In the sweltering heat of summer, the sun blazed like a fiery ball, scorching the earth. As Lin Yufeng exited the Meilin Palace Hotel, he was met with a wave of oppressive heat, his exposed skin stinging as if it were being seared. He opened the car door, and the seat, baked by the sun, felt blistering hot. The interior was filled with a distinct mixed odor. He turned on the air conditioning before driving onto the main road.
Lin Yufeng drove in silence, his mind still replaying scenes from the trial. A sense of relief washed over him. After driving for about 30 minutes, he arrived at the headquarters of Zheng Tian Group. The four gigantic golden characters "Zheng Tian Group" embedded on the building's facade gleamed brightly under the sunlight. Scattered pedestrians and a few uniformed security guards patrolled the plaza in front of the building. Lin Yufeng surveyed the area and found a spot to park next to the building.
Entering the Zheng Tian Group headquarters, the cool interior contrasted sharply with the outside heat. Lin Yufeng found the floor directory in the lobby, noting that the CEO's office was on the third floor. He took the elevator up, finding the floor quiet, with door signs indicating meeting rooms, reception rooms, and offices. He approached the CEO's office. The first door was open, revealing a spacious office divided into two sections. The outer section housed the secretary's workspace, where a professionally dressed woman was working at a computer. Recognizing her as the CEO's secretary, he approached.
The secretary paused her work and stood up politely, asking, "Sir, how can I help you?"
Lin Yufeng replied, "I'd like to see Mr. Han Chufeng."
The secretary apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. Han is in a meeting."
With a firm tone, Lin Yufeng insisted, "Please inform him that Lin Yufeng from Lesheng Company is here. Just mention my name; he'll want to see me."
After a moment's hesitation, the secretary nodded, "Please wait a moment. I'll inform him right away." She left the office and headed to the meeting room at the end of the corridor, gently pushing the door open and entering.
The meeting room was filled with Zheng Tian Group's senior leaders, the air thick with smoke. The secretary approached Han Chufeng, whispering, "Mr. Han, Mr. Lin Yufeng from Lesheng Company is here to see you."
Han Chufeng was slightly taken aback but said, "Please ask Mr. Lin to wait in my office. I'll be right there." After the secretary left, Han Chufeng closed his folder and addressed the room, "Continue discussing this matter. I need to handle something." He stood up and left the meeting room.
In the CEO's office, Han Chufeng shook Lin Yufeng's hand, inviting him to sit. "Please have a seat, Mr. Lin."
Lin Yufeng began, "I'm sure you know why I'm here."
Han Chufeng responded, "Mr. Lin is a well-known figure in the audio industry. Yuanying is a friend of mine, and your lawsuit has been heavily covered by the media. I assume your visit concerns Yuanying."
Lin Yufeng stated, "I want to go to Gucheng and talk to Mr. Ding in person to resolve these unpleasant matters. But I don't know his address."
Han Chufeng replied, "Please wait a moment." He retrieved a notepad from his desk and wrote down Ding Yuanying's phone number and detailed address, handing it to Lin Yufeng.
Lin Yufeng glanced at the note and asked, "Why tell me this?"
Han Chufeng explained, "Mr. Lin is a man of status, and this is the basic respect I owe you. If you thought I wouldn't tell you, you wouldn't have come."
Lin Yufeng felt a sudden pang of discomfort, realizing that while he had expected Han Chufeng to give him Ding Yuanying's address, he hadn't expected such straightforwardness. He wondered about their friendship and whether Han Chufeng considered Ding Yuanying's safety. "Aren't you worried?" he asked.
With a faint smile, Han Chufeng said, "If I didn't tell you, would you be unable to find him? Whether I tell you or not doesn't affect my responsibility to my friend, unless I cease to exist."
Lin Yufeng felt a sharp sting of being looked down upon but also a newfound respect for Han Chufeng. Smiling wryly, he said, "You can call and inform Mr. Ding. I'll be heading to Gucheng now."
Han Chufeng responded, "Yuanying is a wise man. He knows you'll come looking for him eventually. Informing him would merely give him time to prepare, which would be disrespectful to both of you. Let things remain as they are."
Shaken, Lin Yufeng pocketed the note and stood up. "I'll be leaving now. Thank you."
Han Chufeng stood to see him out.
As Lin Yufeng walked away, he suddenly turned and asked, "If you don't mind, could you explain the story behind your BMW 730? Of course, you don't have to."
Han Chufeng chuckled, "I lost that car to Yuanying in a bet—a bit of a conversation piece between friends. As for the details, you'll have to wait until I retire as CEO of Zheng Tian to find out."
Their meeting was brief. Han Chufeng escorted Lin Yufeng out of the office and then returned to the meeting room.