Chapter 40
Yi Feng's eyebrows furrowed as he gave Mao Lin a meaningful look.
"Oh, Mr. Yi, please don't stand on ceremony." Seeing that Yi Feng seemed to be startled, Mao Lin straightened his chest slightly and said, "Although a thousand gold coins is quite a lot, you don't need to feel burdened either. This is my apology to you, so just accept it."
Upon hearing this, the meaningful expression on Yi Feng's face grew even more intense. He then got straight to the point and said, "Chairman Mao, please just tell me what this is about!"
"Cough cough, then I'll get right to it."
After coughing once, Mao Lin said with a smiling expression, "Ever since you left last time, I've been thinking again and again. We're now in an era of cultural revival, which aligns with the development of my business association. So I've decided to continue working with you, Master Yi, and devote the full strength of the business association to help you publish books."
Yi Feng's gaze flickered slightly.
He instantly understood Mao Lin's intention—he had likely noticed that Yi Feng's "Supreme Treasure" could bring benefits to the Pingjiang Business Association. As expected, this old skinflint had come with ill intentions!
This old swindler!
Yi Feng couldn't help but lift the corners of his mouth and asked leisurely, "Chairman Mao, your words are mistaken. Didn't you clearly tell me last time that publishing books brings no benefit? So I feel that Chairman Mao should still prioritize the interests of the business association!"
Mao Lin was left with an embarrassed expression from Yi Feng's words. He quickly explained, "Look, I didn't say anything wrong last time, did I? Master Yi surely wouldn't take my irresponsible words to heart. I believe that Master Yi is clearly not a petty person."
"No, I did take Chairman Mao's words to heart." Yi Feng's eyes glinted as he bluntly said, "Moreover, I, Yi Feng, am a petty person."
"You..."
Yi Feng's words left Mao Lin fuming, his face iron blue as he said, "What do you mean by this? Do you really think our business association can't do without you? Let me tell you, if you don't cooperate with our association, how much do you think you can sell your books for?"
"Then since your esteemed association doesn't need me, that's even better." Yi Feng let out a cold laugh, then turned to leave with a wave of his hand. "Then you're welcome to leave!"
"Wait wait, don't go yet."
Yi Feng's words were like a dagger to Mao Lin's heart. He had wanted to provoke Yi Feng, but didn't expect him to be completely unmoved. Mao Lin quickly rearranged his smiling expression and grabbed Yi Feng again.
"Why are you still grabbing and pulling, Chairman Mao? Are you into this sort of thing?" Yi Feng asked coldly, tilting his head.
Mao Lin's face darkened as he let go of Yi Feng. After hesitating, he said, "How about this—just name your price directly for cooperating with my Pingjiang Business Association again."
"Not interested."
Yi Feng directly rejected him.
"Two thousand gold coins?"
Yi Feng remained silent.
"Three thousand gold coins?"
Yi Feng was still silent.
"Ten thousand gold coins?"
Finally, Mao Lin gritted his teeth and shouted out a large number.
"Chairman Mao, there are not enough regret medicines in the world to eat," said Yi Feng, too lazy to continue entanglement with Mao Lin. "Besides, I'm a petty person. I still remember the humiliation you gave me that day, so please leave."
"Yes, I indeed shouldn't have done that. I understand you holding a grudge." Mao Lin hadn't expected Yi Feng to be so unmoved. His face was iron blue as he said, "But surely you can't reject money? This is ten thousand gold coins—a whole ten thousand gold coins, money you couldn't earn in ten years. If this still isn't enough, then your appetite is truly too great!"
As he spoke, his eyes narrowed as he continued, "Aren't you afraid you'll choke yourself?"
Mao Lin's words made Yi Feng laugh.
His eyes glinted as he asked back, "Is ten thousand gold coins a lot?"
"Brat, how dare you be so presumptuous!" Mao Lin said angrily. "Forget ten thousand gold coins—even five hundred gold coins might be more than you can take out."
"Oh really?"
Yi Feng raised the corners of his mouth.