Chapter 295: I

"Jiang Feng! You're just seeking attention!"

Zhao Xiong's chest rose and fell violently as he pointed at Jiang Feng's nose, his anger nearly spitting out of his eyes.

"There hasn't been any project of a hundred‑billion scale in the entire Jiangnan Province lately! Even if there were, only top elite families like the Provincial Capital Nine Great Families would be worthy to intervene; not even our Zhao Family has the right to touch it. On what grounds does your Su Family claim? Unless…"

At that point, he suddenly shifted his tone, his gaze darkly sweeping toward Su Ruiqing.

"Could it be that Su Lao, all these years behind our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, has secretly been involved in unsavory dealings with someone?"

"Exactly, exactly!"

Li Kun immediately stepped forward, a false smile on his face.

"After all, Su Lao has been Chamber of Commerce President for over a decade, and in his youth he was a figure in Jiangnan who could cover the sky with one hand; perhaps he truly hides some big business we don't know about!"

His words were laced with barbs, deliberately fanning the flames.

"But Su Lao, you're being far too stingy; if you feast on meat, you should at least let us have some broth, right? Hiding such a huge project and waiting for Jiang Feng to reveal it—doesn't that show a bit of favoritism toward the Su Family?"

"I didn't!"

Su Ruiqing trembled all over with anger.

"I, Su Ruiqing, have lived a clean life; all these years I've been devoted to the public, never doing anything that harms the Chamber of Commerce's interests for personal gain! You cannot slander me like this!"

He has always valued his reputation above all; Zhao Xiong's and Li Kun's words pierced his heart like knives, leaving him both angry and chilled.

The surrounding merchants whispered, their eyes repeatedly scanning Su Ruiqing, half‑believing, half‑doubting.

"Su Lao usually seems quite upright; he doesn't look like the type to do such things, does he?"

"Hard to say, hard to say; this matter is too murky!"

Zhao Xiong looked at Su Ruiqing's helpless demeanor, feeling secretly pleased.

He actually knows better than anyone that Su Ruiqing has truly been devoted to the public all these years.

If Su Ruiqing had even a hint of selfishness, he would have long ago leveraged the Su family's foundation to seize the Jiangcheng Business Circle, leaving no room for the Zhao Family's rise.

But what he wants is Su Ruiqing's downfall and disgrace; only then can he completely replace the Su family's position in Jiangcheng.

So he let out a cold smile.

"Whether true or false, empty words are no proof; I think a thorough investigation is still needed!"

"Everyone should quickly elect a new Chamber of Commerce President, and also form a dedicated investigation team to give Su Lao an answer!"

Su Ruiqing stared at this upside‑down scene, his vision darkening with fury, nearly collapsing, but Su Xueyan steadied him in time.

"Grandfather, don't let anger ruin your health; they did it on purpose!"

Su Xueyan held her grandfather, her eyes full of compassion and concern.

Grandfather sacrificed so much for the Chamber, only to be targeted like this in the end!

She looked at Jiang Feng, hoping he would speak up, but Jiang Feng remained expressionless.

At that moment, a reckless voice suddenly came from the Banquet Hall entrance.

"It's quite lively here; looks like I've come to the right place!"

The crowd turned toward the voice and saw a young man, flanked by two tall black‑clad bodyguards, swaggering in.

He walked unsteadily, his gaze full of contempt, as if he didn't regard any of the present business magnates at all.

Song Zhijun, seeing this, immediately began to calculate in his mind.

This was a perfect chance to make an impression before the new Chamber President candidate Zhao Xiong; if he could drive this clueless youngster out, Zhao Xiong would surely credit him with a great merit, and the Gourmet City hotel project would then have a chance!

He quickly stepped forward, rebuking loudly.

"Where did that little brat come from, daring to cause trouble at our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce Changeover Scene! Get out right now, or don't blame me for being rude!"

