Chapter Nine, New Love and Old Flame

No! Xu Zhuoyan's expression was devoid of emotion; this was her forbidden zone. It was a topic she desperately avoided in her heart. Regardless of who it was, once touched upon, no one would receive a favorable response.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xu Zhuoyan's first task was to visit the stores. With a sense of care and consideration, she made her rounds at over thirty specialty stores, offering encouragement to each of the sales associates on duty. The sales associates at "Shuiyang" held a mix of respect and fear for this perfectionist leader, along with a genuine sense of jealousy. Young, beautiful, and holding a high position, it is only natural that some viewed her as a goal to strive for, aspiring to achieve the same level of success as she had.

When Chen Xiaoying relayed the discussions of the lower-level employees to Xu Zhuoyan, all Xu Zhuoyan felt was bitterness. Is this what success is? Is this truly success?

I am preparing to import another batch of goods from the United States, but I currently do not have enough liquid funds. I would like to borrow 2 million from you, with a repayment period of six months. The condition is that when we settle the goods, I can give you a discount of 5 percentage points! Liao Yonghong looked at Lin Qifan, speaking as if it were an extremely casual matter, as if she were not borrowing money but merely asking the person across from her to hand her a tissue, a trivial matter that could not be more insignificant.

Liao Yonghong only felt that address, those two words, were so harsh to her ears. She glared at him fiercely and said: "No need!"

Liao Yonghong smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you!"

The office appears quite desolate; in this type of agency company, it is only during the weekly meetings on Mondays, when the sales staff from various specialty stores are gathered back at the company, that it becomes somewhat lively. Otherwise, it is usually like this.

Ha! Lin Qifan gently tapped his fingers on the table twice: "Two million?"

Liao Yonghong's smile grew even more pronounced, as one foot beneath the table slipped out of its shoe, gently rubbing against his leg, and then lightly resting on his thigh

I remember that those in your profession should clearly distinguish between day and night; you wouldn't be so lacking in integrity, would you? Lin Qifan's expression grew colder, and he slightly furrowed his brows, appearing somewhat displeased

"Oh, do you see any difference in this?" Lin Qifan sneered a few times, then he changed the subject and asked straightforwardly: "Speak, what is the purpose of seeking me?"

Liao Yonghong stood there, like a picturesque scene, drawing the gaze of many people, while a waiter approached and asked, "Miss, what do you need?"

Yes, I want to meet! Lin Qifan did not evade the topic and spoke frankly.

"As you wish!" Lin Qifan took a puff of smoke, and a wisp of smoke rose gently. The expression in his eyes was so cold and sharp, "Don't tell me that the illustrious Hongjie has truly washed her hands of it and withdrawn from the world!"

Lin Qifan nodded, "Two million is not a small amount, but I can still manage to come up with it. I am just curious, first, why do you want to borrow money from me? Second," Lin Qifan paused slightly, carefully choosing his words, as this was a public setting, and he could not be as reckless as he would be in a nightclub.

I have written the check, let her come and collect it! Lin Qifan leaned back, his eyes glancing at her, revealing an unmistakable determination to succeed

"How is it? You are personally taking charge? Don't you have a capable vice president? Why didn't you have her come to see me?" Lin Qifan casually tapped the ash off his cigarette into the black ceramic ashtray not far away, smoking alone with an expressionless face, his words laced with a hint of mockery and teasing.

Chen Xiaoying immediately sealed her lips and, after finishing the last store, returned to the office with a slightly fatigued expression.

I understand, which is why I am even more interested. I simply do not have the patience to play the game of eagle catching chicks, so I am giving you an opportunity. It serves two purposes; you can decide how to handle it!" After Lin Qifan finished speaking, he extinguished the cigarette butt and began to eat breakfast by himself.

Hehe! Xu Zhuoyan's signature laughter: "Alright, don't forget the regular meeting tomorrow. After the first regular meeting of the New Year, we will have a meal at 'Beihai Fishing Village.' You must come!"

I know that two million is merely a small amount for General Lin, so I feel somewhat embarrassed to bring it up. I trust that General Lin will not let me down, right? Liao Yonghong smiled faintly, her eyes containing a hint of an indistinct emotion, whether it was teasing or provocation, as if only she herself understood.

