PB - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Due to Lin Zhi’s strategic sell-off of TIE stock, the reorganized new TIE was in the red on the US stock market for three consecutive days. When Qiao Qi’s plane landed, TIE’s stock had nearly hit its daily trading limit down. Fortunately, it showed signs of recovery near the closing bell. Qiao Qi walked out of the airport and got into a private car. The driver knew where she wanted to go first without asking, and the car set off toward the Ruifeng Building.

Back at Ruifeng, Qiao Qi convened a high-level group meeting regarding the successful acquisition to map out the company’s future direction and corresponding departmental adjustments. Since chromite is a rare resource in the country, integrating with the domestic market was also a major topic of discussion. Even Ning Song, the head of the Data Analysis Center who rarely appeared at headquarters, was in attendance at this meeting.

After the meeting had gone on for two hours, Yao Qiu grew worried about the toll it was taking on Qiao Qi’s body. The third time she replaced her coffee, she slipped her a note reminding her to rest and took the opportunity to signal Xu Yangpu. Qiao Qi readily agreed and had Xu Yangpu take over chairing the meeting. As for the other details, the head of the marketing department who had also gone to South Africa provided supplementary information.

Returning to the thirty-fourth floor, Qiao Qi did indeed feel physically exhausted. She leaned back in her office chair and closed her eyes to rest. Not long after, Yao Qiu received a call from the front desk downstairs.

“Secretary Yao,” the receptionist’s voice was sweet, “someone is downstairs with a flower delivery for President Qiao.”

“Flowers?” Yao Qiu was surprised, momentarily stunned. “Did you ask who they’re from?”

“It’s just a flower delivery service, and the customer’s information is confidential. So, Secretary Yao, should I sign for these flowers?”

Ruifeng’s Vice President Qiao had such a terrible reputation that despite her exceptional looks and status, no one dared to pursue her. This was the first time anyone had ever sent her flowers. Yao Qiu thought it over, her curiosity piqued about the sender. “Sign for them and bring them up,” she said.

The bouquet was exquisitely wrapped, sure to please any woman, which made Yao Qiu even more curious about the person who sent it. She knocked on Qiao Qi’s door and, hearing a “come in” from the other side, turned the handle and entered. Qiao Qi didn’t look up until she was standing in front of the desk. Seeing the flowers, she was equally surprised and confused, her eyes questioning.

“They were sent up from downstairs. They said these flowers are for you. It’s a delivery service. There’s a card on them, you should take a look.” The card was a folded, filigreed card, preventing any curious onlookers from peeking.

Reaching over the bouquet Yao Qiu was holding, Qiao Qi took the card and opened it. The font was a remote handwritten script that had been printed. There was no signature. The message was just two words in English: miss you. A warm smile instantly touched the corners of her eyes and brows. She reached out and took the flowers. Although Yao Qiu’s astonishment was growing by the second, she knew some things were better left unprobed.

After Yao Qiu left the office, Qiao Qi walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and called Gu Jianchu. The call was answered quickly, and a voice tinged with an obvious smile said, “You got the flowers. Do you like them?”

As if infected by her mood, the smile in Qiao Qi’s own voice was just as apparent. “I got them. Is the project going smoothly? When are you coming back?”

“The previous project is progressing quite well, but something else came up unexpectedly, so I won’t be back until next week. TIE’s stock was still falling at the close today. Aren’t you going to do something?”

Qiao Qi’s faint laugh was barely audible. “Since it’s all being dumped by Lin Zhi, isn’t President Gu interested in buying some?”

“You did this on purpose?”

“Not entirely. I just hoped to use this to let the stock price readjust to the market. Besides, Lin Zhi is messing with TIE’s price out of revenge. Rushing in to save it would only lead to a worse outcome. What’s more, I think if you buy up some of the shares he’s dumping when you have time, it will help the price return to normal. That way, TIE won’t have to do a thing.”

President Gu, having gotten a good deal, couldn’t help but laugh in admiration. “How can you be so good to me?”

Qiao Qi’s voice was soft and pleasant. She said, “Jianchu, I told you I wouldn’t let you suffer a loss.”

Those words sounded familiar, but Gu Jianchu couldn’t quite place them. That didn’t stop her from feeling happy. With business out of the way, it was natural to turn to personal matters. At that moment, she truly missed the woman on the other end of the line. “I miss you a lot.”

“Me too.”

Qiao Qi was in a cheerful mood after hanging up. She carefully arranged the flowers in a vase and placed it on her desk, adding a touch of charm to the otherwise plain office. For the rest of the day, the light floral scent often caused her to drift off in thought, a rare occurrence. Each time her mind wandered, her gaze would travel through the window toward the distant horizon.

The news that Qiao Qi had received flowers sent Ruifeng into an uproar that day, spreading like wildfire to all the branch offices. Speculation ran rampant, with theories flying. Some thought it was a congratulatory gift from the Chairman on her triumphant return from South Africa; others believed an ignorant suitor was trying to steal the Chairman’s woman. A single bouquet of flowers stirred up the seemingly calm Ruifeng for an entire afternoon. After all, Qiao Qi had always been the center of the storm.

Of course, what they most wanted to know was Qiao Qi’s reaction to the flowers up on the thirty-fourth floor. If it weren’t for Yao Qiu and Xu Yangpu being so tight-lipped, the gossips would have gone up to pry for information long ago. Thus, amidst the roiling undercurrents of the group, only the thirty-fourth floor remained as calm as ever. At the end of the workday, the car Old Master Jin had sent to pick up Qiao Qi arrived punctually downstairs.

