medicines I've developed to test the market response," Ye Chuan said. After all, the output of medicinal herbs from the herb garden could be consistently supplied.

And refining pills was as effortless as lifting a finger for him.

"In that case, the pharmaceutical company's role would lean more toward sales and services," Qiao Xin remarked, taking a sip of water from her glass. The pharmaceutical company they were selling was just a small subsidiary under their family's conglomerate.

Disposing of it was merely to optimize their industrial structure. The Qiao family had no intention of continuing operations in the pharmaceutical sector. If another company showed interest in acquiring it, that would be ideal.

"As I mentioned earlier, I intend to give this company to you," Qiao Xin said.

"For free? It’d be better if you set a condition," Ye Chuan replied. He wasn’t fond of freebies—after all, nothing came without a price.

Qiao Xin smiled. "I’d like our group to retain a ten percent stake."

"Oh?" Ye Chuan was surprised by her offer. In a typical acquisition deal, a mere ten percent would practically be a giveaway—but the catch was, Qiao Xin knew exactly how effective these medicines were.

Turning a profit was practically guaranteed, especially since these drugs were effective even for superhuman martial artists. A ten percent share would still yield substantial returns.

"You won’t need to worry about the company’s operations, sales, or other aspects," Qiao Xin continued.

"Pleasure doing business," Ye Chuan replied, quite pleased with the arrangement. He’d only need to handle a minimal part of the work—the rest could be managed by Wang Yanran, and now Qiao Xin as well.

With a young heiress and a female CEO on board, their connections and experience were more than reliable.

The partnership was settled effortlessly. Qiao Xin studied Ye Chuan from across the table and decided to shift to a lighter topic.

"Ye Chuan, my grandfather’s health has improved significantly."

"Hmm?" Caught off guard by the sudden mention of her grandfather, Ye Chuan paused briefly before nodding.

"That’s good to hear."

"If you have time, you should visit our home. My grandfather would love to meet you," Qiao Xin added with a smile.

"Next time, definitely."

Noticing his dismissive tone, Qiao Xin raised an eyebrow slightly. But considering Ye Chuan’s capabilities, she felt a mix of frustration and resignation. At least now, with their business ties, their relationship would naturally grow closer over time.

"Let’s eat first," Wang Yanran suggested, seeing that the main discussion had wrapped up.

"Sure."

Casual conversation flowed, but the topic soon turned to the monsters and dimensional rifts—after all, these were the most pressing issues of the day.

"The emergence of monsters has caused significant losses for our group. Several partner factories have shut down, and we’ve had to restructure our subsidiaries just to keep the conglomerate afloat," Qiao Xin explained. If not for these circumstances, they wouldn’t have put the pharmaceutical company up for sale in the first place.

And who would’ve thought this twist of fate would lead to a partnership with Ye Chuan?

Life is truly unpredictable—full of twists and turns.

"Thanks for lunch, Miss Qiao. I should probably get going now." Ye Chuan checked the time and stood up to leave.

"Stay a little longer," Qiao Xin urged.

"I’ve got other plans later," Ye Chuan replied.

Truth be told, Qiao Xin had been rambling about the most trivial things—her school days, office gossip—nothing of substance. He’d have been more interested if she’d just handed him a red envelope instead.

"Qiao-jie, we’ll take our leave now," Wang Yanran said.

"Alright, let’s meet up next time." Qiao Xin sighed, watching reluctantly as Ye Chuan and the others walked away.

Once Ye Chuan descended the stairs, Qiao Xin cupped her face in her hands, deflated.

"Wasted my charm on a blind man. Am I really not attractive anymore?"

She pulled out her phone to check her reflection. Her looks were still top-tier, right?

With a killer figure—curves in all the right places—and legs for days?

"He wasn’t even interested. Ugh~ and he was the first guy I’ve liked in ages." She sighed again. Was there really no chance for her?

…

Back in the car at the parking lot, Ye Chuan had barely settled into his seat when Wang Yanran, in the driver’s seat, chuckled. "Ye Chuan, Qiao-jie seems really into you."

"Figured as much. After the whole ‘hero saves the damsel’ bit, she probably sees me as Prince Charming now," Ye Chuan said dismissively.

"But Qiao-jie’s six years older than you. They say ‘a woman three years older is like gold’—so double the treasure?"

"If you don’t drive properly, I’ll make you fly out of this car." Ye Chuan rested his chin on his hand, a faint smirk in his eyes.

Wang Yanran quickly sobered up, though she still didn’t know where Ye Chuan wanted to go next.

"Heading back, Ye Chuan?"

"Yeah, home." He glanced out the window. With no other plans, he might as well return and spend some quality time with Bai Qianshuang.

"Got it."

Once home, Ye Chuan glanced back at Wang Yanran, who followed him inside without hesitation—clearly planning to freeload off his spiritual energy again. Not that he minded.

Pushing the door open, he spotted two familiar figures in the living room: Luo Xi and Bai Qianshuang, lounging on the sofa watching a drama.

"Chuan-chuan, you’re back already?" Luo Xi blinked in surprise when she saw him.

She’d assumed he wouldn’t return until evening at the earliest.

"Finished my business early," Ye Chuan said, only for Luo Xi to dart over and start sniffing him like a detective.

"What’s this about?"

"Checking if you’ve been up to no good." Luo Xi huffed.

"Why would I? I was barely gone that long." Ye Chuan paused mid-sentence, recalling last night’s incident with the succubus, and averted his gaze.

"Wang Yanran can vouch for me."

"Chuan-chuan, why do you look so guilty?"

"You’re imagining things."

Luo Xi narrowed her eyes, hands on her hips, unconvinced. She knew Ye Chuan too well—whenever he acted shady, his eyes darted everywhere.

"We really just discussed business," Wang Yanran chimed in, backing him up. After all, she’d been with him the whole time.

Moreover, the big shot encountered some trouble, and she couldn’t help but speak up to explain.

"True enough, the moment I got home, I was hit with a strong smell of vinegar," Ye Chuan remarked, then lowered his head slightly to sniff at Luo Xi’s hair.

"Hmm, sour indeed."

"You’re asking for a beating!"

Over on the sofa, Bai Qianshuang silently watched the playful banter between Ye Chuan and Luo Xi.