Chapter Seventy-One: Stirring Up Trouble at the Banquet (Part Three)

“Haha, what’s wrong with changing jobs? The more experiences you have in life, the more colorful your story becomes.” Chu Dong chuckled, completely unperturbed. “But you, young master, buzzing around like a fly all day—do you find that amusing?”

Wang Dongliang was a master of rhetoric, usually eloquent and quick-witted, but whenever he faced Chu Dong, he seemed to lose his edge. Especially since he’d just seen Tan Xue accompanied only by Li Youlan, and had spent no small effort ingratiating himself. Now, Chu Dong’s words struck home, leaving Wang Dongliang embarrassed. “Just a clown with a sharp tongue. You think you can leap to the top in one step? Hmph. You’d better stay out, or you’ll become today’s joke. Haha…” Wang Dongliang could tell Chu Dong was about to leave, so he took the opportunity to mock him.

“You want me to make a fool of myself? Would that make you appear especially gracious, letting your scholarly elegance shine?” Chu Dong curled his lip. “If that’s really the case, for the sake of the meal you treated me to last time, I should help you out.”

At the mention of the last time he’d been tricked by Chu Dong, Wang Dongliang felt his indignation flare. “Then I’ll thank you in advance.” He turned and went inside; there were many social luminaries present. Though the event was hosted by Silver Dragon, the chance to interact with such people wasn’t something a fool would pass up.

“You should go back. I won’t tell godmother,” Tan Xue said, seeing Chu Dong’s current attire, which was hardly appropriate for a banquet, gently persuading him to leave.

Chu Dong had been about to head home, but now changed his mind. “I want to see what kind of sacred figures these so-called luminaries really are.” He rolled up his sleeves and strode in.

“Brother-in-law is so cool!” Little Jade didn’t like Wang Dongliang’s pretentiousness either. Seeing Chu Dong confront him and then walk right in wearing his security guard uniform, she cheered and followed after him.

Tan Xue hadn’t expected things to develop this way. By the time she tried to stop Chu Dong, it was already too late.

“Your rogue husband really has a personality, hehe,” Li Youlan whispered teasingly in Tan Xue’s ear.

“My God, forget it. When will that scoundrel ever behave properly?” Tan Xue was both embarrassed and exasperated. Watching Chu Dong wander around the hall with Little Jade, circling again and again, she was speechless. She wasn’t sure if Chu Dong’s actions yesterday had changed her perception of him, but today she didn’t rebut Li Youlan’s joke. In the past, she would have retorted, “You can have him as your husband.”

“That’s him?” Tian Bing asked, glaring at Wang Dongliang with eyes almost aflame.

“That’s him. He’s a real sharp-tongued brat. Brother, what do you suggest?” Wang Dongliang gritted his teeth.

“Let me think.” Tian Bing had suffered at Chu Dong’s hands before; it was one thing to toy with others, but dealing with Chu Dong required caution. With Chu Dong’s temperament, even a crowd couldn’t stop him from smashing Tian Bing’s car in broad daylight last time. If he provoked Chu Dong today, who knows what might happen?

This wasn’t the street; everyone here was influential, and Tian Bing’s father was present. If Chu Dong caused a scandal and embarrassed him, it would be a real problem.

“Here’s what we do: find someone he doesn’t know to give him a hard time, get him noticed, and vent some anger for Brother Wang.” After weighing his options, Tian Bing decided it was better not to confront Chu Dong himself. He called over a friend named Li De, another young scion whose father worked at the transportation bureau—a true playboy. After a whispered exchange, Tian Bing and Wang Dongliang hid to watch the show.

“Security guard, security guard, come here and pour me a drink,” Li De, unfazed by trouble, immediately called out loudly to Chu Dong once Tian Bing and the others stepped back.

Chu Dong could guess with his knee that this was Wang Dongliang’s group causing trouble. He shot Li De a contemptuous glance and replied in an even louder voice, “Get lost! Stay away from me!” Then, as if nothing had happened, he continued sampling the pastries in the center of the hall with Little Jade.

At first, the guests were puzzled by a security guard wandering about the hall. But seeing Little Jade stick to him closely, many assumed Tan Xue had instructed him to look after her sister, given how many knew the Tan family’s second daughter.

Now, however, Li De’s loud summons and Chu Dong’s shocking reply took everyone by surprise. Conversations paused, heads turned toward Chu Dong. In the vast banquet hall, only the soft music from the surround speakers remained.

“You bastard, who are you cursing?” Li De was stunned. He’d just wanted to expose Chu Dong and humiliate him, but hadn’t expected such a blunt response.

“Shut up.” Li De’s father, unable to hold back, scolded his son for shouting in front of so many people, which was disgraceful. Yet, he was also angered by Chu Dong’s manner. “What’s your name? Aren’t you afraid of complaints with such behavior?”