Qiao Qi’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before she got into the car door held open for her. This scene was soon relayed to every corner of the group. The man who came to pick her up was one of Old Master Jin’s long-time aides. Seeing her displeased expression, he kindly explained, “The Old Master heard someone sent you flowers today, Miss. He was very happy, but he was also worried about the person’s intentions, so he had me come pick you up to ask about it.”

Qiao Qi said faintly, “I understand.”

Gu Jianchu had no idea what kind of breakroom fodder her bouquet had provided at Ruifeng. She sat in the passenger seat, carefully reviewing the newly compiled file on U.E. Company. Rongfang was naturally aware that U.E. was looking for a global partner, and since she was already in the United States, she planned to visit U.E.’s headquarters in person.

Gu Fanchu was driving. He always drove her personally whenever she came over. “I hear Ruifeng is also actively pursuing this partnership, and they’ve already made contact with U.E. ahead of us.” Gu Jianchu immediately thought of Qiao Qi and simply grunted in acknowledgment. He changed the subject. “Dad called and told me to watch things closely here this time and not let anything else go wrong.”

Because Lin Zhi had lost power at Witton, and the current CEO, George, was acquainted with Gu Jianchu, the situation in the US market, which had long been controlled by Gu Mingyi, changed in the blink of an eye. It left no time to react. Gu Mingyi flew into a rage, flew back to the US overnight, and stormed into Gu Jianchu’s office. Gu Jianchu, finding him annoying and not wanting a direct confrontation, watched his tantrum with a cold eye.

Gu Mingyi’s eyes were wide with fury as he demanded, “What is the meaning of this? Gu Jianchu, you’d better explain yourself clearly today!”

“Gu Mingyi, it’s working hours. As a company executive, is it appropriate for you to be shouting and making a scene here?”

“Cut the act, Gu Jianchu. I’m asking you, why were personnel changes made in the US market without my approval? I’m the one in charge here.”

“Gu Mingyi, you need to understand something. I have the authority to make any necessary changes to Rongfang and its subsidiaries and branches. Now, please leave my office immediately. This is not a request, it’s an order.”

The fire in Gu Mingyi’s chest burned hotter. He glared viciously at Gu Jianchu. “Fine. You backstabbed me this time, I’ll admit defeat. Let’s see how long you can stay smug.” With that, he slammed the door on his way out, the sound so loud it startled Liu Yanyan outside.

Gu Fanchu had only heard about this little episode from Liu Yanyan afterward. Although he was now in charge of the US market, Gu Mingyi had managed it for many years, and the deep-rooted connections there couldn’t be broken overnight. Even if his father hadn’t repeatedly warned him to be careful, he wouldn’t have dared to let his guard down for a second.

Gu Fanchu sensed how invested Gu Jianchu was in the U.E. matter, especially since she had been so quiet on the drive. “You have other plans for the U.E. partnership, don’t you?”

“One Lin Zhi is enough. I don’t want any more Lin Zhis.”

Gu Fanchu understood what she meant. “No wonder Dad has been calling so frequently these past few days. I’ll handle things carefully here in the US. You and Dad can rest assured.”

Wresting the US market from Gu Mingyi’s hands would give her a greater chance of winning the next board election. The emergence of U.E. was undoubtedly an opportunity. Once a partnership was established, it could lead to a restructuring of share ownership. Besides, she had long since acquired the shares Gu Mingyi had mortgaged at the bank. She believed that by then, the board members would certainly know who to support.

The U.E. executive in charge of this partnership took Gu Jianchu’s visit very seriously, but he arranged their meeting not at the company, but at the best coffee shop in the city. He didn’t want this meeting to affect other potential partners, a condition Gu Jianchu readily accepted.

U.E.’s Hank was a well-built American man with deep blue eyes and a clean-shaven face. Although he had done some basic research on Gu Jianchu beforehand, when this beautiful woman actually approached, he couldn’t help but marvel at such beauty. “Hello, Miss Gu. I’m Hank from U.E. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello, Hank.”

Since the purpose of the meeting was clear, there was no need for excessive pleasantries. Gu Jianchu got straight to the point. “Hank, I hear U.E. is looking for a global partner. I believe China’s Rongfang would be an excellent choice.”

Hank was pleased by her directness. “You’re not the first person to say that to me, Miss Gu, and I imagine you won’t be the last.”

“Of course. Catching the olive branch extended by U.E. means a company’s profits will multiply. But for U.E., a company that fully meets the partnership requirements is what’s most important. Because such a company will minimize investment costs and can also enter production and achieve profitability in the shortest amount of time.”

Hank considered this seriously. He also leaned toward partnering with a more mature company, but other factors had caused internal divisions on the board. “Rongfang is indeed a very impressive company, and what you just said is exactly what I believe. I’ve done my research, and the companies capable of the fastest production launch are almost all in China. However, I’m powerless to do anything about the disagreements within U.E.”

“Rongfang’s board of directors has disagreements on almost every resolution, but the final outcome should always be what’s most beneficial for the company’s development. I believe Hank is also very clear on where the most beneficial path for the company’s development lies.”

Hank laughed heartily. “I look forward to meeting you again in China, Miss Gu.”

Gu Jianchu returned his smile. “When the time comes, I can be your guide and treat you to the most authentic Chinese cuisine.”

“Hearing you say that makes me even more eager to go to China,” Hank said, extending his hand for a polite handshake. “You can’t go back on your word then, Miss Gu.”

For the remainder of their time, the two chatted about other topics. As they both had other commitments, their brief meeting soon concluded. On the way back, Gu Jianchu called Liu Yanyan and told her to arrange her return to China as soon as possible. Because the past few days had been so hectic, she drifted off to sleep without realizing it. Gu Fanchu slowed the car so she could sleep a little more soundly.

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