"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is my son, Xu Zhi. You're all about the same age—feel free to hang out together…" Father Xu enthusiastically presented his son to Jiang Cheng and Wang Congcong.
When he saw Wang Congcong stay silent and deliberately look away, Jiang Cheng instantly sensed something unusual.
After politely greeting the two, Xu Zhi turned especially to Jiang Cheng. "President Jiang, if there's a chance let's go out together. I know plenty of great places for food and fun; I'm quite familiar with the capital."
For some reason, the quiet Wang Congcong couldn't help but speak up the moment he heard the invitation aimed at Jiang Cheng.
His tone dripping with disdain: "Forget it. Think I don't know where the fun is? He doesn't have time to play with you. The capital is my turf—I know far better than you how to enjoy it."
The remark made the atmosphere instantly awkward.
Seeing his friendly overture slapped down by Wang Congcong like that,
A flicker of irritation crossed Xu Zhi's face, but he quickly regained his calm, though his eyes now held a hint of hostility.
He'd only been courteous; if his father hadn't told him to come over, he would never have said a word.
The moment Wang Congcong looked down on him, Xu Zhi naturally took a dislike to Wang Congcong as well.
Especially lately: Wang Congcong had publicly commented under Fan Shuishui's Weibo post, hinting she and Xu Zhi's father had an improper relationship.
The topic rocketed to the top of the hot search list.
In recent years, whenever Company held events, they had indeed kept bringing Fan Shuishui along.
As a son, he was well aware of the unusual closeness between her and his father.
Wang Congcong dared to fire off remarks so freely only because, deep down, he despised them and didn't take them seriously at all.
Seeing that Jiang Cheng clearly sided with Wang Congcong,
Xu Zhi's expression darkened at once, his tone laced with sarcasm: "True—when it comes to playing, who doesn't know President Wang is the expert?"
The sentence served both as a retort to Wang Congcong and a jab at his character.
Wang Congcong was momentarily lost for words.
After all, the moment people mention a Second-generation rich, he's the poster boy for idleness.
And being called "President Wang" in this setting basically implied he was good-for-nothing, not fit for respectable Company.
The air was so charged that even Richest Man Wang, standing nearby, looked displeased.
Still, it was only children bickering; he couldn't very well intervene.
Xu Jiayin, standing to the side, showed no intention of speaking either, as if enjoying a good show.
He, too, had tolerated Wang Congcong for a long time.
Wang Congcong snorted. "Stop the veiled insults. You don't play hard yourself? If you do, don't hide it—be open about it."
Seeing the tension spike, Huang Sheng hurried to smooth things over. "Let's not stand around. It's a happy day—shall I ask the Waitress to start serving?"
Wang Shi chimed in with a laugh: "Goodness, every one of you brought sons—am I the only one who brought a daughter?"
He waved toward the quiet girl sitting behind him.
She looked very gentle,
Her face almost expressionless yet carrying a unique air. Head lowered, she was fiddling with her phone.
When Wang Shi called, she pocketed the phone and stood.
Her eyes were clear and bright, as though they could see straight into people's hearts.
"This is the head of Xingchen Investment. Young as he is, he already runs the firm. Today's reception is jointly hosted by Hetai and Xingchen Investment."
"My little girl, Wang Lin, studies at Oxford in Britain."
At first the girl looked rather proud, as if she found the gathering beneath her.
When Xu Zhi and Wang Congcong looked at her,
Her gaze grew even colder.
She assumed her father meant to introduce her to these two womanizers—only to discover Wang Shi was presenting a genuine Handsome Guy.
The instant she saw Jiang Cheng, Wang Lin's expression shifted, like a pebble dropped onto a calm lake, sending out ripples.
And judging by her father's introduction, this man must be very capable as well.
So Wang Lin tucked away her earlier arrogance and studied Jiang Cheng with open curiosity.
Jiang Cheng merely shook her hand politely and quickly looked away.
Though she was attractive and her bearing refined,
Exuding a noble, elegant aura,
His first impression was that she was too proud.
That type wasn't to his taste.
For Jiang Cheng, looks mattered, but inner qualities and personality mattered more.
Therefore, he felt no special interest or liking for Wang Lin.
After all the ups and downs, the atmosphere, though no longer as harmonious as at the start, finally stabilized.
Everyone present had weathered storms.
So however displeased they might be in private, surface courtesy was maintained.
As originally planned, Huang Sheng intended to seat Richest Man Wang and Xu Jiayin in the center.
Instead, Richest Man Wang took Jiang Cheng by the arm and had him sit beside him.
"Come, Jiang Cheng, this seat's for you," Richest Man Wang said warmly.
Jiang Cheng waved modestly. "How could I take this seat? I'll just sit over here."
"Why not? That seat's yours today. You and Congcong shouldn't sit together—come here." Richest Man Wang's tone was firm.
Wang Congcong inwardly rolled his eyes at his father's sudden comment.
Though the guests were puzzled by Richest Man Wang's arrangement, no one dared question it.
After all, Richest Man Wang carried great authority; his decisions seldom drew challenge.
Xu Jiayin, however, felt the seating improper.
Jiang Cheng's status still lagged behind theirs.
At this year's China Forum opening, for instance, Xu Jiayin had sat in the center of the second row.
The first row had been filled with national-level figures.
A mere businessman could sit right behind them.
However talented and young Jiang Cheng might be,
He had not yet reached a level to sit beside Xu Jiayin.
Xu Jiayin assumed Richest Man Wang was retaliating because Xu Zhi had just been rebuffed.
Jiang Cheng had meant to decline, but seeing Xu Jiayin's displeasure, he promptly sat down.
Given the choice between upsetting himself and upsetting someone else, Jiang Cheng happily chose the latter.