They say, 'It's not about arriving early, but arriving at the right time!' Your residence is filled with honored guests today, yet here I am, intruding."
Su She entered the Xiashan Villa as if it were his own home, his demeanor calm and composed, showing no signs of someone facing a crisis. He greeted each familiar face present before finally approaching the main table.
However, many had only just learned of Xu Fang's plea for forgiveness outside the Green Stone Palace when Su She had already arrived. Seeing his capabilities, it was inevitable to feel a sense of anxiety.
It was like a few days ago when Chongxuan Sheng entered the city through the Xingate, only for Vice Chairman Cheng Shiyi of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce to see through his haste. Situations often overpower individuals; this was unavoidable.
Chongxuan Mingguang rose first and said, "Chairman Su, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"
Su She smiled faintly, "Brother Chongxuan is too polite."
He then turned to greet Li Zhengshu and Qing Xi, "Brother Li, Senior Qing is also here."
Li Zhengshu only nodded.
Qing Xi, however, smiled warmly, "Chairman Little Su has arrived?"
Seeing Su She lose face in front of him naturally made him happy. Given Qing Xi's seniority, calling him Little Su was perfectly acceptable.
Chongxuan Sheng simply instructed with a smile, "Add two more chairs."
The servants quietly brought two chairs and placed them beside Qing Xi.
Su She lifted the hem of his robe with exceptional elegance and sat down, even smiling at Qing Xi.
"Oh, Young Master Sheng, how could I possibly sit?" Cheng Shiyi said with a look of embarrassment.
She had come dressed in her finest today; the years had given her a unique charm, with every smile and glance carrying an air of grace. Her current display of modesty made many onlookers feel intrigued.
"Chairman Cheng is too polite," Chongxuan Mingguang hurriedly said. "All guests are welcome; there's no need for such embarrassment."
"Mr. Chongxuan doesn't understand," Cheng Shiyi glanced at him before turning to Chongxuan Sheng. "It was all my fault. I was in a bad mood the other day, and alas, my words were unmeasured, offending Young Master Sheng."
"It's a small matter, a small matter. The men of the Chongxuan family don't like to dwell on trifles," Chongxuan Mingguang said, gesturing. "Sit down, sit down."
Cheng Shiyi then half-reluctantly sat down.
"Uncle," Chongxuan Sheng said with a smile. "Whether it's a big or small matter, shouldn't the person who experienced it firsthand have the final say? You're kind-hearted, but do you even know about this?"
He spoke gently, but the implication was—You know nothing! Your opinion doesn't count!
Chongxuan Mingguang's expression stiffened slightly.
Cheng Shiyi, who had barely settled on her seat, quickly stood up again, which especially made him feel his dignity slipping away.
But Chongxuan Sheng's attitude was also clear, stating his position and drawing a line.
For the same reason, he couldn't fall out with his nephew in front of so many people. If the old man really wanted to beat him, he wouldn't hold back, even if he was sixty years old.
He had no choice but to sit back down awkwardly.
Chongxuan Sheng then raised his cup and said, "All guests are welcome. Dean Su, let me toast you."
Su She's expression remained unchanged as he raised his cup and drank, though inwardly he felt a chill.
From this address alone, one could tell many things.
For instance, Chongxuan Mingguang was a complete fool. His son, Chongxuan Zun, had such an important cooperation with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, yet he didn't know that its chairman preferred to be called Dean.
Qing Xi naturally knew this but deliberately called him Chairman Little Su to make him uncomfortable.
This was the old man's usual arrogance.
Only Chongxuan Sheng...
Both sides had clearly torn off their masks, and he had already launched a counterattack, poised to destroy the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce.
Yet face-to-face, he could still call him Dean Su.
This showed how well he understood and how much he had considered Su She himself.
He had misjudged, he sighed inwardly.
It wasn't that he had made the wrong choice between Chongxuan Zun and Chongxuan Sheng, but rather that he hadn't paid enough attention to Chongxuan Sheng.
