"Thank you so much for making time to speak with me."
The man's office is very much like the man itself. It leaves one with the impression of a fastidious devotion to minimalism. As far as orderliness goes, it was flawless.
"I guess it's a little late for introductions, but here's my business card."
"…"
Wu Nianzhen of Persona Solutions.
That was the name and identity Jian Qingshan was using on this mission.
Persona Solutions is an actual consulting firm, but the woman has made certain that the man will never be able to track them down.
Obviously, Persona Solutions isn't even close to WGTC's level. Plus, the woman didn't think WGTC would be concerned with associating with Persona Solutions, and her instincts were on point.
The man proves that further by glancing at the business card once and refusing to accept it.
"When I said I'd listen to what you had to say, I didn't mean extraneous nonsense. Get to the point."
Talking about difficulty, the man wasn't even giving her any openings. She had to play safe with him.
Without messing around further, she takes out the handkerchief and hold it out to him.
"Here you go."
"…"
"I appreciate what you did for me the other night. I wanted to thank you again for treating my cut, so this actually worked out very well."
Jian Qingshan study his expression and it remains unreadable as he reached to take the handkerchief, just then—
-rrrrrrring-
The phone in his office rings. The man picks up and walks away from his seat.
"What is it? No, not just the engagement. The entire arrangement is back to square one. Yes…"
The bits and pieces she gathered from the conversation, it must had been about the older man the man threw out of his office, Mr. Xiu Ouyang from Xiu Market Corporation.
For words to traveled this fast, whoever's on the other side of the line must work here.
When a person as prominent as Wang Zhixin is engaged, the arrangement is never simple. There are probably lots of loose ends that needs cleaning up.
As the man continues to speak, she detects hints of irritation and fatigue in his tone.
The handkerchief and rings were still in her hand.
"Yes. But as far as that goes—"
Once she was certain the man was focused on his conversation, she touched her earring again. The jewelry is actually outfitted with a miniature camera.
She begins recording video footage of the office with an emphasis on suspicious areas, but today turns out to be fruitless.
The code was made to control every itineration of the AI at once, definitely is would have to be somewhere secure.
She quietly considers the matter when she happens to look back at the man and what she saw shocked her. Their eyes meet.
"Yes, I know. I'll call you back later."
After a brief conversation, the phone call ends.
The entire time she was casually searching his territory, he was also unobtrusively observing her.
But it was okay, because she didn't do anything to let on what she was up to. It was just a coincidence that he happened to be looking at her. And, even if it wasn't, he was just a little suspicious, that's all.
Wang Zhixin, the CEO of WGTC, of course he's warier than most. The woman had targets who'd easily surrender the information she needed, but this man was the polar opposite. He was the kind of foe she had to respect.
"You're going to embarrass me, staring at me like that."
"What were you looking at just now?"
"The scenery outside your window. I guess the CEO gets the best views."
"Then, could you please give me that back?"
"Of course, here you go."
After staring at her hand for a moment, he extends his own hand, and immediately opens the handkerchief. Inside, the ring shines subtly in the light.
"I just assumed that you were married. I thought you were having an affair. But, judging from the conversation you just had about your arranged marriage, I was wrong."
"…"
"Still, you don't seem like the nicest guy. I mean, you were arguing with a beautiful woman last night at the party too."
"It's none of your business."
"Ha-ha, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. Even if you do have a fiancée, it's not unusual for corporate executives as powerful as you to have one or two dangerous dalliances."
"Pfft."
"Did I say something funny?"
"It's strange to see you pretending to be so understanding of the ways of the world. As I remember it, you were pretty disparaging of me that night of the party. I'm a 'poor thing,' right?"
She thought back to last night's event.
"You remembered. I'm touched."
"Wu Nianzhen, is it? Thank you for returning my ring."
"And thank you for so kindly tending to my wound. I had my own ulterior motives, but I meant it when I said I came here because I wanted to thank you."
Her words seem to give him a pause, but eventually, he takes the handkerchief. And, for some reason, he picks up her hand along with it.
