Chapter 8 Apologies, My Seat Is Reserved For The Chief
"Strange, why isn't Li Shu's seat here?" Shui Lihua scanned through the list of names, feeling a bit perplexed.
"The general manager didn't extend an invitation to him! Perhaps he arrived late, and the general manager overlooked him." Yin Rong provocatively glanced at Shui Lihua, smirking, "Just wait and see, Li Shu won't last long at Huamei. The position of sales manager will be mine sooner or later. Some people have miscalculated their plans."
Yin Rong wasn't technically a high-ranking leader, but she had received an invitation and had her own designated seat at the banquet.
With Yin Rong present and no sign of Li Shu, the general manager's intentions were quite evident.
Given the close relationship between Shui Lihua and Li Shu, it could be inferred that Li Shu held significance to Shui Lihua. However, it was apparent that the general manager didn't place much importance on Li Shu.
Upon hearing Yin Rong's remarks, Shui Lihua remained composed. She simply smiled faintly and remarked, "Ms. Yin, you're overthinking it. The general manager may overlook some individuals, but he won't forget about Li Shu."
Only she was aware that Li Shu was a figure of great importance whom even Shen Qihao couldn't afford to offend.
But why wasn't Li Shu's seat reserved? Shui Lihua was puzzled.
Moreover, all other company representatives had taken their seats, yet Li Shu was still absent.
The banquet hall was nearly full, with only a few vacant seats remaining. The wedding ceremony was about to commence.
Li Shu appeared at the entrance of the hall, appearing calm and composed.
Clad in a twenty-dollar T-shirt and slightly faded jeans, he would have been stopped at the door by security if not for the invitation.
Among the affluent and influential guests, Li Shu stood out even more.
"Who's this? Wrong venue, perhaps?"
Upon seeing Li Shu, the guests couldn't conceal their disdain.
At the classmates' table, someone spotted Li Shu entering and exclaimed, "Li Shu has arrived."
All eyes turned towards him.
Li Shu noticed his classmates in the corner, offered a faint smile, and made his way over.
"Li Shu, what brings you here? This isn't your designated seat." A classmate gestured to the front seat, taunting Li Shu.
Li Shu smiled subtly, "I just came to see you guys, my seat isn't here."
"Yes, your seat definitely isn't here, it should be at the entrance. Shen Gongzi didn't invite you, did he?"
"Li Shu, when did you become so shameless? If you weren't invited, why are you here trying to join in?"
"If you attend, you must bring a gift. Have you brought one? I've prepared three thousand, how much have you prepared? Let's hear it!"
"Haha, don't tell me you only brought a hundred. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing for you."
More derogatory remarks followed. In the past, Li Shu would have engaged in arguments with these individuals, but today, he found them laughable.
"A gift? I actually didn't bring one. Tell me, if I wasn't invited, what should I bring?" Li Shu remarked casually.
"Then you came for your goddess, right? Look at yourself in the mirror, do you even deserve Wang Hongyu?"
Laughter erupted among the classmates.
"What's so amusing? Why the jubilation?"
The groom of the day, Shen Tianlin, overheard the laughter and approached.
"Li Shu?"
Shen Tianlin spotted Li Shu, the subject of the laughter, and his expression turned cold instantly.
Recalling that he hadn't invited Li Shu when sending out invitations to his classmates, Shen decided that this uninvited guest needed to be taught a lesson, lest his wedding became a mockery.
"Did I invite you?" Shen Tianlin inquired coldly.
"No," Li Shu shrugged.
"Then kindly leave! What are the security guards doing? Allowing anyone to enter!" Shen Tianlin pointed towards the door, displaying his displeasure.
Zhang Tianyu couldn't bear to witness the situation unfolding, so he intervened to stop Shen Tianlin, saying, "Master Shen, let's just let it go. We are all classmates here. Li Shu must have good intentions as a classmate. He will present the gift money, so please show some respect and offer him a seat."
Turning to Li Shu, Zhang Tianyu gestured and asked, "Li Shu, how much are you planning to contribute as a gift?"
He believed he was giving Li Shu an opportunity to gracefully exit the situation, hoping to prevent things from escalating further.
However, Li Shu appeared unappreciative. He brushed off Zhang Tianyu's hand and replied, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I actually didn't bring any gift money."
The classmates began to murmur amongst themselves. Shen Tianlin's expression grew even colder as he realized that Li Shu was intentionally causing trouble.
"Li Shu! I'll say it once more, please leave! We are classmates, and I don't want to resort to having security remove you!"
Li Shu smirked and retorted, "Shen Gongzi, you don't have the authority to ask me to leave!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Tianlin noticed Shen Qihao approaching them.
Li Shu's words left Shen Tianlin feeling embarrassed. "Authority? You're questioning my authority? Haha, this is my wedding, and I don't have the right to ask you to leave? Let me demonstrate whether I have the authority or not. Don't blame me for not considering our friendship, you brought this upon yourself! Security!"
"Why are you calling security? What's going on?" Shen Qihao inquired as he walked over.
"Dad, he..."
Shen Tianlin was about to explain that Li Shu was causing trouble, but he was taken aback by what he saw.
To everyone's surprise, Shen Qihao warmly draped his arm around Li Shu's shoulder. "Li Shu, I've been searching for you everywhere. Why are you here? Come on, let's go. I've been waiting for you."
Shen Tianlin was left speechless.
The classmates were equally stunned.
It was a rare occurrence for Shen Qihao to personally fetch someone in this grand hall. Li Shu had managed to make Shen Qihao come looking for him, indicating a close relationship between the two.
"I couldn't find my designated seat, and I was worried about being asked to leave!" Li Shu remarked with a mischievous glint in his eye, addressing Shen Qihao.
"What are you talking about? Your assigned seat is right here next to me. Sit beside me! Let's go," Shen Qihao declared, his words echoing throughout the hall.
The seat next to him!
Li Shu's designated seat was actually beside Shen Qihao!
At the head of the table sat the most influential figures in Huacheng, individuals whom others would go to great lengths to meet. Zhang Tianyu's superior, the top leader of Huacheng, was seated among them.
Surprisingly, Li Shu possessed such a privilege.
"True talent speaks for itself! I am truly embarrassed for not recognizing it earlier," Zhang Tianyu admitted, bowing his head.
"So, you're saying he didn't receive an invitation from Master Shen, but rather a personal one from Manager Shen?" a classmate speculated.
All eyes turned towards Shen Tianlin.
Caught up in the moment, Shen Tianlin had forgotten to lower his hand, which had been gesturing towards the security guard. This unintentional pose made him appear rather comical.
He realized he lacked the authority to eject Li Shu. After all, Li Shu was an esteemed guest at his father's behest.