Chapter 1294: Chapter 1294: Let’s Hurt Each Other
Li Yang and the others were eager to become Ye Fan’s cronies. Only if Ye Fan agreed, would they be overjoyed.
Therefore, following Xixi’s words, they all categorized themselves as bad kids, eagerly awaiting Ye Fan’s rescue.
Xixi giggled continuously, amused by the praises from Li Yang and the others.
Ye Fan glanced at everyone and said, "You all have some promise, but as heirs of big families, saying things against your conscience just for flattery—isn’t that embarrassing?"
"Not entirely against conscience, we truly mean it." Li Yang assured earnestly.
"Our skin is naturally thick, and to have the honor of recognizing you as our leader would be a blessing." Ma Junqing laughed.
"Exactly, exactly, Xixi is smart to begin with, we’re not wrong to say so. More importantly, our ambition is just this small right now, can’t change it, and we’re looking forward to your guidance to grow us bigger." Chen Xiangsheng flattered.
"Boss, do you think we have the qualifications to be your cronies?" Zheng Junxian asked eagerly, "If we’re not qualified, we can change! We’re ready to go all out to become your cronies."
"Be more disciplined, don’t say useless things." Ye Fan said indifferently, "Everyone, let’s eat."
Li Yang and the others weren’t discontent with Ye Fan’s refusal to take them as cronies. As long as Ye Fan wasn’t annoyed, they were satisfied. Li Yang seriously said, "If you don’t start eating, who dares to start?"
"You’re wrong about that. I’m not the host." Ye Fan glared at Li Yang and his group, then looked at Jian Tao’s mother and daughter, saying, "Hurry up and eat; the food’s getting cold."
"Miss Jian, you start first; you’re the host, naturally you should lead."
"Xixi must be hungry; hurry up and eat without minding us."
Li Yang and his group all looked at Jian Tao’s mother and daughter. Unless they started, Li Yang and the others wouldn’t move—which was only natural. Ye Fan said so, how dare they act rashly, thus treating Jian Tao’s mother and daughter as hosts.
Jian Tao smiled wryly and could only take the lead.
"Boss, have a drink." Li Yang, sitting beside Ye Fan, naturally took up the role of pouring the drink.
This scene left Zhao Gui and Chen Yifei stunned, as Li Yang and his group changed their faces so quickly, completely following Ye Fan’s lead.
Especially Zhao Gui, who felt very frustrated. Although he was also one of the hosts, no one paid him any mind. Everyone present treated him and Chen Yifei like air, completely ignoring them; that feeling was truly uncomfortable.
Within Chen Yifei’s heart arose suspicion upon suspicion, filled with astonishment. Why did Old Man Zhao perceive Ye Fan as Zhao Hai; this was something she couldn’t fathom. Additionally, Li Yang and the group’s sycophantic attitude made her head spin with confusion.
...
At Old Man Zhao’s table, Li Chenggui’s group of five accompanied the Zhao Feipeng brothers with the old man.
At this moment, the old man had forgotten about the juniors, reminiscing about the times battling in the business world with Li Chenggui’s group of five.
"Li Family boy, I remember you were quite troublesome then. Often worried your parents sick; just running away from home happened three times, didn’t it? Quite worrying indeed." Old Man Zhao looked at Li Chenggui, exposing Li Chenggui’s past scars.
He said, with a tone of harsh love, "Have you improved now? Still as mischievous as before?"
Old Man Zhao had a teaching tone, as bringing up others’ unsavory past gave him a tremendous sense of achievement, making him rather gleeful.
"Old Man Zhao, those days were decades ago; why remember them so clearly?" Li Chenggui smiled wryly.
"Of course, I remember clearly. Your father made a fool of himself, providing everyone a spectacle. At the time, your father and I were at odds; I didn’t miss a chance to laugh at him. That feeling was truly gratifying. Even after so many years, recalling it still is wonderfully vivid; how could I forget? You should’ve seen your father’s sour face like he was about to eat someone. It was quite satisfying." Old Man Zhao vividly recalled those events, as he was the one who delighted most in mockingly watching his rival Li Chenggui’s father lose face.
Li Chenggui’s group’s fathers were all business competitors of his, recounting rival father’s unsavory past before their offspring was Old Man Zhao’s favorite high-achievement activity, naturally retelling with gusto.
"Old Man Zhao, you had plenty of embarrassing moments too. I remember once my dad reached a new cooperation agreement with the Zhao family’s partner when Zhao family lacked funds, you almost jumped off a building. Although my Li family did step in and snatched the opportunity, it was fair competition. You brought gifts to my dad afterward; practically on the verge of begging him. You remember that?" Li Chenggui decided to reveal one of Old Man Zhao’s embarrassing stories, intending to regain his dad’s dignity and stand up for the Zhao family.
"Li Family boy, leave; I have nothing to say to you, you’re just making things up." Old Man Zhao glared angrily at Li Chenggui. In that moment, he was the most lucid he’d been in several days.
"Heh heh, Old Man Zhao, don’t get angry; if you do, you lose." Li Chenggui grinned cunningly.
Ignoring Li Chenggui, Old Man Zhao turned his attention to Ma Qianqiu, recalling, "Ma Family boy, you weren’t bad back then, you dropped out in eighth grade to learn racing. So many years have passed, what have you achieved? You still ended up returning to inherit the family fortune, unfortunately lacking a proper degree, reportedly all bought with money. I heard you even struggled to find the signature spot when you first started inheriting the family business. Was there some truth to this?"
Seeing no benefit from Li Chenggui’s mouth, Old Man Zhao shifted his target to Ma Qianqiu.
"Misheard; absolutely misheard." Ma Qianqiu had a glum face and said, "Besides, even if there was some truth, so what? It’s precious to turn over a new leaf; it’s hard to find such treasure. No matter how impressive you may be, Old Man Zhao, you only have a high school diploma. Comparing now, Ma family’s wealth surpasses Zhao family’s. What’s there to be proud of? Even I, a so-called illiterate, do better than you. You’d better simmer down."
Old Man Zhao was indignant, "True, Ma family wealth surpasses Zhao family, but Zhao family acts with honor and integrity, contrary to Ma family. Your father, nearing sixty, got a young girl pregnant—that’s scandalous behavior. I believe your brother is thirty-nine years younger than you?"
"No respect for your elders, as a senior pulling these trivial incidents to insult me isn’t proper conduct." Ma Qianqiu countered, "My dad ’flowering’ late is no big deal and unlike you, getting drunk and thrown into a hotel, accompanied by three escorts overnight; the situation the next morning, tsk tsk tsk, it’s hard to say."
"Ma Family boy, leave; I have nothing to say to you. Your reckless father did me harm, wolves without shame." Old Man Zhao cursed indignantly.
