Wait a moment! Xiao Yongze? This name sounds familiar, Xiao, Xiao Yongze, Xiao Wenyao, Xiao's Company!
Ye Jinchen was shocked to realize that Sean turned out to be Xiao's former manager, Xiao Yongze, who had immigrated abroad due to mental issues!
Of course, Xiao Yongze remembered Ye Jinchen. He used to carry him around when he was a child, and even after he went abroad, he often heard his grandfather and father discussing Uncle Xiao.
The image of Uncle Xiao from his childhood memories slowly overlapped with the man in front of him.
Although there hadn't been many changes in appearance, there was a difference in demeanor from the past's gentle and refined demeanor. Now, Uncle Xiao had a hint of sharpness between his brows, exuding decisiveness in every move, giving off a sense of rebirth.
Ye Jinchen really didn't expect that after so many years, Uncle Xiao would once again become a tycoon in the business world, and even an international business tycoon at that.
Ye Junli couldn't bear to see his silly son standing there dumbfounded. It was Xiao Yongze who reached out and patted Ye Jinchen's shoulder, laughing, "The last time we met, you were just a five or six-year-old kid. It's been over a decade, and you've grown into quite the talent!"
Ye Jinchen snapped out of his daze, realizing his rudeness, and quickly responded, "Uncle Xiao, you flatter me. It's truly surprising to see you. Sean has always been my idol, my goal, and I never imagined he was you, Uncle Xiao. I'm really excited!"
Xiao Yongze nodded, "Indeed, having goals is good. I've also heard from your dad... no, from your father, about you. You have great business talent and intellect, and I believe you'll surpass me soon enough, hahaha!"
Ye Jinchen was inspired by his success and said earnestly, "Uncle Xiao, I will strive to become the next you!"
Xiao Yongze shook his head, "You don't need to become anyone else. You just need to be the best version of yourself, to fulfill your own value, so that you'll have no regrets in this life."
Ye Jinchen nodded, "I understand, Uncle Xiao."
At the entrance of X International, Xiao Wenyao got out of the car, adjusted his suit, had Zhao Secretary hold onto the carefully prepared gift, put on a polite smile, and strode up the steps.
The security guard at the entrance stopped him, "Sir, please show your invitation letter."
The corner of Xiao Wenyao's smiling lips twitched, and Zhao Secretary felt a bit embarrassed, but still confidently said, "This is Xiao Group's Chairman, Xiao Wenyao. We didn't receive an invitation letter, probably because it was overlooked when you were sending out the invitations."
The guard remained expressionless, "Sorry, sir, without an invitation letter, you cannot enter."
Internally, he thought to himself: Not receiving an invitation letter means there wasn't an invitation at all. We don't welcome you here, so why bother mentioning any oversight...
Xiao Wenyao's displeasure grew, "I'm the Chairman of Xiao Group. If my invitation letter was overlooked, you should reflect on your own work mistakes!"
"Sorry, sir, without an invitation letter, entry is not permitted."
"You..."
Zhao Secretary broke into a cold sweat, reminding in a low voice, "Mr. Xiao, this is X International. We can't afford to offend them!"
Xiao Wenyao had been strutting around with arrogance for half of his life, so being abruptly turned away by a security guard naturally didn't sit well with him. He couldn't care less about Zhao Secretary's reminders.
His face froze, brows furrowing as he pointed angrily at the guard. "Go fetch your supervisor! Missing my invitation and then barring my entry? This won't be overlooked!"
Zhao Secretary: "Oh dear, Xiao Zong, please calm down!!!"
Guard: "...Is this guy seriously ill?"
"Oh, what's going on here?" At that moment, Shi Ze's voice came from behind.
Xiao Wenyao turned around to see Shi Ze and Meng Xiao, along with He Yuanhao and Bai Mengtao, approaching.
"Ah, it's Xiao Zong. Why aren't you going in?" Shi Ze asked knowingly.
Shi Ze and He Yuanhao were both aware that Sean was Xiao Yongze, and they had learned the truth from him about what had happened years ago. They knew Xiao Yongze wouldn't invite Xiao Wenyao to today's banquet. Just now, they had been watching the scene from the steps below, and now, asking like this, they were clearly eager to see Xiao Wenyao embarrassed.
Shi Ze and He Yuanhao showed their own invitation cards, and the guard immediately respectfully said, "Manager Shi, Manager He, please come in."
He Yuanhao remained expressionless, while Shi Ze smirked at Xiao Wenyao, saying, "Xiao Zong, we'll be waiting for you inside~"
Xiao Wenyao's face turned ashen, choked with frustration. He couldn't move up or down, just watched helplessly as the others walked into the hall.
Meanwhile, as soon as Shi Ze entered, he spotted Ye Junli and Xiao Yongze and immediately went over, laughing heartily, "Hahaha, Lao Xiao, I saw Xiao Wenyao at the door just now. He kept insisting it was your staff's mistake for missing his invitation and demanded an apology from the person in charge. Haha, it's hilarious!"
Xiao Yongze sneered, tightening his grip on his wine glass.
Ye Junli snorted, "Hmph, he really thinks highly of himself."
"Ignore him. If he wants to cause a scene, let him. He doesn't have much time left anyway."
Xiao Yongze recalled everything Xiao Wenyao had done to him before, including his daughter, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. "He'll pay the price for everything he's done."
Outside the door, Xiao Wenyao, unaware that his archenemy was inside, glared fiercely at the guard, watching person after person enter with their invitations. He still believed X International had accidentally omitted him from the guest list. If Zhao Secretary hadn't been holding him back and advising him against getting worked up, he would have stormed in directly.
Xiao Wenyao closed his eyes, trying to calm his emotions. He reassured himself: For the sake of winning the bid, for the sake of collaborating with X International, he couldn't afford to offend anyone!
With that thought in mind, the anger in his chest gradually subsided. He gave Zhao Secretary a meaningful look, and she understood, handing the gift box to the guard.
"This is a housewarming gift from Xiao Zong to Boss Sean. Please be so kind as to pass it on."
However, the guard didn't accept it, simply stating, "Sorry, the boss instructed us to only accept gifts from invited guests. Since you're not on the guest list, the boss won't accept this gift."
Zhao Secretary: "Can't you be a bit more accommodating?"
"I'm sorry, sir, but it's my duty. Please don't make things difficult."
Xiao Wenyao: !!! This Sean guy really doesn't know how to appreciate!
"Alright, since they don't appreciate it, let's not insist on giving it to them. It's better to avoid trouble. Let's go!"
Xiao Wenyao was really about to burst with anger. He swept his sleeves and turned to walk down the steps.
Zhao Secretary broke out in a cold sweat, nodded apologetically to the security guard, and followed suit.
Once in the car, Zhao Secretary tried to comfort him, "Mr. Xiao, please don't be angry. This is X International, we mustn't offend anyone here."
Xiao Wenyao roared, "How can I not be angry? Just now, even a small clothing studio managed to get in with an invitation, but the chairman of Xiao's Company was actually stopped at the door for not having an invitation. Isn't this publicly humiliating me?"
"Mr. Xiao, endure for now. Once we secure the cooperation qualification, as soon as the company turns around, we'll have plenty of opportunities to regain face. Those who laugh at you now, we'll make sure to hit them hard in the future!"
