79: Chapter 79 The Slap in the Face Came Too Quickly

Wang Xiangyang learned yesterday that Zhu Zhendong, the chairman of the Zhu Group, had arrived in City Name, and did not dare to be negligent, hurrying to pay his respects.

That was a top 100 enterprise in China, a presence that could even be ranked globally. Compared to it, his group company was like a small sorcerer in the presence of a great one.

Relying on their cooperative relationship, he had managed with great difficulty to get an opportunity to treat the other party to a meal. He hadn't expected to catch a glimpse of his own worthless nephew eating here as well while on the way to the private room, which prompted him to speak up and ask.

Seeing his uncle arrive, Wang Jiahao immediately stood up with a fawning smile. "Uncle, I didn't expect such a coincidence. You're here today too? Do you need me to accompany you?"

Wang Xiangyang saw the two young people sitting there, neither of whom he recognized, and assumed they were his nephew's fair-weather friends. He let out a cold snort. "No need. Today I am hosting the chairman of the Zhu Group for dinner. Since you're here, just come over later to offer a toast. Remember to be polite and don't cause trouble for me." After saying that, he didn't stay any longer and left the private room directly.

Could the chairman of the Zhu Group that man just mentioned be Zhu Zhendong? Zhang Wei thought about it; Zhu Zhendong really was in City Name these past two days, so it was very likely the same person.

"This really is a coincidence. I wonder what kind of reaction this President Wang will have when he finds out I know Zhu Zhendong." Zhang Wei was somewhat looking forward to it.

Wang Jiahao bowed and scraped as he saw Wang Xiangyang out before returning to the private room.

"You guys must have heard of the Zhu Group, right? That's a top-tier group company in the country. Our group has business dealings with them. Looking at the situation today, if the talk goes well, we might even deepen our cooperation," Wang Jiahao said smugly, as if he were the one handling everything.

Zhang Wei feigned surprise. "Oh, that's a truly formidable enterprise! President Wang, you must take me with you when you go to offer a toast later. It'll be so prestigious to talk about in the future."

Chen Jiayan's expression now carried a hint of disdain. She had thought Zhang Wei's character was quite good, but she hadn't expected him to be a sycophant who curried favor with the powerful.

Wang Jiahao didn't care about that. Hearing this, he laughed loudly. "You kid really know how things work. Since that's the case, follow behind me later to see the world. We'll offer a toast together, but you mustn't speak out of turn."

At this moment, Wang Xiangyang was at the door of another, even more luxurious private room, awaiting Zhu Zhendong's arrival.

"Chairman Zhu, welcome, welcome! Your presence truly brings light to this humble place. May I ask who this gentleman behind you is?" Wang Xiangyang complimented with a smile, inquiring about the middle-aged man behind Zhu Zhendong.

Zhu Zhendong pointed to the man behind him and said, "This is Jiang Jianhua, the chairman of Xuzhou Heavy Industry Group. Our group secured a major infrastructure project yesterday, and I happen to be discussing it with Chairman Jiang today. I simply invited him along."

If Zhang Wei were on the scene, he would definitely have recognized the newcomer as the father of the boy from the previous kidnapping case. The man had even given him a ten-million-yuan reward at the time.

Jiang Jianhua, behind him, also smiled and waved his hand. "I apologize for showing up uninvited."

"Not at all, not at all. Chairman Jiang's name precedes him; it is my honor to have a meal with you," Wang Xiangyang said hurriedly.

It was no joke; Xuzhou Heavy Industry was a state-owned enterprise, and Jiang Jianhua was no ordinary wealthy businessman. He was a genuine bureau-level official. Without his connection to Zhu Zhendong, Wang Xiangyang wouldn't even have the right to step forward and speak to him.

Everyone took their seats, and Zhu Zhendong began chatting with Jiang Jianhua again about some matters regarding the infrastructure project. Wang Xiangyang, the host, was instead left out in the cold, but he didn't dare have even a single complaint, simply watching from the side with a forced smile.

At this time, Wang Jiahao walked into the private room with a fawning expression, followed by Chen Jiayan and Zhang Wei.

