Chapter 1312: Chapter 658: Rather Than Waiting to Die, Take the Initiative (Part 2)

Huo Sizun immediately dialed his subordinate’s phone: "Execute the second step of the plan next."

"Yes, Master Huo," the subordinate responded respectfully. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Early next morning, Huo Sizun boarded the earliest flight to Yancheng.

The recent crisis of the Huo Group provided him with an opportunity to reclaim ownership of the group. He had long begun planning to take back the Huo Group, but alone, it would be difficult to succeed.

Therefore, upon receiving news from the Liu Family, he did not hesitate to take the earliest flight to Yancheng, preparing to negotiate cooperation with the Liu Family. If he could gain the support of the Liu Family, regaining ownership of the Huo Group would only be a matter of time.

After all, the Liu Family is one of the four major families in Yancheng, having a pivotal influence on Yancheng’s development. He believed that his sincerity on this visit would surely impress the Liu Family, persuading them to lend him a helping hand.

The patriarch of the Liu Family, Liu Wei, sat in the dining room and gently sipped his tea, then instructed the servant: "Come, show our guest out."

His intentions were crystal clear—he was unwilling to use the Liu Family’s resources to assist Huo Sizun.

Huo Sizun frowned, evidently not expecting such a result. However, he also understood that the other party might be worried about being implicated if the plan fails, or that the terms he proposed were not enough to appeal to Liu Wei.

"Young Master Huo, please forgive my limited perspective, the matter you mentioned is something I find difficult to agree to," Liu Wei politely but firmly stated, "As you can see, our Liu Family is just a small family; we hardly have the strength to climb such heights with you. If today’s reception was lacking in any way, I seek your forgiveness. As there are trivial matters at home requiring my attention, I must let you leave now."

"Next time you visit, I promise we’ll drink together till the end." Liu Wei’s words were courteous on the surface, but they effectively served as a dismissal.

Huo Sizun naturally understood the underlying meaning of the words, but he was determined to succeed in his visit and reluctant to give up the opportunity easily. So, with a thick-skinned smile, he said, "Haha, come now, given our deep relationship, why would I mind inadequate hospitality? If you have matters to attend to, please go ahead; I’ll have a few more cups of tea in the living room and wait for you to finish your tasks before we continue."

"I hope you won’t find me bothersome, as I truly have things I wish to discuss with you. If there’s anything inappropriate from earlier, I seek your understanding; with our relationship, what’s there that cannot be discussed properly?" Huo Sizun’s words left Liu Wei speechless.

Liu Wei awkwardly smiled and replied, "Haha, family matters are trivial, yet indeed somewhat urgent. Since you’re willing to wait a while, I trouble you then."

Liu Wei was displeased; even if there were no matters at home, he wanted to find an excuse to leave, allowing Huo Sizun to idly wait in the living room, assuming he would leave on his own once he found it boring.

Nevertheless, the pretense must be maintained. He waved at the servant and instructed, "You stay here, serve Mr. Huo with tea and water, and attend to him well!"

"Yes."

Once the servant agreed, Liu Wei immediately left the room, unwilling to deal with Huo Sizun further.

After leaving, he spoke somewhat angrily to the housekeeper, "Have someone keep an eye on him, see when he leaves."

"Yes, understood. You may rest assured," the housekeeper promptly arranged for someone to secretly monitor outside.

"No need to be angry; this Mr. Huo isn’t one to cling stubbornly. Surely he genuinely wishes to achieve mutual cooperation with you, why not give him this chance?" asked the housekeeper, somewhat puzzled.

Unexpectedly, Liu Wei laughed and replied, "Give him this chance? Can’t you see the terms he’s offering me? Simply such benefits, and he expects me to use all my might to help him? Does he truly think I’m a fool? Who would agree to such a thing?"

With that, Liu Wei picked up a brush, preparing to write some large characters.

Due to the long absence from practice, the brush strokes appeared somewhat unfamiliar. The housekeeper questioned again with a confused tone, "Master, what are you doing? Why suddenly practice calligraphy now?"

"Moreover, Master, if you truly don’t want to cooperate with Mr. Huo, you can certainly refuse him directly, let him leave, and don’t ever mention these matters again. Why do you force yourself to hide here, practicing calligraphy, it’s far too stifling. This is your home after all."

