Director Gai nodded his head in understanding, "In that case, can I rely on you and Wei Sheng from now on, Director Wu?" The old man offered his hand to him in a gesture of trust.
Glancing at the hands in front of him, Zhaoyi realized that Director Wu was offering him indirect help and support. Which in other words meant that the old man had agreed to board Wei Sheng's ship and become one of his soldiers. "I will never disappoint you, Director Gai."
When the two hands met, it became a seal that bound them unlawfully. Because in business you don't do something under the paper, when the one you're asking for is not money.
"Then, I will not disturb Director Gai any longer." Zhaoyi stood up from his chair and took one last look at the old man.
"No disturbance at all. We will also meet again in the future." Director Gai said, standing up from his soft chair, "You can call me anytime, if you need something."
"Thank you, Director Gai. I will go first." Zhaoyi bowed his head once in a final gesture of respect and strode confidently out of the room.
A few seconds later, the room fell silent once more. The kettle on the small stove made a piercing ring, indicating that the water inside had boiled. Director Gai reached the phone that was placed upside down on the sofa and put it to his ear. "I have nothing left to say, you've been with us from the start, Miss Nicole."
The woman who was in the car alone with earphones attached to her ears, smiled faintly, "Thank you for your help, Director Gai."
Director Gai let out a short laugh, just like before. "There's no need to thank me. It is I who should thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet my idol." After the laughter subsided, the old man continued speaking. "Although I know I will never have the chance to meet him in person, but I will always support him from behind the scenes. It was you, Miss Nicole, who encouraged me to step into the spotlight."
Nicole paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before responding, "But, it looked like you were having a great time with Wu Zhaoyi earlier, didn't it?"
"Right.. Right.. I really had a great conversation with him even though it was a short time. I hope we will have more chances in the future to enjoy tea together."
"I'm sure that chances will come, Director Gai." Nicole said confidently, "Also, regarding the Swiss project, I think I will require some assistance from your team."
"Don't worry about it," Director Gai replied immediately. "I'll take care of everything for you."
Nicole ended their conversation by saying, "I will be waiting for good news from you, Director Gai."
"You too, good luck with your mission, Miss Nicole."
The call ended and Nicole took out her wireless earphones. Although she had planned this meeting with Director Gai carefully, but she still felt the need to acknowledge Wu Zhaoyi's abilities.
Despite she had a good relationship with Director Gai, the old man was not one to give support lightly. With just a glance, someone as wise and experienced as him could tell whether the person in front of him was worthy of his trust or not.
On the other hand, Nicole was actually gambling when she decided to make Wu Zhaoyi her pawn to ask for Director Gai's help, regarding her own interests. But to her surprise, he performed very well and even exceeded her expectations. Using one bait to catch two fish, isn't wrong, right? After all, this is business we're talking about.
Wu Zhaoyi was already standing at the bottom of the stairs where they had dropped him off earlier, waiting for Nicole's car to drive from the parking lot and stop in front of him. The driver who was sitting in the driver's seat got out and opened the passenger door allowing the man to get inside.
"You've worked hard, Director Wu." Nicole said giving appreciation to the man.
"Where are we going now?" Zhaoyi replied in a flat voice.
Facing forward, Nicole then gave instructions, "Peizhi Shooting Center."
***
Out of the three flying targets thrown, only one was successfully hit by the fat man standing in lane one on the far end of the field. The moment his target was hit, a wave of applause and cheers rang out from the people behind him, as if he had just accomplished a very challenging task.
After the fat man lowered his air rifle, gunshots could be heard from the lane next to him. When he looked up, it was clear that every target had been successfully hit in the middle of the field, with the remaining clay falling to the ground.
Suddenly everyone turned to look at the figure and louder applause was heard. Director Chong immediately turned his head and stared intently at the man in the black turtleneck, who was standing a few feet away from him. With a confused expression, he raised his hand and gestured for one of his subordinates to come forward.
"Go find out who that man is," He instructed.
After receiving the order, his subordinate swiftly walked to the designated line and greeted him. The man then took off his headphones and earplugs before turning to face Director Chong, allowing them to make eye contact and see each other's faces more clearly.
"Why does he seem so familiar?" He muttered to himself with a slight frown on his face.
"Ah.." A surprised voice came from one of the women standing behind him, "Isn't he Wu Zhaoyi? That swimmer?"
When this important information was revealed, Director Chong's eyes widened and his mind became clear. "Ah, yes, he is Wei Sheng's Director," He exclaimed.
Director Chong wasted no time as he put down the gun and dismantled the equipment around him. He strode quickly to the man standing in the middle lane.
"If I'm not mistaken, you are Director Wu, right?" He asked in a low voice.
Nodding his head, the young man then replied. "Nice to meet you, Director Chong." Then stretched out his hand towards the chubby-faced man in front of him.
"Nice to meet you too, Director Wu." He said with a friendly smile and a short laugh, then shook his hand. "I didn't know you could shoot very well."
