59: King of Pretenders
Jiang Chuan: ???
He didn't expect to be involved, but it didn't matter. Since Old Sun was being so polite, it would be rude to refuse.
"Sister Ning, want to go up and have some fun?"
Shen Qingning naturally cared even less. She nodded, took his arm, and left the ignored corner.
Everyone watched the two walking down the center aisle. They looked like a celestial couple—the man handsome and the woman beautiful, a perfect match—but no one was paying attention to their looks.
These two had utterly crushed the companies supported by Deep Sea and Competitive Creation, hammering them so hard that their representatives ended up in the hospital.
The nickname 'Jiang the Sledgehammer' was already circulating, showing his fearsome reputation in the industry.
However, since the two giants hadn't personally stepped in, and combined with the fear in their hearts, no one dared to approach this young man who looked like a rebellious troublemaker.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two walked slowly toward the stage, like international superstars who had received countless awards and were going up to accept another, completely unfazed.
Jiang Chuan walked onto the stage and even stood in front of the host. Being tall and well-built, he completely blocked Sun Kai.
Realizing he didn't have a microphone, he turned around and snatched it away, leaving Sun Kai stunned.
Holding the microphone, Jiang Chuan looked at the crowd below and said slowly, "First of all, I'd like to thank President Sun for hosting this banquet. It would have been better if there were some juice, though."
Sun Zhenfeng: ???
"Who comes to a banquet just to eat!"
He ignored the expressions of the audience and continued:
"Of course, don't blame President Sun. His health hasn't been great lately. I even brought gifts to visit him yesterday. We hit it off immediately and could be called friends across generations. I sincerely wish President Sun an early retirement to enjoy his family life."
The subtext was clearly, "Old Sun, you're so old, why are you still bothering? Just hurry up and retire!"
Everyone was shocked by his audacity. No matter how pathetic Sun Zhenfeng might seem, he still had Deep Sea behind him. One should respect the master when beating the dog, yet he wasn't giving any face at all!
Jiang Chuan waited for the uproar to subside before continuing with a smile:
"As the undisputed leader of the Falling City streaming industry, I welcome everyone to Falling City. All expenses will be settled by President Sun!"
"My companion is wearing high heels, so I won't chat much longer. Everyone, eat and drink your fill."
Arrogant! Too arrogant!
That was the primary thought in everyone's mind. Even if the chairman of Deep Sea came personally, he wouldn't dare claim to be the leader of the streaming industry in a certain region. This was arrogance to the extreme.
He didn't ask for investment. In his eyes, the heads of the investment companies below were probably not as important as his female companion.
Just then, the man everyone had nearly forgotten spoke for the first time, calling out to Jiang Chuan as he helped the lady off the stage.
Lu Tianyu picked up the microphone and said in an authoritative tone, "President Jiang, you haven't introduced your company's situation yet."
Jiang Chuan looked up at the middle-aged man in the main seat and said in confusion, "Didn't you see my Weibo post? If not, go check it yourself."
Lu Tianyu really hadn't seen it. Thinking there might be some important information, he suppressed his temper, took out his phone, and searched for the post.
Most people present had seen that message, but none had taken it seriously, thinking it was just boasting. Hearing this, their expressions became very strange.
Others who hadn't seen it took out their phones, curious about what information could be so important.
Everyone, including Lu Tianyu, saw the message, and their eyes nearly popped out in surprise.
They thought his earlier words were arrogant enough, but it turned out he had been holding back. This sentence was ten or a hundred times more arrogant!
【I am not a second-generation rich, and I don't need investment companies. I, Jiang Chuan, am the biggest investment company myself!】
Lu Tianyu's Dingxin Investment Company had noticed the sudden rise of Starlight and decided to invest, but every time they called, they were brushed off.
The attitude was fine and the tone was ambiguous, as if a partnership was imminent. But like a player, he remained elusive and never committed—teasing without intending to marry!
Lu Tianyu had come to Falling City on business and intended to visit the CEO of this company. Hearing about the gathering, it suited his plans perfectly, as he wouldn't have to lower himself to go on a sales call.
But he didn't expect the people of Falling City to be so strange. Silver Star didn't even go on stage, and when Starlight did, they just lectured their competitors and had no intention of financing.
What was his status? Wherever he went, he was an honored guest. Yet here, not a single person paid him any mind.
Only one old man had been attentive at first, but for some reason, he suddenly stopped paying attention to him.
Upon seeing that message, Lu Tianyu blacklisted Falling City for life. The local companies were far too rude!
Especially Jiang Chuan! He had met the CEOs of most major companies in the country, but none could act as cool as him! He was truly the King of Posturing!
How could Jiang Chuan care about a Vice General Manager of an investment company? In his past life, even the chairman of Dingxin Investment Company had to wait in line to treat him to dinner, yet this Vice General Manager was putting on airs.
Under everyone's gaze, he led Sister Ning toward the exit.
Marriott International Hotel, Lobby Lounge
The executives and Streamers from Sunset Company, along with those from Silver Star who weren't qualified for the banquet, were sitting on opposite sides, arguing incessantly.
The people from Sunset Company said President Lu would definitely invest in Sunset, and that Silver Star was just there to make up the numbers!
The Silver Star people were dismissive. "Your President Sun was just discharged from the hospital after being crushed. How could President Lu possibly be interested in you? He'll definitely invest in Silver Star!"
The executives held their ground, arguing until they were red in the face. When they ran out of arguments, they started insulting each other's families. If they hadn't been trying to maintain their status, they would have definitely come to blows.
This had nothing to do with the Streamers or low-level employees. Some were there to see the world, while others were responsible for hosting and waiting for the banquet to end.
They couldn't afford to offend anyone involved in the argument, so they stayed quiet and didn't dare to intervene.
Zhang Linlin and Xin Xin were naturally among them, and their goals were surprisingly identical.
They both wanted to know which company President Lu would invest in. After all, they had no personal connection, and his strange attendance at this banquet suggested he had a target.
Xin Xin naturally wanted Sunset to get the investment. Her heart had already filled with regret after seeing Starlight's announcement yesterday.
If President Lu didn't invest in Sunset today, there would be no place left for her in Falling City.
Zhang Linlin was the complete opposite, hoping Starlight would get the investment. After all, she considered herself part of Starlight now. She still harbored hope that there was a chance for reconciliation between them—after all, she wasn't bad herself.
Just then, the door opened, and the executives stopped arguing and stood up, thinking the banquet had ended early.
Zhang Linlin and Xin Xin's hearts tightened, even more nervous than when they were waiting for their college entrance exam scores. They held their breath, waiting for the final result.
To everyone's surprise, only one person walked out. He was wearing a formal suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking young and somewhat familiar.
Looking closely, they finally saw the newcomer clearly—it was Jiang Chuan!