Old Master Zhang listened to Zhang Zhentian's words and felt that perhaps Xia Jing truly had no ulterior motives, yet he was afraid that Xia Jing might have other intentions. What should he do if Xia Jing really had other motives? Thus, Old Master Zhang was very conflicted, unsure whether to trust his son and Xia Jing's words or to continue upholding his own opinion. Lost in thought, his secretary walked in.
"Has Xia Jing agreed to meet?" Old Master Zhang asked the secretary.
"Chairman, Miss Xia says she is willing to meet, and you can decide on the location," the secretary informed Old Master Zhang. "Chairman, there's something else I need to tell you."
"What is it? Is there another problem with the company?" Old Master Zhang asked worriedly. He feared another issue with the company. What should he do if there really was a problem?
"Chairman, don't be nervous, it's not about the company," the secretary seemed to see through Old Master Zhang's anxiety.
"Oh? It's not about the company? Then tell me, what is it?" Old Master Zhang asked eagerly.
"Chairman, I conducted a private investigation into Miss Xia and found that the money she used to save the company was indeed her life savings, cobbled together with contributions from her subordinates. I also have some good news for you, Chairman."
"What other good news? Let's hear it."
"Chairman, I believe you're quite eager to know this good news too. According to my investigation, Miss Xia may be a mercenary, but her background is spotless, with no record of any misconduct."
"Good, very good! This indeed is great news," Old Master Zhang burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha, if that is truly the case, then I won't worry about her being with my son Zhentian."
"Tell her that tomorrow at noon, I'll be waiting for her in the coffee shop downstairs."
"All right, Chairman, I will pass on the message to Miss Xia. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Old Master Zhang did not say anything else, simply waving his hand to dismiss his secretary.
The next afternoon, Old Master Zhang arrived at the coffee shop to wait for Xia Jing. As he waited, Old Master Zhang pondered over what to say to Xia Jing once she arrived. Should he agree to let Zhang Zhentian and Xia Jing be together, or should he keep observing her before making a decision? Ah, it was quite the dilemma. On the one hand, Xia Jing had generously saved the Zhang Corporation without holding any grudges. But on the other hand, he was still unclear whether Xia Jing wanted to be with Zhentian out of genuine love or if she had other motives. Never mind, he thought, let the two young people figure it out themselves.
Xia Jing entered the coffee shop, greeted Old Master Zhang with a bow, and sat down.
"Uncle, may I ask why you wanted to see me?" Xia Jing asked straightforwardly.
"Hahaha, true to the leader of a Mercenary Group, you are indeed astute," praised Old Master Zhang, unable to help himself.
"Uncle, please just speak plainly, no need for beating around the bush with me. There's no need to stand on ceremony." Xia Jing casually said as she picked up her coffee.
"Alright, then I will just call you Xia Jing." Old Master Zhang asked Xia Jing.
"Of course, that's fine. Uncle, you are my elder, and I am your junior. It's not wrong for you to call me by my name," Xia Jing replied politely.
"Good, Xia Jing, then I'll just ask you directly. I'd like to know if the money you used to save the company was really just your savings over the years and not cobbled together with your subordinates?" Old Master Zhang asked with a smile that was not quite a smile.
Xia Jing knew that since Old Master Zhang asked this question, he must already know the money she originally used to save Zhang Corporation was gathered bit by bit. Since he knew this and still asked her, it must be a test!
"Uncle, since you already know, why bother to ask me?"
"Xia Jing, let me just tell you the truth," Old Master Zhang let out a sigh and spoke slowly to Xia Jing. "You know what? Actually, the reason I didn't like you at the beginning was for a reason."
"Uncle, actually, even if you didn't say it, I already knew. There were several reasons you didn't like me back then, right?" Xia Jing countered Old Master Zhang.
"Oh? You know? Then tell me, let's see if you're right." Old Master Zhang wanted to see if Xia Jing was truly as clever as she seemed, knowing the reasons why he initially disliked her and opposed her relationship with Zhentian without him saying it.
"Uncle, you opposed my relationship with Zhentian because you felt that me being together with Zhentian wasn't good for Zhang Corporation's reputation, because I was a mercenary. You opposed our relationship because I am not the daughter of a Wealthy Family; I don't have a powerful backing. Because I lack a powerful background, I couldn't bring benefits to the company, so you opposed my relationship with Zhentian. At that time, you probably also thought I wasn't truly in love with Zhentian, not sincerely wanting to be with him. You definitely thought I was with Zhentian recklessly just for the Zhang Corporation's wealth. Uncle, am I right?" Xia Jing asked confidently.
Ah, it seems the person capable of leading a Mercenary Group really isn't ordinary, seeing things so clearly. What's rare is her breadth of mind, which is even broader than many men's, truly rare.
"You're right, you haven't said anything wrong. But do you know why I wanted you to give up being a mercenary before I agreed to you being with Zhentian?" Old Master Zhang asked Xia Jing again.
How could Xia Jing not understand in her heart, but how should she respond? Should she tell the truth or just give a perfunctory answer? After thinking it over, for the sake of being with Zhentian, she decided to tell the truth.
"Uncle, I know. At that time, when you negotiated with me to give up my mercenary status, you agreed to me being with Zhentian. You set this condition for our own good, but at the same time, you had your own selfish concerns. You were afraid that if I stayed a mercenary and was with Zhentian, it would leave us open to mockery, saying that the son of the illustrious Zhang Corporation's chairman, Zhang Zhentian, married a woman who's a mercenary. You were concerned the gossip could harm Zhentian and the Zhang Corporation's stock might fall, leading to financial difficulties. Frankly, what you feared more was that the children born of our union would be laughed at for having the leader of a notorious gang as their mother. Am I right?" Xia Jing continued, glancing at Old Master Zhang's expression, which was fluctuating. She added, "Uncle, actually I can tell you, if I were with Zhentian, it would only be beneficial to Zhang Corporation, not detrimental. Not only would I help Zhang Corporation's stocks rise, but I would also help it surpass Li Corporation. Uncle, I did consider giving up my mercenary status to be with Zhentian, but at that time, I just couldn't swallow my pride. To be honest, uncle, don't take this the wrong way, but do you remember how Zhentian knelt to you to be with me? That day I knelt as well, not out of sincerity but just for appearances. But now, I truly plead with you, please agree to let me and Zhentian be together. I truly love Zhentian, and I can give up being a mercenary for him. I just hope, considering I saved Zhang Corporation, that you could agree to our marriage, alright?" Xia Jing knelt before Old Master Zhang, pleading with him.
"Xia Jing, it's not that I refuse you, but right now I can't agree to it. To break up you and Zhentian, I engaged Li Corporation's heiress, Li Jiayuan, who also likes Zhentian. You should know that I've wanted the Nanxi project contract for more than a day or two, but for a whole year. Now, I haven't secured the project, and you're asking me to accept you, which puts me in a difficult position," he said.
It seems uncle still doesn't know about what transpired between Zhentian and that Li Jiayuan, nor about the attempt I had Xiao Wei make on Li Jiayuan's life. Thank goodness Xiao Wei didn't kill Li Jiayuan; otherwise, it would truly be complicated for me to be with Zhang Zhentian. What a relief.
"Uncle, don't worry, I will help you secure the Nanxi project partnership," Xia Jing said, then walked away without waiting for Old Master Zhang to respond.