"Old Han, Old Lin, please calm down," Director Jia said with a smile, playing the peacemaker. "We're all getting old; the future of this company belongs to the young."
"This Xia Qingtian is truly ruthless, not only bringing Mr. Gu to back her up but also showing us no respect at all!" one director grumbled. "Her father wasn't even this overbearing!"
"Have you forgotten the precedent set by Director Lian and Director Su?" Director Shen, who had been silent, tapped his fingers on the table. "This father and daughter pair are so sly and cunning! Xia Honglang appeared so agreeable, but why is he so domineering today? I say he was just pretending before! Now that Xia Qingtian has gotten close to Mr. Gu and is involved in the new energy project, becoming the main contributor to Xia's transformation, it's no wonder Xia Honglang has become so arrogant?"
"You think Xia Honglang only became like this today? I think there were signs long ago!" Director Han banged on the table. "Isn't this just a show where the emperor helps the crown prince establish his authority? Humph!"
"So he wants to establish authority and we just let him? If we take one step back, they'll take ten!" Director Shen tapped the table a few more times with his fingertips. "I say we must continue to find ways to protest, to let Xia Honglang and Xia Qingtian know that Xia's is not theirs to control! We all have shares and have contributed! We can't let them be the only ones in power!"
"Then what do you suggest we do!" Director Han glared at Director Shen. "You were the one who suggested we make a show of force by being late or arriving just on time, but you yourself were early today, and now you're saying this! If you have a plan, say it! Lead by example, and we'll follow!"
"Exactly!" With Director Han speaking up, Director Lin and several other directors who had deliberately arrived late immediately chimed in. They spoke one after another, making Director Shen blush and stammer, unable to respond for a long time.
The private meeting ended without any concrete decisions, resulting in an unpleasant parting. The private meetings held earlier behind Xia Honglang's back were never this unpleasant.
Director Jia, who had been smiling all along, played the peacemaker with a cheerful demeanor, but he understood the situation clearly. Previously, Xia Honglang had turned a blind eye, wanting to maintain harmony for profit, which gave these old foxes opportunities to exploit loopholes. Now, with the fearless Xia Qingtian, who gave no one face, and Xia Honglang's more assertive stance, these old foxes had become a disorganised mob. While they claimed to be acting for Xia's benefit, in reality, it was all for their own selfish desires. When there were no conflicts, they were fine, but as soon as a conflict arose, their hypocritical faces were fully exposed.
It seemed these private meetings wouldn't last much longer.
Sigh...
So be it.
While the directors were having their unproductive private meeting, Xia Honglang was in his office discussing projects with Xia Qingtian. Xia Honglang placed great importance on this project. In this era of rapid development, major enterprises either improved themselves or successfully transformed to maintain their footing. Xia Honglang intended for Xia's, which traditionally relied on financial models, to seize this opportunity and transition into fintech, aligning with future business trends. This would drive financial innovation through technology and foster a new path with Xia's distinct style by integrating cutting-edge technologies. Xia Honglang had never ventured down this path before; he was currently exploring it cautiously, but thankfully, he had Xia Qingtian by his side.
Looking at Xia Qingtian, who was diligently reviewing documents, Xia Honglang felt a surge of emotion. In the past, he would never have imagined Xia Qingtian helping him in his career. He would have been grateful if she had just not opposed Liu Ru or bullied Xia Qingyu. Even if Xia Qingtian's mind was solely occupied by entertainment and shopping, he would have accepted it. But unexpectedly...
"Sigh..." Xia Honglang sighed.
"Hmm?" Xia Qingtian looked up at Xia Honglang. "Dad? What's wrong?"
"Qingtian, you've truly grown up," Xia Honglang said sentimentally.
Hearing this, Xia Qingtian smiled somewhat helplessly. Having lived two lives, experiencing the darkest times, falling into the most terrifying purgatory, dying in fire, and being reborn through an accident, she had gone through countless trials and tribulations – being chased, schemed against, and framed... If she were still as naive as she was in her previous life, she would have died countless times over.
"What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll have Secretary Liu prepare something for you," Xia Honglang suggested, glancing at the time.
"What should we eat..." Xia Qingtian looked at the drizzling rain outside. "This rain seems endless... How about we don't eat at the company? Let's call Aunt Liu and go for hot pot!"
"Hot pot?" Xia Honglang was slightly taken aback, then said, "Alright, I'll have Secretary Liu book a table."
"Then I'll contact Aunt Liu. Is 12 o'clock okay?" Xia Qingtian took out her phone.
"Okay."
...
Meanwhile, at City High School, as soon as the lunch break bell rang, everyone stood up and headed towards the cafeteria.
"Nie Qingkong, are you going to the cafeteria? Want to join us?" a bold girl asked enthusiastically.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but I believe classmate Xia will take responsibility," Nie Qingkong replied with a smile.
"..." Xia Qingyu, who was about to walk out with an umbrella, froze instantly. She then turned to Nie Qingkong and asked stiffly, "Do you want to go together?"
"Since classmate Xia has kindly invited me, then let's go together," Nie Qingkong finally said, standing up.
*I wish I could invite you myself!* Xia Qingyu secretly rolled her eyes. If Nie Qingkong hadn't deliberately emphasized the word "responsibility" when talking to others, she would have pretended not to hear him. There were plenty of girls who wanted to share an umbrella with Nie Qingkong, so why was he specifically targeting her? It was exasperating.
Watching Xia Qingyu and Nie Qingkong walk away, the rejected girl's face darkened completely. She clenched her fists by her sides, gritting her teeth.
"Forget it, Yuqian. Do you not remember what happened to Qian Xiaoyue and the 'Heiress Sisters'?" another girl reminded her. After the parent-teacher meeting, the "Heiress Sisters," who had been arrogant at school, became a laughingstock. Each member became an object of ridicule, and the "Heiress Sisters" disbanded. Qian Xiaoyue, after the school reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed the facts, publicly apologized to the entire school during the morning exercises, losing all face. She was then suspended for two weeks. After returning, no one paid any attention to her; she was both detestable and pitiable.
"It's fine, I just feel so sorry for Nie Qingkong," Yuqian said, suppressing her anger, her lips turning downwards. "He's being deceived by Xia Qingyu like this. Perhaps after being toyed with, he'll be cruelly abandoned..."
"But what can we do? Who told Xia Qingyu to be the school beauty? And she has such a famous celebrity sister backing her up..." someone said enviously.
"Then can't we find a way to expose her true colors?" Yuqian raised an eyebrow slightly, then beckoned with her finger. "Come here, I have something to tell you all."