Xiao Churan's declaration left the entire Xiao family speechless. Everyone thought she'd lost her mind. This was no time to grandstand—failure meant nothing but disgrace. Dihao Group was Jinling's corporate giant; why would they spare a glance for the Xiaos? Whoever took this on was doomed.
Xiao Hailong sneered, "Churan, you think you can land a Dihao contract?" His sister, Xiao Weiwei, chimed in with a smirk: "Sis, know your place. Dihao isn't some mom-and-pop shop. Don't embarrass us."
Others joined in: "Right! If she gets kicked out, we'll be the laughingstock of Jinling."
Churan's face flushed with shame. Ever since marrying Ye Chen, her status in the family had plummeted. She was nearly ostracized, and even her parents were mocked. Nailing this contract could restore her standing—and let her parents hold their heads high. But the ridicule made her second-guess. She shot Ye Chen a glare—why did she listen to his nonsense?
Grandma Xiao seethed. No one dared take the task, and now they were badmouthing the only volunteer. Though she'd never liked Churan, at least the girl was willing to try—unlike her useless grandson, Hailong.
"Enough!" Grandma snapped. "Since no one else has the guts, Churan gets the job."
Churan swallowed hard: "I'll do my best, Grandma."
Hailong scoffed: "Your best? You'll just drag the family down."
Ye Chen interjected coldly: "Hailong, why trash-talk Churan? Think the Xiaos aren't good enough for Dihao?"
Caught off guard, Hailong stammered: "That's not what I—"
Ye Chen cut him off: "What if she does land the contract? Wanna bet on it?"
Hailong laughed: "Bring it! What's the wager?"
"If Churan gets the contract," Ye Chen said, "you kneel before everyone, kowtow three times, and admit you were wrong. If she fails, I'll do the same. Deal?"
"HAHAHAHA!" Hailong howled. "You're begging for humiliation! Fine, I'll take that bet!"
Ye Chen nodded, satisfied: "Let everyone here witness. Anyone who reneges will curse their entire family—father, mother, grandpa, grandma—to death." He emphasized "grandma" to box Hailong in.
Hailong didn't realize the trap. "Perfect! I'll be waiting for your apology."
Churan panicked, shooting Ye Chen desperate looks, but he ignored her. Grandma Xiao cared only about scoring a Dihao deal. If Churan succeeded, she'd make Hailong call Ye Chen "dad" if needed. "Three days," she decreed. "Meeting adjourned."
…
Back home, Churan's parents exploded.
"You idiot!" Mom Lan shrieked. "How could you listen to this good-for-nothing?"
Dad Xiao Changkun rounded on Ye Chen: "You've ruined my daughter! If she fails, she'll be banished, and you'll kneel to Hailong—you'll shame us all!"
Ye Chen stayed calm: "If she lands the contract, all problems disappear."
"Land it?!" Dad roared. "Dihao's a billion-dollar empire! They'd never work with us."
Ye Chen smiled: "Maybe they will. I trust Churan—she'll bring that contract home."
Mom sneered: "You trust? Who do you think you are, Dihao's CEO? Useless bum, spouting nonsense!"