DASFAM_50

The ten-minute break passed in the blink of an eye.

The members of the project evaluation committee walked up again, but this time, Sweet was notably absent.

Bai Xu narrowed his eyes, "He’s not here anymore."

Xie Qi followed his line of thought, "Young Master Bai, are you referring to the person who was sitting second from the left earlier?"

Kai Ling chimed in, "Sweet Bush, one of the main representatives dispatched by Eaglet Film Industries to the Singapore to participate in this bidding evaluation. I’ve heard he carries considerable influence."

Bai Xu gestured with his eyes toward Chu Yuncheng’s direction, "They exchanged a very brief look earlier. I can’t shake the feeling something’s off."

Hearing this, Xie Qi and Kai Ling immediately grew wary. The latter lowered her voice, "Young Master Bai, are you suggesting Chu Yuncheng might have resorted to bribery to secure the bid?"

Xie Qi speculated, "To achieve his goal by any means necessary, it’s not impossible."

Bai Xu remained relatively composed, not rushing to confirm his suspicion, "We’ve reached this critical point. Let’s wait for the results first."

"Alright."

This kind of mutually agreeable ‘transaction’ was indeed something they, as fellow competitors, could not have prevented in advance.

Even if Sweet and Chu Yuncheng had engaged in illegal bribery, sufficient evidence would be needed to report it. Now that things had reached this stage, jumping out to report based solely on suspicion was obviously unwise.

Rather than that, it was better to wait for the results first.

At this moment, Chu Yuncheng paid no attention to the frequent glances cast his way by Bai Xu and the others. A faint trace of suspicion flickered between his brows, "Where is Sweet?"

Why wasn't he on stage at such a critical moment?

The assistant beside him, hearing this, deliberately lowered his voice, "Mr. Chu, it couldn't be that he's backing out of the deal, could it?"

Chu Yuncheng, considering this possibility, clenched his jaw, "Impossible!"

After their meeting, they had hit it off wonderfully, and the amount he had accepted from him was no small sum!

The meaningful glance Sweet had given him before leaving the stage clearly indicated everything was proceeding according to plan. Could something have gone wrong?

Chu Yuncheng urgently instructed, "Xiao Ge, find a way to slip backstage and look for him. If Sweet dares to play tricks, I'll settle it with him!"

Assistant Xiao Ge's expression shifted subtly, and he responded very quickly, "Yes, Mr. Chu. I'll go right now!"

With that, he left his seat and swiftly exited through a small side aisle.

Sitting in the back row, Chu Yate saw the assistant leaving and gently nudged the person beside him, Shang Yanxiao, "Mr. Shang, later I'll treat you to a good show."

Even before entering the venue, Shang Yanxiao had guessed that Chu Yate had separate ‘arrangements’, though he hadn't disclosed them to him or Bai Xu.

Shang Yanxiao met his gaze, his calm voice tinged with a hint of indifference, "As long as it doesn't affect Zhouye Investments, the show you mentioned can play out however you like."

"Hmph."

Chu Yate snorted with a shrug and continued in a low voice, "Whether Zhouye Investments wins the bid depends on your and Bai Xu's efforts and abilities. As for Chu Yuncheng..."

Before he could finish, the audio system around the venue crackled to life, broadcasting the voice from the stage in sync.

"Thank you all for your attention to the 'Eaglet Cinema' project. After careful screening, review, and comprehensive consideration, I am here, on behalf of the evaluation committee, North American Eaglet Film Industries, and the relevant departments, to announce the result of this bidding session."

The most critical moment had finally arrived. The attention of everyone present was instantly captured by this voice.

Perhaps because it had been too long since he had participated in a formal business bid like this, Bai Xu, who had remained calm for most of the day, suddenly felt a long-lost sense of nervousness at this moment.

For a split second, emotional impulse overrode reason. He couldn't help but glance towards the spectator seats in the back row.

Shang Yanxiao was still sitting in that same spot. Unlike the others around him, his gaze was never fixed on the stage, but always on Bai Xu.

Their eyes unexpectedly, yet fittingly, met. Without saying a word, Bai Xu understood—

"Do you believe in me?"

"Of course I believe in you."

Even if the final outcome this time didn't go their way, the effort they should have put in, the dedication they should have given, the trust they should have had—they had never failed to offer each other any of it.

That was enough.

