The two announcements from Dihao Group sent all of Jinling into an uproar.
When the Xiao Family heard that Dihao Group had changed hands, they finally understood why the Wang Family had been kicked out.
It seemed Dihao Group's new owner looked down on families like the Wang Family.
But who exactly was Young Master Ye? This man was incredible! He had bought Dihao Group, a company worth over a hundred billion yuan, just like that. Even the richest man in Jinling had never made such a lavish move!
For a time, countless families were itching to make a move. On one hand, they longed to establish a connection with the mysterious Young Master Ye; on the other, they hoped their daughters could marry him.
Besides that, Dihao Group's plan to invest two billion yuan in a hotel project sent tremors through the entire construction and renovation industry in Jinling!
Two billion yuan!
Even getting a few scraps from it would bring in a fortune!
Countless companies wanted a slice of the pie.
Naturally, that included Old Madam Xiao, who loved money as dearly as life itself!
Old Madam Xiao was beside herself with excitement. A major project worth two billion yuan was a golden opportunity!
If the Xiao Family could get a contract, even their chickens and dogs would ascend to heaven!
So she immediately ordered a family meeting at home that evening to discuss how to make a breakthrough with Dihao Group's new project. Everyone had to attend!
That evening, at the Xiao family villa.
Because Old Madam Xiao had required everyone to attend, Ye Chen went along too.
He knew she was holding the meeting to discuss how to get a slice of Dihao Group's major project.
So he wanted to take this opportunity to bring honor to his wife, Xiao Churan!
When they arrived at the Xiao family villa, Xiao Churan's older male cousin, Xiao Hailong, saw him and immediately sneered, "Fuck, Ye Chen, you've really got some thick skin. You've still got the fucking nerve to show your face in front of Grandma!"
Xiao Churan said coldly, "Stop talking nonsense. Grandma said everyone in the Xiao Family had to come. Ye Chen is my husband, so naturally he's part of the Xiao Family too!"
Xiao Hailong laughed. "What the hell makes him part of the Xiao Family? He's just a live-in son-in-law!"
Ye Chen rubbed his nose and said to Xiao Churan, "Forget it, honey. Don't stoop to his level. Let's go in before we keep Grandma waiting."
Xiao Churan nodded and, without giving Xiao Hailong so much as a pleasant look, led Ye Chen inside.
Seeing this, Xiao Hailong's expression turned cold. They would get what was coming to them soon enough.
After entering the meeting hall, Ye Chen and Xiao Churan found seats in a corner.
Before long, Old Madam Xiao walked in, and the family meeting officially began.
Old Madam Xiao sat at the head of the table, rapped on it, and said in high spirits, "The Xiao Family has been waiting for an opportunity these past few years, an opportunity to join the ranks of Jinling's wealthy elite! Now that opportunity has finally come!"
Old Madam Xiao said loudly, "This time, Dihao Group has put forward a major project worth two billion yuan. Whoever can secure a contract for a share of it is bound to benefit enormously!"
"And this is Dihao Group's first major project since it changed hands. It's a wonderful opportunity for our Xiao Family!"
"If we can work with Dihao Group and make a good impression on its new owner, the Xiao Family's future will surely be boundless!"
Though Old Madam Xiao was in high spirits, the people seated below her all seemed rather unmoved.
In truth, the Xiao Family had wanted to work with Dihao Group for more than a day or two. All this time, Dihao Group had paid them no attention at all. Now Old Madam Xiao wanted a slice of its new project. How could that be possible?
Seeing everyone sitting in silence, Old Madam Xiao demanded angrily, "What's wrong? Have you all gone mute? Don't you have the confidence to get even a few scraps from a two-billion-yuan project?"
Everyone looked at one another, none daring to speak.
Old Madam Xiao's expression grew angrier, and she said through gritted teeth, "I'll say it here and now: whoever can negotiate a thirty-million-yuan share of the project with Dihao Group will become the group's director!"
At those words, everyone present was stunned.
Old Madam Xiao had always ruled with an iron hand, so she had never created a director's position within the group. After all, a director wielded great power, and almost no one but the group's future successor would be qualified for the position.
By offering the position as a reward, Old Madam Xiao was surely hoping a generous reward would bring forth a brave soul. It was clear just how desperately she wanted a share of Dihao Group's project.
But desirable as the director's position was, it would not be so easy to get.
In the Xiao family's eyes, working with Emgrand and securing a thirty-million-yuan contract? What a joke! Even if Old Madam Xiao went in person, Emgrand Group's executives wouldn't see her, much less discuss a partnership.
The family meeting hall fell completely silent.
Seeing this, Old Madam Xiao demanded, her face full of anger, "You are descendants of the Xiao Family. Is there really no one willing to shoulder some of the family's burdens?"
With that, Old Madam Xiao looked straight at Xiao Hailong. "Hailong, I'm putting you in charge of this!"
Xiao Hailong gave a few awkward chuckles and hurriedly said, "Grandma, even Wang Yunfei's family has been shown the door by Dihao Group. We're even weaker than the Wang Family, so how could we possibly get a contract with Dihao Group..."
Old Madam Xiao immediately scolded him. "Useless! You've given up on yourself before you've even tried. You're even more useless than that good-for-nothing Ye Chen!"
In truth, Old Madam Xiao had no confidence either, but she was unwilling to remain forever at the helm of a second- or third-rate family. Even in her dreams, she longed for the Xiao Family to rise to a higher level.
And this Dihao Group project was the only opportunity.
So no matter how difficult it was, she was unwilling to give up.
She had thought that Xiao Hailong, as her eldest grandson, would readily take on the task, but she had never expected him to back down at a moment like this!
Xiao Hailong was frustrated too. Who would be willing to take on an impossible task like that? He would probably be thrown out before he even set foot through Dihao Group's doors.
Then not only would he fail to get anything done, he would also be ridiculed and become a laughingstock. That was why he had decided not to agree, no matter what.
After scolding Xiao Hailong, Old Madam Xiao demanded loudly, "What about the rest of you? Does none of you dare take on this task?"
At that moment, Ye Chen gave Xiao Churan a gentle nudge with his elbow and said in a low voice, "Honey, take on the task!"
Xiao Churan hurriedly said, "Are you crazy? There's no way Dihao Group would work with a small company like the Xiao Family's!"
Ye Chen smiled faintly and said with complete confidence, "Don't worry. You'll definitely be able to negotiate the partnership!"
Xiao Churan asked in surprise, "Really?"
Ye Chen said with certainty, "Of course! I think you can handle it without any problem! Seize this opportunity, and your standing in the Xiao Family will soar to the heavens!"
Xiao Churan didn't know why, but at that moment, she somehow found herself believing Ye Chen.
She stood up without thinking and said to Old Madam Xiao, "Grandma, I'm willing to give it a try..."