No matter what, Zhu Changming had to find a way to avoid fulfilling the bet!
While Zhu Changming was racking his brain, the elders of the Zhu family had already arrived.
Of course, they were also holding the contract!
"Patriarch, a bet between family members is just words spoken in anger. Is it appropriate to do this?"
An elder arrived at the scene and whispered to the Patriarch of the Zhu family, trying to dissuade him.
He had already heard the whole story from others on the way, so he understood.
It was just a bet, wasn't it?
But in the elder's opinion, the Zhu family was not numerous.
The Patriarch of the Zhu family had only one daughter.
In ten to twenty years, a new patriarch would have to be chosen from the collateral branches.
To expel Zhu Changming now because of a small bet was really too much!
The Patriarch of the Zhu family smiled faintly and retorted, "If I had lost the bet just now, would you have said the same thing?"
Don't think he didn't know.
Because the Patriarch of the Zhu family had only one daughter, these elders had been dissatisfied with him for a long time!
They had been looking for an opportunity to persuade him to give up the position of patriarch.
The Patriarch of the Zhu family dared to say that if he had lost the bet just now,
this elder would definitely not have persuaded him, but would have even rejoiced and expelled the Patriarch of the Zhu family and his daughter from the Zhu family!
"What you're saying, you are all members of the Zhu family, the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh."
The elder did not expect the Patriarch of the Zhu family to ask so directly, and his face showed embarrassment.
The Patriarch of the Zhu family merely snorted coldly.
He picked up the contract and said, "He's not a child anymore, he should be responsible for his words and actions!"
"Don't say I'm unreasonable. How can I go back on my word after making a bet in front of so many people?"
When it came to speaking righteously, the Patriarch of the Zhu family could spout a whole basketful of words to silence others!
Moreover.
This time, it was indeed Zhu Changming who had provoked first.
He had been negotiating well with the Patriarch of the Xie family.
As a result, Zhu Changming had interfered.
Now, Zhu Changming's interference had not only failed to prove the Xie family useless,
but had also exposed the Xie family's internal energy martial artists.
Then the terms previously agreed upon with the Patriarch of the Xie family would likely have to be renegotiated!
Thinking of this, the Patriarch of the Zhu family felt a headache, and his dislike for Zhu Changming grew even stronger!
"Patriarch, think about it again. You are all family. Moreover, you are brothers..." the elder tried to continue persuading.
Zhu Changming, standing beside them, his eyes lit up at the words and he nodded vigorously.
Shedding all his fierceness,
he apologized to the Patriarch of the Zhu family, "Big brother, I have reflected on it just now. It was indeed my fault this time."
"I came to trouble you without understanding the situation beforehand."
"What I said just now was all in anger. I actually still want to stay in the Zhu family and be brothers with you."
Of course, Zhu Changming knew how hypocritical these words were.
Wanting to stay in the Zhu family, wanting to continue to be brothers with the Patriarch of the Zhu family.
That was all false.
The main reason was that he couldn't bear to part with his shares!
The Patriarch of the Zhu family raised his eyes and looked at Zhu Changming up and down with a playful gaze.
Then he leaned forward with a smile, their noses almost touching!
Zhu Changming's heart pounded, unable to guess the Patriarch of the Zhu family's intentions, and he began to mutter to himself.
After a long while.
The Patriarch of the Zhu family said sarcastically, "Good, I never realized before that your skin is so thick!"
"You forced me to agree to the bet, and now you've lost and want to back out?"
Making excuses was indeed first-class!
But he didn't even have the ability to bear the consequences!
Zhu Changming's face turned pale and then red from the sarcasm, but he was too choked up to speak.
Now he couldn't care about dignity or anything else.
As long as he could stay in the Zhu family and keep his shares,
he would do anything!
Seeing Zhu Changming's appearance.
The Patriarch of the Zhu family lost his patience.
He straightened up and turned to the elder, "Expel his name from the family registry now, otherwise I will call a family meeting."
Family meeting?
Upon hearing this, the elder shrank his head and dared not persuade him further.
He merely took out the family registry, crossed out Zhu Changming's name in front of him.
Then he signed the equity transfer agreement and handed it to Zhu Changming.
"Sign it," the elder sighed.
Zhu Changming's eyes widened, and he shook his head frantically.
He couldn't understand how the Patriarch of the Zhu family was still holding onto it even after he had apologized!
It was just a small bet!
"You really won't sign?"
"Then I will have to call a family meeting and let others judge the case!"
The Patriarch of the Zhu family said coldly.
Being the head of a family, and having held this position for so many years,
even having only one daughter and not being ousted,
showed that the Patriarch of the Zhu family indeed had some skills.
He had quite a few supporters behind him!
If a family meeting were truly held, those who could speak up for Zhu Changming would be in the minority after all.
Most people stood on the side of the Patriarch of the Zhu family.
At that time.
Zhu Changming would still be expelled from the Zhu family and forced to hand over his shares.
It was possible that the dividends and benefits Zhu Changming had received from the Zhu family before would have to be returned!
Therefore, upon hearing the Patriarch of the Zhu family's words, Zhu Changming's expression changed.
He glared resentfully at the Patriarch of the Zhu family, biting his trembling lips, "Big brother, are you really so heartless?"
The Patriarch of the Zhu family did not bother to answer, but merely raised his chin, signaling Zhu Changming to stop chattering and sign quickly.
Zhu Changming now knew that there was no turning back.
Fortunately, his son was born early.
He now held some shares in the Zhu family.
It was not too bad that only he himself was expelled...
Thinking of this, Zhu Changming could only pick up the pen with grief and indignation.
He signed his name on the equity transfer agreement!
"Big brother, mountains and rivers may change, but they will always flow.
We brothers will meet again someday."
Zhu Changming put down the pen and left with a flick of his sleeve!
Looking at Zhu Changming's retreating back, the elder sighed.
"Patriarch, you are brothers, you have treated him too harshly! What will others think of you!"
The elder's words seemed to be for the Patriarch of the Zhu family's reputation.
But his true thoughts were known only to himself!
The Patriarch of the Zhu family waved his hand, "I will listen if you scold me."
"I'd like to see who has the courage to scold me to my face!"
After speaking, the Patriarch of the Zhu family made a gesture of invitation, "Elder, thank you for making this trip. I still have matters to discuss with the Patriarch of the Xie family, so I will not see you out."
The elder could only shake his head helplessly and walked away with his hands behind his back.
The others who had come with Zhu Changming, seeing that Zhu Changming had been shamefully driven out of the house.
They all looked at each other.
Before the Patriarch of the Zhu family could say anything to drive them away, they wisely left on their own!
For fear that if they ran any slower, the Patriarch of the Zhu family would come after them to settle accounts!
After everyone in the room had left.
Finally, there was some peace and quiet.