Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Jing Xi didn’t need to attend this particular business dinner, as Hao Jixin usually handled these, but the deal was too significant for Hao Jixin to manage alone.

Inside the VIP room, Jing Xi calmly surveyed the familiar faces of businessmen, some connections made through Zhu. Being a branch office, it was nominally under Minghuan Entertainment, but Jing Xi owned all the shares.

Excluding what was given to Hao Jixin, Jing Xi had the majority stake, essentially controlled by his ‘national advisor’, or effectively by himself.

Many businessmen were aware of the recent events in City B, recognizing Jing Xi’s assertive approach. To them, he was no longer just a former actor but a formidable force - a wolf in disguise, capable of striking fiercely if provoked.

As a result, when they arrived, while other private rooms were bustling with noise, theirs was eerily quiet, with no one daring to take the lead.

Hao Jixin looked around at everyone with curiosity, clicking his tongue. It was really about treating people differently based on their status. When he used to drink with these bosses, they were all so arrogant, but now why were they all acting so subservient here?

Jing Xi was getting impatient, waiting to return home to his Grand Master. With no one speaking up, the atmosphere remained dull. When could they finish signing and leave?

Jing Xi glanced at Hao Jixin, who stood up with a glass of wine: “Meeting here makes us friends. Let me, Hao, drink on behalf of Mr. Jing to all of you. I’ll drink first as a sign of respect, and the rest of you bosses can join as you wish.” He then downed his drink in one gulp.

Everyone hurriedly stood up, flattering eagerly, afraid of missing this opportunity. Although it was a newly opened company, with Jing Xi's fame, financial power, and the information they had gathered, it wouldn’t be long before he wouldn’t even glance back at them.

Connecting with him was hitting the jackpot!

The more informed ones had heard that this famous Jing Xi had a powerful backer named Xie Qingfeng. The name sounded familiar, but they couldn’t remember where they had heard it.

Regardless, they seized the moment and began to toast with Jing Xi.

Except for one person in the corner sending messages on his phone. After sending a message and heaving a sigh of relief, he immediately squeezed forward with a bottle of wine. If it weren’t for the fact that Old Xie had such a good son who had begged him repeatedly, he wouldn’t have bothered to help this time.

The Xie family was clearly on the decline. If Old Xie could seize this opportunity, he might turn things around. It all depended on whether he could convince Mr. Jing to give him a hand.

Elsewhere, in a corner near the stairs of a different private room, Xie’s father, having received a message, became even more tense. This was his last chance to impress Mr. Jing.

Business had been smooth until the last six months when big company contracts weren’t renewed. Although the Xie company was still more robust than others, it was clearly at a disadvantage now.

It wasn’t just for the company, but also for his younger son lying comatose in the hospital; the Xie family could not afford to fail.

He had hoped things would improve with his elder son returning to the country, but it turned out to be a disappointment, with the company doing even worse. He had no choice but to step in himself.

Seizing the rare opportunity, Xie’s father rubbed his face and followed a waiter into the private room, claiming to be a late-arriving guest. The waiter, believing his appearance, didn't think much and let him in.

Jing Xi casually drank, the private room dimly lit. After finishing this drink, he could sign the contract and leave.

As the door opened, he keenly sensed an additional presence. He slowly looked over, but upon recognizing the newcomer, his eyes became sharp and expressionless, staring at Xie’s father with an icy demeanor, unnoticed by others due to the dim lighting.

Xie’s father, relieved to have gotten in, quickly found Mr. Li and received a glass of drink from him: “This is as far as I can help you; the rest is up to you.”

Mr. Li then stepped back, seemingly eager to distance himself.

He thought Old Xie was blind to not see his younger son's actions. The Yin family had declared that anyone cooperating with the Xie family would be opposing them. Moreover, the Xie family had offended other significant figures, leading many to avoid working with them.

But owing a favor to Old Mr. Xie and feeling pity for Xie Weisheng, Mr. Li decided to help this one last time.

Xie’s father took a deep breath, his face not looking great. He was unaccustomed to such treatment, but given the Xie family's current state, he forced a smile and squeezed through the crowd: “Mr. Jing, a young and successful man. I represent the Xie Group. Let me toast to you.” He drank his glass, then looked expectantly at Jing Xi, hoping for a reciprocal gesture.

Most of the bosses recognized Xie’s father but were surprised to see him in their circle now. Considering Jing Xi's status, it made sense for Xie’s father to be so obsequious.

News of the Xie family’s troubles hadn't spread yet, so Xie’s father could still maintain his dignity, but it wouldn’t be long before the truth came out.

The other bosses were ready to continue the lively atmosphere until they noticed Jing Xi’s cold demeanor, not responding to Xie’s father’s chuckles.

Xie’s father finally sensed something was amiss, his face heating up with a mix of embarrassment and anger, but not wanting to offend Jing Xi: “Mr. Jing?”

Hao Jixin was the first to realize something was off with Jing Xi. Feeling dizzy from a few extra drinks, he looked in the direction of Jing Xi's gaze and almost dropped his glass: “Damn, who invited him here?”

Mr. Li’s face changed, and he reluctantly admitted: "…Me. I thought Mr. Jing might be interested in more business deals, didn’t think too much about it..."

