PB - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Qiao Qi and Jin Zhihuan flanked Old Master Jin, accompanying him as he mingled with guests. Qiao Qi’s figure was already slender and poised, and the qipao she wore was custom-tailored. From her attire and bearing to her speech and mannerisms, she exuded a noble and elegant aura that shone brightly in the crowd, especially since she was standing beside the Jin family’s eldest grandson.
Those in attendance who were extremely close to Old Master Jin knew the truth of their relationship. As for the others, they could more or less tell that the widespread rumors were untrue. The strange thing was that the Jin family never clarified them, and the eldest branch of the family would occasionally add fuel to the fire when out and about. Utterly confused, the onlookers simply stopped trying to find out, deciding that the best way to survive was to play both sides and offend no one.
While socializing, Gu Jianchu’s gaze would, intentionally or not, search for that pale blue figure. She saw Qiao Qi raise a glass to an elder and then listen attentively to his advice. She saw a graceful matron take Qiao Qi’s hand and praise her with a smile. Qiao Qi’s own smile was serene, polite, and thoughtful. The moment she spotted an opening, Gu Jianchu decisively walked over, glass in hand.
“Miss Qiao.”
Qiao Qi turned, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Is Miss Gu leaving?”
“Yes. I was wondering if Miss Qiao has a moment to accompany me to bid farewell to Chairman Jin?”
Seeing Qiao Qi and Gu Jianchu approach together, Old Master Jin was somewhat surprised, wondering when the two had become privately acquainted. But he maintained his benevolent demeanor, saying, “You’ve only just arrived, and now you’re leaving already? You young people just don’t enjoy our elderly gatherings. Well, I can’t keep you if you insist on going. Qiao Qi, you see Jianchu out.”
“Understood,” Qiao Qi replied, then turned to Gu Jianchu. “This way, Miss Gu.”
Gu Jianchu noticed that when Qiao Qi spoke to Old Master Jin, she kept her eyes lowered most of the time, her tone flat and devoid of warmth—a stark contrast to the woman who had been whispering intimately with her in the room just moments before. It seemed Qiao Qi’s resentment for this place ran incredibly deep. Yet Old Master Jin appeared to genuinely care for Qiao Qi. Then again, in a family like this, having some unknown, complex relationships was perfectly normal.
Qiao Qi walked Gu Jianchu to her car, intending to watch her drive away. A fine drizzle had started again, cool against the skin. Gu Jianchu smiled and asked, “Won’t you get in and sit for a moment?”
Qiao Qi’s brow arched slightly. She leaned closer to Gu Jianchu and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, murmuring, “Drive safely.”
Gu Jianchu froze for a second. Amid her surprise, she could clearly hear her own heart beating. This woman truly brought her one surprise after another. Her expression filled with delight, she opened the car door and got in. The car started moving slowly, its speed unhurried. In the rearview mirror, she could see the blue figure still standing there, watching her go. She pressed the brake and brought the car to a stop.
Seeing the car suddenly halt, Qiao Qi was puzzled. But when Gu Jianchu made no other move, a knowing, faint smile touched her lips. She turned and walked back toward the mansion. Only when Qiao Qi’s figure had completely vanished from the rearview mirror did Gu Jianchu let out a soft laugh and start the car again, driving away from the old Jin family residence.
They hadn’t known each other for long, but strangely, the rapport between them felt as if it had been programmed in advance. Each could perfectly receive any sudden move the other made.
Back in the main hall, Qiao Qi felt a bit too weary to continue socializing, but her customary composure showed no sign of slackening. Every smile and every movement was just right, though her expression had dimmed slightly. Old Master Jin, pained by her recent hectic schedule and worried her body wouldn’t hold up, gave his special permission for her to return to her room to rest.
Her sleep had always been poor, and no matter how soundproof the door was, the clamor from downstairs still seeped through. She closed the connecting door between her bedroom and study and called Xu Yangpu.
