Chapter 301 - 299: Who Doesn’t Know How to Slam the Table?

As soon as the words fell, Yang Xun’s voice rang out. It wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"Are you stubbornly opposing this proposal because you truly believe the company’s funds are tight, or because you think Xu Yue is young, female, and an easy target?"

Sun Baoguo’s expression instantly changed. He hadn’t expected Yang Xun to question him so bluntly in front of everyone. "What... what kind of nonsense is that?"

Leaning back in his chair, Yang Xun folded his hands on the table and said coldly, "You keep claiming we lack funds. But as far as I know, there are still several million in liquid assets in the company’s accounts. It’s not a lot, but it’s more than enough to cover the cost of trial sizes and the subsequent marketing.

"Are you continuously objecting because you think Xu Yue’s decision is risky, or because you want to take the money and run?"

The accusation hit a little too close to home. Sun Baoguo’s face turned livid.

"Bullshit!" Flying into a rage out of humiliation, Sun Baoguo slapped his hand on the table and shot up from his seat. "I am a founding member of this company! Every decision I make is for its benefit! What right does a live-in son-in-law like you have to point fingers at me?"

He then shot a look at the people around him. Immediately, several others stood up as well.

"President Xu, we disagreed with this from the very beginning. If you’re going to stubbornly insist on your way, then you must bear the financial burden yourself. We don’t want to take this risk with you," one of them declared.

"And make this live-in son-in-law leave. Irrelevant personnel are not allowed in our company meetings," another added.

Hearing the words "live-in son-in-law" thrown around so casually, a vein throbbed on Yang Xun’s forehead. He suddenly stood up. Mimicking Sun Baoguo, he violently slammed his palm against the table. Slamming a table was nothing special; anyone could do it! A massive bang echoed through the room, startling everyone into instant silence.

CRACK!

A clear, distinct sound of splintering wood rang out. The crowd looked down to see a long, thin fissure snaking out from beneath Yang Xun’s palm, stretching all the way from the edge of the table to its center. They stared dumbfounded at the crack, then back at Yang Xun’s seemingly perfectly normal hand. A deathly silence fell over the conference room.

Yang Xun unhurriedly withdrew his hand. His gaze swept over everyone present, his tone remaining flat.

"I’m a simple guy. If someone treats my wife well, I’ll treat them with respect. But if anyone tries to bully her, don’t blame me for going all out.

"Many of you here are veteran employees who have been with the Xu family for years. Others are core members who joined later. But without exception, you are all smart people.

"So you should know that when the company does well, everyone gets to eat. If the company goes under, you’ll all have to find another way to make a living.

"I highly suggest you don’t engage in any shady business behind our backs, or else don’t blame me for showing no mercy."

After he finished speaking, the conference room remained perfectly still for a full five or six seconds. Sun Baoguo’s face had gone from flush red to an ashen gray. He desperately wanted to curse Yang Xun out, but looking at the deep fissure in the solid wood table, he didn’t dare open his mouth. If Yang Xun lost his temper and chopped him with that hand, he would be sent straight to meet his maker.

Sitting at the head of the table, Xu Yue hadn’t interrupted Yang Xun once. Instead, a proud smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Only after he finished did she speak up, her tone noticeably calmer than before. "Does anyone else have an objection to the trial-size proposal?"

No one answered.

"Then we’ll execute the original plan," Xu Yue declared. "Please trust me this once. I guarantee everyone will make money. But if anyone harbors ulterior motives, I’ll let my husband clean house."

The room remained as quiet as a graveyard. Xu Yue closed the folder in front of her and stood up. "Meeting adjourned."

The couple took the lead and walked out. They exchanged a smile, feeling like they had just won a major battle. The others soon filed out of the conference room. Sun Baoguo was the last to leave. As he passed through the doorway, he tripped and nearly fell, making him look so infuriated you’d think he’d just eaten shit.

Back in her office, Xu Yue leaned back in her chair and let out a long breath. "Thanks to you this time, they shouldn’t dare pull any more stunts."

"They wouldn’t dare." Yang Xun’s tone was confident. He stood up and began massaging Xu Yue’s shoulders. "It’s just a shame that Sun Baoguo schemed against you yesterday. Letting him off the hook like this is way too easy on him."

"What are you planning to do?" Xu Yue asked hastily.

"Don’t worry, I’m just going to teach him a little lesson." Yang Xun chuckled, a wicked idea already forming in his mind. "Wifey, just forget about everything else today. We’re going on a date later."

"A date?" Xu Yue froze, then quickly waved her hands in refusal. "I can’t! I still have a pile of work to do."

"Work is never finished." Yang Xun pulled her to her feet, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "We won a battle today, so we have to celebrate. Besides, I don’t think we’ve ever actually been on a date before."

Xu Yue thought about it for a moment. It was true; they never had. She had always thrown herself wholeheartedly into her work and used to harbor no real feelings for Yang Xun. In the past, they were like strangers living under the same roof. But recently, their relationship had advanced by leaps and bounds, even becoming physically intimate. Having finally experienced the sweetness of romance and marriage, she was gradually persuaded.

"Alright. But I need to keep an eye on the trial sizes at all times, just in case anything goes wrong."

Yang Xun nodded in mild exasperation, took her hand, and led her out of the company.

They drove all the way to a commercial street in Zhonghai City, where the two of them strolled hand in hand. Xu Yue rarely had the chance to wander like this. Usually, she was either at the company or at home. Even on the occasional business trip, she was always rushing from one venue to another. Being able to walk aimlessly down a street like this was almost a luxury for her.

"Are you hungry?" Yang Xun tilted his head to look at her. "There’s a dessert shop up ahead. Xiaocai says it’s really good."

Xu Yue followed his gaze. Not far away on the street corner was indeed a European-style dessert shop. The storefront wasn’t large, but the decor was lavish and charmingly girlish.

"Sure!" Upon Xu Yue’s nod, Yang Xun led her inside.

They took a seat by the window, and Yang Xun ordered every signature item on the menu. Ordinarily, guys didn’t have much of a sweet tooth, but Yang Xun had loved sweets since he was a kid and still did. In the past, he just wanted to save money and couldn’t bear to buy so many desserts at once. Now, he felt like he’d struck it rich; he wanted to try every single flavor in the store.

Soon, all the desserts were brought to their table. Xu Yue scooped up a bite of tiramisu, her eyes narrowing in delight.

"Tastes good, right?" Yang Xun asked with a smile.

"Mhm, it’s delicious." Xu Yue cut another small piece. As if suddenly remembering something, she put down her fork. "Oh, by the way, Zhou Miao texted me today. She wanted to thank you for yesterday. She says she wants to treat you to dinner to thank you in person."

"There’s no need to be so polite. She was an innocent bystander who got dragged into this, so it was only right for me to save her." Yang Xun waved a hand, not taking the matter to heart at all.

The two of them sat in the dessert shop for over half an hour. By the time they left, Xu Yue was in a noticeably better mood than she had been that morning.