Rebirth: Super Banking System

Chapter 682: Chapter 586: Pretending to be Confused while Being Confused (Please Subscribe!)_1

After the wedding.

Tang Qing and his companions returned to the Autumn Palace, but it was much less crowded because many guests left after the wedding, the big shots having their own catching up to do.

Some guests stayed to dine, chat, and entertain with acquaintances in Beijing.

All of a sudden, most of the rooms at Autumn Palace were vacant.

However, to avoid disturbing the guests who had stayed on, the Autumn Palace would not be open to the public for the next two days.

Inside the tea room.

Tang Qing sat bored, looking at his mobile phone.

Uncle Liu Qian and Liu Qian were discussing business matters enthusiastically. After contemplating overnight, Liu Qian decided to dip his toes into manufacturing and invest in Leader Ling’s territory as Tang Kai had suggested, assuring him that the place would see significant growth.

Liu Qian knew that most of Tang Kai’s businesses depended on the Leader Ling he had met once. This was a golden opportunity he wouldn’t pass on, hoping for a new opening.

Learning about the sales qualification of the fruit wine, which was randomly assigned over a meal, Liu Qian couldn’t help but feel envious. If only he could be so lucky.

This was definitely something to seize on.

Lin Jiaxue wasn’t there.

She was dragged away by Miao Ru to do her hair as soon as she got back. Miao Ru intended to experience all the services at Autumn Palace over the next two days, with Chai Ren footing the bills. Mu Jian and his family also tagged along.

Miao Ru spent the previous night at Zhan Xi’s.

Chai’s and Zhan’s families were responsible for wrapping up the wedding in the afternoon, so she returned to Autumn Palace and prepared to go back with Tang Qing and others the next evening.

With his mobile phone in hand.

Tang Qing swiped the screen aimlessly, pondering the purpose of Chai Guoqiang seeking him out. He had a rough idea—it must have something to do with his omnipotent ’friend’ who didn’t exist. But that wasn’t the main issue.

The question was how to respond.

Saying too much or too little both had its pitfalls. It was crucial to strike a balance. Dealing with those big shots was not easy—if he was not careful, he could easily give himself away.

Those were seasoned players.

They were difficult to deal with.

Luckily, they were all allies, so he didn’t expect them to make things difficult.

On the other side.

The families of Chai and Zhan were counting the money gifts to return them later, maybe double the amount or more for closer relationships.

It was natural.

Among the guests, a gift of one million RMB was at the top. Most of the attendees were public servants who wouldn’t splash out cash, just a token gift to show their goodwill.

The one at the top of the list was Mu Jian, who sent a total of 1.88 million RMB.

The second and third place went to Tang Qing and his nephew who both gave a million.

The fourth gave 880,000, and over twenty people gifted that same amount. Those were from the families of Beijing who could afford more but stuck to the default amount as per the high society’s unspoken rules.

Giving too much wasn’t a good look, and it wasn’t a wedding of some rich entrepreneur’s daughter. Everyone was well-off, and the money gifts were merely a gesture, not something to show off about.

Many guests were aware of this default upper limit and didn’t dare to give more, only gifting less than 880,000. Only Mu Jian, who had grown up in the United States, and Tang Qing were ignorant of this rule and thus gifted a million.

"Honey, Uncle Tang and his nephew are so generous." Zhan Xi sighed, looking at the two cheques. She didn’t care much about money, but it didn’t stop her from comparing her salary with the cheques in front of her.

"I think they were just lazy and didn’t know about the default rule, opting for a round number," said Chai Ren with a wry smile.

Tang Qing and his nephew didn’t lack money, especially Tang Kai, who was undoubtedly one of the wealthiest among the guests. A million to them was like a drizzle—it didn’t amount to much. The thought that someone had gifted a million just because they didn’t want to bother with change left Chai Ren with nothing but a bitter smile.

Well.

Who asked them to be so impressive?

"Really? ..." Zhan Xi asked suspiciously.

Thinking of Tang Qing’s laid-back attitude, even finding earning money a chore, Chai Ren confidently said, "Definitely."

"Then we’ll return a bit more next time," Zhan Xi said.

Chai Ren nodded in agreement.

To return a bit more, he reckoned he would have to return a lot more. Partly because of self-esteem—the unspoken rules only applied to their families, not other businessmen. Therefore, there was no upper limit; it depended on the relationship.

Secondly, just like Tang Qing had thought, he had made so much money from Tang Qing’s friend that it was only right to return twice the amount, even adding a zero wouldn’t be too much.

Thinking of the meeting between his father and Tang Qing the next day, Chai Ren was a bit worried. He hoped his father could show some restraint and not ask any embarrassing questions, which would put him in a difficult position.

...

In a short while.

Lin Jiaxue and others returned from the hair salon.

Looking at Lin Jiaxue’s new hairstyle, Tang Qing couldn’t help lighting up. Honestly, a hairstyle could really change a person’s temperament and even enhance their looks.

"See, Jiaxue? I told you Tang Qing would like it," Miao Ru teased, seeing the stunned look on Tang Qing’s face.

Even before Lin Jiaxue could respond.

"Nonsense... I would love Jiaxue no matter how she looks." Tang Qing quickly pulled Lin Jiaxue to his side and took a closer look. At that moment, he felt that he could use a hairstyling fighter in his house. Yes, he would arrange for one once they got back.

He was okay with rocking a shaved head every day.

But girls loved beauty, where the face and hair were of equal importance.

...

The next day.

Morning.

Tang Qing and his uncle arrived at Chai Ren’s house.