"You are the dignified Patriarch of the Liu Family, how could you be cornered into retreating to the side room by a guest?" The housekeeper was truly unable to comprehend the master’s strategic move.

Liu Wei laughed heartily, "Foolish! If I truly didn’t want the cooperation, of course, I’d do as you suggested. I simply feel that the cooperation is possible, but the profit he’s offering me is too scant. I want to test where his bottom line lies, whether he’s genuinely refusing to offer me any concessions."

"Earlier, I spoke in a way that indicated leaving, yet he didn’t go; feigning ignorance, he’s determined to stay here. He’s certain in his resolve; he’s dead set on achieving this task. Hence, I shall wait."

"In a little while, if he hasn’t left, we’ll approach him again and bring up the matter; he will surely concede." With this thought, Liu Wei unexpectedly smiled, feeling rather hopeful about the success of the plan, and his mood brightened accordingly.

The housekeeper beside him came to a sudden realization, repeatedly praising his master’s strategic brilliance: "Your tactic of ’lofty capture through apparent release’ is indeed astutely executed! Haha!"

Meanwhile, Huo Sizun sat quietly in the living room; he wasn’t drinking tea, as that was merely an excuse.

Outside the living room, the housekeeper had long arranged for servants, their eyes closely watching every move of Huo Sizun, not faltering in the slightest.

Seeing this, Huo Sizun suddenly understood; the Patriarch of the Liu Family was not wholly cutting off cooperation with him, but feeling the terms he provided were inadequate and dismissive.

Leaving him on the side was clearly the "stratagem of elusive capture through apparent release" from the Thirty-Six Stratagems.

However, given the circumstances, Huo Sizun no longer cared about what price he must pay. In his heart, he resolutely decided that if the Liu Family patriarch could stand by his side and forge a cooperative relationship, he was willing to renounce half of his family’s assets in the name of the Huo Group as repayment to the Liu Family.

Ultimately, at this critical moment, reorganizing the team was indeed his priority!

Just as Huo Sizun was deep in thought, the Liu Family patriarch finished his calligraphy practice and glanced at the clock; half an hour had passed, and Huo Sizun was still seated in the living room.

The Liu Family patriarch understood clearly; this indicated Huo Sizun was resolved in his decision.

Thus, with a smile, he leisurely returned to the living room, although still uttering, "You’ve waited long, Mr. Huo, apologies for having kept you waiting. There were many trivial matters to handle at home, which took up quite some time."

"Haha, no problem," Huo Sizun replied with hearty laughter, then broached the earlier topic again, "Just regarding what we mentioned earlier, I hope you’ll consider it seriously."

The Liu Family patriarch followed the conversation smoothly, stating, "Actually, the matter isn’t entirely devoid of cooperative potential; it’s simply that the benefits I gain if we work together are indeed somewhat scant."

Huo Sizun felt a chill in his heart but maintained a smile, "May I ask, what more might you wish to achieve?"

Huo Sizun inwardly mused to himself; indeed, he hadn’t guessed incorrectly, this old fox was lying in wait for him here.

So he replied straightforwardly, "As long as you agree to stand on the side of our Huo Family, once successful, I am willing to represent the Huo Family and provide you with half of our family fortune as repayment!"

Upon hearing this, a flash of greed appeared in the Liu Family patriarch’s eyes, prompting him to accept immediately.

After all, the temptation was simply too great.

"Since you’ve agreed, let us be happy partners in collaboration!" Liu Wei cheerfully extended his hand to Huo Sizun and shook it tightly.

Having successfully garnered Liu Wei’s support, Huo Sizun’s power can be considered as one of the three prominent forces now.

The influence of the Liu Family is not to be underestimated; once agreeing to collaborate with Huo Sizun, Liu Wei promptly began discussions with him regarding the next course of action.

"Now that we’ve established a cooperative relationship, if there’s anything needed from the Liu Family, feel free to mention it, and the Liu Family will fully assist," Liu Wei assuredly declared while patting his chest.

"Haha, in that case, allow me to extend my gratitude in advance."