MAPF Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Dazzling. He Listens to He Qin.

The Xie Shi Group is an established company, and although its branch focuses on high-tech businesses, the celebration ceremony still follows tradition.

Everywhere you look in the company are flower baskets, banners, and balloons welcoming the opening, the festive atmosphere as thick as during the New Year.

As soon as Xie Shiwei and He Qin arrived inside, many invited guests surrounded them.

Most people came to exchange contact information with He Qin. There were also those looking for Xie Shiwei, flattering him, praising his dignified appearance and extraordinary bearing. Then, they’d change the subject, boasting about how wonderful their newly opened clubs, hotels, and entertainment halls were, inviting Young Master Xie to patronize them in the future.

Xie Shiwei forced a smile, growing quite annoyed listening to them.

The host entered just then, announcing that the speech session and press conference were about to begin, and asked all the guests to take their seats.

Xie Shiwei immediately seized the chance to escape, walking towards the front row with He Qin, and sitting next to Xie Tian’an and Chen Ning’s seats.

The guests invited to the celebration filled several rows inside. The first row was for the Xie family, including Xie Shiwei’s uncles and aunts. The second row was for senior company executives, and the third row was for guests friendly with the Xie family. He Qin’s parents and Zhang Yingjun’s family were all there.

Xie Shiwei turned his head to greet them, inadvertently seeing Sun Yinan at the very back.

Sun Yinan raised the corner of his mouth at him, waved his hand, and smiled with ill intentions.

Xie Shiwei frowned and asked his secretary, “Why is Sun Yinan here? He’s not on the seating chart, is he?”

The secretary explained, “Young Master Sun sent a truckload of flower baskets this morning. The reporters were all watching, so we couldn’t refuse him outright. We had to add a chair for him.”

The Sun family and the Xie family had been at odds for a long time. Last year, they even fought fiercely over a piece of land. But in this kind of situation, which concerns the Xie family’s own reputation, Sun Yinan insisted on getting involved. The secretary couldn’t just kick him out, as that would make them seem petty.

Sun Yinan was vindictive, spouting harsh words that day, and now he shamelessly came here today. It was clear he was up to no good.

Xie Shiwei checked the speech outline and PPT again, finding no errors or omissions, and told the secretary to keep an eye out, “Have someone watch him. He’s only allowed in the open areas, and he can’t leave.”

The speeches began, with Xie Tian’an and several senior executives taking turns to speak, drawing round after round of applause.

When it was Xie Shiwei’s turn, he straightened his hairstyle. To be safe, he still took the speech outline he had already memorized and walked onto the stage.

Those present were all business people, familiar with Xie Shiwei’s usual behavior. Seeing him walk the red carpet in a serious manner was already surprising enough. They never expected this guy to give a speech on such a solemn occasion, and were amazed by this strange sight.

Zhang Yingjun cheered Xie Shiwei on. Xie Shiwei bumped fists with him from afar, his eyes shifting to meet He Qin’s.

He Qin mouthed, “Add oil.”

Xie Shiwei smiled and winked in response, then bent down to turn on the microphone.

In his previous life, he was poor and studied desperately, wanting to change his fate.

Although he didn’t succeed in defying fate, he was indeed a top student at school. He hadn’t walked the red carpet, but he had plenty of experience speaking as a student representative.

So, at this moment, Xie Shiwei was not only not nervous, but also faintly expectant.

He wanted to give those who looked down on the original owner a surprise, and even more, he wanted He Qin and Xie Tian’an to look at him with new eyes.

The screen began to play the slides prepared by the secretary, and Xie Shiwei calmly delivered his speech without notes.

Standing straight, his chin slightly raised, he first spoke about the company’s past and future, his words from the bottom of his heart, his clear voice penetrating people’s hearts. Then, he slightly humorously reviewed his previous unreliability, profoundly criticizing himself, and even joked that his fall into the pool had knocked his true personality out, drowning the originalA playboy personality.

The audience below felt refreshed, and laughter rippled through the room.

Xie Shiwei didn’t care whether those voices were praise or ridicule, continuing to speak generously, without a single pause, and without glancing at the outline on the table.

“Finally, today, on this important occasion, I want to tell everyone that I will become a completely new Xie Shiwei, participating in the branch’s operations with a brand-new look, growing together with the company, and striving to allow my father, who has worked hard for decades, to retire early. I also ask all the seniors and colleagues for guidance, and I ask all the employees to trust me. Thank you all.”

Xie Shiwei bowed deeply.

His whole person was enveloped in the bright light shining down, his silver-gray suit making him look particularly fair-skinned, a layer of light covering him, making it impossible to look away.

Xie Tian’an’s eyes were moist, and he took the lead in applauding.

Chen Ning made a show of wiping the corners of her dry eyes, her sense of crisis growing even deeper.

He Qin’s gaze followed Xie Shiwei’s tall figure as he walked off the stage, and he also applauded.

He had to admit that Xie Shiwei was indeed very good-looking.

Especially today, at this moment.

Spirited, dazzling.

He used to regard this flamboyant beauty as poison and arsenic, wanting to avoid it at all costs.

But now, this beauty had become flawless, pure, making He Qin very unaccustomed, yet uncontrollably wanting to take a few more glances, to see through the soul hidden beneath this shell.

.

After the speech, the Q&A session for reporters was about to begin.

The host said, “There are twenty minutes left before the Q&A session begins. The guests present can freely visit the company’s open areas. After twenty minutes, all guests can sit in the empty seats in the back to listen, but please be sure to remain quiet.”

