Chapter 125: Mass Defection
After seeing off Vice City Lord Jiang and the others, Lin Xinghe quickly walked out of the Futai Building and returned to his wife and daughter. Just then, he saw Deputy Director Qian’s car slowly approaching, and his expression instantly turned ugly.
"It seems things don’t look good for us today! Deputy Director Qian’s status far exceeds Vice City Lord Jiang’s, especially since he’s in charge of investment promotion. We can forget about the wealthy businessmen from the Provincial City. Now, all we can do is hope our Luocheng businessmen don’t get swayed."
Hua Yao and Lin Ruoxi also wore worried expressions. Her uncle was too ruthless to have even invited Deputy Director Qian. This was simply overkill! It was like using a cannon to swat a fly!
’How could they possibly handle this?’
Only Cheng Yuan’s expression remained calm, because he was the one who had invited Deputy Director Qian. Deputy Director Qian was Shen Jiangnan’s senior, and the two shared an unbreakable bond.
With his back slightly bowed, Lin Xingchen scurried forward in mincing steps to greet the man. His face was plastered with an undisguised, fawning smile as he eagerly opened the car door for Deputy Director Qian.
Lin Xingchen thoughtfully placed his hand on top of the doorframe. Honestly, Deputy Director Qian’s arrival was a huge, pleasant surprise for him.
"Director Qian, I am truly humbled that you would personally come to guide our work!"
Deputy Director Qian’s attitude was indifferent. He only nodded slightly, then, flanked by Lin Xingchen and a secretary, he walked toward the crowd with a steady gait.
The wealthy businessmen from the Provincial City had faces flushed with excitement.
"Old Lin is incredible! He actually managed to get Director Qian to come!"
"We have to share a few drinks with Director Qian later. A single favorable policy from him could set us up for years."
"This trip to Luocheng was well worth it! I originally thought we were just doing the Lin Family a favor, but I didn’t expect we’d end up owing them a huge one!"
...
Listening to the chatter from the Provincial City businessmen, the hearts of Lin Xinghe, Hua Yao, and Lin Ruoxi sank.
With Deputy Director Qian’s arrival, any advantage they’d had instantly vanished into thin air.
’Could it be? Are we still unable to surmount the mountain that is Huanyu Group?’
Just as the hearts of Lin Ruoxi’s family of three had almost sunk to rock bottom, Deputy Director Qian suddenly changed direction without any warning, walked straight toward Lin Xinghe, and extended his hand.
"Xinghe, you’ve done me wrong. Your Yuanxi Auction House is having its inaugural auction today, so why didn’t you send me an invitation? You won’t blame me for showing up uninvited, will you?"
Huh?
Lin Xingchen was dumbfounded.
The wealthy businessmen from the Provincial City were dumbfounded!
All the staff members from both sides were dumbfounded!
Lin Ruoxi’s family was also a bit stunned.
’Wasn’t Deputy Director Qian invited by Huanya? Why did he go over to the Yuanxi side?’
Lin Xinghe felt like he’d just won the lottery. His head was spinning and his face flushed bright red. He gripped Deputy Director Qian’s hand tightly, stammering incoherently.
"D-Director Qian, it’s my fault. I should have sent you an invitation! Later, I’ll drink three glasses as an apology! No, three isn’t enough! I’ll make it six!"
Deputy Director Qian smiled. "During work hours, let’s not drink alcohol. A non-alcoholic beverage will do."
"I was being thoughtless. You’re right, Director Qian! We’ll toast with non-alcoholic drinks!"
Deputy Director Qian’s rank was so high that Lin Xinghe and Hua Yao greeted him together.
"Director Qian, this way to the VIP room, please. Several of Luocheng’s leaders are also there, so it’s a perfect opportunity for you all to connect."
"Oh? Colleagues from Luocheng are here too? Then we should definitely take the time to connect."
Chatting and laughing, the three of them headed into the Futai Building.