Xu Yangpu knew the purpose of her call and got straight to the point. “I’ve already contacted several directors on the South African side. We can meet to discuss the acquisition after we arrive.”
“Are they planning to sell their shares?”
“Yes. Witton is also interested in talking with them. But from what I gather, before 2009, they would never have considered partnering with a domestic enterprise. Now, with the huge shifts in the capital market, they’re actually more inclined to work with us at Ruifeng.”
“Good. Thank you for your hard work.”
“President Qiao, wait, there’s one more thing I need to tell you. The American new energy firm, U.E. Company, seems to be looking for a new global partner. They’re offering to transfer some of their technology in exchange for partnering with a company that has relatively mature production capabilities, so they can capture the market in a short period.”
“Send me the information.”
“I’ve already sent it.” Xu Yangpu knew he should hang up, but he couldn’t help but add, “President Qiao, it’s getting late. You should get some rest.”
“You too.”
The file Xu Yangpu had prepared on U.E. Company was exhaustive, complete with an analysis of new energy market trends from recent years. The content was so substantial that she was up reading it very late. The banquet downstairs had long since ended. When Old Master Jin returned to his room, he assumed Qiao Qi was already asleep and didn’t disturb her. If he had known she was working into the dead of night again, he would have undoubtedly delivered another round of heartfelt concern.
The next day, as soon as she arrived at the office, Qiao Qi summoned the supervisors of the venture capital and factory divisions, along with Xu Yangpu, for a brief meeting in her office.
The factory supervisor, a man named Yu Yao who was loyal to Qiao Qi, said, “Personally, I believe that although U.E. has announced they’re seeking a partner globally, their focus will ultimately be on the domestic market. The most complete manufacturing industry is right here. Coming here is more cost-effective than going anywhere else.”
The venture capital supervisor, Zhao Xiangqian, maintained a neutral stance, showing respect to both Qiao Qi and Jin Zhiyu, but his views were conservative. “U.E.’s internal divisions will likely be over technology confidentiality. Once we possess the technology, U.E. loses its competitive edge. Besides, the manufacturing environments in neighboring countries have also caught up with the international market.”
“I disagree,” Xu Yangpu analyzed. “On the technology front, U.E. holds multiple patents. The one they’re offering for this partnership is just one of them. Since they’ve agreed to a technology transfer, that part shouldn’t be an issue. As for Supervisor Zhao’s point about potential partners, I personally believe the best choice is still within our country.”
Yu Yao chimed in, “I agree with Special Assistant Xu. We need to contact U.E. as soon as possible.”
Zhao Xiangqian turned to Qiao Qi, who had been listening quietly. “President Qiao, what are your thoughts?”
“Yangpu and I are flying to South Africa the day after tomorrow to negotiate the chromium ore acquisition. I’ll leave the U.E. matter to the two of you for now. Start the preliminary talks. I expect you to hammer out a suitable proposal in the shortest possible time.”
Qiao Qi had made her decision: they were going to land the U.E. project. Yu Yao and Zhao Xiangqian left the vice president’s office together and immediately convened meetings with their subordinates. It wasn’t until evening that the two departments finally reached a consensus on how to cooperate.
The weather today was just like yesterday, a continuous, gloomy drizzle. Looking out from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the thirty-fourth floor, the entire city was shrouded in dimness. The taillights of the bustling traffic resembled slow-moving fireflies, scattering as they flickered on and off. During her lunch break, Qiao Qi stood by the window, gazing at the city’s distant skyline. Faintly, she thought she could see the glass facade of the Rongfang building.
Su Jiayin had a three-hour break that day and drove to Rongfang. Gu Jianchu was in a meeting, so she had to wait in her office. By the time Gu Jianchu finished, Su Jiayin only had two hours left. Seeing her return, she didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
“I had someone in the States look into it for you. Witton has its own long-term partners, and as it happens, they have no connection to my family’s Su Corporation.”
