Chapter 1417: Chapter 1417: Slap in the Face

At this moment, Xiao Zhen felt like he had swallowed a fly. He was here to watch the chaos because of what others said, but not only did he fail to see any commotion, he entangled himself in such an unjustifiable situation.

Su Zining understood clearly that this was all a scam, and he had fallen for it. Even worse, his actions had led reporters to capture Xiao Zhen’s ugliest side.

With these thoughts, cold sweat broke out on Su Zining’s back. If that’s the case, his future father-in-law—

"Uncle, listen to me. I really didn’t know anything about this, and now I’ve just found out. It seems everything is just a misunderstanding."

Su Zining tried to make amends, but at this moment, Xiao Zhen only felt a splitting headache. He thought his son-in-law might defend him, at least serve as a stepping stone.

But now with what the son-in-law said, wasn’t he indicating that Xiao Zhen was the mastermind behind it all? Without any notion of taking the blame, what was the point of having this son-in-law?

Although upset, Xiao Zhen was never one to admit fault, especially not in front of so many branch employees and journalists.

So Xiao Zhen coughed, bypassing the desired admission from the branch employees, directly sidestepping the error.

"I just came to inspect the branch’s work today; I didn’t mean anything else. As for what happened online, I don’t know at all, so you all must have come for the wrong reasons."

Xiao Zhen’s words clearly distanced himself from the issue. Although the branch employees were indignant, they couldn’t really do anything to the chairman, and could only bottle it up.

At this moment, the assistant who came along with Xiao Zhen was finally relieved. Thinking the chairman was foolish, but was surprised to find the chairman understood now.

Luckily, everything could still be salvaged: "Indeed, the chairman was here to inspect the branch’s business today. It’s said our branch’s business is doing well; we hope you reporters can speak kindly of it. Our branch’s anime industry has been developing excellently. If you reporters are interested, you can interview the branch’s president about his planning in this area."

The assistant’s words elevated the branch’s status and put Xu Ke in the spotlight. The journalists saw the shift in focus, and were puzzled; they were here to instigate trouble, not to interview anyone.

But now, faced with Xiao Group’s chairman, they couldn’t very well say they were here to laugh at Xiao Group, so reluctantly, they nodded and looked at Xu Ke.

"What exactly is the branch’s plan? How did you achieve such status at such a young age? Do you have any secrets? How do you view the Yu Group?"

"Yu Group currently claims you have plagiarized their work. What response do you have to this? The issue is heating up online, and even Yu Group’s chairman indirectly stated Xiao Group is involved in plagiarism. We hope the branch’s president can reply to this."

"Yes, concerning this online issue, what is the president’s view? Please give us a reply, and then we’ll leave."

Although the journalists didn’t want to interview, since they were asked to, it seemed Xiao Zhen and Xu Ke didn’t have good relations, so Xiao Zhen wouldn’t help Xu Ke solve the difficulty. These shrewd journalists thus decided to pose this question, betting Xiao Zhen wouldn’t interfere?

At this time, Su Zining sensed his opportunity. With a bit of effort, he could revoke his future father-in-law’s impression of him. Feeling as though he’d obtained permission, he strode through the crowd to the journalists.

"Actually, as you all know, ever since Xu Ke came to the branch, he’s shown little capability. And my father-in-law promised that this company would eventually be managed by me. Recently, I’ve been learning a lot about the company. In real estate, it has certain advantages, but concerning anime, it’s purely Xu Ke’s daydream, and the anime isn’t doing well."

"If the company is handed over to me, the anime industry will be the first to be abolished, and we’ll continue developing real estate. Although real estate hasn’t been booming in recent years, and many companies in construction materials are flourishing, our Xiao Group’s branch will still enter the market from other angles."

These journalists were waiting for Xu Ke’s response, but instead received an unexpected person claiming the current anime industry wasn’t doing well.

These journalists were internally fuming, wondering if the anime wasn’t good, why Yu Group made such a fuss? It’s something everyone knows; you could ask anyone on the street.

But the person stood before them seemed like a fool, and claiming he would be the branch’s future president couldn’t be believed. Even as Xiao Zhen’s son-in-law, Xiao Zhen hadn’t agreed to hand over the branch; this man was delusional.

At this moment, Xiao Zhen was already furious, knowing the anime wasn’t plagiarized. Moreover, the anime might have potential, listening to Su Zining’s remarks, he thought Su Zining was as thoughtless as a pig, only speaking nonsense.

"Enough, shut up already. When did I say I’d give the branch to you? Besides, Xiao Group has always been under my command."

Despite wanting to see Xu Ke embarrassed, the situation didn’t allow it. Continuing would earn employee resentment; moreover, public perception would be awful, hence the need for careful reconsideration.

Concerning the position of president for Su Zining, Xiao Zhen indeed considered it before but hesitated seeing Xu Ke’s capability, unsure what mess Su Zining might cause, so he hadn’t agreed yet.

At this moment, Su Zining looked like he heard the impossible, eyes widened. How could this be when it was clearly said the branch would be given to him? Now was the chairman misspeaking? Was Xiao Zhen secretly grudging over what happened earlier?

This can’t be; is his fortune slipping away?