Chapter 7, Nanjiao Project

Mu Qing almost bumped his head and turned to look at Ran Ran with lingering fear: "Isn't your reaction a bit too strong?"

Chen Luo further stated: "President Xia has been keeping a close eye on those projects and is well aware of the situation. Initially, I thought that even if we were to compete hard against the Shao family, we would only manage to secure one or two of them. Now that they are willing to take a step back, it is a good thing for us. Moreover, jointly developing these several projects will yield even better benefits"

If you are driving, come pick me up, as I also have something to discuss with you said Mu Qing honestly and without reservation

Ranran frowned. She did not like Peng Jing, and even harbored a deep-seated aversion towards her. Long ago, she had complained about Mrs. Han for not safeguarding her marriage, for so easily allowing her husband to be taken by a third party. Yet now, when faced with someone like Peng Jing, she suddenly found herself somewhat understanding Mrs. Han's choice back then

Xia Hongyuan's expression softened considerably upon hearing this, yet he still maintained a serious demeanor as he said: "What unnecessary worry. Do I need you to buy my medicine? What I need you to learn here is how to manage a company, not how to be a secretary. Hurry back to work!"

Ranran quietly returned to her seat, continuing to flip through the tedious materials, but her mind was in a state of chaos, making it impossible to focus on anything. Shao Mingze mentioned that such cooperation carries risks, and she indeed felt that way. However, after listening to Chen Luo's analysis, she found that he also had a point.

There is a 24-hour fast food restaurant downstairs from the company, but Ranran had no intention of going in; she only thought about wandering around outside before heading back. Unexpectedly, Chen Luo insisted on going in and actually ordered quite a lot. Seeing him enjoying his meal alone, Ranran asked in surprise, "Did you not eat anything for dinner?"

Ruan Ruan, feeling listless, nodded slightly. After sitting alone for a while, she increasingly found the written materials in front of her dull and uninteresting. Unable to continue reading, she gritted her teeth and quickly swept her keys, phone, and other small items into her bag. She left a note on Chen Luo's desk and then stealthily slipped out of the office.

In the end, although the majority held opposing views, Xia Hongyuan still resolutely finalized the new sales plan against the tide of dissent

However, there are always rules governing this. When the rules are violated, there will always be someone who raises an objection

Chen Luo was momentarily taken aback, then smiled faintly as he slowly ate the bun that Ranran had given him. After taking a few sips of soy milk, he stood up and said: "Alright, I am full now. Let's go, the vice presidents from several departments might have already gathered, we should head back quickly."

This statement was so convincing that even Ranran herself found it entirely correct, and she simply could not find any grounds for rebuttal. Moreover, Chen Luo had only called her to make a suggestion; it was her own decision to rush back and pretend to be diligent, and she could not blame anyone for that. Furthermore, she was not truly angry; she was just a bit annoyed by Chen Luo's seemingly amused attitude.

When they arrived at the company, Xia Hongyuan and several vice presidents who had arrived earlier were indeed already waiting in the small conference room

Ranran understands that if a person can make everyone feel that he is particularly sincere, then he is either profoundly foolish or exceptionally astute. Through her recent interactions with Chen Luo, she feels that although he is a good person, he is undoubtedly someone with considerable depth and sophistication.

Ranran hung up the phone, responding with both sorrow and helplessness: "Sister, I can't provide you with 'three companions' today. Xia Hongyuan is really too much; he actually wants to go back to work overtime late at night. I have to return to the company and play the fool."

Hmm. He slowly nodded, a familiar warm smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. "If possible, I would also like to be part of the air drop unit, starting at a slightly higher point than others, what is wrong with that?"

She nodded slightly and turned around honestly to walk into the building. When she passed by the column, she couldn't help but stop, hiding her figure and peeking out to observe the situation over there

In August, the development plan for the peripheral area of the Nanjiao Wetland in Xiping City was officially released. Soon after, the bidding announcements for various development projects were also published

Ranran merely smiled derisively, bypassed her, and walked straight towards her car. However, after taking just a couple of steps, she was unexpectedly pulled back by her from behind.

