Facing Song Qiao's comfort at this moment, after hearing his words, Xiao Ye had a faint smile on his face.
However, Song Qiao, like everyone else, could tell that Xiao Ye was only smiling out of politeness.
He hadn't taken Song Qiao's words seriously at all, instead sharing Zheng Ci's view that Song Qiao was just bragging.
It seemed he had no choice but to reveal his identity.
Taking a shallow breath, Song Qiao was about to speak and announce that he was the president of Huajiang Group.
However, Zheng Ci's somewhat cold voice rang out:
"Mr. Song, that's enough. Stop talking. If bragging could solve problems, then I could do it, and Mengmeng could too! I hope you'll mind your own identity. As Mengmeng's master, you shouldn't spout nonsense and lead her astray. Otherwise, I'll suggest she find another master!"
As she spoke, she glared at Song Qiao, her face ashen, her chest heaving with anger.
If the occasion were different and she weren't Gao Meng's cousin, Song Qiao would have advised her not to explode with anger.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ye saw this and found the situation somewhat tricky.
Of course, he understood Song Qiao's good intentions, but it just happened at this particular moment.
Seeing Song Qiao about to say more, he quickly intervened, "Actually, our Huajiang was just acquired not long ago. It's said that the company president is coming, so we've been working hard to develop our business and expand, all to make a good impression on the parent company. That's why we cooperated with the Korean conglomerate. Of course, I also disagree with this cooperation, especially the one with Li Junhao's company. It seems they are really not a good partner. Miss Zheng, you don't need to get upset. The main reason for this matter is on my side."
Seeing Xiao Ye act this way, Song Qiao knew he was changing the subject and easing the tension, not wanting Song Qiao and Zheng Ci to clash.
Gao Meng also noticed the underlying dynamics and felt conflicted.
On one side was her master, and on the other was her cousin.
It was difficult for her to lean towards either side.
So, she first gave her cousin Zheng Ci a look, then said to Song Qiao, "Master, don't overthink it. I know you mean well... My cousin doesn't mean it that way either. She's just too anxious..."
Song Qiao smiled at her, "I'm fine!"
Just then, a phone rang abruptly.
Xiao Ye answered it.
"Dad!" he called out.
It turned out to be his father calling.
A stern voice boomed.
It seemed Xiao Ye's father had already learned about what had happened.
"Can you handle things? If you're unwilling to do this properly, then I'll have someone else do it! Apologize to Mr. Li immediately! I don't care how you do it, you must get him to retract his decision, continue cooperating with us, and move the project forward."
"Dad, you don't know the specific situation here..."
"I don't need to know. I only know that the project cannot fail, and it cannot fail because of you!"
Xiao Ye: "..."
Song Qiao, standing nearby, vaguely heard the voices on the phone.
Of course, others couldn't hear them due to their insufficient hearing.
As he listened, Song Qiao found the voice somewhat familiar.
Who was it?
Right, it was the voice he had heard on the mayor's daughter's cruise ship last time; it sounded like Xiao Zhengsheng from the Xiao family.
It should be correct.
Thinking of this, Song Qiao looked at Xiao Ye, who had just hung up the phone with a grim expression, lost in thought, to confirm his guess.
Ignoring Zheng Ci's warning glance, he still spoke, "Young Master Xiao, did your father just call?"
Xiao Ye said with a dejected tone, "Yes, he knows about this matter and is worried the project will fall through. He told me to apologize to the other party, and no matter what method I use, I must appease them and ensure the project proceeds."
"What are your thoughts then?" Song Qiao pressed.
"My thoughts? I will stick to my original approach. If I apologize, it's obvious what demands the other party will make. And I will absolutely not agree to them!"
Everyone present understood his meaning. The incident stemmed from Li Junhao's lust. If he apologized, it would inevitably mean satisfying the other party's demands further, harming Zheng Ci and Gao Meng, and perhaps even other women.
And this was something Xiao Ye absolutely could not accept.
Hearing this, both Zheng Ci and Gao Meng showed expressions of admiration and gratitude.
To withstand such immense pressure was not something ordinary people could do, especially when facing a powerful Korean conglomerate and upholding one's principles.
Song Qiao was also deeply gratified to see the choice Xiao Ye had made.
Indeed, it was extremely satisfying!
So, he said to Xiao Ye, "You don't need to do anything, and you don't need to worry. Leave this to me. I'll resolve it!"
"Thank you very much! But please don't force yourself." Xiao Ye could only smile sincerely in response.
Gao Meng looked at Song Qiao with some suspicion.
She knew Song Qiao's company was doing very well, and this master could be quite resourceful. Perhaps by pulling some strings, he could actually make it work, or at least mitigate some losses.
Meanwhile, Zheng Ci, seeing Song Qiao again making such bold claims, felt her suppressed anger flare up once more.
"You can solve it? On what grounds can you solve it? Is it because of your martial arts skills?"
Song Qiao found it beneath him to explain.
It was Gao Meng who came to her cousin's side and tugged at her, urging her to stop talking.
With dinner having taken such a turn, they had no mood to stay any longer.
Leaving the restaurant, the noise suddenly enveloped them.
But at the same time, the view opened up considerably. The river breeze blew, clearing their minds.
Nearby, pigeons flew about. Further out on the river, various water birds gathered.
And the long, drawn-out whistles of ships could be heard from a distance.
"Alright, let's not think about unhappy things. Let's go to the river to change our mood," Gao Meng suggested.
Zheng Ci was about to call her "heartless," but then she reconsidered, thinking that perhaps this was for the best, at least to improve their moods.
Song Qiao naturally had no objections.
Xiao Ye, surprisingly, also went along with the idea.
As they were about to head off, someone suddenly walked quickly towards them.
A man in his thirties approached Xiao Ye directly, his face filled with anger and disdain as he looked at him.
"Big brother." Even though the man did not appear friendly, Xiao Ye still greeted him.
It turned out this person was none other than his elder brother, Xiao Hai, the eldest son of the Xiao family.
He was dressed like a successful businessman, in a fitted suit that made him appear tall and debonair.
And he was indeed a successful man.
From childhood, he had excelled in his studies, studied abroad in Country Q, majored in business, and obtained a doctorate. After graduation, he returned to China, joined the Xiao Corporation, and managed the company quite well.
However, at this moment, as he berated Xiao Ye, he showed no sign of high breeding, instead making it seem as though he and Xiao Ye were not even brothers.
"You truly are a good-for-nothing. What have you ever done right since you were little?"