Everyone was utterly shocked upon seeing the Ferghana horse, their eyes bulging.
"What a beautiful horse, truly a rare sight in a century."
"A fine steed for a hero. As the Warlord, he's sure to like this gift. I must say, Meng Guangyu put a lot of thought into it."
"We've lost, we've all lost!"
"While this horse may not be worth more than the villa or supercar, it is certainly the most meaningful."
Everyone greatly admired Meng Guangyu, applauding him one after another.
The hall erupted in thunderous applause.
Meng Guangyu savored the moment, standing on stage with his head held high, beaming with pride.
Of course, someone was even happier than him.
That person was He Zhizhou!
He Zhizhou deliberately walked up to Lu Ming, looking down on him with disdain, and said condescendingly, "Lu Ming, did you see that? That's the power of the Ferghana horse! Everyone is applauding my idea, my strategy has won the day!"
He paused, then continued, "And all of this should have belonged to Manager Jiang, to Xunrong. It's a pity that Manager Jiang played favorites and listened to the nonsense of you, Lu Ming, you 'dead eunuch,' and gave the Warlord a stray dog. How about that, a slap in the face? Do you regret it now? Does it hurt? Too late! Hmph!"
Jiang Lan, standing beside him, was furious but helpless.
In fact, what He Zhizhou said made sense.
He Zhizhou was originally an employee of Xunrong, and this strategy was proposed to Jiang Lan. If Jiang Lan had chosen to believe He Zhizhou, she would be basking in the applause now, not Meng Guangyu.
Whose fault was it?
It could only be blamed on Jiang Lan's insistence on trusting Lu Ming.
After venting his anger, He Zhizhou was about to turn back to his seat when Lu Ming suddenly called out to him.
"Elder He!"
"Hmm? Something else?" He Zhizhou looked at Lu Ming with contempt.
Lu Ming asked nonchalantly, "You said a slap in the face? May I ask, is the decision of the gift ultimately up to the people present?"
He Zhizhou replied, "Of course not, the decision rests with the Warlord."
"That's the point," Lu Ming continued. "Before the Warlord makes his decision, how can there be talk of a slap in the face?"
"Heh heh, a stubborn mule." He Zhizhou scoffed. "Anyone with eyes can see that my Ferghana horse is ten thousand times better than your trash stray dog. Yet you're still quibbling and resisting. Is that interesting? What, can't afford to lose?"
Lu Ming chuckled, "Please, Elder He, sit back down and watch carefully. We'll see who can't afford to lose later."
"Hmph." He Zhizhou flicked his sleeve, ignored Lu Ming, and returned to his seat.
Meng Guangyu stepped down from the stage.
The other gifts were also presented one by one.
After more than an hour, all the gifts had been showcased. Everyone's gifts were very creative and expensive, except for Xunrong's stray dog.
However, everyone unanimously favored Meng Guangyu's Ferghana horse.
It was not only valuable but also novel, and most importantly, it had profound meaning!
Such a gift would surely win first prize.
Shura said, "Please wait a moment, everyone. I will go back and discuss it with the Warlord to see which gift best meets his wishes."
With that, Shura walked towards the backstage.
Below the stage, everyone shook their heads.
"Is there even a need to discuss it? It's definitely the Ferghana horse!"
"We are all convinced we lost this time, there's nothing more to say. Let's strive for another opportunity to cooperate with the Warlord next time."
Meng Guangyu heard this and burst into laughter.
He said to Jiang Lan, "Good wife, when the cooperation is finalized, I'll share some with you. All you have to do is 'nod' to me, hahahaha."
Lu Ming sneered, "Oh, the good son still knows how to be filial to his mother. How thoughtful of you."
Meng Guangyu's brows furrowed, extremely displeased.
He glared at Lu Ming and said, "You little bastard, you're just showing off with your sharp tongue. After the assembly is over, I will definitely cut out your tongue. Let's see how you can spout nonsense then!"
Suddenly.
Lu Ming's phone vibrated a few times.
He took out his phone and opened the latest message, sent by Shura: Warlord, have you chosen your preferred gift?
Lu Ming replied without hesitation, in five words: Chinese Rural Dog!
After receiving the message, Shura returned to the stage.
He coughed gently and said with a smile, "I have finished discussing with the Warlord and have received his affirmative reply. His preferred gift has been chosen."
Everyone spread their hands.
Was there even a need to choose? Wasn't it as obvious as a louse on a monk's head?
Announce the Ferghana horse quickly and don't waste time.
Shura glanced at his phone one last time, ensuring everything was in order, and then announced loudly, "The Dragon Warlord's preferred gift is..."
Before he could finish, Meng Guangyu stood up, spreading his arms, ready to once again receive the crowd's applause.
He had even prepared his acceptance speech.
But then!
Shura finally said, "The preferred gift is the Chinese Rural Dog presented by Xunrong Company! Congratulations to Xunrong, congratulations to Manager Jiang!"
Huh?
Are you kidding me?
A stray dog, utterly worthless, picked up from the roadside, could capture the Warlord's 'heart'?
Is it true or false?
The entire hall was so quiet that the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.
There was no applause, only stunned silence.
Even Jiang Lan sat in her chair, wide-eyed and dumbfounded, unable to react for a long time. It was only when Lu Ming nudged her with his shoulder that Jiang Lan snapped back to reality.
"My gift... was chosen!"
Jiang Lan could no longer suppress the joy in her heart. She jumped up from her seat, her arms spread wide in excitement.
All the previous mockery and insults vanished into thin air.
Jiang Lan's troubled heart finally found release.
However, some were not convinced.
Meng Guangyu roared indignantly, "Why? It's just a stray dog, why could it defeat my Ferghana horse? I am not convinced!"
It wasn't just him; most people present were also unconvinced.
A villa, a supercar, a thousand-year-old ganoderma lucidum, why would they lose to a stray dog?
Meng Guangyu roared, "The Warlord must give me an explanation!"
"Hmm?" Shura raised an eyebrow and roared, "Presumptuous! How dare you treat the Dragon Warlord with such an attitude, Meng Guangyu, are you tired of living?"
Meng Guangyu's face turned instantly pale with fright.
He was too eager, speaking rashly and losing his composure.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to. I just found it hard to accept the fact, and I misspoke in a moment of impulse."
He Zhizhou, standing beside him, spoke up in his defense, "General Shura, it's not surprising that Director Meng finds it hard to accept, as the outcome is too bizarre. General Shura, could you give us a reasonable explanation?"
An explanation?
Then let's explain!
Shura waved his hand and said, "You vulgar people, do you really think the Dragon Warlord wanted to use this opportunity to enrich himself? You all only know how to send expensive gifts, but you completely disregard the core!"
Saying that, he opened the document regarding investment attraction.
"Look carefully at the specific content here!"