Chapter 402 - The Mediator (1/2)
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 assistant 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 asserting 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 Hesheng showing up broke the ice. That was because, in a sense, Song Hesheng 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 Hesheng was the only life and soul from the beginning to the end.
Rationally speaking, the elders of Song Hesheng’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 Hesheng 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 Hesheng’s family had great expectations for him. He had been praised by many tycoons. That was the reason why he had made his current achievements.
At this time, as Song Hesheng showed up, everybody on the scene knew the situation would get more and more interesting. After all, Song Hesheng and Chen Taihe were not on good terms. Moreover, what Song Hesheng 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 Hesheng would see what kind of explanation Chen Taihe was looking for.
Consequently, the conflict escalated, transforming itself into a battle between Song Hesheng 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 Hesheng would step up, which was somewhat troublesome.
The look in Song Hesheng’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 Hesheng had said ascertained Qin Sheng’s identity. Nobody doubted the relationship between Qin Sheng and Qin Ran anymore. Moreover, Song Hesheng 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 Hesheng 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 identity 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 Hesheng 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 entitled 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.