Chapter 402 The Mediator

Every circle has its important figures. There might be several ones or just two or three of them. For example, as for the several ones who had stood up for Du Xuan and Ding Wen in the beginning, they were the important figures of their social circle. Du Xuan and Ding Wen had nothing but marginal roles. However, in each social circle, there must be only one life and soul. If one more life and soul showed up, the social circle would be divided into two smaller circles. As for Du Xuan’s social circle, Chen Taihe was the important figure.

Though Ma Weiyang had called him Director Chen sarcastically, it was clear that Chen Taihe had been a department-level cadre in his 30s. As for whether he was one at the department level or the a.s.sistant department level, it was unknown. Coming from an influential family, he was quite capable. Moreover, he knew how to get along well with others. It was no wonder that he could become an important figure of this circle.

Though he had said that he would deal with this issue emotionally, if they were not justifiable, it would be lame for them to make a big scene here. There was a huge difference between being justifiable and being unjustifiable. For example, if they were justifiable, however big the trouble was, it would be easier for their elders to clear up the mess for them. However, if they were unjustifiable, it would not be easy for their fathers to handle the issue.

However, since the incident had taken place, as a backbone of his circle, never would Chen Taihe flinch. He had to stand up for the people in his social circle. Otherwise, how should he deal with the reputation of his social circle? How should he convince the people he was in charge of?

It was clear that they were unjustifiable since Du Xuan had struck out first. Even if Chen Taihe had shown up and helped them, he was not that confident at all. However, if they were unjustifiable, he would make them justifiable. He tried to achieve his goal by underhanded means and shifting the focus, directly a.s.serting that Qin Sheng had beaten his people very hard. It was supposed to be an ordinary conflict. However, Qin Sheng had crossed the line a bit by hitting Du Xuan and Ding Wen so hard. If they met with a mishap, who should be responsible?

As the saying goes, it’s better to destroy one’s mind than destroy one’s body. Admittedly, it was pretty smart and quick-witted of Chen Taihe to find the most favorable excuse so quickly.

Though Chen Taihe’s family was powerful, Ma Weiyang did not take him seriously at all. After all, the elders in his family had stepped down. As the saying goes, he who is not in any particular office has nothing to do with the plans of the administration. Ma Weiyang’s father-in-law was still in charge, which was an advantage to her. For the same reason, Chen Taihe was not afraid of Ma Weiyang at all. Though his elders were no longer in charge, their remaining power was still there. Moreover, they, who were not even friends, had not been connected.

However, Song h.e.s.h.eng showing up broke the ice. That was because, in a sense, Song h.e.s.h.eng could be counted as the life and soul of the circle that Ma Weiyang and Qin Ran were in. This circle was somewhat special. In the beginning, it had been made up of close and sworn friends. As they grew up, they got to know more and more friends. Consequently, the circle evolved into a bigger one gradually, and there were various small circles inside the big one. However, Song h.e.s.h.eng was the only life and soul from the beginning to the end.

Rationally speaking, the elders of Song h.e.s.h.eng’s family all worked in lower departments, who would step down soon. No one among his relatives was in a high position. How could he convince these rich playboys? After all, in this circle, if none of the elders in your family were currently in charge or had ever taken a position in the Central Committee and so on, you would be shy to greet others. If your family elders had ever taken a higher position by one rank, you would be the absolute life and soul of this circle, which explained Ma Weiyang’s social status in this circle. However, Ma Weiyang did not care about these rules at all. Moreover, she was a female who would not pursue an official career.

Then how could Song h.e.s.h.eng become the important figure of this circle?

The reason was quite simple. That was because his grandfather was quite awesome authentically, whose life experience was well known. Ever since his childhood, Song h.e.s.h.eng’s family had great expectations for him. He had been praised by many tyc.o.o.ns. That was the reason why he had made his current achievements.

