When facing situations like this, Nie Yan felt somewhat helpless. Although it was unreasonable, it was also a kind of game rule; sometimes you had no choice but to yield.
Nie Yan felt anger inside, but it was of no use.
“Forget it,” Nie’s father said with a bitter smile. Sometimes accomplishing something was just so difficult. Although he could mobilize some influence behind the scenes, the other party must have had their own backing to dare to block him. If they insisted on a showdown, nobody could predict the outcome, which might very well be a lose-lose situation.
Nie Yan and his father walked together to a seat near the window.
At this moment, Nie Yan didn’t know how to comfort his father. His father had been in the military system for so long that his personality had become very straightforward. Making him bribe others or grovel before them would be more painful than asking for his life. Just now, swallowing his pride and speaking humbly had already been his limit.
Ultimately, it was all because of insufficient power. If they had enough influence behind them, they wouldn’t have to endure the scorn of these clowns!
Xie Yi, who was chatting with several people not far away, noticed Nie Yan and his father. A hard-to-read gleam flickered in her eyes as she, along with others, walked toward them.
Nie Yan caught sight of Xie Yi approaching from the corner of his eye. His eyes narrowed, his fingers slowly clenched into a fist, and his knuckles cracked with a popping sound.
Xie Yi wore a red dress with a very low neckline, revealing ample white cleavage. Her face was heavily made up, with long eye shadow, making her especially seductive. It had to be said that the Xie family had excellent genes, and Xie Yi had a very attractive figure. However, seeing this heavily made-up woman approaching, Nie Yan couldn’t help but feel disgust and showed an expression of dislike.
“I’m Xie Yi from the Xie family of Zhengrong Corporation,” Xie Yi said to Nie’s father, glancing at Nie Yan beside her.
Nie’s father stood up and greeted, “Hello.”
Nie Yan remained seated, showing no intention of standing.
“Whose son is this rude boy?” Xie Yi glanced at Nie Yan.
Hearing Xie Yi’s words, Nie’s father felt somewhat embarrassed. He was puzzled because Nie Yan usually handled such occasions very appropriately, but today he didn’t know what was going on. He could clearly see that Nie Yan was very unimpressed with Xie Yi. Xie Yi was Xie Yao’s aunt. If their families became in-laws, there would inevitably be some interaction. Nie’s father didn’t want to strain the relationship.
“I didn’t expect a small company like Tianxia Group to be invited. I wonder who organized this banquet,” Xie Yi said with a very disdainful tone, her words full of hidden barbs.
Nie’s father’s expression turned very grim upon hearing Xie Yi’s words. Previously, he had met Xie Jun, who had been quite polite to him. However, Xie Yi was simply too sharp-tongued.
“I wonder who sent out the invitations and whether each person’s identity was strictly verified. This young man actually came in sportswear. Does he even know where he is?” A man in his thirties with a somewhat slick appearance chimed in, supporting Xie Yi.
“Do you really think everyone here has the qualifications to attend this banquet?” Nie’s father said angrily. He had a fiery temper and still retained some military demeanor, ultimately not being the kind of businessman who could flatter and ingratiate himself everywhere.
“Whether you have qualifications or not aside, the Xie family in Huanghai is a well-known and respected family, while Tianxia Group is just a small company that can’t even be called a nouveau riche. Mr. Nie, do you really think the Xie family would agree to marry Xie Yao to your family? Even if my second brother agrees, the elders at home won’t. I hope you don’t have too many expectations,” she said.
Nie’s father looked at Nie Yan, who remained seated and unmoved, and understood the reason. It turned out that Xie Yi had always opposed Xie Yao being with Nie Yan, which was why she kept speaking so bitterly.
Nie’s father said solemnly, “Do your words represent the entire Xie family? The east may change to the west in thirty years, and vice versa. It’s true that Tianxia Group is a small company now, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t surpass Zhengrong Corporation in the future!”
“You two father and son sure have ambition. I’d like to see how Tianxia Group can surpass Zhengrong Corporation! Such arrogance!” Xie Yi sneered.
Nie Yan had already grown impatient listening to Xie Yi’s nagging. He clenched his fists tightly. Arguing with this woman was pointless. He could no longer suppress his anger and was about to stand up and drive Xie Yi away, when the young man standing beside Xie Yi whispered something into her ear. Xie Yi’s expression changed. She glanced at Nie Yan and his father and then hastily turned away and left.
Watching Xie Yi’s retreating figure, Nie Yan wore a slightly puzzled expression, wondering what had happened. She had left in a great hurry.
Nie’s father comforted Nie Yan, saying, “Stick to your own choices. Let these clowns talk; no matter what, your mother and I will support you, even if it costs the entire Tianxia Group.”
Nie Yan was moved by his father’s words. In his heart, he silently vowed that no matter what happened, he would always stand by their side.
As for the matter of Xie Yao, Nie Yan decided to resolve it himself. No matter how big the difficulties were, he would face them. Otherwise, he would be unworthy of the second chance heaven had given him.
