C10 Signing Ceremony

To prepare for the reporters, Yang Yuan reviewed the partnership history between Exbought and Comoxize, as well as significant events within the company over the past few years. She meticulously compiled all the data.

"I have no idea what the reporters will ask tomorrow!"

Yang Yuan lamented while staring at her computer screen.

"Are you going to Exbought alone?"

Zhang Luo inquired.

"I'll be accompanied by the company's director."

It was a significant event for the Yang family to collaborate with a major group like Comoxize.

Had Yang Group truly entrusted Exbought's management to Yang Yuan, as Yang Shuozheng had claimed?

The following morning, Yang Yuan set out to prepare materials at the company before heading directly to the signing ceremony.

Upon arriving at Exbought's building, she noticed Yang Ming's Mercedes-Benz parked below.

She assumed her grandfather had arranged for her cousin to join her at the signing ceremony and didn't give it another thought.

In Yang Yuan's office, Yang Ming was sprawled in a chair, his feet propped up on the computer desk, which also held a document.

"Director Yang, you're quite punctual!" Yang Ming remarked as Yang Yuan entered.

"Brother, shall we head to the signing ceremony together later?"

Being a subsidiary of Yang Group, Yang Yuan knew the importance of maintaining familial ties.

"I think you can skip it," Yang Ming said, tossing the document onto the table in front of her.

"Just read it for yourself."

Yang Yuan's face fell as she picked up the document. The header read: Acquisition of Subsidiary Contract. Signed at the bottom was Yang Jianchuan's name.

Her grandfather had made this decision, believing Yang Jianchuan wasn't cut out for running a company, thus compelling him to sign the contract.

The contract was meant as a safeguard against significant losses, allowing the group to appoint someone to take over if necessary. However, Yang Ming was now using this contract to threaten her at this crucial juncture.

Before Yang Yuan could respond, the office door swung open, and Yang Ming's father, Yang Linchuan, entered.

"Yuanyuan, you can head home and rest now. We're taking over Exbought."

"But there's a signing ceremony today!"

"Don't worry, we'll send someone to handle it."

Yang Ming's face twisted into a sinister grin. Yang Yuan knew her cousin was seeking revenge. That day at the office, Zhang Luo had caused Yang Miao to lose face in front of their relatives. Since Yang Ming saw Yang Miao as a sister, his anger was inevitable.

Furious, Yang Yuan stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Zhang Luo was parked outside the Exbought building, waiting to take Yang Yuan to the signing ceremony. He was about to call her when he saw her emerge from the door in tears.

Zhang Luo rushed to her side. Yang Yuan, having just endured a great deal of distress, threw herself into Zhang Luo's arms and wept on his shoulder.

In the past three years, he had never been this close to Yang Yuan. Zhang Luo's hands gently rested on her back, offering comfort.

"What happened?" Zhang Luo asked, his face void of any smile.

He couldn't bear to see Yang Yuan upset. Watching his wife run out in tears, Zhang Luo was filled with rage.

"My cousin is trying to reclaim the subsidiary and has thrown me out," Yang Yuan managed to say after a moment.

She then realized she was being held tightly in Zhang Luo's embrace, a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.

Yang Yuan's tears had dampened Zhang Luo's chest, and she blushed slightly.

Zhang Luo helped Yang Yuan into the car, intent on taking her home.

Aware that today was the signing ceremony, Zhang Luo had spoken to Yang Shuozheng on Yang Yuan's behalf that morning. Yang Shuozheng had assured him he would attend the ceremony.

Zhang Luo called Gao Yuan: "Gao Yuan, it looks like today's signing ceremony might not happen."

"Mr. Zhang, I'm almost done setting up here, and the reporters have arrived," Gao Yuan replied, sounding worried.

"Remember the second condition you agreed to. You'll have to figure out how to manage this situation," Zhang Luo said before ending the call.

"What are the conditions?"

Yang Yuan inquired of Zhang Luo, who was standing beside her.

"It's about the additional agreements Gao Yuan made with me when we signed the contract. He thought I was very thorough and offered me a few extra things," Zhang Luo said with a smile.

Yang Yuan sensed that Zhang Luo's relationship with Gao Yuan was special, but since Zhang Luo had handled the contract signing, she didn't delve further into it.

