Xie Sui was currently the talk of the town, daring to stand against the Meng and Liu families. He was the first in many years to do so.
Not to mention how young he was, coupled with the nickname "Little God of Stock," his net worth was already comparable to established families like the Du family. Given time, he could secure a spot among the top ten families.
The outside world underestimated Xie Sui. What top ten families? His ambitions extended far beyond just Hong Kong City; he aimed for the world.
Xie Sui did not attend the awards gala, much to the disappointment of countless people who missed an opportunity to network with President Xie.
A significant portion of these were beautiful female celebrities. President Xie was famously good to the artists under his banner, granting those with fame a fifty percent profit share without any deductions, and they didn't have to compromise with directors or be forced into acting. This made them very envious.
In the entertainment industry, female artists were at a significant disadvantage.
Lin Tianxiang watched his star artist, Zhou Ziwei, with a distracted look, and he was furious. Was she also infatuated with Xie Sui?
Seeing Lin Tianxiang's displeased expression, Zhou Ziwei dared not be distracted. She focused on appeasing him, and Lin Tianxiang's mood gradually improved.
The evening was expected to end with just eating, drinking, and casual conversation before everyone left. Little did they expect Xie Sui to suddenly arrive.
The banquet erupted into a frenzy, with countless people swarming forward to greet him: "Hello, President Xie, you're quite late."
"President Xie is so busy, it's already good that he could make it."
"President Xie, I'm Chen Yuying, the current Miss Hong Kong champion. When you have some free time, could I invite you for a meal?"
Chen Yuying was tall, almost as tall as Xie Sui. She was beautiful, with a voluptuous figure, and an elegant demeanor that was not devoid of charm, making her a stunning beauty.
"Okay, perhaps another day when I'm free."
"Here is my business card, President Xie, please remember me. To be frank, I wish to sign with your entertainment company."
"That would be great. You can speak with President Qiu; she is in charge of this area."
Chen Yuying was somewhat disappointed. Shouldn't he have signed her immediately?
Recently, many companies had approached her for contracts, and she had numerous endorsement and fashion show opportunities waiting. Her主动 (zhǔdòng - proactive) approach to signing with Xie Sui's company was to seek preferential treatment.
Lin Tianxiang watched Chen Yuying hover around Xie Sui, handing him her business card. He spat in anger, "This bitch, she refused to come when I invited her several times, yet she's willing to throw herself at him. Women are all cheap."
Zhou Ziwei felt a pang of displeasure. She was also a woman, yet Lin Tianxiang never treated her as a person. Following such a boss made it difficult to see a future.
At that moment, she secretly made a resolve.
Xie Sui finally managed to break free from the countless enthusiastic greetings and found a moment of quiet. As he took a sip of tea, he saw Lin Tianxiang approaching.
He greeted him cheerfully, "Oh, President Lin, you're looking well lately. How many movies won awards this time?"
Lin Tianxiang's face darkened. His company had been unlucky recently, not winning any awards. Was Xie Sui intentionally mocking him?
"I'm not interested in these small awards. If I were to win, it would be an international grand prize. President Xie, arriving so late, you're putting on quite an act. Do you look down on us in the entertainment industry?"
Xie Sui chuckled, "If President Lin says that, you're just trying to frame me. My wife is pregnant, you know. I haven't even been to the company, let alone attended any award ceremonies.
If I had to handle everything, what would my subordinates do?
On the other hand, President Lin seems quite at leisure, showing up everywhere."
Lin Tianxiang snorted, "Always revolving around women, President Xie, you're quite something."
Xie Sui, rather than getting angry, laughed, "Can't help it. That's my ambition. My wife and child are the most important. Unlike you, President Lin, are your children close to you? They always stick with their mother and show little filial piety towards you, their father."
Lin Tianxiang had a poor relationship with his wife, and his children were closer to their mother. They treated him, their father, with disdain and had even publicly stated in the media that they didn't have a father like him, which had caused quite a stir at the time.
Xie Sui had hit a sore spot. Lin Tianxiang turned and left. Zhou Ziwei apologized, "President Xie, please don't mind him. Our President Lin has a temper. I apologize on his behalf, I'm sorry."
Zhou Ziwei shook his hand, and while doing so, slipped him a business card. Xie Sui calmly put it away.
"Are you leaving? Don't forget who you belong to."
Lin Tianxiang watched them talking, enraged, wanting to lash out and hit someone. Zhou Ziwei had no choice but to catch up and leave with him.
Xie Sui shook his head, thinking that such people weren't even worthy of being his opponents. They were bound to fail sooner or later.
He walked over to the group of directors, who all stood up. "President Xie is late. You must drink three cups as penance."
"No problem, I'll drink. Isn't that Director Xu? Long time no see. Director Xu, your white hair has increased again. Are you troubled?
It's not too late to switch boats even if you boarded the wrong one. The future voyage will be smoother, won't it?
When Director Xu considers switching boats, I will always welcome you."
Everyone lowered their heads, muttering inwardly, "President Xie is openly poaching. President Lin must have offended him badly. Is he planning to move against President Lin?"
Director Xu politely replied, "President Xie, I appreciate your kind offer, but I understand."
He had politely declined. Xie Sui smiled without speaking, clinked glasses with everyone, and they chatted merrily.
After drinking some wine, he returned home late at night. After washing up, he still smelled of alcohol and wanted to sleep in the study. Lin Wanwan woke up, supporting her belly. Xie Sui quickly helped her, "Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
"Mm, I have to get up a few times every day. It's troublesome to be pregnant. Aren't you sleeping?"
"I've been drinking. I'll go to the study so I don't smell up the room for you."
Lin Wanwan did not mind, "Am I such a delicate person? I sleep better smelling the alcohol. Are you trying to avoid me, thinking I'm troublesome and disturbing you?"
"Oh my, you're making me out to be so wronged. How dare I? Fine, I'll sleep with you. Let's talk to our son."
"What if it's a daughter this time?"
"Sigh, I'm not holding out hope anymore. Last time, they kept saying it was a girl, but in the end, two boys were born. This time, let's just say it's a son. No hope, no disappointment."
Lin Wanwan chuckled, "If President Meng hears you say that, he'll be so angry he'll spit blood."
Xie Sui chuckled, "He deserves to be angry. The old man didn't accumulate enough good deeds, so he deserves to have no son."
Lin Wanwan became serious, "Then we must accumulate good deeds, build more roads, and do more good deeds to accumulate blessings for our son."
She didn't believe in such things before, but after earning so much money, she inexplicably felt uneasy, always worrying that something bad might happen.
Xie Sui said, "I know. Didn't we sponsor the establishment of schools before? And we also repaired roads in the villages. When we return to the mainland in the future, we'll build more roads, elementary schools, and do charity work. Your husband wants to be a philanthropist."
"That's good. Don't be stingy with your wealth. A person's good fortune is limited. If it's all turned into money, I worry that calamities might befall us.
Don't elders often say that losing money can avert disaster? I think there's truth to it."
"Yes, my Wanwan is the kindest and most generous. Having such a good wife is my greatest fortune."
Lin Wanwan now enjoyed talking with Xie Sui immensely. Everything was smooth, and he always said what was on her mind.