The pressure was clearly on Zhou Wen, but he maintained a calm and composed expression.
This was in line with his usual demeanor; the more significant the event, the more steadfast he became.
Zhou Wen smiled slightly and walked leisurely to the dragon chair, addressing Zhou Zhishan, "Grandpa, your grandson wishes you a happy birthday, long life, and enduring health."
Then, he knelt down before Zhou Zhishan.
*Bang, bang, bang* – the sound of three kowtows was clearly heard by everyone present.
Zhou Tai curled his lips, thinking, "This insidious fellow really knows how to put on a show. Why didn't I think of that!"
"Wen'er, please rise quickly. What era is this? There's no need for such grand gestures!"
Although Zhou Zhishan said this, he was very pleased, otherwise, he wouldn't have personally leaned down to help Zhou Wen up.
"Grandpa, it is only right and proper for your grandson to kowtow to you. No matter the era, this custom must not be broken!"
Zhou Wen said with genuine emotion.
Zhou Zhishan stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly. While he might not have favored Zhou Wen the most among his grandchildren, Zhou Wen was undoubtedly the most adept at handling people.
Zhou Tai couldn't bear to watch Zhou Wen's pretense any longer and urged, "Brother Wen, that's enough. Aren't you tired? Hurry up and take out the gift you prepared for Grandpa so we can all see it!"
Zhou Tai's words were far from polite, but Zhou Wen's expression remained unchanged. He replied calmly, "I'm afraid I will disappoint Grandpa. After all, I don't have the gift of gab or the wild imagination that my brother Tai possesses. I can't spin such magical tales as you do."
Zhou Wen's face was placid, but his words were sharp.
Zhou Tai immediately became indignant, "Brother Wen, what kind of talk is that? My story wasn't fabricated; it was a personal experience!"
Zhou Wen smiled faintly, offering no rebuttal.
Seeing the escalating tension between the two grandsons, Zhou Zhishan interjected, "Wen'er, stop being coy. What gift have you prepared for Grandpa?"
"Grandpa, to be precise, I haven't prepared a gift for you."
Zhou Wen said with a smile, his tone as calm as before.
However, these words were like dropping a bombshell into the crowd.
It was as if a single stone had stirred up a thousand waves, and the guests immediately began to buzz with discussion.
Zhou Zhishan's expression suddenly turned cold, his brows furrowed.
Zhou Weiguo's face changed drastically, his heart clenching with anxiety.
He thought, "Wen'er has always been steady in his affairs. How could such a crucial matter have gone awry?"
Meanwhile, Zhou Xingguo and his son Zhou Tai were overjoyed. If it weren't for the presence of so many outsiders, the father and son would have already been celebrating.
"I never thought the usually shrewd and worldly Zhou Wen would act so foolishly at such a critical moment. It must be heaven-sent!"
Zhou Xingguo thought to himself.
However, in the next moment, Zhou Wen spoke again, "To be precise, this gift is for the entire Zhou family. But as it coincides with your eightieth birthday, Grandpa, I'm presenting it to you as a token of my respect. I hope you won't blame your grandson."
As he spoke, Zhou Wen produced a document. "Grandpa, this is the financial report for the first quarter after you tasked me with overseeing the listing of the Zhou Group. Please have a look."
Zhou Zhishan took the report and, after only a few glances, was dumbfounded.
"Market value… two hundred billion. Wen'er, is this financial report truly from our Zhou Group?"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted in an uproar—
No one had expected the Zhou family to have accumulated such immense wealth unknowingly. Two hundred billion, in the entire Weicheng, would undoubtedly rank among the top three!
Zhou Wen nodded, his tone still unfazed, "Of course, it's true. Grandpa, today is your eightieth birthday, and I wouldn't dare to falsify anything to deceive you. Everything I've done is for you, and for the entire Zhou family!"
With these words, Zhou Wen not only subtly mocked Zhou Tai's deception but also elevated himself to the level of the entire Zhou family.
He implicitly conveyed the message that he was the true pillar of the Zhou family.
Zhou Xingguo's heart sank. In just a few sentences, the gap between them was clearly established. His son was only capable of employing clever tricks and could never compete with the deep-thinking Zhou Wen.
As expected, after hearing Zhou Wen's words, Zhou Zhishan nodded repeatedly, uttering three consecutive 'good's.
"Good! Good! Well done!"
"Wen'er, having you in the Zhou family is a blessing. You've achieved in one year what I couldn't accomplish in my entire life. I can rest assured even if I hand over the Zhou family to you right now!"
The signal conveyed by Zhou Zhishan's statement was unmistakable.
Clearly, the new helmsman of the Zhou family had been decided… not Zhou Weiguo, nor Zhou Xingguo, but the third generation of the Zhou family, Zhou Wen!
Zhou Weiguo couldn't help but be secretly astonished. He looked at Zhou Wen incredulously, as if he didn't recognize his own son.
He simply couldn't fathom that Zhou Wen could even outmaneuver his own father.
However, regardless of the circumstances, Zhou Weiguo had ultimately not lost to his second brother, Zhou Xingguo.
Zhou Xingguo, on the other hand, looked like a frosted eggplant, dejected and ashen-faced.
Zhou Wen let out a long sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had navigated the crisis without major incident. Gaining his grandfather's trust was just the first step; now he could proceed with his plans boldly!
A war without bloodshed had thus concluded. Zhou Tai was unconvinced; he still had many moves left unused, and he couldn't understand how he had lost so inexplicably.
However, causing a scene or provoking further conflict now would be unwise. Therefore, he decided to divert the trouble. Regardless, this banquet couldn't end without some gain.
He provocatively stated, "Grandpa, we have all presented our birthday gifts, but there is still one person who hasn't..."
Although Zhou Zhishan was old, he was not blind. He had already noticed Li Ziqing sitting in the corner.
However, he did not wish to mention his granddaughter in front of outsiders.
Furthermore, he did not want any blemishes on his birthday banquet, so he waved his hand and said indifferently, "All those who were supposed to give gifts have done so, and I have received them. As for irrelevant individuals, their birthday gifts are optional."
Zhou Zhishan's words were practically a clear dismissal. Zhou Tai dared not say anything further, but Zhou Tai understood, while Zhou Fan did not.
Seeking revenge on Li Ziqing, she shouted towards the corner, "Li Ziqing, I'm talking to you! Are you pretending to be deaf and mute? Everyone has presented their birthday gifts to Grandpa, what about yours?"
Seeing Li Ziqing's lack of reaction, Zhou Fan shouted again, "Li Ziqing, you didn't prepare a gift for Grandpa, did you? You are Grandpa's granddaughter after all. You traveled all the way from out of town, and you didn't even prepare a birthday gift? How could you be so irresponsible?"
"Who said I didn't prepare a birthday gift?"
Li Ziqing stood up, a slight smile curving her lips as she said leisurely, "Not only did I prepare a birthday gift, but I prepared three!"