Qin Siyang sat in the back row, clapping along with the others.
Then, he tilted his head and quietly asked Zhao Longfei beside him, "Principal Zhao, at our chamber of commerce's ceremony, no one is causing trouble?"
Zhao Longfei replied in a deep voice, "Right now, it's the Gu family speaking, so naturally, no one is stirring up trouble. Just wait. When Sifang speaks, someone will definitely make a scene."
Qin Siyang smacked his lips, "Not even giving the Zhao family face? Tsk, good thing I don't have to give a speech. If I said anything, wouldn't they just boo me off the stage?"
The smile at the corner of Qin Siyang's mouth seemed to be joking about the matter.
Yet, he showed no dissatisfaction with not being arranged to speak.
Zhao Longfei glanced at Qin Siyang twice.
"What? Why are you looking at me?"
"You brat. You do have some skill. Even without this background, just with your brain, you'd do well."
Qin Siyang shook his head slightly, "Then you've got it wrong. Without this background, who would know me, who would bother with me?"
Just as Zhao Longfei was about to continue the conversation, Gu Yunpeng's voice came from the front, "Next, let's welcome Director Zhao Longfei of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce to speak about the founding intentions of our Zhao Chamber of Commerce. Everyone, please welcome him!"
The applause was clearly not as enthusiastic as when Gu Weirong spoke earlier.
Zhao Longfei no longer spoke to Qin Siyang. He accepted the speech manuscript handed over by someone behind him and strode to the microphone.
"Today, I am honored to represent the Zhao Chamber of Commerce to talk about our founding intentions..."
Zhao Longfei's voice was loud, full of authority, and even carried a bit of dominance.
This aura made Qin Siyang feel a faint sense of intimidation in his heart.
Qin Siyang sighed inwardly.
'As expected of someone who climbed up from the bottom, he truly is extraordinary.'
'Good thing he is an ally, not an enemy.'
'Otherwise, offending Zhao Longfei would be a huge problem.'
'Next time, I better watch myself around him.'
Qin Siyang tilted his head again.
'Wait, haven't I already had this thought multiple times?'
'Forget it, next time for sure.'
Perhaps it was Zhao Longfei's imposing presence that suppressed the crowd.
After his speech ended, the atmosphere remained harmonious.
The venue even erupted into quite enthusiastic applause.
When Zhao Longfei returned to stand beside Qin Siyang, Qin Siyang asked in a low voice, "Principal Zhao, nothing happened during your speech."
"No incidents are the worst kind of incident," Zhao Longfei said, "That means they're planning to cause trouble when Sifang speaks."
Qin Siyang was slightly startled, "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, they can't do anything to an old fox like me, so they'll pick on the kid instead."
"Principal Zhao, will someone definitely stir up trouble?"
"Our Zhao family establishing a chamber of commerce is obviously taking a slice from the three major chambers' pie. You think they'd be happy about that? Just wait and see."
Qin Siyang stopped talking.
Instead, he looked forward.
"Next, let's welcome the President of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce to give a speech! Everyone, please welcome him!"
Zhao Sifang accepted the speech manuscript handed over by a staff member and stepped forward.
"Today, I am deeply honored to be here with all of you esteemed elders and friends to witness the establishment of our Zhao Chamber of Commerce..."
"Zhao Sifang, everyone is happy about your chamber's establishment. However, not just anyone can set up a chamber of commerce."
As expected, just as Zhao Longfei had predicted.
Zhao Sifang had barely begun when someone interrupted him.
Everyone turned to look at the person who spoke from the audience.
Qin Siyang saw a young man in a suit and tie, looking like someone of some status.
On the collar of his suit was an embroidered lotus cloud.
Qin Siyang asked, "Principal Zhao, do you know that guy?"
"Someone from the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce. Their directors are all old geezers. I'd guess he's the grandson of some vice president or director."
Zhao Sifang looked at the man and asked with composure, "May I know this gentleman's name?"
"Hua Weicai."
Zhao Sifang nodded, "Mr. Hua, I assume you came to our ceremony with Vice President Hua of the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce?"
"Yes. I came with my grandfather to attend this chamber of commerce ceremony. He told me it's a collaboration between an established family and Mr. Gu. At first, I was quite excited, thinking there would be another chamber of commerce contributing to humanity's development within the Safe Zone."
"But after seeing this today, I am deeply disappointed. I must say, Mr. Gu, you have misjudged your partners."
Qin Siyang frowned.
This brat had quite a venomous tongue.
Zhao Sifang remained calm, "May I ask, in what way has today's ceremony disappointed Mr. Hua to the extent that you would make such a statement?"
"The venue is well-decorated, and the refreshments are decent. However, there is no proof of your chamber's capabilities."
"Establishing a chamber of commerce in the Safe Zone is not that simple."
"Especially when it comes to your chamber's so-called signature treasures."
"A small piece of Vine Core, a small piece of Crimson Crystal, and a fragment of Titan Foxtail Grass Inner Leaf."
"These three items put together don't even form a complete artifact."
"With this level of strength, can you really establish a chamber of commerce within the Safe Zone?"
Qin Siyang turned to the side and asked, "Principal Zhao, didn't you say these things were enough to hold up appearances? How come Hua Weicai is now calling them trash right to our faces?"
Zhao Longfei's gaze turned cold, "For someone who wants to insult you, even if you present ten pounds each of Vine Core, Crimson Crystal, and Titan Foxtail Grass, he'd still find a way to mock you."
On stage, Zhao Sifang smiled and asked, "May I ask, Mr. Hua, are you speaking on your own behalf or on behalf of the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce?"
"That has nothing to do with whom I represent. I am simply stating objective facts."
Zhao Sifang nodded, then asked, "Since Mr. Hua is from the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce, may I inquire—can the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce gather these three materials?"
"Apologies, but we actually can," Hua Weicai clapped his hands.
Three people stepped forward from behind him, each holding a box, which they opened separately.
Inside were a complete Vine Core, a Crimson Crystal the size of a fingernail, and an intact Titan Foxtail Grass middle leaf.
Qin Siyang frowned.
Then, he looked at Zhao Longfei.
Zhao Longfei gritted his teeth and said, "I know the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce's background very well. They don't have this level of strength. These materials were gathered by the three major chambers together."
"But Principal Zhao, weren't our chamber's three signature treasures only just announced today?"
Zhao Longfei sighed, "Sun Yaru knew about this. She's the head of the Black Market in District 9 and was also in charge of organizing the ceremony. She must have leaked the information to the three major chambers."
Qin Siyang looked helpless as well, "However, the few extra Crimson Crystals should still be a secret."
"That's good."
Everyone present was shocked by the materials presented by the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
As expected of one of the three major chambers in the Safe Zone, their foundation was truly strong.
Hua Weicai looked smugly at Zhao Sifang, "President Zhao, what do you think?"
"My three items in this box versus your chamber's three signature treasures—how do you compare?"
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