Chapter 17: Achieving Cooperation

Qin Ziyi had already imagined Lu Jing's background and the purpose of cooperation.

How could a high school student possibly research a new Dan Formula on his own? Anyone able to produce this kind of Dan Formula must be backed by some force behind him.

The other party is very likely a reclusive clan that independently researches Dan Formulas; this teenager contacting me is probably acting on the clan's orders.

But why would they choose me?

While she was wandering in her thoughts, she saw a boy who looked like a high school student walk in through the restaurant's glass window.

"That must be him."

Qin Ziyi took a deep breath and sat up straight.

The other party came alone, which is very advantageous for her upcoming negotiation.

The boy walked into the restaurant, glanced around, then headed straight for Qin Ziyi, as if he already knew who she was.

After his strength increased, Lu Jing had a well-proportioned, tall and slender build; combined with his handsome appearance and relaxed demeanor, he was like a living celebrity stepped out of reality.

Qin Ziyi couldn't help but stare, her heart beating a little faster.

"Cough cough!"

Apparently noticing her own lapse, Qin Ziyi's face flushed slightly; she gave a dry cough, lowered her head, and pretended to tidy her clothes to ease the embarrassment.

Lu Jing walked over to sit opposite Qin Ziyi, casually took a seat, and said, "Miss Qin, right?"

Without waiting for Qin Ziyi's reply, Lu Jing picked up the menu beside him and said on his own, "This Western restaurant is quite famous; I've always wanted to come try it, but I never had the time. What would you like to eat?"

"Whatever."

Qin Ziyi frowned slightly; this boy gave her a strange feeling, leaving her vaguely uneasy.

She was thinking about how to bring up the Dan Formula when she saw Lu Jing wave to summon a waiter.

"What's your signature dish?"

"Sir, hello; we recommend the ribeye steak."

"Okay, let's start with ten servings, medium-well."

"All... all right, sir."

The waiter was somewhat surprised, curiously glancing at Lu Jing and the other person.

Qin Ziyi, who was sipping coffee nearby, almost choked, and asked doubtfully, "Is anyone else coming? Why are you ordering so much?"

Lu Jing shrugged, "A lot, just barely filling my stomach."

Qin Ziyi had just glanced at the menu while Lu Jing wasn't there; one ribeye steak costs two thousand, so ten would be twenty thousand.

Even if he's a martial artist with large Blood Qi consumption and appetite, he couldn't possibly eat that much.

She was calculating in her mind, inevitably feeling a pang of pain.

But then she thought, this meal might not necessarily be her treat; ordering so much, he'd surely feel embarrassed not to pay.

Thinking that, Qin Ziyi relaxed.

"Anything else you'd like to order?"

Lu Jing looked at the absent-minded Qin Ziyi across the table and asked.

Qin Ziyi shook her head.

She currently has little appetite, and she had already eaten lunch before calling Lu Jing.

"Alright, then bring a bottle of red wine, the highest grade."

Lu Jing waved his hand, signaling the waiter to prepare it.

Seeing Lu Jing finish ordering, Qin Ziyi gathered her thoughts and asked, "Your Dan Formula, where does it come from?"

Qin Ziyi, twenty-one years old, born in Facing-the-Sea Province Great Prosperity City; her family has been in the Dan Medicine business since two hundred years ago, experiencing prosperity before eventually declining.

The Qin family's medicine shops spread across the nation; nowadays most have been acquired, especially here where you are, only this Huichuntang has been passed down to you, and due to lacking a competitive Dan Formula, business is bleak, facing closure...

Lu Jing didn't answer Qin Ziyi's question; instead, he fluently recited her background.

Qin Ziyi was first a little surprised, but soon calmed, her tone slightly mocking as she said, "Little brother, what you said is true, but what does it have to do with our business talk?"

She fixed her gaze on Lu Jing's eyes, her face somewhat grim; this boy completely disregarded her pace, taking the initiative the moment he spoke.

Lu Jing still said nothing; soon, the ordered ribeye steak and red wine were brought to the table.

He picked up his knife and fork, attentively beginning to cut up the steak before him.

This steak tastes great and is rich in Blood Qi, making it an excellent nourishment.

This is also why he deliberately chose this restaurant; its ingredients are very suitable for martial artists to consume.

Seeing Lu Jing ignore her, Qin Ziyi burned with inner anger; if she didn't need something from him, she would have already flipped the table and left.

She took a deep breath, barely suppressing her anger.

"Lu Jing, don't forget our purpose; can we talk about the cooperation you mentioned?"

"Hmm."

Lu Jing ate all ten steaks in one go, then very satisfiedly wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"The cooperation I mean is that I provide the Dan Formula, your Huichuntang handles production and sales, profits split three to seven, and you must first pay me five million as a deposit."

"Three-seven split?"

Qin Ziyi stood up directly, sneering, "Five million is enough to buy the production rights for intermediate Dan Medicine; are you making lion-sized demands?"

"And I only get seven tenths; are you trying to climb to heaven?"

Lu Jing shook his head, "Seven tenths is mine; you only get three tenths."

"You?!"

Qin Ziyi was so angry her chest heaved, her fists clenched tightly.

Lu Jing thought it over, realizing he had asked for too much, and then asked, "So what does Miss Qin think?"

"A three-seven split is fine, but I can give you at most five hundred thousand as a deposit!"

Don't worry, I'll help you apply for the patent, and I won't leak it.

Lu Jing gave a slight smile, nodded, and said, "Sure, but the profit has to be raised to eighty percent!"

Just now Miss Qin said 'we'; it seems you don't think the Dan Formula is something I researched myself?

Of course!

Qin Ziyi blurted out.

That's exactly right.

Lu Jing chuckled, "Give me an extra ten percent of the profit, and I can secure the backing of my forces— isn't that worthwhile?"

Besides, this is just initial cooperation; later such profitable deals will surely not forget Miss Qin.

Qin Ziyi's face kept changing colors upon hearing that.

If Lu Jing isn't exaggerating, the power behind him must be unfathomable; though I don't know why they don't make the Dan Medicine themselves, it's definitely a lucrative business.

Perhaps with Lu Jing's background forces assisting, the Qin family could rise to great heights again!

After some thought, Qin Ziyi made up her mind and nodded.

Alright, then it's a twenty‑eighty split!

Qin Ziyi extended her right hand to Lu Jing, saying, "I hope our cooperation goes smoothly."

Certainly.

Lu Jing chuckled, took out the pre‑copied Dan Formula from his pocket, and handed it to Qin Ziyi.

This is the formula for the True Origin Pill; take it and make arrangements— if any problems arise during refinement, you can contact me. As for sales, I trust in your ability and channels.

Qin Ziyi stared at the Dan Formula in her hand, slightly startled; she had only wanted to shake hands with Lu Jing, not expecting him to produce the formula directly.

You trust me this much?