At this time, as Song h.e.s.h.eng showed up, everybody on the scene knew the situation would get more and more interesting. After all, Song h.e.s.h.eng and Chen Taihe were not on good terms. Moreover, what Song h.e.s.h.eng had said was somewhat tough. It was clear that he had refuted Chen Taihe directly. Did Chen Taihe want an explanation? The answer was yes. In this case, Song h.e.s.h.eng would see what kind of explanation Chen Taihe was looking for.

Consequently, the conflict escalated, transforming itself into a battle between Song h.e.s.h.eng and Chen Taihe.

Chen Taihe squinted his eyes and said hypocritically, “Lao Song, what do you mean?” It did not occur to him that Song h.e.s.h.eng would step up, which was somewhat troublesome.

The look in Song h.e.s.h.eng’s eyes was somewhat disdainful. He took a glimpse at Qin Sheng casually and said, “Qin Sheng is not only Qin Ran’s biological brother but also my brother. He just paid his Spring Festival tribute to my grandfather this morning. Do you still want an explanation?”

What Song h.e.s.h.eng had said ascertained Qin Sheng’s ident.i.ty. n.o.body doubted the relationship between Qin Sheng and Qin Ran anymore. Moreover, Song h.e.s.h.eng had leaked the piece of news on purpose, which was that Qin Sheng had just paid a Spring Festival tribute to Old Master Song.

For a moment, Chen Taihe did not know how he should respond. After all, though Song h.e.s.h.eng had mentioned Old Master Song, he had done so to stand up for Qin Sheng at his side instead of himself. Chen Taihe was not willing to bring up his elders to stand up for Du Xuan. After all, they were not that close. Most importantly, since Qin Sheng’s ident.i.ty had been confirmed, he needed to deal with Qin Sheng’s father behind him. Du Xuan’s and Ding Wen’s family backgrounds were nothing at all in the eyes of the Qin Family, who would not even bother to pay attention to them. Could it be that Chen Taihe intended to take on all of the issues?

Song h.e.s.h.eng clashed with Chen Taihe, which made the atmosphere intense instantly. As for those who were in the epicenter of the conflict, they were competing against each other in secret. As for those on-lookers outside, they were indifferent, drinking red wine and enjoying the show leisurely.

At this time, if neither of the parties gave the other party a way out, they probably would have a falling out. After all, he who stepped back at this time would be greatly ashamed. However, the mediator should be weighty; otherwise, they would not be ent.i.tled to mediate. However, those weighty ones were not necessarily willing to tread on the muddy water, which might be a thankless mission.

However, in the end, someone had to show up as a mediator. After all, the scene could not keep getting bigger and bigger. Otherwise, it would be totally out of control.

At this moment, a man dressed in a gray shirt walked over slowly while accompanied by one man and one woman. He smiled casually and said, “Lao Chen, Lao Song, what are you two doing? It is just a small misunderstanding, which will be solved if you apologize to each other. Why are you acting like those who are irreconcilable due to a family feud?” He did not take the petty issue seriously at all. Nor did he fear that the two would ignore him. That was because if Lao Chen and Lao Song did ignore him, they would be somewhat insensible. He did so to find a way out for both of them. Each party should be half responsible for the current situation. There were only two people on the scene who could be a mediator. However, as the other one was flirting with the girls in the corner, he had no choice but to play the part. If they let this chance slip through their hands, they could just continue making a scene freely.

As the man showed up, everybody on the scene knew that the show would be no longer interesting and it was time for the conflict to end. Otherwise, it would go a little too far.

Chen Taihe took the initiative to admit his mistake. He couldn’t back Du Xuan and Ding Wen up anymore. Nor was he capable of doing that. That was because if he intended to continue supporting them, he would need to pay a pretty high price. Consequently, he said in a hurry, “Sixth Brother, you are right. It is just a small misunderstanding. Several young people were in petty conflict. Du Xuan, it is your fault since you fought first. Apologize to him.”

The look on Du Xuan’s face changed constantly. It did not occur to him that such a petty issue would cause such a big scene. He could not help blaming himself in secret that he had been too impulsive a moment ago. Not only had he been beaten but he had also become a joke. Meanwhile, he had offended many people. After this issue was over, he would be rebuked by Brother Chen, that much was certain. Moreover, he would owe Brother Chen a big favor. All in all, he needed to pay a double penalty.

