Chapter 899: He Is Proud to Be a Kept Man

Chapter 899: Chapter 899: He Is Proud to Be a Kept Man

"There’s nothing regrettable, Yang Cheng is excellent, and I’m lucky to marry him."

Kong Lingwen noticed Yan Siming’s hostility towards Yang Cheng, and the smile on her face faded.

"Why do I feel that Mr. Yang looks familiar, as if I’ve seen him somewhere before."

Yan Siming stared directly at Yang Cheng, his eyes full of disdain.

Seeing Yang Cheng ignore him, his gaze returned to Kong Lingwen, and he smilingly said, "General Manager Kong, taking charge of the Kong Family at such a young age and founding Chenling Pharmaceutical, truly a woman not inferior to men."

"Mr. Yan overpraises, it’s just that my husband is amazing, I have no real skill."

Kong Lingwen smiled politely but subtly moved closer to Yang Cheng.

By now, quite a few people had gathered around, chatting quietly in small groups, and occasionally glancing at Yang Cheng with amusement and contempt in their eyes.

"Is that Kong Lingwen’s husband? I’ve heard he’s a pretty boy living off a woman."

"Exactly, not sure what luck he had, latching onto the Kong Family like that."

"Though he looks quite handsome, it’s a pity he’s a capable man. This kind of person can only rely on women."

The murmurs reached Yang Cheng’s ears, while an average man would feel utterly humiliated hearing this, Yang Cheng remained calm, without even a flicker in his eyes, just lightly sipping from his wine glass.

What’s wrong with living off a woman? He was proud to live off a woman!

Yan Siming’s mouth curled into a smug smile, deliberately raising his voice, "Mr. Yang, I’ve heard you’re now working at Chenling Pharmaceutical? What specific position are you in?"

The question was tricky, seemingly concerned, but actually suggesting Yang Cheng held no real power at the company, merely a titular role.

Before Yang Cheng spoke, Kong Lingwen quickly interjected, "Yang Cheng is responsible for the pharmaceutical development at Chenling Pharmaceutical; he is the technical core of the company."

"I see."

Yan Siming nodded, but the disdain in his eyes intensified, development? Isn’t it just tinkering with medical ingredients in a lab, what’s so promising about it?

At this moment, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance to the banquet hall.

"Patriarch Yan is here!"

The crowd turned to see a middle-aged man in his fifties striding in, with a strong build, a resolute face, and a certain authoritative majesty between his brows, none other than Patriarch Yan Liguo of the Yan Family.

He carried himself with distinction, followed by a young man and woman. The man, around thirty, dressed in a suit, with handsome features and a slight smile, wearing glasses, looked polite, yet his eyes showed shrewdness and calculation, Yan Liguo’s son Yan Shijie.

The woman, in her early twenties, wearing a red evening gown, with long hair over her shoulders, had exquisite and charming features, carrying a touch of arrogance in her beautiful eyes, with a tall figure, moving with grace, like a thorny rose, Yan Liguo’s daughter Yan Shiyu.

"That’s Yan Liguo’s son Yan Shijie and daughter Yan Shiyu."

Kong Lingwen introduced softly, "Yan Shijie is a hot candidate for the next Family Head of the Yan Family, serving as Vice President of the Yan Group, very capable, Yan Shiyu just returned from studying abroad, reportedly with excellent grades at a foreign business school, a person not to be underestimated."

Yang Cheng nodded, his gaze lingered on Yan Shijie for a moment before shifting away.

The crowd eagerly greeted them, warm in their demeanor, wishing they could cling on.

Yan Liguo responded with smiles, composed, as he reached the stage, accepting the microphone handed by the host, clearing his throat and declaring aloud, "Distinguished guests, thank you all for attending Yan’s banquet tonight."

"Yan set up this banquet today, firstly to take the opportunity to catch up with old friends, secondly to introduce the future direction of the Yan Group."

His voice was strong, resonating through the banquet hall, "As everyone knows, Patriarch Gong Jian of the Gong Family committed many evil deeds, now with the Gong Family’s downfall, Zhonghai’s business scene has changed significantly, as longtime Family Head in Zhonghai, the Yan Group bears both the responsibility and obligation to lead everyone forward together to create a glorious future."

He paused briefly, scanning the audience, "Starting today, the Yan Family will officially take over Qingyuan Pharmaceutical Company and all chain hotels under the Gong Family, covering business across Zhonghai and surrounding cities."

As he finished speaking, the audience instantly began discussing.

"Pharmaceutical company? Didn’t the Gong Family sell their pharmaceutical business to the Kong Family?"

"That was just two of them, the remaining one was acquired by the Yan Family."

"The Yan Family is about to rise!"

Yan Liguo raised his hand to quieten the crowd, continuing, "The Yan Family’s success today wouldn’t be possible without everyone’s support. In the future, the Yan Family will maintain cooperation with everyone, achieving mutual benefit and win-win."

"Meanwhile, I hope colleagues in Zhonghai’s business community can unite and develop Zhonghai’s economy well together."

He spoke magnanimously, eliciting thunderous applause from the audience.

"The Yan Family is so audacious, not afraid of the wind biting their tongue."

Kong Lingchuan muttered softly.

Kong Lingwen stood amidst the crowd, her mouth arching into a sneer.

Yan Liguo’s words, ostensibly about unity, in fact declaring the Yan Family’s ambition to become Zhonghai’s new leader.

After he came off the stage, he led his children and secretary directly towards Kong Lingwen and Yang Cheng.

"General Manager Kong, Mr. Yang, it’s an honor, an honor."

He beamed with enthusiasm, extending his hand for a shake, "It’s splendid to have both of you present at the Yan Family’s banquet."

"Patriarch Yan is too kind."

Kong Lingwen smiled gently, without losing composure.

Yan Liguo focused on Yang Cheng, appraising him, "Mr. Yang is youthful and capable, Chenling Pharmaceutical’s achievements today owe much to your merits."

"Patriarch Yan overpraises."

Yang Cheng appeared calm, yet inwardly cautious, this old fox suddenly being so cordial surely indicated some ulterior motive.

"This is not the place to talk, I would like to invite you to step aside to discuss things, is that alright?"

Yan Liguo gestured with courtesy.

Kong Lingwen glanced at Yang Cheng, seeing him give a slight nod, she agreed, "Alright."

The four followed Yan Liguo’s family into a lounge room behind the banquet hall, the room was small but lavishly decorated, complete with sofas and tables.

Yan Liguo requested his secretary to pour tea, then waved him away, leaving only the key individuals in the room.

"General Manager Kong, Mr. Yang, I’ll not beat around the bush."

Yan Liguo took his tea cup, gently blew on it, "Besides attending the banquet tonight, I wanted to talk to you about cooperation."

"Cooperation?"

Kong Lingwen raised an eyebrow.

Yan Liguo nodded, placing down the tea cup with a sincere expression, "After the Gong Family’s downfall, many industries were left behind, partially acquired by the Yan Family and Kong Family, while the remaining fragmented resources were split. My idea is rather than letting these resources scatter outside, we should integrate them to maximize efficacy."