Zhaoyi shook his head, "I am not, it's just I came here with a friend a few times and he taught me about this."
"Then it means you are a talented shooter, Director Wu."
Zhaoyi laughed softly at the praise given to him, "I still have a lot to learn from you, Director Chong."
Hearing this praise, Director Chong laughed happily. "Then, if you don't mind let's have a short walk, Director Wu."
"Please, Director Chong."
They turned and headed in the opposite direction, making their way up the stairs to the second floor. From there, they could clearly see the open field below. The view was much better from this higher position.
"This is the best view from this place," He commented.
Zhaoyi, who was standing behind the man, looked around and began to understand what Director Chong meant. "From here, we can easily see the worst and best players."
With his arms tightly crossed in front of his chest, Director Chong turned to look at Zhaoyi for a moment. Then he returned his attention to the front and nodded in agreement, "As expected from you, Director Wu." His words echoed, "Isn't that the case in business too?"
Zhaoyi glanced at Director Chong, waiting for the old man to explain his meaning.
"Although we know who is the best, but at this level not many people have the ability to see it." Zhaoyi tried to understand Director Chong's words, "Because we always believe what's we see at our eyes level." Then he lowered his head slightly and looked at the shooters standing in their respective lanes.
"Even if my shoot is bad, people will still applaud and praise me because of my reputation. They only care about my title, not my abilities. " He said with a serious tone and expression that was difficult to read, "However, when they witness a better player, they will shift their attention to them, regardless of whether or not that person is famous. In this field, viewers value skill over fame."
Then the old man turned towards Zhaoyi and looked at him, "As for you, you have both title and skill compared to Lai Ting, which means you are several steps ahead of them. It's just that you hide too many things behind your back, while they keep showing their potential to others and gain a lot benefits from it."
He placed his big hand on Zhaoyi's shoulder, "In business, you have to know when to go all out and hold back. For now, I think you should show them all your strength and who Wei Sheng really is, because this is your last chance before Lai Ting becomes more aggressive."
Director Chong took a deep breath, "This Smart City project is not only for our people to live in, but also a competition for you two. Who will out as the winner and become a company that we can all be proud of, also will hold the title of a Chinese national company."
After meeting two important people on the same day, Zhaoyi felt that there were many things that could be learned from them. Moreover, from their eyes, he could feel how much they valued Wei Sheng more than himself. It was as if they were hoping that his company would have a bright path in the future.
"I understand, Director Chong. I will consider your suggestion."
The fat man shook his head and lowered his hand from Zhaoyi's shoulder, "You are already great on your own. I can only support you from behind."
Zhaoyi nodded his head once.
"Then, I wish you the best, Director Wu."
***
"It seems like your lucky charm is working very well." Nicole said to the person on the other end of the phone, "Then, I will ask you to send more starting today."
Now Nicole was standing outside the car and calling Martha, asking her to send any other information she needs. While also telling her friend about her current condition.
"That's good to hear," Martha commented. "But, honestly I think you should pay me for every gift I send you."
Nicole laughed softly, "Don't worry, I will treat you to whatever you want, once I get back."
Martha's excited voice heard, "Anything?"
"Yeah, I'm on your service."
"Wow... that's very kind of you." Martha said appreciating her friend. "Then since I am in a good mood, I will pass on your message to your loved one. Is there anything you want to say?"
Nicole's eyes turned deep and filled with affection, as if imagining that figure was in front of her. Her voice turned soft and full of love, "I miss you so much every second, minute, hour and day. I wish you were here by my side to recharge my batteries."
Knowing that her friend wouldn't remember if she talked too much, Nicole decided to end her message with something one would normally say to someone they love.
"I love you..." As she said those words, her body also turned around. And when the next sentence came out of Nicole's mouth, it sounded as if she was talking to the person in front of her, "Honey."
The sweet expression on the woman's face immediately disappeared without a trace when she saw who was in front of her now. However, another thing that made Nicole even more horrified was how long had Zhaoyi been standing there? Was it just now? And what did he hear while he was there?
"Talk to you again later." Nicole said as she hung up and lowering the phone from her ear.
"Director Wu," Nicole called in a flat voice, very different from the one on the phone earlier. "Are you done?"
Wu Zhaoyi's cold gaze was clearly visible on that face, as if he was deliberately showing it to Nicole to make her uncomfortable. In fact, it worked, because Nicole who was standing just inches away from the man, could feel the overwhelming cold aura radiating from the person in front of her.
He took slow steps, approaching Nicole. She took similar steps but towards the back until she was finally trapped in the car door and there was no more room to move.
Wu Zhaoyi raised one hand and his palm touched the top of the car door, making Nicole even more trapped. Then, the man moved his face closer until there was only a small distance between them, so close that Nicole could even smell the perfume he was wearing.
"You seem to be living a very good life, Miss Nicole." He said sarcastically, "While I've been living hell for the past ten years."
Nicole felt the blood in her body freeze and all her senses were paralyzed. It was like the man had sucked her soul out. This was something she had never felt before, so why was it happening now?
***