Chapter 074 Never Underestimate the Poor Young Man
When Xiao Han finished his drink, no one paid him any attention, but when Liu Hao did, everyone clapped and cheered for him. It was obviously a sign of disrespect towards Xiao Han, but of course, Xiao Han didn't care. Applause is just a form of flattery, and Xiao Han didn't like to be flattered.
"Young Master Liu, you really can hold your liquor."
"Tsk tsk, indeed not bad."
A group of people seemed very excited.
Under everyone's compliments, Liu Hao appeared flushed with pride. He smiled and said, "Thanks for the praises, everyone, I, Mr. Liu, always drink heartily."
"Exactly, Young Master Liu has always been great at drinking." Everyone laughed.
At this moment, Liu Hao picked up his glass and then said, "President Chen, I heard you just landed a big contract last month. That contract must have been quite profitable, right?"
"Heh heh…" President Chen, hearing this, blushed and said, "Not much, not much, just earned thirty million."
Wow…
The crowd was abuzz, shocked that a tender could bring in thirty million.
"Tsk tsk, President Chen, you never told us about this." Old Li hurriedly said.
"Oh, it's nothing big." President Chen quickly shook his head and then said, "It was a bridge contract. The project cost three hundred million. You know I just have connections. I used those to win the bid and then subcontracted it out. The other party paid me thirty million. Heh heh…"
"Not bad, not bad!" Old Li, with a look of envy, said, "To be able to land such a big contract is truly incredible. I'm envious. My company barely makes thirty million in a year. Sigh... You easily made thirty million. It must feel good."
"There's nothing great about it." President Chen said cheerfully, "It's just earning a little money."
At that moment, President Chen glanced at Liu Hao, who nodded slightly.
President Chen put down his wine glass and then smiled, "Brother Xiao, I heard you're also in business. May I know what line of business and industry you are in?"
"I'm nothing much." Xiao Han replied with a faint smile, "Compared to all the presidents here, I'm just dabbling. I started a small company, got an agency through Xiaoya, then gathered some goods, planning on setting up an Apple retail spot in LJ City. Hope it makes enough to pay for meals."
"Hahaha..."
The moment everyone heard this, they burst into laughter. They had assumed Xiao Han was some kind of wealthy heir or a government official's child—at least someone with a background. At the very least, they thought he owned a company that made millions in profit. But, it turned out, he was just running a roadside store. He even dared say he was competing in business? It was utterly laughable.
"Mr. Xiao, you really do big business, don't you?" President Chen said with a grin, "You must make at least a few hundred thousand a year... ah, hahaha..."
He could hardly continue.
Haha...
The private room burst into roaring laughter.
Even Liu Hao found it hard to keep up and started laughing along. Li Xiaoya appeared very embarrassed. Liu Hao had gathered so many people this time, obviously targeting her, and Xiao Han's arrival had disrupted their plans, so they resorted to mocking and ridiculing him on Xiao Han's account.
Most people probably couldn't handle it, especially in such a setting, where they could easily crumble. Li Xiaoya turned to look at Xiao Han, worried that Xiao Han would get angry. If Xiao Han truly got angry, that would give the others even more leverage. However, if she tried to intervene on Xiao Han's behalf, Liu Hao's nature would likely prompt an even stronger collective attack.
Thus, to avoid causing trouble for Xiao Han, Li Xiaoya decided to let him handle it himself.
Xiao Han didn't get angry, but remained calm. He gently set down his cup and said, "That's right, I guess I do make a few hundred thousand a year."
The laughter stopped abruptly.
Xiao Han wasn't angry, which was unexpected. His agreeing made them at a loss. It was as if their attacks suddenly lost their target. President Chen appeared somewhat uneasy and turned to look at Liu Hao.
Liu Hao laughed and said, "So what if he earns a few hundred thousand a year? However, I am quite curious, how did you manage to win over Li Xiaoya?"
Liu Hao's irritation instantly exploded.
"Liu Hao, what do you mean?" Xiaoya responded sharply as soon as she heard him.
"Xiaoya, don't speak," Liu Hao said with a light smile, "If he truly wants to be with you, he should have the capacity to endure such questioning. Isn't that right?"
"Who I'm with is none of your business!" Xiaoya retorted.
"Of course it is my business," Liu Hao replied, "You are the woman I've been pursuing for so many years. If you were married, that would be one thing, but you're divorced now. So I have every right to pursue you, don't I?"
