Chapter 124: The Liang Family

The matter of Xia's father falling seriously ill and seeking medicine was like a stone thrown into a busy stream—though it stirred ripples, it was soon absorbed into Qin Feng's established procedures. Su Jin, accompanied by a small medical team and the still-experimental Cell-Oriented Repair Inducer, arrived secretly in the Imperial Capital under the highest secrecy level and began emergency treatment attempts on Xia Wenyuan in a private hospital secured absolutely by the Shield.

All of this was conducted in secrecy; Qin Feng did not divert much attention, his main focus remaining fixed on the game in Luocheng.

Yet, when he prepared to apply further pressure on Chuangsheng Technology and the Prometheus Foundation, an unexpected yet inevitable visitor, through Qin Yuanwei's channel, delivered a formal invitation.

The visitor was Liang Hongyi, the current Family Head of the Liang Family.

The Liang Family, like the Qin Family to which Qin Yuanwei belonged, ranked among Huaxia's most elite aristocratic clans—deeply rooted, extensively branched, wielding immense influence in both politics and commerce. Unlike the Qin Family's emphasis on defense and heavy industry, the Liang Family's holdings were concentrated in finance, real estate, and emerging technologies.

Qin Feng had no prior ties to the Liang Family; now, Liang Hongyi's personal visit carried an enigmatic purpose.

The meeting was still held in the Qin Family Estate's ancient, solemn study. This time, however, only Qin Yuanwei accompanied them; the atmosphere was even more delicate than last time.

Liang Hongyi was around fifty, in excellent physical condition, dressed in a well-tailored Zhongshan suit, his hair meticulously combed, his face wearing the characteristic smooth smile of a businessman—yet his slightly narrowed eyes occasionally flashed with sharp acumen.

"Young Master Qin, truly, hearing about you a hundred times is not as good as meeting you once! You are indeed a hero of youth!" Liang Hongyi greeted warmly, clasping his hands as if he and Qin Feng were long-time friends.

"Uncle Liang flatters me; I am unworthy of such praise," Qin Feng replied with equal courtesy, his demeanor perfectly balanced.

Qin Yuanwei sat in the main seat like an anchor, sipping tea quietly without a word, clearly leaving the stage to the two.

After a series of empty pleasantries and mutual flattery, Liang Hongyi finally steered the conversation toward its true purpose.

"Young Master Qin, your Qin Feng System is now at its zenith, especially in biopharmaceuticals and frontier technologies—truly admirable!" Liang Hongyi sighed, then shifted tone, "To be frank, our Liang Family has recently been actively investing in health and artificial intelligence, pouring in substantial resources—but… results have consistently fallen short. Compared to your vision and execution, we are far behind."

The groundwork was laid; Qin Feng remained expressionless, waiting for the next move.

Liang Hongyi leaned forward slightly, his smile unchanged but his gaze now serious: "So, I have come here boldly, representing the Liang Family, hoping to initiate comprehensive, deep cooperation with your Qin Feng System!"

"Oh? What exactly do you mean by 'deep cooperation,' Uncle Liang?" Qin Feng asked, his tone calm.

"In every way!" Liang Hongyi waved his hand grandly, radiating boldness. "We can cross-hold shares: three of our listed companies are willing to cede 15% of their equity in exchange for 10% of Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals or Yaofeng Capital! We can co-found a new investment fund focused exclusively on frontier technologies! In market channels and policy resources, the Liang Family can fully serve as your shield!"

The terms sounded extraordinarily generous—almost as if money and resources were being handed to him. Cross-holding equity meant deeply binding the Liang Family's vast commercial empire to the Qin Feng System.

Yet Qin Feng's mind was clear. There was no such thing as a free lunch; the Liang Family's enormous sacrifice must conceal a grand design.

He gently swirled his teacup, his gaze steady on Liang Hongyi: "Uncle Liang's sincerity is touching. But the Qin Feng System is currently developing steadily; we do not seem to urgently need external capital or resources. Moreover, cross-holding equity involves major implications and requires careful consideration."

A polite refusal.

Liang Hongyi's smile stiffened slightly, but quickly returned to normal; he chuckled: "Young Master, no need to refuse so quickly. I know the Qin Feng System has limitless potential and certainly lacks neither resources nor capital. But what the Liang Family offers goes beyond these."

He paused, lowered his voice, and added a tone of hidden meaning: "Some forms of support and protection are sometimes more valuable than money. Young Master, you are currently in the spotlight—but when a tree stands tall above the forest, the wind will surely break it. You understand this. More friends mean more paths. Especially friends like us…"

The implication was unmistakable: he was offering a "protective umbrella" as leverage to draw Qin Feng into his camp.

Qin Feng sneered inwardly. Did he need the Liang Family's protection? What a joke! Even Qin Yuanwei—and higher authorities—were adopting a stance of cautious cooperation and observation toward him. What made the Liang Family think they could "protect" him?

"I appreciate Uncle Liang's goodwill," Qin Feng set down his teacup, his tone still courteous but his refusal now unmistakable. "The Qin Feng System has its own development plan and rhythm. At present, we prefer independent growth and have no intention of bringing in strategic investors—especially not through such deep entanglements."

Repeatedly rebuffed, Liang Hongyi's smile finally cracked, a faint shadow flickering in his eyes.

The atmosphere in the study turned instantly heavy.

Qin Yuanwei, who had remained silent until now, slowly set down his teacup and eased the tension: "Hongyi, young people have their own ideas and drive. We old men should sometimes let them fly on their own."

Liang Hongyi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his irritation, forcing a smile: "Brother Yuanwei is right. I was too eager." He turned to Qin Feng, his tone returning to its earlier warmth—but his eyes had grown colder. "Since Young Master has no interest for now, we shall set this aside. But the door to cooperation remains forever open to you, Young Master."

The meeting ended unhappily and did not last long. Liang Hongyi soon took his leave under some pretext.

After seeing Liang Hongyi off, only Qin Feng and Qin Yuanwei remained in the study.

"The Liang Family… their ambitions run deep," Qin Yuanwei said to Qin Feng with meaning. "They're not just interested in your current enterprises—they're after your future potential, and… the technologies you may hold that surpass this era."

Qin Feng nodded. He understood perfectly. The Liang Family wanted to bind him to their carriage with resources and false "protection" while he was still young, ultimately aiming to absorb or control him.

"Old Master Qin, rest assured—I know my limits," Qin Feng replied calmly.

Qin Yuanwei nodded with satisfaction: "Good. I'll help shield you from the Liang Family. But be careful—Liang Hongyi is not a man of broad mind. Today you humiliated him; he won't let this go easily."

"A mere clown. Not worth worrying about," Qin Feng said flatly, yet with absolute confidence.

Leaving the Qin Family Estate, stepping into his car, Qin Feng's eyes turned icy.

He had seen through the Liang Family's purpose.

Trying to treat him as prey to be carved up?

Then let them see whether their teeth are strong enough!

It seems the waters of the Imperial Capital are muddier than he imagined.

But that's fine.

It gives him the perfect chance to cleanse all the demons lurking in the depths!

His Empire needs no so-called "protection"—and will tolerate no one's covetous gaze!