Chapter 360

Just as He Tian'er prepared to walk over, she was held back by He Xin, who warned her:

"Don't wander around aimlessly; just stay by my side."

He Tian'er felt incredibly aggrieved, but she dared not disobey her father. She could only pout with a look of resentment, though her eyes remained fixed on Ni Yongyao, looking every bit the infatuated girl.

Amaral seemed accustomed to his wife Sofia's behavior and paid her no mind, choosing instead to strike up a conversation with He Xin.

Once the two arrived, everyone's gaze focused on He Xin.

After He Xin offered an apology to Amaral, he began to host the family banquet:

"Thank you, distinguished guests, for giving me this honor. Please eat well and enjoy yourselves today; there is no need for restraint."

He Xin exchanged a few brief pleasantries, though in truth, this banquet was merely an opportunity for the upper echelons of Aodao to gather.

Soon, Ni Yongyao looked at He Xin and strode over. If he didn't take the initiative to approach He Xin, he didn't know how long he would have to wait for He Xin to finish entertaining these guests.

Many guests, upon seeing Ni Yongyao, retreated one after another. Although they were dissatisfied with the Ni family's overbearing nature, none of them were fools.

Who would dare offend the Ni family? Gao Laosi was the example of what happened. Moreover, Gao Laosi had been collecting debts for this Aodao Viceroy Amaral. A good show was about to begin, so they all consciously made way.

He Xin also noticed Ni Yongyao; he had intended to make contact with him as well.

It was just that the timing was not ideal. He Xin watched Amaral not far away with a calm expression and sighed; it seemed today's conflict was unavoidable.

Ni Yongyao arrived before He Xin and raised the champagne in his hand as a gesture of friendliness: "Mr. He, I have long heard of your great name. I have been in Aodao for some time and have always wanted to pay you a visit."

Ni Yongyao looked at He Xin, unable to help but marvel at the aura of this Gambling King. To have clawed his way to his current status and position was enough to prove He Xin's own talent.

He Xin smiled slightly and said: "The same to you, Mr. Ni. In fact, I have always wanted to visit Gangdao, but unfortunately, I never had the chance."

"Being able to meet Mr. Ni here today, perhaps I will have a tour guide when I go to Gangdao in the future."

The two exchanged a few hollow pleasantries.

He Tian'er, standing to the side, dared not interrupt, but she kept batting her eyes as if trying to flirt, hoping to attract Ni Yongyao's attention.

She even pretended to cough, which made He Xin feel a headache coming on, as he knew exactly what his daughter was thinking.

Ni Yongyao also noticed He Tian'er. He found her behavior somewhat amusing, but since establishing a partnership with He Xin was more important, he pretended not to notice her.

"Hmph, hmph."

Seeing that Ni Yongyao hadn't noticed her, He Tian'er became anxious, almost wanting to introduce herself and sell herself on the spot.

He Xin looked helpless; it seemed he had spoiled He Tian'er too much. It was truly embarrassing, so he had no choice but to say:

"Mr. Ni, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, He Tian'er. I apologize; she still doesn't quite understand the rules of etiquette."

He Tian'er looked at her father, wondering how he could introduce her like that, and hurriedly lifted her gown elegantly:

"Mr. Ni, hello."

After speaking, He Tian'er took the initiative to extend her hand, intending to shake Ni Yongyao's. Her face was full of expectation; seeing him up close, Ni Yongyao was even more handsome than she had imagined.

It was mainly because her father was nearby; otherwise, she would have been asking him all sorts of questions. She wanted to know everything about Ni Yongyao.

Ni Yongyao smiled slightly and extended his hand in response: "Hello, Miss He."

He Tian'er took the initiative to hold Ni Yongyao's hand. It was as if a fan had met a star; she was extremely excited. The more they touched, the deeper she felt Ni Yongyao occupied her heart.

She didn't want to let go of his hand, feeling completely sweet, and almost broke into a silly grin.

At this moment, He Xin coughed: "Tian'er."

Hearing this, He Tian'er realized she had been holding on for too long, and an embarrassed look appeared on her face.

He Xin looked at his daughter's expression and knew she had already fallen for him. He estimated that if Ni Yongyao whispered a few sweet nothings, he could easily trick his silly girl into bed.

He Xin changed the subject, moving straight to the point: "Mr. Ni's visit to Aodao is an unexpected surprise, but it seems Aodao doesn't quite welcome outside guests at the moment."

After speaking, He Xin looked around. Most people held a hostile attitude toward Ni Yongyao. The waters of Aodao were deep, and some things were not for him alone to decide.

He intended to probe Ni Yongyao's intentions for coming to Aodao.

Ni Yongyao was unfazed by this: "They are just a bunch of kittens and puppies; I can deal with them at any time."

"Mr. He, I came this time because I want to cooperate with you. I want half of the shares in Aodao's casinos."

This was Ni Yongyao's goal. Offering fifty percent of the profits in a partnership was already giving him face. The reason he came to find He Xin was that he was the only one in Aodao qualified to do so.

He Xin frowned, a look of difficulty appearing on his face. Although he managed the Aodao casinos, there were countless factions underneath, and the foreign devils were also involved.

He didn't even get fifty percent on the surface; it could only be said that the Ni family's ambition was truly not small.

At this moment, a sarcastic voice suddenly came:

"What a big mouth you have. You want half of Aodao's casinos?"

The Viceroy of Aodao sneered and strode over, looking at Ni Yongyao with a gaze filled with hostility.

He Xin sighed. Sure enough, the Viceroy had intervened. However, when he invited Ni Yongyao today, he had considered such a conflict.

Because Gao Laosi worked for the foreign devils to collect money, and now that a source of income had been cut off, how could someone like Amaral, who valued money above all else, not react?

Ni Yongyao said indifferently: "Has no one ever taught you that interrupting when others are talking is an impolite behavior?"

"Did you learn your etiquette from wild monkeys?"

Upon hearing this, Amaral was stunned; he hadn't expected Ni Yongyao not to be intimidated by him, but instead to dare to mock him:

"Sharp-tongued. Do you not know that the land beneath your feet is managed by our Frankish Empire? Mind your status; you have no right to run wild here."

"Otherwise, our Frankish fleet will blow you into pieces."

They possessed military power on this land, which was the reason he dared to be so unscrupulous.

Ni Yongyao chuckled upon hearing this and retorted:

"So a foreign dog dares to call itself a master in our country. I remember you should be the last Viceroy, right? I wonder how many more years you can be arrogant."

"I'm afraid if you dare to come again next time, what will greet you should be the artillery shells sent from the mainland."

Ni Yongyao gave Amaral no face at all. How many more years could the foreign devils be arrogant in Aodao? The factories on the mainland already had the most advanced weapons and equipment provided by the Ni family.

He wouldn't mind letting Aodao return a few years early.

Amaral hadn't expected Ni Yongyao to not only dare to provoke him but also to poke at his sore spot. They truly did not want to return the land of Aodao, but the pressure from the mainland was too great.

As the last Viceroy, if he didn't scrape up some wealth now, he wouldn't have another chance.

— Author's Notes —

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