Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Xie Yunshen only then realized that this technology forum was being broadcast live. Present were authoritative news media journalists from Country A and dozens of television stations.

Several major national entertainment platforms were also livestreaming it; no wonder Yan Shiying was making such a big deal of it.

Top figures from all sectors of the northern region of South Province had gathered here.

Xie Yunshen loved occasions like these the most; basically, he and Yi Wuyi didn't have to worry about security.

The two of them were stationed in the conference hall aisle, with a buffet and various cutting-edge tech exhibitions nearby. It was essentially getting paid to eat, drink, and have fun.

Before the actual lecture, there was a tech exhibition presentation.

The holographic imaging technology from Yan's Group was drawing a lot of attention at this tech conference.

Many company representatives and journalists had gathered at Yan's Group's technology exhibition booth.

This presentation was led by Yan Shiying. Facing various media questions, Yan Shiying, as expected from someone who built himself up from nothing, remained calm and composed, handling it all with ease.

A middle-aged man with a piercing gaze asked, "Sir, you are not the chairman of Yan's Group, are you?"

Yan Shiying sensed the hostility in his question and replied, "No, but I am the chairman's younger brother."

Xie Yunshen was a bit surprised. In just a short while, Yan Shiying could already openly and confidently admit he was Yan Shiqi's younger brother.

That middle-aged man, speaking in somewhat broken A-language, laughed and said, "It seems your Yan family has indeed been getting too big for their britches lately. Even at a national tech forum like this, the chairman of Yan's Group can't be bothered to personally give the presentation."

The journalists present immediately started snapping pictures and recording. The Yan family had indeed been in the spotlight recently, and journalists had been regretting not getting a shot with the Yan family head himself.

Now, wasn't this news angle just delivered?

Representatives from other competing companies mostly smiled as well, as if to say Yan Shiqi was being too bold.

At such an important official live-broadcast event, it was basically always the CEO or president who took charge personally. Letting a newcomer handle the task alone was unusual.

The risk was too great.

Yan Shiying replied calmly, "Then guess why the technology forum gave the Yan family two slots?"

The man scanned the room. "After all, some so-called major families always try to slack off. How else could they get the job done without two slots?"

The Chen and Bai family heads nearby were the first to start clapping, then everyone began to applaud, and the journalists nodded and joined in the laughter.

In this way, Yan Shiying instantly raised the profile of Yan's Group and also showed respect to the forum organizers.

The man's expression turned cold. What Yan Shiying said was indeed true; only enterprises with enough clout would be granted an exception for two slots.

For example, his own group only had one slot.

Xie Yunshen opened a livestreaming app on his phone. Sure enough, the live comments were already full of praise for Yan Shiying.

For this kind of technology forum, the viewers were mostly university students. Probably young people liked the sharp, go-getter attitude Yan Shiying exuded.

"But as far as I know, you didn't lift a finger for the completion of this imaging technology, did you?" the middle-aged magnate continued.

"That's correct." Yan Shiying smiled slightly and motioned for him to look back. "Mr. Cui, my elder brother is right over there. You're welcome to ask him directly."

Yan Shiying, who had just been on the offensive, now unexpectedly backed down, catching everyone off guard.

The journalists' cameras followed the direction of Yan Shiying's gesture, and everyone turned to look.

They saw Yan Shiqi sitting in the waiting area opposite the lecture hall, staring expressionlessly in this direction.

Almost everyone's hearts skipped a beat simultaneously.

Flashbulbs kept popping.

Even with the lenses now focused on him, his stern, composed expression showed not a flicker of change, and his innate air of authority didn't waver in the slightest.

As for the spectacle he had just seen, he remained so calm it was almost dismissive.

People immediately understood Yan Shiying's words.

Yan Shiying was already a standout among his peers, but Yan Shiqi was a natural leader.

So, for tasks like presentations that required interaction and engagement, it was better to let the more personable Yan Shiying handle them.

Xie Yunshen, standing nearby, excitedly grabbed Yi Wuyi's shoulder. "Old Five, did you see that? Mr. Yan's eyelashes look so long under the camera flashes, hmm... so handsome."

Yi Wuyi: "...Your focus is always so... fresh?"

"...The word is 'novel'."