Seeing Hao Jixin’s reaction, Xie’s father became alarmed, thinking Hao might have spoken ill of him to Jing Xi. He quickly said, “Mr. Jing, past matters are behind us. You shouldn’t judge my character based on a few words from others. I’m sincerely seeking to collaborate with you.”

Just as Hao Jixin was about to have him thrown out, Jing Xi raised his hand to stop him, looking emotionlessly at Xie’s father: “You want to collaborate with me?”

Xie's father, sensing an opportunity, immediately nodded: "Of course, who wouldn’t want to collaborate with you, Mr. Jing?"

Jing Xi smiled at him, but it didn't reach his eyes: "Really? If you can finish this row of drinks, I’ll consider it."

Hao Jixin was surprised at this sudden kindness, but upon hearing that phrase “I’ll consider it,” his eyes lit up with glee. Truly, Jing Xi's cunning knew no bounds.

First giving hope and then personally shattering it, followed by throwing him out, tsk tsk.

Xie's father, not quite understanding the implication, thought Jing Xi had agreed to collaborate. Looking at the row of drinks on the table, even though they were low in alcohol content, finishing them all… he could already feel his stomach hurting. But considering the company’s current situation, if he couldn’t secure this deal, they might not last another quarter.

Gritting his teeth, Xie's father said, “Alright, if it makes Mr. Jing happy, I’ll drink.” He then started to gulp down the first bottle.

Hao Jixin, cheerfully and helpfully, began to open the rest of the bottles for him.

The rest of the people watched the scene, confused: ?? What’s happening? Why can’t we understand all of a sudden?

At first, Xie's father drank easily, but as he continued, he slowed down, and eventually, he couldn’t drink anymore, glancing at Mr. Li nearby.

Mr. Li shrunk back, pretending not to see him. He wasn’t foolish; he sensed something off and didn’t want to get involved.

Xie's father’s face turned red, especially in such a silent environment, feeling as if his dignity was trampled on. But right now, he was just losing face in front of a few people. If the Xie family couldn’t turn things around, it would be a disgrace in the whole C city circle.

Drinking and grinding his teeth, he thought, when he turns things around, when Wei Huan wakes up, the days of the Xie family will get better…

With the last two bottles, seeing Xie's father couldn’t drink anymore, Hao Jixin “kindly” helped him pour the remaining drink. After finishing, he watched Xie's father slump to the ground without helping, smilingly asked, “Mr. Xie, are you alright? Can you stand up? Don’t have an incident here, we didn’t force you to drink. You chose to drink yourself.”

Xie's father, his mind dizzy, didn’t quite understand, and staggered to his feet, remembering the earlier conversation: “Mr. Jing... Can we, can we collaborate now?”

Jing Xi, looking at his unsteady figure and disheveled appearance, clicked his tongue and spoke condescendingly: “No, we can’t.”

Everyone was stunned: ??

Xie's father, a bit slow to catch on, finally realized something was amiss: “You, you’re going back on your word?”

Jing Xi replied, "When did I agree? I said I’d consider it. But the way you drank didn’t please me. Hao Jixin, throw him out." Xie’s father was a regular here, so someone naturally escorted him back to the Xie residence, but how much he would suffer from drinking so much was his own problem.

Hao Jixin crisply acknowledged the order, rubbing his hands and then dragging out the half-fainted Xie’s father like dragging a dead dog.

When Hao Jixin returned, he saw everyone still standing there pale-faced. He called out, "Keep drinking, everyone. Oh, are we out of drinks? Tsk tsk, all finished by him. No worries, I'll get more brought in. Everyone, don’t be shy. Our Mr. Jing always distinguishes right from wrong. He couldn’t stand hearing about Xie’s father bullying his own son. You know, our Hao family are neighbors with the Xie’s, we know much more than you do. That Mr. Xie... he had it coming."

Everyone suddenly understood, thinking it was a personal grudge, as long as it didn’t involve them.

They also cast reproachful glances at Mr. Li, who was filled with regret, fearing his potential cooperation with Jing Xi was now ruined.

Indeed, as contracts were signed around, Jing Xi pointedly did not sign Mr. Li’s.

Mr. Li didn’t dare say a word, only thinking that he would never associate with Old Xie again; what a disaster. He always knew the man had character issues, but couldn’t resist his good son. Now that he had repaid this favor, he owed nothing more.

The private room only felt breathable again after Jing Xi and Hao Jixin left with the signed contracts.

“Speaking of which, I heard Mr. Jing standing up for justice even back in B city, didn’t he just arrive in C city not long ago?”

“Maybe he really distinguishes good from evil. Don’t bother about it, as long as the contract is signed. I heard Mr. Xie offended someone he shouldn’t have, his company is nearly done for…”

“Really?”

“……”

As everyone chatted, someone suddenly slapped their forehead: “I know why! I kept thinking why the name of the largest shareholder of Minghuan Entertainment sounded so familiar. Xie Qingfeng, isn’t that the name of the true young master who was found by the Xie Group not long ago?”

Only because he stayed with the Xie family for a month and then had a scandal, they had heard of it, but didn’t pay much attention, so they didn’t remember well.

Now that they thought about it, it was indeed that name.

Everyone was stunned: “Damn… Is it the same person or just a namesake? If it’s the same person, this is going to be interesting.”