Chapter 73: A Romantic Negotiation

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The Prodigal Son – Chapter Seventy-Three: A Romantic Negotiation

(Friends, the Sunday noon update marks the start of the Recommendation Festival. All comments will receive special attention, and I hope everyone throws their monthly tickets at Ordinary Heart.)

Fire Phoenix looked up at Xiao Tianci, her mood brightening even more. Ever since she'd met this fellow, her luck had been rotten; he'd always managed to suppress her at every turn. But now, unexpectedly, she had managed to regain the upper hand, and Fire Phoenix felt much more at ease.

Her brother had repeatedly insisted that this matter must be handled properly, and she understood the gravity of the situation. She pushed open the car door and stepped out, walking confidently like a victor toward Xiao Tianci.

“Let’s go…” she said, already moving forward with ease.

Xiao Tianci glanced back at Chief Steward Lin Jian and then at Vajra Fang Meng, shaking his head and sighing, “A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea…”

He chose not to let anyone else follow except for Chief Steward Lin Jian and Vajra Fang Meng. Ever since witnessing Fang Meng’s second transformation, Xiao Tianci had grown even more confident in his abilities. Through their interactions over this period, his trust in Lin Jian and Fang Meng had only deepened; there was almost nothing he kept from them. Of course, the issue and plan he was pondering had not been shared with them.

“How’s Azure Dragon?” he asked.

“He’s alright. He took a few hits, but for people like us, that’s nothing. However…” Fire Phoenix glanced back at Fang Meng, genuine admiration in her eyes. “But to defeat my brother one-on-one—this is the first time I’ve seen it. The legendary Vajra is truly formidable.”

“Oh, legendary indeed…” Xiao Tianci looked back and smiled, thinking to himself that Fang Meng really was a man of legend.

“Right… My brother asked me to apologize to you…” She said this very quickly, and only because her brother had insisted.

“What? What did you say just now? I didn’t hear you.” Xiao Tianci feigned ignorance.

“You…”

Seeing Fire Phoenix's tightly clenched fists and her face flushed with imminent rage, Xiao Tianci maintained an innocent expression. “Sorry, I really didn’t hear what you said just now.”

Fire Phoenix suddenly grabbed Xiao Tianci’s ear. Fang Meng, ever vigilant, had a small stone ready in his hand—even at this short distance, it would fly as fast as a bullet if thrown.

“My…brother…asked me…to…apologize…to…you…sorry!” Fire Phoenix yanked Xiao Tianci’s ear, pouring all her strength into each word, shouting at him. When the final word left her lips, Xiao Tianci’s ear buzzed for a long moment—he couldn’t hear anything at all.

Though there weren’t many people around, those nearby couldn’t help but glance over in curiosity. “Hmph…Satisfied now?” With that, she strode ahead. Xiao Tianci rubbed his ear, thinking to himself that he really ought to learn Vajra’s martial arts—otherwise, he’d keep losing face like this.

He caught up again, and before they knew it, they’d arrived at a bustling commercial street. Towering buildings lined both sides, shops of every kind appeared, and the flow of people and vehicles grew chaotic.

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The pair walked along the pedestrian path, resembling a couple. Chief Steward Lin Jian and Vajra Fang Meng followed carefully behind, but if anyone overheard their conversation, they’d realize these two were not lovers.

“My brother said he’s agreed to cooperate with you. The Azure Dragon Mercenary Corps currently lacks heavy weapons and a base. As a major mercenary group—one of the world’s top ten—we need bases in key locations worldwide for convenient operations. Establishing bases requires a lot of money, heavy weapons, including armed helicopters and light armor, though not too many, mainly for transporting personnel and dealing with special situations. Of course, every base needs basic weaponry, and ideally, a submarine—it would make deployment and missions much easier, you understand.”

The first parts were from her discussions with Azure Dragon, but the submarine request was her own addition—she thought, since he was so wealthy, now was the best time to extract some extra funds. Yet she wasn’t sure if he'd agree. Mercenary groups made good money, but these were luxuries few could afford.

Xiao Tianci wanted to make a big deal out of things—the bigger, the better. “No problem. I trust you have channels for all this. Just let me know how much you need when the time comes; no need to discuss the particulars with me.”

Although she knew he was rich, Fire Phoenix was still taken aback. “Aren’t you afraid…”

“If you trust someone, use them; if you don’t, don’t. That’s my principle.” Xiao Tianci didn’t mention that, ever since his first experience as a boss when his very first employee betrayed him, he always employed a double safety net—trusting, but always with a bottom line.

