Chapter 24: We Must Not Be Proud

Chapter 24: We Must Not Be Proud

A Room Full of Regret

"Mr. Tian, are you joking?"

Li Zhen, still coughing up blood, had barely managed to stay conscious. Supported by several people on the sofa, he struggled to process what he had just heard. Before Tian Fu could respond, murmurs filled the room.

"President Tian, is this young man a relative of yours?"

"Boss Tian, you're really kind to him. This level of generosity... is he your successor?"

Their skepticism was obvious. Xiao Cheng looked far too young—barely in his early twenties. Even if he came from a wealthy background, managing such a massive investment at his age seemed absurd. Venture capital was a dangerous game; one misstep could destroy everything.

Tian Fu cleared his throat. "Everyone, allow me to introduce Mr. Xiao Cheng, the person in charge of Qiancheng Investment."

The room fell into silence. If this name had been mentioned just a few days ago, many would have dismissed it. But now? Qiancheng Investment was shaking the business world.

Initially, people doubted the firm's financial strength, but after Jiajiafu received a staggering 7 billion yuan investment, skepticism vanished. More businesses soon received backing, pulling them back from the brink of collapse.

"You... you're really Mr. Xiao from Qiancheng Investment?"

The bald man, who had been knocked unconscious earlier, had regained his senses. This time, he dared not point fingers. His voice trembled as he spoke.

Xiao Cheng barely acknowledged him, his patience thin. Turning to Tian Fu, he simply said, "Take care of this."

Tian Fu nodded respectfully. There was hardly any need for him to intervene. The moment Xiao Cheng's identity was confirmed, all thoughts of retaliation evaporated.

Who in this room would dare oppose someone who could casually move billions?

"Yes, yes! Let's proceed with Mr. Shen's proposal immediately!"

"Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your time!"

"As I said before, Mr. Shen's team is the best choice!"

The same people who had belittled Shen Jiaoyue earlier were now eager to align themselves with her.

Xiao Cheng ignored their hypocrisy. Instead, he turned to Shen Jiaoyue, his voice softening. "You should rest. You haven't slept well."

Her eyes, bloodshot from exhaustion, betrayed just how much pressure she had endured. She opened her mouth as if to protest, but the moment she met Xiao Cheng's steady gaze, she relented with a nod.

As they walked out, the murmuring businessmen quickly bid him farewell.

But just before stepping through the door, Xiao Cheng paused. His eyes, sharp as knives, swept across the room.

"I recall someone mentioning calling the police?"

The room tensed.

"Of course not!"

"No, no! Misunderstanding!"

Li Zhen and the bald man, still injured, were the first to shake their heads.

Xiao Cheng smirked. "And your injuries?"

The men scrambled to answer.

"We were just playing around!"

"Yes, yes! Practicing Tai Chi!"

Heads bobbed like chickens pecking at rice.

Satisfied, Xiao Cheng left, followed closely by Shen Jiaoyue. Behind them, the once-powerful business figures wiped sweat from their foreheads.

A Well-Deserved Rest

After exiting the building, Xiao Cheng spoke gently. "Get some rest first. Let Tian handle the rest."

Something had shifted within Shen Jiaoyue. Xiao Cheng had unknowingly become her pillar of support. But dependency was not built overnight; it would take time.

They arrived at a five-star hotel next door. As they entered, Shen Jiaoyue hesitated. Staying in such a luxurious place alongside a man—it was enough to make any woman's heart race.

But before she could dwell on it, Xiao Cheng handed her a card. Her breath caught.

This was no ordinary card. It was the hotel's most exclusive supreme membership card. With it, one could stay in any suite free of charge—including the World Supreme Suite, priced at 188,000 yuan per hour.

The sheer extravagance of it left her momentarily dazed.

She had intended to investigate Xiao Cheng further, but today had already overwhelmed her. Exhaustion finally caught up with her, and after a hot shower, she collapsed into bed, falling into a deep sleep.

Xiao Cheng, however, remained in the hotel lobby.

He knew she wouldn't sleep for long. When she woke, Tian Fu would likely have wrapped things up. Then, it would be time to bring her home.

Sisi had been asking for her mother. But in her current state, Shen Jiaoyue wasn't ready to face her daughter just yet.

The hotel manager, aware of Xiao Cheng's status, had stationed himself outside Shen Jiaoyue's room, awaiting any request.

Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng made himself comfortable in the waiting area. While others might use this time to check business reports or stock trends, he had different priorities.

He immersed himself in children's stories and fairy tales.

In his eyes, these were the most important things in the world.

Thanks to his exceptional memory and intelligence, he absorbed the stories at an incredible pace.

A Couple's Arrogance

Just as he was lost in thought, a couple sat down beside him.

The woman, casting a glance at his simple attire, sneered.

"Poor ghost," she muttered under her breath.

Xiao Cheng heard her but didn't react.

The woman, emboldened by his silence, turned to her husband, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Honey, why do you think this kind of person comes to a hotel like this?"

Her husband—a greasy, overweight man—chuckled. "Sweetheart, we shouldn't look down on the poor. Even though we have tens of millions in assets, we must remain humble."

His tone, however, was anything but humble.

"Maybe he's here to enjoy the air conditioning," the woman giggled, nudging her husband.

Xiao Cheng finally looked up. His expression was unreadable.

"Tens of millions?" He let out a small chuckle. "That's like a beggar flaunting fifty cents in front of a billionaire."

The couple's smiles froze.

At that moment, Tian Fu entered the lobby, flanked by two men.

Xiao Cheng didn't even need to explain. Tian Fu immediately understood.

"Mr. Xiao, do you want them removed?"

Before Xiao Cheng could respond, one of Tian Fu's men—Zhang Peng, who had taken a liking to Xiao Cheng—stepped forward eagerly.

"Mr. Xiao, allow me. I'll take care of this without bothering President Tian."

Xiao Cheng gave a slight nod, his voice indifferent. "Check the background of this fat man. If his wealth isn't from legal sources, make sure he loses it."

The couple turned pale.

"Wait... I—"

Before the man could finish, Zhang Peng had already made a call.

Not long after, the hotel's tranquil lobby was filled with a piercing shriek—the sound of a man watching his empire crumble.

It turned out his so-called tens of millions came from selling counterfeit goods and tax evasion.

Within minutes, everything he had was gone.

Xiao Cheng barely spared him another glance.

Some people needed a lesson in humility.