Just as Nie Yan and his father were talking, people in the hall stopped their conversations, and the entire hall suddenly fell silent.
Nie Yan felt puzzled. The atmosphere here was a bit strange. Several people, including Xie Yao’s grandfather and some high-ranking government officials, hurriedly walked toward the entrance of the banquet hall.
A somewhat familiar figure appeared at the entrance of the hall. After seeing this figure, Nie Yan’s heart trembled. It was actually him!
The person who arrived was none other than General Mo Yuntian, who was dressed in a standing-collar suit, with a straight posture and a heroic bearing, striding into the hall.
The Xie family, Xie Yao’s grandfather, and those government officials all went forward to greet him. They were smiling and speaking with great respect for General Mo Yuntian. Even those high-ranking officials wore beaming smiles and walked ahead to guide the way respectfully.
As for people like Xie Yi and Xie Jun, they could only obediently trail behind, not even daring to approach and speak to General Mo Yuntian.
“He’s someone from above. Be careful with your words later,” Nie’s father quietly reminded Nie Yan.
At this moment, Nie Yan didn’t know what to say. Should he tell his father that he actually knew General Mo Yuntian? Thinking about it, he decided not to mention it for now.
General Mo Yuntian waved his hand and said, “You all continue. I’m just here to find a few people.”
The government officials carefully arranged a seat for Mo Yuntian and summoned several people to chat beside his seat, seemingly discussing something.
The atmosphere in the hall became quite restrained, with everyone afraid to speak loudly, clearly showing how much pressure Mo Yuntian’s arrival had imposed on them.
The government officials didn’t dare to wander around either, standing not far from Mo Yuntian so they could respond immediately to any of his needs. As for the Xie family members, they sat at a table not far from Mo Yuntian, whispering among themselves.
“Why is he here?”
“Who knows? It must be something important.”
“Look at how the mayor and vice mayor turned pale when they heard Mo Yuntian was coming.”
“Just watch the situation. Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t.” Xie Jun said solemnly.
Nie Yan looked toward General Mo Yuntian in the distance and was surprised to find that among Mo Yuntian’s entourage were the mayor and vice mayor of Huanghai. Huanghai was a directly administered municipality, and its mayor was equivalent in rank to a provincial official. Yet, in front of General Mo Yuntian, they dared not even utter a word. One could imagine how exalted General Mo Yuntian’s status was.
Suddenly, Xie Yao, who was in the center of the banquet hall, noticed Nie Yan. She showed a delighted expression and walked toward him.
“Why are you here?” Xie Yao asked Nie Yan. Seeing Nie’s father, she showed a slightly shy expression and said, “Hello, Uncle.”
Nie’s father laughed heartily and nodded, “Good, good, very good.” Looking at Xie Yao, Nie’s father felt increasingly fond of her. Nie Yan’s taste was truly impeccable, and he was quite satisfied with this future daughter-in-law.
Nie’s father chatted with Xie Yao for a while. Xie Yao appeared very obedient in front of Nie’s father, then secretly made a face at Nie Yan. Seeing Xie Yao’s expression, Nie Yan couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
Nie Yan could tell that his father was very satisfied with Xie Yao, which eased his concerns.
Nie’s father then used an excuse to go chat with other businessmen, leaving Nie Yan and Xie Yao alone.
Meeting here, Xie Yao was still quite delighted. The previously boring banquet was no longer dull because of Nie Yan’s arrival, and all her troubles vanished.
“Nie Yan, you should shave,” Xie Yao said, touching Nie Yan’s chin, which felt prickly.
“Yeah, I forgot to shave before coming,” Nie Yan chuckled.
The intimate gestures between Xie Yao and Nie Yan left the people around her, who had been watching Xie Yao’s every move, stunned.
“Who is that guy?”
“I don’t know. Could he be Xie Yao’s boyfriend?”
Xie Yao was unaware that her actions had broken many hearts.
Xie Yi, who was chatting softly with others not far away, saw Xie Yao’s behavior and her expression turned dark. She had always disliked Nie Yan, and she never expected Xie Yao and Nie Yan’s relationship to progress so quickly. Judging from Xie Yao’s affectionate actions, she seemed completely at ease.
“Brother, why don’t you discipline Xie Yao? Being so intimate with a man in public, what would people say?” Xie Yi looked at Xie Jun.
Xie Jun smiled slightly, not taking it seriously, and said, “I think it’s fine for the young people.”
“Call Xie Yao back. This is getting out of hand,” an elderly man at the head of the table said with a displeased expression. He was Xie Yu, the helmsman of Zhengrong Corporation and Xie Yao’s grandfather.
“See, even Grandpa said so,” Xie Yi said with satisfaction, having gained support.
Xie Jun looked at the old man at the head of the table and could only reluctantly comply, nodding, “Okay.”
Xie Jun then sent someone to call Xie Yao back. Looking at Xie Yao and Nie Yan in the distance, a hint of worry appeared on his face.
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