The announcement on stage reached its final moment. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Chu Yuncheng did not conceal his excessive competitive spirit in the slightest, his gaze fixed intently on the evaluation committee member on stage.

"I hereby announce that for the next five years, the overall construction of the Singapore Eaglet Cinema mega park, including its internal resort area, will be undertaken by—" The evaluator's gaze swept across the major companies in the audience before landing firmly, "Zhouye Investments. Congratulations!"

As soon as the final result was announced, the venue instantly erupted into heated discussion.

"My God, Zhouye Investments actually won?"

"What's going on with the Chu Group? The total bid price for the entire project couldn't even surpass such a small company?"

"Not just the Chu Group! There are also two foreign companies that couldn't beat it!"

"Now Zhouye Investments is the hot ticket!"

The construction of this major key project will involve various industries, and the relevant departments will provide significant support. Once this news gets out, Zhouye Investments's reputation is bound to skyrocket straight to the clouds!

Xie Qi and Kai Ling cheered and rejoiced, immediately announcing the good news in the company's project group chat.

Bai Xu's tightly wound heartstrings suddenly relaxed. His gaze once again swept over the crowd toward Shang Yanxiao, and he even raised his chin slightly with a hint of smugness.

Shang Yanxiao caught that flicker of pride, his light chuckle hidden by his mask, "We won."

Chu Yate chuckled along, but his attention was elsewhere, "See that? Chu Yuncheng's back is practically frozen stiff like a log. Too bad, can't see his expression from here."

While some celebrate, others lament.

In stark contrast to the excitement and noise diagonally to the right, the project group from the Chu Corporation fell into silence.

From the very beginning, they had been brimming with confidence, believing 'Eaglet Film Industries' was already theirs for the taking!

And the result?

Now it's been snatched away by Zhouye Investments, the very company they looked down upon the most! Could anything be more humiliating?

Faced with the completely unforeseen defeat, Chu Yuncheng's expression turned extremely ugly. He barely suppressed the raging fury within him, his breathing ragged with anger, "How is this possible?"

How could he possibly lose? Even if something had gone wrong on Sweet's end, what about the bid price?

Based on the bottom-line figures they had obtained earlier, their Chu Group shouldn't have lost to Bai Xu's Zhouye Investments!

"......"

The three employees who had accompanied him exchanged uneasy glances. No one dared to provoke Chu Yuncheng at such a critical juncture.

No matter how unwilling, the project had already landed in Zhouye Investments's hands.

As the representative of Zhouye Investments, Bai Xu was invited by the Evaluation Committee to take the stage. In front of everyone, he signed a letter of intent and took commemorative photos with the high-level representative from Eaglet Film Industries.

Chu Yuncheng watched all of this unfold before his eyes, his heart filled with such bitter resentment that his eyes reddened.

After leaving the stage, Bai Xu deliberately paused in front of their seats as he passed by.

While it's generally unwise to be overly high-profile after a victory, given how many times Chu Yuncheng had deliberately caused trouble for them before and after, Bai Xu never considered himself a ‘good-natured person’. Naturally, now was the time to return the accumulated ‘displeasure’!

"Mr. Chu, sorry about that. I've won again."

"......"

That simple sentence transformed into an invisible slap, stinging Chu Yuncheng's face fiercely!

Chu Yuncheng slammed the table and stood up abruptly, "Bai Xu, don't you dare gloat here!"

Bai Xu disliked him and had no intention of humoring him, "Mr. Chu, so many people are watching. At least pay some attention to the impression you're making. Don't embarrass the Chu Group when you're out in public."

Chu Yuncheng spat out a hoarse retort, "Bai Xu, who do you think you are? I don't need your lecturing here!"

As he spoke, a sudden realization dawned on him, "Wait, Su Yang was planted by you! You used him to set a trap for me!"

From start to finish, Su Yang had fed him fake bidding documents!

It was just that the information was fabricated in such meticulous detail, and the man's performance in the private room had been so convincing, that he was easily fooled, mistakenly believing the Chu Group's bid would surely outshine Zhouye Investments!

The bidding had concluded, and people in the hall began to disperse gradually. However, some noticed the scene unfolding in the front rows and lingered to watch discreetly.

"Mr. Chu, one must speak with evidence!"

Seizing the opportunity, Bai Xu raised his voice, turning the accusation back on him, "From what you're implying, you previously bribed one of our employees? Attempting to 'steal' our bidding documents?"

