Chapter 366 New Year Greetings, Grand Salutations
Silence fell over the surroundings as the Tang family members turned to look at Chen Xuan, their expressions peculiar.
"Yunxi, do you know her?" Chen Xuan asked, turning to Su Yunxi.
Su Yunxi glanced at Zhao Ling, then shook her head, her beautiful eyes blinking. "No, I don't."
Zhao Ling's expression shifted slightly. She said guiltily, "Are you from Yishen Pharmacy?"
Having only recently graduated from university, not even holding a master's degree, she couldn't possibly be a manager at Yishen Pharmacy. She was merely an intern, not even a full-time employee. Claiming to be a manager was purely for show, and she was now feeling rather apprehensive. For some reason, she found Chen Xuan and Su Yunxi somewhat familiar.
Zhao Ling suddenly thought of something, her heart skipping a beat.
Tang Ruoyu, cracking sunflower seeds nearby, scoffed, "He's nothing! He's just a live-in son-in-law!"
Zhao Ling became even more nervous. As an intern, she had never met Chen Xuan or Su Yunxi, but she had heard a rumor circulating within Yishen Pharmacy: their vice president was the ultimate live-in son-in-law, a formidable figure who depended on his wife. Could this be that vice president? However, Tang Ruoyu's next words dispelled Zhao Ling's thought: "Even his mother has to rely on our Tang family for lodging. How could Yishen Pharmacy recruit such a useless person?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Chen Xuan with a face full of disdain. That vice president was a ruthless man; why would he let his own mother live as a dependent? At the very least, she would be living in a villa, driving a luxury car, and attended to by ten or eight nannies.
Tang Ruoyu scanned Chen Xuan and the others, then turned to Aunt Tang, her tone sharp and sarcastic, "Sister, you brought an old woman here before, and she's been staying with us for so long, eating and drinking for free every day, which I won't even mention. Now you're bringing so many more people to freeload. Do you really think our Tang family is a charity?"
"Don't you invite many people every New Year?" Aunt Tang gritted her teeth. It was rare for her to retort after so many years. If Tang Ruoyu hadn't insulted Chen Xuan's family, she wouldn't have spoken up.
Tang Ruoyu chuckled, "The people I invite are all important figures. That's networking, people who can bring numerous benefits to the Tang family in the future. And you? Look at who you've brought – just a bunch of poor beggars! All you know is how to freeload!"
To maintain a low profile, even Su Yunxi had changed into ordinary clothes. She herself hadn't expected to be mistaken for a beggar.
Aunt Tang's face turned red with anger. "You..."
Tang Yongnian also chimed in, "Sister, what little sister said is right. We don't offer meals in our Tang family for free."
Others chimed in, demanding that Chen Xuan and his group leave.
"If they leave, then I'm leaving too!" Aunt Tang's eyes were red. Having lost her husband in her early years and been abandoned by her only son in her middle age, she had endured too many grievances. Her words now touched a nerve, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
Chen Xuan's expression also turned cold. It seemed his mother, Song Ping, and Aunt Tang had been subjected to much criticism during their stay at the Tang family's.
At this point, the Tang family patriarch stood up and declared, "It's the New Year. We cannot turn guests away. Our Tang family has no rule about driving people out!"
Zhao Ling said sarcastically, "You've let them eat and drink for free again, humph, you've profited again."
Tang Ruoyu stared at Aunt Tang and said, "After the New Year, make them leave. Our Tang family doesn't support freeloaders."
Just then, a voice sounded from outside: "From Yishen Pharmacy Sales Department, Minister Yuan is here to pay New Year's greetings to the Tang family!"
"A minister from Yishen Pharmacy?"
"How can such an important figure be here?"
"That's a real big shot. Even the Town Master himself would personally greet someone like that!"
"Lingling isn't a manager at Yishen Pharmacy, so it must be for Lingling!"
