"I personally handled all the procedures for the club’s business. There were no issues at all before, and in any case, you, Mr. Yan, shouldn’t be the one holding these documents and coming here..."
The indignant Jiang Qingkui couldn’t help but speak up immediately, but was stopped halfway by Zhou Wang.
What Jiang Qingkui said was certainly not wrong, but that was obviously not the point. There was no point in being fixated on whether Yan Lingchuan’s actions were compliant.
Because Zhou Wang knew that even though these documents haven’t been stamped yet and are currently just waste paper, as long as Yan Lingchuan wants, multiple departments would immediately come to enforce joint law in such a flawless manner, forcing the club to truly shut down.
"Mr. Yan, is this a threat?"
"This is not a threat, just a clarification."
Yan Lingchuan shook his head and smiled faintly.
"Mr. Zhou, I actually have nothing against you personally. After all, we have no personal grudges. You can understand it as me simply being an enforcer of some sort of order."
"Order?" Zhou Wang also smiled, "The order of your Beijing Circle?"
"No one likes things that are out of control, and many people do not like the name of your club... Jingwang Club, it’s too ostentatious."
Yan Lingchuan said calmly, "This circle is not rejecting outsiders, but Mr. Zhou’s steps are a bit too hasty. Although the price is to bow your head, those who ascend the steps will at least not fall."
"Steps... I give up Jingwang Club, and then what?"
Zhou Wang asked thoughtfully.
As if anticipating this, Yan Lingchuan took out another document from his briefcase and placed it in front of Zhou Wang.
Zhou Wang glanced at it; it was a pre-drafted transfer contract, marked as "the entire property rights of Jingwang Club."
"You got Xue Mingyuan’s son involved, and at this point, the outcome cannot be reversed. I have no intention of making you retract your testimony, but as compensation, you should transfer this club to Xueren Group."
Yan Lingchuan spoke softly, "I’ve already negotiated the price for you, Mr. Zhou will suffer a bit of a loss, but not much."
"In addition, unless necessary, Mr. Zhou, it’s best to stay away from Beidou, or rather... once you have figured out how to integrate into this circle, I personally would still welcome you back to Beidou to make a career."
Hearing Yan Lingchuan’s words, everyone’s expressions were different.
Although the words sounded good, it was essentially directly sweeping Zhou Wang out of Beidou.
On the surface, it seemed Zhou Wang didn’t suffer much besides financially, but undoubtedly, after today, Zhou Wang wouldn’t be able to lift his head in the Beidou circle.
Even Miss Li was slightly speechless, looking at Zhou Wang with some sympathy.
She enjoyed seeing Zhou Wang fall short, but since she didn’t have an irreconcilable enmity with him, seeing his situation worse than she imagined made her sigh as well.
Beside her, Qiu Zeyu and Young Master Zhang both frowned.
As expected, the worst outcome had occurred...
And this situation seemed insoluble.
Because, as Yan Lingchuan said, although he came alone, he represented more than just himself.
Let alone Zhou Wang, who had no footing in Beidou; even someone like Qiu Zeyu couldn’t think of a way to resolve such a situation other than seeking reconciliation with family backing.
At this point, Zhou Wang, who was tapping his fingers lightly on the table, suddenly spoke up: "Qingkui."
"Yes?"
Jiang Qingkui, who was also furrowing her brows, responded instinctively.
"Is it time?"
"Wha... what?"
Jiang Qingkui was momentarily confused.
"I said, is it time for the speech?"
"Ah, it is... it’s already six o’clock."
Jiang Qingkui didn’t know why Zhou Wang was asking this now, but she quickly answered after glancing at her watch.
"Then why didn’t you remind me?"
Zhou Wang gave her an unsatisfied look, then stood up amid the puzzled glances of everyone, and said to Yan Lingchuan: "Mr. Yan, excuse me, I should go make my speech now."
Yan Lingchuan was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "To remain unruffled at a time like this, Mr. Zhou, you have quite the demeanor. It’s a pity we met a bit too late... Feel free, Mr. Zhou, I’ve said all I needed to say. You still have tonight to consider, and I hope tomorrow morning, I’ll receive your call."
"Please hold on, Mr. Yan."
As Yan Lingchuan was about to rise, Zhou Wang stopped him and smiled, "Since you’re here, Mr. Yan, why not listen to my speech, and try the food here and give some feedback? If I’m not mistaken, you probably haven’t eaten yet, and it wouldn’t be right to let you leave on an empty stomach, would it?"
Yan Lingchuan gave Zhou Wang a surprised look, then nodded with a smile, "Alright, I am a bit hungry. I was a bit embarrassed, but since you offered, I’ll join for a meal."
As Yan Lingchuan sat back down, Zhou Wang said nothing further and turned to walk through the corridor toward the stage.
Young Master Zhang and Qiu Zeyu exchanged confused glances, not knowing what Zhou Wang intended to do. Turning around, they saw Jiang Qingkui was also bewildered, apparently not knowing Zhou Wang’s plan either.
Amid whispers throughout the hall, Zhou Wang had already reached the front of the banquet hall stage. While Xu Lingyue adjusted the microphone, he straightened his collar, and amidst the melodious music, stood at the front of the stage, glancing at the audience below, and smiled casually:
"Welcome, everyone, to Jingwang Club. I am Zhou Wang."
Sparse applause arose, not due to lack of face-giving, but because most people hadn’t yet come to their senses.
"What do you think Zhou Wang is going to do?"
Qiu Zeyu asked skeptically, "He surely isn’t so shocked he’s lost his mind and insists on giving a speech now, is he?"
"I don’t understand either, but my intuition tells me it’s not that simple."
Young Master Zhang rubbed his chin, "I feel like the aura Zhou Wang is giving off now feels somewhat familiar..."
"Hmm?" Qiu Zeyu was taken aback, "What kind of feeling?"
"The feeling of showing off."
Before Young Master Zhang could reply, Shao Xiaoqi, slightly exasperated, preemptively answered, "I know my uncle’s subtle smile too well, it’s the precursor to showing off."
"That’s right, during Wuyou Night, he also had the same kind of smile, full of pretentiousness!"
Young Master Zhang suddenly realized, slapping his thigh hard and saying excitedly.