919 A Win-Win Situation

More importantly, he would have offended the Meng family for nothing.

Once the Meng family released the drug to the public, their status and strength would only continue to rise. When that time came, Yang Ming wasn’t sure he could take them on, should they seek retribution.

Worst of all, if his team’s ongoing research and development on the drug, he would lose the chance to enter the Yang family’s Board of Directors. He might even get demoted to an ordinary employee in the family business.

That would be the end for him.

Yang Ming’s brows furrowed. Obviously, the proposal was risky and delicate, but he had to consider it all the same.

He deliberated it for a moment, but what he heard next made his heart waver.

“President Yang, how about this? We have never been at odds initially. Whatever competition we had was strictly professional. It was all because of that girl, Yao Ran, that our relationship has soured. Now, I have a suggestion that would enable us to bury the hatchet. How does that sound?”

Yang Ming’s eyes instantly lit up.

Yes!

If they combined the Meng family’s research data and the Yang family’s connections, they could turn the new drug’s market release into a win-win situation.

This way, the Meng family would no longer be a competitor, but rather, an ally.

Beside him, Yao Ran suddenly felt a deep sense of foreboding. She opened her mouth to protest the offer.

Meng Ling was faster, however. Se had already given Meng Chang a look, silently telling him to act accordingly.

Before Yao Ran could get a word out, Meng Chang had already clamped his arms around her, covering her mouth and dragging her away. They couldn’t have her disrupt the conversation.

Yao Ran struggled with all her might, but it was in vain.

She was firmly kept away from Yang Ming and Meng Ling while they decided on her fate.

Under President Meng’s instructions, Meng Ling handed the phone to Yang Ming so that they could talk in peace. She also turned off the one that she had been using.

With that, the discussion had officially turned into a business dealing between Yang Ming and the Meng family.

Yang Ming’s lips curled up in satisfaction. “I am open to President Meng’s wise judgment.”

“Yes, I believe that this cooperation will be favorable for both of us. The Meng family is willing to share our research results with the Yang Group, and we can promote the drug as a joint venture.” President Meng paused for a moment before adding, “If all goes well, we might be able to have the drug participate in the upcoming medical competition. It will represent both our companies, of course.”

This competition was also a platform for major research institutes to introduce their newly developed products and highlight their benefits to ease their shift to the market.

Not to mention, the event will be filled with the media, investors, and major business associates. There was plenty of opportunity for existing products as well.

To put it simply, if one succeeded in the medical competition, they were as good as a superstar in the field.

No matter which way one looked at it, there were only benefits to be had in this alliance, both for the Yang family and the Meng family.

Yang Ming cleared his throat and tried not to show his emotions on his face. “Well, I do admit that it is a lucrative prospect, but why should I settle for the Meng family? If we manage to develop the drug on our own, we can monopolize the market freely.”

Although he said this, he had already made up his mind to accept the offer.

But with him being the head of the Yang family’s research institute, he didn’t want to appear weak and easily swayed.

It wouldn’t hurt to wring out a few additional benefits from the other party, either.

“Come now, don’t get ahead of yourself!” President Meng chided. He was obviously experienced on this front, and understood Yang Ming’s intention perfectly. He was even chuckling on the other end of the phone.

Since Yang Ming was already sold on the idea, he just needed a little nudge.

“President Yang,” President Meng said, his tone growing somber. “My daughter, Lingling, is my precious treasure. She has a gentle personality and a sharp eye for business. What do you think about getting engaged to her? Surely, our princess is much better than the daughters from those small, pretentious families out there. At the very least, she isn’t one to steal other people’s belongings.”

Despite his words, he wasn’t particularly keen on the concept.

In fact, he felt like he was doing his daughter a disservice by offering her hand to Yang Ming.

But they were in the middle of negotiations, and they had to bring everything they could to the table. A business marriage was always the most profitable option.

If Meng Ling married into the Yang family, then Yang Ming would have unfettered access to the Meng family’s properties.

A few feet away, Yao Ran was getting more and more agitated. She had no idea what they were talking about, but she couldn’t shake off her anxiety. She had a feeling that something bad was about to happen to her.

She reminded herself that she still had an ace up her slip, a bargaining chip that Yang Ming desperately needed. She took comfort in that knowledge, and felt at ease, if only a little.