Chapter 116 Face Reading

reason why Su Cun didn't directly hand this note to his father—because in his eyes, he still wasn't mature enough.In contrast, Zeng Quanming is different; he only cares about the results. Su Cen's im...Chapter 116: Face Reading

Song Zhen's mother, Tao Qing, was a woman whose true age was hard to discern. She did not possess the beauty that Mu Xuan, Tang Wu's mother, had, yet women who could maintain their natural beauty beyond middle age were rare. However, the first impression given by Tao Qing was one of nobility.

This nobility was an air that wouldn’t make one think of vulgarity; her composed demeanor while drinking tea would naturally draw people's attention. Even with two lives' worth of soul, Su Can felt the focus in the room shift to her instantly.

Tao Qing appeared calm and collected, showing no signs of fatigue from her journey.

However, one could tell from her occasionally piercing gaze that she was not as gentle and placid as her appearance suggested.

Afters hearing Song Zhen introduce him to Tao Qing, Tao Qing gave a strange look towards Song Zhen. In her memory, it was rare for Song Zhen to suddenly bring up a man during meetings with the two of them, so she smiled at Su Can and said, "Oh, Little Su, please sit down."

With just those few words, one could feel her imposing presence without her even needing to exert herself. It was clear that despite Song Zhen's introduction, Tao Qing didn't seem to think meeting Su Can was a significant event.

Su Can signaled with his eyes for Song Zhen to explain what she was up to. A mischievous glint flashed in Song Zhen’s eyes as she sat down and linked her arm around Tao Qing's, her long black hair cascading like clouds over Tao Qing's shoulder, the ends curling slightly as they blended into the room illuminated by the late autumn light from outside, painting a picturesque scene. "I'm doing well back home. My uncle has transferred telecommunications business operations to me, and after the New Year, he may add two more services. Then, he will free up his time and transfer all of Group Sankuan’s Shanghai market operations to me, allowing him to focus on real estate and electronics investments inland."

Contrary to what Su Can had imagined, the overseas aristocratic family's relationship was not as distant or coldly competitive. Instead, mother and daughter seemed completely in sync, a sight that would be rare at any other time for Su Can to see Song Zhen maintaining her strong persona while still being affectionate with her mother.

The conversation hinted that Song Zhen was about to take over the Shanghai market operations of Group Sankuan, becoming an important figure in the company's domestic division. This officially marked the beginning of her taking control and transitioning into a bigger role. No wonder Song Zhen’s fame was increasing daily; it was likely that media and outsiders were closely watching this young and beautiful future leader.

What attracts attention is always beauty, especially when combined with power — a noblewoman in charge would naturally become a topic of conversation among the media and so-called high society figures.

"Oh, that's good. The domestic market is expanding rapidly, and your father has repeatedly emphasized the need to adjust overseas assets and shareholdings to focus more on the domestic market. Over the next three to five years, expanding the domestic market will be a strategic priority for the group. In China Company’s overall market share, Shanghai and Jiangsu markets account for 30%, so if you can thoroughly understand this sector now, you’ll have the qualifications to take over even larger operations."

After Tao Qing finished speaking, she glanced at Su Can, making him feel somewhat uneasy.

Firstly, the intimate relationship between Song Zhen and her mother was openly displayed in front of a "stranger" like himself. Moreover, they were discussing Group Sankuan's plans. From Su Can’s perspective, it felt like an advantage had been taken; even now, he knew that Group Sankuan was no ordinary company, and its movements and internal information would be coveted by many people. It made him somewhat uncomfortable to hear such valuable information so casually.

Perhaps Tao Qing thought it might be inappropriate to talk about this in front of an outsider like Su Can. As expected, after she finished speaking, she glanced at Su Can and promptly changed the topic.

In her eyes, she finally started to take Su Can's existence seriously, so she asked, "Is Xiao Su and Song Zhen friends or classmates"

Actually, Su Can could understand Tao Qing's actions towards him. After all, the woman in front of her was the overseer of the maternal side of the Senkawa Group, a large enterprise with its own land and villa complexes in Beverly Hills, USA. With such a background, it wasn't hard to imagine that the people behind them would also be far from ordinary, with many scheming to curry favor with Tao Qing just for an appearance before her or to climb higher within the Song Family Group by any means necessary.

