Chapter 27 Kung Fu, Two Words

Zhang Xiaodong looked at Wu Li, his gaze sincere.

Wu Li stayed silent for a moment, then exclaimed, "I can't believe you'd use such a sly tactic, Manager Zhang, I toast to you."

He picked up the coffee from the table and toasted Zhang Xiaodong.

Zhang Xiaodong was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Haha, Mr. Wu, you jest."

The two gently clinked their cups, and Zhang Xiaodong said, "Mr. Wu, then let's discuss the details of signing the contract."

Wu Li shook his head, "Who said I was going to sign?"

Zhang Xiaodong was startled, "Mr. Wu, is there something unsatisfactory? No worries, you can lay out any conditions."

Today, Zhang Xiaodong had come prepared for Wu Li's exorbitant demands as he thought Wu Li was Li Ruqi's boyfriend. Even if Wu Li's conditions were excessive, he planned to accept them, partly because he saw potential in Wu Li's future, and partly to please Li Ruqi.

But who knew Wu Li would spread his hands and say, "There's not one area that I'm satisfied with."

Zhang Xiaodong: "..."

"Haha!" Li Ruqi covered her mouth and laughed, then gestured, "You guys continue."

Zhang Xiaodong was a bit helpless, "Mr. Wu, do you know how much Ren Donglai was making a month on Mo Yin before he signed with our company? Less than ten thousand! After signing with us, his monthly income can now reach up to 500,000! Believe me, an individual fighting alone can't compare to having a company's help. If you sign with us, your income will soon surpass Ren Donglai's!"

"Do I look like I lack money?" Wu Li said earnestly, his confidence bolstered by a system that gave him a ten-fold money conversion.

Zhang Xiaodong looked at Li Ruqi beside Wu Li and understood, muttering to himself: These days, young people are so unabashed about living off women.

"Even if you, Mr. Wu, are not after money but rather fame, joining our company and with Ren Donglai's support, you can become famous faster and more easily," Zhang Xiaodong continued to persuade.

"You make a good point," Wu Li nodded.

Zhang Xiaodong's heart leapt with joy, but before he could relax, Wu Li continued, "But there's one thing you've misunderstood."

Zhang Xiaodong frowned, originally thinking that a college student like Wu Li would easily be persuaded by a few compliments, some talk of future development, and promises of tangible benefits, but apparently, none of what he said had swayed Wu Li at all.

"Oh, what did I misunderstand?" Zhang Xiaodong asked.

Wu Li looked at him, his words measured, "Kung Fu, two words, one horizontal and one vertical."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Xiaodong was puzzled.

Li Ruqi was also interested and looked at Wu Li, wanting to hear what he would say.

Wu Li said indifferently, "You just said a lot, but in essence, it's just about two words, 'interest.' With enough interest, I can defeat or lose to anyone. Am I right, Manager Zhang?"

Although Zhang Xiaodong did think so, he still wanted to explain, "Mr. Wu, you are thinking too radically. In the world of martial arts, winning and losing are very common. No one can never lose; whether losing or winning, as long as the final outcome benefits oneself, there are no losers, right?"

Wu Li shook his head, "No, Manager Zhang, I am a person of kung fu, not accustomed to discussing interests, more accustomed to discussing right and wrong."

Zhang Xiaodong: "What right and wrong?"

Wu Li held up a finger, "I just mentioned, Kung Fu, two words, one horizontal and one vertical, the right stand, the wrong lie down! If Ren Donglai can defeat me, then he is right, if he can't, he should just lie down obediently. That's my sense of right and wrong."

Li Ruqi watched Wu Li with bright eyes, as if seeing him for the first time.

Wu Li stood up, "Manager Zhang, let's call it a day. Go back and tell Ren Donglai, I'll see him on the stage."

Seeing that Wu Li was about to leave, Zhang Xiaodong quickly stood up to stop him, "Hold on, let's talk some more!"

Wu Li frowned, "Manager Zhang, I don't think there's anything more to talk about."

Zhang Xiaodong hurriedly said, "If you join our company, I'll let Ren Donglai fight you. The outcome will depend on your own strength, and I will not interfere, how about that?"

"What if Ren Donglai loses?" Wu Li asked.

A hint of regret flashed in Zhang Xiaodong's eyes as he calmly said, "If he is outmatched, we will shift resources toward you."

He was ready to take the risk, even if it meant giving up on Ren Donglai.

Still, Wu Li shook his head, "If I sign with your company, I might end up like the current Ren Donglai, used as a chip in transactions. Why would I sign with a company so devoid of human touch?"

Zhang Xiaodong: "..."

He wanted to curse out loud...

"Let's go," Wu Li called to Li Ruqi, and the two turned to leave.

Zhang Xiaodong sat back down with a complex expression, watching Wu Li's receding figure, his thoughts unknown.

Outside the cafe, Li Ruqi looked at Wu Li with a teasing smile, "Didn't see it coming, but you are quite principled, aren't you?"

"Principled?" Wu Li was puzzled, "What does this have to do with being principled?"

Li Ruqi pointed back inside, "Manager Zhang just offered you such good conditions and you still refused. Isn't it just standing up to earn the money?"

Having grown up in affluent conditions, she could tell that Wu Li wasn't actually as financially independent as he claimed, and probably didn't have much background, otherwise, he wouldn't need her help.

Wu Li laughed, "You got it pretty spot on."

Li Ruqi smiled proudly, "So, what are you planning to do next?"

"Wait for yesterday's report to come out, then I'll publicly challenge Ren Donglai again," Wu Li said.

"What if he still doesn't accept?" Li Ruqi asked.

Wu Li shook his head, "He'll most likely make excuses, he can't outright refuse or it will look worse than losing."

Li Ruqi nodded, "Like that lady yesterday said, you must organize an official match for Ren Donglai to fight you."

"Lady?" Wu Li was puzzled, then remembered the woman who had asked to check the cellphone yesterday afternoon. She was barely over thirty, yet Li Ruqi called her an old lady.

Ah, women.

"If he really demands that, then I'll apply for it," Wu Li asserted.

Li Ruqi remarked, "Didn't see it, but you are quite persistent."

Wu Li replied, "No, I just really want to beat up Ren Donglai."

Li Ruqi: "..."