Praise You
The person that Chen Dian'an needs to entertain is Zou Meng, the daughter of the Zou family.
Zou's father has been deeply involved in the city's business community for more than 30 years. He runs a modern comprehensive chemical company. At the beginning of this century, he signed a strategic joint venture agreement with a mining company in Jincheng, focusing on coal chemical industry. He is a veteran entrepreneur who has always believed in serving the country through industry.
Three years ago, the Shen family fell into financial crisis. Zou, a family with close ties to the Shen family through their transportation business, had long been involved. So when Shen Wentian asked for help, Zou, a seemingly honest but shrewd father, had other ideas. He had only one daughter, a spoiled child who wasn't cut out for business. He decided to find her a capable husband. Only by joining forces could they preserve the empire he had built.
Among the third generation of the Shen family, the second son, Shen Pei'an, was of similar age, but unfortunately lacked ambition and looked like a playboy. Shen Shi'an was good in every way, but unfortunately married too young. Zou Jingyuan, an old-fashioned man, figured that even if he divorced, it would be a second marriage! If he really married his daughter to him, what would his old friends think? Would he still want to stay in Ancheng?
However, his only daughter Zou Meng liked it and showed active attitude. After Zou Jingyuan objected several times without success, he could only let it go.
"Miss Zou has booked a restaurant today at 'No. 37 Andingmen' and wants Suzhou cuisine." In Ji Quan's eyes, Miss Zou was born with good fortune and luck, but unfortunately, she was not good-looking and a bit stupid. Thinking of this, she made a few comments without hesitation.
Si Dian An didn't respond, a look of anxiety gathering on his face. Ever since he founded King of the Dragons, Ji Quan had been by his side. She was capable, hardworking, and, crucially, loyal, so Si Dian An still had some affection for her.
In the past, she could be considered to be outspoken for speaking her mind, but now that she has joined Shen Corporation, the number of employees and scale of the company she manages are far beyond what she could have achieved in her previous small company, and the people around her are complicated. She is not really qualified to sit in the position that Liu Ying used to hold.
"How's your love life lately?"
Ji Quan was stunned, not understanding why he would ask such a question. She wished she could spend 24 hours at work, and her greatest love life revolved around him. She worked so hard, so how could he not see?
“For me, work is the most important thing.”
Without even looking up, Chen Yan chatted with his subordinates, as any boss who cares about them would, speaking the same common sense: "Besides work, family is important too. Anyone can handle work without me, so don't let personal matters get delayed."
Secretary Ma sat sternly in the front passenger seat, shaking her head inwardly after hearing his words. Women are emotional, and even confidants should know their place. Chen Di'an never indulged in alcohol or women, went to bed at five in the morning, and worked over twelve hours a day. He was so strict with himself, so how could he allow those around him to be so foolish and talkative? Besides, wasn't his heart obvious to everyone?
Ji Quan has been a little bit arrogant recently.
"My family is open-minded. My parents have never urged me." She was like a hydrogen balloon that had been deflated. The huge momentum carried her to the horizon with a "whoosh" sound. Ji Quan said dejectedly, "The most important thing is... I haven't met anyone who makes my heart move."
"If there's a suitable candidate, I'll keep an eye out for you."
Ji Quan looked at the man's noble and cold profile and couldn't help but feel discouraged. "Thank you, boss."
*
No. 37 Andingmen Courtyard used to be a consulate, and later became a place where celebrities in the city came to show off their elegance. The number of reservations per day is limited, and the consumption level often starts from five figures. Although it is not cost-effective, there are still a lot of people flocking there.
There is a security guard standing guard at the door. After entering, the yard is shaded by green grass. The century-old building is quiet, solemn, ancient and quiet.
The driver drove the boss to the reception desk at the door. The waiting waiter had already come over and respectfully opened the car door for him. "Good evening, sir."
Ji Quan followed him in.
Zou Meng, who had waited for so long, came forward. The look in his eyes was like stars reflected in the water. The waves shimmered, the stars twinkled, shattering her overflowing heart of admiration into a swaying, bright silver. She had been secretly in love with Shen Di'an for years, yet she remained utterly infatuated and unrepentant.
Zou Meng has never been in love. Her fantasy about love is far greater than her reality. With a girlish heart and a vague poetic imagination, she often applies some romantic plots in novels to herself.
For example, a wealthy young lady with a good family background, a gentle personality, and a clean conscience will one day make a playboy of equal status repent. At that time, he will not only be heartbroken by her long-standing secret love, but will also use all means to win her back, until his eyes can no longer accommodate another person.
Thinking of this, she ignored his usual indifference, her heart brimming with hope. But she couldn't help but wonder, what did Chen Di'an's ex-wife look like? What kind of person was she? Because he always lived a low-key life, never posting on WeChat Moments and having no social media accounts, no news about his ex-wife had ever leaked out.
In Zou Meng's loving imagination, his ex-wife, so poor, must have been a scheming woman who would do anything to marry into a wealthy family. And Chen Di'an, who had met the wrong man, must have been scarred like all the other pitiful male protagonists, saved only by her love...
Perhaps over-imagination is a volatile energy field. Chen Yanan ate the meal with a restless mind—he didn't know where she and You Jing had gone. Would she agree to date him? What method could be used to change her mind?
The meal was almost over, and when Zou Meng tried to start a conversation with him for the third time, he looked at her apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, what did you say just now?"
The starlight in Zou Meng's eyes dimmed a little. "Nothing. I'm very happy tonight. It's still early. Should we go to a movie later?"