"Wang Zhixin—"
"One or two dalliances, hmm?"
Still gripping to her hand, he whispers in her ear. Stray hairs quiver under his hot breath.
What was all this about? He wasn't suggesting she become one of his 'dangerous dalliances' is he?
Knowing the man, Jian Qingshan knew the man must be up to no good. And playing along with him could be one way to find out.
"And if I say I will, what would you do?"
She squeezed his hand back, softly lacing her fingers through his. Her dry palm rubs through the handkerchief.
"What kind of 'dangerous' do you have in mind?"
"What do you think?"
"Well, I'd be embarrassed if I misunderstood, so I'd really appreciate if you could be direct and just tell me."
She whispers, punctuating her request by smoothly gliding a finger down his chest. The undeniably sensual gesture brings a pleasant smile to his face.
"Very well then, I'll tell you. It means whatever you want it to mean."
An arm wraps around her back, and his fingers begins to caress the contours of her body. The feel of his fingers on her was excruciatingly light, yet there's something undeniably skillful about the way he touches her, mercilessly fanning the flames of a certain sensation.
"If you want to stop, you should probably tell me now."
He was obviously testing her. But, she responds to his provocative words with a sweet smile.
"Don't be silly. You're the one who made the first move. Remember, Mr. Wang?"
She made the decision to play along with his game, and she wasn't about to back down now. She was ready to push this all the way to the edge.
She meets his curious faze head on, and a low chuckle rises up from his throat.
"I see. You're a handful. You're interesting though."
"Did you think one night was enough to learn everything there is about me? I don't think you know me at all. At least not yet."
"And what about you then? Do you know me?"
"I wouldn't say that. But, I know you're a prudent man. You don't trust me enough to have any sort of real relationship with me yet. But you insist on whispering strange little seductive nothings in my ear. What exactly is that about?"
"So, you know all that, but you're still playing along. You're quire the actress."
"Ha-ha, I'm honored. I'm so glad you appreciate my talent."
Even with both of their schemes exposed, neither of their smiles falter.
"I wonder if you remember. I'm actually kind of sentimental. As I said the night of the party, I'm not a fan of loveless relationships. But, you could be fun to play around with."
"Somehow I get the feeling playing around with you wouldn't be what I'm expecting."
"You're right. I like to play around, but my favorite game is called 'business.'"
She pulls his hand close and gaze deep into his eyes. This time it was her who brought her lips to his ear with a smile.
"So, what do you say? Want to have some fund with me?"
"That's not a bad pickup line. Still, you seem to have forgotten. I have no interest in discussing business with you."
It was then that she's finally put a clearly defined distance between the two of them. He pulls away from her, and she hears another one of his throaty chuckles.
She could tell by his demeanor that they were done for today. And, giving him his belongings, she was left empty-handed.
She needs to come up with a reason to see him again. Just then she realizes something that stops her though process short.
She still had herself. She was the one who witnessed the events of the party and, more recently, his engagement getting called off. There should be some 'consulting' she can do in this situation.
"You look like you have something to say."
Sensing something, he glances her way. She gazes back at him and smile.
"Would you be interested in purchasing me, Mr. Wang?"
"Says the woman who just turned me down."
"No, that's not what I mean. I'd like you to purchase my service as a consultant."
"Don't make me repeat myself again. I'm not interest—"
"—to put it bluntly." She cuts him off and raise her voice. This was her last chance to roll the dice.
"My job as a consultant is to solve people's problems."
"…"
"And now that I think about it, the woman I met at the party. She's a socialite of some kind, correct?"
"…"
"That woman was the daughter of CEO of Xiu Market Corporation. Mr. Wang, are you trying to find a suitable partner?"
"…"
"In addition to business consulting, I take on private matters as well."
Sometimes, Jian Qingshan's confidence can be used to overwhelm her opponents. She can use it as a weapon to swallow them whole.
"In that case—"
The look in his eyes changes, and she sensed she have grabbed hold of something intangible. However, less than a second later—
-knock knock-
She was so close to securing her next foothold. Who in the world was interrupting them now?!