"I cannot continue with the collaboration on the downtown property, but I can compensate you in other ways," Zhou Jingwei said, smiling calmly and warmly. "I'm thinking of using Zhou Group's land in Nancheng in exchange for your downtown property."
Zhao Hanchen's eyes twitched, and he let out a cold laugh. "So that's your calculation? You really have a big appetite!"
"Whether my appetite is too big, that's not for you to worry about. You just need to answer me, are you willing or not?" Zhou Jingwei remained composed in the face of Zhao Hanchen's manifest anger.
Zhao Hanchen was still trying to convince him. "It's impossible for the Zhou Family to swallow such a large piece of land. Wouldn't a win-win be better than a lose-lose situation? Besides, you don't want to get involved in Zhou Family's matters, do you?"
That meant he was unwilling.
Zhou Jingwei chuckled; Zhao Hanchen's response was expected.
He walked past Zhao Hanchen towards a desk to one side. "Since that's the case, there's nothing more to talk about. You should go catch your flight, don't miss it. That new young president from the Qin Family is quite difficult to deal with, you'll have your hands full."
Zhao Hanchen looked at Zhou Jingwei's impenetrable demeanor and was infuriated beyond measure.
Seeing the negotiation reach a deadlock, staying any longer would only make things uglier. Zhao Hanchen, with a cold face, walked out, his formidable presence making way for him.
It was clear to anyone with eyes, that the two parted on bad terms.
Bystanders couldn't help but murmur among themselves; Lawyer Zhou usually seemed so easygoing, yet his ability to infuriate others was outstanding.
Only after Zhao Hanchen left did Zhou Jingwei take off his glasses and without expression, pinched the bridge of his nose.
If Zhao Hanchen had just agreed to give him the downtown land, the Zhou Family's land in Nancheng would have been enough to cover Jingxing Group's losses.
But Zhao Hanchen had refused, obviously determined to get his way with the downtown redevelopment.
Even though Cheng Weiyue's home was right within their planned area.
Was Zhao Hanchen so confident in Cheng Weiyue's deep affection for him that he didn't consider her at all?
Only Zhao Hanchen knew the answer himself.
Zhou Jingwei composed himself, pressed the intercom, and said to his secretary Chen Xun on the other end, "Bring me the files I didn't finish yesterday. We'll have a meeting to discuss them in two hours."
...
After Zhao Hanchen went on a business trip, Cheng Weiyue's life became peaceful and serene.
Her mother, Zhao Ruolan, had enrolled in a flower arrangement class not far from home, and Cheng Weiyue, having nothing better to do, sometimes joined her mother for classes.
Most of the class were middle-aged women like Zhao Ruolan, whose children were grown, and who came from well-to-do families, wealthy enough to afford such leisurely and refined pursuits.
The course content was not complicated, and people often chatted while arranging flowers and plants.
Being the only young woman there, Cheng Weiyue often became the center of conversation.
"Ruolan, you're so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter, she looks just like a movie star," said Sun Mei, Zhao Ruolan's good friend from the flower arrangement class.
Zhao Ruolan had recently got a stylish new perm and swept it back with a barrette. Wearing a white dress with red plum blossoms, her dress was elegant and radiant with beauty, and her face was alight with a bright smile.
Hearing this, she handed a vase to Cheng Weiyue while responding, "This child takes after me, she's been pretty since she was little!"
Cheng Weiyue took the vase that Zhao Ruolan handed to her; it was filled with a large bunch of multicolored lilies and begonias, nearly covering her face.
She listened to Zhao Ruolan's words, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Indeed, she does take after you; our Weiyue's face is truly beautiful," Sun Mei said with a laugh, then added, "By the way, I have a nephew who is a deputy bank manager, tall and handsome. How about introducing him to your daughter?"
This offer certainly sounded appealing, and Zhao Ruolan's eyes lit up. She took the opportunity to ask, "When would be a convenient time to meet? My Weiyue is starting her senior year in a few days, it really is time for her to start dating."
"As for meeting, this weekend would be very convenient," Sun Mei offered warmly.
Cheng Weiyue, seeing the two of them continuing their conversation and about to possibly discuss even more, quickly grabbed Zhao Ruolan's hand and leaned her face around the vase to smile at Sun Mei, "Aunt Sun, I just remembered something that came up, and I need to take my mother out for a bit."
"Oh, go ahead if you have something to do, we can always chat another time," Sun Mei replied.
Cheng Weiyue took a deep breath, thanked her, and led Zhao Ruolan outside.
Once downstairs, Cheng Weiyue pulled Zhao Ruolan aside to a corner and let out a sigh, "Mom, I have a boyfriend. You shouldn't have agreed."
Madam Zhao was very unhappy, her face a terrible shade as she pouted with displeasure and her eyebrows shot up defensively, "Oh! Your boyfriend, who are you talking about? Zhao Hanchen? I'm telling you to break it off with him right now! That guy looks like a playboy, someone who's been through the wringer, how could you, with your innocent nature, ever keep a grip on him?"
This had clearly been bottled up inside for a while and now came out in a rapid burst, leaving Cheng Weiyue's face pale and troubled, "Mom... Hanchen has been really good to me since we got together."
"What do you mean he's been good to you, isn't that easy?" Zhao Ruolan scolded, looking at her daughter with frustration, poking her forehead with her index finger, "Cheng Weiyue, have you lost your mind? Which man isn't nice to his girlfriend while dating? If he's not nice during dating, what's the point of dating at all!"
Cheng Weiyue had intended to have a proper conversation with Zhao Ruolan, but seeing her mother's angry demeanor, she knew it wasn't possible.
She dodged Zhao Ruolan's poking finger and sighed, "Mom, I'll take the flowers home for you, we can talk about everything else once we're home. Please... don't set me up with anyone, I'm begging you, I really like Zhao Hanchen."
Zhao Ruolan was so infuriated that her nose twisted, glaring at Cheng Weiyue, "Are you out of your mind? What bad luck have I stumbled upon to give birth to such a stubborn child!"
The parting was not a happy one.
Cheng Weiyue carried the flowers home, her spirit downcast, her heart aching, she sent Zhao Hanchen a message: "What are you doing?"
A bunny peeking out emoji was attached.
The other party didn't reply.
Cheng Weiyue figured that Zhao Hanchen must be busy and didn't text again, but she just stared blankly at the chat box.
At that moment, a call from an unknown number suddenly popped up.
The caller ID showed it was from Jingcheng, a local number.
Cheng Weiyue hesitated for a moment before bringing the phone to her ear.
On the other end was a lazy, low voice, as crisp and clean as dew condensed on the cedar trees atop a snowy mountain.
He said, "Weiyue, would you like to have dinner together?"
The moment Zhou Jingwei spoke, Cheng Weiyue recognized his voice.
She responded with surprise, her voice tinged with astonishment, "Mr. Zhou, how did you get my phone number?"