Ranran coldly looked at Peng Jing and interrupted her: "Peng Jing, there is something I need to remind you. Even though Xia Hongyuan and Han Yun have divorced, I am still Xia Hongyuan's daughter, and I have equal inheritance rights under the law as your son. In fact, I may even receive more due to winning Xia Hongyuan's favor."

Xia Hongyuan exclaimed: "Can biscuits be eaten as a meal?"

Chen Luohan nodded with a smile: "I will step out for a moment and return shortly. Vice President Liu, please go ahead; General Manager Xia is waiting for you in the office."

Chen Luo turned his head to look at her, wearing a bewildered expression and feigning innocence, and asked, "Hmm? What?"

In simple terms, he aims to hoard properties and control the inventory of unsold houses while waiting for prices to rise, in order to obtain higher profits. Of course, this approach brings substantial profits but also entails significant risks; a slight misjudgment could lead to a severe loss.

The cooperation agreement between Xia Hongyuan and Shaw Brothers has been privately settled. Shaw Brothers, as a secondary bidder, will first take a step back to fully support Xia Hongyuan's Hongyuan Group in securing several projects in the southern suburbs. Once the projects are officially launched, Shaw Brothers Construction will follow up and provide funding for project development

Ranran was somewhat surprised and instinctively raised her eyebrows. In a union like that between her and Shao Mingze, does love or indifference really matter?

Not receiving a response from Ranran, the volume on the phone slightly increased: "Ranran, what’s wrong? What happened?"

Ranran let out a soft "hm" and hung up the phone, dialing the security office once more. Fortunately, this time the call was answered quickly, and they immediately dispatched someone to handle the situation. The intoxicated individual was a resident of the same building, just two floors away from Ranran. Two security personnel escorted him back to his home, and after a while, they returned with the drunkard's wife to apologize to Ranran.

Xia Hongyuan replied: "Greater security also means smaller returns. Where in the world can one expect to achieve returns without bearing any risks?"

Mu Qing laughed and said, "You must not let Ms. Han hear this, otherwise she will surely exclaim: raising a daughter like you is not as good as raising a piece of char siu!"

Sitting there anxiously, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Chen Luo. Just then, his gaze swept over in her direction, and their eyes met. In his eyes, she saw a hint of amusement. He subtly nodded at her and then discreetly withdrew his gaze, slightly lowering his head to review the materials on the table

Shao Mingze pondered for a moment and then stated simply and clearly: "I will rush over right now. You should first lock the door, then call the security. If you still cannot get through, then call the police"

Mu Qing, sitting beside her, turned his head in surprise and silently asked her, "What’s wrong? Is there something?"

Ranran felt that this was not a good topic. She rolled her eyes and called Mu Qing to hurry up and get in the car, casually asking, "Aren't you working today?"

Chen Luo smiled and said nonchalantly, "Accompanying General Manager Xia to social events, if I can avoid getting drunk, that would be quite good; who has the time to think about eating? Today, I can only take advantage of your presence to have a bite to eat; otherwise, I don't know when I would get to have this meal."

The meeting room was not large, yet several individuals were engaged in a heated debate. Ranran sat in the corner, merely listening, unable to interject a single word. Chen Luo spoke very little, mostly remaining quiet as he listened to the arguments of others, only offering a few words when Xia Hongyuan directed attention towards him. However, Ranran could discern that he leaned towards supporting Xia Hongyuan.

The elevator descended to the first floor, and they exited just as Vice General Manager Liu, who was in charge of marketing, was about to enter the elevator. He looked up and saw Chen Luo, and curiously asked, "Assistant Chen, this is..."

During those two years, Mu's mother lived in great suffering, while Mu Qing endured considerable hardship. Looking back now, it is no longer possible to determine whether the choices made at that time were right or wrong; it was simply that emotions overwhelmingly triumphed over reason. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance of hope, she could not bring herself to give up

Ranran was almost infuriated upon hearing this, genuinely wanting to kick him a few times to vent her frustration. However, she forcibly held back due to the surveillance in the elevator, merely glaring at him in anger.

