Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas
Ai Xiaolu was racking her brains to explain to Snow Li what love was and at the same time, change Snow’s concept of love.
On the other side, Redington’s expression was not looking good. He suddenly felt that he would rather not have come to Aisbotan.
Cronode who was sitting at the opposite side seemed like he was smiling. Redington was definitely a powerful person and also a talent. In this era, resource, technology and talents were undoubtedly what every family was fighting for. Resources and technology would not betray them, but people were different, especially those talented ones. Cronode believed that bundling interests together was a way to get to them.
“Don’t tell me that you thought that I’m here just to pick up girls.”Cronode smiled in a relaxed manner, but Redington really was shocked.
The Cronode family wanted to conquer Aisbotan by force?
“Ahem, Shien, have you thought it through? Once you take action, you may cause riots. Even the Cronode family cannot suppress it.” Redington did not know what they wanted to do and this was not within his abilities. The power of a single person was so small, the horizon was so small. It was like doing business. Some people would sell one piece by one piece, while others operate based on their capital by the millions.
Shien smiled lightly. “Aisbotan is now under the control of the Ai Financial Group. They account for 30% of the proceeds. This percentage is not a big deal, but their development of the Star is too slow. Everyone thinks that this cannot realize their own interests. The Hail Cloud Alliance needs funds to develop. Look at Arbiter and Aslan, the arms race has already started, and our Hail Cloud Alliance cannot fall behind.”
Naturally, Redington was not a fool. Elites like him always paid attention to the international situation. The problem was he could only watch and listen, and Shien was that type of existence who could participate within. Of course, it was the family that he represented who was participating within.
Actually, to this step, Redington already had no choice. He had indicated his desire to stand by the side of the Cronode family, the Cronode family was sure to have seen his resume and made the choice to accept. This matter was a test. If he did not accept then he would be the Cronode family’s enemy. If he did well, then the Cronode family would support him.
There was no doubt that Redington was a smart person, and a smart person with ambitions.
“Shien, this thing is an outright rebellion. I understand the domestic needs. The Ai family will definitely have their own considerations. We also know that this is a political matter. In order for this situation to remain under control, we have to give a good reason for it.” Redington smiled.
Shien smiled slightly. He knew that the other party had already agreed. He was still satisfied with Redington’s ability. The Cronode family needed people like him to get stronger and develop. It was alright to have ambitions but he had to be worth the money.
The Cronode family did hire mercenaries. Of course, they could also be called Interstellar pirates. The goal was not occupation, just robbery. As long as there was any problems, there would be some arguments during the council meeting. At the same time, the proposal regarding Aisbotan would resurface.
As for who was the mastermind, it did not matter. The two would just be accusing each other. The Cronode family was already good at doing such things.
Of course, it was not a problem dealing with one or two people in the midst of chaos. People like Wang Zheng without any background, coming and dying here would not mean anything. People like Ai Xiaolu on the other hand would certainly be fine. Harming Ai Xiaolu was the same as hitting the bottom line of the Ai Financial Group. The Cronode family did not intend to enter a full-blown war with the Ai Financial Group. At present, the competition between families was still based on their abilities and within a certain range.
As for Snow Li, it was another matter. Snow Li was definitely an important person that the Ai Financial Group wanted to develop, but she was not the heir. If he snatched Snow Li away, he would not hit their bottom line and at the same time it would make them lose face. Of course, the most important point was that Cronode himself would be very happy. This would be killing many birds with one stone.
Redington would not get any news on the specific arrangements. This thing was no more than a test for him from Cronode.
Cronode originally wanted to get rid of Redington together with Wang Zheng. Unexpectedly Wang Zheng had acted automatically and got rid of himself. This saved Cronode from having to make a move.
A mere person was nothing in front of power.
After consoling Snow Li, Ai Xiaolu walked alone to the window. Looking at the snow white world outside, she turned on her Skylink.
“How are the preparations?”
“Miss, everything is smooth. The pirate team has already been blocked by us. We have surrounded them.”
