Chapter 56: The Gateway to High Society

Before lunchtime, Yu Chengmin’s office was finally set up to her satisfaction. She was quite pleased, just as she’d been with the task she’d assigned him yesterday, though she would never say so. Instead, she kept her head down, fiddling with her things, and then looked up. “Is there anything else?”

Xiao Ma was momentarily at a loss, uncertain of her meaning.

“Are you expecting me to praise you?” Yu Chengmin removed her anti-radiation glasses and gazed at him with curiosity.

“I actually am. How did you know?” Ma Weimin replied, feigning nervousness.

Yu Chengmin leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment. “But isn’t this your job? Why should I give you the satisfaction of being pleased with yourself?”

“But neither should you make me upset,” Xiao Ma retorted.

“If doing your own work makes you upset, then you’re in the wrong world,” she replied, slipping her glasses back on and returning to her task.

He knew she was right, but that didn’t stop a touch of resentment from creeping into his thoughts. This witch—was she really any better than Ni Feihong?

This time, Yu Chengmin didn’t even look up. “What is it now? If you have something to say, say it. Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“I’ve heard some rumors,” Xiao Ma said, “Is it true you want Ni Feihong out?”

Yu Chengmin kept her head down, responding absentmindedly, “Do you think that’s your concern?”

“I think it is. If it’s bad for the company, employees have every right to voice their opinions.”

Now, Yu Chengmin paused, removed her glasses again, and replied calmly, “Fine, I’ll give you two minutes. Go on.”

“She’s actually quite endearing…” Xiao Ma began.

“That’s not a reason,” Yu Chengmin interrupted with a shake of her head. “One hundred and ten seconds left.”

Xiao Ma, frustrated, pressed on. “She’s exceptional at picking, training, and managing talent. Take me, for example—I was only hired because she corrected an initial decision to blacklist me. I had a terrible attitude, and she turned me around.”

Yu Chengmin stopped keeping track of time, nodding slightly. “Go on.”

Xiao Ma continued, “The world doesn’t revolve around any one person, but her abilities, image, and reputation all benefit the company. Her network may not be as vast as yours, but her influence is a valuable asset.”

“Is that all?” Yu Chengmin blinked at him.

Xiao Ma nodded. “That’s it for now. If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know.”

Yu Chengmin replied, “You make some sense, but your examples and details are lacking. Screw Ni Feihong. Just focus on your own work.”

Well, that was… something.

Just how much did she resent Ni Feihong?

In truth, Yu Chengmin acknowledged that Xiao Ma had a point, but it was nothing she hadn’t already considered. If only he could offer something new. He really had no idea about the forces at play. She was under a lot of pressure—later that afternoon, she would have to meet with those Spaniards on the cruise ship and explain everything. Without these acquisition and expansion plans, there’d be big trouble. But as long as Ni Feihong was around, these plans would surely be blocked. That was precisely because of her influence and capability.

“Hey, nerd, aren’t you leaving? Don’t tell me you want to cry in my office?” Yu Chengmin looked at him, half appalled.

Xiao Ma shook his head. “No. I just wanted to say, I need to take the afternoon off for something.”

So long as he didn’t keep meddling in matters he didn’t understand, Yu Chengmin was actually easier to deal with than Ni Feihong. She nodded. “Fine, go ahead. Just keep your phone on so I can reach you. I won’t be here this afternoon, either.”

Xiao Ma left feeling rather pleased. Now he could take Feng Chenchen on the cruise in the afternoon. He didn’t particularly care for it, but Feng Chenchen was enthusiastic, and it was, after all, a necessary step in taming the “witch.”

From time to time, Xiao Ma drifted over to Ni Feihong’s office. She greeted him with a smile. “Settling into your new job? I was going to treat you to a farewell lunch yesterday, but you didn’t show. Now you’re acting all aloof again?”

With a strange expression, Xiao Ma said, “I tried to persuade President Yu to let you stay, but I just spent ages talking to her without success.”

Ni Feihong rolled her eyes, thinking he truly didn’t understand the real power at play. As if Yu Chengmin would listen to him.

Still, she appreciated the thought and didn’t comment further. She changed the subject. “Screw Yu Chengmin! Anyway, I’m free right now—if you want to stay, let’s talk about something else.”

“I’ve taken the afternoon off,” Xiao Ma said quickly. “I wanted to invite you somewhere…”

Ni Feihong shook her head. “Thanks, but I already have plans. There’s an important event I need to attend.”

Xiao Ma couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed, but he let the matter drop.

But the disappointment was mild—he hadn’t really expected her to accept on the first try. He was impulsive, but not an idiot.

After Xiao Ma left, Ni Feihong opened her laptop to check, and confirmed she’d received the invitation to the Poseidon’s “Haizhou Station” cruise.

Of course, Ni Feihong would always be invited to such events; from every perspective, it was essential for her to attend. The people who showed up were a mixed crowd—some there to show off, some to network, some with business to conduct. In essence, it was a club or a bar on water, with a glamorous pretext like “charity” to bring together the movers and shakers of various circles.

Just as a bar needs dazzling beauties to draw a crowd, these events needed social “glue.” The most popular figures got invited for free, just as beautiful women in bars received free drinks and entry. As long as you had enough influence and attention, you’d be invited at no cost.

Since all the “beauties” in the circle loved the exposure and opportunity, few ever turned down such invitations—like fish to water. The real stars not only got in for free, but sometimes received a share of the proceeds—a customary perk. Other significant figures from various fields were also formally invited; Ni Feihong was among them.

The rest could gain entrance by making a donation under the guise of charity—a thinly-veiled ticket purchase.

Admission for each Poseidon event wasn’t cheap or exorbitant—about a hundred thousand dollars. Plenty of people could afford it, but small-time bosses had no reason to go: they wouldn’t get noticed, nor fit in. It wasn’t about the ticket price.

As long as there were slots left, bigger local tycoons would show up—some for the spectacle, some to seize the chance to meet someone usually out of reach, some just to bask in the aura of high society and make themselves feel like insiders.

These various tycoons were the backbone of this so-called “high society,” much like the masses uphold the nation. The prominent figures, like Ni Feihong, served as the social glue.

Ni Feihong knew it was all a tiresome game, but after such rules and inertia had taken root, this had become a platform—a storm she had no choice but to ride. Anyone who avoided such occasions was truly clueless about power. Even Ni Feihong couldn’t have made “The Fairest” magazine a success without attending; her presence at these events was the magazine’s greatest exposure and endorsement—a key part of her role.

Even if this were her last time representing “The Fairest,” she had to do it well. Whether she went on to start her own business or sought a new position elsewhere, she would still need this kind of exposure. Such was the life of a drifting guest at society’s feast, a tradition stretching back to the Spring and Autumn period of the East…

Xiao Ma brought his lunchbox into Yu Chengmin’s office, eating like a lord. Then his phone rang—Feng Chenchen was calling. “Come down, I’m picking you up. Let’s take a stroll on the Poseidon.”

Without hesitation, Xiao Ma left the office behind…