While speaking, he furtively glanced at Zhao Xiong, hoping Zhao Xiong would notice his performance…

What he never expected was that Zhao Xiong, upon seeing the youngster, couldn't even attend to the voting ceremony on stage and rushed down from the Chairman's Platform.

He jogged all the way to the youngster, his face beaming brighter than flowers.

"Young Master Ma! Why did you come in person? Why didn't you call ahead so I could bring everyone to the entrance to welcome you!"

"Young Master Ma?"

Song Zhijun froze in place, his heart skipping a beat, a bad premonition rising within him.

Zhao Xiong turned his head, saw Song Zhijun still standing foolishly, and his face darkened instantly.

"Blind your dog eyes! This is the Provincial Capital Ma Family's Ma Jian, Young Master Ma! The Ma Family is one of the Provincial Capital Nine Great Families; how dare you block him? Quickly apologize to Young Master Ma!"

"What? Young Master Ma of the Provincial Capital Ma Family?"

Song Zhijun's face turned pale in an instant, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed.

He never imagined that the one he blocked was the Young Master of the Provincial Capital Ma Family!

The Ma Family's standing in the Provincial Capital surpasses the combined influence of Jiangcheng's Four Great Families; not to mention he's just a small hotel owner— even Zhao Xiong must bow and kowtow before the Ma Family!

He just scolded Ma Jian a moment ago; that's simply daring to tempt fate!

Ma Jian shot Song Zhijun a glance, his gaze full of contempt, not giving him any regard.

"Fine, a small‑time nobody who hasn't seen the world—no point in arguing over price with him."

He paused, his eyes casually sweeping over the whole room, passing over the faces of the business magnates.

Finally, his gaze landed on Jiang Feng.

In that instant, Ma Jian's complexion changed dramatically.

He instinctively stepped back half a pace, his voice trembling.

"You… how are you here?"

Zhao Xiong, unaware of Ma Jian's oddity, hurried forward, his face plastered with a smile as he flattered.

"Young Master Ma, you also know this kid?"

He pointed at Jiang Feng, his tone thick with contempt and mockery, trying to show off in front of Young Master Ma.

"This kid is the Su Family's Upper Son-in-law, called Jiang Feng, and he's extremely arrogant!"

"Not only does he intend to represent the Su Family in withdrawing from our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, but he also shamelessly says that if it's not a Hundred‑billion‑yuan project, the Su Family won't do it at all! Young Master Ma, do you think this person is insanely reckless? Hahaha!"

"But his Laughter lasted for a while, and he didn't hear Ma Jian's assent; instead, he sensed the surrounding atmosphere becoming more and more oppressive."

"He looked up in confusion, only to find that Ma Jian's complexion had become extremely unsightly."

"Young Master Ma, what's wrong with you?"

"Zhao Xiong asked in confusion, 'Was what I just said not funny?'"

"Or is Young Master Ma naturally not fond of Laughter?"

"But as soon as his words fell, a crisp, loud slap—'Slap!'—burst through the Banquet Hall!"

"Suddenly, Ma Jian raised his hand and struck Zhao Xiong's face with a hard slap."

"The force of that slap was immense; Zhao Xiong was struck so hard that he spun half a circle on the spot, and the corner of his mouth instantly swelled red."

"He was stunned, and everyone present was stunned as well!"

"The Banquet Hall fell silent in an instant, everyone widened their eyes, looking at the scene before them in disbelief."

"Zhao Xiong covered his face, staring blankly at Ma Jian, his eyes full of bewilderment."

"Young Master Ma... you... why did you hit me?"

"He truly couldn't understand; he was clearly trying to please Ma Jian, so why was he suddenly hit?"

"Ma Jian's chest rose and fell violently as he pointed at Zhao Xiong, so angry that his whole body trembled."

"How the hell do you still have the nerve to ask? Do you know who you were talking about just now?"

"Immediately, Ma Jian ran to Jiang Feng's front, bowing his waist: 'Master Jiang, I... I didn't know you were here! Please forgive me! I didn't intend to cause trouble!'"