Although Xiao Yi's actions were faultless, they offended Xiao Menghai's extreme pride. Thus, his attitude toward Xiao Yi grew colder by the day, leading to the current situation.

After listening, Chen Zheng couldn't help but sigh, "Your grandfather-in-law really is a unique character!"

What an old-fashioned way of thinking, so stubborn and obsessed with 'face.' He couldn't comprehend what kind of grudge a man could possibly hold against his own daughter.

Wei Zixuan deeply sympathized, feeling utterly helpless. She pondered for a moment, then said to Chen Zheng, "Chen Zheng, could you help my second uncle again? I don't want my eldest uncle to get the family's token of leadership, otherwise, I don't know what he would do to my second uncle's family."

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully triggering a selection mission.]

[Choice One: Help Xiao Yi secure the partnership with Yan Shuiyu. Reward: +20 Favorability with Xiao Yi's entire family.]

[Choice Two: Let things be. Reward: None.]

Hearing this, he chose the first option without hesitation.

Chen Zheng promised confidently, "A trivial matter. It'll just take one phone call."

"Chen Zheng, thank you!" The joy in Wei Zixuan's heart gushed out like a spring.

"Why be so polite? You know how close we are," Chen Zheng said, pretending to be annoyed.

Wei Zixuan's cheeks flushed slightly. She said nothing, but a sweetness greater than honey filled her heart.

Chen Zheng chuckled softly, taking out his phone to make a call. Soon, Zhuge Xiyu's pleasantly surprised voice came through, "Hello!"

"I have a small favor to ask," Chen Zheng said casually.

"Of course!" Zhuge Xiyu hurriedly agreed.

"Xiao Yi of the Imperial Capital's Xiao Family is meeting with Yan Shuiyu tomorrow to discuss a partnership. Could you help smooth things over for him?"

"Understood. I happen to be at headquarters, so I'll handle it first thing tomorrow. You... are you in the Imperial Capital?" Zhuge Xiyu agreed, then suddenly mustered her courage to ask.

"Yes."

Upon hearing that, Zhuge Xiyu immediately grew excited and hastily asked again, "Will you be coming?"

"I'll consider it," Chen Zheng responded.

"Oh..." Zhuge Xiyu's voice revealed a hint of disappointment.

Chen Zheng paid it no mind and gently hung up the phone.

At that moment, in Yan Shuiyu's headquarters, Zhuge Xiyu was sitting in front of a computer. She listened to the dial tone for a long time before she finally snapped back to her senses.

"Sigh..." She let out a long sigh and threw herself back into her work, hoping to distract herself and suppress the longing in her heart.

Time flew by. The next morning, Xiao Li arrived at Yan Shuiyu's headquarters to find his old classmate, Sun Yongcai. The two had a pleasant chat, and the partnership was nearly secured, needing only Zhuge Xiyu's signature. Since Zhuge Xiyu was engrossed in her work, Sun Yongcai didn't want to disturb her and had Xiao Li leave first. Xiao Li didn't give it much thought, believing success was already at hand and that there would be no unexpected issues.

At noon, Xiao Yi also arrived at Yan Shuiyu's headquarters. When he left, he felt somewhat bewildered, as if he were in a dream.

In the afternoon, Chen Zheng and Wei Zixuan drove to the old Xiao Family mansion.

As soon as she got out of the car, Wei Zixuan said, "The token will still go to my second uncle this time, right?"

Chen Zheng smiled and replied, "It shouldn't be a problem, unless Old Master Xiao is completely shameless!"

Wei Zixuan nodded, and the two walked hand in hand into the old mansion. When Xiao Menghai saw them, his attitude was much more cordial than the previous day. "Zi Xuan, you're here! Please, sit!"

Chen Zheng wasn't surprised by this, knowing that such businessmen were driven purely by profit.

"Of course, Grandpa!" Wei Zixuan responded with a smile, gently pulling Chen Zheng to sit beside her.

"Zi Xuan, this must be your sweetheart. What does he do for a living?" Xiao Menghai asked again, his tone filled with goodwill. To think, just yesterday he hadn't even bothered to ask this question.

"Just a small business, hardly worth mentioning," Chen Zheng answered.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Xiao Menghai's face, and he didn't pursue the matter further.

As the sun began to set, the families of Xiao Yi and Xiao Li arrived at the old mansion. Xiao Li's face beamed with an irrepressible joy, as if his smile lit up the entire world.

They gathered around the dining table as the aroma of delicious food wafted from the kitchen. Just then, Xiao Menghai suddenly asked, "How is the progress with the Yan Shuiyu partnership?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Xiao Li eagerly stood up. "Father! We've successfully reached an agreement, and the contract has been drafted. The chairwoman of Yan Shuiyu has been busy, so she hasn't signed it yet. But I'm confident that we will finalize the partnership with Yan Shuiyu tomorrow!" Xiao Li said, full of confidence.

"Oh? And what about the profit?" As businessmen, their concern for profit was natural. The Xiao Family of the Imperial Capital had its start in the rouge and powder business a century ago, achieving great success in the cosmetics industry.

"Father! My classmate told me that this partnership will yield a 30% profit!" Xiao Li held up three fingers, his eyes sparkling.

"Thirty percent! Wonderful! Hahaha..." Joy flashed in Xiao Menghai's eyes. A 30% profit margin was no small sum. With Yan Shuiyu's vast product line, the resulting profits would be immense, enough to make the Xiao Family's fortune as deep as the ocean.

"Very well done!" Xiao Menghai praised him profusely. He pulled a white jade seal symbolizing the family's authority from an inner pocket and passed it to Xiao Li as if it were a shining pearl. "Xiao Li, from this day forward, you are the head of the Xiao Family!"

Xiao Li's eyes twinkled like stars upon seeing the seal, an heirloom passed down in the family for two hundred years. He vowed to make the family's wealth grow ever greater, reaching new heights.

However, Chen Zheng and Wei Zixuan were displeased. Xiao Mei, fiery as ever, directly questioned her grandfather, demanding to know why he hadn't asked about her father's situation.

Xiao Li frowned. "Mei Mei, I have already secured the partnership with Yan Shuiyu. How could the same company possibly partner with both me and your father?"

"Without a doubt, Mei Mei," Xiao Menghai added, a relieved smile gracing his old face. "Your uncle has successfully formed an alliance with them, securing a hefty 30% profit for our family. This is more than enough to prove his wisdom and courage."

"But Grandpa, the CEO of Yan Shuiyu hasn't signed it yet!" Xiao Mei asked, puzzled.

"The signature is just a formality. In truth, everything has already been agreed upon," Xiao Li stated indifferently.

Xiao Menghai nodded in agreement.

Xiao Mei looked anxiously at her father, Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi took a deep breath, straightened his back, and said confidently, "Father! I've also secured a partnership!"

"What? Are you joking?" Xiao Li demanded angrily. "Do you think Yan Shuiyu has lost its mind? Why would they partner with two different people from the same family?"

Xiao Menghai's expression soured. "Xiao Yi, what nonsense are you spouting!"

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