"That's enough." Xia Hongyuan interrupted his daughter's words, "Ranran, being cautious in your actions is a good thing, but being overly timid is not. Your father dares to do this because he has the confidence to do so. You are not yet familiar enough with these projects in Nanjiao; you should find Chen Luo later and ask him to explain the situation to you thoroughly."

Ranran lowered her head, pretending to be innocent. When Xia Hongyuan saw this, he felt both angry and heartbroken. He urged her repeatedly to hurry and eat something. Noticing that she was dawdling and not moving, he specifically instructed Chen Luo: "I still have to trouble you to take this girl down to eat something for me!"

Ranran arrived only a few minutes earlier than them, and her phone was still in her bag, not taken out, with nothing much to tidy up. However, Xia Hongyuan was still standing by, watching her, so she could only pretend to fumble with a couple of small items on the table and stuff them into her bag before following Chen Luo out of the office

Ranran was momentarily taken aback, pulling the phone away from her ear, only to realize that she had inadvertently dialed Shao Mingze's number. It was likely that she had been too flustered just now, and in a moment of distraction, she had pressed the last call record.

I have never been very satisfied with my work. Previously, I worked hard just to make money. Now that I have paid off my debts, I no longer want to force myself to do things I do not like. " Mu Qing said as she took out a bank card from her purse and handed it to Ran Ran, "There are fifty thousand yuan in here. Adding to what I gave you before, that makes three hundred thousand. Finally, it's all settled. " After saying this, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh, feeling a sense of relief.

Rǎn Rǎn shrugged helplessly and self-deprecatingly sighed, "Well, for someone as incapable as I am, all that is left is to make use of my attitude."

Rian was momentarily at a loss for words, and after a while, she finally asked: "What are your plans for the future?"

Chen Luo stood behind Xia Hongyuan, watching Ranran, with a mischievous smile in the corners of his eyes and brows. This made Ranran feel quite embarrassed, and she hurriedly explained to Xia Hongyuan with a hint of guilt: "It's nothing, Dad, I ate some cookies."

While on the way, I received a call from Chen Luo. The environment on the other end of the line was somewhat noisy, but his voice was unexpectedly clear, carrying a hint of amusement: "I apologize, Ranran, my judgment was incorrect. President Xia's social engagements ended relatively early today, and he has some work that needs to be addressed. He may need to return to the company shortly. I suggest it would be best for you to head back to the company now and work overtime with your colleagues. President Xia will surely be pleased to see you there."

On the phone, Chen Luo gently cleared his throat twice, as if he were trying hard to suppress a laugh, and quietly reminded her: "Ranran, please pay attention to your image"

You will not get away with this! Peng Jing exclaimed in exasperation.

She nodded slightly and forced a smile, saying, "It seems that I am worrying unnecessarily."

"Is it really necessary to go so far to do something meaningful?" Ranran couldn't help but retort. This was her best and most relied-upon friend. To be honest, she truly did not want Mu Qing to leave here. "Can't you stay in Xiping?"

Xia Hongyuan saw that Ranran was still in the office and was indeed very pleased. However, upon hearing that she hadn't even had dinner yet, his expression immediately darkened. He scolded her, saying: "What nonsense! Don't take your health lightly just because you are young. It will be too late to regret when you reach your father's age!"

Each unit in the residential complex is equipped with an access control system. Since this person is able to enter, it indicates that he is also a resident of this building. Could it be that he has mistakenly come to the wrong floor while drunk? As Ranran breathed a sigh of relief, she also felt a bit amused and exasperated. She turned to grab her phone to call the security guard downstairs. However, the phone rang for a long time without anyone answering, while the knocking on the door outside grew louder and more urgent.

Ranran couldn't help but smile and replied to him: "As you command." Then, she obediently stood there for a while, only starting the car again after Xia Hongyuan and the others had left.

Ranran immediately went to find Xia Hongyuan to discuss this matter. Upon hearing it, Xia Hongyuan quietly observed her for a long while before calmly saying: "Ranran, no matter what, Shao Mingze is still a member of the Shao family. Even if he has differences with Shao Yunping, his fundamental interests lie with the Shao family, not with us at Hongyuan. Moreover, this also involves the power struggle between him and Shao Yunping and his son, so his words cannot be fully trusted."