The signing ceremony was about to start, and Gao Yuan had already prepared the venue. At that moment, Yang Ming arrived with Yang Miao.

"Gao Yuan, I'm pleased that we have the opportunity to collaborate with Comoxize," Yang Ming said, extending his hand. Gao Yuan, however, ignored the gesture, turning instead to notice Yang Miao.

"Isn't this the young lady from my office?" Gao Yuan remarked with a smile, causing Yang Miao to shyly lower her head.

"By the way, where is Director Yang from Exbought?" Gao Yuan asked Yang Ming.

"Director Yang isn't feeling well today, so I'm here to represent Exbought and sign the contract with you," Yang Ming explained.

Gao Yuan's demeanor shifted instantly. Zhang Luo had made it clear that no one except Yang Yuan should sign the contract.

"I'm sorry, but we only conduct business with Director Yang. It looks like we can't proceed with the signing ceremony today. We'll have to wait until Director Yang recovers," Gao Yuan stated before turning to leave.

The signing ceremony was a significant event, with journalists and representatives from various companies present, all awaiting the outcome. Failing to proceed would tarnish the reputation of everyone involved across Zruhpus.

As Gao Yuan was about to leave, intending to leave Yang Ming to handle the situation, Zhang Luo arrived at the entrance with two attendants, supporting Yang Shuozheng.

After ensuring Yang Yuan was safely home and advising her to rest and not to come out for anyone, Zhang Luo went back to escort Yang Shuozheng to the venue.

Gao Yuan, who had been ready to leave, now hesitated upon seeing Zhang Luo. He was anxious about the predicament but seeing his grandfather appear was like grasping a lifeline.

"What are you doing here, you good-for-nothing? If Grandfather needed to come, I would have picked him up. Is there a need for you to play the hero?"

Upon seeing Zhang Luo, Yang Ming spoke up.

Zhang Luo offered a smile and then stepped out to the entrance to light up a cigarette.

After Zhang Luo left, Yang Ming explained the situation to his grandfather, Yang Shuozheng, who gave him a severe scolding.

Yet, the issue still demanded resolution. With no other options, Yang Shuozheng swallowed his pride and prepared to plead with Gao Yuan.

"Gao Yuan, I'm the head of Yang Group. We've been negligent, and today's signing ceremony is significant. How about we proceed with the signing first?"

Yang Shuozheng, who had built the Yang Group from the ground up through sheer determination, was willing to humble himself before a younger man like Gao Yuan.

Gao Yuan showed no respect for his elders, retorting, "It doesn't matter what you're in charge of, I'll only sign with Director Yang. Not even the mightiest deity could change my mind."

Yang Shuozheng had expected Gao Yuan to agree readily, given his own concession, but was taken aback by his response.

Never before had the old man been subjected to such disrespect. In a fit of anger, he slapped Yang Ming across the face, signaling that he should handle his own mess.

Yang Ming was shocked; he couldn't believe Gao Yuan would speak to his grandfather in such a manner.

But it wasn't entirely surprising, considering Comoxize was a leading conglomerate in the Central China region.

After striking Yang Ming, Yang Shuozheng stormed off. With less than five minutes to go before the press conference, reporters were already bombarding Gao Yuan's secretary with questions.

Gao Yuan was growing anxious; he had hoped to tarnish Exbought's reputation by walking out of the event.

Now, with Zhang Luo crouched outside the door, Gao Yuan felt trapped.

As time ticked away, Gao Yuan reluctantly approached Zhang Luo at the entrance, seeking advice on what to do next.

Zhang Luo, observing Yang Ming's frantic state, coolly suggested, "I might have a solution."

Hearing this, Yang Ming rushed over and snapped, "You useless fool, what could you possibly suggest?"

Useless fool?

Gao Yuan bristled at Yang Ming's insult to Zhang Luo, his anger flaring up instantly.

"Do you even know your place?" Gao Yuan remarked as he delivered another slap to Yang Ming's right cheek, causing both sides of Yang Ming's face to redden and swell.

Zhang Luo leaned in and whispered something to Gao Yuan, prompting an immediate, joyful grin to spread across Gao Yuan's face.

Striding over to Yang Miao, Gao Yuan stated, "Come with me later to sign the contract."