CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 169 DISCUSSION (REQUESTING SUBSCRIPTION)

The persistent, melancholic drizzle outside continued, marking the start of lunch, which Zhou Xinnian referred to as the daytime meal.

At a large round table, Yuchi sat in a less conspicuous position, showing no inclination to regard himself as the guest of honor.

Regarding the so-called dining position theory, his seat was like the position for someone who’s just passing by, the kind of place where ordinary diners sit.

Zhou Xinnian, Fang Xiang, and a middle-aged man from the Wu Family occupied the main seats, while others were spread out accordingly.

The lineup at this table was somewhat extravagant.

Foremost were the three major families selling clothes in Jiangzhou City.

Together, these three families owned all the well-known clothing shops in Jiangzhou City.

Besides them, there were families from other towns.

When it came to dining, only one person from each family would be allowed at the main table, while others were arranged to dine in another hall.

Even so, the number of people easily reached eighteen.

Besides Yuchi, there were three from Jiangzhou City and eighteen from other towns.

The eighteen represented heads from families of eighteen different towns.

Not just anyone could come as family heads; they must at least hold one or two tenths of the garment market in each town to qualify.

Dish after dish was served.

In a brief silence, Zhou Xinnian stood up, waved his hands awkwardly, saying, "Everyone, please eat, please eat..."

Yet no one picked up their chopsticks.

The awkwardness was palpable.

Until Yuchi, standing nonchalantly, picked something unknown with his chopsticks and placed it in his bowl.

He began to eat slowly and methodically.

It was only then that others started to follow suit, eating quietly and without a word.

Those who knew might understand it was a family meal.

For outsiders, due to the red and green waistcoats on the attendees, it might seem like a terrifying ritual process involving borrowing life longevity.

The hall was decorated very quaintly, with a massive round table in the center.

The windows on both sides were open, allowing a slight foggy drizzle to blow in.

The wind gently rustled the tall green plants at the edges of the walls, causing some ancient calligraphy and paintings on the walls to softly sound.

Upon closer listening, the sound of chopsticks striking bowls was almost inaudible.

As though eating the final meal inside a cell.

A death row meal!

The weather was incredibly chilly, and everyone eating was sweating coldly from their backs.

No one dared to look around; they merely kept their heads down in silent eating, perhaps respecting the food for the first time at such a banquet.

For Zhou Xinnian at the main seat, eating these expensive foods was like chewing wax.

Beside him, Wu Shi had already nudged him with his knee, prompting him to turn and glance at Wu Shi discreetly.

Wu Shi signaled with his eyes towards Yuchi, the message was unmistakably clear.

"Will you just speak already! We’re suffocated by this atmosphere!"

"Why on earth aren’t you saying anything?"

Zhou Xinnian glared back, implying that it was the matter of the three families, how could he speak up alone?

On his right, Fang Xiang of the Fang Family also nudged him with her elbow.

"Speak up quickly."

"Otherwise, if you don’t speak now, there won’t be another chance later."

"What if the Commerce Association makes some decisions, will we be able to withstand them then?"

Zhou Xinnian was painfully silent, repeatedly rehearsing situations in his mind.

As he swallowed the food in his mouth, he took a sip of tea to rinse his mouth.

Then, he carefully stood up, bowing slightly.

Others noticed this immediately and put down their chopsticks, assuming a posture ready to listen intently.

Zhou Xinnian then looked towards Yuchi eating cheerfully.

Clearing his throat, he said seriously:

"First, I warmly welcome all of you to Jiangzhou City."

"I am grateful that you managed to join us at my Zhou Family’s place for lunch despite your busy schedules."

"It’s truly a great honor for me, Zhou Xinnian, to invite you all here!"

After saying this, the room was dead silent.

Everyone couldn’t help but glance at Yuchi.

Seeing that he didn’t react at all, Wu Shi and Fang Xiang almost started cursing.

"Can’t you, Zhou Xinnian, just get straight to the point?"

"Why are you saying all these irrelevant things!"

"If you can’t say, then don’t speak!"

Zhou Xinnian was on the verge of tears, the cold wind blowing inside from outside, he hurriedly continued:

"Um..."

"Ahem, then taking this opportunity, on behalf of Jiangzhou City’s Zhou Family, Fang Family, and Wu Family, I’d like to announce something..."

"Given that President Yuchi has come to visit our Jiangzhou City."

"I feel that we need to offer one percent of our clothing selling market as a welcome gesture for Mr. President’s joining!"

Zhou Xinnian, Fang Xiang, and Wu Shi had already discussed this privately.

Yuchi represented the Xufu Town United Commerce Association, which surely couldn’t be left unaddressed.

Rather than letting the Commerce Association become a terrifying enemy in the future, it was better to yield now.

Proactively share one percent of the original selling channels used for collaboration with other towns.

Giving this channel to the Commerce Association would enable garments from Xufu Town to enter Jiangzhou City.

Don’t underestimate this one percent selling channel, channels are always incredibly important, even more so than the products themselves.