But people like you still look down on someone like me, who is a parachute recruit, don't you?" Ranran asked somewhat stubbornly. He has no background and has completely relied on his personal abilities and hard work to reach his current position step by step

Mu Qing slightly squinted her eyes and gazed out of the car window at the sky: "I want to leave Xiping, travel to various places, and then possibly go to the west to assist in education. Life is quite short, and it must be cherished; not a single moment should be wasted. I want to do something meaningful and do not wish to be trapped by trivial matters."

Mu Qing also grew up in a single-parent family. Her father passed away early, and she relied solely on her mother. Just as she was about to graduate from university, her mother suddenly fell seriously ill. She sold everything she had and borrowed money from everywhere; even with the three hundred thousand yuan borrowed from Ms. Han, it only managed to extend her mother's life by two years

What are you looking at?" Chen Luo suddenly asked without raising his head

Ruan Ruan estimated that Ms. Han might have had such thoughts before, but recently she first got engaged to Shao Mingze and then smoothly entered the company of Xia Hongyuan, where she was also given significant responsibilities. Everything seemed to align with Ms. Han's wishes, clearly proving to be more useful than just raising a piece of char siu. She forced a dry smile and attempted to return the bank card that Mu Qing had just given her: "You should keep it for now. If you're going to such a distant place, you should at least have some money on hand for emergencies. I have now managed to get close to two wealthy individuals, so I don't lack this little bit of money."

Chen Luo responded with a serious expression, instructing Ranran to pack her things and accompany him

Emotions are emotions, and money is money; even the best of friends cannot owe money and not repay it

The finance department was the first to raise objections. The company is already facing financial strain in its efforts to independently acquire several development projects in the southern suburbs. At this time, holding back on sales poses significant risks. The future market outlook is uncertain, and if new regulatory policies are introduced, leading to a drop in housing prices and a failure to recover funds in a timely manner, it could very likely result in a break in the entire capital chain

Mu Qing's attitude was very resolute, and Ranran had nothing more to say. She could only smile and put the card away, saying: "Whenever you need money, just give me a shout. I may not have much, but I do have money."

Most people agree with the view that rather than taking such a significant risk by holding onto the stocks, it is better to be more prudent and secure the profits.

There was a moment of silence on the phone, and Shao Mingze's slightly subdued voice came through: "Ranran?"

Mu Qing did not pick up on her words, but turned around to point in the direction behind him and said: "Do you see this small courtyard? This is where our family used to live."

Mu Qing, upon hearing this, seemed to ponder something for a moment before suddenly asking: "Ranran, do you love Shao Mingze?"

Chen Luo fell silent, as if he was seriously contemplating, and replied: "I will not look down on you; I will envy you."

Ranran was quite surprised and habitually teased her: "Wow, no way? I thought skipping work was something only someone like me, Xia Ranran, who is aimless and just coasting through life, would do. How could you, Mu Qing, a promising young man who strives for progress, do such a thing? Mu Qing, you really disappoint me!"

Vice President Liu was called over by Xia Hongyuan late at night. He intended to probe Chen Luo for some information, but upon seeing Ranran following behind, he dismissed the thought and cheerfully greeted her before entering the elevator

Ranran stopped her car by the roadside: "This is quite unexpected! You were doing so well, how did you suddenly resign?"

"Ranran, what you are doing is not right." Mu Qing intended to advise her, but after starting, he found himself at a loss for words. As the saying goes, one cannot persuade a heart that does not wish to be persuaded; if the person involved cannot come to an understanding on their own, no amount of words from others will be anything but empty talk.

Just as he was speaking, the secretary called to inform him to go to Xia Hongyuan's office. While he stood up and walked out, he smiled and asked, "What nonsense are you thinking about again? Is it because you've been under too much pressure lately? If you really feel overwhelmed, just take a break for a while"

There was a drunkard causing a commotion outside, and even though she knew he couldn't get in, Ranran couldn't help but feel a bit scared. While she cautiously paid attention to the sounds outside, she pulled out her phone to check the call log and dialed the security guard again. This time, the call connected immediately, and she felt a surge of relief as she hurriedly said: "Hello, this is the resident of Unit 1902 in Building E. There is a drunk man knocking on my door; please send someone to handle this right away"

He smiled and said, "In your situation, you completely belong to the airborne troops; wherever you are airdropped, people will have no objections. This is the rule, especially when you become the one who sets the rules; they will have even fewer objections then"

Seeing that Ranran was listening attentively, he couldn't help but gently curve the corners of his mouth and asked, "Are you reassured this time?"

