Xiao Ruolin’s expression stiffened. She had assumed her father would at least ask for the specific reasons, but she never expected…
That he would refuse so bluntly?
“You were so defiant when you left back then,” Xiao Qingshan said, picking up his teacup and blowing on it gently, a hint of teasing in his tone. “Saying you wouldn’t take another cent from the family, saying you’d make your own destiny. What’s the matter? Can’t make your own decisions so soon?”
Xiao Ruolin’s face darkened. “What if I write you an IOU? Would that work?”
“Don’t worry, the Xiao family isn’t in the business of lending money to get by. Besides, our family rules strictly forbid us from acting as moneylenders!”
“So… you’re saying there’s no way you’ll lend me the money?”
“Ten out of ten for comprehension! The student surpasses the teacher—seems like all those years I spent raising you weren’t for nothing!”
…
Watching the father-daughter duo face off like a pair of fighting cocks, Xiao Ruolin’s mother wore a helpless expression.
These two were like natural-born enemies—the moment they met, they’d start bickering. If she didn’t step in as the peacemaker, who knows how long they’d keep at it.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough!” She shot her husband a glare, then turned to Xiao Ruolin. “Linlin, is your company running into some trouble?”
Xiao Ruolin huffed indignantly. “My company is doing great right now! I’m trying to purchase the exclusive rights to an antivirus software, and that’s why I need a large sum of money. As long as I secure those exclusive rights, I’ll definitely be able to grow my company into something huge!”
Xiao Qingshan furrowed his brows. “Purchasing the rights to an antivirus software? What kind of antivirus software is so special that you’d come all the way home to scrape together funds for it? You better not be getting scammed. So, how much are you planning to spend on this software?”
“One hundred million!”
“Pfft!”
Xiao Qingshan spat out a mouthful of tea. Fortunately, Xiao Ruolin dodged with lightning reflexes—otherwise, that mouthful would’ve landed all over her.
“What?! One hundred million? Are you out of your mind? Do you think I know nothing about the antivirus market? What kind of antivirus software sells for a hundred million?”
Xiao Ruolin had known her father would react exactly like this.
“There’s a cybersecurity competition happening in our city, Yunjing. This antivirus software was the champion of that competition. Domestic and international hackers spent over an hour trying and still couldn’t break through it!”
Xiao Qingshan sighed, speaking in a tone of frustrated disappointment. “You, you… you’re not a kid anymore. How can you be so naive? Do you really not know the kind of underhanded tricks that go on in these so-called competitions? Do you honestly believe those hackers couldn’t break through? This is clearly a scheme to rope in naive newbies like you as easy targets!”
Xiao Ruolin shook her head. “That’s impossible. Qin Lang is just a student—how could he have that kind of influence? Besides, I ran my own tests, and this antivirus software really is completely different from everything else on the market!”
Xiao Qingshan let out a sarcastic laugh. “Completely different from everything else on the market? And that alone is enough for you to blow a hundred million on it? Looks like your company going bankrupt and you coming home obediently to get married is just around the corner!”
Xiao Ruolin was furious. Was this really her own father?
Couldn’t he at least wish her well for once?
“Too bad you’ll never live to see that day,” she said coldly.
Her mother stepped in to mediate. “Alright, stop putting Linlin down. She rarely asks us for anything. If you won’t give her the money, I will!”
“You’re not giving it either!” Xiao Qingshan barked. “The Xiao family may not be short on cash, but that doesn’t mean we should throw it away! Spoiling a child ruins them—it’s precisely because you’ve indulged her all this time that she’s become so reckless and lost all sense of proportion!”
Xiao Ruolin was practically boiling with rage. “Fine! Don’t you dare regret this. If you won’t lend me the money, I’ll find other ways to get it!”
“Without the Xiao family’s connections, who would lend you a hundred million?” Xiao Qingshan said calmly. “And without my say-so, who would dare?”
A bitter smile crept onto Xiao Ruolin’s face.
She knew her father was right.
Fifty million was no small sum—even her closest girlfriends couldn’t possibly come up with that much.
“However… it’s not impossible for me to lend you the money.”
Suddenly, Xiao Qingshan spoke in a measured tone. “But I have one condition.”
Xiao Ruolin’s eyes narrowed. She’d known it—her father was the type who wouldn’t lift a finger without something in return. He’d never hand over money so easily.
“Fine. What’s the condition?”
After a moment’s thought, she gritted her teeth and asked.
Aside from Xiao Qingshan, she really had no other options.
“I can give you the hundred million, but not as a loan—as an investment in your company. And before you rush to refuse, let me finish: for this hundred million, I’ll only take a thirty percent stake, and I won’t interfere with any of the company’s operations.”
One hundred million for thirty percent equity.
For Feixing Technology’s current valuation, that was already a generous offer.
But Xiao Ruolin felt a knot in her stomach.
It was like having her secret hideout discovered by her parents, complete with a surveillance camera installed on top.
The main reason she’d gone to Yunjing was to escape her father’s watchful eye, but now…
“How about I just pay you a higher interest rate?”
Xiao Ruolin asked cautiously.
Xiao Qingshan snorted. “Take it or leave it. Do you really think I’m eager to watch my money go down the drain?”
Xiao Ruolin thought it over, then clenched her jaw. “Deal!”
“Good. One more thing—I’m curious. What’s so special about this antivirus software of yours? Tell me the whole story from start to finish.”
Xiao Ruolin took a deep breath and recounted everything in detail, holding nothing back.
By the time she finished, Xiao Qingshan was nearly apoplectic with disbelief.
“All my life, I’ve been known for my shrewd judgment—how did I end up with a daughter this simple-minded? A college student develops an antivirus software, and you shell out a hundred million for it? You’ve got more money than sense!”
With that, he started reaching for his slipper.
“Nobody stop me! I’m going to teach this foolish girl a lesson she won’t forget!”
After a chaotic chase around the living room, Xiao Qingshan and Xiao Ruolin stood facing each other from opposite sides of the sofa.
“You’ve got some nerve, circling around me like that!”
“Heh, I’d suggest you take it easy. You’re not as young as you used to be—if you trip and hurt yourself, I can’t afford the medical bills!”
“Then stand still and let me hit you!”
“Not a chance! Do I look stupid to you?”
Realizing he couldn’t catch her, Xiao Qingshan tossed his slipper aside and grumbled, “Did you bring the software package with you? Let me take a look at this hundred-million-yuan wonder you’ve bought.”
