Mr. Smith was impressed with the construction of thoughts in Zhou Yuexi's explanation during their meeting. He didn't expect that the CEO he was meeting is a woman. Added to the fact that Zhou Yuexi speaks fluent English without the Eastern accent that most Chinese have. Moreover, the benefits that Zhou Yuexi offered to him is triple his capital investment, much higher than the 10 percent per annum offer of Lin Zhongren. He became further convinced that it was worth it to concur with Empire Estates than Zhou Real Estates.
"It was nice dealing with you Ms. Zhou. Whoever made this plan for you is a genius. I'm hoping for a smooth collaboration."
Mr. Smith signed their contract then stuck his hand out to Zhou Yuexi.
Zhou Yuexi shook hands with Mr. Smith, closing their deal. "It was nice doing business with you too Mr. Smith. But I have to say I'm no genius, I just made a fair contract that benefits the both of us. I look forward to working with you on other projects in the future Mr. Smith, have a pleasant stay here in China."
Admiration flashed in Mr. Smith's eyes when he realized that the business plan that impressed him was made by the lady right in front of him. He never expected a woman to be that strategic when it comes to business, let alone someone as young as Zhou Yuexi. He was quite biased against woman in the business world but Zhou Yuexi proved his belief wrong.
"Yes, I will Ms. Zhou. If you don't mind me asking, are you single?", Mr. Smith asked before he left.
Zhou Yuexi was taken aback with the sudden question. She thought, 'Technically speaking, I'm single. I've always been single but I'm someone who is about to get married. Even though we haven't officially met and he's not even my boyfriend, the end result would be the same, I'd still get married. So, I guess I'm single but not, at the same time?'. Zhou Yuexi just got confused with her train of thought.
"I'm actually about to get engaged.", Zhou Yuexi said with a smile.
Mr. Smith sighed in disappointment. "I knew it, an outstanding lady like you would most likely be out of the market already. You're such a great catch that it would be such a waste for a man to miss out on you. Too bad I haven't met you earlier or I would surely love to have you as a daughter-in-law. Whoever that man you're marrying is, he surely hit the jackpot. Best wishes to the both of you."
"Thank you for your blessings Mr. Smith. Have a goodnight."
Zhou Yuexi walked Mr. Smith out then bowed as the American man got in his car.
Inside the car, Mr. Smith smiled to himself. 'I may not have her as part of my family, I at least, got to partner with her in a project. It's still a winning situation.'
...
"Xiao Xuan, send me the soft copy of the background checks on my desk. I'll be driving myself tonight so just take Chen Liang with you.", Zhou Yuexi said as she boarded her car.
"Sure thing. Are you going back to the Zhou Family Villa ma'am?" Ye Zixuan also wanted to ask if it was true that her was getting married but decided against it.
"No, I will stay at Azure tonight."
Zhou Yuexi noticed the contemplating look on Ye Zixuan's face and being the quick witted person that she is, answered her secretary's unsaid query. "I am getting married."
Ye Zixuan looked at her boss in astonishment. She thought her boss was some kind of psychic that can read people's minds.
"Don't look at me like that, it's all over your face." Zhou Yuexi chuckled at her secretary's cuteness.
Ye Zixuan is Zhou Yuexi's first secretary. She is a fresh graduate from business school with excellent credentials. But what made Zhou Yuexi like her is her dedication to work. She never complained about anything and is always meticulous even with very fine details, which satisfied the perfectionist side of Zhou Yuexi.
"If you have something you want to ask, fire away. You're my secretary after all, you have the right to know personal information that affect my daily life."
Ye Zixuan's eyes shimmered with joy when she heard that. "Really boss? Then is it alright if I know who your husband-to-be is?"
"Of course. It's Zhang Yixing."
Zhou Yuexi felt extremely comfortable with her secretary that she was willing to share exclusive news. Ye Zixuan, on the other hand, couldn't contain her shock from the sudden information that her mouth hang agape.
"Zhang Yixing ma'am? As in the CEO of Zhang Corps. that wants to meet with you?", Ye Zixuan asked with all curiosity.
"Yes, that Zhang Yixing."
Ye Zixuan was like a fan girl of her own employer. She felt such a huge privilege to serve Zhou Yuexi now more than before. She was already her idol before for being able to establish two companies and making both rise to the top of the business world with just her ideas alone. And now, she was going to marry the man of every girl's dream. Even she fantasize of dating Zhang Yixing and swore that if Zhang Yixing marries, she'd boycott the wife. But now, after finding out that her boss, her role model, is the one that Zhang Yixing will marry, she turned from a prospect hater to an avid supporter in a flash. 'If ever anyone knew about this they'd surely die of envy.', she thought.
...
Meanwhile in Country J.
Zhang Yixing elegantly drank his wine as he watched the beautiful lights of the city from the French windows in his hotel room. His secretary, Lu Han, stood nearby as he related updates regarding the issue they resolved in one of their branch in the said nation.
"Enough of that. Any updates about the proposal I asked you to send to Empire Estates regarding the land for our City H Branch of Azure Hotels?", Zhang Yixing asked as he leisurely swirled the contents of his wine glass.
Lu Han picked up a brown envelop and handed it Zhang Yixing. "Ye Zixuan sent it to me a while ago. She said her boss wants your proposal revised to how she noted in the papers and that she needs it sent back by tomorrow morning."
Zhang Yixing read the neatly written notes at the side of the clause that Zhou Yuexi wants revised. "Interesting. I never had a proposal sent back to me for revision." A smirk formed in his mouth when he read the last part of the note.
Lu Han just remained silent to his boss's comments. He thought that Zhang Yixing probably felt insulted as it really was the first time a Zhang Corporation proposal got returned to be revised.
Nobody ever dared to reject any proposals from Zhang Corporation before. Zhang Corporation is the highest earning company in Imperial and China entirely. Being able to receive a proposal from such capable company is a privilege that no other comp wants to lose out on to. Turning down a proposal from Zhang Corporation is the most stupid and most insulting thing a businessman could do.
This CEO of Empire Estates didn't turn down the proposal per se, but returning a flaw-founded proposal which is personally crafted by Zhang Yixing is just as insulting.
Understanding his boss's thinking, Lu Han silently prayed for the future of Empire Estates.
Zhang Yixing put the papers back inside the envelop and handed it back to Lu Han. "Retype this to the way she wants and send it to her secretary before tomorrow morning."
Though Zhang Yixing's reaction to the situation was alien to Lu Han he still complied immediately. "Right away, Boss."
Lu Han quickly took out his laptop and read the note on how to revise the certain clause but what shook him wass by the end of the note, there was a postscript. 'PS: I heard Zhang Corporation's proposals are always flawless but I guess there's still an exemption. A small detail slipped your eyes, dear future husband.'
While Lu Han was still in a daze because of the future husband part, Zhang Yixing asked for one more thing. "Also, get me Zhou Yuexi's personal phone number. I need to reply to my dear future wife."
Lu Han who just got out of his daze fell into another one after his boss finished talking. 'Future husband... Future wife... What on earth was happening?!'
"Yes... Yes, boss."