However

Ranran questioned her abilities for the first time, unable to help but secretly observe Chen Luo, who was sitting not far away. He was bent over his work, his brows slightly furrowed, and his lips pressed together, lacking the usual faint smile, his expression very focused. As Xia Hongyuan's special assistant, almost all documents were handed to Xia Hongyuan for signature through him, earning him even more trust from Xia Hongyuan than the company's veterans.

The content of the temporary meeting was about several new properties of Hongyuan Group that are about to be launched. Xia Hongyuan received some internal information indicating that the regulatory policies on real estate are likely to be relaxed, which means that housing prices may significantly rise again. Therefore, he plans to make some adjustments to the sales plans for those properties.

"Look at what you just said!" Mu Qing was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. If it weren't for Ran Ran still driving, she would have wanted to knock a few times on her head. "Hurry back, I'm not leaving tomorrow. We can get together another day." As she spoke, she signaled for Ran Ran to pull over, insisting on taking a taxi back herself.

"Xia Ranfan, do not leave!" Peng Jing shouted

She had never realized that she was such a person without opinions, easily swayed by others' thoughts. Why is this the case? Is it merely due to her ignorance of this field? Yet, despite her ignorance, she still has to follow the bidding team to participate in such an important project

Peering through the peephole in the door, the person outside appeared somewhat disheveled, yet it was still evident that he was a young man, with his head bowed. One hand was propped against the wall while the other was tapping leisurely on the door, mumbling something under his breath. Ranran listened intently, as if he were saying, "Wife, open the door, I was wrong, I won't drink again" or something to that effect

"Stop being so glib, hurry over here." Mu Qing decisively ended the call without any room for negotiation

Chen Luo looked at her and smiled gently: "These issues have all been considered by General Manager Xia. Although the country has currently strengthened its regulation of the real estate industry, the response to policies at the local level varies. In the case of Xiping City, housing prices have consistently shown a steady increase, and the market outlook is quite promising. Moreover, the company's current financial situation is good, and several projects that are funded are about to be launched, allowing for a quick return of capital. Additionally, with the loans provided by the bank, even without the investment from Shao, we can independently develop those projects without significant issues. Therefore, the so-called risks are not a problem for us at Hongyuan, which is also the confidence that General Manager Xia has in taking on several projects in the southern suburbs."

While waiting for the red light on the road, she called Mu Qing, intending to invite her out for dinner in the evening. To her surprise, Mu Qing was also outside at that moment

Sneaking out during work hours naturally indicates an intention to skip work. However, I did not expect to be so unfortunate, first encountering Peng Jing and then being caught red-handed by Xia Hongyuan. Ranran gently bit her lower lip, momentarily unsure of how to respond to Xia Hongyuan's question

Ranran let out a deep sigh and said, "To be honest, I really feel that you are closer to me than my mother."

"You actually started working at the company?" After her initial surprise, Peng Jing seemed to suddenly come to a realization and angrily said, "I was wondering why Xia Hongyuan has suddenly changed so much lately; it turns out it was you two, mother and daughter, who were behind this!"

Resign?" Ranran couldn't help but exclaim, slamming her foot down on the brake.

The meeting ended at eleven o'clock. Ranran felt her head spinning and, upon returning to her place, was too lazy to even take a shower, directly lying down on the bed. In a daze, she suddenly remembered that she had not returned Shao Mingze's call. He had called her in the evening, but she was in the meeting room and couldn't answer, so she sent him a text message. He did reply, but only said, "I will contact you later." In the evening, he had called her, but she was in the meeting room and couldn't answer, so she sent him a text message. He did reply, but only said, "I will contact you later."

Ranran immediately wilted. After spending these years together, she had come to understand what kind of person Mu Qing was. Although he appeared taciturn and easy to talk to on the surface, he was actually a person with strong opinions. Once he made a decision, he rarely ever looked back.

