Chapter 12
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
Today is the day Qifu Provisions resumes its operations.
After Value Scan has done their usual short selling on them, Qifu Provisions is ordered by the relevant authority to reorganise and resolve the problems regarding its internal operations and its misleading labels. Qifu Provisions is also given a large fine due to its fabrication of numbers on their yearly report regarding its revenue.
All the products involved in false labelling are removed online and offline while ensuring all information and marketing materials meets the requirements and releasing its business revenue report after adjusting to show the accurate numbers.
Even then, Qifu Provisions’ stocks have a sharp drop of eight per cent when the market opens, resulting in many investors, who have been waiting for the market to open, cancelling their orders. Most brokers’ evaluations on Qifu Provisions became mostly pessimistic, its stock prices remaining at only forty per cent of its original price before the incident.
Fang Shaojun is asked to go to Zhong Ming Funding today to learn about every aspect of the business. Coincidentally, Xiao Zhan is not busy today either, so he is also invited to come over by Fang Jiaming for tea.
Fang Jiaming made Fang Shaojun follow him to various manager meetings and learn to listen to different reports from different managers. The latter showed no interest throughout the meetings, his impatience extremely obvious through his attitude. The chances of him actually learning anything are very low. Fang Jiaming decides to bring him around the investment department, hoping Fang Shaojun can at least learn what type of research they do for investment at the fundamental level.
The employees working in the research department are mostly only in contact with others in the same department. It is extremely rare for them to meet the big boss of the company they are all working in. To see CEO Fang and Young Master Fang coming to their department so suddenly, the employees are inevitably nervous. They quickly stand up and wait for instructions.
Xiao Zhan follows quietly behind Fang Jiaming and Fang Shaojun. He is wearing a smoky grey casual suit with vertical stripes, a dark green wristwatch with a golden wristband on his wrist. As the main characters are CEO Fang and Young Master Fang, Xiao Zhan does not want to be attracting attention. He merely stands there silently, but his presence can not be overlooked by anyone regardless.
As Lu Chuiqing went to bed a bit too late the previous night, he can not help but feel sleepy right now. Although he tries his best not to be too obvious, he is unable to control his yawn so he can only quietly lean towards Song Wenxin’s shoulders beside him to cover himself while he secretly covers his mouth as he yawns.
Just as he puts down his hand, he unexpectedly sees Xiao Zhan standing right there, staring at him.
Lu Chuiqing’s body stiffens in an instant, his sleepiness is completely blown away. For a moment, he is unsure whether to feel embarrassed for having been caught yawning, or whether he should be feeling embarrassed about what happened during his business trip.
Just as Lu Chuiqing starts feeling helpless, Xiao Zhan has instead looked away, a faint hint of a smile in his eyes.
Fortunately, they did not remain for too long and quickly moved on to the Chief Inspector’s office.
Chief Inspector Huang of the investment department is in charge of the funding managers’ appraisals, so he has a record of all the funding managers’ funding pools.
Chief Inspector Huang immediately asks his assistant to get some tea for the three, greeting them enthusiastically, “CEO Fang, Young Master Fang, CEO Xiao, please have a seat.”
Fang Jiaming sits down, takes a sip of the tea and chats with Chief Inspector Huang. He then turns to Fang Shaojung and says, “Shaojun! Have a look at some of those reports! Do you think you don’t need any research when doing VC? Do you think you don’t need to make any investigations? You are always biting off more than you can chew, it is time to get yourself together!”
Fang Shaojun replies with no patience whatsoever, “Dad, can’t you see that I am reading it now? How many times have you nagged about this already? Also, this is originally the work of those researchers anyway! Didn’t I employ them to do those tasks for me?”
“Your freaking dad and mum had also started from being a researcher!” Fang Jiaming is livid, “If you can’t understand and appreciate the importance of their work, you are only crippling yourself! Wanting to run even before you can properly walk, you’ll definitely regret it in the future!”
Xiao Zhan listens to the conversation between the father and son. He knows Fang Jiaming intends to make Fang Shaojun follow him to learn more about all aspects of running a business, but that only results in Fang Shaojun picking faults with him. He does not need to bring extra trouble for himself, he will only do what is necessary to be a responsible older cousin.
Chief Inspector Huang feels a little awkward smiling and standing at the side, witnessing but unable to join into the conversation between the father and son.
