62 Under-the-table Deal
He continued, “The blond man over there is the President of AN Group. I heard that AN Group will be making a move. Let’s see who he will be interacting with tonight. By the way, I bet you are very curious about the young master of K Group. I heard that he won the last auction lot with 900 million US dollars and is completing the purchase backstage now. He’ll probably come over later.”
At the mention of Xiao Zhuo, the viewership increased instantly. Xiao Zhuo was indeed very handsome and rich—not an everyday phenomenon. Everyone wanted to seize the opportunity to see him at the gala.
The live-streamer turned his camera around and continued. Unbeknownst to him, he had caught a fleeting shot of Xing Shu when he turned the camera. A viewer asked, “Was that Xing Shu? Her family doesn’t seem to be so rich.”
“Xing Shu? The top finance graduate from Beijing University? I remember that someone on the school forum said that her family was poor.”
“That can’t be. Isn’t she engaged to the Cheng family?”
“I don’t know. Anyway, someone exposed it anonymously at that time. It caused quite a storm back then, but Xing Shu never came forward to clarify.”
“Turn the camera around again. Let’s see if it’s Xing Shu.”
Seeing the comments on the screen, the live-streamer slowly turned his camera around, fixed on Xing Shu’s face. The comments started bubbling again.
“Wow, it’s really Xing Shu! Hurry up and ask her why she’s there!”
“Don’t tell me she’s a kept woman? Back then, someone said that her private life was very indecent.”
“Actually, I’m curious about where these rumors came from. I’m Xing Shu’s classmate. She keeps a low profile and has good grades.”
“It was obviously said by someone close to her. I remember the forum said that she bullied her sister. I think it was the Xing family’s adopted daughter. Xing Shu is very scheming and vicious.”
The live-streamer looked at the full screen of comments; many of them attacking Xing Shu. He frowned slightly. Everyone who graduated from Beijing University knew Xing Shu. However, Xing Shu was very low-key and did not participate in any extracurricular activities. It was hard to catch a glimpse of her. But, her beauty was renowned—she had been voted school belle on the first day of school. However, she quickly fell into oblivion and only surfaced during classes. More rumors of her emerged subsequently, like the photos of Xing Shu in a luxury car. Coupled with the endless details-filled revelations on the forum, everyone disliked Xing Shu.
The comments started again. “The President of AN Group seems to be talking to Xing Shu? What are they saying?”
“Go closer and see if Xing Shu has any under-the-table deal with the President of AN Group.”
The avalanche of comments were staggering. The live-streamer had no choice but to go over quietly.
Xing Shu was indeed standing next to the President of AN Group; it was the latter who took the initiative to approach her. The President of AN Group was very gentlemanly. He first asked if she was Cheng Lang’s date. After receiving an affirmative answer, he praised her a few times. Xing Shu thought of Xiao Zhuo’s words just now. It seemed everyone knew Cheng Lang kept a wide berth of women, so this President was curious about her.
The two of them chatted—from the topic of the last lot, Savior, to other painters and sculptors. Xing Shu could tell that the President of AN Corporation was a very romantic person. He believed that failure was nobler than success and viewed success and money as crass…
Xing Shu lowered her eyes and instantly found the segue—the romanticism in the President of AN Group was tinged with philosophy.
“Philosophy can also be integrated into the business system. There’s a thought in Taleb’s books called optionality.” Xing Shu cleverly shifted the topic from hobbies to business. She smiled and toasted with the President of AN Group. “It means ‘the right to choose’ in Chinese. It’s built on three principles.”
Ron—the President of AN Group—looked at Xing Shu in admiration. “Are you talking about the Black Swan?”
Xing Shu nodded. “AN Group has cleverly used this doctrine. You’re a very thoughtful leader.”
Ron smiled. “I’m glad. You should have seen my graduation speech when I was seventeen.”