Zerg: Cold and aloof Major General, stop pretending to be innocent, I have a headache!

Jiang Xuxin understood immediately; they were indeed after him.

"You...you're not that one," Bernd said, standing at the front and pointing at Xia An, "the one who beat Aesop?"

It's amazing that you two ended up together.

His gaze swept over Julian and Nize, and he gave a disdainful "Ze" before continuing, "You guys are playing real tricks."

Jiang Xu's eyes darkened. When this insect was talking about the other party, did it ever think about what it was like before?

Aesop was amused by Bernd's audacity, not expecting him to say something like that: "Bernd, are you contradicting yourself?"

Bernd scoffed and said sarcastically, "I'm fundamentally different from you guys."

He only thought about it and talked about it, but he actually disliked female insects and would never have promiscuous relations with them.

They often switch between the insects on the other side.

Aesop glanced at him, his eyes also showing a hint of disdain.

In the bustling meeting hall, this quiet place seemed particularly abrupt.

Xia An, who hadn't said a word, broke the silence. He looked at Jiang Xu with a hint of amusement on his face: "I heard you need something from me?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu raised his hand to his nose and chuckled softly, "The word 'beg' is too strong. We're just looking for cooperation with you. Of course, you can refuse."

He lowered his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and looked at Xia An opposite him.

The word "seek" does not exist in Jiang Xu's dictionary. If necessary, he would not mind completely dismantling the other party's power.

Jiang Jiachong always used diplomacy first, then force.

"Is that so?" Xia An sneered.

He had heard about Jiang Xu from Aesop; he seemed to never fight or compete for anything, yet he was ruthless in every way.

However, upon first meeting, she was very different from the sinister image in his mind.

He looked at the man with a calm expression, exuding a coldness that kept insects at arm's length, and curled the corner of his mouth: "Rumor has it that Young Master Jiang is a very difficult insect to get along with, and it seems that the rumors are indeed somewhat exaggerated."

At least in his eyes, the insect in front of him was no different from an ordinary male insect. However, his gaze fell on that handsome face—which was exceptionally... pleasing to him.

Jiang Xu sensed the probing gaze, and his own eyes turned cold.

The scrutiny felt like being crawled over by a cold snake, sending chills down his spine.

"That's right, Young Master Jiang is just more vicious." Seeing that Jiang Xu didn't speak, Bernd automatically replied for him, threateningly saying, "Be careful not to mess with him, or you'll be skinned alive."

He was immediately met with a barrage of words from Zoe: "Speak properly."

"Lord Xia An, it seems you've come specifically for the cooperation. Since you're interested in cooperation, why don't we find a quiet place to talk?" Zoe smiled in a formulaic manner, glancing around before saying, "There are too many insects here; it's a bit inconvenient to talk."

"I have no problem with that, but I wonder if Your Excellency Jiang Xu would grant me that honor?" Xia An smiled wickedly, his eyes fixed on Jiang Xu.

"........." Jiang Xu frowned slightly. He had a feeling that the visitor was up to no good. After a few seconds of silence, he looked at the empty private rooms around the hall, raised his chin and pointed to one of them, saying, "Please."

He then turned and walked toward the empty room he had his eye on.

As soon as he left, Zoe and Bernd automatically followed, and naturally the remaining three female insects also followed on their own.

The private room was small, with little decoration except for a round table and chairs for ten people placed in the center.

The dark red carpet with gold trim made the private room look exceptionally grand.

However, it can easily accommodate a dozen or so insects.

As Jiang Xu entered the room, he naturally pressed the light switch. A transparent crystal chandelier hung from the cone-shaped ceiling in the center of the room, instantly illuminating the room.

He walked a few steps inside, found a seat at random, and sat down. Zoe and Bernd each sat on either side of him.

The three female insects obediently stood behind them, waiting for orders.

After entering the room, Xia An paused for a moment at the doorway. Seeing the setup in the room, a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes. He then walked to the opposite side and sat down.

"I heard that Young Master Jiang is interested in the small businesses in the east." Just as he asked the question, a servant carrying a tray came over from outside the door.

Nize stood at the door, seemingly already aware of the situation. After accepting the tea, he turned and closed the door.

He walked to the table, turned the teacup upside down, and poured tea for all the male insects.

"Try it, this is tea I brought especially to treat everyone today." Xia An picked up the cup and raised it to Jiang Xu across from her. "I heard that the elders of the Jiang family really enjoy this tea."

"Young Master Jiang, please try it. If you like it, I'll prepare an extra portion."

"That's thoughtful." Jiang Xu raised his glass, took a sip, and slowly savored it. "Thank you for the expense."

The tea has a wonderful aroma and a sweet, refreshing taste. It's an aged tea.

Xia An smiled, put down his teacup, and slowly and formally got to the point: "According to Nize, His Excellency Yu Heng has contacted him privately several times."

At first, we didn't know he was your nephew until shortly before the New Year when he revealed your name.

Please forgive me; I was quite busy with affairs in the east at the time, and Nize neglected you for a moment.

As he spoke, he poured himself another cup of tea and said to Jiang Xujing, "Young Master Jiang, please don't mind."

What seemed like a basketful of apologies actually meant something that everyone present understood.

Bernd scoffed, his face full of mockery: "If you feel apologetic, why didn't you come to apologize before the New Year?"

More than two months later, it's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—it's all up to no good.

A smile flashed across Jiang Xu's eyes as he realized that Bernd had changed a lot, and that he was quite pleased with him.

He raised his glass to the person opposite him and said, "You're too kind. Didn't Lord Xia An come to me today to discuss cooperation?"

Why don't we just talk about cooperation?

"Heh." Xia An ignored Bernd and instead cooperated with Jiang Xu, saying, "Alright, let's talk about the cooperation directly."

"I heard that Young Master Jiang has started his own company called Mitang. He intends to integrate all the small and medium-sized businesses in the capital, is that right?"

Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow. It seemed Yu Heng hadn't said much to the other party either. He said calmly, "This is the current idea."

Although the Zerg nobles have many industries, there are also quite a few small and medium-sized businesses scattered throughout.

Not to mention the small and medium-sized enterprises on the entire planet Insectoid.

"I have a general understanding of your plans and development. I imagine that Your Excellency Jiang Xu has your own reasons for doing this."

I thought about it and realized that cooperation wasn't impossible. But..." Xia An drew out the last word, looking at Jiang Xu with a conflicted and troubled expression.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Xu asked, watching the other person's performance, and then chimed in, "What's troubling you?"

Xia An clicked her tongue and looked at Jiang Xu with a smile in her eyes: "It is indeed Lord Jiang Xu who is insightful and meticulous."

"I... am indeed facing some difficulties."

"Go ahead and speak," Jiang Xu said, glancing at the other person.