Chapter 135 Calculation
The weather in May is getting warmer, and the glass curtain wall outside the SNK Building reflects the soft sunlight.
Today is the signing ceremony for the International Financial City project. The lobby on the first floor has been carefully decorated.
The slogan "Connect the Future" is particularly eye-catching on the background board.
Pei Song stood beside the sign-in desk, watching the guests arriving one after another.
He was wearing a dark suit with a badge on his chest that read "Senior Manager of Operations Department". His every move and gesture exuded a mature and steady temperament.
"Are you nervous?" Shi Yanchen walked up to him at some point, his eyes gentle.
Pei Song shook his head: "It's okay." He lowered his head and adjusted his cuffs, "It just feels a little unreal. Such a big project is really about to start."
Shi Yanchen was about to say something when Zhang Ruojin walked in with her team.
She was wearing a black suit and had elegant manners. When she saw Pei Song and Shi Yanchen, she nodded slightly.
"Mr. Shi, Manager Pei." She smiled politely, "Today is a day worth remembering."
"Mr. Zhang is right." Pei Song responded professionally, "This project is not only a collaboration between SNK and Zhang, but also a milestone for the entire industry."
Shi Yanchen glanced at Zhang Ruojin thoughtfully, and a barely perceptible smile flashed in the latter's eyes.
The signing ceremony officially began, and the host introduced the scale and significance of the project: "The total investment of the International Financial City exceeds 100 billion, and it will be built into the most important digital financial center in the Asia-Pacific region..."
Shi Yanchen and Zhang Ruojin signed the contract as representatives of both parties, with flashes of light going off one after another.
Pei Song stood in the audience, watching the solemn scene on stage, and recalled the first time he met Zhang Ruojin.
Who could have thought at that time that the woman who was talking about crazy plans in the coffee shop would meet them again in this way.
There was a buffet reception after the signing ceremony.
Zhang Ruojin walked over to Pei Song with a glass of champagne: "Congratulations."
Pei Song nodded politely: "Mr. Zhang, you're welcome."
"Actually, I'm very grateful for the conversation we had in the cafe before." Zhang Ruojin took a sip of champagne and looked at his father who was talking to several bank executives in the distance.
Mr. Zhang was wearing an exquisite custom-made suit, and his every move revealed his sophistication.
He was toasting a foreign bank's CEO with a smile on his face that looked like a carefully put-on mask.
Pei Song followed her gaze and was somewhat surprised to find that Zhang's father glanced over here from time to time, with an indescribable look of scrutiny.
"After that, I figured it out," Zhang Ruojin retracted his gaze, his tone calm, "Instead of wasting time on past grudges, it is better to focus on the future. This project is a new starting point for me."
"It's good that Mr. Zhang thinks this way." Pei Song said.
"But to be honest," Zhang Ruojin said with a sly look in his eyes, "I'm still a little surprised to see you and Mr. Shi together."
Pei Song was stunned and subconsciously touched the necklace on his chest. The ring was still hanging quietly on it.
Zhang Ruojin smiled: "Don't worry, I won't say anything. But no matter how well you hide it, someone who has been in the business world for so many years can see some clues."
She looked at the crowd of people drinking and chatting in the distance and suddenly said, "I have carefully considered incorporating Pei's into the supply chain."
Pei Song looked at her with some surprise.
"Have you ever thought about it," Zhang Ruojin turned his head and looked directly into Pei Song's eyes, "why it was Pei's?"
Pei Song frowned slightly.
"Because I hope you can see clearly the current problems of Pei's," Zhang Ruojin lowered her voice," she paused," this project will make everyone in Pei's recognize the truth and see your potential as a new generation of managers. "
"What does Mr. Zhang mean by this?"
"Do you really want to hide under Shi Yanchen's wings forever?" Zhang Ruojin said meaningfully, "Isn't his protection of you a kind of bondage? Pei's is your root, you will go back sooner or later."
Pei Song's grip on the wine glass tightened slightly.
"When you are truly in power, are you still afraid of not getting the person you want?" Zhang Ruojin said softly, "Don't be blinded by love. Power is the most stable support."
In the distance, Zhang's father was talking with several bank executives, laughing heartily from time to time.
He seemed to be concentrating on the conversation, but his eyes kept glancing over here.
Zhang Ruojin was very familiar with this look. It was the look a hunter has when observing his prey.
She had seen her father at countless cocktail parties, looking at those he regarded as "chess pieces" with this look.
At this time, Shi Yanchen walked over and stood beside Pei Song naturally.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, his eyes darting between the two of them.
"We're talking about the project," Zhang Ruojin said with a smile, "I just told Manager Pei that I hope this cooperation can bring some changes to the industry."
Shi Yanchen nodded: "I believe this cooperation will bring new possibilities to the field of financial technology."
Just then, Zhang's father came over with a glass of wine.
He had a gentle smile on his face: "Mr. Shi is really young and promising. Our two families should visit each other more often in the future."
Shi Yanchen responded politely: "Mr. Zhang, thank you for your praise."
"Manager Pei is so young, and running such an important project, the pressure must be great, right?" Zhang's father asked with concern and a friendly tone.
"Fortunately, I have the support of the team." Pei Song responded politely.
"Young people should take on more important responsibilities." Zhang's father smiled and said, "By the way, I know a few experts in the field of financial technology. I'll introduce them to Manager Pei if I have the chance."
Zhang Ruojin looked at his father chatting and laughing, and a chill rose in his heart.
He did this every time, weaving traps in the most respectable way.
"Dad," she said coldly, "the project has just started and everyone is very busy."
Father Zhang seemed not to have heard the warning in his daughter's words and continued to chat and laugh with Shi Yanchen.
Shi Yanchen always maintained a gentle yet distant attitude, protecting Pei Song unnoticeably.
"Mr. Zhang is right," he said with a smile, "but we do have a meeting to prepare for, so I'll excuse you now."
Zhang's father nodded and said, "Of course, of course, work is more important."
After the two left, Zhang's father asked, "Is this Manager Pei the son of your mother's first love?"
"You're still the same." Zhang Ruojin looked at his father with a cold voice, "Always making these plans."
"You don't understand," Zhang's father's smile faded, "In this circle, you can't get anywhere without connections."
"That's enough," Zhang Ruojin said sharply. "This project is related to the future of the entire industry. I won't allow you to play these tricks again."
"How far do you think you can go on your own?" Zhang's father sneered, "If you don't know how to use resources, you will be stepped on sooner or later."
"I don't need to use this method," Zhang Ruojin said word by word, "I want to speak with my strength."
"Naive," Zhang's father shook his head, "You will never understand the rules of this world, just like your mother back then..."
"You are not allowed to mention her!" Zhang Ruojin interrupted him abruptly, "You are not qualified to mention her."