Chapter 42: Apologize
Director Jiang didn’t even bother to glance at Cheng Yuan. He said coldly, "Me, invite you back? That’s hilarious! It’s broad daylight, so stop daydreaming, will you? I’ll give you one minute to leave. Don’t disturb my work! Otherwise, I’m calling security!"
Cheng Yuan smiled. "Fine. We’ll leave. Don’t you regret this!"
With that, Cheng Yuan turned and walked away.
Lin Ruoxi was stunned for a moment. ’When did Cheng Yuan’s temper get so good? A moment ago, I was worried he was going to hit someone!’
Lin Ruoxi and her parents hurried to keep up with Cheng Yuan.
However, to their surprise, Cheng Yuan showed no intention of leaving the public service hall. He went to the first-floor rest area and plopped down into a chair.
Lin Ruoxi asked with a confused look, "Cheng Yuan, that Director Jiang clearly doesn’t want to help us. What are you doing sitting here? Let’s hurry and go. We can figure something out somewhere else."
Cheng Yuan gave a mysterious smile. "Ruoxi, Mom, Dad, just sit tight. Director Jiang will be over to invite us back soon enough."
Huh??
The three of them looked at each other, wondering where Cheng Yuan got his confidence from.
However, they didn’t question him and quietly sat down to wait.
Soon, Cheng Yuan’s phone rang. He pulled it out, and a sly smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. "Uncle, did you need something?"
"Xiaocheng, what are you doing at the Administration for Industry and Commerce?"
"I’m planning to register a company and am in the middle of getting the name approved. But a Director Jiang in the business department is holding things up, heh heh..."
"Oh? Why is he holding you up? Are your documents not in order?"
"There’s nothing wrong with our documents."
"I see. I’ll look into it right away."
...
In the director’s office.
Director Jiang curled his lip in disdain. ’That little punk dared to slam the table at me? He’s got a death wish! They can forget about registering a company for the rest of their lives!’
Director Jiang opened the system’s backend and unhurriedly began entering the information for Cheng Yuan and his group into the blacklist.
Just as Director Jiang was about to click "Confirm," his phone suddenly rang.
Director Jiang put down the mouse and snatched up his phone. His expression changed instantly. He shot to his feet, a fawning smile that tried to appear earnest and simple spreading across his face.
It was as if the person on the other end of the line was standing right in front of him.
"Director, what can I do for you?"
"It’s not me looking for you. It’s the City Lord."
The City Lord??
Director Jiang trembled with a mix of excitement and fear. He asked cautiously, "Director, could you give me a hint as to what the City Lord wants with me?"
"How would I know? Oh, right. The City Lord wants you to come over with the Mr. Cheng who was just in your office for business."
Cold sweat broke out on Director Jiang’s forehead. His face turned deathly pale, and his calves began to tremble uncontrollably!
’Why would the City Lord want that kid to go with me?’
’Does the City Lord know that kid?’
’That’s impossible!’
’If the City Lord knew him, he would have had his secretary give the Administration for Industry and Commerce a heads-up!’
’The City Lord must just be doing a random spot check, right?’
’Damn it, what rotten luck! That guy Cheng sure is lucky!’
’Fine, I’ll let him pass the name approval stage. There are still plenty of hoops to jump through after this! Now that he’s crossed me, that Cheng guy is in for a world of hurt!’
"Okay, I’ll be right over!"
Director Jiang hung up the phone and suddenly realized something—he had just thrown Cheng Yuan and his group out!
Director Jiang subconsciously wanted to run after them, but then he realized, how could a high-and-mighty director like him personally go invite them back?
’How embarrassing would that be?’
After a moment’s hesitation, Director Jiang picked up the internal line. "Xiaozhu, immediately go and invite back those clients you just brought over. I’ve re-examined their documents, and there’s no problem with them."
"Yes!"
Zhu Xue quickly put up a "Service Temporarily Suspended" sign and rushed out from behind the counter, hoping those clients hadn’t gone far.
