Qin Siyang's calm and gentle voice echoed in the hall.
The faint scent of blood spread subtly, clashing against the nerves of the guests.
Yet, everyone remained silent, watching him without responding.
Under the crystal chandelier, Qin Siyang's figure stood out.
A young man in his prime.
His face shimmered under the scattered, dazzling light, like a rising star.
The headless corpse lying in a pool of blood before the stage formed a stark contrast with him.
This scene, where the victor lives and the defeated dies, was permanently imprinted in everyone's vision.
After a brief silence—
Qin Siyang smiled and continued, "I'm very happy. I've finally used my own actions to prove my strength and gained everyone's recognition."
"Since everyone acknowledges me as the vice president of the chamber of commerce, let's have our president, Mr. Zhao Sifang, continue his speech. Everyone, please welcome him."
After speaking, he took the lead in clapping on stage.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Qin Siyang's applause was strong and loud.
Deliberately bringing everyone back from their thoughts, giving his dear president Zhao some dignity.
After he clapped alone for about three to five seconds, others finally followed suit.
Applause once again resounded in the venue.
It was noticeably more enthusiastic than when Zhao Sifang had first stepped up to speak.
Qin Siyang maintained his smile, feeling relieved inside.
The trouble at hand had been resolved smoothly.
Zhao Longfei whispered a few words to the staff behind him.
Soon, a few staff members brought over a finely carved wooden box and placed Hua Weicai's corpse inside. Then, they respectfully placed the box beside Hua Chengliang.
"Vice President Hua, our Director Zhao says this box is a gift for you, making it convenient for you to take your grandson back. No need to pay."
Hua Chengliang glared fiercely at the staff, his hands trembling with rage.
The staff merely bowed slightly before retreating.
Then, the cleaning staff quickly came in with mops and buckets, scrubbing the bloodstains clean and spraying some air freshener.
The faint scent of blood in the air disappeared.
Replaced by a gentle and elegant fragrance.
The entire venue seemed as if nothing had happened.
A peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
Zhao Sifang looked at Qin Siyang and gave him a gaze filled with excitement, determination, and gratitude.
Qin Siyang, still smiling, clapped his hands and returned to his seat.
Zhao Sifang resumed his speech, "This brief interlude has come to an end. I'm very happy that our Vice President Qin has also received everyone's recognition."
"Next, I will continue to discuss the founding principles and mission of our Zhao Chamber of Commerce…"
Zhao Longfei whispered, "Kid, you killed someone without even giving me a heads-up?"
"I didn't want to kill anyone either. What good does it do me to provoke them in public? But the three major chambers clearly want to target me, I can't even avoid it."
"So, you figured you'd just kill Hua Weicai?"
"What else could I do? I didn't provoke them, but they kept attacking me in the dark and openly. I may be an upright person, but I can't just take it lying down without fighting back, right?"
"Now the three major chambers all hold a grudge against you. Your enmity with them won't just disappear. What will you do next?"
"Huh? What do you mean it 'won't disappear'?", Qin Siyang was momentarily stunned, "Are the people from the three major chambers that childish?"
"Childish?"
"The foundation of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce right now comes from four different people possessing four Scarlet Crystals. I only have one of them and some key chamber artifacts. If they kill me, what will the other three powerful backers of Zhao's chamber think of them?"
"Hmm…"
"Besides, in business, shouldn't profit come first? They suffered a loss with me today, but if I can bring them benefits tomorrow, shouldn't they still be willing to do business with me?"
"I actually think they might not see me as a mortal enemy. Once they realize they can't destroy the Zhao Chamber, they should be trying to curry favor with me instead."
Zhao Longfei twitched the corner of his mouth, "...Kid, is this really something an 'upright and righteous' person would say?"
"It's very upright and righteous!"
For some reason, Qin Siyang saw a trace of disappointment in Zhao Longfei's eyes.
Zhao Longfei pondered for a moment before asking, "Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of the consequences of provoking them."
"Oh, you mean afraid of dying?"
"Something like that."
Qin Siyang sighed, "Depends on the situation. Sometimes I'm afraid, sometimes I'm not."
"Hm?"
"If there's a way out, I'm terrified of dying. But if I'm in a situation where I'm bound to die, I don't fear it anymore."
Hearing this, Zhao Longfei smiled slightly and stopped asking questions.
Qin Siyang suddenly thought of something and asked, "Principal Zhao, the people here seem to have pretty high Sequences. Ever since my Sequence increased, my perception has improved a lot. If the two of us are whispering here, even if we keep our voices low, won't others be able to hear us?"
"Don't worry."
"Oh, so no one can hear us?"
"They definitely can."
"Huh?"
Qin Siyang's eyes widened in shock, looking at Zhao Longfei in disbelief.
But Zhao Longfei only chuckled, "Sifang is giving a speech. You think anyone is listening to him? Of course, they're all focused on the two of us."
"Others might not hear clearly, but the commanders of the military corps, the ministers of the United Government, and Professor Li, they can all hear us loud and clear."
Qin Siyang was dumbfounded, "Wait—if everyone could hear our conversation, why did you still chat with me? Why didn't you remind me? What if I said something I shouldn't have?"
"Relax. When we were discussing sensitive matters, I blocked our conversation. Not only can they not hear us, but they can't even see our lip movements."
"For real?"
"You don't trust me? Fine, since you performed well today, I'll prove it to you."
Zhao Longfei turned to Qin Siyang and said, "Yan Budong was cheated on and betrayed by his wife, almost losing his life. That's the topic he hates the most."
After he finished speaking, Qin Siyang looked at Yan Budong.
Yan Budong remained expressionless, completely unreactive.
"Principal Zhao, what's your Sequence? How can you eavesdrop and block conversations at the same time?"
"That's not for you to worry about."
"Then, from the time I stepped off the stage, was our conversation blocked?"
"There wasn't anything critical in our chat just now, so why would I block it?"
"Oh, right, a reminder for you. When dealing with these people in the future, avoid whispering too much."
Qin Siyang grimaced, "So troublesome. I need Professor Lu to give me something that lets me have private conversations."
"Not a bad idea. That's what everyone else does."
After a brief silence, Qin Siyang suddenly realized something.
"Wait a minute, Principal Zhao."
"What is it?"
"Our conversation wasn't blocked just now, so everyone could eavesdrop. Yet, you kept provoking me, trying to make me declare an unbreakable grudge against the three major chambers. What are you up to?"
"I didn't mean anything by it…"
Qin Siyang narrowed his eyes, "You want the three major chambers to think that, in my eyes, this feud is irreconcilable. Then, they'll keep pressuring me, forcing me to completely side with the Zhao family and work for you?"
Zhao Longfei replied indifferently, "You're overthinking it."
"Overthinking my ass! I'm afraid I'm not thinking enough! You're the principal of South Glory, a respected educator."
"Not guiding students towards the right path is bad enough. But why are you always trying to set me up?"
"Are you even human?"
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