Chapter 271: The Old-School Tyrant CEO 15

At that moment, the vacuum-like atmosphere surrounding Shen Xiuyan was finally broken.

The host of the banquet walked toward him.

“Xiuyan, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Why are you hiding here?”

Shen Xiuyan set down his glass and nodded to the newcomer. “Uncle Qi.”

This man was a long-time friend of his father’s, so he had to show some respect. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have attended this banquet today in the first place.

“Good, good. Come, let me introduce someone to you. This is Ren He, the CEO of Fenghua Group’s Asia-Pacific region. Weren’t you interested in their company’s products recently? This is a good chance to chat.”

Shen Xiuyan replied, “Thank you, Uncle Qi.”

Ren He quickly gave a slight bow. “President Shen, I have long looked forward to meeting you.”

“Hello.”

Ren He spoke with a touch of trepidation. “I heard you’re interested in our company’s products. May I ask which specific line you’re looking at?”

Shen Xiuyan unhurriedly reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a business card. “No rush. This isn’t the place to talk business. This is my assistant’s card. You can contact him directly later.”

Ren He took the card with great care, his voice trembling with excitement. “Certainly, certainly.”

Even though Shen Xiuyan’s attitude wasn’t at all what one would expect from a buyer—appearing extremely casual, even indifferent—the other man didn’t find it problematic in the least.

On the contrary, he was beyond thrilled!

It was an honor for their company that President Shen would even look at their products.

Who knew? Perhaps their company was about to be carried to new heights by President Shen.

Seeing this, Uncle Qi smiled with satisfaction. “Alright then, you two can take your time chatting later. I hope my meddling was of some help to you, Xiuyan.”

Given Shen Xiuyan’s current status, he didn’t attend just any banquet. There were countless events held in this city every year, but it was a good year if he showed his face at two or three of them. His appearance today was entirely due to his father’s old connections.

But the elder Shen had retired, after all, and connections didn’t work forever.

These old foxes frequently tried to curry favor with Shen Xiuyan, hoping to protect their long-term interests.

This, in turn, made Shen Xiuyan’s business dealings go even more smoothly.

As things stood, Shen Xiuyan still gave these old-timers a bit of face, and that was enough.

Both sides were satisfied with the status quo and hoped to maintain this stability indefinitely.

The big shots watching from the sidelines saw the group chatting warmly and noted that President Shen didn’t seem annoyed.

Some began planning to go over and strike up a conversation themselves.

Zhao Yixin, who had been watching everything from the side, felt she couldn’t wait any longer.

She had to make her move before the crowd swarmed him.

Otherwise, once the crowd gathered, there would be no room left for her.

If she went up now, she could also leave a deeper impression on the other powerful figures. With the factor of “knowing Shen Xiuyan” in play, her future career might become much easier.

She quickly adjusted her evening gown and walked over with confident strides.

“Wow, is it really you?” Zhao Yixin put on an expression of pleasant surprise, looking at the man before her with eyes full of admiration. “You left so quickly last time that I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly. I didn’t expect to be lucky enough to run into you here today.”

The onlookers turned their gazes over in surprise. Someone who knew President Shen and actually dared to approach him?

Which family’s daughter was this?

They hadn’t seen her before…

These people were all seasoned veterans of the social scene. After a brief, careful look at Zhao Yixin’s attire, they figured out her identity.

Likely just another little starlet brought in by someone…

There were countless celebrities in the banquet hall today, all of them trying their hardest to squeeze into this circle. But they didn’t stop to think that people of actual status wouldn’t look twice at them; at most, they were seen as playthings to pass the time.

However, this little starlet’s tone was off. She sounded extremely familiar with Shen Xiuyan. If that were the case, even if she were just a plaything, they would have to show her some respect.

At least until Shen Xiuyan grew tired of her, that respect had to remain.

The big shots didn’t move. They were patient and composed, wanting to see how the situation developed before deciding on an appropriate reaction.

But in Zhao Yixin’s eyes, their composed expressions looked like they were stunned by her beauty and attire.

She couldn’t have been more pleased with herself.

Her unconventional strategy had paid off.

She couldn’t afford expensive jewelry, and since the people at this banquet were all elites, any jewelry she could produce wouldn’t stand up to comparison.

Instead of trying to compete, she had chosen simplicity. She wore light makeup and a dignified, elegant white gown without any accessories. In this hall of clinking glasses and flashing jewels, her look was a breath of fresh air.

At least now, she knew her gamble had been right.

After all, the gazes of these powerful men hadn’t left her.

But no one realized that the two sides were thinking of completely different things. The only thing they had in common was waiting for Shen Xiuyan’s response.

However, Shen “Romantically Dense” “Utterly Disdainful” Xiuyan made an effort to use his calmest tone to utter three words: “Who are you?”

The moment those words left his mouth, the looks in the eyes of the surrounding big shots began to change.

Could this be a little starlet who had come to offer herself up uninvited?

They had seen many such people. If President Shen truly didn’t know her, they would have to kick her out immediately. If he got angry, no one could afford the consequences.

Zhao Yixin was the first to snap back to reality. she widened her eyes, which seemed filled with disbelief. Upon closer inspection, her eyes looked watery and aggrieved, enough to trigger anyone’s protective instincts.

“President Shen, you really love to joke. It’s me, Zhao Yixin. You helped me just a couple of days ago. If you hadn’t, my role as the female lead in my next drama would have been taken away.”

The confused gazes of the crowd shifted back to Shen Xiuyan. Judging by the starlet’s tone, it didn’t seem like they were strangers.

Could it be that President Shen wanted to enjoy the benefits without taking responsibility?

Surely not…

Seeing the subtle shift in how everyone was looking at him, Shen Xiuyan knew his reputation was being unfairly tarnished.

He frowned. “There was such a thing? How come I didn’t know about it?”

Zhao Yixin didn’t believe for a second that Shen Xiuyan didn’t remember her; she assumed this was some kind of test.

She lowered her head with a look of grievance, exposing the pale curve of her neck. Her white dress made her appear exceptionally small and helpless.

Faced with such a scene, the surrounding power players were momentarily at a loss for words.

They were caught in a dilemma.

Who on earth brought this person in?

She had no sense of decorum whatsoever. Even if she really intended to force his hand, this was hardly the venue for it. From their perspective, she was practically begging to be blacklisted from the industry.

At that moment, the brand owner who had brought Zhao Yixin in was breaking out in a cold sweat.

He had only looked away for a second—how had Zhao Yixin ended up over by Shen Xiuyan?

Did she have a death wish?

If she wanted to ruin herself, she shouldn’t drag him down with her…

Sensing disaster, the brand owner tried to shrink into the background, but he felt that wasn’t safe enough. Clutching his stomach with a look of feigned agony, he said, “Oh, no, my stomach is killing me. I have to head back first.”

With that, he hurried out of the banquet hall as fast as he could.