After Xiao Hailong finished kowtowing three times, tears of humiliation welled up in his eyes.
But he did not dare act out now.
He knew his grandmother must be deeply displeased with him.
At a time like this, he could not make her angry again, no matter what he said.
Seeing that Xiao Hailong had kowtowed and admitted his mistake, Old Madam Xiao felt somewhat relieved.
It was not that she wanted her grandson to kowtow to a good-for-nothing like Ye Chen, but the vicious oath concerned her own life.
She had always believed in Buddhism. If Xiao Hailong did not kowtow and admit his mistake, she feared she would neither sleep nor eat in peace, terrified that retribution would fall on her.
So she looked at Xiao Hailong and said calmly, "Hailong, those three kowtows were a lesson for you. From now on, don't casually make bets with others about things you're not sure of. Even if you do, don't bring trouble upon your family!"
Xiao Hailong said with a woeful face, "Grandma, I understand. I won't dare do it again..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Ye Chen and glared venomously at him, thinking, You piece of trash, you forced me to kneel and kowtow to you and made me lose all face. I'll fucking kill you sooner or later!
Then Old Madam Xiao said, "Churan secured this contract today, and that calls for celebration. Everyone needs to hurry and make preparations over the next few days. We must use this opportunity to build a good relationship with the Dihao Group!"
Ye Chen reminded her from the side, "Grandma, since Churan secured the project partnership, shouldn't the company's director position go to her?"
Old Madam Xiao raised an eyebrow and could not help thinking to herself.
She had indeed said that whoever secured the contract could become director.
But when she thought of how she had never liked Xiao Churan, and how her good-for-nothing husband had always disgusted her, she began to have misgivings.
If she elevated Xiao Churan and the girl slipped out of her control in the future, what would she do?
At that moment, she very much wanted to take back her promise.
After all, she had not sworn a vicious oath when she made it, so even if she went back on it, her conscience would be clear.
Still, she felt she could not say such a thing just after Xiao Churan had signed the contract, so she said, "How about this? Tomorrow evening, I'll hold a banquet and invite prominent figures from Jinling. I'll announce our partnership with the Dihao Group and the appointment of the new director in person then."
Hearing that, Ye Chen let out a satisfied breath of relief.
Xiao Churan also smiled gently. It seemed the director position was finally hers. She would no longer have to suffer exclusion, and her parents could hold their heads high again!
Old Madam Xiao turned to look at Xiao Churan and spoke again. "Churan, there's one more thing Grandma would like your help with."
Xiao Churan hurriedly said, "Grandma, what is it?"
Old Madam Xiao said, "I'd like you to contact Emgrand's chairman and invite him to tomorrow's banquet."
After a pause, the old woman said expectantly, "If he can attend our banquet, his presence would certainly bring splendor to our humble home and greatly boost the Xiao Family's reputation!"
Xiao Churan thought for a moment, then said with some hesitation, "But... the last time I went, I only met Emgrand's vice chairwoman, Wang Dongxue. I didn't meet the chairman himself... Besides, we've only just secured their project, and we're already holding a banquet like this. Won't it seem a little too deliberate...?"
"So what? I want everyone in Jinling to know that we're now tied to the great ship that is Emgrand, and that our Xiao Family is going to prosper from now on!"
After saying that, the old woman added, "Even if Emgrand's chairman isn't willing to come, inviting Wang Dongxue would be fine too. She's the Dihao Group's number two. Having her there would be quite an honor as well."
By now, Old Madam Xiao's face was alight with excitement.
When she imagined the major corporations and great families that had once looked down on the Xiao Family possibly having to hang on the Xiao Family's every breath in the future, she could not help feeling her blood boil with excitement.
The Xiao Family would become even more glorious under her hand!
Xiao Churan thought for a moment before answering somewhat hesitantly, "I understand. I'll give it a try..."
"Not try! You must get them to come!"
Xiao Churan nodded gently, then quietly asked Ye Chen, a little uncertain, "What should I do? What if Emgrand's chairman won't come? What if Wang Dongxue isn't willing to come either?"
Ye Chen chuckled and said, "Give it a try. Don't you have Wang Dongxue's number? Maybe she'll agree as soon as you call."
The Xiao Family was holding a banquet not only to display its strength to the outside world, but also to announce Xiao Churan's promotion to director.
With his wife becoming director, it would be nice for him, as her husband, to show up and support her.
At that moment, Xiao Churan had no idea that her husband was the Dihao Group's chairman. Still troubled, she sighed and said, "He's Emgrand's chairman, and I hear he's also a young master from a great family in Yanjing. An important person like that must be busy with countless affairs every day. How would he have time to attend a banquet...?"
Ye Chen smiled and said, "I wouldn't be so sure. Maybe he stays at home with his wife every day, cooking and doing laundry?"
Xiao Churan rolled her eyes at him. "Do you think everyone is like you?"
Ye Chen nodded. "Yes, it's quite possible the Dihao Group's boss is just like me..."
Xiao Churan pursed her lips and said coyly, "Oh, please! How could that be?"