Chapter 141: An Olive Branch

"Xiaorou, Sister Lan and I have already acquired the Tongle Stage on Zhengyang First Street. Your Ruiqing Troupe can move there for the time being. During this period, you can carefully consider your future path. There are still some musicians left at the Tongle Stage, all of whom are old hands in this business. You can absorb them as you see fit, or rehearse new plays..."

"Brother, thank you." Jiang Rou was extremely excited, finally able to shake off this shackle, even though it wouldn't have been too difficult for her to leave on her own.

However, if she left alone, it would be difficult for her to ever grace this stage again.

"Tang Peiyuan will get the news soon. To prevent him from trying to block this, you must act quickly. Even if you have to leave the costumes and props behind, as long as you can pull the people out, that's what matters. Costumes and props are worthless; talent is what's valuable. Besides, getting those things back is only a matter of time," Zhou Sen said. "Also, you shouldn't go yourself; just send someone to pass a message to your senior fellow apprentice, Lü Xiaolou."

"I understand." Jiang Rou also knew that if she went back to the New Stage and Tang Peiyuan decided to turn hostile and detain her directly, it would spell trouble. After all, that place was still his turf.

...

Bai Yulan returned, followed by Qin Lang.

"Yulan, seeing that look of joy on your face, did your talk with Tang Peiyuan go well?" Zhou Sen walked up with a smile, naturally taking Bai Yulan's hand.

"It went all right," Bai Yulan nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "There's an outsider present, don't be like this."

"It's fine, Second Young Master Qin is no outsider." Zhou Sen turned his head and chuckled at Qin Lang. "Don't you agree, Second Young Master Qin?"

Qin Lang offered a sheepish smile. For this couple to openly show affection right in front of him like this was quite a mouthful of dog food to swallow.

"A-Xiang, pour a cup of tea for Second Young Master Qin and bring it in." As the three entered the living room, Bai Yulan turned back to give instructions to A-Xiang.

"Oh, right away."

"Miss A-Xiang, please don't go to any trouble. I don't drink tea, just a glass of plain boiled water for me will do..." Qin Lang hurriedly said.

"Tang Peiyuan only sold me eight percent of the shares, priced at two hundred thousand!" Bai Yulan took out her agreement with Tang Peiyuan and placed it on the coffee table.

"Aside from the agreement for acquiring the Ruiqing Troupe, I also secured the eight percent of shares held by Tang Peiyuan's estranged wife. Combined, the two cost two hundred and fifty thousand." Qin Lang also presented his achievements.

"Yulan, give Second Young Master Qin two hundred and sixty thousand. Consider the extra ten thousand as his errand fee!" Zhou Sen instructed Bai Yulan.

"All right." Bai Yulan nodded.

Ten thousand dollars wasn't an astronomical sum for Qin Lang, but running around handling matters for Zhou Sen meant his men needed to be compensated out of pocket, didn't it?

He couldn't be expected to put in all the legwork and foot the bill himself.

That wasn't how business was conducted.

Getting paid for getting things done was only natural. With that ten thousand dollars safely in his pocket, Qin Lang at least felt his balance restored.

"Between the New Stage shares we already hold, we now possess roughly thirty-nine percent. We only need another twelve percent to reach the minimum requirement for taking over the New Stage," Bai Yulan said.

"Now it all depends on Su Wenqing. He promised to have the Wen family's fifteen percent shares delivered to us," Zhou Sen remarked.

"Brother Sen, you blackmailed Su Wenqing out of so many shares?" Qin Lang was utterly astounded.

"I paid him to buy them. Blackmail? Do you take Su Wenqing for a fool who would hand me this many shares for nothing?" Zhou Sen explained, "Su Wenqing originally held twelve and a half percent of the shares himself. He compensated me with seven and a half percent, priced at twenty hundred thousand, and sold me another five percent for which I paid one hundred thousand. As for the Wen family's fifteen percent, that was the result of a deal I made with him, entrusting him to acquire them from the Wen family on my behalf."

"So that's how it is. Now that the Ruiqing Troupe has been acquired by us, the New Stage's share price will undoubtedly plummet. That fifteen percent held by the Wen family probably won't even cost three hundred thousand by then," Qin Lang noted.

"Tang Peiyuan sold eight percent of his shares to us, and his former wife sold another eight percent of hers to us as well. Coupled with the three percent Qin Lang managed to secure from Tang Shaoqing, he is bound to figure out that Yulan intends to gain a controlling stake in the New Stage and oust him. Therefore, if he wants to maintain a firm grip on the New Stage's control, he will inevitably target the fifteen percent shares held by the Wen family, leaving us no further openings. Thus, if Su Wenqing steps in to vie for them, it won't arouse Tang Peiyuan's suspicion, because under no circumstances would Su Wenqing ever ally with Yulan..."

"At the earliest tonight, and at the latest tomorrow night, this acquisition battle will be completely decided, and by now we are at least in an unbeatable position," Bai Yulan smiled faintly.

"Taking down the New Stage will mark the moment Sister Lan returns to her peak!" Qin Lang congratulated.

"Second Young Master's staunch assistance also played a major role in this achievement!" Bai Yulan nodded slightly, a hint of a smile curving the corners of her mouth.

"I'm merely an errand runner; the real credit goes to the brilliant strategies devised by Brother Sen and Sister Lan," Qin Lang hastily replied.

Flattery never fails.

"Second Young Master Qin, once the dust settles, the New Stage will be in need of a general manager. Would you be willing to condescend to take the post?" Zhou Sen smiled playfully, extending an olive branch to Qin Lang.

Qin Lang was startled. Exchanging subtle favors with Zhou Sen and Bai Yulan behind the scenes wasn't a huge issue—after all, they weren't mortal enemies, and the old patriarch wouldn't genuinely do anything drastic to him. But getting formally reeled in and absorbed into their operation was an entirely different matter.

