SAG -Chapter 154 Doubts Begin to Arise

Huo Zhiyuan had already built the stage for Zhang Siyan.

Now, all that remained was to see how she would perform.

After Huo Zhiyuan announced her decision, many people within Kang Shilan immediately sprang into action.

Several senior executives began using every connection at their disposal to gather information and establish contact with Prince Haiman’s team.

They had already learned that although Prince Haiman himself had returned home, he had delegated full authority to his staff.

That alone was enough.

It meant that Prince Haiman had genuine intentions to cooperate with Kang Shilan.

And if they could secure another major project, their own authority and influence within the company would increase tremendously.

On this day, Zhang Siyan and Qian Li arrived at the hotel where Prince Haiman’s team was staying.

The specially prepared reception lounge was already crowded with Kang Shilan executives, while Haiman’s representatives met with them one after another.

Originally, everyone should have been received individually.

However, Huo Zhiyuan had established a strict bottom line in advance:

Even if someone secured the deal, it would not count if the negotiated terms exceeded the company’s limits.

As a result, everyone’s offers were essentially identical.

At least within Kang Shilan, there was little room to compete on pricing.

The real contest lay elsewhere—in connections, influence, and intangible resources.

For some unknown reason, Haiman’s team had scheduled all of them for the same time slot, creating the current situation.

Glancing around at the crowd, Qian Li couldn’t help smiling as she whispered, “What do you think their expressions will look like once they realize all this effort is completely pointless?”

She already knew the whole story.

Zhang Siyan had hidden nothing from her.

As a result, her mindset was extraordinarily relaxed.

“Keep your voice down. Walls have ears,” Zhang Siyan warned cautiously.

Qian Li looked around theatrically, though her expression remained carefree.

“Siyan, seriously, are you absolutely sure you don’t want me to join you? We could run this project together.”

They sat in the farthest corner of the room as Zhang Siyan lowered her voice.

She genuinely wanted Qian Li to come with her.

But Qian Li had different plans.

“I don’t know what President Huo is really thinking,” she said.

“But honestly, something about this makes me uneasy.”

“Don’t you think she’s been far too good to us? So good that sometimes I wonder whether we’re her long-lost daughters.”

After making the joke, her face became serious.

“So I want to keep a fallback option. Sure, even that fallback was given to us by President Huo—but it’s still better than both of us going down together if something happens.”

Strictly speaking, her thoughts were somewhat ungrateful.

After all, Huo Zhiyuan had treated them exceptionally well.

Questioning her motives now seemed unfair.

Yet Zhang Siyan understood that Qian Li was mostly thinking from her perspective.

“Fine,” Zhang Siyan sighed.

“But you’ll need to hire more people. Once I move to Kang Shilan, I probably won’t have much energy left for your side. Don’t work yourself to exhaustion.”

“Relax,” Qian Li waved dismissively.

“Slacking off is practically a talent I’ve mastered to perfection.”

Zhao Jingyu was also present.

At this moment, she served as the liaison with Prince Haiman’s team.

Looking at the tense expressions on the executives filling the waiting room, she nearly laughed.

But she didn’t dare.

The truth was, even the people inside found the situation amusing.

Originally, they had assumed they only needed to meet Zhang Siyan.

Then, some time earlier, Huo Zhiyuan had personally visited them and discussed a few matters.

By now, everyone on Prince Haiman’s team understood perfectly well the relationship between their boss and Zhang Ran.

The moment they realized Huo Zhiyuan was paving the way for Zhang Siyan, they had readily agreed.

After all, doing Zhang Ran a favor might prove useful someday.

“Miss Zhang, this way, please.”

Zhao Jingyu arrived to escort Zhang Siyan and Qian Li inside.

Several executives watched them and quietly shook their heads.

Ever since Huo Zhiyuan announced the selection criteria, it seemed anyone believed they had a chance.

Of course, everyone recognized Zhang Siyan and Qian Li.

The newly promoted confidantes.

For their sake, Huo Zhiyuan had even begun stripping authority away from her own elder brother.

Still, most executives didn’t care.

The power wasn’t being taken from them.

At most, it was merely family infighting.

Yet a few people frowned.

Especially after noticing how calm the two young women appeared.

There was no nervousness.

No pressure.

As though they already knew the outcome.

An unpleasant feeling began creeping into their minds.

Half an hour later, those feelings proved justified.

This time, Zhang Siyan and Qian Li did not emerge alone.

They walked out alongside Prince Haiman’s representatives.

The sight caused everyone else to rise instinctively, staring at them in disbelief.

This outcome was far beyond anyone’s expectations.

And the scene itself seemed to symbolize something significant.

Sure enough, Lahama smiled and addressed the room:

“My apologies, everyone. We have decided that our future cooperation will be with Miss Zhang Siyan. Thank you all for your patience, and we’re sorry for keeping you waiting so long.”

Perhaps because of Prince Haiman’s influence, many members of his team were true enthusiasts of Chinese culture.

Even those who weren’t experts possessed considerable understanding.

Most spoke fluent Mandarin.

It was a matter of following the leader.

When your boss loved Chinese culture, mastering related skills naturally became advantageous.

The moment his announcement ended, an uproar erupted throughout the lounge.

Nobody had expected the coveted project to fall into the hands of two young women.

Many hadn’t even bothered giving them a second glance earlier.

And yet this was the result.

Some people immediately began realizing something.

Their expressions darkened.

“Mr. Lahama, may I ask for the reason?” someone asked.

“Certainly,” Lahama replied without hesitation.

“Miss Zhang Siyan possesses unique insights regarding this project—insights that align remarkably well with our own vision. We believe that working with her will allow the project to develop in the best possible direction.”

A few executives looked somewhat relieved.

But many more furrowed their brows even deeper.

Something felt off.

Lahama’s explanation sounded rehearsed.

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with it.

Yet the more they thought about it, the more suspicious it became.

They simply couldn’t believe that two young women—especially one whose previous experience lay merely in sales channels and distribution—could possess a deeper understanding of the project than seasoned executives.

Were they really expected to believe that all these senior managers had been eating free meals for years?