Chapter 470 - Expectations Versus Reality

Sitting on the bench in the park as he puffed out his cigarette, Liao Yuan thought back to the past. 

Life was always boring to him. He had always excelled in academics and sports. He was always above others. He could learn anything fairly easily, and that was why there was nothing around him that could interest him. 

For a span of time, his mode of enjoyment was his rivalry with Zhiyuan. At first, he wasn't interested in the rivalry between his grandfather, Liao Junjie and Han Huizhong. That was old school to him. But Zhiyuan proved to be just as smart in business management, who could compete with him. It was enjoyable for a spell with the tug-of-war.l between them.

Sometimes, the Han Corps won and sometimes the Liao Corps did. The competition for grabbing the best hotel chain industry's title was always neck to neck between them.

But when it started to show a repeated pattern of wins and losses, Liao Yuan quickly became bored of that too.

Until Xinyi became the standing CEO of the Han Corps.

It was a project where the Han and Liao Corps had to work together. He heard rumors that Zhiyuan was very sick for some reason, and he laughed in disdain when he came to know that it was some silly depression over lost love.

I didn't expect he would turn out to be so weak, he snorted to himself. Lost love? Seriously?

Then came the day when the CEOs of the two companies had to give a presentation and take forward their cooperation.

Naturally, it was him from the Liao Corps side. But he had heard that Han Huizhong had appointed his granddaughter-in-law as the standing CEO.

Her? I thought it would be that old man himself.

He was extremely interested to meet her because everyone knew Han Huizhong's reputation. He only believed in capabilities, and such a stern and ruthless man's choice as the CEO's replacement was indeed compelling to see.

Just who was Han Xinyi?

But his expectations quickly crashed when he met her a few minutes before the meeting started. He saw a woman pacing back and forth in the lounge. Her face was deathly pale, and her legs were trembling as if she would run away the moment she would see a chance to escape.

She was nervously reading through the presentation files, trying to memorize the key points. She was literally on the verge of crying.

Liao Yuan stood behind her. "You must be…Han Xinyi?"

Xinyi was startled and quickly turned. She looked like a frightened and alarmed cat.

"H-Hello! I-Indeed, I am…" her gaze was lowered, and she was nervously fidgeting with her file. "Nice to meet you."

Liao Yuan brought forward his hand for a handshake, but she didn't respond. Then she suddenly noticed it and widened her eyes. "I-I am sorry!"

Xinyi returned his handshake and awkwardly smiled.

He raised his brow. She was fumbling in her speech, and it was clear that she was uncomfortable around him because she didn't know him.

Such a disappointment…

Grandpa Han chose this woman as his granddaughter-in-law? Shouldn't it have been a fiercer and tougher woman just like him?

She is gonna completely screw up her presentation with her stage fright. But he still chose her?

And indeed, Xinyi had screwed up. She stammered and became blank in the middle of the presentation. Her words were incoherent. All in all, it was a disaster.

But Han Huizhong didn't seem to be furious at her. Liao Yuan pitifully watched her getting disdainful glances from everyone. She had lost the first impression, and from now on, everybody would only begin to underestimate her. Xinyi was trembling, but until the very end, she never shed a tear.

He found that admirable, but in the end, who was weak was still weak.

Liao Yuan thought that it was the end of it. Han Huizhong would take the responsibility to himself. The tragedy would just repeat as long as she was there. After such humiliation neither would Xinyi opt to do this role.

But Xinyi came for the second time too, and this time, her skills were slightly better than before. She was still fumbling and trembling, but she didn't get blank. She got through the meeting without forgetting anything.

The third time was even better. Her posture was more straight and confident. She was less fumbling too.

The fourth time, she was finally able to properly articulate herself and the fifth time, she could finally meet everyone's eye while giving the presentation.

In that short amount of time, Liao Yuan had witnessed her growth as she fought her public speaking fear. It was traumatic the first time, but as time passed, she became better and better at it.

Which finally brought Liao Yuan's interest back in her.

Persistence.

Xinyi was scared and had made many mistakes. But she was persistent to improve herself. Of course, a large part of that was definitely due to Han Huizhong's spartan training. But it also required Xinyi's mental fortitude to go through it and face her fear again and again.

This was something new to him. He was a man who could learn anything pretty easily without putting much effort. He didn't have to work hard in any particular area. That's why seeing someone working so hard, especially in an area they dreaded to work in was something rare to witness for him.

People naturally worked hard towards the things they liked. But how many truly work to conquer their fears?

She knew nothing about business management. But with a little time and learning, she quickly adapted herself. It was actually her at the end who suggested an idea that was the most profitable.

She changed everybody's attitudes towards her slowly and steadily. A woman who knew nothing about business and who couldn't even talk to people properly, led the cooperation to success on her own.

It took a lot of pain and humiliation to reach that stage. But the bright smile on her lips after it was over made him realize that it was truly worth it for her.

It was a mistake to think she was weak. She had a different kind of a strength in her which didn't come from in-born talent or qualities, rather sheer hard work and her attitude.

Now I understand why you chose her, Grandpa Han.

Han Xinyi IS interesting indeed.