Due to the absence of Xia Hongyuan, Ranran also lost the mood to continue acting. She responded indifferently, saying: "I am working at the company, so naturally I am here for work."

There are also supporters of Xia Hongyuan, who believe that some local governments have already begun a new round of exploratory relaxation of regulations, which is positive news. Furthermore, the development projects in the southern suburbs are primarily focused on commercial hotels and resorts, while the several properties set to be launched now are commercial residential units. The types are different, and the risks have already been shared. Even if new regulatory policies are introduced, it is unlikely that they will be severely impacted simultaneously. Moreover, the development projects in the southern suburbs are primarily focused on commercial hotels and resorts, while the several properties set to be launched now are commercial residential units. The types are different, and the risks have already been shared. Even if new regulatory policies are introduced, it is unlikely that they will be severely impacted simultaneously.

Although Chen Luo's face remained tense, the smile in his eyes was almost overflowing. He lightly clenched his hand into a fist and placed it in front of his lips, as if to disguise it, and coughed twice before explaining: "I mean well. You must understand that in front of the boss, attitude is more important than ability."

Chen Luo's gaze remained fixed on the documents on the table. After a moment of thought, he replied, "It has been nearly five years."

His voice remained as calm and composed as ever, which made Ranran involuntarily settle down as well. She steadied her mind and briefly replied: "A man is drunk and has been knocking on my door. I just called the security, but no one is answering at the moment"

Peng Jing regarded her attitude as a sign of guilt and weakness, shouting: "Go back and tell Han Yun that she was once my defeated opponent, and she still is not a match for me, Peng Jing. What does she have to compare with me? Is it her old face, or is it you, the daughter of a loser?"

Chen Luo brought Ranran inside and quietly pointed out a corner seat for her, then discreetly sat down in her own place. Ranran was somewhat confused; logically, she should not have been qualified to attend such a meeting. However, Chen Luo brought her in like this, and it seemed that Xia Hongyuan had no intention of asking her to leave.

A person as proud as Ms. Han cannot tolerate such an insult

Chen Luo opened the glass door for her and replied: "The company has two properties that are about to be launched. General Manager Xia received some internal news today and specifically called a few vice presidents to come for a meeting"

Ranran looked in the direction and indeed saw a small courtyard gate at the street corner. The door was freshly painted with black paint, yet it could not conceal the dilapidation beneath. The surrounding wall was quite low, and with a slight tiptoe, one could see the cramped space inside the courtyard. She couldn't help but be a bit surprised: "Is this your family's house? I haven't heard you mention it before."

Ranran was not very familiar with all of this, and hearing him speak so casually left her momentarily at a loss for what to think

Ranran hesitated for a moment, then asked: "For someone like me, who has no qualifications and knows nothing, suddenly joining the bidding team, won't there be people who think it's unfair?"

Mu Qing smiled and shook his head

However, this poses too great a risk, "Ranran said.

Ranran got off the car and looked around, unable to help but complain to her: "Are you born under the sign of the rat? How did you find such a place? It's so hard to find!"

Hearing her inquire about this, Chen Luo was slightly surprised, but he patiently explained to her: "I have been following up on the agreement for this collaboration, as I received internal news in advance that these projects are not allowed to be bid jointly. Therefore, whether it is Hongyuan or Shao's, only one can secure the deal. Initially, Shao's insisted on taking the lead and then collaborating with us, but this would have handed the initiative over to them. General Manager Xia was unwilling, and after several rounds of bargaining, we managed to achieve this result."

The situation was too sudden, and Ranran was momentarily taken aback. She stared blankly at Mu Qing for quite some time before finally asking her: "What is going on? First you resign, and now you want to return the money. I am not in need of your money right now, so why the urgency to return it?"

Peng Jing was still chattering away, clearly having no intention of letting the matter rest

Look at her like this, Mu Qing reached out and tapped her on the head, smiling as she teased her: "Don't be like this, do you really take me for your mother? What's the matter, can't you live without me?"

Ranran was taken aback and instinctively exclaimed, "No way!"