The Tang family first fell silent, then erupted into chaos. Finally, all eyes converged on Zhao Ling. Minister Yuan? Yuan Jie, the minister of the sales department? However, no one noticed Chen Xuan and Su Yunxi exchange a look, their expressions becoming extremely strange.
Under the envious gazes of everyone, Zhao Ling stood up and quickly walked out. A moment later, she led Yuan Jie, dressed in a suit, into the private room from outside.
Yuan Jie smiled and said, "I am Yuan Jie, a minister from Yishen Pharmacy. I wish everyone a Happy New Year!"
The Tang family members' faces flushed with excitement as a group swarmed around him. After the previous unpleasant incident, Yuan Jie, that old fellow, usually acted like a grandson in front of Chen Xuan. He certainly put on quite a show here, acting as if he were the Town Master. With the Tang family fawning around him, it seemed like saying a word to him was a great honor!
Although Tang Yongnian was also trying to curry favor, he felt a pang of envy, thinking that Tang Ruoyu and Zhao Ling had stolen the spotlight today. Tang Feng, noticing Tang Yongnian's dejection, comforted him, "Dad, don't worry. I'll definitely bring you honor later."
Seeing Tang Feng's confident expression, Tang Yongnian was startled. Could it be that Tang Feng had invited the Tian family? For a moment, Tang Yongnian's heart filled with excitement and anticipation.
Tang Ruoyu, looking smug, turned and saw Chen Xuan and the others sitting there motionless. She snorted, "Hey, hey, you freeloaders, why are you so rude? Aren't you going to greet President Yuan?"
"Does he deserve it?" Chen Xuan, taking a sip of water, placed his teacup on the table and smiled calmly. His voice was not loud, but Yuan Jie heard it clearly, and his expression immediately darkened. Damn it, in this desolate place, he was still a minister of Yishen Pharmacy. Which blind fool dared to be so arrogant?
Seeing Yuan Jie's displeased expression, Zhao Ling flew into a rage. She turned and yelled at Chen Xuan, "You blind fool, who do you think you are! Hurry up and apologize to our Minister Yuan!"
"He deserves it too?" Chen Xuan smiled faintly.
"Very well, I wonder who has such an arrogant attitude?" Yuan Jie strode over arrogantly.
Tang Ruoyu, seeing this, snorted, "Now, no one can save you!"
As she spoke, Yuan Jie had already walked over. When he saw Chen Xuan's face, he stiffened. Turning his head, he saw Su Yunxi sitting beside him, her eyes widening in surprise to the point where they almost popped out. He suspected he was mistaken and rubbed his eyes vigorously. After confirming it was indeed Chen Xuan and Su Yunxi, he was utterly stunned!
"Mr. Chen, Miss Su!"
"I didn't know you two were here. I sincerely apologize!"
Yuan Jie's legs went weak, and with a thud, he knelt before Chen Xuan and Su Yunxi.
The entire hall fell silent. Tang Ruoyu and Zhao Ling, in particular, were completely taken aback, never expecting Yuan Jie to perform such a grand gesture! The others were even more dumbfounded, their gazes fixed on Chen Xuan and Su Yunxi. Could it be that Aunt Tang had invited some truly important figure?
"Why are you two at the Tang family's?" Yuan Jie asked in a low voice, ignoring everyone's surprised stares.
"This is my mother's good friend, so we came here to celebrate the New Year," Chen Xuan said calmly.
"You are Mr. Chen's mother and aunt? I offer my New Year's greetings here! I wish you sisters a prosperous New Year!" Yuan Jie shifted his legs and bowed towards Song Ping and Aunt Tang, touching the ground with his head. He kowtowed several times. Just moments ago, the Tang family had claimed Aunt Tang had no connections and Chen Xuan's family was freeloading. Now, a figure they all had to greet and revere was actually kowtowing to Aunt Tang and Chen Xuan's family to offer New Year's greetings. Kowtowing was a grand gesture! This wasn't just slapping their faces; it was kicking them!