Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 70: Perhaps a Precipice

"Mr. Xiao…"

"You were staring at that Hummer outside when you walked in. That's mine," Xiao Yongyue said, smiling. "Honestly, in places like Tuyou Province or Tibet, a Hummer is pretty practical."

He pulled out a keyring, removed a specific key, and casually tossed it onto the table. The key clinked against the edge of the leather suitcase, then settled.

"If you like the car, it's yours now."

"Mr. Xiao, you're too generous—I'm flattered," Li Tang replied with a wry smile.

"That's just how we northwestern men are—straightforward and bold!" Xiao laughed heartily. "You, on the other hand, look refined and scholarly—definitely a southerner."

"Mr. Xiao, as the saying goes, 'no merit, no reward.' I can't accept such an extravagant gift without having done anything for it."

"Now that's too formal! I admire your abilities, that's all. I'd just like to make friends. Nothing more, no pressure!"

Li Tang looked at the suitcase full of cash, and the keys on the table, then back at Xiao with a helpless expression.

Clearly, he had no interest in this crude style of friendship-building.

"I overstepped!" Xiao quickly realized Li Tang was pulling away. He signaled to his men to close the suitcase and take it away. "I just wanted to show you I've got the means. There's no showboating here—no bribes or threats."

"I understand your intentions, Mr. Xiao."

"I've made a bit of money over the years, and now I want to expand into new ventures. You're clearly a talented man. I've got the capital, you've got the brain—why don't we combine our strengths and make a fortune together?"

"I really do appreciate your kindness."

"Let's not talk business just yet. Let's eat, get to know each other. Once you understand what kind of man I am, then we can talk about cooperation."

Xiao waved for the food to be served. "If you don't want to partner with me, that's fine too. We can just be friends. Us guys from the northwest—we value friendship more than anything."

Huge plates of beef and lamb were placed on the massive table, their aroma filling the room.

Though only Xiao and Li Tang were seated at the table, the rest stood around them like statues—tall, strong, and silent.

Li Tang could barely eat. He only nibbled a few bites, drank a little tea, and avoided alcohol entirely.

Noticing that Li Tang had set down his chopsticks, Xiao did the same. "No appetite? Or not to your taste? No problem—we can go do something fun. After you've relaxed a bit, I'll treat you to the best food around."

He turned to his men. "Is everything ready?"

"The girls are already waiting."

"Great. Let's go, Brother Li Tang. We'll change venues and enjoy ourselves."

Li Tang stood up and walked to the door. But at that moment, he made up his mind: he had to say no.

If he continued down this path, he'd only sink deeper. Eventually, he'd lose control.

He didn't know where Xiao Yongyue's road would ultimately lead him. It might be a golden boulevard—or it might be a bottomless abyss.

He wasn't about to take that gamble.

"Mr. Xiao, I'm a bit tired."

"The girls are already waiting. They love clean-cut young guys like you!"

"Maybe next time. I really can't today."

"Whatever kind you like, just say the word! Even if it's the moon goddess Chang'e, I'll have someone bring her down from the sky to play cards with you!"

"…"

Li Tang remained silent, his posture unyielding. Xiao finally understood: this young man wasn't going to be easy to win over.

"Alright then! Let's call it a night. Rest up. We'll hang out next time!" Xiao didn't give up. "We'll go dune-bashing in the desert, race horses on the steppe, fly falcons in the mountains. However you want to play—just say the word."

Still smiling, Xiao gestured for one of his men to drive Li Tang back to his hotel. "Brother Li Tang, we drove two full days from Gaolumu just to meet you. Don't forget about us!"

"Absolutely not," Li Tang said politely, waving from the car as it pulled away.

Only after the hotel lobby came into view did he finally exhale in relief.

He'd been worried that Xiao might not let him go—that if he were taken into the wilderness and left behind, no one would find him, and he might never see the sun rise again.

Fortunately, Xiao Yongyue wasn't as ruthless as he appeared.

Then again, that made sense. The man had built a multi-billion-yuan empire—he had a reputation to protect. He wouldn't throw it away so easily.

"You reek of alcohol—where the hell have you been all day?" a voice called as the hotel room door opened.

Qin Jianshe stepped in.

Niu Fu, Ou Pingguo, and Zhao Hepu had already returned to Yanjing. Qin had stayed behind to oversee operations at the Tibet office.

The Qulong Copper Project was now so massive that it was no longer appropriate to leave just Liu Kaisheng in charge.

"Went out for a few drinks," Li Tang replied, not mentioning the dinner with Xiao. "What brings you here so late?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Please, have a seat," Li Tang said, picking up the kettle from the corner and making tea. He poured two cups and sat down. "Is it urgent?"

"Not a bad thing—in fact, might be good news for you," Qin replied, sipping tea. "Earlier today, Zhao Hepu called. Said Luo Qinchong from Huazhou Aluminum Plant wants to talk to you about a potential collaboration. What do you think?"

"Luo Qinchong from Huazhou Aluminum?"

"Yes. He's close with both me and Zhao. Capable guy, might even climb higher one day."

"I met him before—at the end-of-year event hosted by the Metallurgical Association. I was there with President Zhao. We chatted a bit."

"Perfect, then this won't be awkward."

"Why's he looking for me?" Li Tang was still a bit on edge from earlier.

"The news about Qulong Copper has already spread nationwide. The papers are calling it a historic discovery. Everyone in the mining industry wants to learn more. Luo knows how critical your role was—without you, the deposit probably wouldn't have been found."

Qin smiled and continued, "I also mentioned your work on the Guanling Gold Project and the Qianshan Coal Project. He's really interested in you."

"Does he want to talk about bauxite?"

"Exactly," Qin chuckled. "Huazhou Aluminum does a lot of bauxite exploration every year. Our exploration company has worked with them before. But this time, Luo specifically asked for you. The only question now is: do you want to work with them?"

"Will I get paid?"

That was what mattered most to Li Tang right now.

"Yes," Qin nodded. "If you're open to it, Luo will fly out tomorrow and speak with you in person."

"Of course I'm open to it."

Li Tang wasn't keen on partnering with Xiao Yongyue. The man radiated aggression and gave off too many red flags.

But a partnership with a state-owned enterprise like Huazhou Aluminum? It might not make him rich overnight—but it would be stable and clean.

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