<h4>Chapter 1103: Chapter 1103: That’s All There Is to It!</h4>


    At the cocktail party, many guests had noticed the changes in Xu Yuncong’s expression. They initially thought that Mr. Kelson, Kevin, had said something inappropriate, upsetting Mr. Xu.


    Many even considered approaching to inquire about it.


    If it was due to Kevin, and it made Xu Yuncong unhappy, they thought of siding with Xu Yuncong, criticizing Kevin for his rudeness.


    After all, Mr. Xu was a partner everyone was eagerly hoping to coborate with.


    When it was time to perform, there should be no ambiguity.


    Unfortunately, before they could act, they heard Xu Yuncong’s heartyughter and saw him affectionately pat Kevin on the arm, while Kevin also wore a smile. The two conversed happily in Chinese.


    The crowd exchanged nces, and ultimately, no one approached.


    Afterughing, Xu Yuncong suddenly asked Kevin, "Mr. Kevin, did you really speak out just for a friend’s sake? Is all of that your own analysis?"


    "My sister, who is a famous strategic analyst, the strongest among European female analysts!" Kevinughed.


    "Sister?" This Chinese expression left no one unamused.


    "Is it Miss Ariel?" Xu Yuncongughed and nodded.


    He had also heard of that woman before.


    "However, for a friend across continents, you truly put effort into finding the opportunity to discuss this with me. That’s considerate!" Xu Yuncong seemed to sigh.


    Not without probing.


    Did you, Kevin, put all this effort into helping a friend?


    How noble and loyal!


    "Friendship, for people like us, must also be measured against interests." Kevin replied frankly with a smile, "I am intent on expanding into Shangyun Province and had good discussions about coborating with Mr. Shang. How could I stand by and watch a friend in trouble! Moreover, I found that the issue might threaten you, Mr. Xu."


    "If by speaking out, I can alert you, wouldn’t our friendship take a step further?" Kevin smiled. "Then, when I coborate with you, perhaps I could get some preferential treatment."


    Xu Yuncong squinted at him, seeming to assess the truth of his words.


    After a long pause—


    "A businessman, Mr. Kevin truly is a qualified businessman!" Xu Yuncong seemed to exim, but then sharply turned the conversation, "What if I say I don’t believe what you’ve told me, and I must also tell you, Shang Wenshu’s status will be decided by the headquarters, and I don’t intend to intervene personally?"


    Talking, Xu Yuncong fixed his gaze into Kevin’s eyes.


    Kevin shrugged helplessly, the smile still on his face, "Then I can only consider myself unlucky and go look for another coborator."


    "One always must gamble a bit; winning means earning more," Kevin added.


    His face was that of a true opportunist, which indeed aligned with Kevin’s early career.


    "Mr. Kevin really knows how to take things in stride," Xu Yuncongughed, "So if I say I don’t like Shang Wenshu as a person! I don’t want him with me, but I do admire you, Mr. Kevin, and am willing to coborate with you. How about that?"


    Kevin’s smile brightened. "Mr. Xu is a major figure, and your word is mymand. Don’t trick me now. With your cooperation, I can only apologize to Mr. Shang!"


    "Mr. Kevin, are we not talking about friendship now?" Xu Yuncong teased with augh.


    "In business, discussing friendship seems rather hypocritical," Kevin responded with a chuckle.


    Such natural conversation, yet with such cold content.


    "Ha-ha, well said, very well said indeed. Mr. Kevin, no wonder you’ve be a notable figure in the new media sector in Europe at such a young age. I like this forthrightness."


    Then, Xu Yuncong happily continued to chat with Kevin about market prospects and expansion issues, showing great interest. It seemed hepletely disregarded the rming issues Kevin had mentioned earlier, not taking them to heart at all.


    Though Kevin knew it was impossible for Xu Yuncong to be entirely unmoved, face-to-face, he could not detect the slightest agitation or anger in him.


    Completely "natural."


    This Xu Yuncong was indeed an extraordinary figure!


    Even Kevin feltpelled to acknowledge this.


    The two stood together, chatting for almost twenty minutes.


    For a cocktail party, that was quite a lengthy time for a guest of note to engage in one-on-one conversation.


    Later, someone interrupted their conversation, giving Kevin a break.


