Although Qin Siyang was usually arrogant, acting as if only heaven ranked above him, he still knew who truly called the shots when it mattered.
He waved his hands repeatedly. "Secretary-General Gu, everyone seated here today is a senior who has made outstanding contributions to the Safe Zone's development and order. I'm just a student. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to join the table."
Gu Weiyang smiled first. "I've followed your achievements, Xiao Qin. You're a leading figure among the younger generation, and you'll become a pillar of the Safe Zone in the future. It's only a matter of time before you're named a [Five Good Student] of the Safe Zone. I thought you might have some youthful impetuosity, but I never expected you to be so modest. That humility truly came as something of a surprise. I believe that under your generation's leadership, the Safe Zone will reach greater heights and go further than ever."
It sounded as though Gu Weiyang was merely offering harmless pleasantries and a little praise for Qin Siyang.
But everyone present was shrewd enough to know that Gu Weiyang would never waste time saying something pointless.
Strip away the compliments, and his real intent became clear.
He had followed Qin Siyang's exploits, expected youthful impetuosity, and had instead found him remarkably modest.
Distilled down, those few remarks suggested that Gu Weiyang was somewhat displeased with the way Qin Siyang had handled things before.
Whether it was openly hiring a killer at the Zhao Merchants' Association's ceremony, making Dadowa, the Construction Bureau's chief, disappear at the Guesthouse, or killing someone during his clash with Yan Xiaowu outside just now, all of it seemed utterly unrestrained.
Qin Siyang gave people the unsettling sense that order could crumble at any moment.
The only reason none of