"Grandpa, I took the liberty of signing a contract with Mr. Lin today. Please don't scold me after you know the details!"
Upon seeing her grandfather, Shangguan Ling'er stuck out her tongue, displaying a playful and cute demeanor.
"Oh, oh, oh, our family's eldest young lady is actually signing contracts with others now?"
However, just as Shangguan Ling'er was about to happily tell Shangguan Xiong the truth, an old man slowly walked in through the main entrance behind her.
He had a simple haircut, his hair was graying, he was wearing a Tang suit, and he bore some resemblance to Shangguan Xiong between his brows.
Shangguan Hong, Shangguan Xiong's younger brother, was also the second master of the Shangguan family and the leader of the second branch of the Shangguan family.
"Come, quickly tell your second grandpa how much money you made from this contract?"
At this moment, Shangguan Hong had a smile that wasn't a smile, appearing extremely sinister.
Everyone in Hangcheng knew that his elder brother's health was failing and he only had at most one or two years to live.
The main branch of the Shangguan family had no male heirs. Shangguan Xiong's son and daughter-in-law had died in a car accident earlier, leaving only Shangguan Ling'er as the sole descendant.
Once Shangguan Xiong passed away, wouldn't the ultimate power of the Shangguan family fall into the hands of their second branch?
"Hehehe, there's no need for the second master to worry. It's just a small undertaking, not much profit."
Seeing Shangguan Hong's demeanor, Shangguan Ling'er showed no good expression.
She knew a little about her second master's intentions.
In the past, as a mere girl, she could only endure everything. But now, things were different. Her grandfather's health had completely recovered under Lin Chen's treatment.
He could definitely live for another ten to twenty years without any problem.
Therefore, Shangguan Hong's calculations were destined to fail!
"By the way, second master, why are you here so late? Why don't you take a seat in the living room first, and I'll pour you a cup of tea?"
"So that Grandpa won't say I'm neglecting guests and not respecting elders."
Shangguan Ling'er said with a smile, but her words made Shangguan Hong's expression turn cold instantly.
After all, he wasn't stupid and had indeed heard the subtext in Shangguan Ling'er's words.
This clearly implied that he, Shangguan Hong, was an outsider and not a direct descendant of the Shangguan family!
But the way she said it was so flawless that even if he wanted to refute, he couldn't find a starting point!
Did he really have to scold Shangguan Ling'er at this moment for being ignorant and disrespectful to elders?
"Ling'er, how are you talking to your second grandpa? Come, since you're here, let's all listen together to what contract Ling'er signed with Mr. Lin."
Shangguan Xiong gave Shangguan Ling'er a glance and then led everyone into the living room.
He was not unaware of his own brother's intentions.
It was just that for Shangguan Xiong, his health had indeed been deteriorating, and with many strong enemies surrounding the Shangguan family, if he were to pass away, Shangguan Hong would be the only one who could barely protect the Shangguan family.
After all, no matter what, Shangguan Hong was from the second branch, but he was still blood-related to Shangguan Ling'er.
Regardless, he would be better to Shangguan Ling'er than those outsiders.
But now it was different. With Lin Chen here, he was confident that the Shangguan family could remain glorious for another decade, and even reach new heights was not impossible!
"Here, I've brought some excellent tea. Let's brew some and taste it together."
After being seated in the living room, Shangguan Hong immediately took out a small box from his chest and handed it to the butler.
Seeing this, no one in the living room said anything more.
Shangguan Xiong and Shangguan Hong both enjoyed tea, and whenever Shangguan Hong visited the villa, he would always bring some good tea with him.
So the butler didn't hesitate. After brewing the tea, he served it to the three people in the living room.
"Come, Ling'er, tell me and your second grandpa, how did you discuss this with Mr. Lin?"
At this point, Old Master Shangguan was also full of curiosity.
For the current Shangguan Xiong, any news related to Lin Chen was practically a top secret for the Shangguan family!
"It's like this, Grandpa. Mr. Lin said he wanted to open a pharmaceutical company, but he lacked management talent, so I proactively proposed a collaboration."
"Our Shangguan family will invest two hundred million, and I will manage the company, holding ten percent of the shares."
"But Mr. Lin insisted on increasing the equity to twenty percent."
"So, granddaughter wants to ask for your decision. Should our Shangguan family take ten percent or twenty percent?"
Shangguan Ling'er dared not conceal anything and directly stated the point where she was hesitant.
"What? Two hundred million? For twenty percent equity? Shangguan Ling'er, are you crazy?"
Upon hearing Shangguan Ling'er's words, Shangguan Hong's teacup was so startled that it fell to the ground.
Good heavens, two hundred million! And only get twenty percent equity? What kind of company is this?
Although the Shangguan family appeared powerful now, many of their industries were actually declining due to Shangguan Xiong's previous health condition.
Two hundred million in cash was not a small amount for the Shangguan family!
You must know that this was two hundred million in liquid capital. Nowadays, even many Fortune 500 companies might not have two hundred million in liquid capital!
"Shut up!"
Hearing Shangguan Hong's words, Shangguan Xiong frowned and scolded him.
Although the latter was full of resentment, he could only sit back reluctantly out of respect for Shangguan Xiong.
However, the glint in his eyes still made Shangguan Ling'er feel a chill down her spine.
For some reason, she felt that her second grandpa seemed different.
But she couldn't quite pinpoint where the difference lay.
"Ling'er, since it's Mr. Lin's company, our Shangguan family can hold ten percent of the shares."
"Although our Shangguan family is in great need of money right now, we cannot be greedy, do you understand?"
"It is an honor for our Shangguan family that you can work by Mr. Lin's side and manage his company. You must never do anything that displeases Mr. Lin, do you understand?"
Shangguan Xiong spoke a series of instructions to Shangguan Ling'er in one breath.
Even Shangguan Hong, who was beside them, could hear the seriousness in Shangguan Xiong's words.
"What? Big brother, is this Mr. Lin from some prominent family?"
At this moment, Shangguan Hong could only swallow and ask Shangguan Xiong.
In his opinion, only a young master from a prominent family from Zhejiang Province could make Shangguan Xiong so solemn.
"No, Mr. Lin is not from a prominent family."
Hearing Shangguan Hong's question, Shangguan Xiong shook his head.