Ten percent of the shares!
This meant a massive amount of annual dividends, and even more importantly, it meant having a potential voice on the Board of Directors!
This was nothing short of cutting flesh from their own bodies!
Liu Zonghan’s eyelids also twitched violently. His withered fingers suddenly gripped the armrests of his grandmaster chair, his face so dark it looked as though it might drip ink.
This condition far exceeded his expectations and struck at his core interests.
Shares were the lifeblood of the Liu family and the cornerstone of his control over the clan.
“Su Wan, this condition of yours is simply too much!” Liu Chengye said sternly.
“The Liu family’s shares aren’t something you can just give away whenever you please. Liu Xin is a daughter who married out; on what grounds does she deserve Liu family shares?”
“Exactly! Xin’er knows nothing about business. Giving her shares is a complete waste!” Liu Chengren also quickly chimed in, terrified that if the shares were actually given to his daughter, it would diminish the future portion of the Third Branch.
Su Wan listened to their clamoring without a ripple of emotion on her face. She merely spared a cold, mocking glance for Liu Chengye and Liu Chengren.
“The Old Master hasn’t even spoken yet, and you two are already jumping out to object. Why? Are you so afraid that if the Old Master gets the medicine and lives a few more years, you won’t be able to wait that long?”
These words were venomous and struck right at the heart of their motives!
“You’re talking nonsense!” Liu Chengye trembled with rage. “I am thinking of the Liu family! My father’s health is naturally important, but this matter of shares concerns the very foundation of the family!”
“Su Wan! Stop trying to sow discord here!” Liu Chengren also hurriedly defended himself.
Liu Zonghan’s gaze indeed grew a few shades more sinister as he scanned the faces of his eldest and youngest sons. The suspicion in his heart was fanned into a blaze by Su Wan’s remark.
Su Wan stopped looking at them and turned directly to Liu Zonghan. Her tone became indifferent, carrying a hint of dismissive coldness.
“Since the Liu family is unwilling to part with these few shares, then forget it. Consider the offer retracted.”
She stood up, casually pulling out the milky-white medicine bottle again and playing with it in her hand.
Her gaze drifted toward the window, as if she were talking to herself, yet her words reached everyone’s ears:
“A medicine like this... there probably isn’t a second dose to be found on the entire Blue Star.”
“It can not only cure the Old Master’s lung ailment but also condition the internal organs. With long-term use, the effects of strengthening the body and extending one's life would be even better...”
“In the circles of the wealthy, there must be many seniors like the Old Master who are troubled by chronic illnesses and value their lives above all else, right?”
“If I took this medicine to any other family, what I’d get in return would likely be more than just mere money. It would be true favors, resources, and immense wealth.”
She pulled back her gaze and looked at Liu Zonghan, whose expression had shifted drastically. She gave a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it.
“If it weren’t for the fact that my sister-in-law is a Liu after all, I wouldn’t have brought out such a rare item.”
“The wealth gained from this would be enough for her and Lele to live a rich and stable life anywhere for the rest of their days. Why would they need to come back here to endure judgmental looks and suffer this grievance?”
Having said that, she tucked the bottle away and spoke to Liu Xin.
“Sister-in-law, let’s go. Since we aren’t welcome here, there are plenty of other places that would welcome this medicine—and welcome you.”
“Wait!” Liu Zonghan suddenly spoke, his voice cracking slightly with urgency.
Su Wan’s words had struck his heart like a sledgehammer.
“Only one on the entire Blue Star,” “extending life,” “other wealthy seniors”...
Every single phrase hit his deepest desires and fears with surgical precision!
He knew all too well what health meant to someone of his age and status! It wasn’t just about living a few more years; it was about controlling the family for a few more years and enjoying power and wealth for a few more years!
This divine medicine, which could truly save his life and perhaps even give him a second lease on life, was far too tempting!
And Su Wan’s final words made his heart sink.
If Su Wan really took the medicine and sided with the Liu family’s rivals or a more powerful clan in exchange for protection for Liu Xin and her son—or even to suppress the Liu family—the consequences would be unthinkable!
Shares were important, but compared to his own life...
Liu Zonghan’s eyelids twitched violently, and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the armrests.
He wanted that medicine, but the asking price was indeed too high!
“Su Wan,” Liu Zonghan’s tone softened slightly. “Ten percent of the shares is truly a bit much...”
Su Wan knew she had laid enough groundwork. Her expression remained unchanged as she spoke at a leisurely pace, adopting a posture of compromise while aiming her spearhead precisely at one person.
“Since you think ten percent is too much, Old Master...” Her gaze swept past Liu Chengye and finally landed on Liu Chengren, whose face was the palest of all.
“Then, we shall change the plan.”
“Of that ten percent, five percent will be provided from the Liu family enterprise’s public pool.”
“As for the other five percent...” She enunciated each word clearly. “It will come from the ten percent currently held by Mr. Liu Chengren.”
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the living room became incredibly bizarre.
Liu Zonghan and Liu Chengye both froze. Then, the anger and opposition on their faces faded at a speed visible to the naked eye, replaced by contemplation and a faint, subtle sign of yielding.
Taking five percent from the public pool was still a loss, but when spread across the entire family—especially for the major shareholders like Liu Zonghan and Liu Chengye—the pressure was much smaller.
And taking the other five percent directly from Liu Chengren’s hands?
That had nothing to do with them! It wasn't their portion being cut!
Liu Chengye even did a quick mental calculation: if his father’s health improved and he lived longer, it was generally more beneficial than not for him as the established heir. Using five percent from the public pool and five percent entirely from his third brother’s share to trade for his father’s health and longevity was not entirely out of the question.
Besides, his third brother was mediocre and lacked any real strength. Leaving the shares with him was a waste anyway.
A sharp light flickered in Liu Zonghan’s clouded eyes.
He was greedy for power and wealth, but he cherished his life even more!
If the cost was mostly borne by his useless youngest son and the public pool only had to cover half, the cost-effectiveness of this deal rose significantly in his mind.
However, for Liu Chengren, this was a bolt from the blue!
He had to give up half of his shares?!
That was like carving out his heart and pulling out his spine!
He relied entirely on that ten percent—which he had only secured through his daughter’s marriage—to maintain his standing in the Liu family and enjoy his dividends and status. To lose half of it in one go?!
“No! I don’t agree! Absolutely not!” Liu Chengren was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, jumping up with a voice so sharp it was distorted.
“Why deduct my shares?! Those are mine! My father gave them to me! Su Wan! This is robbery!”
“Liu Xin, you vile creature! Look at the person you brought back! She’s trying to drive your father to his grave!”
Liu Chengren shook with fury, pointing at Su Wan and then glaring at Liu Xin with a hatred that almost overflowed.
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