Knowing that Ye Chen was just joking, Xiao Churan didn’t think much of it. She stepped aside and dialed Wang Dongxue’s number.


The call connected quickly.


Wang Dongxue’s pleasant voice came through, “Hello, Ms. Xiao.”


“Hello, Vice Chair Wang. I have a favor to ask,” Xiao Churan said hesitantly.


“Go ahead,” Wang Dongxue replied.


After organizing her thoughts, Xiao Churan took a deep breath and summoned her courage. “I’d like to ask if your chairman is available tomorrow evening. Our family is planning a banquet to officially announce our partnership with the Emgrand Group, and we’d be honored if your chairman could attend…”


Wang Dongxue paused briefly before replying, “Ms. Xiao, I don’t have the authority to decide this. Let me check with the chairman for you.”


Xiao Churan said respectfully, “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”


After hanging up, Xiao Churan held her phone nervously, waiting for a response.


Just then, Ye Chen’s phone started ringing.


Startled, Ye Chen cursed himself internally for forgetting to silence his phone. He knew it must be Wang Dongxue calling to confirm his decision.


Keeping a calm expression, he answered the call with a simple “Yes?”


Wang Dongxue’s voice came through, “Chairman, the Xiao family has invited you to their banquet tomorrow evening. Would you like to attend?”


Ye Chen replied, “Oh, I see. Sure, I’ll attend. Okay, that’s settled. Bye.”


He hung up quickly and muttered, “These annoying telemarketers…”


Xiao Churan didn’t suspect anything, but her phone rang again shortly after.


Wang Dongxue’s voice came back, “Ms. Xiao, our chairman has agreed to attend. He’ll be there directly.”


“Really? That’s wonderful! Thank you so much, and please extend my gratitude to your chairman,” Xiao Churan said excitedly, unable to believe the chairman had actually agreed.


She immediately turned to Grandma Xiao. “Grandma! The chairman of the Emgrand Group has agreed to come!”


“Really?!” Grandma Xiao exclaimed in delight.


She quickly addressed the Xiao family members present, “Everyone, start preparing immediately! Book the best hotel, the finest food, and top-quality wine. We must give the chairman a grand welcome!”


“Also, notify all major businesses in the city and invite them to the banquet. Tell them the Emgrand Group’s chairman will be attending!”


The Xiao family quickly sprang into action.


Everyone was ecstatic, eagerly contacting business partners and Jinling’s upper-class figures.


The news spread like wildfire.


The mysterious new chairman of the Emgrand Group was confirmed to make an appearance at the Xiao family’s banquet tomorrow evening!


Grandma Xiao received countless phone calls from curious parties, and she responded to each one with a beaming smile.


She was thrilled. She knew that after tomorrow’s banquet, the Xiao family would undoubtedly become one of the most prominent families in Jinling!


“Alright,” she announced, “that’s all for now. Let’s focus on preparing for tomorrow’s banquet. Meeting adjourned!”


After the meeting, Grandma Xiao returned to her office, but Xiao Hailong followed closely behind.


“Grandma, are you really going to make Xiao Churan the director?” he asked as soon as they were alone.


Grandma Xiao frowned and said coldly, “I’ve already promised her. Why shouldn’t I?”


Xiao Hailong insisted, “Grandma, you can’t let her be the director!”


“Why not?” Grandma Xiao asked. “She secured a major contract and deserves recognition for her contribution to the company.”


Xiao Hailong quickly said, “Grandma, the only reason Churan got the contract is because Zhang Wenhao helped her behind the scenes. I heard Zhang Wenhao even went to her house yesterday! The timing is too convenient—she met with him, and today, the Emgrand Group signed the contract. Isn’t it obvious?”


Grandma Xiao’s expression darkened. “Is this true?”


Xiao Hailong confidently replied, “Of course it’s true. Zhang Wenhao definitely visited Churan yesterday. You can look into it yourself.”


He continued, “Grandma, Churan is a married woman. If word gets out that she relied on improper means to secure the Emgrand Group contract, what will happen to the Xiao family’s reputation? What will happen to your reputation?”


Grandma Xiao furrowed her brows, beginning to believe most of what Xiao Hailong said.


She recalled that Zhang Wenhao had openly shown interest in Xiao Churan in the past. He had even gifted her a jade Buddha pendant worth three to four million yuan on her birthday.


This would explain why Xiao Churan had been able to secure a 60-million-yuan contract.


Xiao Hailong added, “Grandma, if you make a woman like that the director, it’ll ruin our family’s name. Instead, we should appoint someone else, preferably a man, as director. That way, we can credit the success of the contract to him and avoid unnecessary rumors.”


Grandma Xiao nodded slightly, convinced by Xiao Hailong’s reasoning.


It seemed clear to her now: she needed to choose a different director.


To avoid any rumors, if outsiders were to believe that Xiao Churan got the contract by being involved with Zhang Wenhao, Grandma Xiao could still explain that it was thanks to the new director’s efforts, not Xiao Churan using improper means.


Additionally, Grandma Xiao harbored a selfish motive.


She had never liked Xiao Churan and, being biased toward men, didn’t want to see Xiao Churan’s position or influence grow within the Xiao family.


She felt she needed to suppress her to ensure the Xiao family’s assets wouldn’t fall into the hands of outsiders.


With that thought, her mind was made up.


She looked at Xiao Hailong and said coldly, “Hailong, in the company, you must follow my orders without question. Whatever I tell you to do, you do it. Whatever I forbid you from doing, you absolutely cannot do. Understood?”


Xiao Hailong immediately pledged his loyalty. “Don’t worry, Grandma. From now on, I’ll do whatever you say. Wherever you point, I’ll strike!”


“Good,” Grandma Xiao said with a satisfied nod. “At tomorrow’s banquet, I will announce to everyone that you are the new director and will be fully in charge of the partnership with the Emgrand Group. But remember, you must obey me. I can elevate you, but I can also bring you down!”


Xiao Hailong was overjoyed and quickly assured her, “Don’t worry, Grandma! I will always listen to you!”