Chasing them all the way to the first-floor rest area, Zhu Xue finally spotted Cheng Yuan and the others. She breathed a small sigh of relief and approached them with a smile.
"Everyone, Director Jiang has re-examined your documents and confirmed there are no issues. He’s asking you to please come back."
The spirits of Lin Xinghe, Hua Yao, and Lin Ruoxi lifted. Cheng Yuan had just taken a call, and Director Jiang’s attitude had changed in an instant. ’It seems Cheng Yuan knows someone at the Administration for Industry and Commerce!’
"Great, we’ll head over right now."
Lin Xinghe, Hua Yao, and Lin Ruoxi quickly stood up.
But Cheng Yuan stopped them.
"Mom, Dad, Ruoxi, sit back down. That guy Jiang was incredibly rude when he threw us out. Does he think he can get us back that easily? Don’t we have any pride?"
"This..."
Zhu Xue gave a wry smile. "Mr. Cheng, Director Jiang is waiting. If you do this, it puts me in a difficult position."
"Miss, this isn’t about you. It’s about that Jiang guy. He’s the one who threw us out, so he has to be the one to come and apologize. Otherwise, we’re leaving."
With that, Cheng Yuan made a show of getting up to leave.
"Don’t, please don’t! I’ll go back and report this right away."
Zhu Xue hurried back to the director’s office and reported everything exactly as it happened.
Director Jiang was fuming. ’That guy Cheng is actually playing hardball!’
’If the City Lord hadn’t summoned you, you think I’d be willing to give you the time of day?’
Director Jiang could only swallow his pride and accept it. ’Go ahead and be arrogant, kid. The more arrogant you are now, the more painful the rest of this process will be for you!’
"Fine. You don’t need to worry about this anymore. Go back to work. I’ll go invite them myself."
"Yes, sir."
Director Jiang took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress his anger, and forced a very friendly smile onto his face.
You had to admit, Director Jiang’s acting skills were truly something else.
Soon, Director Jiang found Cheng Yuan and his group. "That was my oversight earlier. Your documents are fine. Come back with me, and I’ll approve your company name right away."
Cheng Yuan snorted coldly. "You say there’s a problem, and there’s a problem. You say there isn’t, and there isn’t? Who do you think you are? Like I said before, apologize to us immediately. Only after you apologize will we go back with you to get this done."
Director Jiang was furious. "Kid, don’t push your luck!"
"Fine, then I’ll be shameless! Mom, Dad, Ruoxi, let’s go!"
Director Jiang panicked. If Cheng Yuan left, he would have no way to explain it to the City Lord!
Director Jiang quickly blocked Cheng Yuan’s path. "Xiaocheng, don’t be angry! I’ll apologize, alright? I’ll apologize! My attitude was poor earlier. I sincerely apologize to you all."
Seeing Director Jiang actually apologize, Lin Xinghe and Hua Yao gave their son-in-law a long, meaningful look. ’This son-in-law of ours is full of surprises. His connections in the Administration for Industry and Commerce are this strong.’
Lin Xinghe stepped in to smooth things over. "Since Director Jiang has apologized, shall we go back and take care of the paperwork?"
Director Jiang laughed. "Let’s not rush the paperwork. A superior has summoned us. When you see him in a moment, you mustn’t speak carelessly, or things will get complicated."
Cheng Yuan said blandly, "Don’t worry, Director Jiang. We absolutely won’t speak carelessly." (’I’ll just tell him exactly what happened from beginning to end.’)
Director Jiang breathed a small sigh of relief. He led Cheng Yuan’s group upstairs to the Director’s office and knocked lightly on the door.
Lin Xinghe and Hua Yao both shot Cheng Yuan a reproachful glance. Their expressions seemed to say, ’Xiaoyuan, you’re too much! You know the Director of the Administration for Industry and Commerce? Why didn’t you say so earlier?’
’You let Director Jiang ridicule us like that.’