Chapter 16 (Part 1)
Cheng Zhao assigned Ge Xiaojia another task: to help find a good caregiver. "They need to be diligent, tactful, and kind. They can't be harsh. No matter how capable they are, they won't make the old man happy." Ge Xiaojia nodded vigorously. "Do you want a man or a woman?" "Well, either is fine! But a man is best, since the old man is a man!" "Got it. Any other requirements, Mr. Cheng?" "I can't think of any. It's up to you! I have confidence in you." Ge Xiaojia's eyes sparkled with praise. In the afternoon, Cheng Zhao was in his office reviewing financial applications when Ding Lou burst in, looking very nervous. "Brother Cheng, are you asking Xiaojia to find a caregiver?" "Well, what's the matter?" "Is it Aunt Shao..." "What the hell are you yelling about! My mother is in good health! You can't even catch up with her in square dancing." Ding Lou smiled, "Then I'm relieved! Who are you going to find one for? I heard there are a lot of requirements." Cheng Zhao turned his gaze back to the approval report, "Don't worry about it. If you have a suitable candidate, tell Xiaojia." Ding Lou refused to leave, "Tell me! I'm so curious! We have known each other for so many years, how can you hide your affairs from me? Could it be that Yu Lichun's family..." Cheng Zhao raised his eyebrows, "You really have no place to use your energy, right? Have you finished the rework of the green belt at No. 32 Changhe New Village?" "It's rained these two days. I'll do it when the weather gets better." "Don't delay business, otherwise your bonus will be deducted." "Don't worry, Brother Cheng! I won't be late. I have to go to Changwang New Village later, and the expansion of the parking lot is almost finished... Ah! I understand!" Ding Lou suddenly showed a look of enlightenment, "You found it for Teacher Gan, right?" Cheng Zhao ignored him and did not refute. Ding Lou was excited, "Brother Cheng, you are very thoughtful! First, win Teacher Gan, Gan Ling will definitely be touched, and once touched, won't she..." "Come on! Save your saliva! Do I need to be so roundabout to pursue Gan Ling? You underestimate me too much." Ding Lou carefully studied Cheng Zhao's expression, and his disdain could not hide his joy. He slapped his thigh, "No way! You have already won Gan Ling? Not bad! Brother Cheng! You are really good!" "What are you excited about?" Ding Lou laughed, "I'm happy for you! You have been thinking about her for years! When can I drink to your wedding?" "I don't know." Cheng Zhao frowned and pointed at him, "I'm warning you in advance, don't yell at me everywhere, you know Gan Ling's temper, if you ruin my business, I will fire you!" Ding Lou wiped his hand across his mouth, "Don't worry! This...
Cheng Zhao assigned another task to Ge Xiaojia, asking her to help find a good caregiver.
"You have to be diligent, tactful, and kind. You can't speak harshly. No matter how capable such a person is, the old man won't be happy."
Ge Xiaojia nodded vigorously, "Do you want a boy or a girl?"
"Well, either is fine! But it's better to have a male caregiver, since the elderly are men!"
"Got it. Any other requests, Mr. Cheng?"
"I can't think of anything. Just do it yourself! I have confidence in you."
Ge Xiaojia's eyes sparkled with praise.
In the afternoon, Cheng Zhao was reviewing a financial application in his office when Ding Lou rushed in, looking very nervous.
"Brother Cheng, are you asking Xiaojia to find a caregiver?"
"Well, what's going on?"
"Is it Aunt Shao..."
"What the hell are you yelling about! My mom is in great health! You can't even catch up with her in square dancing."
Ding Lou smiled. "Then I'm relieved! Who are you looking for? I heard they have a lot of requirements."
Cheng Zhao turned his gaze back to the approval report. "Don't worry about it. If you have a suitable candidate, tell Xiao Jia."
Ding Lou refused to leave. "Tell me! I'm so curious! We've known each other for so many years, how could you hide your affairs from me? Could it be that it's Yu Lichun's family..."
Cheng Zhao raised an eyebrow. "You really have all this energy, don't you? Have you finished reworking the green belt at 32 Cheung Wo New Village?"
"It's been raining for the past two days. Let's do it when the weather gets better."
"Don't delay your work, or your bonus will be deducted."
"Don't worry, Brother Cheng! I won't be late. I still have to go to Changwang New Village later, and the parking lot expansion should be almost finished... Ah! I understand!"
Ding Lou suddenly revealed a look of relief, "You're looking for this for Teacher Gan, right?"
Cheng Zhao ignored him and didn't refute him.
Ding Lou became excited. "Brother Cheng, you are very thoughtful! First, take down Teacher Gan. Gan Ling will definitely be touched. Once touched, won't she..."
"Come on! Save your breath! Do I need to be so roundabout in pursuing Gan Ling? You really underestimate me."
Ding Lou studied Cheng Zhao's expression carefully, his disdain barely concealing his delight. He slapped his thigh, "No way! You've already taken down Gan Ling? Sure enough! Brother Cheng! You're quite capable!"
"What are you excited about?"
Ding Lou chuckled, "I'm so happy for you! You've been thinking about me for years! When can I drink at your wedding?"
"I don't know." Cheng Zhao frowned and pointed at him. "I'm warning you in advance. Don't go around shouting at me. You know Gan Ling's temper. If you ruin my plans, I'll fire you!"
Ding Lou put his hand across his mouth and said, "Don't worry! This matter has ended with me, and not a single word will leak out!"
Not long after Ding Lou left, Yu Huan came knocking on the door. He looked extremely excited and gossipy.
"Brother Cheng! You're amazing!"
