Chapter 17
Yu Congyan was at the Shao residence, enjoying tea.
The Shao family elders were personally accompanying him, but Yu Congyan seemed to be there for casual conversation. They were already on their third round of tea, yet he hadn’t mentioned the purpose of his visit.
Moreover, his expression was calm and composed, as if he didn’t care about the situation at all.
But everyone present were seasoned businessmen, and they weren’t oblivious.
Uncle Shao clearly sensed something was amiss.
But since Yu Congyan wasn’t being direct, he could only probe:
“It’s been a long time since our families gathered like this. It’s a shame Old Man Shao isn’t at the residence today, business matters might be difficult to discuss.”
Uncle Shao wasn’t young either. Seeing Yu Congyan’s posture, this sudden visit wasn’t just a social call.
But with the head of the family absent, he couldn’t be implicated.
He just hoped Yu Congyan would quickly reveal the culprit so he could feign indignation and throw this pawn away.
“It’s nothing, there hasn’t been much business interaction lately. I just have some matters to discuss with Old Man Shao.” Yu Congyan’s tone remained casual.
But the person sitting beside him was breaking out in a cold sweat.
These words were loaded. Did it mean seeking advice on business or questioning the Shao family?
Hopefully, the former, so there was still room for maneuver.
“CEO Shao is attending a summit and hasn’t returned yet…” Uncle Shao was also unsure what to do.
Judging by the time, Old Man Shao should be back soon. Sending someone to call him back wasn’t impossible.
But the Shao family also had their pride. They couldn’t just call back the elder because of a junior’s words.
But this was Yu Congyan, a self-made entrepreneur. If it weren’t for him, the Yu family might have been the one in decline.
Calling him a young prodigy wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Unless absolutely necessary, no one wanted to offend him.
Just as Uncle Shao was struggling with the current predicament, a sound came from the entrance.
Uncle Shao’s spirits lifted, as if he had finally found his savior. He quickly got up to greet the newcomer.
“It must be CEO Shao.”
He was about to walk towards the entrance.
He needed a break. Being alone in the same room with Yu Congyan was suffocating.
Even just sitting there silently, this person’s aura of authority was immense.
Reaching the entrance, Uncle Shao finally felt some relief. He had just put on his practiced, flattering expression to greet Old Man Shao when he was surprised to find the commotion at the door didn’t sound right.
It didn’t seem like CEO Shao had returned.
Shao Huan also saw his uncle coming to greet him, slurring a greeting with bleary eyes: “Yo, Uncle, you’re here.”
“…”
Uncle wasn’t there anymore.
Uncle Shao’s mood plummeted from heaven to hell.
What a huge difference!
He had originally hoped Old Man Shao could use his seniority to suppress Yu Congyan.
Now, a perfect example of what not to do had arrived.
Wasn’t this just delivering himself to the enemy?
Uncle Shao almost choked, clutching the doorframe to catch his breath.
The only consolation was that Shao Huan had no business value and could barely qualify as a scapegoat for Yu Congyan.
Shao Huan, oblivious to the tension in the living room, stumbled into the house reeking of alcohol.
He casually threw his coat on the floor, kicking it towards the door and mumbling: “Why did the old man insist I come home today? It’s not even a holiday, and I barely ate anything.”
Shao Huan clicked his tongue, thinking he had to ask the old man for some spending money, he couldn’t have come here for nothing.
Mid-sentence, Shao Huan suddenly noticed the silence in the living room. He focused his eyes and saw a guest sitting there.
He assumed Old Man Shao had found someone to persuade him to inherit the family business and learn to manage the company, saying impatiently:
“Why did you find someone to talk to me again? I told you I have no interest in managing the company…”
Shao Huan’s words were stuck in his throat as he met Yu Congyan’s cold gaze.
“？！！”
The young master sobered up instantly.
He froze, wishing he could slap himself for his careless words.
Why was it Yu Congyan?
He wasn’t the kind of gentle and polite businessman Old Man Shao would find to persuade him to inherit the family business. Among the younger generation, only Yu Congyan had truly secured his position with his own ability and ruthless methods.
If it weren’t for the past relationship between their families, he probably would have eradicated the Shao family’s intricate network of influence without hesitation.
“CEO Yu… why are you here?” Under his uncle’s sharp glare, Shao Huan reluctantly used an honorific.
Had he offended him recently?
Shao Huan racked his alcohol-addled brain, finally grasping a faint thought.
It was that music travel program!
Could Yu Congyan have learned about his plan to humiliate Xia Wansheng on the program and come here to confront him?
Shao Huan gripped the doorknob, wanting to turn and leave.
Nothing good ever came from encountering Yu Congyan.
Initially, their families had considered joining forces, but Yu Congyan’s achievements became increasingly prominent, his talent threatening to surpass even CEO Shao’s, while he himself had achieved nothing in the entertainment industry, only gaining some notoriety.
