Chapter 125: Qin Lang Boards the Pirate Ship

"This one is nice, and this one is quite good too. Hehe, Yulan, look at how happily you’re smiling..."

Bai Yulan leaned over. Seeing the photo where she was looking at Zhou Sen with such tender affection, a faint blush rose to her cheeks. Was she truly smiling that happily?

"I must have more copies of this one made, and have it enlarged. If only it were in color, I would keep it on my desk, looking at it every day, every moment."

"No way!" Bai Yulan snatched the photo from Zhou Sen's hand and said.

"What’s the point of snatching that one? I have the negative, so I can print as many as I want," Zhou Sen laughed.

Anna’s efficiency was quite impressive; it took her only a day to develop the roll of film Zhou Sen had shot. She had only made one print of each, except for the final group photo, which she enlarged to about ten inches. The others were standard six-inch prints. Not every shot needed to be kept; the blurry ones or those with poor angles were naturally discarded. After sorting through them, a third of the photos were removed.

The remaining ones, aside from the group shot, were printed in a full set by Anna at Zhou Sen’s request. This was his first set of photos, and they were worth keeping for their immense commemorative value. He was especially fond of the two photos of himself and Bai Yulan, which Anna had captured with perfect timing and composition. He couldn't put them down, holding them tightly in his hand. He decided he would need a smaller print to keep in his wallet.

...

Su Wenqing’s compensation had arrived. The portion belonging to Qin Lang naturally had to be handed over, and the man had to be released. One must keep one's word.

Zhou Sen called Qin Lang from Bai Yulan’s study and said only four words: "Come over here."

Upon receiving the call, Qin Lang didn't dare refuse. He hurried over, eager to please.

"Brother Sen, what do you need me for?" When Qin Lang saw Zhou Sen, he tucked away all his usual arrogance, bowing his head and asking with a fawning smile.

"Su Wenqing’s compensation has arrived. As for your half of the share, how would you like to take it? Cash, check, or another method?" Zhou Sen asked.

"What do you mean by 'another method'?" Qin Lang inquired.

"Five percent of the shares in the Ningxiang Pavilion Tea House," Zhou Sen said slowly. Currently, five percent of the Ningxiang Pavilion Tea House certainly wasn't worth one hundred thousand, but it would undoubtedly exceed that figure in the future. It all depended on how Qin Lang chose.

The moment Qin Lang heard this, he knew the couple intended to tie him to their ship. This money was a windfall; even if he didn't get it, it wouldn't be a loss. But boarding Bai Yulan’s ship was a different matter entirely.

"And let's be clear, if I give you these shares, you are not to transfer them to a third party, including your father or your eldest brother. If you ever wish to sell, I have the right of first refusal at market price," Zhou Sen added.

"Brother Sen, let me think about it, okay?" Qin Lang never imagined this was why Zhou Sen had called him over. "If I don't choose the tea house shares, how much money can I get?"

"One hundred thousand."

"One hundred thousand!" Qin Lang exclaimed in surprise. Even though his family background meant one hundred thousand wasn't a huge sum to him, how many people in the entire Harbin could produce one hundred thousand in one go?

"One hundred thousand for only five percent of the shares—isn't that a bit low, Brother Sen?" Qin Lang asked, his greed piqued.

"Low?" Zhou Sen sneered. "Once my tea house opens, even if someone offered you two hundred thousand for that five percent, you might not even be willing to sell."

"Is it really that profitable?" Qin Lang swallowed hard.

"The Taipingqiao Gambling House is under your father’s name, not yours. At best, you’re just a professional manager earning a salary. Once your old man passes the family business to your eldest brother, do you think he’ll let you keep managing the gambling house?" Zhou Sen said earnestly. "You need to leave yourself a way out."

"If my old man finds out I’m partnering with you, he’ll break my legs!"

"Is this the first time you’ve worked with me?" Zhou Sen chuckled. "Times change. Your old man is too busy to worry about us right now; keeping his position as the President of the General Chamber of Commerce is his priority."

"Fine, I’ll take the second option. But you must keep it a secret; this must never reach the ears of my brother or the old man."

"You can rest assured of that; I will keep it strictly confidential for you." Zhou Sen nodded and smiled. "Now that we are partners, I’d like to ask you for a favor."

"I knew you were waiting for me here," Qin Lang said, with an expression that implied he understood everything.

"It’s nothing difficult. It’s just that it wouldn't be appropriate for Yulan and me to show our faces, and you are the most suitable candidate," Zhou Sen said.

"Spare me, haven't you dragged me into enough trouble already?"

"I won't trick you this time. We’re in the same boat now; tricking you would be like tricking myself," Zhou Sen explained quickly. "I just need you to come forward and acquire shares of the New Stage Theater. I want to control it."

"Why would you want to buy a theater?" Qin Lang asked, completely bewildered.

"Yulan’s tea house won't be opening anytime soon, and she has already returned the management of the Ma family’s businesses. For this year’s General Chamber of Commerce board elections, anyone who doesn't meet a certain asset threshold will be disqualified. We need an asset to ensure she keeps her seat on the board," Zhou Sen explained.