"That still has nothing to do with you," Xiaoya scoffed. "Who I'm with is not for you to manage."
"I must take responsibility for your happiness," Liu Hao declared. "If I think he's not qualified to be with you, then I will drive him away. Your happiness should be protected by me!"
"No need," Xiaoya shook her head.
At that moment, Xiao Han held Xiaoya's hand and said, "Xiaoya, I suddenly think he's right. If a man cannot bring happiness to a woman, then he has no right to be with her."
"Xiao Han, you..." Xiaoya panicked, afraid that Xiao Han was about to expose her.
"However, I believe I can definitely bring you happiness!" Xiao Han's lips slightly curved, revealing a confident smile, "Although I don't earn much now, every penny I make is through my own hard work. I can't promise you the moon and the stars, but I can give you the warmest embrace."
Xiaoya looked into Xiao Han's eyes, which revealed his tenderness. She was somewhat captivated; Xiao Han's words, every sentence, every word moved her deeply and resonated within her heart.
No man had ever treated her this way, nor had any man touched her heart like this. Although countless men had pursued her, each of them came with ulterior motives—some were attracted to her beauty, others to her immense wealth behind her. Each harbored hidden agendas, filled with complex motives.
Yet no man had ever given her the sincere attention that Xiao Han did. No man had ever shown her such deep affection. Xiao Han never took advantage of her; even the agent fee of three hundred thousand, he paid every penny. If it were any other man, they probably would have tried to waive that fee. Of course, that was just one of the reasons Xiaoya liked Xiao Han.
Xiao Han's charismatic personality further drew Xiaoya to him. He seemed young but was incredibly mature and stable; though he aspired to build a great business and amass wealth, he was not preoccupied with money; he disregarded others' ridicule and was indifferent to their disdain.
"Sour, really sour!" Liu Hao couldn't stand it anymore.
Because he noticed something, he realized that Xiaoya might truly have feelings for Xiao Han. A woman's true feelings can be discerned from the way she looks at a man. From Xiaoya's eyes, he had already spotted this. The way Xiaoya looked at Xiao Han was filled with emotion, hence, he must stop this from continuing.
"Mr. Xiao," President Chen cleared his throat and then spoke, "You are just a seller of electronic products, earning a mere few hundred thousand a year. What makes you think you can be with Xiaoya?"
"President Chen!" Xiao Han gave a faint smile, "You started as a butcher slaughtering pigs, what right do you have to sit with me?"
"You!" President Chen was immediately enraged. He despised being called a butcher more than anything, but he could not forget his past. Back when he worked at a food company, he was indeed a pig butcher. After the company shut down, he turned to trading livestock. Since there were few in that business then, he quickly made his fortune.
Now, he owned several fresh produce companies and had expanded into manufacturing and even electronics. However, those years as a butcher were something he still did not want to face, as they marked an unsavory chapter in his history.
Yet, that very past he disliked confronting was suddenly brought up, and President Chen became furious: "What's wrong with being a butcher? I am richer than you are now!"
"Yes, you are indeed richer than me," Xiao Han smiled, "When you were my age, you couldn't even afford to marry. What right do you have to mock me? Who knows, by the time I am your age, I might not even care about your assets!"
"Haha..." President Chen laughed loudly, "If in this lifetime you can be as successful as I am now, I'd literally twist my head off to serve as your chamber pot!"
"Let's not speak so crudely!" Xiao Han raised his glass, "Do not scorn the poor; fortunes may change in thirty years."
With that, Xiao Han tilted his head and downed a glass of alcohol.
Everyone was astonished.
President Chen was so angry his face turned beet red, while Liu Hao gave a light smile, "Xiao Han, I admit you have backbone. However, living in this world doesn't just require backbone. Understand? Being too young, one tends to act rashly. As the saying goes, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger."
"But we have to see whether it's a calf or a tiger," Xiao Han stared at Liu Hao.
His eyes emitted a chilling light, a coldness not common among ordinary people and definitely not typical for someone of Xiao Han's age. This chilling glare was like a dagger piercing straight through one's heart. Liu Hao, looking into his opponent's eyes, trembled all over; the chilling gaze filled him with a sense of dread.
Suddenly, a flash of recognition crossed his mind; this look felt so familiar.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
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