Starting the ceremony without me?"
A voice rang out, making Chen Xi, Zixuan, Su Mei, and Yuhan turn toward it. Li Chen approached with an easy smile and took the empty seat beside them.
The atmosphere at their table shifted immediately—tense, sharp. Yuhan didn't know why, but he could sense something was off.
"Uncle, how could we?" Zixuan said with a polite smile, adjusting his suit.
Li Chen smiled back at him, then turned to Su Mei with a faintly disapproving look that made her stiffen.
"Li Chen, we can't start without you, and you know it," Chen Xi said, forcing a smile that Li Chen mirrored. "You're the one opening the show. Welcome."
"We will now welcome Mr. Li Chen, who will begin the name-calling," the host announced, and polite applause filled the hall. Li Chen rose and walked up to the stage, tugging at his suit cuffs with a practiced gesture.
"Good evening, everyone," Li Chen greeted, flashing a wide grin.
"That fake smile again," Su Mei muttered to Zixuan, as they both snorted softly.
"Su Mei," Chen Xi whispered in warning—but her lips curved in a reluctant smile anyway. Yuhan watched them quietly, slightly confused by the family dynamic unfolding around him.
Zixuan leaned closer to Yuhan. "You wanted to see me?" he whispered.
"Are you allergic to talking loudly?" Yuhan shot back under his breath, earning a small laugh from Zixuan.
"We'll now invite Mrs. Chen Xi, the predecessor," Li Chen announced.
The applause this time was thunderous—far louder than his own.
"Go, Mother!" Su Mei cheered, clapping and hollering.
"Shhh!" Meiyue hissed, pressing a finger to her lips. Su Mei only grinned.
"It's been a long journey for me and my son," Chen Xi began, her voice steady through the microphone. "Driving this company's success has been a hard, demanding, yet rewarding experience. I'm proud to announce my son as the next successor. Fashion has always been his passion, just as it was his father's. And while some people tried to shake the company's foundation—" her gaze flickered to Li Chen "—it has never fallen."
"Badass," Su Mei whispered under her breath, smirking.
"The company has never ceased to stand. Please, a round of applause for our new CEO, Chen Zixuan!"
Cheers erupted across the hall.
Zixuan stood, adjusting his suit. He extended his hand toward Yuhan. For a moment, Yuhan hesitated—then caught the faint smirk on Zixuan's face.
"Alright, you jerk," Yuhan muttered to himself and took the hand. Together, they walked up to the stage, hand in hand.
Standing before the crowd, they bowed. The world seemed to blur for Yuhan. The cheers became muffled, the lights too bright. He, a night-market vendor once struggling to pay rent, was now standing beside the CEO of one of Asia's biggest fashion houses.
"I'm Chen Zixuan, your new CEO," Zixuan began, his tone firm and composed. "I look forward to a reign built on peace, creativity, and growth."
"Go, go, go!" Mou Tingting, a voice from the audience, shouted cheerfully.
Zixuan smiled slightly. "And I'd also like to introduce my assistant—Mr. Liang Yuhan."
Yuhan didn't move. He was lost in his thoughts, still processing it all.
"Yuhan's not here," Li Hao called from his seat, laughing knowingly, as if he'd read Yuhan's mind.