Seeing his nephew come to offer a toast and worrying that he might say something inappropriate, Wang Xiangyang hurriedly said respectfully, "Let me introduce you to these two chairmen. This is my nephew, Wang Jiahao. He's currently just getting by at my company. Since he happened to be eating here today, I had him come over to offer a toast and see the world." After saying that, he turned around and snapped, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and greet the two chairmen!"

Wang Jiahao trembled in fear and hurriedly bowed. When he straightened up, he saw the two middle-aged men sitting there both look stunned, and then they immediately stood up and walked quickly toward him.

Wang Jiahao was somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. He hadn't expected these two big shots to be so polite upon their first meeting. Could it be that he had made a good impression?

He reached out his hand, wanting to shake hands with them, only to see the two of them completely ignore his existence and brush past him, heading straight for Zhang Wei.

Jiang Jianhua excitedly grabbed Zhang Wei and said, "Little brother, I didn't expect you to be here as well! Last time, I was so worried about my child that I left in too much of a hurry. I was negligent."

"Uncle Jiang, you're being too polite. It was only what I should have done."

Zhu Zhendong, standing nearby, was very surprised to see that the two knew each other. "Old Jiang, isn't this a coincidence? You know Zhang Wei too?"

Jiang Jianhua said excitedly, "Of course I know Little Zhang! He is a great benefactor to our family! Why? From your tone, Chairman Zhu, are you also well-acquainted with him?"

Zhu Zhendong laughed heartily. "He calls me Uncle Zhu; what do you think? Besides, the project I got this time was secured entirely with Zhang Wei's help. Without him, I would have failed miserably."

Zhang Wei hurriedly said modestly, "Uncle Zhu, you know what I'm capable of. Please stop praising me."

He hadn't expected these two to know each other and to meet here; it could only be said that truth is stranger than fiction.

At this moment, Wang Jiahao watched the scene before him, dumbstruck. For a moment, he suspected he was dreaming. He had originally thought this young man was just a handsome toy boy who lived off his looks. He never expected him to have such heaven-defying connections. These two before him were figures that even his uncle had to look up to, yet they were so familiar with him.

Although Wang Xiangyang was also very surprised, he quickly reacted and hurriedly greeted them with a smile. "I didn't expect Jiahao's friend to be so outstanding. Please, come and take a seat. Jiahao, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and have the waiter add a few more seats. Don't worry about your other private room; just put it all on my tab later."

By now, Wang Jiahao's back was drenched in sweat. He was suffering in silence; just moments ago, he had been arrogant and overbearing in front of Zhang Wei, showing him no respect at all. Now that their statuses were reversed, he didn't know how Zhang Wei would retaliate. Words were useless now, so he could only cast a pleading look at Zhang Wei.

Chen Jiayan, standing to the side, was also extremely surprised. She hadn't expected Zhang Wei to have such a deep background. Thinking back, his submissiveness toward Wang Jiahao earlier was clearly just him watching the man make a fool of himself.

Zhang Wei wasn't going to go easy on Wang Jiahao. He smiled and said to everyone, "I wouldn't dare call myself a friend. Today is my first time eating with this President Wang. He's actually quite a 'good' person. He even wanted to introduce me to a job as a clerk in his group. When I refused, he wanted to penalize me with three cups of wine. Thinking about it now, I really was being disrespectful. How about my two uncles bear witness while I drink them here?"

Wang Jiahao was on the verge of tears but still had to maintain a forced smile. The expression on his fat face was as comical as could be.

"Zhang Wei—no, President Zhang, please be the bigger person. I was just joking; please don't take it to heart."

Zhu Zhendong and Jiang Jianhua were old hands in the world. Hearing Zhang Wei's tone, how could they not tell that Zhang Wei and this fat guy were at odds?

"President Wang, Little Zhang's relationship with my family is very close. I certainly trust his character. You'll need to give us an explanation for this matter." Zhu Zhendong's voice was cold, and Jiang Jianhua beside him also looked over with an unfriendly gaze.

Wang Xiangyang looked at the pleading gaze from his nephew and wished he could just chop him up and flush him down the toilet.

You offended someone you shouldn't have, and now you're looking to me to bail you out. But who can I turn to?