Shen Xubai's arrival brought a fresh surge of excitement to the banquet. As a rising talent who had taken the Shen business to new heights in just five years at the helm, he was simply beyond compare among his peers.
Listening to the endless praise around him, Shen Changgeng's eyes filled with pride and gratification. Especially when he saw Shen Xubai handling those old fellows with ease, he could not hide his smile.
Shen Xubai was young and knew when to push and when to yield, but that did not mean he would back down just because the other party belonged to his father's generation.
In fact, his youth meant that even when his decisions ran counter to their interests, Shen Xubai could explain without batting an eye that he did not understand, leaving those difficult old fellows glaring helplessly in anger.
The frustration of being constrained by personal ties for years finally eased. Shen Changgeng deliberately avoided the old fellows' looks demanding an explanation and turned to search for his younger son, who had slipped off somewhere.
In a corner of the banquet hall, Shen Yu held a plate of pastries from who knew where and chattered animatedly with the Yao Family's boy.
Shen Changgeng fell silent at the sight of his son, who had solemnly promised to mind his image before coming, only to arrive and start bobbing his head in delight.
This was fine too, Shen Changgeng consoled himself. A healthy appetite was a blessing.
Unaware of how much his father worried over him, the chattering Shen Yu was not merely making idle conversation. Through Yao Maolin's gossip, he learned plenty of secrets about the wealthy families.
Thinking of how this would be Ji Cიცen's battlefield from now on, Shen Yu perked up and kept listening. Besides