Two announcements from the Dihao Group sent shockwaves throughout Jinling City.
Rumors had it that the ownership of the Dihao Group had changed hands, which finally explained to the Xiao family why the Wang family had been excluded from the prestigious circle of the Dihao Group. It seemed that the new owner of the Dihao Group held the Wang family and similar clans in contempt.
Who was this mysterious Mr. Ye, though? He was incredibly formidable—buying the multi-billion Dihao Group as if it were nothing. Even the richest man in Jinling couldn't match his lavish spending!
In an instant, numerous clans were stirring with anticipation, eager to forge connections with this enigmatic Mr. Ye and even more eager to arrange marriages between their daughters and him.
In addition, Dihao Group's investment in a hotel project worth two billion yuan sent shockwaves through Jinling's construction and decoration industry!
Two billion yuan! Even a tiny piece of the pie would result in a substantial profit! Countless companies were eager to get a slice of this lucrative pie, including the money-grubbing Mrs. Xiao.
Mrs. Xiao was thrilled. A project of two billion yuan was a golden opportunity! If the Xiao family could secure a contract, it would elevate their status overnight. So, she immediately instructed that a family meeting be held at home tonight to discuss how to make a breakthrough in the new Dihao Group project, and everyone must attend.
That evening, at the Xiao family villa, Ye Chen accompanied Xiao Churan because Mrs. Xiao had insisted on everyone's presence. He knew that the old lady intended to discuss how to secure a share of the Dihao Group's lucrative project. So, he wanted to take this opportunity to bring some pride to his wife, Xiao Churan.
Upon arriving at the Xiao family villa, Xiao Churan's cousin, Xiao Hailong, immediately mocked Ye Chen: "Wow, Ye Chen, you really have a thick skin. How dare you show your face in front of Grandma!"
Xiao Churan's face darkened as she replied, "Stop talking nonsense. Grandma insisted that everyone in the Xiao family be here. Ye Chen is my husband and naturally part of the Xiao family!"
Xiao Hailong laughed, "He's not even worthy of being called a Xiao. He's just an上门女婿 (a married son-in-law who takes his wife's family name, typically implying a lower social status)!"
Ye Chen scratched his nose and said to Xiao Churan, "Forget about it, honey. Don't bother with him. Let's go inside so we don't keep Grandma waiting."
Xiao Churan nodded and, without giving Xiao Hailong a good look, walked in with Ye Chen. Seeing this, Xiao Hailong's face hardened, thinking that they would soon regret their attitude.
Inside the conference hall, Ye Chen and Xiao Churan found a seat in the corner.
Soon, Mrs. Xiao entered, and the family meeting officially began.
Sitting in the head seat, Mrs. Xiao pounded the table and declared with vigor, "The Xiao family has been waiting for an opportunity for years—an opportunity to elevate ourselves into Jinling's elite circles! Now, that opportunity has arrived!"
Mrs. Xiao exclaimed, "Dihao Group has unveiled a two-billion-yuan project. Whoever can secure a cooperation agreement from it will benefit greatly! And since this is the first major project after the change of ownership at Dihao Group, it's a golden opportunity for our Xiao family! If we can collaborate with Dihao Group and make a good impression on their new owners, the future of the Xiao family will be boundless!"
Although Mrs. Xiao was full of vigor, the others seemed unmoved. In fact, the Xiao family had been trying to collaborate with Dihao Group for a long time, but Dihao Group had never paid them any attention. How could Mrs. Xiao now expect to secure a share of Dihao Group's new project?
Seeing the silent attendees, Mrs. Xiao angrily demanded, "What? Are you all mute? Don't you have the confidence to secure even a small piece of this two-billion-yuan pie?"
Everyone looked at each other, afraid to respond.
Mrs. Xiao's expression darkened, and she gritted her teeth, "I'm putting it bluntly here. Whoever can negotiate a cooperation share of thirty million yuan with Dihao Group will become the Group's director!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in attendance was stunned.
Mrs. Xiao had always been arbitrary, so she had never set a director position within the group before. After all, the director had significant power and was almost exclusively reserved for the future successor of the group. By using this position as a reward, she was clearly hoping that a brave soul would emerge under the promise of generous compensation, reflecting her desperate desire for the Dihao Group project.
However, while the director position was attractive, it wasn't easy to obtain.
In the eyes of the Xiao family members, securing a collaboration with Dihao Group and obtaining a thirty-million-yuan contract was impossible. Forget it; even if Mrs. Xiao personally intervened, the executives of Dihao Group wouldn't see her, let alone discuss cooperation.
The family meeting hall was silent.
Seeing this, Mrs. Xiao angrily questioned, "As descendants of the Xiao family, isn't there anyone willing to share the burden for the family?"
Saying that, Mrs. Xiao looked directly at Xiao Hailong and said, "Hailong, I'm assigning this task to you!"
Xiao Hailong chuckled nervously and quickly replied, "Grandma, even the Wang family, with Wang Yunfei, has been kicked out of Dihao Group. Our strength is inferior to the Wang family. How could we possibly secure a contract with Dihao Group…?"
Mrs. Xiao immediately scolded, "Fool! You negate yourself without even trying. You're even more useless than that Ye Chen!"
In fact, Mrs. Xiao herself wasn't confident, but she didn't want to remain the leader of a second- or third-tier family forever. She dreamed of elevating the Xiao family to a higher level. And this Dihao Group project was their only chance.
So, no matter how difficult it was, she wouldn't give up.
She had expected Xiao Hailong, as the eldest grandson, to readily accept this mission, but unexpectedly, he was now backing down!
Xiao Hailong was also frustrated. Who would want to take on such an impossible task? He might not even make it to Dihao Group's door before being kicked out.
He would not only fail to accomplish anything but also be ridiculed and become a laughingstock, so he decided not to agree no matter what.
After scolding Xiao Hailong, Mrs. Xiao loudly demanded, "What about the others? Isn't anyone willing to take on this task?"
At this moment, Ye Chen gently nudged Xiao Churan and whispered, "Honey, take on this task!"
Xiao Churan exclaimed, "Are you crazy? Dihao Group would never collaborate with a small company like the Xiao family!"
Ye Chen smiled confidently and said, "Don't worry. You can definitely secure this collaboration!"
Xiao Churan asked in surprise, "Really?"
Ye Chen assured her, "Of course! I think you can handle it perfectly! Grab this opportunity, and your status in the Xiao family will skyrocket!"
Xiao Churan didn't know why, but at that moment, she inexplicably believed Ye Chen's words. She instinctively stood up and said to Mrs. Xiao, "Grandma, I'm willing to try…"