Is there really no room for discussion?

After a brief pause.

Looking at Ye Chen's unwavering determination, without even a hint of hesitation in his eyes, Xu Jia shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Mr. Xu, I'm sorry," Ye Chen said.

"This is a win-win! If Hengda gets involved, you won't have to worry about anything," Xu Jia persisted, unwilling to give up.

"Put yourself in my shoes, Mr. Xu. If we switched places, would you give up your shares? Or even consider doing so at this stage?" Ye Chen countered.

That question left Xu Jia speechless.

Ye Chen was right.

Perhaps he would consider giving up some shares, but definitely not at this stage.

After all, the emergence of Wuxia Cream was a phenomenon capable of monopolizing the entire market, far beyond other products and brands.

"Haha, young and impressive, truly impressive!"

With a bitter sigh, Xu Jia stood up from the sofa.

Ye Chen also rose to his feet.

Xu Jia clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at a framed calligraphy piece on the wall.

"Mr. Ye, I remember something you told me before. You said if you take too big a step, you might stumble and hurt yourself, right?" Xu Jia asked.

"Yes, I did say that," Ye Chen replied with a smile.

"So, what do you think of Hengda now? I'd like to hear your honest opinion," Xu Jia pressed further.

However, Ye Chen shook his head.

"I know you want me to speak freely, Mr. Xu, but my understanding of Hengda is superficial at best. I don't have any deep insights. If I were to offer a simple opinion, I'd say Hengda might need to make tough sacrifices. If you feel you're already stumbling, perhaps it's time to take a step back. Of course, I'm not familiar with Hengda's full situation, so this is just my shallow observation."

Xu Jia's expression revealed a trace of struggle and bitterness.

Tough sacrifices? Taking a step back? Easier said than done.

He wanted to, but sometimes there's no turning back once the arrow is released.

Any limb that could be severed had already been cut.

The ones that remained were deeply intertwined, pulling one would shake the entire foundation.

The cost was too high – for him and for Hengda.

What Xu Jia didn't realize was that making sacrifices now might still leave Hengda on the stage.

If not, the crisis ahead would lead to nothing but downfall.

Despite sensing the looming crisis, Xu Jia underestimated just how severe it would become – severe enough to bring down his empire.

"You mean you sense trouble for Hengda already?" Xu Jia asked again.

"I wouldn't dare make that claim. As I said, I don't know much about Hengda. But if even I can see the crisis, then perhaps you and Hengda are indeed in trouble," Ye Chen said with a faint smile.

"It's a shame I couldn't bring you into Hengda as a chief advisor – a regret for both me and the company," Xu Jia laughed, brushing aside the heavy atmosphere.

He turned around, patting Ye Chen on the shoulder with a forced smile.

"Alright, even if we don't collaborate, we part on good terms. Among the younger generation, I have high hopes for you. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. I'll help if it's within my power," Xu Jia said.

"Thank you, Mr. Xu," Ye Chen replied with a smile.

However, Ye Chen didn't take Xu Jia's words to heart.

If Xu Jia were truly sincere, he wouldn't have initially tried to leverage land reserves and workforce as a bargaining chip to invest in Yi Ren Ru Xue.

In the end, capitalists are the same – always scheming.

To Ye Chen, Xu Jia was no different.

"Who knows, maybe one day I'll have to rely on you, Mr. Ye," Xu Jia joked.

"You flatter me, Mr. Xu. Hengda is a giant, far beyond the reach of someone like me," Ye Chen said courteously.

"No one can predict the future. Anyway, I've taken up enough of your time. Let me walk you out. One of these days, I'll organize a dinner and introduce you to some investors. But remember, if Yi Ren Ru Xue seeks funding, Hengda must be the first choice!" Xu Jia laughed, patting Ye Chen's shoulder once more.

Clearly, his approach toward Ye Chen had shifted.

"Of course," Ye Chen replied with a smile.

Xu Jia personally escorted him out of the office, all the way to the first-floor lobby.

Employees were left in shock.

Even high-ranking officials from the province didn't receive such treatment from Mr. Xu.

Moreover, that young man – wasn't he Ye Chen, the CEO of Yi Ren Ru Xue?

The same Ye Chen whose reputation had been smeared across the internet as a scumbag?

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Ye, that calligraphy you wrote in my office – I'll have to show it to some experts. With skills like yours, I can't keep it to myself," Xu Jia said, shaking Ye Chen's hand at the door.

"Mr. Xu, you're joking. My calligraphy is far from impressive," Ye Chen said modestly, though his demeanor showed no humility.

"Well, I'll be heading back," Ye Chen added.

"Alright."

Xu Jia watched as Ye Chen left, then turned back, returning to his office under the stunned gazes of his employees.

In the corner of the lobby, Liu Xueqin, Ye Chen's mother-in-law, stood frozen as she wiped the sofa.

She thought the rumors would ruin Ye Chen.

Yet here he was, escorted by Xu Jia himself.

The last person Xu Jia had personally escorted was a high-ranking provincial official.

Did this mean Ye Chen's status in Xu Jia's eyes was comparable to such figures?

The rag slipped from Liu Xueqin's hands as she gazed through the glass at Ye Chen's retreating figure, tears of regret streaming down her face.

Her son-in-law was treated like a VIP.

Meanwhile, she remained a janitor in the same company.

What irony.