The guests scattered in groups of twos and threes, and the staff rearranged the tables and chairs on the stage.

Xie Shiwei was called away by Xie Tian’an and the secretary, who gave him a good lecture about the precautions for the reporters’ questions later. With five minutes left before the start, he hurriedly went to the lounge and drank half a bottle of water.

Before long, He Qin also came in with his coat, looking at him and saying, “Lower your head.”

Xie Shiwei hummed in question, but put down the water bottle and obediently lowered his head.

He was very obedient to He Qin.

He Qin also noticed this, his mood inexplicably improving. He raised his hand and took a pink petal from the top of Xie Shiwei’s head, “It fell from the flower wall when you bowed.”

“You’re paying so much attention to me,” Xie Shiwei narrowed his eyes and smiled mischievously, “How is it? Were you charmed by my handsomeness?”

“Yes, you performed very well,” He Qin answered generously.

He always said what he thought, and there was nothing to be embarrassed about admitting it.

Xie Shiwei gave He Qin a thumbs up, “Honesty is a virtue, thank you, CEO He, for your affirmation.”

.

Back at the scene, the reporters in the front row and the audience below were sitting in rows.

Xie Shiwei took his seat. On the stage were also Xie Tian’an, the secretary, and four senior executives from the branch.

The Q&A session officially began.

Most of the attending reporters had good relations with the Xie family, and the questions they raised were gentle and positive.

Xie Shiwei answered two questions about the Xie Shi Group’s branch customer base and company vision. He even, thanks to He Qin’s reminder, answered fluently when a reporter asked him about specific projects with partners, making Xie Tian’an even more gratified.

The question-and-answer session proceeded in an orderly manner. The reporters below tapped away at their keyboards, everything going very smoothly. Only Sun Yinan was still sitting at the back of the guest seating area, cocking his legs and eating sunflower seeds.

Sun Yinan hadn’t left yet, and Xie Shiwei guessed that he would definitely cause trouble at the press conference.

The Xie family was open and honest, inviting all media partners, but also not rejecting proactively visiting Business Times.

The Business Times reporter had been sitting in the corner, not asking any questions until now, definitely harboring bad intentions.

But the public relations department had done a comprehensive risk warning, eliminating all risks. What questions did they plan to ask?

Xie Shiwei tried hard to recall the original novel, but didn’t gain anything. He only remembered that there was also an opening press conference in the book, but Xie Shiwei didn’t attend at that time. The person sitting in his seat was probably Chen Ning.

The next moment, Xie Shiwei’s guess was confirmed.

The Business Times reporter, who had been as quiet as a chicken, suddenly raised his hand.

There were only two minutes left in the Q&A session, and the host had no choice but to hand him the microphone.

Xie Shiwei saw Sun Yinan making a throat-slitting gesture at him, wanting to kick him flying.

The reporter opened his mouth with a bombshell: “According to exclusive news, Zhaofeng Group discovered major corruption through an internal audit the day before yesterday, with the amount of corruption reaching hundreds of millions. The clues have already been submitted to the supervisory department. Currently, Zhaofeng is in danger, being sealed off for investigation. How will the Xie family make up for the losses? How will you guarantee the interests of other partners?”

As soon as these words came out, the scene immediately exploded.

Senior company executives looked serious, and Xie Tian’an instructed the secretary to verify the information as soon as possible with a grave expression.

A group of assistants called to contact Zhaofeng’s people, but couldn’t get through, sweating anxiously.

The harmonious atmosphere was gone. The reporters quickly verified this explosive point, revised their news reports, and the sound of discussion grew louder and louder, already drowning out the host’s attempts to control the situation.

Below the stage, other partners of the Xie family expressed their concerns.

Zhaofeng Group was an important partner for the Xie family’s entry into the technology industry. It could be said that without Zhaofeng’s technical support, the Xie family would not be able to complete the transition from a traditional enterprise to a high-tech enterprise. If Zhaofeng fell, the Xie family would definitely be hit hard, and their investment would undoubtedly be in vain.

Xie Shiwei’s uncles spoke loudly, making sarcastic remarks, and Chen Ning subtly countered, also showing some rare panic.

He Qin didn’t expect Zhaofeng to have an accident at this time, but this question seemed too much like a premeditated attack. He instructed his assistant to verify the clues, and at the same time sent a message to a friend.

The scene became more and more chaotic and noisy, gradually spiraling out of control.

Xie Tian’an had no choice but to respond first, but just as he was about to turn on the microphone, Xie Shiwei took the lead in speaking, “Reporter Zhao, may I ask, what is the source of your exclusive news? How credible is it? Why should we trust unreleased news?”

The audience below quieted down, accompanied by Xie Shiwei’s series of questions.

The reporter retorted, “I have an obligation to protect my sources, and I cannot disclose them. But I wouldn’t joke about my professional future. The authenticity of this matter will be known to the public tomorrow. Moreover, the fact that Zhaofeng cannot be contacted at this time undoubtedly proves that they are in great trouble.”

Xie Shiwei ignored these words, smiled calmly, and said confidently, “Everyone, I guarantee with the Xie Shi Group’s reputation that Zhaofeng Group will smoothly overcome this storm, and your cooperation with the Xie family will not have any risks.”

As soon as these words came out, the discussion started again.

Xie Tian’an frowned and directly cut off Xie Shiwei’s microphone.