Chapter 7 Gentle but Firm, Authoritative but Not Overbearing

Chapter 7 Gentle but Firm, Authoritative but Not Overbearing

However, on the day of the conference opening ceremony, Chen Wan didn’t spot Zhao Shengge’s seat or nameplate on the podium.

Over the years, Zhao Shengge has kept an increasingly low profile, and when he occasionally attends meetings, he adheres to the "three no's" principle—no speaking, no appearing on camera, and no interviews.

Financial journalists and the media industry have reached a consensus that even in occasions he attends, no one would dare aim a camera or microphone at him.

The hall has a Roman-style circular layout, laid with thick carpets and warm-toned chandeliers, quite impressive.

The event drew a large crowd, and the security was exceptionally strict. Chen Wan was assigned a rather remote seat at the back.

He scanned the room and confirmed Zhao Shengge’s absence.

Despite his high status, he wasn’t seated in the main hall, hidden among the sea of people, like a watchful eye from above, a hand controlling the overall situation behind the scenes.

The chamber’s vice chairman outlined several preferential policies that would be piloted in the Bay Area in slightly accented Mandarin, encouraging innovators to seize the opportunity and be the first to take the leap.

Chen Wan quickly picked up on several key terms and noted them down in his notebook, planning to go over them with his partners later.

The break lasted a solid half hour. Zhuo Zhixuan crossed most of the venue to chat with Chen Wan at the back. He didn’t have his own business and attended this boring meeting entirely under family pressure.

Being cut off from his phone for hours had nearly driven Zhuo Zhixuan mad.

"You actually took notes," Zhuo Zhixuan glanced at the words Chen Wan had noted down and casually remarked, "You’d be better off reaching out to Shen Zongnian than waiting for this draft to take effect."

Zhuo Zhixuan lowered his voice slightly: "The chamber has no authority over Jieyu, it's Zhao's territory."

Directly contacting Zhao Shengge wasn’t an option, but Shen Zongnian could still help make connections.

"No need," Chen Wan said.

Zhuo Zhixuan: "Don't be naive."

Preferential policies do encourage resource flow and fairness, to some extent, but they are too slow. The real stuff has already been circulated among the top, leaving crumbs for the lower tiers to fight over.

Chen Wan took a sip of black tea and still shook his head.

Zhuo Zhixuan let out a frustrated laugh: "Why are you so stubborn, Chen Wan."

Sometimes he really didn’t know what Chen Wan was thinking. He appeared laid-back and unambitious, yet he navigated every situation smoothly; he seemed scheming and calculating, but it was not the case at all.

Thinking carefully, he had never seen anyone around them manage like this.

Frankly, it was embarrassing. Many things were simple and not worth mentioning to them, but Chen Wan never spoke up, always going the long way himself. Those who had only shared a few drinks with Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian, mere acquaintances, had long been flaunting their borrowed authority.

The perks went to outsiders, and Zhuo Zhixuan was displeased, his voice rising slightly: "Chen Wan, can't you have some plans?"

Chen Wan, ever the good sport, smiled without a word.

After quickly reviewing his notes to ensure there were no omissions, he said nonchalantly: "Don't worry about me."

"I know what I'm doing."

Zhuo Zhixuan couldn’t communicate with him. Chen Wan seemed easy-going, but he was very determined and unyielding in his decisions.

During the two-day conference, Zhao Shengge did not appear.

Maybe people’s paths crossing is a matter of fate, but effort plays a bigger role.

Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared. Even after nine misses, the tenth time might just be the charm, and Chen Wan could still find renewed energy.

That tenth time was at an auction, from afar.

Zhao Shengge is unassuming, never surrounded by a crowd of bodyguards or assistants. Today, he didn’t even bring an assistant, walking alone to take the central seat prepared by the organizers.

Each viewing seat was spaced far apart, preventing neighbors from disturbing each other.

Chen Wan was seated in a secluded and shadowy corner, and from afar, Zhao Shengge appeared even more introspective than before.

He truly enjoyed observing Zhao Shengge. The way he crossed his long legs, leaned back in his chair, and lowered his gaze to read the catalog reminded Chen Wan of a lion indifferently surveying his domain—serene yet languid, with a hint of ennui, occasionally glancing up before returning to his own world.

The dim lighting cast a quiet silhouette, radiating an aura of solitary grandeur.

Zhao Shengge seemed different from Chen Wan’s memory. Even Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian, who grew up with him, might not notice the difference. But Chen Wan was too fond of observing Zhao Shengge, so he was infinitely close to the truth—that Zhao was masking his weariness with growing authority.

Power inevitably comes with its own chains.

Zhao Shengge was like an unyielding mountain, with that faint, almost imperceptible weariness resembling fallen leaves adrift in a secluded valley—insignificant, unnoticed, known only to the birds that fly to this mountain daily.

Chen Wan was that bird, perpetually circling the mountain.

The auction hadn’t started yet, and the surrounding guests chatted in low voices. Chen Wan could catch fragments of dialogue.

"He jumped from the financial building, the 78th floor. The pool in Huajing Park was tinted crimson with blood, and many people saw it."

"The police came quickly to clean up and barred the media from filming. Mrs. Mai has been crying every day and even went to Minglong Building to protest for justice."

"I heard it wasn’t because of that bad debt. Mai Jiahui was dishonest, scheming and attempting to ally with the Hua family. Later... he simply grew impatient, even more hard-hearted than his father."

"...You can’t mess with him... signing charity contracts for disabled children while driving wealthy enemies to bankruptcy and suicide... life and death, separated by a single thought."

The person was like an unmentionable figure, and everyone tacitly avoided mentioning him.

A slight commotion arose nearby when a staff member made a mistake while serving tea to Zhao Shengge’s table. The surrounding guests fell silent, averting their eyes.

But Chen Wan saw Zhao Shengge gesture politely, calmly saying it was fine, his voice gentle and composed.

Chen Wan thought that even if Zhao Shengge had overheard the gossip from those people earlier, he wouldn’t have been angry or upset.

Zhao Shengge was actually more amiable than most. Despite his imposing aura, his demeanor was always calm—firm yet gentle, commanding but not domineering.

Though his methods could be ruthless, that was another matter.

Chen Wan paid little heed to what was being auctioned.

He only knew that Zhao Shengge acquired a Ming Dynasty Wanli blue lotus vase, as the auctioneer called the price only once before closing the bid. No one dared to compete with Zhao Shengge.

At the end, Zhao Shengge walked out with a middle-aged man, much older than him. Perhaps due to height, the well-known official from Haishi seemed diminished in stature standing beside Zhao Shengge.

The two occasionally conversed, with Zhao Shengge speaking less and listening more.

The auction had strict criteria for guest invitations, so the crowd was sparse. Passersby greeted Zhao Shengge with a respectful "Mr. Zhao" without being intrusive.

Chen Wan was one of them.

As he walked out of the exhibition hall with a colleague, he briefly passed by Zhao Shengge but didn’t stop, nor did their eyes meet.

It didn’t surprise Chen Wan that Zhao Shengge didn’t recognize or even notice him.

Even though he had attended a few dinners with Zhao Shengge thanks to Tan Youming and Zhuo Zhixuan’s connections, Zhao Shengge wouldn’t remember a random person.

Chen Wan was always acutely aware of his position.

And he didn’t mind—he wasn’t seeking that.