Chapter 105 I can't let you have your way?
Mondays are a very busy day, no matter which workplace you're in.
In the morning, Zhao Zonglan held two group meetings in a row.
The shareholders' meeting for the new energy project in cooperation with Dingcheng did not end until 3 p.m.
Chairman's Office.
The group's chief financial officer strode in and placed the documents in his hand on the desk in front of Zhao Zonglan.
"Chairman Zhao, this is the first phase of the funding application report for the group's new project. It has been finalized and approved according to the board resolution. Your signature is required."
Zhao Zonglan, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, leaned back lazily in a leather chair, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. After flipping through the documents with an indifferent expression, he picked up a metal pen on the table, signed his name, and wrote with a graceful and sharp stroke.
Only after seeing the CFO come out did Rong Zaiyi take the documents inside.
Actually, Rong Heng had been in contact with Jing Yao about this project all along, so it was very unusual for Zhao Zonglan to suddenly ask Rong Zaiyi to come.
She had a vague, uneasy feeling.
In the past, Rong Zaiyi and Zhao Zonglan always talked about work. Although she felt that she was used to it, she felt inexplicably nervous today.
“Mr. Zhao, Rong Heng asked me to bring some materials over.”
As she spoke, she took out a document. "It's about the feasibility study report on the technical aspects. He said you had given your opinions before, and the core technology team made some adjustments and modifications, proposing several different routes. Please take another look for him."
"Then, there are some government approvals, which have all been issued so far. However, there are some issues with the energy conservation review, and I will have someone follow up on it."
Zhao Zonglan raised his chin, gesturing for her to put it on the table, then picked up the lighter, lowered his eyes, and lit a cigarette.
He didn't say anything, so Rong Zaiyi could only stand there and wait.
The chairman's office, though large, was deserted and silent.
A moment later, Zhao Zonglan opened his eyes and glanced at her with those indifferent eyes. For the first time ever, he didn't talk to her about work.
“Yong Zaiyi, you are an outstanding woman and a great partner, which no one can deny.”
Rong Zaiyi was immediately stunned and looked at him in disbelief.
She worked hard for eight years to get to where she is now, just so that he could see her.
Now, he not only saw it, but also gave her the greatest recognition.
But this means...
Rong Zaiyi's eyes were a little sore, but she held back her emotions and didn't let them show.
Zhao Zonglan's expression was cold. "I apologize to you for my grandmother's previous inappropriate actions."
He took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze falling on the document. "From now on, all collaborations between Jingyao and Dingcheng will be handled by Rong Heng."
A sharp, stabbing pain instantly spread through her heart, and her fingertips went numb.
He knew, he really did know.
Rong Zaiyi lowered her head, her eyes were moist, and her hands were clenched tightly, trying her best to look less disheveled.
"Okay, I understand." She turned around hastily, her back to him, her voice trembling, "Goodbye."
Zhao Zonglan watched her retreating figure and said calmly, "She won the gamble on that stock."
Rong Zaiyi paused slightly, stunned for two seconds before reacting, then smiled casually, "Yes, Miss Shen has won."
Whether it's stocks, or... him.
No, in some ways they aren't even opponents.
"So, what are Miss Shen's requirements?"
Zhao Zonglan withdrew his gaze, his tone indifferent: "She told you to be yourself."
“Rong Zaiyi, no one in this world is more important than yourself.”
"If you can't do it..."
She wants you to be free and happy.
Rong Zaiyi froze, and the tears she had been able to hold back just now began to fall uncontrollably.
She herself had forgotten when the last time she cried was.
Ten years ago? Twenty years ago?
Anyway, it's been a very, very long time.
At that moment, she suddenly understood why Zhao Zonglan liked Shen Jingni.
"Please thank Miss Shen for me."
She wiped away her tears, didn't look back, and left as if fleeing.
As the year draws to a close and the chill sets in, the warm light shines in.
Today's warm sunshine is truly a rare treat.
Sunlight pierced through the cold air, its soft rays falling on pedestrians and withered tree branches, scattering light across the ground.
Rong Zaiyi walked alone on the street, with her driver following silently behind her.
When did she fall in love with Zhao Zonglan?
It seemed to be a warm, sunny day as well.
She met him for the first time when she was twenty years old at the Zhao family's old house.
At that time, Zhao Zonglan stood under that vigorous cedar tree, tall and elegant, lonely and aloof, unattainable.
Knowing it would be difficult, and even fruitless, she still tried her best to become excellent and sensible, earning high praise from the elders of the family.
She was very stubborn, and even thought that this was probably how her life would be.
She secretly loved him all along, until she grew old and died.
But Shen Jingni told her that no one was more important than herself.
yes.
It seems she lost herself in this unrequited love.
Rong Zaiyi forced a bitter smile, looked up at the sky, and felt the sunlight was a bit too bright.
The long winter is almost over.
Her eight-year-long unrequited love should come to an end.
——
After Rong Zaiyi left, the door to the office break room was opened.
Shen Jingni walked out angrily, her face full of dissatisfaction: "Zhao Zonglan, didn't I tell you to be gentler in your tone? Why were you so cold?"
"Instead of saying 'She wants you to be free and happy,' you should say 'I want you to be free and happy,' and she will be more likely to accept that."
Zhao Zonglan adjusted his seat to face her, calmly smoking without saying a word.
Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Shen Jingni became even angrier, snatched the cigarette from his hand, and shoved it into the ashtray.
She asked in a spoiled, childish voice, "Were you even listening to me?"
Zhao Zonglan glanced at the cigarette she had stubbed out, his brows furrowing in displeasure. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
He pinched her cheek, his voice dangerous: "You've really grown up, Chen Miaomiao."
They even dared to put out his cigarette without warning.
Shen Jingni said, looking aggrieved, "It's your own fault for not keeping your promise."
"I begged you all night the day before yesterday."
Zhao Zonglan raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile in his eyes. "I only remember you begging me for M points. I have no recollection of anything else."
Shen Jingni: "..."
You old beast.
She pouted, glared at him angrily, grabbed his tie, and said fiercely, "Be serious!"
She's stingy, has a bad temper, and is hard to appease.
Zhao Zonglan stopped teasing her.
"I was already being very kind by saying that to her."
He wouldn't have had that kind of patience in the past.
He never wastes time on unimportant people.
“But you,” Zhao Zonglan stroked her head, his gaze deep, “you won the bet against her just to tell her those two sentences.”
"Honey, is it worth going to such lengths for someone who's completely unrelated?"
Shen Jingni lowered her head and fiddled with his tie, muttering, "I didn't put in much effort."
The acquisition of Xinghai and the subsequent stock price surge were all orchestrated by Zhao Zonglan; she simply reaped the benefits without lifting a finger.
“I admire Miss Rong, but she’s just too stubborn. I don’t have much interaction with her, so I can’t just go up to her and say things like ‘You should be yourself,’ she’d think I’m an idiot.”
"But then again, if I were as outstanding as her, I wouldn't be having a crush on someone. I'd just take whoever I want and sleep with them first."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zonglan suddenly grabbed her chin, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and his tone was low and cold: "Who do you want to sleep with?"
"I can't make you feel good?"
Shen Jingni suddenly shivered, realizing something was wrong.
She quickly explained, "That's not what I meant, just a hypothetical situation."
Zhao Zonglan ignored him.
He held her earlobe in his mouth, his breath hot. "Perfect, we haven't done it in the office yet."
"Baby, stand still and hold on tight."
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