Still, making deals without bargaining, especially knowing this girl was intentionally pushing for more, was a first for Xiao Tianci.

“Anything else?”

Seeing Xiao Tianci’s straightforwardness, Fire Phoenix figured further discussion was futile. When it came to purchasing equipment, they’d still need her brother’s approval. “Also, the name Azure Dragon Mercenary Corps must remain.”

“That’s not a problem; your operations can proceed as usual. I have no intention of interfering.”

“My brother suggested you send someone over…”

“No need. Tell your brother everything is in his hands. I trust him.”

“My brother wants your opinion on personnel and structure—how far do you intend to expand? Mercenary groups come in many forms. Some are powerful but not large enough to handle major missions, focusing instead on dangerous, high-profile tasks. That’s why their rankings are high. Azure Dragon, though not small, is still considered elite. This time, we’re changing…”

She hadn’t finished when suddenly a foreign girl, about ten years old in a pumpkin dress, blocked their path. “Sir, Miss, would you like to buy a flower?”

Xiao Tianci and Fire Phoenix stopped, exchanging glances. The little girl tugged at Xiao Tianci’s sleeve, saying, “Sir, buy a flower for your girlfriend. Her heart will blossom with the most beautiful smile for you.”

Xiao Tianci looked down at the clever child, charmed by her quick wit and sweet words. He glanced at Fire Phoenix—did they really look like a couple? What a shame that such a lovely girl had poor eyesight.

Fire Phoenix, fiery as always, said nothing for once. Xiao Tianci took a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the little girl. “Little sister, this young lady and I are just friends. Take the money.”

He suddenly thought of Niao. If she were walking with him on this street, he’d surely buy her the prettiest flower. Now that they were married, it felt as though they’d grown further apart. Sigh—he’d have to resolve things slowly. Most importantly, he couldn’t let trouble spill over here; he was fighting these battles alone.

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“Hey, are you really a man? Where’s your sense of style? Even if you’re just friends, you can still buy a flower for a lady, can’t you? Hmph…” Fire Phoenix’s temper was as blunt as ever—she spoke her mind without hesitation.

As soon as she finished, the little girl’s smile vanished. Having heard Fire Phoenix and Xiao Tianci speak in Chinese, she didn’t understand, and her lips pursed. “Sir, I sell flowers—not beg. Spare me your self-righteous pity. Hmph…”

Xiao Tianci hadn’t expected his words to cause so much trouble. “Who did I offend? Everyone’s learned to ‘hmph’—even at me!”

The little girl, feisty as ever, walked past him, head held high and lips pursed. Xiao Tianci hurried after her. “Wait, little sister—I want to buy all your flowers.”

She stopped instantly, a smile breaking through. “Sir…you really want them all?”

She was just a child. Xiao Tianci smiled, pulling out two more hundred-dollar bills. “Yes, I’ll take them all. Here you go.”

The girl shook her head rapidly, her little face earnest. “Sir, you don’t need to give so much. I only have nineteen flowers left, and I can’t make change for a hundred. Do you have smaller bills?” She quickly added, worried the sale might fall through, “If not, it’s okay—I can go make change. The shop ahead has a kind owner who always lets me rest there; he’ll surely help.”

Xiao Tianci patted her golden hair. “You’re right, little sister. I was wrong earlier. Consider the extra money my punishment for that mistake. And I want to buy your basket, too—otherwise, if I give these flowers as an apology to this young lady, she won’t have anything to carry them in!”

Each flower was individually wrapped. Watching Xiao Tianci coax the child, he seemed like a big kid himself. Fire Phoenix couldn’t believe that he was the richest man in the world.

The little girl was truly special. Xiao Tianci persuaded her for a long while, but she only accepted one hundred and refused the rest. In the end, he had to let it go, and she thanked him repeatedly, even congratulating the two of them, making Fire Phoenix blush.

“Here,” Xiao Tianci handed the small basket of roses to Fire Phoenix.

“That’s not how you give flowers. You should…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, for suddenly, a burst of gunfire rang out. Xiao Tianci had experienced plenty in recent times; Vajra and Fire Phoenix, even more so. Vajra was the first to move, while Chief Steward Lin Jian and Fire Phoenix instantly drew their guns. The three formed a triangle around Xiao Tianci, shielding him.

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Recommended reading: Angel Oscar’s “1991: New China”