"You..."

Chu Yuncheng choked on his words.

He had indeed paid to ‘bribe’ Su Yang, specifically instructing his assistant to use another person's account for the transfer precisely to avoid leaving any suspicious evidence.

And now, here was the result of his own cunning backfiring!

If he were to expose this matter now, he would only become a laughingstock!

Chu Yate watched Chu Yuncheng's disgruntled expression and snickered inwardly, "Hoist with his own petard. What exactly happened with Su Yang? I remember he did take Chu Yuncheng's money."

Shang Yanxiao, hearing the latter part, sharpened his gaze, "How did you know?"

Chu Yate realized he had slipped up, but he remained unruffled.

He raised an eyebrow meaningfully, "These days, who doesn't have a few eyes and ears? Besides, I even warned you in advance about Su Yang 'selling out' the Zhouye Group."

But judging by the current situation, Su Yang's betrayal was fake, and setting up Chu Yuncheng was the real deal?

Shang Yanxiao set aside his initial suspicion about Chu Yate's words and explained in a low voice—

Chu Yuncheng had a well-calculated plan, but they were no pushovers either. They had long since prepared a set of files with altered data, containing non-authentic bid prices.

Su Yang had a major fight with his girlfriend over their marital home, which gave Chu Yuncheng, who had been secretly investigating, an opportunity to attempt to bribe him with money.

However, Su Yang couldn't cross that final moral line or violate his professional ethics.

That day, after leaving the office lobby, he turned back at the last minute, stopping before the precipice, and confessed everything to Bai Xu. That's how he ended up becoming their bait in reverse.

In the private room that night, Su Yang was indeed performing, but he took the chance to see Chu Yuncheng's true colors and felt even more grateful he hadn't sunk deeper.

"......"

Faced with Bai Xu's questioning, Chu Yuncheng at the front row couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.

"Mr. Chu, losing means you've lost. Lack of capability is simply lack of capability!" Bai Xu sneered, piercing his hollow bluster, "Haven't you targeted our Zhouye Investments behind our backs enough times? Don't think you can lord over others just because of your family background!"

"Today, in front of everyone, I'll lay my words right here—"

"Other companies might be willing to give you, Chu Yuncheng, a bit of face out of respect for the Chu Group, but I, Bai Xu, look down on you. In the future, don't come looking for trouble with our Zhouye Investments!"

"If there's a next time, I'll snatch one project from your hands, Chu Yuncheng. If there's a second time, I'll take two!"

The words sounded almost arrogant, but their core was immense strength and confidence.

Bai Xu calmly received the varied looks from those around him, using his presence to press Chu Yuncheng, "Guess. Do you think I can do it?"

"......"

Perhaps due to the humiliation of a crushing defeat, Chu Yuncheng began to lash out wildly, "Bai Xu, what are you pretending for? How dare you claim your Zhouye Investments didn't play dirty in this bidding?"

He had clearly bribed Sweet but didn't get the promised winning result. Instead, he was intercepted by a small company like Zhouye Investments!

Seeing the representatives from other companies who hadn't yet left, Chu Yuncheng deliberately steered the conversation, "Even if our Chu Group can't get it, there are other companies present. Do you think they're just for show?"

Facing this sudden mudslinging, Bai Xu's expression darkened instantly.

Xie Qi and Kai Ling, who had worked hard for this, couldn't bear to listen any longer, "Mr. Chu, you're in a public setting. At least speak with evidence!"

Immediately, a representative from another bidding company spoke up, "Mr. Chu, some words shouldn't be spoken carelessly. Although losing is regrettable, we must respect our opponents."

He looked at Bai Xu, "Young Master Bai and his project team have the capability. We accept our loss gracefully!"

Bai Xu offered a polite smile to the company representative who had spoken up for him, then abruptly slammed both hands down on the table.

—Thump!

Leaning in close to Chu Yuncheng, Bai Xu unleashed full-on sarcasm, "A dog's mouth spews no ivory. Aren't you disgusted by your own foul breath?"

Chu Yuncheng, repeatedly berated by Bai Xu, could no longer contain his fury, "Bai Xu, you're looking for death!"

The moment he raised his hand, it was abruptly seized by someone in a grip so powerful it felt like the bones could be crushed on the spot!

Chu Yuncheng cried out in pain instantly, "Ah!"

