The next day, after dropping Su Qingxue off at her company, Ye Fan was preparing to head back when she stopped him. "Come with me to a business banquet tonight!"
"A business banquet? What banquet is so important?" Ye Fan asked curiously.
"This is no ordinary banquet," Su Qingxue explained. "Global International, one of the world's top 500 companies, is hosting it tonight. They're looking to partner with companies in Jiangning City! I have to win this partnership with Global International. Even if I can't secure the entire deal, I need to get at least a third of it."
"It's just a foreign company, isn't it? Is there really a need to fawn over them?" Ye Fan scoffed. A few years ago, when he was still in the Western World, the chairman of Global International, Anderson, had wanted to become his subordinate, but he had refused. After all, I am the King of Heaven. Why would I accept a follower like that?
But Su Qingxue countered, "No. They may be a foreign company, but partnering with Global International will protect the Su family from being suppressed in the market!
"My father's business reforms made him a lot of enemies. They all want to see the Su family fall so they can carve us up. If we can partner with Global International, the Su family's position in Jiangning City will be secure for good."
"Alright then," Ye Fan agreed reluctantly. He didn't want to go, but he couldn't refuse her.
In the afternoon, Su Qingxue and Ye Fan got dressed up and went to the banquet held at Global International's hotel.
At the reception, Ye Fan spotted someone he wanted to kill: Shen Zhehao.
Just then, Su Qingxue murmured, "That Shen Zhehao is completely two-faced. It seems even Global International is leaning toward his family! If he wins them over, he'll definitely use it to threaten me." Her expression soured, as it seemed her chances of securing a partnership with Global International tonight were slim.
Ye Fan asked, "Are his family and your family business rivals?"
"No, the Su family's business rival is the Ji family. The Ji and Shen families have been collaborating frequently lately. It looks like they're planning to wipe us out in one fell swoop and completely crush the Su family in the business world!"
"If only my father were here, he could turn the tide," Su Qingxue said, deflated. I still fall so short of him.
At this point, Ye Fan said, "Don't worry, maybe I can help you!"
"Stop kidding around," Su Qingxue snapped, her frustration boiling over.
Just then, a foreigner on the stage announced, "Good evening, everyone. I am Walker, the General Agent for Global International in the Divine Land. Global International has been developing in the Divine Land for many years, and our group has recently launched several new projects here. Therefore, we are urgently seeking partners!
"And now, we have found those partners: the Shen family and the Ji family! They will be Global International's most steadfast partners moving forward!"
Many of the company representatives in the room understood that with the Shen and Ji families backed by the powerful Global International, they were destined to soar. Many who had previously partnered with the Su family now began gravitating toward the Shen and Ji families. Some even went as far as to openly belittle the Su family.
This infuriated Su Qingxue, but she was powerless to do anything. This was just one of the cruel realities of business competition.
Then, Ji Shaojie of the Ji family stepped up and said, "Thank you, Global International, for giving us this opportunity. We will certainly not disappoint Global International or Mr. Walker. We believe our partnership will lead to an even brighter future!"
Ji Shaojie, whose reputation rivaled Shen Zhehao's, was handsome with deep-set, profound eyes that revealed a gloomy and scheming nature at a single glance. Shen Zhehao chimed in with his own words of agreement from the side.
Refusing to give up, Su Qingxue stepped forward to present the Su family's case, but Walker flatly rejected her.
Shen Zhehao then approached Su Qingxue. "Qingxue," he said, "as long as you agree to our engagement, I will persuade Mr. Walker to let the Su family in on the partnership."
"I don't need your help!" Su Qingxue said angrily. How could I not see his intentions? He just wants to take control of the Su family. There's no way I would ever agree to that!
"Well, that can't be helped. You'll change your mind, Qingxue," Shen Zhehao said before walking directly over to talk with Walker, leaving Su Qingxue and Ye Fan cold-shouldered.
At this moment, Ye Fan said, "Qingxue, I really can help you."
"Stop joking. Let's go," she replied, her spirits low. "I'll find another time to speak with Walker myself." Even a family as powerful as the Sus was having its partnerships severed. I'm such a failure as a CEO.
But Ye Fan said, "Can't you trust me just this once?"
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Su Qingxue asked, "What are you planning to do?"
"Nothing complicated. Here," he said, holding something out. "Give this to Walker. He'll be the one begging you for a partnership. If he asks who you are, just tell him you're the woman of this token's owner."
It was the Heavenly King Token, engraved from purple-gold. When the Heavenly King Token appeared, who would dare to disobey? After all, King Hall was one of the world's foremost powers. Few among the publicly known heads of state and business magnates would dare to show it disrespect.
Su Qingxue felt the whole idea was ridiculous. If business were this easy, wouldn't everyone be a millionaire?
"You're already desperate," Ye Fan said. "Why not give it a try? You might be surprised."
Su Qingxue hesitated for a moment, but she had a feeling Ye Fan wouldn't deceive her. So, she took the Heavenly King Token and walked toward Walker.
Shen Zhehao and Young Master Ji sneered inwardly. They had long been plotting how to swallow the Su family whole. The idea that Su Qingxue could still convince Walker was simply laughable. Their partnership with Global International was based on a 70-30 profit split; there was no way Walker would change his mind.
Su Qingxue approached Walker and said, "Mr. Walker, I'd like to speak with you privately."
"Miss Su, I've already found my partners, so there's no need for a private discussion," Walker said calmly. "If you have something to say, you can say it here."
But at that moment, Su Qingxue revealed the Heavenly King Token before him.
At first, Walker was dismissive, but his expression changed and he nearly stumbled to the ground. The Heavenly King Token! How could he not recognize the Heavenly King Token? Although he had never personally met a great figure like the King of Heaven, he understood the token's significance. An order from it had to be obeyed without question. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be him—even his group's chairman, Anderson, could be annihilated in an instant. He couldn't believe he was seeing the Heavenly King Token here in Jiangning. Cold sweat immediately beaded on his forehead.
Su Qingxue grew embarrassed, certain she had been tricked. I've been made a fool of by Ye Fan! How am I going to get back at him? But just as the thought crossed her mind, Walker's attitude flipped. "Miss Su, I apologize for my rudeness," he said deferentially. "Perhaps we really should have a proper talk in private."
"This way, Miss Su," he said, bowing respectfully to invite her forward.
Su Qingxue was stunned. Has happiness just fallen into my lap? This has to be a dream. The perpetually arrogant Walker was now speaking to her with such humility. It completely contradicted his known character and style.
Shen Zhehao and Young Master Ji, who had been feeling triumphant just moments before, were completely stunned. The scene unfolding before them was simply unbelievable.
Young Master Ji approached Walker and asked, "Mr. Walker, what is this about?"
"Pardon me," Walker said curtly. "As for the business partnership, we won't be signing a contract just yet. I need to reconsider."
The two men nearly choked with rage. They had been on the verge of success, only for this to happen. They couldn't understand what had made Walker change his attitude so drastically on the spot. They knew for a fact that Su Qingxue didn't have this kind of influence, so who could possibly possess the power to make Walker bow and scrape like this?