Chapter 106
As an island city, Singapore's temperature remains almost unchanged throughout the year.
If I had to point out a difference, it would probably be that sometimes there's a lot of wind, and sometimes there's a lot of rain.
But the weather wasn't cooperating today; there wasn't much wind or rain, only scorching sun.
Jin Chuwan, holding a parasol, walked into the tall building in front of her.
Thinking back carefully, she realized that she had passed by this towering building at least a hundred times during her six years in the new city, but she only learned last night that the building was actually owned by the Li family.
Kim Cho-wan couldn't help but smile, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Well, the phrases starting with "surprisingly" and "as expected" kept going back and forth in her mind, leaving her unsure which one to choose.
The receptionist maintained a polite and gentle smile throughout, although she was briefly taken aback when Kim Cho-wan asked to see Lee Sung-eun.
Not long after, her phone rang. She nodded a few times in response, then stood up and gestured for Jin Chuwan to enter.
Jin Chuwan glanced around and followed.
When they talked yesterday, she thought Li Xing'en would choose a restaurant or a romantic scenic spot, since what he said was quite suggestive.
What's waiting for you? What's missing you so much?
But now it seems to be handled in a rather bureaucratic manner.
The president's office was on the top floor of the building. When the elevator stopped, Jin Chuwan looked up and saw Li Xingen standing in front of the elevator with flowers in her hand.
This scene seemed to have startled the young lady guiding them.
Jin Chuwan noticed that her smile stiffened slightly, and then she turned to look at Li Xing'en.
She smiled and politely accepted the bouquet, but inwardly she was a little puzzled: at least on the surface, Li Xing'en had always been gentle and refined, so was it necessary for this young lady to act so surprised?
"She's probably a newbie," Jin Chuwan thought.
However, she didn't think about it for long, because Li Xing'en took her hand and led her into the office.
He pulled her along as they walked, explaining helplessly.
"I originally wanted to reserve a table at a restaurant, but then I suddenly remembered that I have an important contract to discuss today, so I'm afraid my aunt will have to accommodate me for now..."
The young man rolled up his sleeves to his forearms, his tie was slightly loose, and his expensive bespoke suit looked like casual wear on him.
Jin Chuwan smiled and said, "It's nothing. I'm pretty free anyway, so we can meet anywhere."
She hadn't thought much about it before, but since entering the workforce, the difference in their social status made Jin Chuwan feel like she couldn't bear the title of "aunt."
However difficult it may be.
Anyway, as long as he's willing to shout, she'll reluctantly listen.
Kim Cho-wan saw Lee Sung-eun make an apologetic gesture to him before returning to her computer.
It seems the new CEO is also engrossed in his work and extremely busy. Jin Chuwan placed the flowers on the sofa and looked up to see Li Xingen hurriedly tidying up documents. After he finished, he turned around and went to the next room, but when he came out, he had two cups of coffee in his hand.
The assistant outside seemed to be watching Li Xing'en's movements very intently. He seemed to be a little sleep-deprived, and kept raising his hand to press his brow.
Jin Chuwan sat on the sofa and turned to look at the floor-to-ceiling window beside her.
The view here is expansive, and because it's high enough, it gives you the illusion of having everything under your feet.
"What are you looking at?"
Li Xingen placed the coffee on the table, as if he had suddenly thought of something.
"Oh, by the way, there are some desserts in the fridge, would you like some?"
Kim Cho-wan certainly liked it, but it doesn't seem like the student days of eating desserts and chatting are over now.
"No need, let's get down to business."
After Jin Chuwan finished speaking, Li Xingen paused, his eyes filled with a slight doubt.
"What important matter is it?"
Jin Chuwan picked up her coffee and took a sip. She had made ample mental preparations before coming.
Even if Li Xingen made sarcastic remarks or jokes similar to those Yin Zhihua had mentioned before, he maintained his composure and even acted as if they were old friends reunited.
If this atmosphere is allowed to continue, they will probably just keep going on and on with the polite formalities.
So now Jin Chuwan is prepared to get straight to the point and explain her purpose; as for the outcome, she has no say in it.
Jin Chuwan picked up a small spoon and stirred it on the latte art.
"Actually... the reason I contacted you yesterday was because I hoped you could give up shorting Cheng's..."
As Jin Chuwan spoke, her gaze darted around, but she dared not look at Li Xing'en.
Having been a lawyer for a long time, she always solemnly demands that her clients reveal all the truth. Now that the roles have been reversed, it's her turn to be the one asking for a favor.
To be honest, I don't feel very good about it.
Li Xingen did not answer.
Jin Chuwan thought about it and realized that if she were in her shoes, she probably wouldn't have paid attention to such an absurd request either.
She paused in her movements and slowly raised her head.
Those gray eyes looked over quietly, giving Jin Chuwan a feeling of being embraced and understood. She couldn't guess what he was thinking, so she could only continue talking to herself.
“I know this is offensive, but I was just asking, really just… an inquiry… If there’s any hope, I can arrange for you both to sit down and talk about cooperation; if not, just pretend I didn’t say anything…”
The blinds had been drawn at some point, blocking out the curious glances from outside the office.
When Kim Cho-wan saw Lee Sung-eun suddenly stand up, he tilted his head as if he was seriously considering it.
But after a short while, this thought turned into helplessness and dilemma.
