CHAPTER 282: CHAPTER 282 INVESTMENT

"Ah? What should we do if we can’t recruit anyone? If we keep failing to find candidates, the board will surely be dissatisfied with you, maybe..." The assistant glanced at the man sitting at the head, his expression showing hesitation.

"Are you trying to say that maybe they’ll push me out of this position?" Xu Ke paused what he was doing, looked up at his assistant, and with a confident smile said, "Since I made this decision, it means I have a way to solve it. I won’t let you lose your job, so you don’t need to worry about anything else. Just focus on doing your job well."

"By the way, make me a cup of coffee." Xu Ke commanded and then lowered his head again.

Three days quickly passed. Logically, for a big company like the Xu Corporation, when recruitment information is released, it might not attract people in droves, but it surely shouldn’t be as deserted as it was. However, the reality was just that; after three days, there wasn’t a single applicant’s call. The entire company’s eyes were on Xu Ke, wanting to see how he planned to resolve this.

But from Xu Ke to his assistant, the two of them worked as usual every day, appearing no different from before, making it impossible to guess his next plan.

In a slightly dim room, clouds of smoke filled the air.

"What do you think he’s up to? It’s been three days, and he hasn’t done anything. Has he already given up completely?" A slightly hoarse voice rang out inside the room, unpleasant like sandpaper scraping against wood.

"A kid who’s still wet behind the ears; even if he’s plotting some grand move behind the scenes, how powerful could it possibly be? Sun Wukong is destined not to escape Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain." In another corner of the room, a man extinguished his cigarette, and the glowing embers dissipated into the room.

"Right. By the way, did you hear the news? A few days ago, wasn’t Old Hu’s daughter sent to a mental hospital? I just got the news yesterday that old Hu had a stroke. Now there’s only a pregnant woman left at home to hold things together. I reckon it must be his precious daughter who stressed him into illness. The kids you bring into this world are all liabilities!" the hoarse voice said with a tone of lament.

"Who doesn’t say so?" another voice softly echoed.

Elsewhere, Xu Ke received an invitation from the young master of the Sheng Family, Sheng Wenhao, and after telling Lin Mengyao, he headed to the agreed location.

By the time Xu Ke arrived, the private room was already full, except for an empty seat next to Sheng Wenhao.

"As expected of my brother Xu Ke, such a good friend. One call and you actually showed up." Sheng Wenhao stood up from his seat upon seeing Xu Ke, smiling, walked over to Xu Ke, and gave him a friendly punch on the chest, followed by a bear hug.

"It’s great, seeing you again. I never thought I’d live to climb out of that godforsaken place and be able to meet two old friends and see this bustling world again." Sheng Wenhao’s voice was choked, and although his eyes turned slightly red out of sight, fortunately, only Xu Ke, closest to him, heard his choked voice, avoiding being ridiculed.

"Yeah, I didn’t expect the day would come when we’d crawl out." Xu Ke returned Sheng Wenhao’s hug, rare tears and joy appearing in his eyes.

"Why are you two big men hugging endlessly?" Sheng Wenhao’s cousin, Sheng Yi, said in a teasing tone.

With someone leading, others gained the courage to chime in, whistling or shouting, "That’s right."

The atmosphere in the private room heated up immediately.

"Be careful of Sheng Yi." Sheng Wenhao took the opportunity while others were heckling to whisper in Xu Ke’s ear, then casually released Xu Ke and walked back to his seat, tapping the spot beside him and looking at Xu Ke, "Don’t just stand there like an idiot, come and sit. We haven’t seen each other for a long time and should have a good chat."

Xu Ke had a slight smile on his face, looking as if he hadn’t heard Sheng Wenhao’s words at all, lightly stepping over to sit beside Sheng Wenhao, teasing, "Four years have passed and you’ve turned this dark. I can’t even see you when the lights go out at night."

"Is it my fault?" Sheng Wenhao touched his much rougher skin, sighed lamentably, and said, "You guys know the weather in Africa. The sun is not only big and scorching, but the daytime is extraordinarily long. When I stay outside for a day, it’s hard not to be tan." Sheng Wenhao shook his head as he spoke, which unwittingly chilled Sheng Yi who sat beside him.

"It’s hard to believe that my cousin became so hardworking after going to Africa. I still remember how you used to race cars recklessly a few years ago. If Second Uncle and Second Aunt knew how sensible you’ve become, they would be overjoyed." Sheng Yi looked at Sheng Wenhao’s darkened face, showing an unexpectedly pleased expression, which made Sheng Wenhao’s teeth ache.

"Heh, maybe." Sheng Wenhao said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the private room became awkward due to Sheng Wenhao’s cold laugh. Sheng Yi glanced at Sheng Wenhao’s attitude and then at Xu Ke’s expression, noticing nothing special, finally relaxed inside. However, when others weren’t paying attention, he cast an inexplicably cold glance at Sheng Wenhao.

"Now that everyone is here, waiter, serve the dishes. We’ll talk while eating." Sheng Yi instructed the waiter, then said with a smile to everyone in the room.

"It’s been years since we last saw you. I remember when you hadn’t left Shangjing; you were practically a role model for us all. Of course, you still are now. While we’re leisurely enjoying life at home, you’ve started taking on the family business. We can’t keep up with you." Sheng Yi filled Xu Ke’s wine glass and, with a smile in his voice, said.

"Honestly, we all know you’re busy with work, but since Wenhao rarely comes back, we thought of calling you out to gather. Didn’t expect you’d actually grace us with your presence. Come, this drink is my toast to you." Sheng Yi finished, picking up his own filled glass, and while everyone else hadn’t reacted, tilted back and emptied his glass.

Sheng Yi displayed his empty glass in front of Xu Ke, then signaled Xu Ke with his eyes.

Xu Ke watched Sheng Yi’s expression, amidst the silent urging and expectation in his eyes, ignoring Sheng Wenhao’s concern, he drained his glass in one gulp.

"However, you’ve always never come without a reason, so what’s the actual purpose for calling me here this time?" Xu Ke leaned back unconsciously, no longer showing a trace of the youth he once was.