Cheng Zhao immediately became furious. "Ding Lou, that fellow, has a mouth full of nonsense. I guarantee it's like talking nonsense! Go! Call him over here!"
Yu Huan was stunned. "What does this have to do with Manager Ding?"
"Then why are you so high?"
Yu Huan jumped like a monkey and sat down in the chair opposite him. "I just heard that Wei Chi was reported!"
Cheng Zhao's expression suddenly softened, "Oh, you're talking about that thing!"
"Yeah! What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, go on."
"Someone reported him for accepting bribes on this project! The company is already investigating, and he'll most likely be removed from the bid evaluation team. I also heard that if he withdraws, the previous shortlisted results will be invalidated and we'll have to start over! So think about it, we have another chance—you're amazing, Brother Cheng!"
Cheng Zhao said, "Then get ready. If everything goes well, we can talk. We've finally got this opportunity, so make the most of it!"
"I know! Hey, Brother Cheng, who do you think reported it? We all guessed it was an insider, otherwise how could they know so much?"
"Don't worry about that. Focus on our materials. Check all the data and amounts carefully, and make adjustments if necessary. Don't just focus on the fun and lose sight of the real work!"
Yu Huan immediately stood up and said, "Okay! I'll get ready!"
Three days later, Chengzhao Company received a new bidding invitation and went to the client company that afternoon to give an overall presentation to the newly reorganized project team.
Cheng Zhao, Yu Huan, and the others waited in the conference room for ten minutes before President Hu walked in, flanked by three or four of his subordinates. Cheng Zhao pretended to be new to the meeting, shaking hands and greeting each other warmly. Yu Huan then took the stage to give an introduction and demonstration. Having done this many times before, he was familiar with the process, and Yu Huan delivered a thorough and impressive presentation.
After the presentation, Mr. Hu asked questions.
"This project has been delayed due to some well-known reasons. We would like to know how much earlier the project can be completed while ensuring the quality of the project if your company takes over..."
Yu Huan turned his gaze to Cheng Zhao, who happily stepped onto the stage and stood beside him, explaining to CEO Hu, "We've already calculated and reviewed this issue before coming here. We can expedite it while ensuring quality. The specific arrangements are as follows..."
He spent seven or eight minutes breaking down the schedule and explaining it in detail until Mr. Hu looked satisfied and the other project team members agreed. After several rounds of similar questions and answers, the presentation ended.
Before leaving, Cheng Zhao shook hands with Mr. Hu again. Mr. Hu spoke some official polite words, but secretly exerted some strength in his hands. Cheng Zhao understood what he meant and said goodbye to him with a smile.
When he reached the stairs of the second floor hall, someone called Cheng Zhao's name from behind. He turned around and saw Wei Chi walking towards him. Yu Huan beside him immediately glanced at Cheng Zhao nervously and stood beside him.
Although Wei Chi was smiling, his underlying tone was gloomy, making the smile seem particularly strange. "Mr. Cheng, would you mind coming to my office for a chat?"
Cheng Zhao shrugged. "It's not inconvenient at all—Xiao Yu, wait for me downstairs."
Yu Huan's face was full of words, but seeing Cheng Zhao's expression relaxed, he could only nod and led the others downstairs nervously.
Cheng Zhao followed Wei Chi to his office. Although he was removed from his position as project director, he didn't move to the same spacious and bright room.
After Cheng Zhao entered, Wei Chi closed the door behind him, walked straight to his boss chair, and sat down casually.
"Well, I won't be polite with you. I guess you wouldn't dare drink the coffee I made."
Cheng Zhao smiled and sat down. "Look at what you said. You don't necessarily want to poison me, do you? If you dare to drink it, I dare to drink it."
"It seems that my bad luck this time is due to you again."
"Huh? Why are you blaming me again? Am I such a pushover? Am I that easy to pick on?"
"Hmph! Stop pretending. Who handed those materials to Mr. Gao? Do you really think I'm stupid?"
Cheng Zhao smiled and said, "Boss Wei thinks so highly of me, I really can't take it. Besides, how did your materials end up in my hands?"
"Isn't this easy? You can find someone on our inside, bribe him, and have him report me to the higher-ups. That would be a hassle-free process, right?"
"How can I, a small business owner who has to fiddle with people's faces to make a living, be so capable?"
"It's because you're a small-time character who lives off others' favors that you resort to such despicable and two-faced tactics!"
Cheng Zhao continued to smile, "Alright! I'm not going to be in good hands in Chief Wei's eyes anyway. But please don't dislike hearing the truth from me, if you don't put dirty money in your pocket, no one can pull you out of that position, don't you agree? Haha! I'm not admitting this, it's just an assumption."
Wei Chi's face darkened. He stared at Cheng Zhao for a long moment and sneered, "Do you think Gan Ling would be attracted to you with this look on your face? Don't dream!"
Cheng Zhao looked surprised. "Gan Ling? How could Gan Ling be involved in this?"
"Still pretending? If I hadn't drunk too much that night and exaggerated what I said about her, would you still be holding a grudge against me? We would have signed the contract by now! It must have cost you a lot of money to bribe those troublemakers, right? Calm down and think about it, is it worth it? I didn't want to bother you anymore, but since you've been treating me like this, I won't let you get away with it."
Cheng Zhao asked tentatively, "What is Mr. Wei's plan?"
Wei Chi's expression became comfortable. "I advise you to give up. Forget about pursuing Gan Ling."
Cheng Zhao sniffed, pursed his lips, looked at Wei Chi's face full of useless complacency, and finally swallowed his words.
"Boss Wei, are you done? I'm leaving now!"
He stood up, smiled meaningfully at Wei Chi, politely opened the door and walked out, then closed it gently.
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