“It’s not that I don’t want to help you, it’s just that this isn’t something I can decide. After all, Jiang Chen invested the most money, and I can’t make decisions for him. To be honest, I can guess how your ‘friends’ usually describe me, but this matter…”
As Li Xing'en spoke, she looked over with a deep gaze.
"Jiang Chen was in charge, not me."
Kim Cho-wan looked up and met Lee Sung-eun's gaze. After a moment, she nodded.
She had actually guessed this result long ago. To be honest, the failure actually relieved her.
"But at least, I hope... we won't go so far as to wipe them all out..."
Kim Cho-wan still managed to add a sentence.
As Li Xing'en listened, his eyes curved into a smile. He sat down again, looking calm and sincere.
"Don't worry, even if Jiang Chen holds a grudge, I won't let that happen..."
After he finished speaking, Kim Cho-wan looked at him with gratitude.
"Really, I feel really bad for troubling you like this..."
Li Xing'en listened quietly, his gaze flickering slightly. He still appeared gentle and calm, but a faint sense of loss suddenly rose in his eyes when he looked at Jin Chuwan.
"To be honest, I thought that when my aunt contacted me, she would at least be concerned about how I was doing and we would chat about happy things. I didn't expect it to be so serious right from the start..."
Jin Chuwan relaxed a bit upon hearing this, and smiled, "You're already in charge of the entire family group, do you really need my greetings?"
"Why isn't there any lacking..."
Seeing Jin Chuwan smile, Li Xing'en also smiled. He stared straight at Jin Chuwan, and to be honest, the moment he saw her, he realized that she had changed.
She has become calmer, more indifferent and mature than before, and even more captivating than before.
As Li Xing'en thought about it, a sense of resentment rose uncontrollably in her heart.
If only he could be the one to change her.
Li Xing'en regretfully realized that she had actually been happier and more carefree in the years without his company, but this conclusion was ruthlessly and completely denied by him just two seconds later.
That's absolutely not the case.
With him by her side, she would only become better, more radiant, and stand in a higher and better position.
She will be happier...
Those grey eyes were slightly lowered, and wild grass was growing wildly in her heart, but her face remained gentle and warm.
"It's almost lunchtime, would you like to grab a bite together?"
Jin Chuwan nodded, but as she stood up, she suddenly asked a question.
How many times a year do you come here?
Li Xingen was taken aback. He glanced at Jin Chuwan, unsure why she asked that, so he carefully replied, "There isn't much business here, so we usually only come to inspect it at the end of the year."
In fact, ever since he found Jin Chuwan, he would take time out of his schedule to come and see her every month.
But she'd probably get angry if I told the truth...
Upon hearing this, Jin Chuwan smiled knowingly, "So you don't know much about this area either? Then I'll treat you today. There's a street up ahead with some pretty good Cantonese restaurants, shall we go try them?"
She picked up her bag as she spoke, but Li Xing'en took it from her with practiced ease, then slung it over her shoulder.
His expression was somewhat meaningful; he was a little curious and a little excited about Jin Chuwan, who was now quite assertive and decisive.
"Okay, whatever you say."
It's just a meal; it doesn't matter who hosts. What matters is whether there will be a next time.
As the two chatted as they left the office, the employees in the secretary's office next door all glanced over, but each of them had a very different expression.
Some people find the boss's feigned innocence disgusting, while others secretly enjoy seeing the boss carrying their bags and serving them.
However, most people are still speculating about Kim Cho Wan's identity.
"Is she some extraordinary heiress? Or perhaps one of Li's younger cousins?"
The secretary-general, who considered himself a close confidant, pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and spoke indifferently.
"I'll check."
--
When Jin Chuwan left, she noticed the gossipy stares. To be honest, office life is pretty much the same for everyone; even the slightest disturbance can attract a lot of attention.
Li Xing'en seemed indifferent, focusing only on replying to messages.
She glanced at it casually and saw that the contact name seemed to be named Jiang. She asked about it offhand.
"You and Jiang Chen are on good terms now?"
I remember they didn't seem to have much of a relationship back then...
When asked, Li Xingen instinctively turned off his phone screen. He nodded, but didn't tell the truth.
"Mainly because after taking over the job, I've been involved in more business matters." But there's a hint of truth in the lie, "So the relationship isn't exactly good or bad, just... business partners."
Jin Chuwan nodded, and soon the elevator reached the bottom.
As the metal door opened, Kim Cho-wan instinctively stepped back a little, gesturing for Lee Sung-eun to go first.
But as soon as Li Xing'en stepped out of the elevator, she suddenly stopped.
Jin Chuwan was puzzled, but then she looked up, and a slightly complicated smile appeared on her face when she saw who it was. To be honest, she hadn't encountered so many coincidences in her six years in the new city.
Is it really because this is a fictional world that such fateful encounters occur whenever you come into contact with the main characters?
The man opposite me was dressed in a black suit, exuding a restrained and aloof air.
Their eyes met, and he slowed his pace. His dark eyes swept over the two people in front of him, and he smiled faintly.
"What, you're not welcome?"
Before Kim Cho-wan could speak, Lee Sung-eun laughed.
"If I say yes, can you get lost?"
Jiang Chen seemed not to hear, and simply looked down at Jin Chuwan.
Should I leave?
Kim Chuwan felt a little awkward.
Okay, I know your relationship isn't that great.
After a brief moment of helplessness, she sighed and said, "It doesn't matter, it's more lively with one more person eating."
However, she added after she finished speaking.
"But I can't just freeload, can I?"
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