Chapter 172
This banquet marks the return of Xu Ke, so Housekeeper Zhao decorated the hall with extreme luxury and extravagance. Coupled with the initial design of the Xu Mansion, it completely exudes a royal flair. Anyone who doesn’t know better might think they’ve traveled through time to Europe last century upon entering.
“Xu Ke really made a big fuss with his return this time.” Yang Rongrong whispered, wearing a champagne-colored cocktail dress, arm in arm with Chu Lian.
“Only people who lack confidence show off their strength in such a vulgar way.” Chu Lian remarked sourly, looking at the lavishly decorated hall.
Yang Rongrong quietly sighed in her heart at her friend’s fallen face; she knew what Chu Lian was jealous about. Last month, the Lian Family also held a gathering, a birthday party for Lian Xuan. Even though the whole banquet was grand and looked exceptionally splendid, it was still a notch below today’s Xu Family banquet. No wonder Chu Lian was uncomfortable.
“My little ancestor, today is the Xu Family’s banquet, don’t keep a long face. Don’t forget our purpose today, we’re here to offer apologies. Looking at your expression, someone might think you’re here to collect debts.” Yang Rongrong whispered, pulling on Chu Lian’s arm.
“I know.” Chu Lian first pouted unhappily, but then remembered what Yang Rongrong just said and put a smile back on her face, looking much more lively.
“That’s better, let’s go find Xu Ke and give him the apology gift.” Yang Rongrong said, tugging on Chu Lian’s arm.
Chu Lian nodded, and the two girls flitted around the banquet like two butterflies in a flower bush, searching for Xu Ke’s figure.
The protagonist they were searching for was currently stopped by a shareholder of the Xu Group with the surname Hu.
“Now that Chairman Xu is back, why didn’t he first go check on the Xu Group? Instead, he held a banquet. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” Chairman Hu said, holding a female star in his arms with a cigar between two fingers, speaking and puffing smoke rings, appearing less like a subordinate talking to a leader and more like a superior speaking to an underling.
Xu Ke’s facial expression didn’t change, but his pupils darkened considerably, as if they could swallow everything, “Chairman Hu, you are overstepping. The Xu Family is mine, and the Xu Group is mine too. How I choose to handle things is not for you to comment on. A director and a chairman may be separated by only one word, but one word still makes a difference, right?” Xu Ke said coldly, looking at the man before him.
Xu Ke watched the sudden stiffness in the man’s fingers and let out a sneer in his heart.
“Look at you, even though a director and a chairman differ by just one word, who knows which wind will prevail in the end?” Chairman Hu looked at Xu Ke with a hint of malice in his eyes, still smiling, but his eyes were filled with fury.
“We are all part of the same company. I’m also a veteran employee of the Xu Group. Whether by seniority or age, I’m your elder. As your elder and an old shareholder of the Xu Group, I hope you focus on the right path rather than indulging in pleasure. If you can’t shoulder the burden of the Xu Group, it’s better to hand it over to someone capable before you ruin the Xu Group’s century-old foundation.” Chairman Hu said with a smiling face.
This time, the corners of Xu Ke’s mouth turned down, and the cold glint in his eyes seemed to pierce through his glasses, “Chairman Hu, you’ve crossed the line.” Xu Ke said coldly.
“How can this be crossing the line? I’m also a veteran in the company, what’s wrong with being concerned? When your grandfather was in charge, we seniors admired him because of his significant contributions to the company. But who do you think you are? Don’t forget how you got to your position today. If you obediently stayed in your muck, you’d still be the head of the Xu Family. Otherwise, be careful not to lose your current position.” Chairman Hu said contemptuously, pointing at Xu Ke’s forehead with his cigar-holding hand.
“Acting superior around me, who do you think you are? Even your father had to call me Uncle Hu obediently. Where do you get the nerve to act superior in front of me? Hmph!” Chairman Hu sneered at Xu Ke, while the gorgeous lady in his arms chuckled.
“When I first entered the field, I was really enamored with the Xu Family. How long has it been? The Xu Family has already reached this point. I wonder if you, the fair and tender head of the family, can hold onto the Xu Family’s heritage. But even if you can’t, it’s no problem. Given your looks, you’d do well in the entertainment industry. If we meet there someday, feel free to ask me if you have any questions, I’ll definitely answer them thoroughly.” The woman winked at Xu Ke, then as if thinking of something funny, couldn’t help but laugh again before collapsing into Chairman Hu’s arms.
“But you’re not from a formal acting background, your acting might be a bit struggling initially, but it’s okay, I’ll support you. I know a few bosses who love boys with your looks. Just make sure to win them over and you won’t lack opportunities to rise up.” The woman said coquettishly.
“Oh, my memory, it’s been years since I was at an occasion like this, I’ve forgotten. You won’t mind my faulty memory, will you?” The woman leaned her head on Chairman Hu’s shoulder, her hand with red nail polish spinning circles on his chest, all the while exuding seductive charm.
“How could I blame you? I can’t even like you enough.” Chairman Hu’s hand slid discreetly around the woman’s waist, the implication of his actions quite evident.
The two of them exchanged flirtatious banter in front of Xu Ke, completely treating him as if he was invisible.
After a while, Chairman Hu finally came back from interacting with the beauty, glancing at Xu Ke impatiently, and said in a reprimanding tone, “Why are you still here? Do you enjoy watching others flirt so much?”