Chapter 119: Approaching Someone To Chat
! Yet they don’t give us our wages despite it being our company and project. What kind of world is this!""When the engineering payment is settled, their salaries will be paid out promptly after making...Chapter 119: Making Small Talk
For many people at the scene, they still didn't know what this social network sweeping America was all about, its functions, and the value behind it or how much media hype could be generated.
However, that didn't stop them from discerning these pieces of information from the expressions on the faces of those around them who were in the know.
Cai Guotaocame to a halt after hearing Su Cun's answer. He nodded his head and fell silent as if digesting this admission from Su Cun himself. For Nan University’s side hosting today’s banquet, Lan Chuaming and others' expressions had changed—success stories of wealth creation were not uncommon among Nan University's alumni; however, it was rare to see such a figure amongst current students, especially when one thought about the success story behind Facebook in America.
Lan Chuaming would naturally recall this student’s deeds at Nan University. Those acts that he had once considered reckless now seemed so insignificant that he felt they were almost inevitable given what he knew now about the student's accomplishments.
This was not because the student was inherently rash but because he possessed the confidence and capabilities to back it up.
"Nan University has always been a breeding ground for talent. President Lan, take a look at your Economics College—should I congratulate you now on producing such an outstanding individual who combines theory with practice" Guo from Nan University's president’s office smiled as he raised his glass.
Su Cun’s progress in the business world was largely not due to entering Nan University, but this wasn't a point that people at Nan University felt needed verification.
The atmosphere around the dining table seemed to suddenly become relaxed after Su Cun's revelation. The tension that had previously enveloped everyone seemed to dissipate instantly.
Indeed, it could be seen that strength was indeed a subtle existence; as this foundation accumulated, it could unconsciously make others adopt a more respectful attitude towards him. Even the way they looked at Su Cun was filled with admiration and respect.
The dinner concluded in an amicable atmosphere. Cai Guotaocame away feeling very satisfied, for usually when he attended Nan University's meetings, he felt inferior; however, this time around, he had a sense of pride and satisfaction. Lan Chuaming was glad that his previous relationship with the student wasn't too bad.
As for the principal from Nan Da High School, seemingly to make up for his earlier "mistake," he kept raising his glass in self-deprecating manner throughout the dinner, often downing his drink first as a sign of respect before others. By the end of the meal, he had drunk himself under the table and was practically carried out by others. Nevertheless, this "make-up" effort paid off; at least Guo from the president’s office seemed to have suppressed any ill feelings towards him due to his earnest efforts.
Although Lin Guangdong was there to保駕護航, Su Cen couldn't hold his own against the overwhelming onslaught and got quite tipsy. When Li Pengyu arrived just as Lin Guangdong called, Tang Wu had already been taken home by him, allowing Tang Wu time to use the restroom.
When he came down from the second floor, he saw a group of people standing proudly in the lobby.
The director of the president's office, Mr. Guo, immediately went up to greet them. Smiling at an elderly man wearing glasses with flushed cheeks who even made Nan Da University’s high officials like Lu Chuanming look serious, he said, "Ah, President Sun, you're here too…" Sun Xuejin was the vice president of Nan Da University in charge of teaching, but his influence among middle and senior-level cadres as well as faculty members was actually higher than that of the president responsible for financial matters. Academicians like Lu Chuanming indeed had to seek funding from the university president, but without Sun Xuejin's research opinions, such funds would never reach their departments. Therefore, he was someone who could not accomplish much but certainly caused trouble.
The director of the president's office went up to greet him, but Sun Xuejin merely nodded his head and swept his gaze across Lu Chuanming from the Economics Department. Although these officials were high-ranking cadres in charge of personnel, it seemed that he paid them no mind; he only gave a cursory glance before focusing on a tall man standing in front of him, around 188 cm, who was very impressive in demeanor.
Standing at only 160 cm, Sun Xuejin and this towering figure presented an obvious contrast within the two-story high lobby. Even Nan Da University’s president regarded this person highly, naturally sparking speculations among those around them.
Su Cen didn't expect to see Zhan Hua here. But on second thought, it made sense; Nan Da University's return-to-campus event was a significant occasion in the entire city of Shanghai—there was no way someone like Zhan Hua wouldn’t be there.
Next to Zhan Hua beside Vice President Sun were seven or eight people carrying bags. It seemed they had just concluded a dinner gathering and were now chatting casually. When Su Cen saw him, Zhan Hua naturally also noticed Su Cen; however, he merely raised his eyebrows slightly, adjusted his collar buttons, but made no move to acknowledge Su Cen.
For Zhan Hua, it seemed that everything he needed to tell Su Cen had already been communicated before. There was nothing now that would give him reason to interact with someone who should have been on the opposite side of him, like Su Cen.
