Chapter 124: Apologizing Requires a Substitute?

Angela and the guy in the baseball cap never imagined that Shenghui Group would shift its market focus to an obscure brand. Even more unimaginable was that Chen Muxue and Su Zheng—two impoverished individuals without even a secretary—were actually the people in charge of Qingcheng Technology, the very company that the young master Cheng had mentioned.

Recalling how they had just humiliated Su Zheng and Chen Muxue, both Angela and the man in the cap paled, a cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads as their hearts pounded wildly. After all, this was more than just a simple endorsement—it was a matter that directly impacted Angela’s career trajectory.

“It’s nothing. They’re just representatives of one brand. The real decision power definitely still lies with Young Master Cheng! Later, we’ll ask Boss Xiong to negotiate with him; we can definitely secure endorsements from other brands!” The man in the baseball cap feigned calm as he whispered reassurance to Angela. “To put it bluntly, those two paupers are nothing but lapdogs working for Young Master Cheng!”

Hearing this, Angela’s expression softened slightly, and she nodded.

“Brother Zheng, sister-in-law!” Cheng Hui quickly approached Su Zheng and Chen Muxue with a smile, extending his hand warmly. “Sorry to keep you waiting. There was some traffic on the road today.”

Brother? Sister-in-law?

Angela and the man in the cap, who had just regained their composure, nearly fainted upon hearing this.

Could they please not be so terrifying?

What exactly was the relationship between these two and Young Master Cheng?

“Young Master Cheng, you don’t need to call us that. We don’t deserve it!” Chen Muxue felt a bit embarrassed at being addressed this way, her cheeks faintly flushed.

“You have to accept the consequences of your bet. Besides, I truly admire Brother Zheng!” Cheng Hui smiled and then turned to gesture at Angela. “Angela, come over and meet Brother Zheng and sister-in-law. If you want to discuss endorsements, talk to them.”

Angela: “...”

Man in cap: “...”

Even Chen Muxue was somewhat surprised, even flattered.

She hadn’t expected Cheng Hui to actually hand over the decision-making power for endorsements to them.

After all, Shenghui Group had hired the endorsers, so shouldn’t someone like Cheng Hui be making these decisions?

Angela and the man in the cap struggled to shake off their panic, their faces flushing deep purple with regret and embarrassment.

Had they known about Su Zheng and Chen Muxue’s relationship with Cheng Hui, they never would have dared treat them with such disdain earlier.

“Young Master Cheng, there’s no need. We don’t want to cooperate with people like them!” Su Zheng said coldly, his expression tinged with disdain.

He saw no reason to negotiate with a celebrity who had been acting like a diva since her minor fame.

Cheng Hui was momentarily taken aback but glanced at the uneasy expressions of Chen Muxue and Angela and guessed that some friction must have occurred before he arrived.

With a resolute expression, he reassured Su Zheng, “It’s entirely up to Brother Zheng and sister-in-law!”

Angela’s face instantly drained of color, and not wanting to lose such a precious opportunity, she hurried forward, pleading with Cheng Hui, “Young Master Cheng, you promised to consider letting me be the endorser. Please, give me a chance!”

“Sorry, I’m powerless here. I did promise you, but you have to understand that the final say on endorsements lies with my elder brother and sister-in-law!” Cheng Hui said coldly.

“Young Master Cheng, for Boss Xiong’s sake, you have to help us out!” The man in the cap rushed over as well, his voice earnest and anxious. “Otherwise, you’d have a hard time explaining things to Boss Xiong, wouldn’t you?”

Seeing Cheng Hui’s firm attitude, he had no choice but to invoke their company’s big boss to pressure him.

“Are you trying to use Xiong Wanlin to pressure me?!” Cheng Hui’s expression darkened, then he sneered with an air of dominance. “If I respect him, I’ll call him Boss Xiong. If not, he’s nothing but a fart! You’d better not speak to me that way, or you can leave right now!”

He was the proud eldest son of the prestigious Cheng family in Qingyang, and he had never looked up to anyone in the city.

“No, no, Young Master Cheng, that’s not what I meant!” The man in the cap instantly turned pale, his voice trembling with desperation. “I’m begging you to consider our friendship with Boss Xiong and give us a chance, please!”

Cheng Hui’s face was full of disdain as he said coldly, “Don’t you understand plain language? I’ll say it once more: begging won’t work. The decision is in the hands of my brother and sister-in-law!”

The implication was clear: if they wanted the endorsement, they had to beg Su Zheng and Chen Muxue.

The man in the cap’s expression shifted slightly; he exchanged a glance with Angela, gritted his teeth, and then, wearing a pitiful expression, he pleaded with Chen Muxue:

“President Chen, I... I realize my mistake. I sincerely apologize for what I said earlier, and I also apologize on behalf of Miss Angela!”

“Apologies on behalf of someone else?” Su Zheng smiled faintly, his face showing impatience. “Then there’s no need. We don’t accept them!”

Nearby, Angela’s face fluctuated between pale and flushed. She bit her lip and immediately stepped forward, lowering her voice as she said to Chen Muxue:

“President Chen, I... I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize for my earlier behavior and hope you’ll give me a chance...”

Tears welled up in her eyes. She was deeply reluctant but helpless, as her future depended entirely on Chen Muxue’s word.

Seeing Angela on the verge of tears, Chen Muxue’s heart softened. She was about to speak and forgive her when Su Zheng suddenly said calmly:

“An apology needs sincerity. Do you think your mediocre acting skills can fool us?”

Angela froze slightly, hesitated for a moment, then bowed deeply to Chen Muxue, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry...”

That bow shattered her pride and self-respect completely.

At that moment, she realized that although she had gained some fame, in front of Cheng Hui, Su Zheng, and Chen Muxue, she was still the insignificant little actress she had always been. Old wounds surged forth, and she couldn’t hold back her sobs.

Seeing this, Chen Muxue felt even more sympathy. She quickly stepped forward to help Angela up and spoke gently:

“All right, Angela, I forgive you. Actually, with your complexion, you’re very suitable to endorse cosmetics. We can discuss the endorsement details gradually.”

“Thank you, President Chen! Thank you so much!” Angela nodded repeatedly with heartfelt gratitude, overwhelmed by surprise and appreciation that Chen Muxue had forgiven her so readily without any trouble.

“Sometimes, lowering your posture a little makes you more likable—and the rewards are greater,” Su Zheng remarked meaningfully as he glanced at Angela.

“Thank you for the advice, brother-in-law! Thank you, brother-in-law!” Angela promptly bowed and apologized to Su Zheng.

“It’s nothing. Brother-in-law forgives you,” Su Zheng said with a wave of his hand, his tone casual.

Indeed, being called “brother-in-law” made him feel exceptionally comfortable inside.