He turned his head to face Shang Yanxiao. The gaze he met was cold and deep, like a bottomless pit, causing his heart to lurch, "Y-you... who are you?"

"......"

Shang Yanxiao didn't answer. He just forcefully twisted Chu Yuncheng's arm back, then kicked him down to the ground in front of everyone.

The employees from the Chu Corporation's project team were shocked and hurried over to help him up, "M-Mr. Chu! Are you alright?"

The onlookers nearby were also stunned:

Who is this man?

How dare he directly attack Young Master Chu?

Does he really not intend to leave any face for the Chu Group at all?

Shang Yanxiao surveyed the surroundings nonchalantly, controlling the situation with an innate imposing presence, "Everyone, while the evaluation committee hasn't gone far yet, if any of you have any doubts about our Zhouye Investments, feel free to go ahead and report us."

Bai Xu hadn't expected Shang Yanxiao to step out so directly and was stunned for several seconds.

Only after hearing Shang Yanxiao's declaration, brimming with absolute confidence, did he break into a smile as well, "That's right. Everyone is welcome to report us."

If you have the ability, try to tear the project away from us. If you don't, then shut up!

Chu Yuncheng's abdomen was still throbbing with pain. The unprecedented humiliation and disarray sent his resentment soaring. Before he could even stand up from the ground, a team of law enforcement officers walked in.

The person leading them raised his voice to ask, "Where is Chu Yuncheng of the Chu Group?"

"......"

Everyone turned their gaze in unison.

Xie Qi pushed up his glasses, not the least bit polite as he pointed out the direction, "Over here."

Hearing this, the law enforcement officers immediately approached and looked at Chu Yuncheng, who was shakily getting to his feet.

After confirming the target was correct, the officer took out his credentials and stated bluntly, "Mr. Chu, someone has filed a real-name report alleging that you engaged in substantial bribery of members of the evaluation committee in an attempt to secure the winning bid."

Chu Yuncheng's heart sank. He still wanted to deny it, "Who reported it? You must have made a mistake?"

The law enforcement officer didn't give him a chance to argue, stating the ironclad fact, "The evaluation committee member, Sweet, has already confessed. Mr. Chu, please come with us for an investigation."

"......"

All color drained from Chu Yuncheng's face instantly, leaving him speechless.

He had never imagined that not only would he fail to win the bid, but this matter would also be exposed in front of everyone!

Bai Xu guessed the mastermind behind this orchestration and subtly moved closer to Shang Yanxiao, muttering lowly, "Was it Chu Yate?"

This was probably the good show he had hinted at earlier.

Shang Yanxiao gave a slight nod, "Let's not get involved."

Bai Xu understood and tactfully remained silent.

Regarding the internal strife within the Chu Group, it was better for them, as outsiders, to interfere as little as possible.

The onlookers, unaware of the scheming behind the scenes, watched as the situation escalated. Their gazes towards Chu Yuncheng were either shocked or disdainful—

"All this time, it turns out he was the one knowingly breaking the law? And he had the nerve to smear Zhouye Investments."

"The Chu Group is such a big company, and they actually pulled this kind of shady deal behind the scenes? So tacky. How could Old Chairman Chu allow it?"

"I doubt Old Chairman Chu even knew about this!"

"Hmph, I said it long ago, this Young Master Chu is all bark and no bite, a useless figurehead. If the Chu Group were handed over to him, it would be doomed sooner or later!"

"This is illegal. Will he go to jail?"

"......"

When the wall starts to crumble, everyone gives it a shove.

Wave after wave of discussion crushed Chu Yuncheng's self-esteem into dust. His back went rigid, and he wished he could just disappear into a hole in the ground right then and there!

The law enforcement officers had long since gathered detailed material and testimonial evidence. How could they possibly give him a chance to evade this?

A law enforcement officer moved to his side, "Mr. Chu, let's go!"

Chu Yuncheng stumbled from the push. His vacant gaze suddenly locked onto Chu Yate within the crowd, whose eyes were brimming with mockery.

In an instant, Chu Yuncheng's muddled mind cleared. He lunged forward recklessly, shouting, "Chu Yate! It was you! You're the one who set me up!"

However, his momentum was forcibly halted by vigilant law enforcement officers, "Mr. Chu, don't make a scene!"

Chu Yate put on an innocent face, "Big Brother, what are you talking about? Aren't you embarrassed enough for yourself?"

