Stone Wang raised his glass to the room, speaking softly but loud enough for everyone to hear: "Thirty years ago, I helped you get support, this favor, I should return it."

After saying that, he still wore that kind of elder brother-like, non-negotiable smile.
All eyes suddenly focused on Duan Yongping.
The smile on Duan Yongping’s face didn’t fade away gradually; it was like a light being suddenly turned off with a "snap," disappearing instantly.
He didn’t speak, just quietly looked at Wang Shi, with an expressionless gaze that revealed no emotion, like a stone just taken out of the freezer.
The air froze in that moment.
Exactly three seconds.
Then, Duan Yongping turned his head very naturally and started talking about products with the person next to him, his tone flat, as if that earlier remark was not a bomb but a speck of dust.
Wang Shi’s hand holding the glass paused in mid-air for a moment, then casually lowered it.
Someone said this was called losing face, causing the tea to go cold.
Others said this was the move of a top expert. Not even saying thank you, that’s the cruelest rejection. Because once you start explaining, even if you say "one code for one code," you’ve already fallen into the other person’s "favor" trap.
Using silence to pull you back to the business negotiation table— is that because of low emotional intelligence or because of a higher level?