Gu Jianchu looked up from the document in her hand at Su Jiayin, who was sitting on the sofa. “Can’t you figure something out?”
“If my dad found out, I’d be out of a job.”
“Wouldn’t you enjoy going back to being the pampered young lady of the house?” Gu Jianchu said, flipping through the file. “Qiao Qi is flying to South Africa the day after tomorrow. If Lin Zhi can’t be delayed, this acquisition will be an uphill battle for her. And the capital Lin Zhi needs most is exactly what the Su Corporation has in spades.”
“What kind of spell have you cast on A Qi? Do you know she’s reluctant to even handle domestic business collaborations in person, yet this time she’s willing to fly all the way to South Africa for you?”
At the mention of Qiao Qi, a smile instantly appeared on Gu Jianchu’s face. “That’s why I need your help. As long as Lin Zhi partners with the Su Corporation, his cash flow will be under your control. You can give it when you want and cut it off when you want.”
“And what’s in it for me?”
“Don’t worry.” Having finished the document, Gu Jianchu looked up at Su Jiayin again. “I heard you were on the night shift last night. You didn’t come all this way today just to tell me that Lin Zhi has no dealings with your family, did you?”
Su Jiayin rose from the sofa, walked over to the desk, and sat down again. “You really have it all figured out, don’t you? Dragging me and A Qi into this just to get rid of a suitor. Answer me honestly, what’s the situation between you and A Qi right now?”
“We’re fine. And don’t gossip about my private life.”
“I don’t have time to gossip about your relationship. I just want to warn you: A Qi is a good person. Don’t mess around.”
Gu Jianchu’s expression suddenly turned cold. “Jiayin, we’re both adults.”
It was the evasion she had expected. Su Jiayin said no more, simply looking at her. The office fell into an excessive silence. After a minute of strange tension, Su Jiayin left Gu Jianchu’s office. Gu Jianchu glanced at the door Su Jiayin had closed behind her, feeling an inexplicable wave of irritation.
The rain fell ceaselessly all afternoon. Fortunately, work was the best distraction. As quitting time approached, Gu Jianchu chose not to work overtime but instead drove to Ruifeng. The Ruifeng and Rongfang buildings were on opposite sides of the city, east and west. She got on the elevated highway and looped around the ring road. By the time she arrived, most of the departments in the building had already closed for the day, but Qiao Qi was still there.
Rongfang’s young President Gu arriving at Ruifeng after hours dispensed with the daytime formalities. She went straight into the elevator and up to the thirty-fourth floor. Yao Qiu was surprised to see her, but Gu Jianchu gestured for her not to announce her arrival and gently pushed open the office door.
Inside, Qiao Qi was standing by the window, staring blankly at her phone. Since they had become familiar, Gu Jianchu had seen her lost in thought several times. She walked over and wrapped her arms around her from behind. Qiao Qi let out a startled cry, but the familiar feeling instantly soothed her alarm.
The reason for Qiao Qi’s distraction was a message from an old friend, asking how she was and saying they missed her. For a moment, memories pulled her back several years, to a time when she had passed by this very building countless times without ever giving it a second glance. Yet now, she knew every department inside it like the back of her hand. Time, it seemed, had changed so many things.
But facing Gu Jianchu, Qiao Qi tucked away her melancholy, her voice as gentle as ever. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to ask you to dinner.” Gu Jianchu turned her around, her arms still encircling her. “Can you get off work now?”
“I can.” Qiao Qi stepped out of Gu Jianchu’s embrace and began tidying the things on her desk. “Where are we eating?”
“I was going to take you to that private kitchen from last time, but I called and they’re fully booked. So I’ll have to trouble you to just make do with my clubhouse.”
Qiao Qi teased her, “How could eating at one of the most exclusive private clubs in the city possibly be called ‘making do’?” Gu Jianchu was amused by her words, her mood lifting.
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