CHAPTER 1040: CHAPTER 1037: THE THREE ELDERS

Who would show up at this critical moment? Judging by the situation, it seems they oppose the voting results? One question after another popped into people’s minds.

Nobody noticed that Shen Liyan slightly bowed his head as he sat there, but a trace of a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth after hearing the voice from outside, revealing a meaningful smile.

Lin Tian furrowed his brow; it seemed there was a change in the situation. In times like this, those who come are not kind, and those who are kind do not come. From that "wait a minute," it was clear that the newcomer had ill intentions.

He glanced at Yun Haoyu and Ning Weirong, noticing that these two Family Heads also frowned, seemingly already knowing who had arrived from outside.

Not long after the voice sounded, several people appeared at the entrance of the hall. Seeing these people, all the businessmen stood up to welcome them, for the newcomers were all elders, with one at the front leaning on a cane.

There were three elders in total, each with gray hair. The elder at the front was leaning on a jet-black cane, polished smooth near the handle, and though the hand holding the cane was covered with old skin, it was very steady.

The skin on the elder’s face had numerous wrinkles, but the white hair was combed neatly. His gaze, as it swept across, was quite imposing, and with his mouth pursed, he appeared to be a stern and serious person.

Yun Haoyu personally stood up to greet them. He came before the elders and saluted them one by one, saying, "Elder Shen, Mr. Qian, Elder Zhao, what brings you the interest to come to Ziwei Garden today?"

"If I hadn’t come, the Commerce would be scattered by you youngsters." The cane-wielding elder glanced at Yun Haoyu and said expressionlessly.

Although Yun Haoyu is the chair, he could not put on airs in front of the elders. He could only force a smile and invite the three elders to sit at the main seats.

Although there was no distinction of seating seniority at the Yunhua Commerce gatherings, the order of age was still observed. The north-facing position in the hall was the main seat, as there was an ancient saying, "Facing south is honorable, facing north is submissive." Therefore, Yun Haoyu arranged for the three elders to sit in the south-facing seats to show respect for the elderly.

Seeing the imposing demeanor of these elders, Lin Tian whispered to Miss, "Miss, who are these three elders?"

Miss glanced at the three elders and softly said, "The one with the cane is Shen Yuankui, the elder of the Shen Family and Shen Liyan’s father. The one on the left is Qian Wanguan, the elder of the Qian Family and Qian Jin’s father. The one on the right is Zhao Xuehai, the elder of the Zhao Family and Boss Zhao’s father."

"The elders from the three major families have all arrived, and the timing is just right. This must be a premeditated plan. The Xiao Family’s path to the chairmanship seems to be facing obstacles," Lin Tian said with a shake of his head.

Even though Miss was elected chair through the regulations, these rules depend on whose hands they are in. Besides, in Huaxia, personal relationships are often valued over rules.

If these elders used their age to oppose the election results stubbornly, Miss’s position as chair might be nullified.

Miss nodded slightly, agreeing with Lin Tian’s words, "It’s no surprise. If Qian Jin had smoothly become chair, the elders wouldn’t show up. Now that I’ve been elected, they of course come out to oppose it. With their prestige and status as elders, neither Uncle Ning nor Uncle Yun can stop them."

"Oh, it seems your chances of becoming chair are dashed," Lin Tian said with a smile.

"Lin Tian, you’re still in the mood to smile. If my sister cannot become chair, then Qian Jin will. If he becomes chair, he will surely target the Xiao Family. He’s eager for the Xiao Family’s resources," Xiao Manxuan said, throwing a worried glance at Lin Tian.

"They’re elders; it’s not like I can go up and beat them, right?" Lin Tian said, spreading his hands.

Miss glanced at him and said, "You seem so calm; have you already thought of a solution?"

"No solution so far, but I am waiting for someone. Don’t ask; you will know when the time comes," Lin Tian said mysteriously.

Miss shook her head and said helplessly, "You never play by the rules. Nobody knows what you want to do. Anyway, you’re now a shareholder of the Xiao Group. If Qian Jin becomes chair, it won’t benefit you at all."

It sounded like she was playing the pity card, and it was the first time Lin Tian heard Miss say something like that. He couldn’t help but smile, "Is Miss planning to latch onto me?"

Miss’s face turned red, and she snorted, "Hmph, who’s latching onto you, narcissist."

Seeing Miss’s thin skin, Lin Tian chuckled internally and stopped teasing her, lest the little girl blush even more.

After the three elders came in, everyone remained silent, but they all knew very well that Elder Shen bringing the elders of the Qian and Zhao Families suddenly was surely for the new chair’s election at the Commerce.

"Elder Shen, you’re just in time. We have just elected the new chair," Yun Haoyu, of course, understood the purpose of the three elders, so he deliberately spoke first to break the silence.

Shen Yuankui turned his head to look at Yun Haoyu and said calmly, "Mr. Yun, tell us who the new chair is?"

Lin Tian pouted, thoroughly despising Shen Yuankui. This was clearly playing dumb. If you didn’t know who won the election, would you suddenly visit Ziwei Garden?

Yun Haoyu replied, "Xiao Family, Xiao Manxue."

"Which Xiao Family?" Shen Yuankui said coldly.

Yun Haoyu knew that Shen Yuankui was playing dumb, but he still patiently replied, "Xikou City’s Xiao Family. The current head is Li Xinyi, and Xiao Manxue is her eldest daughter."

Shen Yuankui seemed to have a sudden realization and said, "Li Xinyi’s eldest daughter?"

"That’s right; Xiao Manxue’s abilities are evident to everyone, and she was unanimously elected..." Yun Haoyu said.

"I disagree. Such an important position as chair should not be blocked by a small family, especially not a little girl. What experience does she have to manage the Commerce, and how can she lead it to greater glory?" Shen Yuankui interrupted Yun Haoyu before he could finish, vehemently opposing Xiao Manxue’s election as chair.

As if knowing in advance that Shen Yuankui would say this, Yun Haoyu said undaunted, "Elder Shen, forgive my rudeness, but the election rules for the chair were set by the first-generation founders and members. You do not have the right to change them."

Shen Yuankui squinted his eyes and said coldly, "Yun Haoyu, are you trying to use rules against me? Hmph, when I was setting the rules, you were still in diapers. You may be chair, but I’m still an elder of the Commerce. Today, I’ve called Brother Qian and Brother Zhao, two elders, to jointly oppose the election results."

Qian Wanguan and Zhao Xuehai nodded in agreement, supporting Shen Yuankui’s statement.

Lin Tian knew that being an elder is not like being on the Elder Council, and the Commerce does not have such an institution. Elders have real power, but the so-called elders are just respectfully addressed by the younger generations, holding no real power, and having no position within the Commerce. They had no authority to arbitrarily change the Commerce’s rules and regulations.

Of course, many businessmen, due to personal relations or fear of these elders’ influence, often remained silent about their behavior.