Chapter 374: There Is No Cure For This
"I need to inject this into your body. Once this is injected, we can trust you completely."
"It will also bring you greater benefits. The United Group is just the first. There will be more to come. We will support the Xiao Family in becoming a True Dragon Noble Family!"
"What is this?"
Linton carefully picked up the vial. "A type of drug. After it's injected, you won't feel any discomfort."
"But you'll need an antidote injection once a month. If you don't receive it in time, your life could be in danger."
"I promise I'll have someone deliver a dose every month. I will definitely keep you alive. After a year, we will give you the permanent antidote."
Xiao Ye knew, of course, that the Angel Association wouldn't let him die.
'I'm still of great use to them. To the Angel Association, I'm far more valuable alive than dead!'
'If I can use this opportunity to join the Angel Association…'
'And gain their trust, I'll definitely be able to get a lot of information.'
At this thought, Xiao Ye extended his arm. "Fine, I agree."
This time, the smile on Linton's face was truly genuine.
"Here, let me inject it for you. Don't worry, it's really nothing. I was injected with it at first, too, but I've already been cured."
"Besides, if it weren't for the Angel Association, I never would have stood out in my family. I might have been a dead man long ago."
Linton tried to brainwash Xiao Ye with his own personal story as he opened the vial and slowly injected its contents into Xiao Ye's body.
After the injection, he indeed felt nothing.
At this point, Linton already considered Xiao Ye one of them.
Because without the antidote, Xiao Ye would be a dead man in one month!
'And the process of dying will be extremely painful. Let Xiao Ye suffer for a day or two, and he'll become completely devoted to serving the Angel Association.'
Everyone Linton had dealt with before had ended up just like that.
Xiao Ye rolled down his sleeve with a blank expression. "Let Mingzhu out."
"Of course."
Linton immediately waved his hand.
In just a moment, a CLICK was heard.
The entire wall slid open, revealing a secret room behind it!
Jin Mingzhu had already been untied. Seeing Xiao Ye, she stumbled out on her high heels.
"Xiao Ye!"
She threw herself into Xiao Ye's arms, pretending to be terrified.
Xiao Ye gently patted her shoulder. "I'll get you out of here."
The two of them walked out of the room together.
From the darkness, a voice spoke up. "Shouldn't we follow them?"
"There's no need. Xiao Ye has been injected with the drug now. Only the Angel Association has the antidote. Even if he isn't sincere right now, he'll eventually become one of us."
"No one has ever been an exception."
「In the banquet hall.」
Jin Mingzhu leaned close to Xiao Ye and whispered, "That server's skills are excellent. She's definitely had professional training."
"And I also found out that waitress is transgender—born a man!"
Xiao Ye was startled. "How did you find out?"
"I saw it. There were estrogen injections in the room. Besides that, I also found the tissues in the bathroom."
"It's a complication for trans people. They need to wipe with tissue paper daily."
Jin Mingzhu continued, "They brought a lot of things with them this time. What knocked me out was some kind of drug. I didn't see her make a move."
"I passed out almost silently. If I didn't know I wasn't in any real danger, I would have fought back long ago."
Xiao Ye nodded. "They injected me with a drug, too."
"A drug?" Jin Mingzhu was alarmed. "That must be a poison!"
"An organization like the Angel Association only has a few ways of controlling people. Poison is definitely the most effective, and I know of precedents!"
But Xiao Ye knew the drug he was injected with wasn't necessarily the same one given to ordinary members.
'Linton was clearly very careful with this drug. For a worldly person like him to be so cautious is enough to show how precious it is.'
'And the more precious it is, the harder it will be to find an antidote!'
"You rest here for now. We can talk about everything else after the banquet is over."
Jin Mingzhu nodded, her eyes full of worry. "You… you were too reckless! What if there's no cure for this thing…?"
"There will be a way."
Xiao Ye stood up. "You eat first. I'm going to go look over there."
He had only taken a few steps when Linton appeared as well.
He had changed into a new suit, and his smile seemed even brighter. "Everyone, welcome to the banquet I am hosting!"
"I am delighted that you all could come."
"I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I know you're all here for the United Group's business!"
"So now, I will announce the final choice for the United Group!"
Everyone looked up in unison.
"Xiao Ye and Linton went out just now. I don't know what they were doing. Could it be the Xiao Family?"
"Impossible. I heard the Ouyang Family is on very good terms with Linton. It will definitely be the Ouyang Clan!"
"Anyway, in my opinion, the Fifth and Zhu families are out of the running. They don't quite meet the United Group's requirements."
Among these four great families, only the Xiao Family and the Ouyang Clan were true business families.
As for the other two, one spent its days researching traditional martial arts, while the other studied Taoist divination. They were indeed unsuitable.
Linton paused for a moment, then, under everyone's expectant gazes, he finally spoke!
"Everyone, the partner our United Group has chosen this time is—"
"Xiao Ye! Congratulations to the Xiao Family!"
The hall instantly erupted in applause.
The people from the Ouyang Family looked furious.
The Ouyang Family had been consumed by internal strife recently, suffering great attrition and heavy losses.
They had just forcefully suppressed the news because they didn't want to lose face.
This time, they had been determined to win the partnership with the United Group!
But they never expected the Xiao Family to beat them to it!
"Mr. Linton, have you made a mistake? This partnership should go to our Ouyang Clan, shouldn't it?"
"After all, our Ouyang Clan and you, Mr. Linton, have been good friends for many years. Speaking of which…"
For a rare moment, Linton's smile vanished. "Mr. Ouyang, I do not wish for my decision to be questioned."
"Because no matter who I choose, that is my prerogative, is it not? Or is the Ouyang Clan attempting to use our relationship to threaten me?"
The man from the Ouyang Clan hastily explained, "No, that's not it at all."
"In that case, please understand my decision and be happy for the Xiao Family!"
Since he had put it that way, the members of the Ouyang Clan couldn't say anything more. They could only shut up and applaud resentfully.
The people from the Xiao Family were very surprised, and also pleasantly so.
"Patriarch, do you have some connection with Mr. Linton? We didn't have high hopes, but we actually succeeded!"