Cooperation (2)

"Wait." Yan Qing Shan stopped Lan Jing Er as he headed for the door. The man turned to her with a questioning look all over his face.

"I'm afraid, Young Master Lan can't leave yet. After all, this marriage meeting is an inconvenience not only for me but even more for you. I can't possibly let the Young Master go empty-handed." Yan Qing Shan said with a small smile in her pretty, sakura lips.

Lan Jing Er frowned at her words, wondering what their underlying purpose is. He proceeded back to his seat and looked at her straightly. His expression clearly asking for an explanation. Yan Qing Shan kept her mysterious smile for a short while before deciding to put out Lan Jing Er's agony.

"I have this premonition that Young Master Lan will meet a little bit of trouble explaining to your parents about the outcome of our meeting." Yan Qing Shan sipped a little bit of her tea once again, wondering what tea leaves the restaurant used. The tea had a peculiar floral taste. It was as if flowers were blooming in her mouth.

Yan Qing Shan's subtle delight at the tea did not escape Zi Jue, the big and shameless koala who kept his silence throughout; not wanting to get ahead of his beloved's plan. He took out his phone and sent a message asking Housekeeper Liu to buy a supply of the tea Yan Qing Shan was currently partaking. With that solved, Zi Jue looked on silently as Yan Qing Shan conversed with Lan Jing Er.

"What do you mean, Miss Yan? Why will I have trouble explaining?" Lan Jing Er asked with confusion apparent in his handsome features. This Miss Yan has been really strange ever since she arrived. Not that he minded. After all, this was a lot better than having another woman throwing themselves at his feet. Memories flashed in Lan Jing Er's mind making him shudder uncontrollably at the dismal experiences he had recalled.

"You'll see later. For now, why don't we discuss a possible cooperation?" Yan Qing Shan diverted. Lan Jing Er sat in attention at this.

"By cooperation, what does Miss Yan mean?" The Young Master Lan inquired with obvious interest along with an undisguised caution. Lan Jing Er put his guard up. Yan Qing Shan expected this early on.

In actuality, the idea of cooperation came a little late to her. It was only on their way to the restaurant that she suddenly realized the benefits of having the Lan family on their side. Knowing her devious stepmother, Zhao Ming Hua has most likely predicted that the marriage meeting will end on a sour note. That snake personified for sure has a scheme in place that will secure the Lan's support for her. Yan Qing Shan would not be selfish and deprive her poor self the joy of ruining Zhao Ming Hua's plans. She had held herself back far too long. Aside from the fact that Yan Qing Shan did not plan on letting anyone take advantage of Lan Jing Er's, this Bodhisattva incarnate, inheritance.

With this in mind, dragging Zi Jue with her became a blessing in disguise. With his help, they were able to formulate an effective, albeit temporary, plan. Lan Jing Er was moulded into the perfect successor by his parents. At some point, he had become a yes-man to them. Lan Jing Er was actually very competent in business. He shrewd, calculative, and every bit an efficient business man. He was able to succeed in every project he involved himself into and made their Lan family even more successful than it used to. These potentials of his was why his father tolerated what he deems as Lan Jing Er's identity crisis.

Most of City Z only knows that the up and coming Lan family from abroad were into investment and construction. However, only a select few are aware of their real bread and butter.

Arms-dealing.

The Lan family was among the best in this area. Yan Qing Shan came across of this fact when Lan Jing Er drunkenly called her once after he became depressed at the severe issues their business faced after it collaborated with a new partner. He bore the brunt of his father's rage and regret, unable to retaliate Lan Jing Er drowned himself in alcohol and spoke his grievances to Yan Qing Shan.

She had an inkling that their new partner was actually her step-mother Zhao Ming Hua. And her involvement has caused some major problems to the Lan's, at the same time endangering Lan Jing Er. Yan Qing Shan did not want a repeat of it again. Hence, she was going to grab the Lan's from Zhao Ming Hua.

'Time to test if my, Izanami's reputation is still as powerful as it has been before.'

"By cooperation, Young Master Lan, I mean a cooperation with your Lan family's true business." Yan Qing Shan spoke slowly. She saw Lan Jing Er's eyes sharpened as he gazed at her.

"I don't seem to understand your point, Miss Yan." Lan Jing Er chose to play the ignorant fool and refute her. Yan Qing Shan giggled a little at this before resignedly speaking again.

"Young Master Lan, do allow me to introduce myself again."

"No need. I'm am already aware of who you are. I must request for you to get straight to the point and stop playing around. The earlier I could report the outcome of this meeting, the better." Lan Jing Er replied his tone cold.

"Oh? Young Master Lan is aware that I am Izanami." Yan Qing Shan's infamous scathingly cold expression colored her fair face. Her aura changing from the mellow lady into the Goddess of Death that the Underworld knew.

It was at this that Lan Jing Er's jaw hit the ground hard.