Xie Yunshen looked down at his phone's live stream again.

"I thought the younger brother was already invincible in the world."

"Turns out the elder brother is even more top-tier."

"Elder brother, kick me please."

The screen was already flooded with similar stream chat comments.

Xie Yunshen was puzzled: What did these comments mean?

After the exhibition came the lecture time. Following the lecture, each entrepreneur would have an independent interview segment, about five minutes long.

Huang's Group's stock had plummeted due to the recent mountain road collapse incident. Huang Jiazhu was overwhelmed and looked utterly haggard.

Even during the official technology interview, a journalist brought up the matter. Huang Jiazhu could only smile bitterly and say, "I deeply apologize. Personally, I feel immensely ashamed for failing to identify the problem in time, causing such severe harm and burden to society and the people. Huang's Group will take full responsibility for this disaster, for the victims and those affected by this incident. We will absolutely not shirk our responsibility."

"Online, some people are comparing Huang's Group's performance in this matter with Yan's Group's. Do you think their comments are fair?"

The question was too sharp.

Huang Jiazhu felt aggrieved and extremely resentful inside, because he had just learned that Yan Shiqi had rectified the overweight issue in the South District electronics factory transport team just two days prior.

It was as if he could foresee the future; the timing was so coincidental, almost divinely assisted.

Clearly, everyone had problems, but it was his Huang family that got unlucky, while the Yan family instead became the beneficiary.

If Yan's Group had also been overloaded this time, then they would be the ones facing the storm.

In front of the official live broadcast, Huang Jiazhu didn't dare show any emotion. "I openly accept the public's criticism. Yan's Group is an outstanding enterprise in South Province. Huang's Group humbly learns from Yan's Group."

What was most soul-crushing was that not long after, the official South Province announcement specifically praised Yan's Group for its social responsibility as an outstanding enterprise.

The stocks of several major companies under Yan's Group also hit the daily limit increase overnight.

Word spread among the five major families: The Huang family, once staunchly loyal to Top Star Gate, suddenly lost its advantage, while the Yan family, which opposed Top Star Gate, is thriving and doing better and better.

Now that's intriguing.

Of course, that's a story for later.

Meanwhile, the interviews were still ongoing. The questions for Yan Group were standard, but the moment Yan Shiqi appeared on screen, the barrage skyrocketed.

This was Yan Shiqi's first appearance before a national audience as the Chairman of Yan Group, naturally causing quite a stir.

"Anyway: thirty-four, unmarried, Chairman of a top enterprise in South Province, Patriarch Yan, and that face—each one on its own is oozing sexual tension!"

"A real-life domineering CEO, ahhhhh!"

"Ugh, who should I pick, Yan Shiqi or Yan Shiying?"

The reporter's final question: "For Yan Group to have come this far, what do you think has been the biggest help: your own efforts or external forces?"

Yan Shiqi's gaze suddenly shifted toward a direction outside the venue, then he answered with a polite smile instead: "There are external forces, but that is a secret bestowed by the gods."

The female reporter across from him smiled knowingly.

"He definitely has someone he likes."

"Boo hoo, all of us here, me included, have lost..."

Xie Yunshen was also watching Yan Shiqi's interview via the live stream.

He was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lao Wu with a serious expression: "A divine secret? What other secrets does Mr. Yan have?"

"A-Xie, you're done for," Yi Wuyi suddenly said.

"What do you mean I'm done for?" Xie Yunshen was focused on the barrage in the live stream and replied casually.

Yi Wuyi grabbed the sides of his head, forcing him to turn and look.

A familiar figure was standing in the crowd below, looking around.

That irritable and sinister demeanor—wasn't that the tycoon heir who had clashed with them on the cruise ship before?

"What's he doing here too..."

"This tech forum, some foreign tech companies are also here as observers. He probably came with his tycoon father."

"He's healed up fast; seems to be in good shape."

"He saw Mr. Yan here, so he's definitely looking for you everywhere." Yi Wuyi didn't understand why he still looked so nonchalant.

Xie Yunshen moved to his side, perfectly blocking the tycoon heir's line of sight.

Yi Wuyi said, "His father is a notoriously major tycoon in Country B, who's already been in and out seven times."

"What does that mean?"

