Return of the Immortal Emperor Daddy-Chapter 114: Using Power to Pressure Others

How could it be zero?

Qin Yuhan began reviewing Wu Tian’s second business simulation paper. It contained numerous questions, but his answers left her amazed. His handwriting was beautiful and his calligraphy strong, making it a pleasure to read. This was the first thing that surprised her. It’s rare for a young man to have such fine handwriting, she thought, feeling as though the characters themselves contained a hidden depth that left her captivated.

The second thing that surprised her was how brilliantly he answered the questions. This absolutely deserves a perfect score, she fumed internally. How could an exam paper like this receive a zero? Why?

She looked toward Tang Bogo and asked, "Senior, who graded this paper?"

Tang Bogo stepped forward. "Each paper is marked. See? There’s the character for ’Zhang’ in the corner. It was graded by Zhang Liangcai."

"Oh, so I was the one who reviewed it," another old man said, stepping out from behind Tang Bogo. He was already in his eighties and had once been a prominent real estate magnate in Yang City’s business world. He still controlled a significant portion of the city’s real estate, which he had handed over to his son to manage while he enjoyed a leisurely retirement. He had agreed to help the Qin Corporation with the simulation exams at Ren Zhong’s request, as he and Ren Zhong’s deceased father had been good friends.

Qin Yuhan, immediately thinking of Zhang Liangcai’s relationship with Ren Zhong, said resentfully, "Senior Zhang Liangcai, I believe you were biased when you graded this paper."

Zhang Liangcai’s beard bristled with anger, and his eyes widened in a glare. How dare she speak to me like that? I’m a generation older than her own father!

Fuming, Zhang Liangcai stepped forward and glanced at the paper in Qin Yuhan’s hand, only to be momentarily stunned. He remembered this exam. The perspectives presented were compelling and utterly unprecedented. This Wu Tian’s approach to solving business problems was completely unorthodox; even he had been in awe when he first read it. However, Zhang Liangcai had heard at the time that this Wu Tian was on bad terms with Ren Zhong and Ren Hou. Since he treated Ren Zhong like a son and Ren Hou like a grandson, anyone who opposed them was opposing him. And so, he had given the paper a zero.

Casting aside all pretense, Zhang Liangcai boomed, "I remember this paper. We in the business world must act with integrity. But what is his problem-solving approach? If you can’t win in the marketplace, you turn to politics or the Underworld? He’ll take any path to victory. This is nothing short of a Dishonest Mind!"

Qin Yuhan’s fair, delicate face flushed with anger. "Senior Zhang Liangcai," she retorted, "back when you dominated the business world of Yang City, can you honestly say all your methods were above board? Did you never leverage political connections or the power of the criminal element?"

Zhang Liangcai frowned. What successful businessman hasn’t done those things? But he kept his expression stern. "I still believe he deserves a zero. His approach to problem-solving is far too dangerous."

"No, you’re just biased," Qin Yuhan said, cutting straight to the point when she saw him stubbornly refusing to admit it. Her voice was cold. "You gave this paper a zero because of your relationship with Ren Zhong and Ren Hou, didn’t you?"

Zhang Liangcai exploded at her words. "What nonsense is this? How can you slander me? Do you think an old man like me has no reputation to uphold? Here!" He snatched the exam paper. "Let the others see! You can all tell me if my grade was biased or not!" He stalked over to the other elderly men, all of whom were old business associates and good friends of his.

As they reviewed Wu Tian’s paper, they were inwardly shocked. Incredible! Truly incredible! But none of them dared to let it show on their faces. They were all retired and living comfortable lives; who among them would risk offending Zhang Liangcai over some unknown kid? What these old men didn’t know was that if their sons ever found out about this, they would be furious enough to disown their own fathers. Their sons were all company CEOs and factory bosses. They had been at the Gambling Stone Field and witnessed the scene of Wu Tian single-handedly suppressing the entire Nalan Family. Antagonizing a man like that was no different from having a death wish.

Unfortunately, these elders had been retired for far too long. To borrow a line from a Jin Yong novel: "Seniors secluded in desolate lands are often unaware of the countless martial arts in the world, where every school possesses its own unique strengths." To put it more bluntly: "You old fossils are out of touch. You have no idea that a new generation of geniuses has emerged. As the wave that came before, you’ve already been washed up and left to die on the beach."

These old men, trapped in their obstinate mindset, began to chime in.

"I think Zhang Liangcai has a point."

"Yes, a zero seems appropriate."

"As businessmen, we should just do business honestly. There’s no need to associate with government officials or people from the Underworld."

"That’s right, completely unnecessary."

Zhang Liangcai nodded, then turned back to Qin Yuhan and snorted dismissively. "There, you see? The other seniors all agree that I’m right."

Tang Bogo and the few other conscientious elders watched this scene unfold with disapproval.

At this, Qin Yuhan felt a surge of helpless anger. She had no way to refute these seniors. After all, they still owned their own companies, even if others were managing them. She realized she was still too young, too inexperienced. She stood there, her breath catching in her throat, utterly frustrated.

"Yuhan, dear, don’t take it so seriously," one of the men said patronizingly.

"That’s right. He’s a nobody to you, so a zero doesn’t matter," another added.

"Indeed."

Qin Yuhan didn’t know what to do. A profound sense of helplessness washed over her.

Seeing that Qin Yuhan had fallen silent, Zhang Liangcai’s tone softened slightly, becoming magnanimous. "Well then, it seems the results for your corporation’s business simulation test are settled. First place goes to Ren Hou. You should reward him generously; he’s a real talent."

The old men on Zhang Liangcai’s side all began to chime in.

"Yes, that Ren Hou is quite a fine young man."

"I hear Ren Hou doesn’t have a girlfriend yet."

"Niece Yuhan, why not give him a chance?"

Their words made Qin Yuhan grit her teeth. She couldn’t stand the sight of these disgusting old men for another second. Her heart simmering with suppressed fury, she said coldly, "The simulation test is over. You may all leave now."

"Hmm?" Zhang Liangcai frowned, displeased. "My dear niece, such is youth. After we old men came all this way to help you prepare the exams, you’re not even going to treat us to a meal?"

It’s easy to invite gods, but hard to send them away. It’s just as hard to get rid of ghosts once you’ve summoned them. Qin Yuhan finally understood what this saying truly meant.

Zhang Liangcai and his cohort felt smug. They were seniors in the business world, and each one still had their own enterprise in Yang City. Furthermore, while they weren’t from the four great families—the Wang, Qin, Nalan, and Lin families—they held shares in the Qin Corporation. Right now, they were using their collective influence to pressure her.

Let’s see how she handles this! Zhang Liangcai thought, a cruel glint in his eye. I didn’t want to be this harsh, but she was the one who dared to speak to me so rudely. The younger generation needs to be taught a lesson. They need to learn what it means to respect their elders!