Lin Guangdong whispered to Su Cen beside him, "I know a few people over there; one man wearing gold-rimmed glasses is a major shareholder in Times Media. Another thin middle-aged man is a dedicated deputy director in the news department, while another person is the third son of Hong Kong's Jia Shi Na Group—quite influential characters."
Su Cen silently nodded.
The star-like spotlights illuminated the marble floor below, reflecting a scene of opulence. At this moment, Su Cen heard some commotion behind him and turned to see Tang Wu stepping out of the elevator with a man.
This man was around 185 cm tall, well-dressed, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, quite handsome and charming—there was no denying it even for Su Cen.
Tang Wu was still saying hello and apologizing as she stepped out of the elevator: "Hello, I'm sorry. I was chatting with a friend just now and lost track of time. Do you mind telling me what time it is"
The man named Tang Wu looked at her blank wrist and said, "I don't know either, but there should be a clock at the hotel front desk."
The man rolled up his shirt sleeve to reveal a Vacheron Constantin watch. He smiled and replied, "It's 8:20 now. In ten minutes, would you like to join me for tea at the café upstairs I heard that you are a student from NDU and I really hope we can become friends."
Tang Wu clearly froze.
Su Can was secretly cursing in his mind when he saw this. The man was actually trying to chat up Tang Xiaowu. However, judging by his appearance and demeanor, the man seemed superior to others, so women would likely lower their guard against him.
Within a short moment, Tang Wu managed to put on a slight smile, but her clear and stunning beauty made this person, who had interacted with countless women in the past, feel that she was utterly bored. She simply said, "Boring."
To this man, his attempt at chatting up Tang Wu seemed natural and well-timed. However, her simple response of "boring" instantly made him look awkward.
The girl before him was no ordinary powerhouse!
As the man's interest in Tang Xiaowu grew even more significant, his mind raced to figure out what he should do next, but Su Can suddenly appeared and said with a smile, "Let’s go back. By the way, would you like some ice cream I’ll treat you at the convenience store downstairs from our dorm."
Tang Wu looked directly at Su Can with her clear eyes and nodded mischievously.
Li Pengyu, who was tall and broad-shouldered, easily stepped in to prevent the man from further pestering Tang Wu. At this point, the man clearly saw that Su Can's relationship with the girl wasn't ordinary.
However, he didn’t seem willing to back down at all; moreover, Li Pengyu’s obvious intention and the radiant beauty of this innocent-looking girl when she met Su Can made his heart suddenly filled with intense jealousy. Although he was already in the wrong, he felt extremely disgruntled as well. He glared at Li Pengyu with a sneer and asked, "What do you mean"
Even though he was clearly making a bold move, he didn't seem to feel the least bit guilty or remorseful. On the contrary, his arrogance seemed to increase. This man did not appear easy to deal with.
"Your trick of trying to pick up girls is outdated. You probably haven't met any true experts yet."
Li Pengyu smiled faintly and spoke directly. At the same time, he thought about Lu Nannan. From one perspective, Lu Nannan was likely a similar type of person as this man.
The man's expression froze for a moment, but before he could react, Jian Hua had already approached with a smile and said, "So you guys are getting acquainted"
Seeing Jian Hua, the man’s demeanor turned respectful, nodding as he said, "Uncle Jian."
Jian Hua then turned to Su Can and introduced him, “This is Xia Xigan, son of CEO Xie Zhaoyao from Hong Group.” He gestured at Su Can. “And this young man here is the Chinese founder of Facebook, Su Can." Although Xia Xigan originally held a naturally superior attitude towards Su Can, he couldn't help but look at him seriously and with some interest in his eyes. Evidently, Su Can was no longer just an insignificant nobody who could be overlooked.
“Oh, you’re Su Can. Nice to meet you. Your name is quite well-known.” Xia Xigan smiled insincerely. When Su Can heard this, he sensed something off about the tone and suspected that it might contain much sarcasm.
To know that Su Can had caused significant losses for Jian Hua by disrupting two stock exchanges under his control and helping Dajing Construction stabilize Xin Chuannan Airlines made clear why certain people found him so notorious.
Therefore, Xia Xigan's tone wasn't surprising at all.
At that moment, the other people standing with Jian Hua in the hall began to look over here curiously, some of them adopting a defensive posture when they saw Su Can talking with Jian Hua.
After introducing Xia Xigan and leaving, Jian Hua led him away. At this point, Su Can turned back to ask Li Pengyu, "So do you know him"
Li Pengyu watched the back of Xia Xigan as he nodded. “A minor celebrity in Beijing's high society. But we don’t have much dealings with him. Wang Weiwei might be acquainted with him. Nothing to fear, but if he dares to overstep today, I’ll throw him out.”
"Good buddy," Su Can patted Li Pengyu on the shoulder and said, "But no need for that. Because then I would have to handle it myself."solute calmness. This sense of calm caused the Spanish student leader to let go helplessly, causing many petals to fall off the flowers.He then pursed his lips and even this crestfallen expression loo...