After kowtowing three times, Xiao Hailong's eyes welled up with tears of humiliation.
But he dared not act out.
He knew full well that his grandmother was deeply disappointed in him. At this point, no matter what he said, he couldn't risk angering her further.
Madam Xiao finally relaxed a bit after seeing him complete the punishment.
It wasn't that she genuinely wanted her grandson to bow to a useless man like Ye Chen. The real issue was that the curse from the oath involved her own life. As someone who believed in Buddhism, she would be in constant fear of divine retribution if Hailong broke that vow.
Looking at Hailong, she spoke coldly, "These three kowtows are a lesson to you. In the future, don't make bets you can't afford to lose. And even if you do, don't drag your family into it!"
Xiao Hailong, face full of shame, said, "Grandma, I understand… I won't do it again."
As he spoke, he glared at Ye Chen with hatred, thinking: You damn loser, you forced me to bow down and lose face. I swear I'll destroy you one day!
At that moment, Madam Xiao raised her voice, "Today, it's worth celebrating that Churan secured this contract. In the coming days, everyone must prepare—we need to seize this opportunity to build a good relationship with the Emgrand Group!"
Ye Chen, standing to the side, gently reminded her, "Grandma, now that Churan has secured the deal, shouldn't the company director position go to her?"
Madam Xiao's brows twitched. She had indeed made a promise—whoever got the contract would become director.
But she had always disliked Xiao Churan and despised her useless husband even more. The thought of elevating Churan and losing control over her made her hesitate.
She was tempted to go back on her word. After all, she hadn't sworn on it—so what if she took it back?
However, she knew better than to do that now, just as Churan had secured the deal. That would make her look too petty.
So she said, "How about this—tomorrow night, I will host a banquet and invite some of Jinling's most influential figures. At that time, I will publicly announce our partnership with Emgrand and the appointment of our new company director."
Hearing this, Ye Chen was satisfied.
Xiao Churan also smiled gently. It finally seemed that her efforts had paid off. With the director role, she wouldn't be pushed around anymore—and her parents could hold their heads high again!
Then, Madam Xiao turned to her and said, "Churan, there's one more favor I'd like to ask of you."
"Yes, Grandma? What is it?" Churan asked.
"I want you to reach out to Emgrand's chairman and invite him to the banquet tomorrow night," Madam Xiao said with a gleam in her eye. "If he shows up, it would bring immense prestige to our family and elevate our name in Jinling!"
Churan hesitated slightly. "But… I only met with their vice-chair, Wang Dongxue. I didn't even see the chairman. And we just signed the deal—wouldn't it come across as too forward?"
"So what?" Madam Xiao snapped. "I want the whole city to know that we're now partnered with Emgrand. The Xiao family is rising!"
She added, "Even if their chairman can't make it, bringing Wang Dongxue would still be a big deal. She's Emgrand's No. 2—it'd still give us plenty of face."
Her excitement was written all over her face.
Just imagining the high-profile guests, and those who once looked down on the Xiao family now having to curry favor with them—her blood boiled with excitement.
The Xiao family will rise to new heights under my leadership, she thought.
Xiao Churan paused, then nodded hesitantly. "I understand. I'll give it a try…"
"It's not 'try'—you must make it happen!"
Churan nodded softly, but afterward, she nervously turned to Ye Chen and whispered, "What should I do if the chairman doesn't come? What if even Wang Dongxue refuses?"
Ye Chen chuckled. "Just give it a shot. Don't you have Wang Dongxue's number? Maybe she'll say yes as soon as you call."
The banquet wasn't just about public relations—it was also where Churan would officially become company director. As her husband, Ye Chen figured it was worth showing up to support her.
Churan, unaware that her husband was the chairman of Emgrand, sighed and said, "But the chairman is supposed to be a big deal, right? A young master from a powerful Yanjing family—how could he possibly spare time for our event?"
Ye Chen smiled. "You never know. Maybe he spends his days at home cooking and doing laundry for his wife."
Churan rolled her eyes at him. "You think everyone's like you?"
Ye Chen nodded. "Exactly. Maybe the Emgrand chairman is just like me…"
Churan pouted. "Pfft! As if!"