Chapter 148: Who Is Slapping Whom in the Face?

Silence implies lack of welcome.

Birds of a feather flock together. Who would welcome someone into their club who is clearly not one of their own?

However, since Su Shan had already brought the person, this matter had to be addressed. Leaving him hanging would undermine Su Shan’s prestige.

Lu Junzhuo gestured for everyone to sit and said, "Tang Zhong is a new friend. You all don't know him well yet—and I don't know him well enough either. This incident is quite different from previous ones. Before, new members were strictly vetted according to the Red Eagle protocols. We knew our candidates inside and out, so things went smoothly without any obstacles."

Lu Junzhuo glanced at Su Shan and continued, "Now, some wish for Mr. Tang Zhong to join, while others object. In this case, we must follow the rules stipulated in the charter: a public vote. Each member has one vote. If the votes exceed half, Mr. Tang Zhong may join. If the votes fall to half or less, then... I can only offer my apologies to Mr. Tang."

"Agreed," someone said.

"That’s how it should be."

"The minority must submit to the majority."

Su Shan sat near the window, the bright light making her snow-white skin appear almost translucent. Behind her lay the majestic and vast Huangpu River, giving her slender frame an air of grand composure.

Her beautiful eyes swept across the room. "As Tang Zhong just said, he is both cultured and skilled, a man of great talent. This is the reason I recommended him, and it is the only reason I need to give. I hope you will accept him. I also believe he will make his own contributions, and we will each be beneficiaries of his presence."

"I have never misjudged a person. At least, not yet," Su Shan said with unwavering conviction, demonstrating her firm support for Tang Zhong. "As the President and founder of Red Eagle, I hope you will trust me, just as you have in the past."

No one answered. Those who were close exchanged glances.

Su Shan had always been perceived as reserved and soft-spoken. Her policy was: either say nothing, or if she did speak, it meant her mind was already made up. By declaring her stance before the vote, she was telling everyone present, in no uncertain terms, that she supported this man—or rather, this boy.

If the vote failed, didn't she realize what a blow it would be to her image? A so-called goddess is not permitted to have flaws.

Tang Zhong sat in a corner sofa with his arms folded, as if this matter had nothing to do with him. Since Su Shan had brought him here, it proved she had already anticipated this outcome. If she hadn't anticipated it, she wouldn't be Su Shan.

Once Su Shan finished, Lu Junzhuo took the floor. "Does anyone have any objections?"

No one spoke.

"There are twenty-two people present. A show of hands constitutes a vote. If the count exceeds half, Mr. Tang Zhong becomes a part of Red Eagle," Lu Junzhuo announced. "Very well. Let the vote begin. Those in favor of Mr. Tang Zhong joining Red Eagle, please raise your hands."

Su Shan raised her hand first. She was once again using her actions to express her position. She was standing by Tang Zhong.

Two girls who were close to Su Shan raised their hands. Miller and Pang Ai exchanged a look and also raised theirs. That made four votes.

"Anyone else?" Lu Junzhuo asked.

After a moment of hesitation, two more male members raised their hands. Apparently, they were Su Shan’s die-hard supporters. Even if they felt her request was unreasonable, they were still willing to support her unconditionally. Or perhaps, they had other motives. Who could ever truly fathom the hearts of men?

Six votes.

Lu Junzhuo looked at Su Shan’s expressionless face and sighed softly. "Six votes. The votes do not constitute a majority. Mr. Tang Zhong’s application for membership is rejected."

The others averted their eyes, not daring to meet Su Shan’s gaze.

"So be it," Su Shan said with a smile. "It’s been a while since we all gathered. Let’s just chat."

The crowd was stunned. What did Su Shan mean by this? Was she truly indifferent to the result, or was she feigning ease while actually furious inside?

*Knock, knock.*

Someone was knocking at the door. A new member trotted over and opened it. Seeing the group standing outside, he asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"Am I interrupting?" You Mu asked with a smirk, walking straight past the member and limping into the private room used by Red Eagle. Behind him followed a group of arrogant men and women, each looking like someone of significant status.

Lu Junzhuo stood up and glared at You Mu. "What are you doing here? This is a private Red Eagle gathering. Unrelated parties should leave immediately."

You Mu was not intimidated by Lu Junzhuo. His gaze lingered briefly on Tang Zhong before he looked at the aloof man sitting by the window with a chuckle. "I am not an unrelated party. My cousin has joined Red Eagle—so I’ve come to see him. Is there a rule against that? Does Red Eagle forbid family members from entering?"

