Fu Liangmu repeatedly scrutinized their chat logs, his deep eyes cold and laced with a fierce edge, imprinting every word into his mind. Xie Cheng felt the murderous aura radiating from him, his body trembling slightly."No way, brother! You're even jealous over this?""We agreed it was just a demonstration, a demonstration!""So… have you learned it yet?"Fu Liangmu nodded coldly, responding in a monotone."Mm.""Simple enough."Hearing this, Xie Cheng rolled his eyes skyward, as if already foreseeing a bleak ending.
After finishing their discussion about Su Wanwan, Xie Cheng finally broached the real matter."How confident are you about the bid?"Fu Liangmu's aura suddenly chilled, his expression turning icy."This piece of land—I will secure it, no matter what."
Xie Cheng spread out the files of four companies in his hands, flipping through them slowly. When he reached the last one, the CEO's photo was conspicuously missing, the space empty, even the name field left blank."Which one of you two will be exposed first? Both of you have an unbelievable tolerance.""The other side is also relentlessly investigating your identity, but so far, they haven't even caught a glimpse."
Fu Liangmu's voice was icy and disdainful:"This land in this bid is no ordinary property; the price is hefty.""For something this important, their CEO will definitely show up in person."
Xie Cheng nodded with deep sentiment."Hopefully. You two have been covertly snatching quite a few projects—perhaps it's time for a face-to-face encounter."
...
The morning alarm rang insistently. Su Wanwan reluctantly turned over in bed, cocooning herself in the blanket like a silkworm. It was only after the third ring that she dragged her weary body out of bed to freshen up.
By the time she descended the stairs, most had already gathered."Man Ya said we should head there first and wait for her at the site.""Yeah, one car won't fit everyone. Let's go ahead; it'd be bad to waste time!"
Su Wanwan climbed into the car with a few others. The atmosphere was silent, thick with awkwardness from last night's dinner incident. Soon they arrived at Paige Group and were ushered into an office to wait leisurely for Qiao Zhen's arrival.
"Almost nine o'clock. Why isn't Man Ya here yet?""Seriously! Call her now!""We did—she said the traffic's bad and isn't sure when she'll arrive.""What do we do? Without Man Ya, how can we negotiate?""Well… Man Ya said she might not make it. Maybe Su Wanwan can try stalling and start some preliminary talks with Qiao Zhen…"
Su Wanwan, phone in hand, lifted her head at that. Her bare face was without makeup, yet astonishingly flawless—pale with a gentle flush, no morning puffiness."I won't negotiate."
Her words were crisp and resolute. Immediately, the others sneered sarcastically, eager to trample her."Man Ya's crazy—Su Wanwan is just a pianist, not someone to handle deals.""Don't know what Man Ya was thinking."
Having been scolded by Su Wanwan the previous day, they seized this chance to humiliate her. Su Wanwan remained unbothered, resting her chin on her hand, smiling lightly."If you're so capable, why don't you talk to Qiao Zhen yourself?""You've got a mouth that never stops—put it to use on something serious, and maybe you'd have been promoted and raised by now."
Just as the woman prepared to retort in anger, a stir at the door announced Qiao Zhen's entrance. His gaze swept past them and finally settled on Su Wanwan. Their eyes met briefly and then broke away."Where's Man Ya?"
Qiao Zhen sat opposite, inquiring calmly."She's stuck in traffic. She asked us to discuss the cooperation with you first."
Qiao Zhen hummed thoughtfully, his tone cold and arrogant, unlike yesterday's conciliatory manner:"Sorry, I only want to talk to Man Ya. If she's delayed, then I'll wait for her. When she arrives, then we talk."
Everyone grew awkward but dared not protest. Su Wanwan tapped the table twice, voice sharp:"Manager Qiao certainly carries a grand air."
Someone next to Su Wanwan hastily tugged her sleeve, signaling with urgent eyes—what madness was this? If the deal failed, the Ye Group would be doomed!
Qiao Zhen never expected Su Wanwan to openly challenge him. A sardonic smile curved his lips, each word dripping with contempt, towering over them all:"It's not arrogance; it's that you lack the capability.""Besides Man Ya, who here is qualified to negotiate with me?""Miss, since you ask, I must inquire—what position do you hold at your company? How many deals have you closed? How much revenue have you generated?""If not for Man Ya, do you think I would even grant you this meeting?""I'm trading on Man Ya's reputation, not your company's."
Fists clenched with fury around the room. Su Wanwan laughed softly, her voice gentle but igniting tempers:"Manager Qiao's tone is truly grandiose. One might think he already sits as the CEO of Paige Group, commanding thousands beneath him."
Qiao Zhen's face darkened, ready to erupt. Suddenly, the door slammed open. Liang Yixing, weary-faced, strode in apologetically."Sorry, Qiao Zhen, my friend speaks bluntly. Don't take it personally."
The abrupt entrance stunned everyone. Qiao Zhen paused briefly, then scanned between Su Wanwan and Liang Yixing with a probing gaze, smiling:"No wonder you're so confident—looks like you have powerful backing."
Liang Yixing laughed, patting his shoulder without denial:"Yes, yes, she's giving me some face.""Enough—I won't stoop to quarrel with a young girl."
Liang exhaled deeply. His overseas work depended on Qiao Zhen's favor. Fortunately, he arrived just in time. Otherwise…
Sitting beside Su Wanwan, Liang whispered:"This is no music sanctuary. It's not a place to act recklessly.""One slip can jeopardize all future cooperation and development.""This must be your first time negotiating such a deal. It's normal not to know.""Don't worry, just be more cautious next time."
Su Wanwan propped her chin, her luminous eyes shimmering."You'd better focus that extra attention on your wife.""If you'd been later, she might've been outmaneuvered."
Moreover…
Her gaze locked onto Qiao Zhen's, eyes vast like starry heavens, chilling and sharp:"A mere manager—do you really think you're all that?"