Provoked into complete loss of composure, Chu Yuncheng shrieked hoarsely, "Chu Yate! You traitorous bastard! Don't let me get a chance, I'll kill you!"

Seeing the situation turn volatile, the law enforcement officers exchanged a look. They forcibly removed the frenzied, out-of-control Chu Yuncheng from the scene!

The farce concluded in the most absurd manner.

Bai Xu looked across the crowd at Chu Yate, a subtle feeling rising in his heart:

To utterly humiliate Chu Yuncheng in public like this, leaving no room for dignity.

From today onward, this incident would become the latest topic of gossip within the circle. And the future choice for chairman of the Chu Group no longer had a second option.

...

Half an hour later, Bai Xu and the project evaluation committee had finalized the last details. Both sides agreed on another date for the official contract signing.

The heavy stone weighing on them for days had finally been lifted. Even the seasoned and experienced Xie Qi and Kai Ling couldn't contain their excitement.

Bai Xu noticed their mood and smiled, making arrangements, "You two head back to the company. Treat the entire project team to a meal. The expenses will be reimbursed from Mr. Shang's account."

Hearing this, Kai Ling couldn't help but glance at Shang Yanxiao.

Shang Yanxiao had removed the cumbersome mask and gave a slight nod, “Mm. Listen to Young Master Bai. Just charge it to my account."

Xie Qi was already accustomed to this, "Alright."

Winning such an important project certainly called for rewards from top to bottom.

Bai Xu continued generously, "Everyone has been working hard these past days. Here's the deal: notify everyone that we have paid leave from Wednesday to Friday. Starting next Monday, our company will enter an entirely new phase."

"Kai Ling, we're short-staffed right now. We need to continue expanding recruitment, and department divisions need to be clearer than they are now."

"Understood, Young Master Bai. I'll start drafting the relevant recruitment content in the next couple of days and then send it to you for review."

Bai Xu nodded, "Good. Let's call it a day for now."

"En."

...

The elevator doors closed.

Bai Xu recalled the earlier farce and felt a belated worry, "You shouldn't have rushed forward like that just now. What if someone recognized you?"

"Why are you more worried about me revealing my identity than I am?"

Shang Yanxiao chuckled lightly, but didn't regret his choice, "In that situation earlier, how could I just stand by and watch Chu Yuncheng's fist land on you?"

Bai Xu huffed, "Don't underestimate me. I could have stopped him."

Shang Yanxiao sensed his bit of proud defiance and answered accordingly, "Yes. It's just that I didn't want there to be any chance, however slight, of you getting hurt."

"......"

Words akin to a lover's confession fell.

Bai Xu's ears suddenly felt hot. He pretended to glance at the still-descending elevator floor numbers, "Right, where's Chu Yate? How come he's disappeared again."

Shang Yanxiao knew he was changing the subject, "After Chu Yuncheng was taken away, he excused himself to go to the restroom."

Bai Xu frowned, puzzled, "Tell me, how did he get his hands on evidence of Chu Yuncheng's bribery, and how dare he file a real-name report? Isn't he afraid this might reach Old Chairman Chu?"

Family fighting family never sounds good when it gets out.

Shang Yanxiao speculated, "I doubt it was Chu Yate who filed the real-name report. However, he's definitely not unrelated to pushing all of this forward."

"Then who could it be?"

As soon as the question left his mouth, a possibility flashed through Bai Xu's mind.

At the same time, Shang Yanxiao voiced his own answer, "Didn't you notice? Chu Yuncheng's assistant left earlier and never returned."

Bai Xu raised an eyebrow in understanding, "As I thought."

Administrative assistants might seem inconspicuous, but to a certain extent, they are often the people within a company who know their boss the best, holding onto many situations unknown to outsiders.

Bai Xu marveled, "Chu Yate even managed to bribe him?"

Shang Yanxiao's expression remained indifferent, unperturbed by such things, "What are these petty human calculations within wealthy families? To put it bluntly, it's just that Chu Yuncheng is too incompetent."

Stupid enough to not even realize the disloyalty growing beside him. If he can't even manage this, how can he hope to control all the people above and below in the group in the future?

As he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened with a ding.

The two had just stepped out of the elevator lobby when they unexpectedly heard a conversation coming from the adjacent emergency stairwell—

"Mr. Chu Yate, do I really have to leave the group?"

–

TL: Muji

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