Chapter 348 Ruining One's Own Future
Qi Dao Huo's heart was filled with trepidation. He followed Liu Ming Tian to the table, and Liu Ming Tian cordially invited Qi Dao Huo to the main seat. Qi Dao Huo's heart was uneasy at this moment, unsure how to resolve the situation.
Just as Qi Dao Huo was about to sit down, Chen Yang, standing by the side, coughed twice and let out a cold snort.
Upon hearing Chen Yang's cough, Qi Dao Huo was startled and immediately stood up. A layer of cold sweat broke out on his back, and he knew he had indeed displeased Chen Yang.
Liu Ming Tian, who was beside him, had not yet noticed anything amiss. He quickly said with a smile, "What's wrong, Lord Dao Qi? Is this seat uncomfortable? Shall I have someone get you a rosewood chair?"
The people around also flattered Qi Dao Huo.
At this moment, Liu Xin, standing by the side, glanced at Chen Yang, Liu Ran, and Zhou Si Nian. Liu Xin sneered proudly and said, "Chen Yang, you good-for-nothing, what are you still doing standing there? Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? Why don't you scram?"
Yang Long, standing beside her, also chuckled and said, "Chen Yang, you're quite thick-skinned. You're still here and haven't left? What, do you still want to stay for dinner?"
"Let me tell you, there's no place for you in the Liu family anymore. Your Yang Yang Yang Company should prepare to close down too!"
Upon hearing Liu Xin and Yang Long's words, Qi Dao Huo instantly confirmed his suspicions. He knew he had indeed sided with Chen Yang's adversary. He had painstakingly devised a plan to curry favor with Chen Yang, only to end up antagonizing Chen Yang's rivals. How foolish he had been! This would only make Chen Yang resent him more.
Thinking of this, Qi Dao Huo slammed his hand on the table and said with a frown, "What's going on? Why are you trying to chase Mr. Chen and Lord Zhou away as soon as I arrive? What kind of logic is that? Are you deliberately trying to humiliate me?"
Yang Long and Liu Xin were so scared their legs went weak, nearly making them kneel. Liu Ming Tian, standing beside them, was even more nervous. He quickly explained, "Lord Qi, you've misunderstood. Your presence brings us immense joy and honor. As for Chen Yang, Liu Ran, and Lord Zhou, we have different paths and cannot conspire together. If they don't wish to dine here, there's no need to keep them, right?"
Qi Dao Huo frowned and said coldly, "What exactly is going on? Zhou Si Nian, you tell me."
Zhou Si Nian was taken aback. He hadn't expected Qi Dao Huo to know him. He was already displeased, and hearing Qi Dao Huo's question, he no longer concealed anything and directly said, "It's like this. My friend runs a company called Yang Yang Yang Live Broadcasting Company. They need to apply for a production license for a slimming tea. It was supposed to be a small matter, and I had already made arrangements. However, after Lord Liu returned, he interfered with this matter and prevented Yang Yang Yang Company from getting the production license. I was furious when I heard about this, as Yang Yang Yang Company is a star enterprise in our Qingzhou City and a major taxpayer. Now, Lord Liu has just returned and is already meddling in Qingzhou's affairs. So, Lord Liu and I had a conflict just now. However, Lord Liu will soon be transferred back to Jiang Province, and his position there will be higher than mine. Therefore, I may not be able to protect our Qingzhou enterprises anymore."
Hearing this, Liu Ming Tian broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly said, "Zhou Si Nian, you mustn't speak nonsense. How can you speak so carelessly in front of Lord Qi?" Then, Liu Ming Tian quickly turned to Qi Dao Huo and said, "Lord Qi, the matter isn't that complicated. Liu Ran and Chen Yang are my juniors, but they are too unfilial and unruly, defying their elders and lacking proper conduct. I just wanted to give them a small punishment. I absolutely had no intention of interfering with Qingzhou's affairs. This matter is over. I will have Liu Ran and Chen Yang removed now. Please, Lord Qi, take a seat."
Qi Dao Huo slammed the table with a "bang." He suddenly turned and pointed at Liu Ming Tian's forehead, angrily scolding, "You scoundrel Liu Ming Tian, you are an official from Yunnan, yet you dare to come to Jiang Province and act so wickedly and outrageously! Furthermore, you say Miss Liu and Mr. Chen are unfilial. I think you are the unfilial one!"
"I have long heard of Miss Liu and Mr. Chen's reputations, and I have also heard of their Yang Yang Yang Company. The company is doing so well, and their character is beyond reproach. They are upright and benevolent entrepreneurs. Yet, you call them unfilial? Rebellious children? Liu Ming Tian, I never thought you were such a person."
Liu Ming Tian was completely bewildered by Qi Dao Huo's sudden outburst of anger, frozen in place, not knowing what he had done wrong.
Qi Dao Huo continued to point at Liu Ming Tian and said loudly, "I came today originally for the sake of Yang Yang Yang Company. Knowing that the boss of Yang Yang Yang Company is a member of your Liu family, I came to get acquainted with you and offer my congratulations. But I never expected you to be so unappreciative, wanting to interfere with Yang Yang Yang Company's affairs and Qingzhou's affairs as soon as you arrived. Since you are this kind of person, I don't think you need to think about transferring back. Stay at the border for the rest of your life! If you want to transfer back, you won't pass this hurdle. Let me tell you, working in Jiang Province is out of the question, unless I'm dead."
With that, Qi Dao Huo turned abruptly and strode out of the Liu family's gates. Liu Ming Tian stood frozen, his head buzzing, his mind a complete blank. At that moment, he had forgotten to stop Qi Dao Huo or apologize. He was so terrified his ears were ringing. He had clearly understood the meaning behind Qi Dao Huo's words: he would never be able to transfer back and would have to spend his life in the barren border regions.
With a gulp, Liu Ming Tian swallowed. He blinked his eyes in a daze.
At this moment, all the managers from Qingzhou City, big and small, who had been standing behind Liu Ming Tian, "whooshed" and all moved to stand behind Zhou Si Nian, distancing themselves from Liu Ming Tian. It was clear to everyone that Liu Ming Tian would never be able to transfer back to work in Qingzhou City. This meant that no matter how high Liu Ming Tian's position was, he would always be an outsider, an ordinary person in Qingzhou City, and he would have no way to contend with Zhou Si Nian. At this moment, everyone rushed to flatter Zhou Si Nian, no longer daring to acknowledge Liu Ming Tian.
Zhang Heng, standing behind Liu Ming Tian, trembled. He suddenly felt ridiculous. He had been extremely excited, thinking he had latched onto a powerful backer, believing he had hitched a ride with Liu Ming Tian. He thought that once Liu Ming Tian was transferred to Qingzhou City, he would soar to new heights. But now, he realized how foolish he had been. For Liu Ming Tian's sake, he had offended Yang Yang Yang Company, offended Liu Ran and Chen Yang, and offended Zhou Si Nian. Now, he had become the most laughable person, someone who had brought about his own downfall and ruined his own future.