Chapter 128 Banquet (Part 2)

hesitated for a while, immersed in the more professional report before him and secretly amazed by Su Cen's age. Rising from his seat, he still had an air of distrust. "We can prepay 10,000 yuan as ad...Chapter 128: Banquet (Part 2)

The reason why everyone could get along well was because Aunt Tao Qing, Song Zhen's mother, met Tang Mother during her exchange visit to the United States. Since they were already acquaintances, it made things a lot easier.

At the beginning of the meal, most people didn't immediately start chatting and creating a lively atmosphere. Several times, Tao Qing picked up an antique teacup, took a sip, and put it back down while urging everyone to eat. When she finally placed her cup down for the last time, it seemed like she had made up her mind. She then said to Su Can, "Everyone is in Shanghai right now and happens to have some free time. We don't need to mobilize too many people; we can just have a meal together. Su Can, Aunt Tao needs to thank you for what happened at Nan University. There are many dark corners and unfair competition in this society. Originally, developing a business or engaging in an enterprise will naturally come with friends and enemies. But I never expected these people to be so ruthless as to verbally attack Song Zhen on stage. In the end, she's still just a child. Why should her reputation suffer"

Then Tao Qing turned to Song Zhen’s uncle, "This is such a big matter that the media immediately followed up after it happened, showing how well-planned this was. Our public relations department didn't give us any warning beforehand about these small actions by Nan University. It looks like we overpaid for our team when compared to Su Can's fearless and righteous speech on stage. We could fire them all without regretting it in the slightest. In this matter, Su Can, Aunt Tao needs to thank you."

Wei Yuanhu smiled as he said, "In the end, today’s guest of honor is you, while we are merely accompanying guests. Let's see what kind of remarkable person one of the founders of Facebook in America looks like.

Everyone found Wei Yuanhu amusing and their expressions were natural. It seemed that Tao Qing had thoroughly understood Su Can's background by now.

Su Can modestly replied a few times before shifting the topic away; he didn't want to dwell on this matter too much. Although Tao Qing was genuinely grateful, she maintained her high-class demeanor throughout, which made Su Can feel more comfortable if she returned to her initial indifference towards him. After all, Su Can's original intention wasn't to be a hero but merely out of empathy for the possible predicament he could face.

Actually, no one was that noble.

However, Wei Yuanhu’s words made Su Can take notice internally. With his extensive experience, age of twenty-five, and absolutely confident demeanor, it was clear that this person possessed a strong sense of self-importance. Yet he could still humbly say such words to Su Can, showing just how extraordinary he truly was.

The middle-aged man surnamed Yan surprisingly didn't exude the intimidating presence he had when first meeting Su Can at the table, and instead showed a rather humorous side of himself that immediately blended into the surrounding atmosphere. His voice wasn’t rich but had another kind of softness to it. Surprisingly, his interest was in Facebook's Six Degrees Theory; after listening to Su Can’s explanation, he sighed with admiration, "If one person knows twenty-five people and through these twenty-five people introduces them to seven more individuals (six degrees away), then you would know six billion people. What a grand theory. After hearing your explanation, it feels as if the vast distances between different races, skin colors, nationalities, and ethnicities on Earth are suddenly within reach."

Su Can couldn't quite figure out Yan’s background but found chatting with him interesting because of his extensive knowledge in various fields. "This is the third country (third space) concept that experts from Harvard University proposed back in the 1960s, which no one expected would be realized by Facebook today. In this virtual social world, everything awaits construction—new business models and advertising operations, leveraging the enormous commercial potential generated through social interactions. I can predict with certainty that it will lead to a fervent era of internet development and usher in a new internet age." Wei Yuanhu lived up to his background at Peking University; even this seemingly laudatory but clear explanation made Su Can look at him differently.

Song Zhen occasionally chats with Tang Wu, sometimes interjecting a word or two during conversations, without interrupting the men's discussions. Yet her words always hit the mark, showing that she is more than just beautiful.

Tao Qing glanced at Tang Wu and then turned to look at Song Zhen; those unreadable eyes actually showed some approval.

Tang Wu observed all this without revealing any emotion.

At this moment, the woman from Wall Street who runs a financial firm curiously asked, "Why is this theory limited to six degrees Why not seven, eight, or even more"

No one answered. Su Can frowned; he wasn't researching such theories; his focus was on social networks and business angles. Apart from his and Zuckerberg's idealistic desire to change the world in America, he needed to consider Facebook's value and prospects. Therefore, at this moment, he couldn’t explain it just by saying it’s a summary of countless research data.

Wei Yuanhu looked at Su Can with a smile that was hard to decipher.

Tang Wu then explained, "Thanks to the famous 'Dunbar's number,' human intelligence allows us to maintain stable social networks with 148 people. So controlling group sizes under 150 seems like an optimal and efficient way to manage groups. According to this rule, if a person’s maximum stable friend count is one hundred fifty, then by introducing six times through these one hundred fifty friends, they could know more people than the current world population."

The man with the surname Yan nodded and smiled, "It seems that Tang Xiao is truly knowledgeable about this Facebook theory."

Song Zhen, who usually remained calm, slightly pursed her red lips.

Tang Wu avoided Su Can’s gaze and turned to him, saying, "I’ve been reading related books and reports lately. It's all supplementary reading material anyway; I thought it would be good to accumulate some knowledge."

These words sounded like an explanation but also seemed evasive, giving the impression that she was trying to cover something up. Tang Wu felt her cheeks heat up slightly as if in embarrassment and turned back to everyone with a defensive tone, "I’ve seen analyses of current Facebook users; on average, they have 120 friends, which is quite close to this theory."