However, it wasn’t Chai Ren’s new house, but his father’s place. Only after going through several checks did they enter this place. Looking around, there were guards everywhere, making Tang Qing feel as if he was in a palace compound. Tang Kai was a bit nervous, but Tang Qing seemed as casual as if he were entering his own home.

Glancing left and right.

This was a place ordinary people could never enter, and he was rather curious.

Upon arriving at home.

Tang Qing realised that this small villa only contained Chai Guoqiang and his two bodyguards. No one else was inside. Everyone else seemed to have been told to leave, and these guards were provided by the state, so they probably weren’t allowed to leave.

With a smile, Tang Qing greeted him, "Uncle Chai, sorry to disturb."

"Hahaha, I would be glad if you could come more often. How would that be disturbing, please sit down." Chai Guoqiang replied with a hearty laugh.

Chai Ren, too, took a seat on the side.

The two guards stood guard at the door.

"Please don’t be nervous, both of you. We’re just here to chat today, especially Boss Tang. Congratulations on becoming the wealthiest Chinese in Thailand. That’s not an easy feat. But after making money overseas, you should also think about your compatriots at home. Nowadays, our country is striving to develop its economy, resolving the urban and rural..."

For the following discussion, Chai Guoqiang truly made it a casual chat, talking about business, about life. Tang Kai was rather surprised. Were they this close to the Chai family to have time for such trivial chatter?

The reality was indeed Chai Guoqiang was just engaging in idle talk.

Even Chai Ren on the side was surprised.

What about the main topic?

What happened to the main topic they were supposed to discuss?

However, Chai Ren did believe that his father wouldn’t speak without thinking.

What Chai Ren didn’t know was, Chai Guoqiang’s initial plan was to discuss those doubts with them. However, after meeting Tang Qing, and hearing some implicit clues, he was completely sure that Tang Kai belonged to those who had no clue.

And Tang Qing was the kind of person who knew everything but didn’t want to reveal anything.

Psychology.

He was good at it too.

It wasn’t difficult to come with this inference. Hence, after a few words, Chai Guoqiang deliberately sidetracked the topic. With Tang Kai present, Tang Qing would definitely be even more unwilling to talk. If he wanted to coax more information, it would be more suitable while they were alone.

However, after just two meetings, Chai Guoqiang became even more curious about Tang Qing.

What enabled him to amass such huge wealth within a year? Was it his friend? Not necessarily. If it was that way, Tang Qing’s source of confidence wouldn’t be sturdy. He should be nervous meeting him.

But he didn’t observe any signs of Tang Qing being nervous. Instead, he was relaxed, calm and collected; even cracking a few jokes occasionally.

This was definitely not youthful recklessness.

It was not the confidence others could give. Rather, it was his own powerful self-assurance. However, Chai Guoqiang couldn’t figure out where this confidence came from at that moment. His thinking wasn’t narrow, even with boundless imagination, the hypothesis must be logical. Therefore, he wasn’t suspecting Tang Qing or his friend’s relationship, it was just genuine curiosity.

The more they talk.

Chai Guoqiang seemed to have had an epiphany.

At this moment.

Chai Guoqiang suddenly didn’t care about Tang Qing’s friend anymore. In fact, as long as they maintain a good relationship with Tang Qing, the interests of the Chai family could be guaranteed. If they know, would they not do business?

That was impossible.

Given the not-so-deep relationship between the two families, Tang Qing would certainly not expose his cards. He must still be cautious about their family. So, all the questions that Chai Guoqiang had prepared were all suppressed in his heart.

If he used his status to force a confession.

That would be provoking for no reason. It wasn’t necessary to create an image of a villain without any reason. He also realised that playing dumb about this matter was the wisest choice. If they knew everything and then something went wrong with their collaboration in the future, then that would be collusion.

Ignorance is not a crime.

This sentence also has a deeper meaning.

The birth and development of the ’African United Mining Group’ involved many dark and illicit matters. The ruthless means and complete disregard made this a potential pitfall.

Luckily, for now, Chai Ren was only a hidden shareholder. If he were public, and those countries were instigated by someone with an agenda, they could take it directly to the United Nations, accusing him of interfering in their economic order, committing numerous ’crimes’. Well, then they would really be done for.

It’s good to say if you don’t know, but if you do know and don’t report it, then it would become his problem.

And so.

In harmonious atmosphere.

The two families ended this conversation. One side was utterly confused, and the other did not achieve its goal. This should have been a meaningless conversation, a waste of time, but it improved the relationship between both sides.

Chai Guoqiang was very busy.

The two did not stay for lunch.

After the two left.

Curious beyond control, Chai Ren asked, "Father, why didn’t you ask any of the key questions just now?"

Looking at his youngest son, Chai Guoqiang explained his thoughts. Chai Ren understood. He really thought about it, knowing too much was actually not a good thing. As long as there’s money to be made, that was enough. Furthermore, even if he asked Tang Qing, he might not speak. Even if he spoke, it might not be the truth. Even if it were the truth, it might not be the full story.

So why bother asking?

"Moving forward, continue as before. Try your best to investigate the background and capability of Tang Qing’s friend. At the same time, maintain a good relationship with the Tang family. Remember, we don’t know anything, but it is not that we don’t want to know." Chai Guoqiang’s final words were full of deeper meanings.

"Yes, Father." Chai Ren understood.

In the car.

After a while, Tang Qing finally figured out Chai Guoqiang’s thought process.

He couldn’t help but sigh: ’Old ginger is indeed hotter.’ He made such a conclusive decision. In just a few moments, he had figured out his and Uncle 2’s ’foundation’ and instantly gave up seeking the ’truth’.

Playing clueless when deep down, he understood everything.

This move.

Was a bit interesting.