Therefore, it was not abnormal for Tao Qing to exhibit such authority. Su Can replied, "Friends."

"Su Can and I have business dealings. His Upper Row Music has a business relationship with our China company," Song Zhen said with a smile.

Tao Qing immediately had an impression of Su Can in her heart. Song Zhen's Information Communication Technology was a SP merchant, so she naturally didn't know the domestically not-so-famous Upper Row Music; she only knew that it was a content provider collaborating with Song Zhen. Regardless of scale or other aspects, content providers were actually one level lower than SP service providers and lacked confidence when dealing with them publicly. Otherwise, they wouldn't have to hope that SP service providers would show "big brand manners" by leaving some leftovers for the content providers after taking their share. This was also why Su Can wanted Zhao Hao to fiercely grasp a large number of copyright resources and build barriers.

Tao Qing nodded and said, "Rudongsheng from China Mobile is an old classmate of mine, and we have a good relationship. Don't worry; as elders, we will definitely help you young people make connections."

Su Can wasn't at all surprised that Tao Qing could mention this name. As the president of China Mobile, if the Senkawa Group's Chinese company didn't have this network, Song Zhen's Information Communication Technology wouldn't be able to become one of the top ten SP merchants for mobile business in China, and this was also what others envied.

"In addition, your father has some acquaintances in Shanghai. Li Chao, the eldest son of your Uncle Li, is the same age as you and does a large amount of business; his business acumen is naturally rich, so you should try to interact more with these young people to make progress."

Tao Qing smiled at Song Zhen again and said, "When I heard that I was returning home, Aunt Minglan told me that she would like me to bring you over to her house for a visit when I return; she wants to meet you. Her son Zhang Ming might be able to talk with you... People use the phrase 'heir of the Zhang family media empire' to describe this child, and in my view, he is also an outstanding peer."

The people Tao Qing mentioned were all outstanding figures among Shanghai's younger generation. If Su Can was engaged in business without being too isolated or ignorant, these peers would certainly be benchmarks that he couldn't easily surpass.

If Su Can was just a regular friend of Song Zhen’s or an old classmate, Tao Qing wouldn’t have said any of this.

But the current situation was far from simple. Normally never introducing male friends to her daughter in such intimate settings, adding Su Can in this context implied something else. If she still treated Su Can casually, it could only be seen as Tao Qing's lack of awareness.

Although Tao Qing couldn't figure out why, if Song Zhen needed suitors, there would certainly not be a shortage of outstanding young men around her; why would someone like Su Can, who seemed rather ordinary, enter her social circle At least the people Tao Qing mentioned earlier could all meet Song Zhen’s standards from any perspective.

Therefore, Tao Qing still showed some attitude towards this person who made her daughter act abnormally.

This wasn't to put pressure on Su Can; perhaps in Tao Qing's view, it didn't even count as putting pressure. Although the Senkawa Group usually kept a low profile, its family business was massive enough that Tao Qing, as an overseer of the maternal side, couldn't help but have a sense of superiority and pride.

Absolute humility, gentleness, and low profile are also impossible to exist.

In a sense, this is Tao Qing's aura. If Su Cen can't bear the pressure of it, he might as well leave. If her daughter Song Zhen only has such taste, then that would prove her choice was wrong.

"I have no interest in participating in these covert matchmaking events. Moreover, aren’t discussions about young elites and promising youths just topics hyped by the media Mom, why are you getting involved too" Even towards her mother, Song Zhen remained sharp and direct. She had been irritated by a spicy Hunan dish she ate earlier, so she downed several sips of iced tea. Her elegant movements even while drinking tea were complemented by her Patek Philippe watch and dark hair.

After some thought, she said, "Mom, why did you suddenly return to the country without informing me beforehand It seems we are communicating less and less. We haven't talked for days."

Tao Qing glanced at Su Cen, wanting to say something but hesitated before saying, "This trip was decided on short notice. Your second uncle and Uncle Zhao also came over. Some matters need handling, so I didn’t inform you beforehand. Besides, I did come to see you... And if you want to have a conversation with your mom, why don't you listen to me"

Su Cen saw Tao Qing's suddenly solemn expression and her hesitation, thinking that it was probably related to the intelligence he received. It seems that the upper echelons of Senchu Group also received information about clandestine forces amassing resources against them.