Ranran pressed her lips together in silence for a moment before turning around to go find Chen Luo

"In the past, then my mother fell ill, and I had no money, so I sold the house." Mu Qing stood up from the roadside and turned back to look at that small courtyard, "I suddenly missed this place very much today, so I came to take a look."

Chen Luo listened for a long time without hearing any movement from Ranran. He looked up at her and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong?"

Chen Luo then raised his head to look at her, his gaze gentle and calm: "This world is inherently unfair. Those who only know how to complain about the unfairness are themselves incapable individuals, rarely achieving great things, so there is no need to pay attention to their complaints"

For some unknown reason, Ranran suddenly felt much more at ease in her heart

She is someone who acts on her impulses; without hesitation, she took Mu Qing for a long drive around the campus of Huada, and then went to an outrageously expensive hotel for a lavish meal. Afterward, she drove straight to the liveliest nightlife venue in Xiping City

Ruan Ruan could no longer endure it and was about to turn around to confront her, but she caught sight of Xia Hongyuan standing not far behind her. Thus, she quickly suppressed the anger on her face and called out pitifully, "Dad"

What does this mean? Are they planning for her to engage with the core decision-making circle?

Xia Hongyuan ignored her and simply asked Ranran with a dark expression: "What are you doing away from the office during working hours?"

Mu Qingshuang smiled brightly, yet her words were astonishing: "I have resigned."

Ranran immediately reacted, lowering her eyelids and softly saying: "I see that your headache has recurred these past two days, and I wanted to go out to buy you some medicine"

"Knowing how to worry is a good thing, at least it shows that one is using their brain," said Chen Luo

Two people entered the elevator, one in front of the other. After Chen Luo pressed the elevator button, he stood straight with his hands in his pockets, his head lowered, saying nothing, appearing extremely serious and solemn. At first, Ranran felt surprised, but when she noticed the upward curve of his lips, she couldn't help but let out a low hum and said irritably, "If you want to laugh, just laugh openly!"

Is this implying that she is too gullible? Ranran was taken aback, and her face immediately flushed: "But his words cannot be completely disregarded! What is wrong with adopting a more secure method of cooperation?"

Ranran looked at Peng Jing, remaining silent and indifferent

"Cheng!" Ruan Ruan immediately turned the car around and headed towards Huada. "After we finish touring the school, let's have a good time tonight, enjoying food, drinks, and entertainment all in one go, as if I am sending you off as a sister."

Ranran had no choice but to obediently follow the address she was given. However, the location proved to be quite difficult to find. She drove around the old town for nearly half an hour before finally spotting Mu Qing at the end of a winding little street. The girl was wearing an oversized T-shirt paired with tiny shorts, sitting on the curb in a rather unrefined manner. Upon seeing her car approach, she cheerfully waved her hand.

A person who intervenes in someone else's marriage in the name of love, whether she truly loves Xia Hongyuan or is attracted to his wealth, has already lost her moral compass. When the man, who is the husband, steps aside and urges you to confront such an opponent, it is in itself a profound humiliation

The journey went smoothly, and as they arrived at the underground parking lot, Ranran felt quite pleased. However, unexpectedly, she ran into Peng Jing. Peng Jing had just gotten out of her car and, upon turning around to see Ranran, was taken aback. Her expression immediately turned wary as she coldly asked, "What are you doing here again?"

Mu Qing thought for a moment and said, "I would like to go back to school and take a look"

She reached for her phone and glanced at the time, then casually tossed the phone aside. Gritting her teeth, she got up to wash up in the bathroom. Just as she stood in front of the sink, she suddenly heard a knock on the door from outside. Her mind felt numb, and it took her a moment to realize that someone was knocking. At this hour, who would come to knock on her door? Her heart began to race, and after standing there in a daze for a moment, she finally stepped out of the bathroom and quietly walked to the door.

Xia Hongyuan was accustomed to acting unilaterally, so he naturally did not seek Ranran's opinion on this matter. Ranran learned about the specifics of the cooperation agreement from Shao Mingze. Shao Mingze candidly stated: "Such cooperation is too risky. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances, the Shao family can withdraw at any time, shifting all the risks onto Xia Hongyuan. You would do well to advise Uncle Xia to consider other forms of cooperation."