    Kevin moved to the nearby bar, ordered a cocktail, and slowly sipped it while keeping an eye on Xu Yuncong.


    Xu Yuncong continued to chat with people,ughing heartily and seeming extremely happy.


    "Is this guy really just pretending to be calm?" Kevin began to doubt, "or does he not care about those things, not care about Shang Wenshu’s life or death. Then... wouldn’t Bai Xiaosheng be disappointed?"


    Kevin wanted to sneak away a few times, to find a ce, to send a message to Bai Xiaosheng.


    But in the end, he restrained himself.


    Because previously, Bai Xiaosheng had specifically instructed him—


    No matter the oue, he must not leave the party, let alone use his phone to contact anyone!


    Kevin eventually held back and simply put down his bag and chatted,ughed, and drank with others.


    Over at Xu Yuncong’s side, holding a wine ss, asionally clinking sses with others, he wore a broad smile and spoke naturally. Even those standing face to face with him didn’t realize Xu Yuncong asionally, through the reflection of his wine ss, stealthily observed someone at the bar—


    Kevin.


    Seeing Kevin happy, a hint of doubt flickered deep in Xu Yuncong’s eyes.


    Was Kevin really involved in this matter just for a friend... no, for profit?


    Was there no one else behind him!


    Also, were those things really analyzed by his sister Ariel?


    Could it also be something Shang Wenshu had told him!


    Mr. Kelson was far away in Europe, which had nothing to do with his own jurisdiction, nor was it affiliated to the group, there was no reason for him to act as a pawn for anyone!


    Moreover, if someone really wanted to send him a message, did they need a foreigner from far away?


    Who would be so illogical!


    No matter how astute Xu Yuncong was, he couldn’t guess whom Kevin was sending messages for, nor did he notice Kevin’s unusual behaviors like leaving.


    Setting aside whether there was something wrong with Kevin, Xu Yuncong’s eyes slightly narrowed.


    A few ideas began to float in his mind, "Shen Peishen, I am doing you a favor for your sake. You wouldn’t betray me, would you?!"


    "Do I really still have your men among my subordinates?!"


    "Better to suspect too much than to be wrong, this matter needs caution! Even if it angers you, Shen Peishen... If you really want to move against me, do I still need to show you respect?!"


    "Shen Peishen, if you really want to make a move! Shouldn’t you weigh whether I, Xu Someone, am a pushover!"


    Inside, Xu Yuncong was anything but calm!


    The party continued for another hour and a half before finally ending.


    After dispersing, Xu Yuncong and Kevin exchanged smiles and greetings, then went their separate ways.


    However, once truly alone where no one could see, both of their expressions turned gloomy and heavy.


    ...


    In Gandong Province, Dayou City.


    Bai Xiaosheng and his twopanions were all set, waiting ording to the time Zhang Yudong had given, for the caring to pick them up, which should arrive soon.


    The Zhang Family’s party, no matter how private, wouldn’t be small in scale.


    Zhang Yudong had also disclosed that there would be "exciting scenes" to witness, and Bai Xiaosheng’s arrival was quite timely.


    Due to the special program, there would be more people, all young, and it would be very lively.


    Lin Weiwei had asked whether to bring gifts for the Zhang family patriarch, Zhang Xi.


    "There’s no need, what could the Zhang family possiblyck? Anything would seem stingy." Bai Xiaosheng smiled, "Besides, my gift doesn’t need to be bought; it should be prepared by them."


    Lin Weiwei blinked, thenughed, "Right. Xiaosheng, you’ve said that Mr. Zhang Xi loves your calligraphy!"


    As they were talking, Bai Xiaosheng’s phone rang.


    "Kevin." Bai Xiaosheng nced at the caller ID, muttered to himself, "He mentioned, there’s another party where he could meet Xu Yuncong, so I let him pass a message for me. If it gets through, great, if not, no big deal. It’s nighttime here, it should still be noon there."


    Saying this, Bai Xiaosheng answered the call.


    "Xiaosheng, the task you assigned me is somewhatpleted, but..." Kevin described Xu Yuncong’s reaction.


    Bai Xiaosheng listened quietly.


    Then, Bai Xiaoshengughed, "Good!"


    "That’s all that needed to be said!"