It did not occur to him that Cao Yufeng had known such an influential person who would dare to help him out here. Following that, so many important figures had been involved. If he had known that, he would not have offended Cao Yufeng.

Du Xuan looked at Qin Sheng. The look on his face was pretty ghastly. After all, this was the first time he had suffered such a great loss. Though he had been beaten, he needed to apologize. In the end, he gritted his teeth as he said, “I’m sorry.”

However, at this time, Qin Sheng said, “It’s not me who you should apologize to.”

After Qin Sheng finished his words, some people changed the looks on their faces. However, what Qin Sheng had said was right, which was not faulty at all.

Du Xuan lowered his head. The look in his eyes was quite vicious. There were enmity and malice between him and Qin Sheng. He had to get revenge on Qin Sheng for what he had done to him today, however long it would take him.

As the saying goes, a great man knows when to yield and when not to. Du Xuan thought, “Why do I feel ashamed to do that? It’s just lowering my head in front of Cao Yufeng.” Though he hated to do so, he had no other way out at this time. Consequently, before Chen Taihe spoke, he raised his head and said to Cao Yufeng again, “I’m sorry.”

Since Du Xuan had apologized, it was Qin Sheng’s turn now. Others all looked at Qin Sheng. Even Song h.e.s.h.eng said in a low voice, “Qin Sheng.”

If not for the important figure and the concern that this issue would become more and more serious, never would Qin Ran ask Qin Sheng to lower his head and apologize. However, she had no other way out now. Otherwise, she would end up offending too many people.

Qin Sheng said plainly, “Sorry for the hard beating a moment ago.” What he had said seemed to be an ambiguous apology. It sounded much more like a taunting.

As Du Xuan heard his words, he was at a loss as he thought, “What the h.e.l.l. Are you f**king apologizing to me?”

The look on Song h.e.s.h.eng’s face changed somewhat. He felt a little angry as well as relieved. Chen Taihe stared at Qin Sheng closely and thought, “Did you intend to shame me?” As for the man who had taken the initiative to be a mediator, he eyed Qin Sheng up and down thoughtfully and wondered why Qin Sheng was so bold.

Others thought of Qin Sheng’s apology from different perspectives. However, at this moment, no one dared to speak. As for the group of people including Qin Ran and Ma Weiyang, they found it funny and did not know whether they should laugh or cry. In secret, they gave a thumbs-up for Qin Sheng and thought that Qin Sheng had taken such great advantage of Du Xuan.

In the end, Chen Taihe could not help himself anymore and said, “Is it over?”

The mediator was no longer patient. He put his arms around Chen Taihe’s shoulders as he said, “That’s it, Lao Chen. Let’s call a halt to it before it is too late. Lao Chen, Lao Song, let’s go drinking. Don’t let this petty issue discourage us.”

Chen Taihe had no choice but to be pulled away. He had been disgraced today. Song h.e.s.h.eng also took his leave. However, before he left, he took a glimpse at Qin Sheng again for a while. The look in his eyes was somewhat playful.

Those tyc.o.o.ns had left, which called a halt to the conflict. This conflict ended up with nothing definitive. Only those who did not want to be alive anymore would choose to continue making trouble.

Ma Weiyang held on to Qin Sheng’s arms, chuckled, and said, “Brother, don’t stand here. Let’s go drinking.”

Qin Sheng was not anxious to leave. Instead, he looked at Cao Yufeng and the woman by his side and smiled as he said, “Let’s go, Lao Er. Time for us to catch up.”

They swaggered off and went to where they had sat a moment ago. The group of people with Du Xuan and Ding Wen were also pulled away. Since they had suffered a big loss, they did not want to stay there anymore. As for the on-lookers, they had retreated earlier than them. After all, the show was now over.

Cao Yufeng, who was following behind Qin Sheng closely, found what had happened today funny and did not know whether he should laugh or cry. Meanwhile, he was somewhat puzzled…