Ai Xiaolu turned off her Skylink. The battles between the Ai family and Cronode family were intensifying. Shien was no doubt the representation of elites of the Cronode family. This guy was famous for being underhanded from young. Ai Xiaolu had paid attention to him since he arrived at the Elite Academy. As the focus of conflict between the two families, Aisboten itself was at the centre of the conflict. Very obviously, the nonsense at the council meeting had caused the Cronode family to lose their patience. Based on their usual way of handling matters, they would use the fastest way to cut through all troubles. One had to say that this move had already won the support of a portion of people.
The Milky Way Alliance had ended the distribution of resources. More than 10 years of peace had led to the road of quick development. But, as some benficiaries strengthened, their development entered another bottleneck. Ai Xiaolu was uneasy about such situations. However she also knew that she was just one person and could not care about other places. But the Hail Cloud Alliance was related to her own personal benefits.
Things were going very smoothly. It was as she guessed. While the intelligence collected by the guards’ team of the Ai Financial Group, and the pirate group caught by them would not form a fatal threat to the Cronode family, but at least on the council, they could teach them a lesson.
Turning off her Skylink, Ai Xiaolu had the nagging feeling that something was wrong. It seemed… like things were progressing a little too smoothly.
However, retrospectively, it did not seem too easy as well. After all, if not for her out of the box thinking, the other party might have just succeeded already.
Shien Cronode and Redington walked towards her. They were chatting happily. Seeing Ai Xiaolu, both of them smiled at her. You had to admit, based on appearances, both of them were handsome. People coming from Hail Cloud Alliance were normally handsome guys and beauties.
“Xiaolu, watching the snow scenery alone? The base is out searching for Wang Zheng already. Looks like we’ve to train on our own again today.” Redington said. After all Redington was her classmate for many years, they were still quite familiar.
Ai Xiaolu knew that Redington had totally joined the Cronode family. Originally she had also tried hard to get this person to join their side.
It was a pity they had different values and goals and could not work together.
“Classmate Ai, don’t look at me as though you are looking at a thug. We are now at the very least classmates. While our families may have their differences but those are the adults’ businesses. Shouldn’t we get along well as classmates?”
Shien smiled.
Ai Xiaolu smiled. This Shien was also famously difficult to deal with. “Birds of the same feather flock together. Classmate Shien, there’s still time. We can discuss this slowly.”
The three of them naturally would not lose their temper like kids. Shien smacked his forehead. “Aiya, I heard that you like that Wang Zheng very much. You even invested in him. Before coming to the Elite Academy, my friends and I were still talking about that. We are thinking which guy had such the fortune to actually be chosen by the young Miss of the Ai family. Unexpectedly, you did it for classmate Snow. Tsk, tsk. You guys really are the best of friends.”
Redington was also smiling slightly. This Shien really could insult another without coarse language. On one hand he was saying that Ai Xiaolu was maintaining a gigolo, and also hinting that she was romantically linked to Wang Zheng. It was unclear how the rumours have spread at Hail Cloud. After all, Ai Xiaolu’s investment in Earth was something very meaningless to the outside world. If not for the huge profits reaped at the end, there was no knowing what rumours would be spread.
Ai Xiaolu smiled and she smiled more brightly. “Well, those with ability work harder. Even if I’m the smaller one, I’m willing to invest in a man like Wang Zheng. But for some people, even if they kneeled and begged at my door, I would never give them a chance. Both are men, yet why is there such a huge difference?”
As she said, Ai Xiaolu winked at the two of them. “The two of you enjoy your discussion. I’ll leave first.”
After speaking, Ai Xiaolu walked pass the two of them like a proud peacock.
Shien and Redington exchanged a look. “This girl is still so sharp tongued.”
Redington shook his head.
“Is that Wang Zheng really that strong?” Shien was on the contrary interested now. Of course he knew that Ai Xiaolu was joking but to say that, there was most likely some truth in it.
Ai Xiaolu was a rational person. She was the type of person who could sacrifice herself for the benefit of her family. There was no doubt to this. In her bones, she and Cronode were the same type of people. They were both one of the typical family elite. However Snow Li was a simple and pure girl. There was nothing complicated. When she looked at a person, she also followed her instinct. These two totally different persons could become friends but why would they like the same man?