"We have no such rule. But this is our meeting time. No relatives are allowed inside," Lu Junzhuo said, blocking You Mu to prevent him from reaching Su Shan. "Please leave."

"I see," You Mu adjusted his glasses, his triangular eyes glinting with a dark smile. "What kind of meeting is it? A new member initiation?" His gaze shifted to Tang Zhong, revealing the true purpose of his visit. "Should I offer my congratulations?"

"No need," Tang Zhong replied honestly, waving a hand. "I was rejected. They don't want me."

"Oh. That stands to reason," You Mu nodded, smiling. "If they accepted you, wouldn't this 'Red Eagle' turn into a 'Grass Eagle'?"

"I said get out," Lu Junzhuo growled, pointing at the door.

A hulking man behind You Mu stepped forward—it was Wei Feng, whom Tang Zhong recognized.

"Wei Feng, keep your cool," You Mu scolded, though it was actually a jab at Lu Junzhuo’s over-sensitivity. "I still have something to say."

His eyes swept across the faces of the Red Eagle members. "I know Miss Su Shan likes raising eagles, and I’ve suddenly developed an interest myself. I’ve started raising a little eagle—called 'Black Eagle.' What do you think? Anyone interested in joining me?"

No one replied. Joining him would mean betraying Red Eagle. Regardless of how little integrity they might have in private, they wouldn't easily switch sides in such a public setting.

"I’m interested," said the aloof man sitting alone by the window, nursing a drink.

His voice was quiet, but it rang out with weight. Everyone turned to look at him. Some were shocked, others suspicious or disdainful, but most were simply eager to watch the drama unfold.

"I’m interested," the man said again. He rose from his chair, walked over to Su Shan, and said, "I hereby resign from Red Eagle. The current Red Eagle is no longer the one it used to be. It has become a loose organization where the President abuses her power and anyone can enter at will—such an organization lacks cohesion and, therefore, lacks combat power."

Su Shan looked up at him and said calmly, "Approved."

She pushed back her chair and stood up, asking, "Who else?"

No one answered.

"Who else?"

Still, no one answered.

"Who else?" Su Shan asked for the third time.

She maintained the same tone and the same rhythm, her emotions showing no fluctuation. Yet, with these three questions, her aura grew increasingly imposing; everyone she looked at found it impossible to meet her gaze.

You Mu’s arrival had naturally shaken the members, and Chen Minghua’s betrayal was a stinging slap to her face. Yet, with just three simple, calm questions, Su Shan had managed to stabilize the situation.

You Mu watched Su Shan with a strange expression, observing the performance of this woman whom countless elders held in high regard.

"From today, Chen Minghua is no longer a member of Red Eagle and will no longer enjoy any of its privileges or services," Su Shan said, her voice resolute. "Because of the shame he has brought upon Red Eagle, from this day forth, he is an enemy of Red Eagle."

"You certainly know how to bluff," You Mu said with a laugh. Although only Chen Minghua, whom he had arranged, had defected to his side, he didn't consider this a loss. "Additionally, I have one more thing to inform you all of."

He smiled triumphantly, like a weasel who had successfully stolen several chickens. "I have reached an agreement with Boss Zeng of the Brocade Pavilion to acquire the entire establishment and all its business operations. In the future, if you all have any needs, feel free to call me—I will certainly provide you with meticulous and thorough service."

The Brocade Pavilion had been acquired?

The room was filled with shock. The Brocade Pavilion held special significance for Red Eagle. Their first meeting had been held there, and they held their annual year-end gala there regularly. They had tried to buy the place from Zeng Tianxiang before, but he had always refused, promising to provide them with the best service.

They never expected You Mu to have bought it. They were currently holding a meeting on someone else’s property!

This was a slap in the face! A blatant, humiliating slap!

"You limping bastard, aren't you supposed to be at home playing dead? Running here to act tough—did you break your head?" A voice rang out abruptly from the back. The speech was rapid, the words venomous, enough to make the listener want to die. "You say the Brocade Pavilion is yours just because you say so? What are you, anyway? The country calls on us to respect the elderly and support the disabled, but it never said that disabled people get priority to purchase property—I’m sitting right here, let’s see who dares to sell the Brocade Pavilion to you."