Guo Jiuxiao and Jiang Hao both looked at Jerry Warren, their eyes full of disbelief.
Xiao Zhigang's gaze was even sharper.
Guo Jiuxiao said, "Jerry, is your mandarin not that good? Did you not understand? Supporting means you're backing Qin Siyang. Opposing is what you should—"
"Professor Guo, first, my mandarin is perfectly fine for communication. Second—", Jerry pointed to his ear, "I've had simultaneous interpretation the whole time during this meeting. I can confirm information through two languages. There won't be any mistakes."
After saying that, Jerry ignored everyone else, leaned back in his chair, his expression cold.
The Warren family's support for Qin Siyang had already been decided during their deal with the Zhao family.
Jerry Warren originally didn't want to do this. Even if his vote was added, Qin Siyang still wouldn't be able to win a majority among the standing directors. And it would only make him a target for everyone.
On top of that, he wouldn't be able to take part in dividing the benefits of the donation meeting afterward. If you support Qin Siyang, what right do you have to share in the opponents' gains?
But his father, Kyle Warren, the president of the Warren Chamber of Commerce, had firmly insisted he do it.
First, the Zhao family didn't fully trust the Warren Chamber of Commerce. They feared it might be a spy from the three major chambers. The Warren family had to do something to reassure the Zhao family and kick off the first phase of cooperation.
Second, Kyle believed that sacrificing the Warren family's reputation among a group of scattered, uncoordinated researchers in exchange for showing their determination to cooperate with the Zhao family was a deal guaranteed to profit.
Jerry couldn't go against his father, so he had no choice but to agree.
But now, listening to the hushed whispers of the Paper Review Committee members below the stage, he felt somewhat embarrassed and closed his eyes, pretending nothing had happened.
'Forget it. It's all for the family's interests anyway.'
Everyone in the hall was secretly guessing what kind of benefits Jerry Warren had received to dare support Qin Siyang against the tide.
Jiang Hao, the president of the Haori Chamber of Commerce standing nearby, had his brows tightly furrowed, unable to figure out what Jerry was really planning.
After hearing someone support Qin Siyang, Qian Wenzhao felt slightly more at ease, "One vote in favor, two against. Next is President Gu Weihong."
Gu Weihong looked at Qin Siyang, gave a faint smile, and spoke without hesitation, "I also support."
'What?'
Hearing that Gu Weihong also supported Qin Siyang's paper, everyone present was stunned.
'Even someone from the Gu family is backing Qin Siyang now?'
The one who felt the greatest chill upon hearing Gu Weihong's vote was Xiao Zhigang.
He had originally thought that the Zhao brothers pulling Gu Weirong into forming a chamber of commerce was just borrowing prestige to establish themselves.
There was no way the Gu family would stand behind a young upstart like Qin Siyang.
But now, it seemed that wasn't the case at all.
The Gu family, which had always been moderate, going along with the crowd and never taking the lead, was actually publicly expressing support for Qin Siyang?
Although everyone knew that Secretary-General Gu Weiyang did not participate in any private dealings and rarely involved himself in Gu family matters.
Still, one stroke cannot write two "Gu" characters. Gu Weihong's support undoubtedly also represented Gu Weiyang's inclination.
Xiao Zhigang, who worked within the United Government, suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of tension.
Not knowing the Secretary-General's true intentions left him unsure whether he should continue targeting Qin Siyang.
Cold sweat formed on Xiao Zhigang's forehead as he fell into self-doubt.
The others all stared nervously at the final standing director, Chu Zhongxiong.
Now the votes were tied two to two. Whether this paper hearing would be an opportunity for everyone to make a windfall or just a gathering of clowns all depended on Chu Zhongxiong.
"Two votes in favor, two against. President Chu Zhongxiong."
Chu Zhongxiong calmly stated his choice, "Support."
"Good!"
Hearing that Chu Zhongxiong had also kept his word, Qin Siyang immediately stood up and started clapping, laughing loudly, "Good! Excellent! The paper hearing truly is fair and just! Every one of the standing directors has sharp eyes! Admirable!"
"This is the first time in my life I've taken part in such a satisfying and upright hearing!"
"This is justice!"
"Good!"
Qin Siyang kept clapping.
But no one around him responded.
Because there was only one word in their minds, confused.
Aside from Li Tianming and Chu Zhongxiong, who knew the full story, everyone else was completely in the dark, staring at the scene before them with puzzled expressions.
Even Jerry Warren and Gu Weiyang, who had supported Qin Siyang, looked astonished.
They knew they had voted in favor, but they had no idea that two other standing directors had done the same.
Wu Yu muttered in disbelief, "Little Qin… he just solved it like that? Then all the materials we prepared… weren't used at all?"
Hao Liang said, "Not using them is a good thing. Still, Little Qin is way too shocking."
Lu Daoxing looked displeased, "That brat! He clearly knew he'd pass, yet he made me rehearse statements with him the whole day."
Zhang Kuang yawned, tilting his head back to look at Qin Siyang beside him, who was still clapping nonstop.
Qin Siyang's applause echoed alone, especially jarring in the entire hall.
The other researchers who had come to attend the hearing were either staring blankly at Qin Siyang or looking dumbfounded at the stage, unable to understand what had just happened.
But Qin Siyang kept clapping, celebrating on his own for nearly a minute before finally sitting down, satisfied.
"Whew! That felt great! Director Qian, announce the result."
"Alright," Qian Wenzhao nodded with a smile, "Now, three votes in favor, two—"
"Wait!"
At that moment, Xiao Zhigang suddenly spoke to stop him.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhigang still decided to continue suppressing Qin Siyang.
He and Qin Siyang were already mortal enemies. Even if he backed down now, he wouldn't gain anything.
If he allowed Qin Siyang to grow unchecked, his own future would become unpredictable.
Moreover, this hearing, meant to make things difficult for Qin Siyang, had been pushed forward largely by him. If it ended hastily, his reputation and position would suffer devastating damage.
Who would still cooperate with him, the Minister of Education, in the future?
He had to act and restrain Qin Siyang.
His eyes hardened.
As long as he acted according to official procedures, Gu Weiyang wouldn't be able to do anything to him.
Qian Wenzhao said with a smile, "Minister Xiao, do you have objections to the voting result?"
Qin Siyang snorted, "Even if you do, it's useless!"
"I'm not objecting to the result. I'm exercising my authority as a standing director to cast a vote."
Hao Liang slammed the table and stood up, "Surname Xiao! You're not even a standing director. What right do you have to vote?"
Xiao Zhigang didn't argue. Instead, he clapped his hands twice.
The screen behind him suddenly lit up, playing a video.
Zhong Dingming appeared on the screen.
["Hello everyone, I am Zhong Dingming."]
["Due to personal reasons, I'm unable to attend the paper hearing in person."]
["So, in accordance with Article 10 of the Paper Review Committee's regulations, I entrust Minister of Education Xiao Zhigang to vote on my behalf at the venue…"]
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