The gap widened, and gradually, no one mentioned the collaboration anymore.
Shao Huan often thought he was pretentious and had badmouthed him behind his back, but deep down, he understood how formidable he was.
When Yu Congyan took in a canary, everyone mocked him for a long time, thinking he would be lost in a life of luxury and pleasure.
Some even placed bets on when the Yu family would collapse.
But as time went by, there was no sign of decline.
The Yu family continued to thrive in business, and Yu Congyan even extravagantly bought an entire building and left it vacant.
He even refused all investors trying to curry favor with the Yu family, saying he had his own plans.
Everyone speculated: That building must be Yu Congyan’s trump card.
In contrast to Shao Huan’s stunned silence, Yu Congyan was in a good mood.
He had finally waited for the protagonist to arrive.
He stopped fiddling with his teacup, shifted his posture, and seemingly casually turned his head towards Shao Huan.
“Since you’re here, let’s have a chat. Old Man Shao asked me to talk to you about managing the branch company, saying you should retire from the entertainment industry after your recent scandal.” Yu Congyan pretended to recall.
He didn’t state it explicitly in front of the elders, but everyone in the industry knew about Shao Huan’s bullying incident.
Snatching resources, stealing the spotlight, and acting like a diva were his usual tactics. If it weren’t for the Shao family’s top-tier PR team, he would have been ruined long ago.
This was a warning to Shao Huan that he had better be honest. If he tried to hide anything, he had ways to make him disappear from the industry.
Shao Huan’s knees almost buckled. He grabbed the sofa to steady himself.
This time, he pleaded sincerely: “I know I was wrong, for the sake of the Shao family, could you please let me off the hook this time…”
Although he didn’t know what he had done wrong, Shao Huan’s attitude was as humble as could be.
He wondered inwardly: Xia Wansheng was just an ordinary celebrity, what kind of spell did he cast? He remembered Yu Congyan always prioritizing profits, when did he start defending a canary?
It was so rare, Shao Huan felt a bit dazed.
“Did you know about the incident where Xia Wansheng was threatened by the director?” Yu Congyan’s tone remained calm.
But his eyes were like a cheetah locking onto its prey, unwavering.
Although Shao Huan was brainless and might not have been directly involved in the power struggle, he should have known most of the shady figures in the industry and likely knew the inside story.
Uncle Shao also quickly expressed his support for Yu Congyan, saying sternly: “Shao Huan, be honest, your usual antics are one thing, but how could you involve someone from the Yu family?!”
Uncle Shao deliberately raised his voice, thinking he had successfully distanced himself. If he remained entangled, Yu Congyan might target him as well.
It was better to settle things early.
After their questions, both of them looked at Shao Huan, who had remained silent.
The confusion on Shao Huan’s face was genuine.
He had never heard of such a thing.
Xia Wansheng practically had “I’m with Yu Congyan” written all over his face, who would be foolish enough to touch him?!
But even if he said that now, no one would believe him.
Shao Huan could only offer a somewhat acceptable excuse: “I really don’t know about Xia Wansheng’s situation, but knowing that director, he’s capable of such a thing, otherwise he wouldn’t be in prison now…”
Shao Huan’s voice trembled towards the end.
“Were you involved?” Yu Congyan asked abruptly.
It was a simple question, but Shao Huan almost jumped, quickly denying any connection with that director.
“I wasn’t! I really don’t know anything!”
Meeting Yu Congyan’s disbelieving gaze, Shao Huan felt despair.
Yu Congyan wouldn’t think he was putting up a futile resistance, would he? But he really had nothing to confess. He truly didn’t know what had happened to Xia Wansheng!
Shao Huan quickly turned to his uncle for help, reaching for his clothes: “Uncle, you know I just hang out with a few rich kids, I’ve never done anything illegal!”
He didn’t deserve to die, did he?!
But Uncle Shao, despite his plump figure, nimbly stepped back, avoiding Shao Huan’s grasp.
“Shao Huan, at this point, you should just tell the truth.” Uncle Shao’s tone was complicated, filled with disappointment.
If he confessed everything, their families could still amicably discuss next quarter’s collaboration.
Shao Huan opened his mouth, intending to describe Xia Wansheng’s past arrogance to support his claims, but seeing Yu Congyan’s icy gaze, he knew—
Speaking up would likely only bring him more trouble.
Moreover, as he remained silent, Yu Congyan’s gaze grew colder, as if he was already contemplating how to dismantle the Shao family.
The atmosphere became tense and suffocating.
Another sound came from the entrance.
Someone had returned.
Shao Huan quickly turned his head as if he had found his savior, finally seeing Old Man Shao after a long time, wanting to cling to his leg and beg for help.
Shao Huan: Grandpa, save me!
Old Man Shao: ???
He had just gone for dinner after the meeting, why did it feel like the Shao family was about to go bankrupt?
