The old man grunted softly and did not even look at her. As for Zhuo Bufan and the other juniors, he did not even look at them as he led his bodyguards into the hall.
"It seems like no matter how hard I try, I will never be acknowledged." Zhuo Mei loosened her clenched fists, a bitter smile on her lips.
Zhuo Bufan looked at her and said, "Aunty, don't worry. With me around, no one will bully you and Shan Shan."
"Looks like Xiao Fan has grown up. He will have to protect us women in the future." Zhuo Mei forced a smile. She knew very well what kind of situation Zhuo Bufan was in. How could she expect Zhuo Bufan to help her?
Everyone had arrived. The first generation of the Zhuo family was led by Zhuo Bufan's grandfather, Zhuo Shi Xian. There were also two other granduncles. Even Zhuo Luo, the leader of the Zhuo family, could only sit on the first seat on the left.
The seats below were occupied by the core members of the Zhuo family. The Zhuo family valued sons over daughters. Even a strong woman like Zhuo Mei did not have the right to sit. She could only stand at the side.
Third Uncle Zhuo Wei and Fourth Uncle Zhuo Rong sat beside Zhuo Luo. The rest of the seats were occupied by the important members of the Zhuo family. As for the juniors of the third generation, only Zhuo Fang had a seat.
Zhuo Shuai looked at Zhuo Fang with slight jealousy. It was not just him. The juniors of the third generation from the collateral families were all looking at Zhuo Fang with envy. The oldest of them were in their twenties while the youngest had just started middle school. Among the juniors of the third generation of the Zhuo family, only he had the right to sit there.
Just then, Zhuo Bufan walked in with Ye Ziqin and Zhuo Shanshan. She looked around and asked, "Where are our seats?"
"Tsk, Zhuo Bufan, are you out of your mind? You think you can sit here? Do you think you're Zhuo Fang? "Zhuo Shuai snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain.
Zhuo Shi Xian finally lifted his eyelids and placed both of his hands on the Dragon Subduing Cane. His pair of old eyes shone with a shrewd light as he finally looked at this unlikable grandson of his. If his eldest grandson had not met with an accident in the army, he would never have allowed Zhuo Bufan and his mother to return to Qing Province.
"The third generation doesn't have the right to sit here. Don't you know that?" Zhuo Shi Xian said slowly, but the aura he exuded made it hard for everyone to breathe.
Zhuo Bufan said, "Zhuo Fang has the right to sit, but do you think that I, Zhuo Bufan, do not have the right to sit?"
"Zhuo Fang's results are among the top five in all the high schools in Qingzhou. I'm afraid that he will be the champion of the college entrance examination in Qingzhou this time. His future is limitless. What makes you think that you, Zhuo Bufan, are qualified to sit here?" Another old granduncle said slowly.
"I think he's used to living in Jinling. He has long forgotten the rules of our Zhuo family. Tsk tsk, he still has the cheek to ask for a seat." Zhuo Shuai took the opportunity to mock him.
"Yeah, how can you compare to Zhuo Fang? Just stand aside obediently. "Yu Huang also said.
Seeing everyone's sarcasm, Zhuo Rong and his wife Jasmine did not say anything, but they could not hide the pride on their faces. Only Zhuo Luo and Zhou Biyu, who was standing next to them, kept a straight face. They knew their son's situation. Compared to Zhuo Fang, it was like comparing a firefly to the bright moon.
Zhuo Bufan said calmly, "You're saying that I can get a seat if I have good results? The results of the college entrance examination have not been announced yet. How do you know that my results are not as good as Zhuo Fang's?"
As soon as he said this, even Zhou Biyu could not help but blush. She knew her son's results the best. He was the lowest in the whole school. No matter how much he improved in the past three months, he would never be able to catch up to Zhuo Fang.
Suddenly, Zhuo Luo, who had been silent, said, "Bring another chair for him."
Hearing Zhuo Luo's words, Zhuo Shi Xian and his two granduncles frowned. At the table, Zhuo Rong, Zhuo Shuai, and the others' faces darkened. However, due to the Zhuo family's status, no one dared to object.
Soon, a servant brought out a chair for Zhuo Bufan. Ye Ziqin and Zhuo Shanshan stood behind him.
Zhuo Fang, who had been playing with his phone with his head down, looked up. A sharp glint flashed across his eyes. He said in a low voice, "You, Zhuo Bufan, can sit on the same level as me? If your father was not the head of the family, you would not even have the right to enter."
Zhuo Bufan looked at Zhuo Luo deeply, then closed his eyes to rest.
Zhuo Shuai's teeth itched at the sight of his son's calm demeanor. Did this guy really think he was a big shot?
Zhuo Shi Xian glanced at Zhuo Bufan and said coldly, "Alright, let's get down to business. We've already seen the first half of the year's business report. It's down by 5% compared to last year. Everyone, tell us about the situation."
"Dad, you know about the situation at the port. The three gangs have been causing a lot of trouble lately. The shipping business at the port has also been affected." Zhuo Rong said.
"Also, the property prices are rising rapidly now. The other families and big corporations are desperately trying to buy up the land. The Zhuo family entered the business late, so we don't have any advantages. Unless the marriage between Shan Shan and the son of the Yang Zong family succeeds, it will be very convenient for us in the future." Zhuo Wei said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuo Mei and Zhuo Shanshan's faces darkened. Zhuo Mei clenched her fists and said, "I've already discussed with Vanke Real Estate and Director Tan of the Land and Resources Department. The Zhuo family already has the right to bid for the land in the Western Suburbs. Why do we still want Shan Shan to marry the Yang Family?"
"Xiao Mei, it's not as simple as you think. The Zhuo family has been able to stand in Qingzhou for so many years because of all kinds of connections and resources. If Shan Shan marries the Yang Family, it will be a great help to us in the future. Besides, I heard that the son of the Yang Family is also very handsome. He was Shan Shan's playmate when he was young."
Zhuo Shi Xian said in a low voice, "Third Uncle is right. For the development of the Zhuo family, sacrifices are unavoidable. Besides, the son of the Yang Family and Shan Shan are childhood friends. There's nothing wrong with it."
"Dad." Zhuo Mei clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Her face was pale.
She had been busy for the past few months. She slept no more than five hours every day. She had done all she could to help the Zhuo family win the land in the Western Suburbs. She wanted to help Shan Shan break off the marriage. She never thought that all her hard work would be so powerless in the face of the family's interests.
"You don't have to say anything. We're a family. We can't harm Shan Shan." Zhuo Shi Xian said confidently.
"Fifth Sister, Father and Third Great Uncle are right. Shanshan being able to marry the Yang Family's Young Master is a testament to her ability. In the future, she will definitely be rich and powerful. Why do you have to worry?"
"Mom." Zhuo Shanshan's eyes were red. She tugged at Zhuo Mei's clothes. She did not even have the right to speak here.
Yu Huang said, "I don't think anyone will object. Maybe Shan Shan also likes the son of the Yang Family?"
"I object." Suddenly, Zhuo Bufan, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened her eyes. A cold light flashed across her eyes, "Aren't you going to ask Shan Shan if she's willing to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of the family's interests?"
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