Compared to Chongxuan Sheng, Chongxuan Zun's talent, cultivation, and even influence were naturally far superior, and in terms of schemes and methods, he was no less capable. Hadn't he just made his move, nearly forcing Chongxuan Sheng back to his original state?
It was just that Chongxuan Sheng had seized a slim chance and was temporarily sent away.
If they were to truly fight face-to-face, Chongxuan Sheng might have already conceded defeat by now.
However, at this moment, he had to admit that both he and Chongxuan Zun had underestimated Chongxuan Sheng far too much. Even though Chongxuan Zun had begun to seriously regard Chongxuan Sheng as an opponent, it was only the beginning.
Whether it was the move that sent Chongxuan Zun away from the game or today's move to strike at the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, it showed the superior scheming of this young, chubby young master.
"Young Master Sheng," Su She said, his face radiating warmth despite his inner caution, "our Vice Chairman Cheng has come this time with sincere apologies."
Cheng Shiyi stood by the table, her expression devoid of any embarrassment, instead showing sincerity and genuine eyes. "I truly realize my mistake and have come to apologize to Young Master Sheng."
Her voice was soft, each syllable seeping into one's heart. "Would you need me to kneel before you to make amends?"
"What are you saying? There's no offense between us," Chongxuan Sheng laughed heartily. "Aunt Cheng, please sit!"
This "Aunt Cheng" was devastatingly effective.
Even though Cheng Shiyi was accustomed to maintaining her composure and always had a smile, her expression froze for a moment.
"It was a small matter," Su She proactively picked up the wine jug and poured wine for Qing Xi and Li Zhengshu one by one, adding, "But Young Master Sheng must truly not hold a grudge!"
He stood up with great grace and also poured wine for Chongxuan Mingguang before refilling Chongxuan Sheng's cup.
Chongxuan Sheng hurriedly stood up, appearing somewhat clumsy due to his obesity, which made his smile seem more genuine. "Why trouble Dean Su to pour the wine?"
"Oh," after Su She sat back down gracefully, the chubby man settled into his seat with a sigh, "It was nothing. We've cooperated so well in the Yang region; we're all friends."
"Speaking of cooperation," Su She naturally didn't take it seriously, only smiling, "I have a development strategy here, prepared long ago, but I haven't had the chance to show it to Young Master Sheng. I suppose the misunderstanding arose from this."
He took out a jade scroll from his robe and extended it towards Chongxuan Sheng, his smile extremely charming. "Young Master Sheng, please take a look."
This is a betrayal, these untrustworthy merchants!
Chongxuan Mingguang, seated at the main table, grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Brother Su, this..."
Su She raised his left hand to cut him off, his eyes fixed on Chongxuan Sheng, his voice gentle but not polite. "Brother Chongxuan, whatever matters you have, can they wait until after I've finished speaking with Young Master Sheng?"
Su She's seat was to the left of Chongxuan Mingguang and to the right of Qing Xi.
Chongxuan Sheng was diagonally opposite him, in the last seat.
He extended the jade scroll, and Chongxuan Sheng only needed to stand slightly to take it easily.
Xu Fang's heartfelt plea for forgiveness outside the Green Stone Palace had already happened, and nothing could be undone.
Whatever losses there were, Su She admitted them. Paying for one's own oversights was part of doing business; profits and losses were always one's own responsibility.
He was willing to pay, and he could afford to.
He was now offering substantial benefits, seeking only a promise from Chongxuan Sheng not to continue his relentless pursuit.
He only wanted to stop any possible follow-up actions from Chongxuan Sheng.
He didn't know how Chongxuan Sheng had found Xu Fang, how much he knew, what plans he had, or how many cards he could play.
Su She was willing to sacrifice millions in benefits just to cut his losses and stop the bleeding.
This was the sincerity of his visit.
Now, all Chongxuan Sheng needed to do was stand slightly and take the jade scroll.
It was that simple, and nothing more.
But Chongxuan Sheng smiled sheepishly, "I'm too fat and have short arms; perhaps we can look at it another time!"