Liao Yonghong stood up, her hands trembling slightly. She said nothing further and turned to leave

At that moment, the phone rang. She reached out to answer it, "Hello? Sister Liao, this is Zhuoyan. Are you coming to the office today?"

"Sister Yan, do you have a boyfriend?" Chen Xiaoying asked curiously

The waiter was taken aback for a moment and awkwardly stepped back

The three-day holiday of the Spring Festival has passed in the blink of an eye

After a moment of silence, Lin Qifan finally spoke up: "Sure!"

"How do you want to meet her?" Liao Yonghong smiled slightly, her eyes conveying a meaning that was intriguing. Lin Qifan had to admit that although the years had passed, she remained a woman full of charm, sensuality, and depth.

Liao Yonghong is certainly not Xu Zhuoyan; she is far more experienced than Xu Zhuoyan. She took a box of women's cigarettes from her bag, holding a slender cigarette between her fingers, and gently extended it forward. Lin Qifan picked up a lighter from the table and, in a very gentlemanly manner, lit it for her. She took a deep drag of the smoke and then gently exhaled, forming ethereal smoke rings, watching them disperse little by little.

Sitting face to face are Xu Zhuoyan's boss, Liao Yonghong, and the boss of Haiwang, Lin Qifan

This somewhat surprised Liao Yonghong, and she slightly raised her exquisitely trimmed eyebrows: "Is it just for fun, or is it serious?"

Lin Qifan did not even raise his head: "It has nothing to do with you!"

Liao Yonghong sat down again, watching Lin Qifan who was silently eating. She observed his expression of indifference and ruthlessness, and her emotions stirred momentarily. However, she was no longer young, and impulsiveness and emotional decision-making were no longer suitable for her. She gritted her teeth and managed to squeeze out a sentence: "What do you plan to do about her?"

Your current involvement in cosmetics is essentially the same as before; it is still a business for women. However, you must remember that regardless of what you sell, it is crucial to find the right clientele! Lin Qifan's disdain deeply hurt Liao Yonghong. She suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "She is not what you think! I will not allow her to follow the same path I did!"

Alright, you all hold the meeting first, I will go directly to the hotel at noon Liao Yonghong hung up the phone

There is only the front desk, a secretary, and two young ladies responsible for promotions, along with a warehouse manager and a driver

In a dim sum restaurant not far from here in Futian

He paused for a moment, turned to look at the neighbor at the table, and saw that no one was glancing their way. Only then did he slightly shift his body, reach out, and grab her foot, forcefully throwing it down. Yet, Liao Yonghong seemed to have anticipated his actions, showing neither anger nor disappointment. He extinguished half of his unfinished cigarette and leaned forward slightly, saying: "Because among the wealthy people I know, you are the only one who still has a little bit of conscience!"

Liao Yonghong's smile gradually faded, "Taking advantage of others' misfortunes? This is not how you, Fan Ge, operate. If this gets out, how will the brothers view you?"

Xu Zhuoyan returned to her office, habitually opened the computer on her desk, and looked at the requisition list for the American headquarters. Fortunately, there was a Kingsoft PowerWord; otherwise, this "English illiterate" would have been in trouble.

Alright, I won't tease you anymore. To be honest, those people, I have no problem negotiating two million with them, but I have not been in contact with them for a long time, and I do not wish to turn back now. I am solely focused on doing business properly. The reason I am borrowing money from you is that I have thought it through before asking. First, those who lend money are always worried that the borrower will not repay it, but you need not have such concerns. I have so much inventory held with you, and you have yet to settle the payment with me, right? Even if I do not repay the money, the sales revenue is currently with you, and it is only increasing, so you have no risk. Second, cosmetics are typically purchased with cash, but I have arranged it so that we settle based on actual sales, which is already quite generous of me. So let’s consider it as you providing the funds, and we will stock up together and purchase in bulk. How does that sound? Fair and secure, right?" Liao Yonghong retracted her uniquely feminine charm, instantly transforming into a capable and seasoned professional woman. Her words were meticulously analyzed, logical and well-reasoned.

Driving swiftly on the ring road, tears overflowed from her eyes without her noticing. Whose tears are flying? Why are they flying? Liao Yonghong allowed her tears to blur her vision, for the blurred world is far more lovely than when it is clear

Liao Yonghong's face turned crimson, and he remained silent.

Liao Yonghong calmed himself and said: "I won't be going over today; with you at the company, I feel very assured"