"Sorry, I'm a little tired today."
She lowered her head and said "Oh" listlessly.
Chen Di'an's phone vibrated. Seeing Zou Meng stand up, he signaled with his eyes that Ji Quan should go and accompany him.
Ji Quan had just been warned and was eager to show off, so he followed her eagerly, "Miss Zou, I'll ask the driver to take you."
The two of them walked out of the box first.
The lobby was furnished with sofas, and a few glazed lamps jutted from the corners. The dim, flickering light illuminated a landscape painting, a bodhisattva lowering his brow, and an antique screen with calamus patterns, showcasing Eastern Zen and wabi-sabi.
There was a person sitting on the sofa and talking on the phone. Ji Quan saw her and thought, what a coincidence, how come she is here too?
Zou Meng followed her gaze and saw a young woman with her back to them. She had only a thin piece of shoulder pad and was wearing a sleeveless linen round-neck dress. One of her arms, which was neither dry nor greasy, was bent and placed beside her ear. Her voice was gentle and pleasant when she spoke.
Zou Meng moved his feet, wanting to see her face. As he walked to the side, he saw a canvas bag slung over her shoulder. A royal blue flower printed on the bag pressed against her ribs. The contrast between the pure and vivid colors made her skin look as white as the moonlight in Guanghan Palace.
Zou Meng's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "How beautiful she is!" It was as if the rising sun shone through the light of a spring morning, or a wisp of mist swept across the dense, ethereal landscape of mountains and rivers. Born deep in nature, she lowered her brows and smiled softly, her eyes clear and bright, like a celestial being.
Ye Yuanyin felt the scrutiny of others and turned to see a woman about her own age, decked out in designer clothes, a true damsel in distress. She had lowered her head, but then suddenly remembered their only meeting, raised her head again, and gave her a polite smile.
——She was the young lady that Grandpa had tried to match with Shen Yan during the turbulent times in order to save the Shen family. It turned out they were still in contact.
"Ayin!" Huang Hua, her college classmate, and her husband Zhao Tongming came over together, extending their hands to greet her, "Let's go."
"Okay," Ye Yuanyin said goodbye to the person on the phone again: "Aunt, I remember everything. I will go back with Qin Ling the day after tomorrow. Got it. Bye."
It turned out that Huang Hua and Zhao Tongming were hosting a welcome dinner for her tonight. The couple were the ones who were welcoming her, but they were the last to pay. As You Jing was about to leave after paying, she saw Chen Di'an, who had just emerged from a private room after a phone call.
You Jing laughed evilly. He had just put a cigarette in his mouth when he suddenly called out to him, "Hey, can I borrow a light?"
Chen Yan looked at him coldly, sneered, and walked towards him. The two men, about the same height, crossed each other like nails. With a "snap", the lighters rubbed together, and a cluster of flames illuminated the two men's faces, which were very different in style but equally handsome.
"What about her?"
"Who? Oh, you mean my girlfriend?"
The flame suddenly died down, and Chen Di'an stepped back a little, mockingly saying, "Did she agree? Just your girlfriend."
"If you don't agree, then I'll pursue you slowly," You Jing said with a nonchalant smile. "Isn't it too long for me to pursue you? One or two years won't make a difference. The key is to get someone who has gone astray back on the right path. As for you, remember to let me know when you're getting married. Ah Yin and I will give you a red envelope. Any amount is a token of our appreciation."
"How do you know it's a fork in the road? Maybe we just turned our backs and walked a little further. We'll meet again someday."
"Alright, whoever's suffering knows it themselves." You Jing patted his shoulder generously and said regretfully, "Things change. It would be a shame to lose it. I advise you to be more open-minded. The master said that I'm just missing a cause in the five elements. Don't you think this is a blessing in disguise?"
Chen Dian was so angry that he laughed. He had finally understood the knowledge of the five elements.
You Jing squinted his eyes and hurriedly took a puff of his cigarette, then stubbed it out with his backhand, waving his hands to clear the smoke. "Ayin doesn't like me smoking, so just talk to Mr. Shen about the fifty-cent one. When the smell dissipates, I have to leave. Let's put it this way, I don't have many obsessions in my life, and she is one of them. You took it away once, and you didn't keep it well, so you can't blame others. Don't fight over it now, it's not a good look."
"That sounds awkward," he said, his lighter darting between his slender fingers. He paused, put the lighter away, and tucked it into his jacket pocket. He looked up at him again. "Why is it okay for the governor to set fires, but not for ordinary people to light lamps?"
You Jing smiled shamelessly, "It's a different time now. You are a man of high moral character and integrity, so please don't ruin your image."
Fuck the character.
Seeing her resolute attitude, Chen Dian didn't want to take tough measures and annoy her, so he hadn't found a way or solution yet.
"Yo, I have to go. Ain is waiting for me."
Yan Dian suddenly asked, "Where are you taking her later?"
"Why, you want to ask me something? You want to poach me? I won't tell you."
"Oh," Xiandi smiled casually and asked, "Do you really know? North or south of the city?"
The house she rented was in the south of the city, and You Jing boasted about going to the north of the city.
"Hmm..." Chen Yan'an dragged out the last syllable slowly, thinking that their relationship was just like that. So he patted his shoulder and warned him, "Drive carefully and don't let her get into danger."
"You're not going to—make trouble behind my back, are you?"
"No," Chen Yan said self-deprecatingly, "I have a personality."
Why doesn't You Jing trust him?
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