Chapter Sixty-Six: No Longer Keeping a Low Profile (5)

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As the headquarters of the world's top-ranked MeiHua Group, every detail here spoke of grandeur—luxurious yet never ostentatious, imposing but never vulgar. The executive conference room was reserved for the highest level of management, equipped with the most advanced facilities and the most formidable team. Under their guidance, the company had enjoyed unbroken success for years, but today, the atmosphere in the meeting hall was stifling.

None of the senior executives looked pleased. Dozens of them had rushed back from across the globe for this gathering, and among them were several who had followed Xiao Lin during his early conquests. Though the central air conditioning maintained the perfect temperature, a sense of suffocating pressure pervaded the room. Suddenly, the future seemed uncertain to everyone.

The main character, fashionably late, finally arrived with a sharp clap.

Xiao Tianci strode to the central seat—once reserved for Will, who now found himself relegated to sit beside Zhou Ao. “Ha… ha… my apologies, everyone. I’m truly sorry—just went for a shower and lost track of time. But luckily, I’m not late.” He glanced at his watch and clicked his tongue in amusement. “Still more than thirty seconds before the meeting starts. See? I told you, I’d never be late for something this important.”

Will had to swallow his irritation. He had just endured a press conference, and no amount of self-restraint could help him maintain a pleasant demeanor. Zhou Ao, meanwhile, watched from the sidelines with passive interest. The family had yet to issue any clear directives, so he was content to observe, especially enjoying the sight of Will—always so self-assured—being put on the spot.

Xiao Tianci paid no heed to the reactions around him, seating himself while his chief steward, Lin Jian, and Fang Meng stood behind him. He had an assistant distribute a simple plan he had prepared—brief enough to be read at a glance.

Seeing the looks of astonishment around the table, Xiao Tianci grinned triumphantly. “Gentlemen, isn’t this an excellent idea? Absolutely innovative, I assure you—”

Before he could finish, Will slammed the document down on the table. “Mr. Xiao, you’d better understand what you’re doing. This is not a place for games. If you wish to announce your identity, that’s your business—we cannot interfere. But to use MeiHua’s funds for such a ludicrous venture is absolutely out of the question. I will never agree to this.”

Aoteni immediately echoed his sentiment, and soon more than half the room was voicing firm objections. Some watched Zhou Ao’s reaction, while a few stole glances at Xiao Tianci.

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After speaking, Will looked to Zhou Ao, seeking his support. Zhou Ao was weighing his options. Xiao Tianci had staged a sudden takeover of MeiHua, publicly declaring his identity at the press conference, and now this.

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Ao addressed the matter directly. “Mr. Xiao, perhaps you should reconsider. You’re new to MeiHua, and there’s much you may not yet understand. MeiHua’s annual investments and projects follow a strict plan. Even under Chairman Will, a project of this magnitude would require advance evaluation, a dedicated investigation team, and comprehensive data before being submitted for review and included in the next year’s budget.”

He glanced at the skimpy document—little more than a child’s game. “So, I suggest you take more time. A project of this scale demands thorough assessment. Why not first send a team to investigate, or wait for a detailed feasibility report before making a decision?”

Though Zhou Ao tried to offend no one, he was, on balance, siding with Will. Will felt confident; he didn’t believe this upstart could cause any real trouble. All he needed was time, just a little more time...

Looking around and seeing similar expressions, Xiao Tianci nodded at Zhou Ao’s measured tone. “Yes, very well said. I understand completely. But extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. We can’t just let a chance for immense profit slip by, can we?”

Aoteni snorted. “Immense profit? I’ve never heard of building villas in the desert bringing in big money—especially not with an investment of several hundred billion…”

The others joined in chorus. Suddenly, Xiao Tianci leaned back in his executive chair and planted his feet on the table with a loud, arrogant thud that silenced the room.

No one had ever seen such behavior—more akin to a street thug than the head of MeiHua’s headquarters. The conference room was adorned with famous calligraphy and paintings, photos and signatures from visiting world leaders, and custom handmade carpets. Every detail—from the lighting to the equipment—spoke of elegance and nobility.

And everyone here was a person of great influence in their respective regions—ladies and gentlemen of the highest order. Never had such an assembly witnessed anything like this.

Raising his hand, Xiao Tianci took a large cigar from Lin Jian. He wasn’t new to cigars, though he seldom indulged. Ignoring the no-smoking sign, he brazenly filled the air with smoke.

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Will’s fist trembled as the room fell into an uneasy, absolute silence. Everyone waited, uncertain what new spectacle this unpredictable new head of the Xiao family might stage.

With his eyes closed, Xiao Tianci took several deep drags, then slowly opened his eyes and surveyed the room with satisfaction. “I see, I see. You all think I’m young and new to this, and you want to put me in my place, to gang up and bully me...”

Zhou Ao hastened to interject. “Mr. Xiao, you misunderstand us. That’s not our intention at all. It’s just that this plan is… well, it’s simply too big, and far too sudden. According to—”

Xiao Tianci raised his hand to cut him off, his tone resolute. “Today is my first day at MeiHua. This is my first plan. I’ll say it here and now: this plan is decided.”

Will’s anger, simmering since the announcement of Xiao Tianci’s identity, was about to erupt. Before, he’d held back for personal reasons, but this was a company matter, and he would neither agree to nor back down from such an absurd proposal. He planned to unite the others and force Zhou Ao, ever the fence-sitter, to take a side. He’d already decided to take the lead.

With a resounding slap on the table, Will declared, “No. This is absolutely out of the question.”

Xiao Tianci sneered. “Oh? So you finally step forward. Losing your fake ‘world’s number one’ title must sting, doesn’t it? But you think your ‘no’ matters? I’m the one in charge here now.”

Will glared furiously, rising to his feet. Others stood as well, and even Zhou Ao frowned. He’d hoped to offend no one, but the plan itself was absurd, the investment astronomical; on its merits alone he couldn’t agree. He slowly set down the proposal with a sigh, shaking his head. The meeting room felt unbearably hot.

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