xiao Churan's declaration left the entire Xiao family dumbfounded. Everyone thought she must have lost her mind! Why seek attention at a time like this? What possible outcome could there be besides humiliation or even worse?
Dehao Group was the largest company in Jinling, and there was no way they would consider the Xiao family. No matter who negotiated, success was simply impossible!
Xiao Hailong couldn't help but sneer, "Churan, do you really think you can secure a contract from Dehao Group?"
Even Xiao Weivi, Xiao Hailong's sister and Xiao Churan's cousin, chimed in with a cold smile, "Churan, who do you think you are? What standing does the Xiao family have? Going to negotiate like this will only bring disgrace to our family!"
Others echoed, "Exactly! If she gets kicked out by Dehao Group, our Xiao family in Jinling will be a laughingstock!"
Xiao Churan's cheeks burned with embarrassment. Since marrying Ye Chen, her position in the family had plummeted. She felt increasingly marginalized, even to the point where her parents were ridiculed. She believed that if she could secure this project with Dehao Group, her position within the family would surely be solidified. Most importantly, her parents would be able to hold their heads high.
But now, being mocked and ridiculed by so many people made her feel hesitant. She glared at Ye Chen resentfully. Why did she listen to his persuasion? She should have never volunteered for this...
Old Mrs. Xiao, hearing the mockery from the others, felt infuriated. She had asked several times, and no one dared to take on the task. Now that Xiao Churan had volunteered, these people began to pour cold water on the situation!
Although Old Mrs. Xiao had never liked Xiao Churan, at this moment, she felt that at least Xiao Churan was willing to share the burden, unlike the others who only caused trouble for her!
Especially her most beloved grandson, Xiao Hailong, had disappointed her too much!
Because of this, Old Mrs. Xiao's attitude towards Xiao Churan changed slightly. She immediately said, "Since no one else dares to accept, stop the nonsense! This cooperation with Dehao Group will be handled by Churan!"
Xiao Churan could only grit her teeth and respond, "Grandmother, rest assured, I will do my best."
At this moment, Xiao Hailong sneered and mocked, "What's the use of doing your best? In the end, if you fail, you'll only bring shame to the family!"
Ye Chen smirked and asked, "Xiao Hailong, what's your intention in belittling Churan? Do you think the Xiao family isn't qualified to cooperate with Dehao Group?"
Xiao Hailong didn't expect Ye Chen, this waste, to speak up at the family meeting, let alone to put a hat on him right away. Seeing Old Mrs. Xiao's expression turning somewhat displeased, he quickly explained, "That's not what I meant. I just think it's impossible for Xiao Churan to negotiate this cooperation!"
Ye Chen chuckled and asked him, "What if Churan can negotiate the cooperation? Do you want to make a bet?"
Xiao Hailong sneered, "Sure, let's bet! Am I supposed to be afraid of you? Come on, what do you want to bet?"
Ye Chen said, "If Chu Ran can negotiate the contract successfully, you must kneel in front of the whole family and kowtow three times, loudly admit your mistake. And if Chu Ran fails, I'll kowtow three times to admit my mistake. What do you think?"
"Hahaha!" Xiao Hailong burst into laughter immediately. "You're really asking for trouble, you useless piece of trash! Fine, I'll take the bet with you!"
Ye Chen nodded satisfactorily and said, "The whole family is here as witnesses. Whoever backs out will suffer the consequences, even to the extent of cursing their ancestors!"
Ye Chen deliberately emphasized the word "ancestors" to make sure Xiao Hailong wouldn't backtrack if he lost.
With this statement, Xiao Hailong dared not to back out, for doing so would be like cursing his grandmother, which meant his grandmother, Mrs. Xiao, would never forgive him!
"Alright!" Xiao Hailong, unaware that Ye Chen had dug a hole for himself, felt confident that he couldn't possibly lose. He laughed and said, "Witnessed by the whole family, I'll be waiting for you to kowtow to me!"
Xiao Churan was startled and kept signaling to him with her eyes, but he completely ignored her.
Mrs. Xiao wasn't concerned about this bet. Her only concern was whether they could secure the cooperation with Di Hao Corporation. If they succeeded, she wouldn't mind Xiao Hailong kneeling to Ye Chen; she wouldn't mind if Xiao Hailong called Ye Chen "father."
Thus, she said, "Let's end the meeting here. Churan, you have three days to secure the contract. Meeting adjourned!"
...
Back at home, Ye Chen and Xiao Churan immediately faced criticism from their in-laws.
Mrs. Ma was frantic, exclaiming, "Churan, have you gone mad? How could you heed the words of this useless Ye Chen and blindly agree to such a task?"
Mr. Xiao scolded Ye Chen, "Ye Chen, you useless piece of trash, you've caused my daughter so much trouble!"
Then, with anger on his face, Mr. Xiao continued, "If Churan fails to negotiate with Di Hao Corporation, she'll definitely be ostracized by the family. And you, this useless fellow, will have to kneel and kowtow to Xiao Hailong in front of the whole family. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that would be for me?"
Ye Chen replied earnestly, "Dad, Mom, as long as Churan can secure this contract, everything will be resolved, won't it?"
"Negotiate? Negotiate with what?!"
Mr. Xiao scolded furiously, "Do you know how powerful Di Hao Corporation is? How could they possibly consider the Xiao family?"
Ye Chen smiled, "Maybe they'll consider us? I believe Churan will definitely succeed. She can definitely secure the contract."
Mrs. Ma sneered from the sidelines, "You believe? Do you think you're the owner of Di Hao Corporation? You're useless, utterly useless, yet here you are boasting shamelessly!"