Chapter 26 "Are you really that concerned about my health?"...
The atmosphere was incredibly eerie.
The two divorced people talked about their recent sex life as casually as they would the weather.
Qiao Shu crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. She asked, "Actually, you're not better yet, right? Talk to me when you're a little clearer-headed."
“I am very clear-headed now, more so than ever before,” Yu Zeheng said calmly.
Qiao Shu chuckled, her tone laced with sarcasm: "Then I should find that contract you wrote and let you take a good look at it, to see how many clauses you haven't violated."
Yu Zeheng remained unmoved by her sarcasm: "You didn't answer my question."
Qiao Shu snorted softly, raising her delicate eyebrows slightly: "I've always had it, many times."
Yu Zeheng's voice became even more indifferent: "You mean the little toys in your drawer."
Qiao Shu wasn't embarrassed at being exposed. She chuckled, "So it seems you still haven't tried it and are still using the most primitive method? But it's better for you to do it less often. I've heard that too many times are bad for your health, and you're almost thirty after all..."
She drew out the last syllable, casting an understanding, sympathetic look in her eyes.
Qiao Shu pointed behind her: "Otherwise, I'll ask Aunt Chu to stew some tonics for you to nourish yourself properly. Don't feel embarrassed, time waits for no one."
Yu Zeheng smiled deftly, deflecting the question: "Are you that concerned about my health?"
Why should she care? It's not like she's the one who needs it.
This kind of heavy punch hitting cotton not only fails to achieve the desired result, but also results in her being hit in the face by cotton.
Qiao Shu raised a fake smile: "You'd better check the ingredients of the medicine you're taking to see if it contains aphrodisiacs."
The smile vanished in an instant; when the young lady was expressionless, her face was utterly sour.
She didn't have that much patience, turned around and left, the sound of her slippers echoing in the corridor.
Yu Zeheng lowered his eyes and smiled silently.
Qiao Shu keenly noticed the changes in Yu Zeheng after he caught a cold. If there was anything too abnormal, it wouldn't be called anything. It was more like a gentle rain that had a subtle influence. He came home earlier and earlier, and on holidays he would ask her what gifts to prepare for the housekeeper and maid. The two talked more and more, and could even eat at the same table in a peaceful manner.
More importantly, his fashion sense has improved, or he's put more effort into his clothing choices.
Several times when she went downstairs, Qiao Shu looked at him and thought he was a male model who had walked out of a fashion show. He was tall and handsome, with red lips and white teeth. Just standing there, he was pleasing to the eye.
Even more unusually, one day after Qiao Shu finished work and had dinner with her colleagues, Yu Zeheng changed into a tracksuit and was holding a leash with Xiao Xi at the other end.
Because of the significant size difference, Xiao Xi looked even smaller next to Yu Zeheng.
Qiao Shu got out of the car, stood still, and called out to Xiao Xi from afar.
Xiao Xi still remembered its surname and recognized her. It hopped towards her on its four short legs. Yu Zeheng followed behind, taking advantage of his long legs. He only needed to adjust his stride to keep up with Xiao Xi's speed.
In contrast, the scene is not favorable to Xiaoxi.
Yu Zeheng explained the reason for walking the dog: the housekeeper was busy, and the dog kept scratching at the door and looking at him pitifully. He happened to have nothing to do, so he took it out for a walk.
"You're back just in time, here you go." Yu Zeheng handed over the leash.
Qiao Shu took it, and his fingers unintentionally brushed against her palm, causing a tingling sensation. She gripped the rope tighter.
Yu Zeheng lifted his leg and went inside.
Qiao Shu watched his retreating figure, then looked at Xiao Xi, who was standing on her knees, grinning foolishly.
"You can't smile at him. He's a bad guy. You're so small and weak. You wouldn't even know if someone sold you out. Qiao Xiaoxi, you need to be more careful."
After saying that, he sighed again, saying that it wasn't Xiao Xi's fault for being too naive, but rather that the enemy was too cunning.
Something's not right. Something just doesn't feel right.
—
In mid-October, after the long holiday, Bocheng successfully acquired 65% of GC Asset's equity, becoming GC Asset's largest shareholder. Following the acquisition, GC held its first shareholders' and senior management meeting to discuss GC's future development.
Yu Zeheng's demands were clear from the beginning: before receiving funding from Bocheng, he needed a restructuring of GC Asset's senior management.
This is also an existing problem for GC Assets: the company's senior management has a network of interconnected relationships, divided into three major relationships, resulting in constant internal strife and extremely low management efficiency.
Yu Zeheng proposed a restructuring plan, drastically cutting half of the senior management and bringing in new talent. These senior executives had been in their positions for over a decade, and none of them wanted to be ousted so easily.
The meeting was filled with heated debate.
Yu Zeheng leaned back in his office chair, calmly observing the crowd. He remained silent, waiting for them to argue heatedly over their own interests.
Almost two hours later, after going back and forth on the matter, it was no use; in the end, Yu Zeheng had to make a statement.
"Are you done talking?"
Yu Zeheng said expressionlessly, "Then there's no problem. You can bring up the specific details of the compensation, and the company will come up with a reasonable plan."
That means there is absolutely no room for negotiation.
Yu Zeheng stood up and placed his hand on the back of one of the executives' chairs: "You guys chat, I have something to do, I'll be leaving now."
After everyone left, those present were convinced that they had truly been left standing there, and only now did they realize that Yu Zeheng was not just a spoiled brat who only knew how to race cars; his methods were no less than those of his father, Yu Xunli.