"Is that the only reason?"

"The board seat might seem useless, but the invisible connections are something many people are dying to squeeze into. With Yulan’s connections over the years, as long as she qualifies as a candidate, winning the seat won't be difficult," Zhou Sen added.

"The New Stage recently promoted Xiao Xiangning, and she’s become a sensation across Harbin. How could Tang Peiyuan possibly be willing to sell the theater?"

"He’s certainly reluctant, but he only personally holds forty percent of the shares. The rest are held by other members of the Tang family and others. I only need to reach fifty-one percent to take control of the New Stage," Zhou Sen said.

"You have that kind of certainty?" Qin Lang was shocked.

"What if I told you I already hold thirty-five percent of the shares?" Zhou Sen smiled slightly.

"Ah?"

"I only need to acquire sixteen percent more to take over. Once that happens, Yulan will be the owner of the New Stage, and the situation will be entirely different."

"You want me to help you acquire the shares held by the Tang family members?" Qin Lang realized.

"Exactly. We will leak the news, and we will go to talk to the Tang family. Of course, we won't succeed, but if you represent the Qin family, it might be a different story. Then, Su Wenqing will also get involved..."

"You haven't made some sort of agreement with Su Wenqing, have you?" Qin Lang wasn't stupid; he immediately guessed the situation.

"If three families are competing, will Tang Peiyuan still refuse to sell?"

"Of course not. We’ll drive the price up, then suddenly pivot to invest in other theaters, abandoning the New Stage. This is a classic 'openly repair the plank road, secretly cross the Chencang' tactic to force the price of the New Stage down. Guess what Tang Peiyuan will choose then?" Zhou Sen said.

"Not bad, you’re ruthless!" Qin Lang understood Zhou Sen’s plan. The three families would pretend to compete for the New Stage, driving the price up. Even though they all seemed to have grudges, they were actually colluding. Then, Zhou Sen would suddenly pull out, claiming he wouldn't buy anymore and would invest elsewhere. The other two families, who were only there to block Zhou Sen, would inevitably follow suit. With the price so high, no one would buy it. Tang Peiyuan might hold onto his shares, but the other Tang family members might not...

When the price was high, if they didn't sell, would they just let the value rot in their hands?

"I can agree to this, but what if my old man finds out and intervenes?"

"Hasn't the Qunfang Pavilion been sealed off?" Zhou Sen chuckled.

"Brother Sen, you didn't do that, did you?"

"Do you think I have that kind of ability?" Zhou Sen asked with a mysterious smile.

"I shouldn't have asked," Qin Lang said, slapping his own mouth. "Alright, I know what to do. What’s the maximum price per share you can accept?"

"Twenty-five thousand per share, at most thirty thousand!" Zhou Sen gave Qin Lang a price range after thinking for a moment.

"Understood." Qin Lang nodded.

"Have Guo Laosi write down exactly how he plotted to trap me and how he intended to kill me. Have him sign and fingerprint it, then release him."

"Understood."

...

The Hotel Moderne was brightly lit. Every night, it was crowded with guests, filled with well-dressed men and glamorous socialites. It was a place of fame and fortune.

In a small private room in the South Restaurant, Ivanovich had been waiting for nearly half an hour when a commotion sounded outside. A waiter opened the door, and a portly Russian man in a suit walked in.

"Mr. Rodzaevsky, it is an honor," Ivanovich stood up quickly to greet him, bowing respectfully.

"Mr. Ivanovich, you are too kind." Due to his status, he couldn't visit Ivanovich directly; if the Japanese found out, it might negatively affect him. But Ivanovich coming to him was a different story.

In truth, he was eager to make contact with Ivanovich. Although the Russian Fascist Party received funding from the Japanese, who would turn down more money? Ivanovich was very wealthy; among the White Russians in Harbin, he might not be the richest, but he was certainly among the top tier. Anthony was certainly wealthier, but Anthony was dead, and his adopted son, Vashim, was an ungrateful wolf who would never give them a cent again.

Money was needed to enjoy life. Rodzaevsky knew very well that the so-called "overthrowing the Soviet tyranny and reviving the Russian Empire" was nothing more than a hollow dream. Even if the Japanese helped them occupy the Far East, it would just be another Manchukuo. They were only of use because they were still valuable; otherwise, why would the Japanese support them with money and resources? As long as he had value, he could exchange it for what he wanted—this was Rodzaevsky’s motto in life.

"I have often heard Brother Anthony mention Mr. Rodzaevsky, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet you alone. Today, I am truly fortunate!"

"Mr. Ivanovich is too polite. I am no big shot, just doing what I can for our Russian brethren in Harbin," Rodzaevsky said, waving his hand with a hint of self-satisfaction.

"Mr. Rodzaevsky, you are being modest. You are the leader of us Russians in Harbin. Many of our rights still need you to fight for them, and you are the only one who can speak for us in front of the Japanese..."

"Too kind, far too kind." Flattery, as they say, never fails. Under Ivanovich’s praise, Rodzaevsky felt himself floating.

"Mr. Rodzaevsky, today a man named Front came to my company, and he has a key in his possession..."