“Oh, it seems you’re all family.” Chu Dong raised a glass of champagne and downed it. “Complain about me? Such official authority! But I’m sorry, apart from my parents, no one can restrain me. If you want to complain, should I give you my number?”

Li De’s father just wanted to scare Chu Dong and shift attention away from his son’s embarrassment. But Chu Dong wasn’t playing along at all.

“Whose family are you from? How can you have no manners at all?” Li De’s father’s hands shook with anger. Many of his own superiors were present, and he wondered how he’d face them after such humiliation.

“Uncle Li, don’t be upset. This is the former founder of Dongchu Group’s son, now the general manager of Feipeng Hotel—Mr. Chu Dong.” Tian Bing seized the moment, finally finding his chance.

“You flatter me. I’m just a poor man. The hotel exists, but it’s small. If you ever have the chance, please show your support.” Chu Dong was utterly unconcerned, clasping his hands to the crowd.

“Oh, so that’s who you are. Your father left to lay low, and what—left you to clean up the mess? Still plenty of debts to pay, I suppose?” Li De’s father knew Dongchu Group well and was familiar with its current situation.

“Do I owe you money?” Chu Dong’s expression suddenly changed. “You’re shameless. Even if Dongchu Group goes bankrupt one day, I’d rather beg on the street than be like you. Do you believe that?”

Confronted with Chu Dong’s sudden assertiveness, Li De’s father struggled to adapt. Li De, fearing his father might suffer, rushed to stand in front of him. “If you want to owe us money, I can lend you some.”

“Judging by your attitude, you must be an official, right?” Chu Dong smiled, his eyes sweeping over the Li father and son. “Do you know what civil servant salaries are nowadays? Even if the state treats you well, your handmade Armani suit would cost two years’ salary, wouldn’t it? And your son’s watch is nice—he’d have to work ten years without eating or drinking just to afford it. Are you just putting on airs, or are you truly wealthy?”

His words hit home. Many present were dressed just as expensively as the Li family, and none of their incomes could justify it. Hearing Chu Dong, they quietly reevaluated themselves, worried he might turn his attention to them.

Where there had been eager spectators, now the mood soured. Li De wanted to speak again, but his father quickly pulled him back.

Chu Dong felt even more pleased, hands behind his back, strolling through the hall as if no one else existed. “Everyone pretends to be dignified, but who knows what goes on in private? I have no interest in investigating anyone, but if someone wants trouble with me, let’s go straight to the point. I take every opponent seriously—more seriously than you could imagine. Oh, and thanks to Chairman Tan of Silver Dragon Group for not abandoning me. I have been entrusted by Chairman Tan to make an announcement here today.”

He surveyed the room, satisfied as all eyes focused on him.

Tan Xue was bewildered. “When did Dad entrust him with something else? Why don’t I know?” The situation was spiraling out of control; it was impossible for her to stop Chu Dong now, and she had no idea what he’d say next. Her face was pale, her grip on Li Youlan’s hand tight, palms sweating. It looked as though her father’s plan to gather these people to strengthen alliances had been completely ruined by Chu Dong.

“What gives you the right to represent Chairman Tan?” Tian Bing, seeing no one else dared speak, piped up.

“Chairman Tan is my father-in-law. Do you think I can’t represent him?” Chu Dong threw a scornful glance at Wang Dongliang and the others.

“You—you’re lying!” Wang Dongliang couldn’t accept it. He’d heard Chu Dong call Tan Xue his wife, and though Tan Xue hadn’t denied it, she’d never confirmed it either. Now Chu Dong was declaring this in front of everyone, and even without proof, people would believe it. Even if he succeeded in courting Tan Xue, he’d always be subject to gossip. Thinking this, he couldn’t help but speak up. “Xiao Xue, say it isn’t true. Xiao Xue!”

“My father said so—I can vouch for it,” Little Jade stepped forward, staunchly supporting Chu Dong when her sister remained silent.

Tan Xue had gone from vehemently opposing her father’s arrangement and treating Chu Dong coldly, to becoming capricious in order to drive him away. During this time, her feelings had gradually changed. Once, she viewed Chu Dong as a useless, fallen wastrel. Now she saw he might not be entirely without merit. With Chu Dong causing such a scene at the banquet, she felt she couldn’t remain silent any longer.

“My father did make such arrangements. But let’s not dwell on it—I’m also curious what my father entrusted him to announce. Let’s hear him out.” Tan Xue spoke calmly, moving to Chu Dong’s side, taking her sister and returning to their seats.

“I hereby announce, on behalf of Chairman Tan: Silver Dragon Group will transfer ninety-eight million shares to Chu Dong at par value, making him holder of six percent of the company and appointing him as Silver Dragon Group’s President…”

The hall erupted in commotion. No one had expected Tan Songhai to make such a decision. Some immediately began calling him to verify the news. The scene was now truly chaotic.

PS: Today, one chapter, three thousand words.