Zhou Sen smiled, knowing Qin Lang had his reservations. Seventh Master Qin was still alive, and publicly, the two Qin brothers were still part of the same household.

As long as the family property hadn't been divided and Qin Lang hadn't been driven into a desperate corner, why would he ever come to work as an employee for Zhou Sen?

"Xiaosen, how could Second Young Master Qin possibly condescend to grace our humble establishment? You're joking too much," Bai Yulan hastily stepped in to smooth things over.

"Indeed, I didn't think it through. Let's drop the subject," Zhou Sen chuckled. He had merely been probing Qin Lang; had Qin Lang actually agreed on the spot, he would have found himself in an awkward bind.

"Once we complete our controlling acquisition of the New Stage, its share price will undoubtedly hit rock bottom. At that time, you could buy some from Tang Peiyuan; he will certainly have to cut his losses to make up for the deficit. Once he loses control of the New Stage, it will hold no further value for him, and he may end up dumping all his equity!" Zhou Sen suggested.

"Aren't you going to acquire any more?"

"I've already secured a controlling stake. Any additional shares would merely be icing on the cake and wouldn't have much impact on me," Zhou Sen replied.

"Can the New Stage really turn a profit?"

"Do you take me for someone who would dupe you, considering how much of my own capital I've poured into it?" Zhou Sen chuckled, turning the question back on him.

"Fine, I'll give it a try."

"You snooze, you lose. Think it over yourself."

"Then what's next? Do you genuinely plan to let the Ruiqing Troupe perform at the Tongle Stage?" Qin Lang asked.

"The Tongle Stage needs some renovation and remodeling, and the Ruiqing Troupe will be restructured as well. As for stage performances, they will be arranged in due course—at the very least, we need to maintain public buzz and momentum," Zhou Sen nodded.

"When the time comes to show support and pack the house, just say the word, Brother Sen and Sister Lan, and I will definitely be there!" Qin Lang rose, cupped his fists, and took his leave.

"Many thanks. I have injuries to attend to, so I won't see you out," Zhou Sen stood up and returned the courtesy.

...

"How are things on your end?" As soon as Qin Lang left, Bai Yulan noticed a trace of lingering, untangrable sorrow between Zhou Sen's brows and asked.

Zhou Sen replied, "There are some complications, but I can handle them. You don't need to worry."

"If there's anything you need from me, just say the word. Uncle Chang's men are all top-notch; there won't be any problems." Bai Yulan offered.

"It hasn't come to that yet," Zhou Sen said. "Prepare a few dishes tonight, let's celebrate in advance."

"Mmm." Bai Yulan nodded.

...

"He wants to review the investigation dossier on Chelkin?" Hearing Anna's report, Saburo Shibuya frowned slightly.

"Yes. He suspects that the list was very likely handed over by Anthony to Chelkin for safekeeping, but Chelkin himself may not have known what Anthony gave him to guard, which is why we haven't been able to find it."

"Did you tell him about the 'Laos' cell?"

"Yes. He would have found out sooner or later. He still maintains a strong wariness toward me, and the same goes for you, Chief!"

"He originally had nothing to do with the whole affair and was dragged into it against his will—that is, if nothing had happened to Anthony," Shibuya Saburo nodded. "But now, he can no longer stand aloof. Chelkin is dead; Chelkin was Anthony's assistant, and the only ones close to Anthony were Zhou Sen and that Ivanovich. Ivanovich is an opportunist, hardly useful to me, and he knew very little about Anthony. What a pity about Chelkin—if he hadn't died, joining our ranks would have made him the most suitable candidate."

"Since he wants to read it, let him. The deeper he gets entangled, the harder it will be for him to extricate himself. I'd like to see what choice he ultimately makes," Shibuya Saburo said.

"Understood."

"What is his relationship with that Bai Yulan?" Shibuya Saburo inquired.

"They are inseparable wherever they go, as close as can be, acting entirely like a pair of lovers. However, they do not live together."

"Not yet married; that shows propriety." Shibuya Saburo nodded. These two had already been pushed to this point; barring irreconcilable conflicts, there would essentially be no turning back.

"This fellow is lustful and cowardly. Bai Yulan is his Achilles' heel. As long as we keep an eye on her, there shouldn't be any major problems," Shibuya Saburo remarked. "Also, how did he end up getting entangled with Xiao Xiangning?"

"Before they were adopted by Mr. Anthony, both he and Xiao Xiangning had been bought into the Ruiqing Troupe. They knew each other since childhood, addressing one another as siblings, and only recently recognized each other again."

"So that's how it is," Shibuya Saburo nodded slightly. "The more ties he has, the more advantageous it is for us to control him."

"You are entirely right, Chief."

...

Deep into the night, most people had already returned to their rooms to rest.

Uncle Chang arrived at the small building where Bai Yulan lived. Ascending the stairs, he hovered outside Bai Yulan's door, hesitating and pacing back and forth several times, drawing his hand back each time he raised it to knock.

"Uncle Chang, come in." Bai Yulan, clearly having noticed Uncle Chang's presence outside, opened the door from the inside and bade him enter.

"I apologize for disturbing Miss so late," Uncle Chang said hurriedly, bowing his head in remorse.

"If you have something on your mind, please feel free to speak directly," Bai Yulan nodded. "For all these years, I've grown up under your watchful eyes, and I have always regarded you as an elder."

"In that case, Miss, I'll speak my mind plainly. I hope you won't blame me for being too blunt." Uncle Chang nodded.

Bai Yulan gave her assent.

"Miss, how exactly did you and your husband meet?" Right off the bat, Uncle Chang posed a question that left Bai Yulan feeling thoroughly awkward.