This time, Lin Xinghe and Hua Yao didn’t make a point of parading Deputy Director Qian past the Huanya crowd. Given the Director’s status, there was simply no need for such a display.
The wealthy businessmen from the Provincial City looked at one another, their minds a complete muddle.
’What the hell? How did they pull off this magic trick?’
’Why did Deputy Director Qian go to Yuanxi Auction House?’
’Isn’t this a slap in Elder Lin’s face?’
’If we still attend Huanya’s inaugural auction, won’t we be setting ourselves against Deputy Director Qian?’
For a moment, the gazes of the Provincial City businessmen flickered with uncertainty.
"Dad, what’s going on with Deputy Director Qian? Didn’t you invite him?"
Watching the trio depart, chatting and laughing, Lin Ruolong looked at his father in complete confusion.
Lin Xingchen was utterly dumbfounded, his mind a total blank. He simply couldn’t comprehend why the VIP he had personally invited would suddenly defect.
’My younger brother has always been a marginal figure in the Lin Family, completely removed from any matters of inheritance. He couldn’t possibly have any significant connection to Deputy Director Qian!’
’What on earth is going on?’
Cheng Yuan shot Lin Xingchen a sly grin. "Uncle, thank you for helping us host our honored guest—again!"
PFFT!!
This time, Lin Xingchen was so furious he nearly suffered an internal injury.
"You!!"
Lin Xingchen pointed a trembling finger at Cheng Yuan’s nose, rendered speechless.
Lin Ruolong roared, "Cheng, don’t get cocky! You only have a single-digit number of Treasure Holders, and you don’t even have a single Antique Appraiser! Yuanxi’s inaugural auction is doomed to be a laughingstock!"
Cheng Yuan grinned. "I’m not sure if Yuanxi is a laughingstock, but I am sure that Huanya is the laughingstock now. I’ll have to trouble you to send all the VIPs from the Provincial City over to our Yuanxi Auction House."
Lin Xingchen’s heart sank. ’Don’t tell me there’s a problem with the Provincial City businessmen too?’
Lin Ruolong retorted furiously, "Cheng, are you dreaming? The VIPs from the Provincial City were all invited by our Lin Family! What does that have to do with you?"
Not wanting any more trouble from the Provincial City businessmen, Lin Xingchen forced a strained smile. "Everyone, the VIP room is this way."
Sometimes, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
Lin Xingchen’s worst fear came true. The Provincial City businessmen, who had been so enthusiastic just a moment ago, suddenly did a complete 180.
"President Lin, my apologies, but given today’s situation, I’m afraid I can’t support you on this."
"President Lin, I’m very sorry, but I truly can’t afford to offend Deputy Director Qian."
"President Lin, next time... next time I’ll definitely come to show my support at Huanya Auction House!"
...
In a sudden rush, the Provincial City businessmen flocked to the Yuanxi side. They looked at Lin Ruoxi with ingratiating smiles. "Miss Lin, we hope you don’t mind us showing up uninvited?"
Lin Ruoxi was trembling with excitement.
’Even the businessmen from the Provincial City have defected!’
’Huanya Auction House’s inaugural auction is doomed to be a laughingstock!’
’I can’t believe it... In a head-on confrontation, we completely crushed the mountain that is Huanyu Group!’
Lin Ruoxi took a deep look at Cheng Yuan. ’All of this... it’s all because of the man I found on the subway! How did I get so lucky?’
"Not at all! We’re thrilled to have you! The first-row seats are already taken, but I can arrange for you all to have seats in the second or third row!"
"Hahaha, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much, Miss Lin!"
Lin Ruoxi personally greeted the businessmen from the Provincial City, leading them into the Futai Building as they chatted and laughed.
Of course, Cheng Yuan wouldn’t miss the chance to twist the knife. He looked at Lin Xingchen with a beaming smile. "Rest assured, Uncle. We at Yuanxi Auction House will be sure to host the businessmen you invited from the Provincial City with the utmost hospitality—on your behalf, of course!"