Chapter 216: Chapter 214: Victory or Defeat in a Single Move
Jiang Qimeng gleefully arranged a seat for Si Junyan.
The secretary wanted to speak but stopped herself.
Could Si Junyan’s influence compare with Si Yuhuan’s? She felt that the boss had really been brainwashed by all the flattery and sycophantic praise lately. She completely forgot how Yuexiang was founded! That was all thanks to Director Si’s fame, wasn’t it?
Si Junyan still had bandages wrapped around his body. To avoid showing his numerous wounds, he wore a tightly fitted tailcoat, even choosing a broad bow tie that could cover his stitches.
The crowd, which had been silent and not bidding, became slightly agitated when Si Junyan appeared.
"I heard that Second Young Master Si was punished by Director Si for some wrongdoing. He hasn’t been at Haohan for a while. I didn’t expect him to suddenly show up at the event. Does this mean the Si Family is supporting Jiang Qimeng’s takeover of the Yaowang market?"
"It looks like it! After all, Director Si and Jian Xi are already divorced. Without Director Si backing Yaowang, who would dare to invest in it, no matter its potential?"
"Out of respect for the Si Family, I won’t hold back on bidding for these items today."
The moment someone called out a price, other bidders immediately jumped in.
Jiang Qimeng’s red lips curved into a smile. She was right; all her efforts were not in vain. The chess piece that was Si Junyan still had its uses!
At the height of the intense bidding, someone in the crowd shouted, "Oh my God, Si Yuhuan has just released a statement! From now on, Si Junyan has no association whatsoever with Haohan Group or the Si Family. Everything he does is purely his personal behavior!"
The nearly frenzied scene instantly cooled.
Jiang Qimeng’s smile froze on her face.
Si Junyan incredulously pulled out his cell phone and swiped it a few times. When he saw the official announcement on the front-page headline, he smashed the phone and shouted furiously, "Si Yuhuan, you bastard!"
The scene immediately descended into chaos.
Many of the people who were there out of respect for Si Yuhuan immediately stood up. "What? This is a bait and switch! If I had known Si Yuhuan wasn’t coming, would I have sat here for five or six hours? Ridiculous!"
"Second Young Master Si? He’s nothing but a discarded pawn, a useless piece of trash! You’d have to be blind to treat him as someone important. Let’s go, let’s go! This is a waste of time."
Jiang Qimeng panicked. "Don’t leave! Those of you who just made bids, pay up!"
She had spent all her savings on this fashion show, hiring world-famous models. Most importantly, the team she poached from Jian Xi was like a den of vampires! If no one paid, how would she earn anything? She’d lose her entire investment, a loss so devastating it felt like coughing up blood.
Annoyed by her pestering, someone simply shoved her away.
"Sister Meng."
Si Junyan moved to catch her, but the pull on his wounds made his face instantly turn ashen.
Jiang Qimeng was in no mood to care about him; she was far too busy blaming him. "Si Junyan, you’re utterly useless! Would I be in this mess if it weren’t for you? You cost me Si Yuhuan! Give me back my money, my dignity!"
Si Junyan let her pull him this way and that, his wounds tearing open and blood seeping out.
"Sister Meng, I’m sorry. I’m useless. I’ve let you down."
His heart was filled with guilt, but even more so with hatred. Why wasn’t the time right yet? When the day finally came for him to turn the tables, he would crush Si Yuhuan ruthlessly!
At that moment, the secretary, who had been slapped earlier, ran over, bringing Jiang Qimeng more bad news. "Yaowang has started a live broadcast—a grand future technology showcase! In just five minutes, tens of millions of people have flocked to watch it. Topping the charts is Director Si, Si Yuhuan!"
Jiang Qimeng staggered back a step, her face drained of color.
The secretary added, "Tied for the top spot is President Fu, Fu Shengyuan of Tianyao Group."
Jiang Qimeng’s eyes blazed with a fire of hatred.
The secretary offered her phone. "At the same time, international superstars are sharing the live broadcast for promotion, and all the major domestic internet influencers are recommending it. In just one minute, Yaowang’s order volume has already exceeded one hundred million!"
"The companies that had agreed to cooperate with us just called, demanding refunds and compensation. President Jiang, I’m afraid you’re going bankrupt."
Jiang Qimeng collapsed to her knees.
"This is impossible! All the design schematics are in my hands, and all the best models are with me! Yaowang should have nothing to show! Where did they get design schematics? Where did they find models?" she cried, almost hysterical.
The secretary said coldly, "Their theme is ’Future and Technology Hand-in-Hand,’ incorporating countless households and using the highest-end fabrics. How can you possibly compete with that?"
She ripped off her work badge and threw it on the ground. "I’m done with this crappy job! I quit!"
"You scoundrel, get back here!" Jiang Qimeng pounded the floor, howling in a fit of rage.
Why did they have to treat her like this? Shouldn’t that damn Jian Xi be the one going bankrupt? Why are so many men still chasing her even after she’s divorced? That vixen!
Chu Xiao watched the models on stage with smug satisfaction; they were all ordinary people he had scouted from the crowds.
Wearing his designs, they seemed utterly transformed.
Under the spotlights, they were like vibrant sprites. The clothes, as if imbued with life, beautifully interpreted the future and technology, perfectly aligning with contemporary lifestyle and taste, achieving a perfect blend of practicality and fashion.
"How am I so amazing?" he mused.
Watching the order amounts skyrocket on the big screen, Chu Xiao’s grin stretched practically to his ears.
Wan Yu gave a thumbs up, laughing so hard she swayed. "This ’close to life’ theme—that was my brilliant idea!"
Only after they both finished patting themselves on the back did they remember to include Jian Xi. "And it was brilliant of her to think of using a live stream to present it all! I’ve never seen this kind of promotion before. It’s novel! Bold! And the results are astonishingly good, meeting the demands of netizens worldwide! Our reputation will definitely spread far and wide from this. Yaowang will become a household name that everyone knows!"
"Then let’s toast to a triumphant start and to making a fortune from now on," Jian Xi said, approaching with champagne.
Wan Yu cheered, "Down with Jiang Qimeng! Take out Si Junyan!"
Jian Xi’s phone buzzed frantically. The first message was from Si Yuhuan: [I’ve proven with my actions that I wasn’t favoring her. Are you satisfied now?]
Well, at least he acted like a decent human being, Jian Xi thought.
Next was a congratulatory message from Fu Shengyuan: [I hope Yaowang prospers more and more, I hope you do better and better, and I hope we grow closer and closer.]
He’s always so sentimental, Jian Xi thought. Setting other things aside, it’s quite touching. But this is Jian Xi, after all. She chuckled and ignored it.
Zhou Yan was fishing for praise: [I posted ten promotional videos in a row! Can I get a hug as a reward when I get back?]
Jian Xi thought for a moment, then replied: [Double that! Two hugs!]
Zhou Yan sent back a grinning emoji.
This exchange lifted Jian Xi’s spirits, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Watching her expression, Chu Xiao felt a bittersweet pang in his heart.
He really had no chance now.
Wan Yu nudged him. "Wow! That design you said was your best really is the top seller! See? My taste is impeccable!"
"Mm, if you ask me to design again in the future, the price will have to go up," Chu Xiao started to say, half-joking, but before he could finish, Wan Yu grabbed his ear. "You little brat! Talking about raising prices, are we?"
"Sister Yu, I’m sorry, I was wrong! Let go, please! If you’re this rough, you’ll have trouble finding someone to marry!"
Jian Mingcheng walked in just in time to hear that last remark.