Yu Zeheng had dinner with Ji Changming and Gu Yu that evening; it's a tradition for them to get together every now and then.
The traditional arrangement was for four people, but the other person, Lin Jinshen, disappeared after the marriage. He claimed it was arranged by his family and that he had no feelings for her, but in reality, he came home more often than anyone else.
Ji Changming teased, "I wonder what it's like for our Brother Shen to have feelings for someone. Does he never even leave the house?"
Yu Zeheng scoffed, "Sooner or later, your sister-in-law will be fed up with him."
The three agreed wholeheartedly and entered the restaurant one after the other.
As usual, it was a small private room. Ji Changming and Gu Yu were in front, and Yu Zeheng was behind. He habitually took out his phone to reply to his subordinates' messages. He walked slowly, and in the quiet restaurant environment, he keenly caught the sweet laughter.
Such a voice will not belong to a second person.
Yu Zeheng looked up and followed the sound to the source. Qiao Shu was sitting by the window, and opposite her was a blond, blue-eyed foreigner whose nationality was not immediately apparent. His gaze was fixed on Qiao Shu.
The two sides had a very pleasant conversation.
Qiao Shu wore a pink plaid short-sleeved shirt, a long skirt, and lambskin ankle boots. Her curly hair was loose, and she rested her chin on one hand, with a sweet smile always on her lips.
He hadn't seen her with this expression in a long time.
Or rather, Qiao Shu would never smile at him like that.
Yu Zeheng stared at Qiao Shu for a moment, who remained smiling, her expression lively and bright.
"You guys go first, I have something to do." He turned around and told Ji Changming and Gu Yu to go to the private room first.
Ji Changming didn't notice anything amiss: "Okay, hurry up."
Yu Zeheng's expression was obscure and unreadable.
—
Ethan's flight was at 4 p.m. on Friday, and Josh personally went to pick him up from the airport.
Ethan was born and raised in Australia and is a typical "Larrikin"—he has a witty and humorous personality. He can be dressed in a sharp suit in the office or in shorts and flip-flops in the yard with a beer in hand. He is somewhat rebellious at heart and doesn't take authority seriously.
It's very easy to get along with someone like that; he always says "no problem," as if no mistake would be a problem.
Qiao Shu picked him up at the airport.
Ethan was dressed in a business suit. He was tall with a robust frame, short, soft blond hair, a sculpted face, and beautiful, deep blue eyes.
As soon as they met, Ethan gave her a hug and called her name: "Joyce, it's been a long time. I must say, you're still as beautiful as ever."
Qiao Shu smiled gently: "It's a pleasure to see you too. Are you ready for the rest of your trip?"
Ethan placed his hand on his left chest: "It's an honor to have Joyce as my guide."
After picking him up, Qiao Shu dutifully acted as his tour guide. She had already planned the route, and over the weekend, they visited all the attractions in the city. Finally, she took him to a large shopping mall under Zhongcheng Group.
She spoke of Zhongcheng's advantages: as a domestic retail giant, no one is more professional than them, not to mention online, they were already at the forefront of online platform development from the very beginning.
Ethan nodded: "I really want to make this collaboration happen. You know, I trust you a lot. If we're going to work with China, I hope it will be you."
His assessment team will depart tomorrow, at which point Guan Han will take over, and Qiao Shu will no longer need to follow up on the rest.
"Let's have a meal like old friends who haven't seen each other in a long time." Ethan was handsome and sunny, his deep eyes looking at everyone with affection.
Choose one of the best restaurants for your meal.
Although Qiao Shu wasn't particularly fond of food, her living environment made her more discerning about food. In her opinion, this restaurant was indeed quite good and qualified to entertain friends who had come from afar.
During the meal, Ethan did most of the talking. He was humorous and witty, and could always make even the most mundane things sound vivid.
He told her about the current situation of his friends in Australia. One of them, who insisted that he would not get married, had just had his daughter born two weeks ago and was spending all his time by the crib, completely devoted to his daughter.
The image reminded Qiao Shu of something amusing. She rested her chin on her hand and asked with delight, "Really? Then when you go back this time, you must bring me a gift for the baby."
Ethan took a sip of wine and asked, "When are you going back, or do you plan to stay in China from now on? Your friends miss you a lot."
Qiao Shu hasn't considered this issue yet.
If she's lucky, she might stay; if she's unlucky, settling in Australia will also be her option.
Qiao Shu smiled and said she would go back to see them when she had time.
Most of the friends she made during her two years in Australia were not based on any financial gain, but simply on shared personalities. She rarely had such relationships, and therefore cherished them all the more.
Ethan added, "You should also look at me."
"certainly."
The two smiled and clinked glasses, their smiles reflected on the glass.
As they were chatting happily, a figure passed by. Instead of walking past, the figure pulled over a chair from the next seat and sat down between them.
The movements were not gentle; the chair scraped against the floor, making a sound, and the newcomer's figure was hard to ignore.
They were all stunned at the sight of the unexpected guest.
Qiao Shu was even more taken aback. She subconsciously looked behind him, but there was no one there. She pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "How could I have run into him like this?"
Ethan was even more confused. Looking at this completely unfamiliar face, he frowned and asked who he was.
Yu Zeheng placed one hand on the dining table, the restaurant lights illuminating his refined and handsome face. His thin lips were slightly upturned, and his eyes were calm. He looked at Qiao Shu and asked in an unusually calm tone, "Aren't you going to introduce her? Who is this?"
-----------------------
Author's note: In reality, I was grinding my teeth.
50 red envelopes, kiss kiss!
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