"Charged with things like contract killing, bribery, and illegal transactions. He's been to prison seven times, but he was out again in under two months each time."

Indeed, like father, like son.

The lecture concluded successfully.

At that moment, Mr. Yan began making his way over to the aisle.

"If Mr. Yan comes over, that rooster-voiced guy will spot him immediately," Xie Yunshen said.

"Fall back behind the door," Yi Wuyi said.

It wasn't that they feared the heir causing trouble, but in such a serious setting, they absolutely couldn't embarrass the Yan family or Mr. Yan.

So, amidst the uniform crowd of black-suited bodyguards, Yi Wuyi and Xie Yunshen, like conjoined twins, silently retreated behind the door.

On his way over, Yan Shiqi was stopped several times for exchanges and greetings. It took him over ten minutes to make his way from the venue to the aisle.

During this time, the heir's gaze remained fixed on Yan Shiqi, and he shadowed him through the chaotic crowd.

Yan Shiqi noticed too. He sent a message to Yi Wuyi and then got on the elevator.

The tycoon heir watched helplessly as Yan Shiqi entered the elevator alone. In a frenzy, he scratched his head frantically and swore.

"Mr. Yan is asking us to go to the seventh floor. Let's go," Yi Wuyi said, putting away his phone.

The seventh floor was where the organizers had prepared dinner for the guests.

Most importantly, the dining area was only open to invited entrepreneurs. The tycoon father and son were here to view the exhibition and had no access.

The two took the stairs to the seventh floor, their four long legs moving quickly.

In crowded places like this, Xie Yunshen always felt uneasy when not by Mr. Yan's side.

At the entrance to the dining area, Yan Shiqi was waiting for them.

"Let's go eat."

"Wait, are we allowed to eat too?" Xie Yunshen certainly wanted to.

But as bodyguards, in such a setting, what right did they have to dine alongside these big shots?

Yan Shiqi said, "We can apply for family seats."

Oh man, Xie Yunshen really wanted to hug him and nuzzle him.

But in this setting, with so many big shots around, he could only restrain himself.

Yi Wuyi, however, said, "Mr. Yan, I'll wait outside."

"Yeah, me too," Xie Yunshen agreed.

The situation really wasn't appropriate, even though he really wanted to eat.

Yi Wuyi looked at him in surprise. Xie Yunshen closed his eyes, thinking to himself: Come on, I have some tact too.

Many of these big shots probably brought family members, but mostly wives or children.

Only Mr. Yan, bringing two bodyguards to the banquet...

How bad would that sound if it got out?

Yi Wuyi also closed his eyes: He was sure this guy had been waiting all along. If Mr. Yan had just insisted a little more, he would've agreed immediately.

Yan Shiqi looked at them and frowned: "It's just a meal. No need to be so reserved over such a small matter."

Xie Yunshen immediately said, "Exactly. Old Wu, come on, let's go."

Yi Wuyi: I knew it!

The dishes on the table, while not extravagant, were elegant yet understated, clearly prepared with care.

Seated at the table besides Yan Shiying were Patriarch Bai and his wife, Patriarch Chen and his wife, and the recently down-on-his-luck Patriarch Huang.

"Mr. Yan, the Yan family is riding high these days—even the treatment of those around you is exceptional. Even the help gets a place at the table."

Patriarch Huang wore a smile, his words "cordial" yet pointed.

Xie Yunshen's chopsticks hesitated.

The snide remark was lost on no one—it was a clear venting of the day's grievances.

Both Patriarch Chen and Patriarch Bai had witnessed the high regard Mr. Yan had for these two bodyguards.

Especially his attitude toward the young man surnamed Xie, which was even gentler than toward his own two younger brothers.

Yan Shiying smirked to himself—some tactless fool had just gone and poked the bear.

Now, they were simply ready to watch the show.

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Author's note: Time for a no-prize guessing game—guess how Mr. Yan will respond to Patriarch Huang's remark:

A: "Mr. Huang, with your stocks plummeting like that, do you still have an appetite?"

B: "Mr. Huang seems quite impatient today—are you being too protective of the food?"

C: "I forgot—Mr. Huang would rather not see me today. Why don't you go eat at that table?" Then calling over staff to set up a separate table just for him.