Song Zhen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Su Cen with a classical beauty's charm. She looked at him, half-smiling, "Mom, stop it. Have you considered that Su Cen might be my boyfriend Are you disregarding his feelings when introducing young talents to me"

Although he had prepared himself mentally for this, hearing Song Zhen’s words made Su Cen almost spit out the soup he just drank. He coughed twice and glared at her a few times, reminding her not to overstep.

Tao Qing paused, then smiled, "Little Su, don't take what I said too seriously."

"Aunt Tao, although you have compelling reasons for your words, in order to avoid misunderstandings, let me clarify: my relationship with Miss Song is purely platonic or business-related... This joke is a bit over the top. I am not that lucky." Su Cen decided to call out Song Zhen’s bluff and avoid being led by this cunning and mischievous girl.

Su Cen didn't want to be used as an experiment when her interest waned or after she rebelled.

He did not wish to become one of the fleeting friendships that came and went. Dealing with a girl like Song Zhen, he had to prepare for consequences ranging from intense passion to cold indifference.

This isn't an adult fairy tale; it's not an era where princesses secretly fall in love with princes. The previous reincarnated Su Cen might have been swayed by such romantic notions, but with two lifetimes' worth of experience, he had long outgrown naivety. Song Zhen could be a princess, but he was no prince.

Song Zhen clearly felt the pointed look from Su Cen and quickly corrected herself, "Mom, I was just joking. Su Cen is nothing to me."

Su Cen thought that he was being treated like this by Song Zhen...

A light brushstroke suddenly gave a sense of making things worse. Song Zhen really excels at playing the tai chi game.

Tao Qing's long eyes narrowed slightly, and she chuckled, "This isn't an issue." She didn't think that what Song Zhen said earlier was a joke. Even if Su Can and Song Zhen aren't in a romantic relationship yet, it is a fact that Song Zhen has been showing special care toward Su Can.

As a result, Tao Qing's gaze on Su Can became sharper, making Su Can feel somewhat anxious.

After eating, there was some distance to the parking area. A few sharp-eyed children who sell flowers nearby saw that it was Song Zhen, such a beautiful woman, coming out with Su Can and approached him to ask for money to buy flowers for their pretty sister. Su Can refused to buy the flowers but handed over several tens of yuan as pocket change to the kids before they scattered.

"These children should be at school age instead of being exploited by others to earn money. Should you still give them money" Tao Qing asked Su Can.

"This is beyond my control; I only do what I can." Su Can pondered.

Although it was a trivial matter, Tao Qing recognized the answer but still left an impression of him being weak and spineless.

From their first meeting to this meal's conclusion, Tao Qing has been observing and evaluating Su Can continuously. The truth is that Su Can didn't score well compared to what she knew about others.

When Su Can got into a taxi heading back to school, Song Zhen and Tao Qing got into the sports car. Only then did Song Zhen turn around to ask her mother, "How was he"

"Are you together already" Tao Qing raised an eyebrow.

“No.” Song Zhen shook her head with a blush.

“That’s good... It's best not to. Although this person doesn’t seem pretentious or frivolous, he is mediocre in another way and his character lacks firmness. You know what your third uncle is like; his personality is as weak and ineffective as his influence within the corporation. We can't compare with others who may find happiness in being ordinary; we have a large family business to consider. On the surface, everything seems harmonious at home, but without your father's support, how many people with ulterior motives would try to take advantage of us In this situation, do you still think mediocrity is beneficial No, it’s like your third aunt who hates her husband’s weakness.”

“Mom, you can’t expect me to find someone just like Dad. Not everyone can be like my dad and make people tremble by slamming their hands on the table,” Song Zhen said helplessly, “And I think he's fine. I met him in America...”

Tao Qing interrupted her, "What does 'fine' mean Can you really bear to put up with grievances and tolerate mistakes Song Zhen, your mother knows you well; this isn't your character. Of course, I won’t interfere with your choice, but I’ll give you my advice: since you’re still in an observation period, why not meet more people There are plenty of excellent choices out there. If after having met countless people, you still tell me that you stick to your original decision, then I support and bless the two of you.

Song Zhen was driving but fell into a long silence.on the side of justice.Therefore, it was very likely that they would take legal action.But Su Can dismissed this thought, realizing he had underestimated Wang Bo. Regarding this matter, Wang Bo must h...