Xiao Churan’s statement left the entire Xiao family dumbfounded.


Everyone thought she must have lost her mind!


This wasn’t the time to show off! The only outcome of stepping forward now would be failure, followed by humiliation.


The Emgrand Group was the largest company in Jinling. Why would they bother with the Xiao family? It didn’t matter who tried to negotiate; success was impossible!


Xiao Hailong immediately sneered, “Churan, do you really think someone like you can secure a contract with the Emgrand Group?”


Xiao Weiwei, Xiao Churan’s cousin, added with a cold laugh, “Sister Churan, do you even realize who you are compared to the Emgrand Group? Don’t embarrass the Xiao family by attempting this!”


Others chimed in: “Exactly! If she gets kicked out by the Emgrand Group, the Xiao family will become the laughingstock of Jinling!”


Xiao Churan’s cheeks flushed red with anger and humiliation.


Since marrying Ye Chen, her status within the family had plummeted. She was increasingly marginalized and barely respected, even her parents suffered ridicule as a result.


She thought that if she could secure this project with the Emgrand Group, her position within the family would undoubtedly be restored.


Most importantly, her parents would finally be able to hold their heads high.


But now, with everyone mocking her, she was beginning to have second thoughts.


She shot an annoyed glance at Ye Chen, thinking, Why did I listen to him? I should’ve known better than to stick my neck out!


Grandma Xiao, hearing the comments from the crowd, was furious.


No one dared to take on the task earlier, and now that Xiao Churan had volunteered, these people were pouring cold water on her efforts!


Although Grandma Xiao had never been fond of Xiao Churan, at this moment, she felt that at least Xiao Churan was willing to shoulder the burden, unlike the others who only caused trouble.


She was especially disappointed with her favorite grandson, Xiao Hailong, who had let her down completely.


Because of this, Grandma Xiao’s attitude toward Xiao Churan softened.


She immediately declared, “Since no one else has the courage to accept, then the task of negotiating with the Emgrand Group will go to Churan!”


Xiao Churan reluctantly replied, “Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll do my best.”


Xiao Hailong sneered, “What’s the point of doing your best? In the end, you’ll still embarrass the family!”


Ye Chen smirked and asked, “Xiao Hailong, why are you so eager to dismiss Churan? Do you think the Xiao family doesn’t deserve to work with the Emgrand Group?”


Caught off guard by Ye Chen’s audacity to speak up at a family meeting, Xiao Hailong quickly defended himself, seeing Grandma Xiao’s expression sour. “That’s not what I meant! I just think Xiao Churan has no chance of securing the deal!”


Ye Chen laughed and said, “What if she succeeds? Why don’t we make a bet?”


Xiao Hailong sneered, “Sure! A bet? I’m not afraid of you. What’s the wager?”


Ye Chen said, “If Churan secures the contract, you’ll kneel in front of the entire family, bow three times, and admit you were wrong. If she fails, I’ll do the same for you. Deal?”


“Haha!” Xiao Hailong burst out laughing. “You must have a death wish! Fine, I’ll bet with you!”


Ye Chen nodded with satisfaction and said, “Let the entire family bear witness: whoever backs out of this bet will curse their father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother to die!”


He emphasized “grandmother” heavily, ensuring that Xiao Hailong wouldn’t dare to renege on the bet, as doing so would curse Grandma Xiao herself—a move that would earn her wrath.


“Fine!” Xiao Hailong, unaware that Ye Chen had just trapped him, laughed confidently. “Let the whole family witness. I can’t wait for you to bow to me!”


Xiao Churan was shocked and kept signaling to Ye Chen to stop, but he ignored her completely.


Grandma Xiao didn’t pay much attention to the bet. Her only concern was whether the Xiao family could secure a spot on the Emgrand Group’s collaboration list. If they succeeded, she wouldn’t mind Xiao Hailong kneeling—or even calling Ye Chen “Dad.”


She concluded, “That’s enough for today’s meeting. Churan, you have three days to secure the contract. Meeting adjourned!”


…


When they got home, Xiao Churan’s parents immediately lashed out at Ye Chen and Xiao Churan.


Her mother, Ma Lan, was panicking. “Churan, have you lost your mind? How could you listen to this useless man and blindly take on this task?”


Her father, Xiao Changkun, also scolded Ye Chen angrily, “Ye Chen, you worthless fool! You’ve ruined my daughter’s life!”


He fumed, “If Churan fails to secure the Emgrand Group deal, the family will ostracize her. And you’ll have to kneel before Xiao Hailong in front of everyone! Do you know how humiliating that will be for us?”


Ye Chen calmly replied, “Dad, Mom, if Churan secures the deal, won’t everything work out perfectly?”


“Secure it? Secure what?”


Xiao Changkun roared, “Do you have any idea how powerful the Emgrand Group is? Why would they ever take the Xiao family seriously?”


Ye Chen smiled. “You never know—maybe they will, I believe Churan will definitely get it done and secure the contract.”


Her mother-in-law mocked from the side, “You believe? Do you think you’re the owner of the Emgrand Group or something? Useless good-for-nothing, spouting nonsense as if you’re worth anything!”