I have money myself, so you might as well keep it to yourself

Seeing Mu Qing's expression so conflicted, Ran Ran couldn't help but laugh: "In my situation, if I keep obsessing over whether it's love or not, that would be too pretentious. Besides, love and marriage are neither synonymous nor closely related; they are unrelated. Alright, let's not mention this anymore. Since you've decided to leave, I won't stop you; after all, there's no way to hold you back. Before you go, are there any places you'd like to visit? Today, I'll be your driver for free; just tell me where you want to go!" Since you've decided to leave, I won't stop you; after all, there's no way to hold you back. Before you go, are there any places you'd like to visit? Today, I'll be your driver for free; just tell me where you want to go!

Ranran was taken aback for a moment, then leaned out to look at Chen Luo, and indeed saw him lowering his head fiddling with his phone. Immediately after, she received his next text message: "Just stay there quietly for a while, President Xia will be out soon. He has a social engagement tonight and probably won't return to the company today. Once we leave later, you will be free."

Such a response took Ranran by surprise: "Are you jealous of me? What is there to be jealous of?"

Peng Jing then realized and turned around, only to find Xia Hongyuan standing there with a face full of anger. She was momentarily taken aback, quickly releasing her grip on Ranran's arm, and tears began to fall. She took a couple of steps towards Xia Hongyuan and called out: "Hongyuan"

Ranran initially intended to go to the grassroots level, and naturally did some homework to know who that person was. Seeing him suddenly come to the company late at night, she couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled and turned to Chen Luo to ask, "What is he here for?"

Ranran still clearly remembers what Peng Jing looked like before she became Xia Hongyuan's wife. At that time, regardless of her character, her words and actions were always gentle and sweet. Even not long ago, she still appeared elegant and noble. Yet, in just a few short months, what could have transformed a woman's demeanor into something so ugly and embarrassing? Was it jealousy, or was it greed? In just a few short months, what could have transformed a woman's demeanor into something so ugly and embarrassing? Was it jealousy, or was it greed?

Ranran was startled, feeling a sense of embarrassment as if caught in the act of spying. Her heart raced, leaving her at a loss for words. After a moment's pause, she asked him: "Chen Luo, how long have you been at the company?"

Wherever she could call a taxi to go back, in the end, she still sent her home first before hurrying to the company. Fortunately, by this time, the traffic peak had already passed, and she took a few shortcuts, finally arriving at the company before Xia Hongyuan.

Ranran subconsciously shook her head, yet picked up her chopsticks to place a small steamed bun onto the plate in front of him, gently advising: "Go ahead and eat, it's not good for your stomach to keep eating irregularly like this; it's better to try to eat on time, otherwise, in the end, it will be yourself who suffers."

Ranran was aware that there were surveillance cameras in the parking lot. Although others would not hear their conversation, the continued standoff between the two would inevitably attract the attention of the security personnel, and soon the news of "the boss's daughter having a heated argument with her stepmother" would become the number one gossip in the company

Just as he hesitated, Xia Hongyuan's black car slowly glided over from behind. The window on the passenger side silently lowered, revealing Chen Luo with his usual gentle smile. He quietly pointed at Xia Hongyuan and then retracted his hand, gently tapping his own temple.

Chen Luo has always been like this; as long as she asks, he generally does not conceal anything. At first, Ranran thought he treated her in a special way, but later, after chatting privately with a few colleagues, she realized that almost everyone included "honest character" in their evaluation of Chen Luo.

Chen Luo smiled good-naturedly, neither affirming nor denying.

Because she was a bit far away, she could not hear clearly what Xia Hongyuan was saying to Peng Jing, but she saw Peng Jing continuously lowering her head and wiping her tears, looking very aggrieved. Just as she was about to strain her ears to listen more closely, her phone in her bag suddenly beeped twice, startling her. She hurriedly took it out to check, only to find a text message from Chen Luo, which contained just a few short words: Hide your head well

Ranran felt a twinge of sympathy, realizing that he had his own struggles. Although he held an important position in the company at such a young age, the hardships he endured behind the scenes were likely beyond what most people could comprehend