On the other side of the room, Xie An's expression twisted in the face of Xia Chu's sharp retort. He could dismiss anyone else, but he dared not ignore Xia Chu. In Chu City, the Xie Family was second-tier, whereas the Xia Family, to which Xia Chu belonged, was truly top-tier.
"If your family has money, you have face, of course," Qin Han, ever the quick-witted sycophant, was the first to jump in with a rebuttal. "Xia Chu, if you hadn't been lucky enough to be adopted by your foster father, would you be living this lavish life? Do you dare say you've never been thankful for that stroke of luck?"
Seeing Xia Chu fuming, Qin Han shot her a triumphant look before turning to Chen Yang. "We all struggled together once. As long as you say the word, I believe the generous President Xie will certainly give you a hand and change your fate forever."
"Hey, that's a bit harsh," Xie An interjected, once again adopting a magnanimous air. He chuckled lightly, "What's this talk of helping out? Given our history, it's only natural that we should help one another."
"That may be so, but a man of your status, President Xie, has already been so proactive. Yet Chen Yang not only fails to appreciate it, he even puts on airs. He's thirty years old and still doesn't know how the world works?" Qin Han said, clasping his hands behind his back. He looked down on Chen Yang with the condescending air of an elder lecturing a junior.
The atmosphere in the room froze completely. Things had co to this. Qin Han's aggressive words had undeniably torn away the last shred of civility.
"Chen Yang really is going too far," Wu Peng imdiately chid in, jumping on the bandwagon. "Boss Qin hit the nail on the head! Ultimately, it's President Xie who is generous and kind, giving him chance after chance."
"Chen Yang," Wu Peng said, turning to him, "it's not a sin to be struggling, but you have to recognize reality! Pretending to be noble when you're poor and putting on airs—aren't you just making things harder for yourself? President Xie is a benefactor in your life. You should be grateful, and you need to know how to show it, understand?"
SMACK.
After speaking, Wu Peng slamd a wine glass on the table in front of Chen Yang. "Drink this. Then, as punishnt, drink three more." His tone was absolute, leaving no room for argunt.
They say ti is a butcher's knife, but isn't society just one big dyeing vat? Imrsed in such a vat, how many can erge unstained?
"Forget it. We can't be bothered with soone who still doesn't get it by thirty. It would just lower us to his level," Qin Han said, signaling to Xie An. "Shall we continue drinking?"
Xie An shot Chen Yang a playful glance, then turned and returned to his seat. Wu Peng followed close behind, his posture as obsequious as possible, looking just like a lapdog begging its master for a bone.
"Drink less," Chen Yang advised, seeing Xia Chu down one glass after another.
"I ca here hoping to reminisce with old friends about the good old days. I never expected… that they've all changed," Xia Chu shook her head, a self-deprecating smile on her face. "Chen Yang, it's all my fault. I'm the one who insisted you co. I'm sorry."
With that apology, she downed several more drinks.
"It's nothing," Chen Yang said, taking the glass from her hand and patting her on the shoulder. "I didn't take it to heart."
"You… you've always been like this, ever since we were kids. No matter how wronged you were, you'd just say it was nothing, all while shielding us from every storm! Back then, I worshipped you!" Xia Chu grabbed Chen Yang's arm, her eyes filled with a plaintive look. She pouted her lips, almost pleading, "After today, we might never get another chance to see each other. Sit with . We're not leaving until we're drunk."
Chen Yang said nothing and sat down beside her.
Nearby, Hu Tao and Zhao Siyan were whispering to each other.
"My God! Is this… is this for real?!" Seeing the advertisent on Zhao Siyan's phone, Hu Tao looked as if he'd seen a ghost. He instinctively glanced at Chen Yang, his mouth agape in shock.
This guy…
Hu Tao took several deep breaths, taking a mont to calm himself. "Judging by the tiline, his age, and his face… it's definitely him!"
"How could it be fake?" Zhao Siyan also looked toward Chen Yang, her mind still reeling.
It was truly hard to imagine. The man who had beco famous across the world these past few years, the Forr Chief Military Commander responsible for one sensational feat after another, was soone who grew up with them in the orphanage.
"Who could have possibly guessed?" Hu Tao said excitedly, clenching his fists so tightly his face flushed red. Then, he whipped his head around to look at Xie An and Wu Peng, his expression turning fierce.
"What's the plan?" Zhao Siyan asked.
"Heh heh…" Hu Tao let out a cold sneer. "Yang likes to keep a low profile and doesn't like showing off, but there are so things, I think, that you shouldn't have to endure! So, here's what we'll do. When the ti is right, we'll project this onto the big screen for everyone to see. I especially want to see the looks on Xie An's and Wu Peng's faces!"
Zhao Siyan smiled, decisively agreeing, "That's exactly what we'll do!"
With that, the two of them picked up their glasses and joined the others. However, compared to their initial casualness, their words and actions toward Chen Yang had now changed, however subtly. After all, this was the Forr Chief Military Commander!
The once-tense atmosphere gradually began to ease as old acquaintances gathered in groups, talking and laughing.
About half an hour later.
CLAP, CLAP.
Xie An stood up and clapped his hands. "The Director and Granny Fu will be here any mont. The donation ceremony can begin. I hope everyone will be generous, but within your ans, of course."
With that, he gave Chen Yang a pointed look before continuing, "Please put your drinks down for now and take your seats."
"Let's be smart about this and arrange ourselves by status," Wu Peng imdiately chid in. "Those with assets of over a million can sit in the front row, on either side of President Xie. The rest of you can find seats further back. As for those who want to dodge the donation altogether… you probably don't have the face to sit down, do you? Just stand!"
As he spoke, he made no effort to hide his disdain, looking directly at Chen Yang. Xie An just smiled without a word, giving his tacit approval.
"Who do you think you are, forcing everyone into different classes?" Hu Tao stood up and said mockingly.
Wu Peng instantly blew up. "Do you have any right to speak here? Know your place!"
"You want to talk about status with ? I wonder just how high your status really is," Hu Tao retorted, signaling to Zhao Siyan to get ready to project the image.
"What's that supposed to an? Is there a hidden aning in your words?" Xie An lifted a cigar. Wu Peng imdiately rushed over with a lighter. Taking a light puff, Xie An continued, "I, Xie An, won't claim to be anything special, but in Chu City, I'm certainly considered a top figure."
"Among everyone here, who could possibly compare to President Xie?" Wu Peng added.
"You're giving him way too much credit!" Hu Tao scoffed.
"Everyone, stop arguing! The Director and Granny Fu are here! Quiet down!" soone shouted.
Then, at the entrance to the banquet hall, Granny Fu appeared, supporting an elderly gentleman as they slowly walked into the venue.
"Director! Granny Fu!"
The crowd rose to their feet and went to greet them.
"There's really no need for all of you to make donations," Granny Fu said, waving her hand. "The funds Chen Yang has provided over the years have been more than enough. Not only have we built a new building, but the staff benefits and the children's welfare in every respect are now top-notch. Listen to , it's really not necessary!"
An awkward silence fell.
...
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