As expected of Huaxia Hotel; the service is lightning-fast.
Huang Sheng had barely returned when several attendants in traditional dress filed in behind him.
Each carried an erhu, pipa, dulcimer, flute, or gong and drum.
The staff set up seats behind Xu Jiayin, and, no longer feigning modesty, he again used Jack Ma as cover.
He chuckled, "Old Ma's got real artistic talent; every time I see him I tease him into performing. Who'd have thought it'd be my turn today, haha!"
Everyone burst out laughing at that.
Wang Shi seized the moment: "We only found out President Xu had this trick up his sleeve thanks to President Jiang today."
Yang Guo, the general manager of Guiyuan, had slipped back from the restroom but didn't dare return to his seat, hovering at a neighboring table and making small-talk.
Now, sensing the mood lightening, he hurried over. "Exactly—today we're really honored."
His arrival stoked the atmosphere further; conversation and laughter flowed.
The banquet seemed to be back on its pleasant track.
Wang Shi and Yang Guo were clearly currying favor with both Xu Jiayin and Jiang Cheng.
The corner of Jiang Cheng's mouth lifted in a smile full of hidden meaning.
He quipped, "Who'd have thought President Xu's performance would be so rare? Presidents Wang and Yang, you'd better record it—such chances don't come often."
The two men's faces stiffened again.
Wang Shi was better off—he was seated beside Richest Man Wang, with some distance between them.
But Yang Guo, the Guiyuan boss, was right next to Xu Jiayin.
"Of… of course, haha."
"Haha…"
Seeing their forced smiles, Xu Jiayin raised an eyebrow, evidently sure they wouldn't dare film him.
Playing along, he said, "Presidents Wang and Yang, I'm no singer—don't post anything that'll make me a laughing-stock. Bear with me."
Jiang Cheng had no intention of letting Xu Jiayin keep steering the mood.
The moment Xu finished, Jiang started clapping.
He swiftly lifted his phone and aimed it at Xu Jiayin.
"President Xu is too modest—come, come, if they won't shoot, I'll give you a first-person view."
After opening the camera, Jiang felt the angle wasn't good enough.
He turned to Wang Congcong: "Brother Cong, your angle's better—such a killer skill needs promoting. Film it for President Wang."
In two sentences Jiang had torn away the shyness Xu had draped over himself.
Xu Jiayin's expression turned rigid once more.
Jiang's remark drew silent gasps from everyone present.
Today they'd truly witnessed how formidable this junior could be.
Throughout the evening Jiang Cheng had stayed calm and unflustered, masterfully controlling the room's atmosphere with casual banter.
Even a titan like Xu Jiayin was powerless before him.
Wang Congcong caught on at once, lifting his phone to record.
Humiliated as he was, Xu Jiayin knew he couldn't let his expression slip.
Any loss of control would only deepen his embarrassment.
He forced another smile and tried to liven things up.
With feigned enthusiasm he said, "Make sure you shoot me handsome!"
That ability to bend without breaking made Jiang Cheng reappraise Xu Jiayin.
Give a man like that a shred of conscience and he'd be a real talent.
Soon, clearing his throat, Xu Jiayin launched into a Peking-opu aria.
Though Jiang Cheng understood none of it, he nodded along, swaying to the melody.
Apart from Jiang and Richest Man Wang, every big-shot rose spontaneously to cheer Xu Jiayin on.
They clapped in time, and at the climaxes even shouted heartfelt bravos—
An enthusiastic audience indeed.
An outsider might have believed Xu Jiayin was performing gladly of his own accord.
As more phones came out to record, Xu Zhi's face darkened further.
He shot to his feet, glaring at Jiang Cheng in fury.
His eyes blazed with rage and hatred.
Even if his father didn't care, he couldn't bear it.
He felt Jiang Cheng had made a fool of his father—
And in front of so many people, a grievous blow to his pride.
Hatred swelled in Xu Zhi's heart; he vowed to make Jiang Cheng pay.
Everyone's attention was on Xu Jiayin; no one noticed him.
Helpless, Xu Zhi left early, sparing himself the sight.
Wang Congcong promptly posted the clip to Social Media Platform.
He then checked the half-face selfie he'd uploaded minutes earlier.
That earlier post had caught his father, Jiang Cheng, and Xu Jiayin in the background.
Caption: "A fierce meal, absolutely delicious."
As expected, hundreds of comments had already piled up beneath his celebrity post.
"My hubby's something—dining with all those titans."
"Hubby, are you taking me to meet the parents? I spotted Dad!"
"Why isn't my hubby the one beside Richest Man Wang? Is that his brother?"
"Wake up, girl. That's the Second-generation rich who bought a billion-pound pad in Britain that Principal Wang posted about."
"OMG, why's he center-seat? Sandwiched between two richest men—what clout!"
"I'm dying to know what hidden-boss identity lets him swagger every time he shows up."
"Half a body shot—how'd you spot anything swaggering?"