Su Can was surprised by how much Tang Wu had been quietly observing him while seemingly uninvolved in his career. He thought back to the words she once said about wanting an ordinary yet extraordinary life and remembered the promise he made to her during those days in Xia Hai, when even the nights seemed warm and moist with a sense of possibility. He would do whatever it takes for her.

*** During a casual conversation break at the dinner party, Wei Yuanhu, who was sitting to Su Can's right, leaned over and whispered into Su Can's ear as if they were old acquaintances of this age group. He said, "I actually heard about you long ago."

Su Can was taken aback; he couldn't figure out why someone like him, who had been relatively unknown until then, would have caught Wei Yuanhu’s attention, let alone when they didn’t even know each other.

But then Wei Yuanhu mentioned a name that made Su Can understand, "Have you heard of Lin Guozhou I've known about you since before. If I mention Lin Zouwu and Lin Luoran to him, he would dare not say he doesn't know me; I could chase him down the streets."

Su Can looked into Wei Yuanhu's eyes, trying to discern from his gaze whether there was any intimidation in his words.

Who was this Lin Zouwu He seemed amiable and plump at first glance, yet he appeared easy-going and submissive under the domineering demeanor of Miss Lin Luoran. However, when faced with a challenge to his might, he would become fearless and go berserk. This could be seen from last summer's conflict between him and some young men in Rongcheng and Yucheng.

"From my experiences skipping class together, playing games together, and eating street food together, I know Lin Zouwu’s character better than you do. Although he looks honest, he has a stubborn pride. Are you sure you're not joking around" Su Can felt uncomfortable with Wei Yuanhu's boastful talk; as close friends, he thought it was necessary to stand up for Lin Zouwu against this person.

Although knowing that Wei Yuanhu seemed oblivious to the displeasure in Su Can’s tone and his confident demeanor masked a more stubborn self-assurance, he replied, "I would say the same thing even if he were standing here right now."

Su Can couldn’t help but think of Wang Weiw ei's cousin Li Luo who had come to Shanghai previously. He couldn't help but draw parallels between Wei Yuanhu and Li Luo. What this person said was quite arrogant.

Wei Yuanhu kept eye contact with Su Can throughout, showing no signs of backing down.

A sense of tension seemed to build up gradually; after a moment, however, Wei Yuanhu laughed and lightly patted Su Can on the shoulder. "It was just a joke, take it easy."

"I haven't seen him or Lin Luoran in a while. I miss them both. She's truly extraordinary—like plum blossoms blooming amidst snow, like pine trees growing in secluded valleys, like rosy clouds reflected on clear ponds, with her heart as graceful as dragons and snakes dancing across paper, and her spirit as pure as the moonlight shining over cold rivers. Being around her makes me feel that all my worries are insignificant."

After a pause, Wei Yuanhu continued, "Not only do I praise her, but even those who don't easily praise others also speak highly of her."

After Wei Yuanhu finished speaking, he turned to smile at Su Can. Su Can noticed that the words Wei had spoken seemed to hit a particular spot in his chest one by one. However, there was an ominous undertone to what Wei said.

*****Halfway through the meal, Mr. Yan paused and then smiled, saying, "Little Su, you must be quite familiar with Wang Bo of Rongcheng."

This seemingly casual remark during the meal caught everyone's attention. Su Can saw no unnatural expression on Tao Qing’s face, realizing that this was probably a well-prepared act. He nodded and replied, "Yes, I used to often visit Uncle Wang's house. He has also been very kind to our family; we have interactions with him during festivals."

Su Can spoke in broad terms, but his words naturally conveyed what Mr. Yan or Tao Qing wanted to hear.

"Chairman Wang and I are just not that close," Mr. Yan nodded, briefly chatting about superficial topics. After a while, this man capable of influencing certain personnel decisions in the Southwest region smiled and said, "Your father is Su Licheng, isn't he He works at Dayong Construction Group."

Su Can nodded.

Mr. Yan hummed in agreement and did not say anything more. His demeanor seemed to shift from the previous lively state back to a calm one.

During the meal, Tao Qing also gave Su Can several larger "opportunities" similar to the co-operation suggestions by Senchuan Company. In Su Can’s view, these were undoubtedly tempting substantive benefits. It seemed that after this incident, Senchuan Company was very adept at reciprocating favors, offering many green lights for potential collaborative frameworks of mutual benefit. These matters were relatively easy to discuss.

After finishing the meal, Tao Qing instructed Song Zhen's uncle to drive Su Can and Tang Wu back to their school.

Waving goodbye to them as they left in a car from under the hotel, Tao Qing seemed to still see Tang Wu getting into the vehicle. She then turned to Song Zhen beside her and said, "You didn't tell me about his background before. Are you sulking at me Of course, you can also say that my opinion of him has changed due to what happened at Nan University, which is a sign of being fickle."

"When you reach my position, you will understand why your mother acts this way, so I require you to separate dating and marriage. Perhaps in your view, love is free; you can like whoever you want without restraint or restrictions. But when you have to inherit the family business one day, you'll find that taking on the development of a company is a heavy burden. From what happened at Nan University this time, you've seen how many people are trying to bring us down. Senchuan Company has a history of 56 years and is an inheritance from our ancestors over three generations. Without the business group, we would be nothing. Therefore, I believe that excellent qualities are essential for your future spouse to take on the family legacy. So when you say I am fickle or that my attitude changes like a chameleon, even if you call me selfish, mom accepts and does not deny it." She paused before smiling faintly, "But I should have trusted my daughter's judgment from the beginning."

(To be continued)lightly.Qian Zhenyu was a typical high official's playboy in his youth, relying on his family support to throw parties at his villa, and once served time for disturbing public order when he invited se...