Qin Siyang was stunned.
'What's going on?'
'I am just standing quietly in the back, not saying a single word.'
'And I still got called out and criticized?'
Before Qin Siyang could react to Hua Weicai's accusations, Zhao Sifang's face darkened first.
He put away his polite demeanor and calmly responded: "Mr. Hua, how our Zhao Chamber of Commerce arranges its personnel is something we decide internally within our chamber."
"What reasoning is there for outsiders to interfere and point fingers?"
Hua Weicai let out a sneering laugh, "This isn't outsiders interfering, but rather concerns and doubts about the maturity of your chamber."
"Qin Siyang, an orphan from the outskirts of the Safe Zone. Forget about managing a chamber, he's never even had any business experience in his entire life."
"Letting someone with absolutely no experience serve as the Vice President of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce, if that's not a sham operation, then what is?"
Standing before the microphone, Zhao Sifang directly countered, "If Qin Siyang can be Vice President, then naturally, there's a reason for it."
"Does the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce only appoint Vice Presidents responsible for business operations? I doubt that's the case."
"As far as I know, Mr. Hua, isn't your grandfather, Mr. Hua Chengliang, not from a business background?"
Hearing Zhao Sifang's words, Qin Siyang grew curious and whispered to Zhao Longfei, "Principal Zhao, what's this Hua Chengliang's background?"
"Before the apocalypse, Hua Chengliang was the boss of a gang in the area that later became the Safe Zone. When the Safe Zone was established, he got lucky, made the right bets at the right time, and smoothly climbed his way up to become the Vice President of the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce, one of the three major chambers."
"But among the eight or nine Vice Presidents in the Lotus Cloud Chamber, he ranks at the bottom. His influence is nothing impressive."
"Oh, no wonder."
After Zhao Sifang finished speaking, not only did Hua Weicai's face change, but even Hua Chengliang, standing behind him, suddenly turned grim.
However, Hua Chengliang's expression wasn't because Zhao Sifang had directly exposed his past.
It was because the grandson he had brought along had completely slipped out of his control.
If he couldn't even keep his own grandson in check at this age, what was he even capable of?
Hua Chengliang glared coldly at Hua Weicai.
Yet, Hua Weicai still pretended not to see it, deliberately avoiding his grandfather's gaze.
This only made things worse, he had not only embarrassed himself in front of others, but his authority and reputation had also taken a hit.
Guests from the other two major chambers gave him looks filled with disdain and confusion.
'Is this the kind of upbringing a Vice President of the Lotus Cloud Chamber provides?'
Hua Chengliang hadn't felt this kind of humiliation and anger in a long time.
To think that his usually obedient grandson would betray him like this in front of everyone.
You can guard against everything, but you can never guard against the traitor in your own house.
Hua Chengliang had already decided.
No matter what the outcome today, once they returned home, Hua Weicai would never be allowed to step outside again.
Let him rot away in a room for the rest of his life.
"Zhao Sifang, before my grandfather joined the chamber, he was a man of great experience."
"But Qin Siyang is only eighteen years old, no background, no experience. How can he possibly secure the future of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce?"
"A ridiculous chamber like this has no value in being established at all."
Hua Weicai continued to retort.
Once he had stepped forward, there was no turning back.
Zhao Sifang remained composed, "Mr. Hua, no matter how much you argue, you can't change the fact that the establishment of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce has drawn great attention."
"The four Crimson Crystals before me, do they not already speak for themselves?"
"Zhao Sifang, I don't know what kind of tricks you used to swindle those four Crimson Crystals, but this still doesn't prove that you have the qualifications to establish a chamber."
Zhao Sifang frowned and shook his head.
He no longer had any interest in continuing this debate with Hua Weicai.
This guy had already devolved into mindless, unreasonable rambling.
Both irrational and impolite.
Arguing with him any further would be beneath his dignity.
Zhao Sifang turned to look past Hua Weicai, directly at Hua Chengliang.
"Vice President Hua, is Mr. Hua's unreasonable behavior a stance of the Lotus Cloud Chamber of Commerce, or is it solely his personal opinion?"
Qin Siyang, seeing that Zhao Sifang had abandoned arguing with Hua Weicai and had instead aimed directly at Hua Chengliang, immediately brightened.
That move of striking at the leader first? Brilliant.
"Little Zhao really has a sharp mind," Zhao Longfei said.
"Zhao Sifang is straightforward in open confrontations. He's always been a reliable kid. But when it comes to scheming, he's completely clueless."
"Oh… hmm? Why does that sound like an insult?"
"Talking to smart people is always easier."
Hua Chengliang's expression remained indifferent as he looked at Zhao Sifang.
But inwardly, he couldn't help but feel admiration.
'What a sharp young man.'
'The Zhao family truly doesn't produce weaklings.'
No matter how his own family handled Hua Weicai later, that was their business.
But for now, in front of outsiders—
He had to support his grandson.
Hua Chengliang took a step forward and spoke, "Chairman Zhao, I don't think Weicai's words are entirely baseless."
"While I may not have a deep background in business, comparing me to Qin Siyang might be underestimating this old man a little."
"After all, before I became Vice President of the Lotus Cloud Chamber, I had held various management positions in the United Government and regional chambers."
"Qin Siyang's talent in god hunting is obvious to all, and I acknowledge that."
"But to say that his god hunting abilities qualify him to be a Vice President of a chamber? I think it's entirely reasonable to hold some doubts about that."
Hua Chengliang's voice was gentle, his tone warm, and his wording tactful.
It didn't sound hostile at all.
But there was still a hidden sharpness behind his words.
At that moment, a blond middle-aged man standing beside Hua Chengliang looked at Qin Siyang and said, "Mr. Qin, everyone seems to have some doubts about you. If you keep letting young Chairman Zhao stand in front of you like a father shielding his son, facing the storm on your behalf, people will only grow even more skeptical of your abilities."
"Why not step forward and say a few words?"
A boy of similar age to Qin Siyang also chimed in, "Vice President Qin, why don't you come out and address the doubts? Clear things up for everyone."
Before Qin Siyang could ask, Zhao Longfei leaned in and whispered an introduction.
"That's Warren Chamber of Commerce's Vice President, Georgia Warren. And that's Hao Ri Chamber of Commerce's Vice President, Jiang Changqing."
'So, all three of the major chambers had set their sights on me.'
'Trying to use me as a breakthrough point?'
Well, they've seriously miscalculated.
Qin Siyang probed, "You want me to go on stage and say something?"
"Speak properly."
"Got it."
Qin Siyang stepped forward.
Zhao Sifang looked at him with some concern.
But Qin Siyang flashed a confident smile and patted Zhao Sifang on the shoulder.
Zhao Sifang nodded, stepping aside to let him take the microphone.
Qin Siyang adjusted the mic to his height.
Then, he smiled and said, "Since everyone insists that I come up and respond to the doubts, I'll keep it brief."
"First of all—Professor Lu, lend me your bird for a moment."
Professor Lu Daoxing was suddenly called out, tilting his head in confusion.
"Hmm?"
'Why does this kid seem a little off?'
As everyone turned their inquisitive gazes toward him, Lu Daoxing quickly pulled out the bird-shaped lie detector to avoid any misunderstandings.
Then he gave Qin Siyang a disgusted look.
"Here!"
The bird-shaped lie detector flew onto Qin Siyang's shoulder.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y