Chapter Seventeen: Is This How You Speak to Your Boss?

"This..." For a moment, both Mr. Ye and Liu Feifei were utterly stunned.

This poor young man truly knew the distinguished guest in the Sky Pavilion? And judging by the attendant's attitude just now, it seemed the guest in the Sky Pavilion held him in high regard.

It must be noted that even with Ye Long's wealth, he would rarely indulge himself in the Sky Pavilion.

His gaze flickered uncertainly as he looked at Liu Feifei, his tone slightly dark, "Liu Feifei, that pauper... Xiao Chen, is he really your classmate? No background at all?"

He was considering: if Xiao Chen really turned out to be some big shot, he would have to apologize immediately. A true man knows when to bend and when to stand tall—being able to admit defeat is the secret behind his success.

Liu Feifei opened her mouth, then quickly nodded, "Of course, he's just some loser. I heard that after graduation he became a live-in son-in-law at the Xu family, nothing but a useless wretch—how could he possibly have any background?"

As she spoke, something suddenly struck her, "Right, he got lucky before and picked up an authentic piece by Yan Zhenqing. Maybe he happened to meet some big shot who appreciates such things, and that's why they arranged to meet here."

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

That must be it—otherwise, how could Xiao Chen possibly receive an invitation from a distinguished guest in the Sky Pavilion?

Ye Long's eyes glinted, "The Xu family... you mean Xu Qingran? So he's that useless husband of Xu Qingran!"

"Speaking of the Xu family, I'm actually acquainted with their eldest son, Xu Chengyang. He even arranged to meet me later."

He finally breathed a sigh of relief—it seemed Xiao Chen really had no notable background, just a false alarm. Everything was likely as Liu Feifei said.

There were plenty of influential figures in Linzhou who were passionate about calligraphy and painting.

For those with fortunes in the billions, inviting Xiao Chen to the Sky Pavilion for a meal in hopes of acquiring a coveted artwork was hardly surprising.

...

"Mr. Xiao, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for quite some time," Xiao Chen had just entered the Sky Pavilion with the attendant when a hearty voice greeted him.

It was Zhou Wangtian, whom he'd met once before, accompanied by his granddaughter Zhou Shuang’er.

Seeing Zhou Wangtian’s courteous attitude toward Xiao Chen, the attendant’s heart began to race, filled with apprehension.

The elderly man before him was one of the top five most influential figures in all of Linzhou.

---

To say that when he stomped his foot, Linzhou trembled three times was no exaggeration—yet here he was, being so respectful to an ordinary young man.

Who exactly was this seemingly impoverished youth?

But the attendant dared not linger, hastily bowing and quietly retreating.

Xiao Chen nodded slightly and took his seat.

Zhou Wangtian was not one for unnecessary delay; he immediately asked Zhou Shuang’er to bring out the share transfer agreement. Xiao Chen glanced at it casually and signed his name.

He then looked at Zhou Wangtian and said, "Zhou Wangtian, I accept your Hongyu Entertainment. In exchange, I promise to assist your Zhou family once in the future."

Zhou Shuang’er, standing nearby, was instantly displeased upon hearing this. "Hey, how can you be like this? Grandpa befriends you out of respect, yet you make it sound as if our Zhou family is begging you?"

"To help us out once? Does our Zhou family really need that?"

What a joke! The Zhou family was a distinguished clan in Linzhou—who would dare trouble them? And if there truly were someone even the Zhou family couldn’t handle, what could Xiao Chen possibly do?

Although Xiao Chen did make the Linjiang River boil once, leaving her deeply astonished, his words were simply infuriating.

Zhou Wangtian, however, was intrigued. He stared at Xiao Chen and hesitated before asking, "Any matter—you would be willing to lend your hand?"

Xiao Chen ignored Zhou Shuang’er and gave Zhou Wangtian an approving look, nodding slightly, "Any matter."

His promise was priceless—far greater than what Hongyu Entertainment could ever offer.

If those who knew Xiao Chen’s true identity were to seek his help, they would gladly pay ten, even a hundred times the price.

Though Zhou Wangtian didn’t know Xiao Chen’s identity, he was perceptive enough to sense its weight.

He was overjoyed, "Then I must thank you here, Mr. Xiao."

"Grandpa, it should be him thanking us," Zhou Shuang’er pouted in protest.

"Shuang’er, watch your words. Mr. Xiao is a man of great ability. You must treat him with the same respect you show me, understand?" Zhou Wangtian said sternly.

Zhou Shuang’er opened her mouth—treat Xiao Chen like her grandfather? He was only four or five years older than her.

---

But seeing Zhou Wangtian's stern expression, she could only agree reluctantly, "Understood."

She gritted her teeth as she looked at Xiao Chen and squeezed out three words, "Grandpa Xiao!"

"Ahem!" Xiao Chen was drinking water and choked upon hearing Zhou Shuang’er’s address.

Only then did Zhou Shuang’er, as if avenging herself, glance smugly at Xiao Chen.

Zhou Wangtian chuckled and shook his head, "Don’t mind her, Mr. Xiao. The girl is spoiled. Come, let’s eat. Afterward, I’ll have Shuang’er take you to the company for your appointment."

Two hours later, after their meal, Zhou Wangtian had matters to attend to and sent Zhou Shuang’er to accompany Xiao Chen to Hongyu Entertainment.

Zhou Shuang’er looked to be about seventeen or eighteen, much like Xiao Chen’s sister-in-law, Xu Qianran.

Through conversation, Xiao Chen learned that they both attended Tianhen Private High School, though they were not in the same class.

Soon, the two arrived at Hongyu Entertainment.

Among similar companies in Linzhou, Hongyu Entertainment was only average—a trial venture for the Zhou family. However, with the Zhou family backing it, its future was certainly promising.

"Xiao Chen, what are you doing here?" As Xiao Chen and Zhou Shuang’er approached the company entrance, a familiar voice rang out.

Tall and slender, wearing sunglasses that concealed most of her beautiful face, Liu Feifei stood with her arms folded, looking down at Xiao Chen coldly, "Are you following me?"

She scanned Xiao Chen up and down with disdain in her eyes. "What, are you trying to pursue me? You should take a good look at yourself—are you even worthy?"

She made no effort to hide her disgust and contempt.

She was destined to become a famous star, while Xiao Chen was nothing but a penniless nobody—he probably wouldn’t even have the chance to see her in the future.

Xiao Chen glanced at Liu Feifei, then replied calmly, "Is this how you speak to your boss?"