Fang Jiaming suddenly sees the list of the current chosen stocks for their funding pool on Chief Inspector Huang’s desk, his expression relieving a little and says half-jokingly, “Chief Inspector Huang, you better keep that list properly and make sure to hide it from Xiao Zhan, don’t let this guy target any of ours for his short-selling activities.”
Xiao Zhan smiles slightly, “Uncle, are you sure you can’t let me see the list?”
Fang Jiaming was only joking, waving his hand, he replies, “Go ahead, look all you want.”
Chief Inspector Huang quickly passes the document to Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan briefly browsed through the document and passed it back to Chief Inspector Huang after he finishes, his expression remains impassive throughout the process.
Fang Jiaming asks, “How was it, what’s your verdict?”
Xiao Zhan states simply, “There are quite a few new concept stocks.”
Fang Jiaming knows straight away what Xiao Zhan meant, “Since that’s how the recent market trend is, we have to follow the trend as well. These new ones are hyped up now, we’ll definitely earn from this. But there will be changes in the political scene in the second half of this year, the market risks will increase too, so we need to be more mindful then.”
Fang Shaojun stares at Xiao Zhan and then looks over at Fang Jiaming who is agreeing to whatever Xiao Zhan says with a beaming smile. Fang Shaojun’s expression turns cold.
When it is time to get off work, Lu Chuiqing still has work undone. He decides to get something to eat quickly at the commercial canteen downstairs and continue with his work overtime.
Lu Chuiqing goes over to Song Wenxin, who intends to work overtime as well, and asks if he wants to join him for dinner. Song Wenxin shakes his head with a miserable and anxious expression on his face. The stock he is in charge of nearly dropped to its limit down today, Song Wenxin has to rush out an emergency report.
Lu Chuiqing smiles at him reassuringly, “Shall I get some takeout for you, then?”
Song Wenxin is overjoyed and replies, extremely touched, “Thank you so much, you are being too considerate!”
Lu Chuiqing replies with a quick “no problem”, and walks out of the office. Just as he enters the elevator, his handphone vibrated. Lu Chuiqing takes his phone out of his pocket and sees that he has received a message.
Lu Chuiqing did not add Xiao Zhan’s social media account. He has only carefully saved his number and named the contact “CEO Xiao”. At this moment, this “CEO Xiao” has just sent him a message.
“Come and have dinner at White Bird (白鸟).”
White Bird Restaurant is a western restaurant not too far away from the office. It is a popular eating spot amongst the office workers of this financial street.
Lu Chuiqing has been there before, but only twice or thrice as the expenditure there tends to be rather high. To Lu Chuiqing, the economical but delicious and healthy commercial canteen is more suitable for him.
Lu Chuiqing stares at his phone blankly in the elevator. He even has an ineffable feeling of guilt when the other employees enter the elevator, leading him to cover his phone screen like he has done something bad and is afraid of being found out.
Lu Chuiqing replies to the message carefully, “Please excuse me, CEO Xiao. I need to work overtime, so I will be eating something simple and quick at the canteen downstairs. I will definitely treat you to a meal at White Bird next time, I do sincerely apologise.”
The elevator had not even arrived on the first floor before Xiao Zhan’s reply came.
“I’ve already ordered, I can’t cancel it.”
Lu Chuiqing purses his lips slightly, takes a deep breath, and replies to the message with determination, “CEO Xiao, I am already at the canteen, I am very, very sorry. I will pay for the food you have ordered, please take it as my treat.”
Lu Chuiqing’s heartbeat runs wildly after sending out the message. He thinks that he has pretty strong guts to be sending out such a message, to Xiao Zhan, no less.
Xiao Zhan replies, “Come over.”
Xiao Zhan’s tone is firm. Although Xiao Zhan has told Lu Chuiqing that he will not be giving him any trouble in his career, it is impossible for Lu Chuiqing to not have a single doubt or worry. As a lowly employee in the company, even if it is merely out of politeness and respect, he should not be declining a boss’s invitation like this.
Lu Chuiqing’s courage faded completely. He can only change his direction and starts towards White Bird Restaurant.
Lu Chuiqing looks around nervously as he arrives at the restaurant. He is slightly worried that he would run into his colleagues here. If he is seen having a meal with Xiao Zhan, they would inevitably misunderstand.
Of course, Lu Chuiqing has done nothing wrong, but if he would reduce such unnecessary trouble as much as possible.
After the server at the door sees Lu Chuiqing, he walks up to Lu Chuiqing and asks politely, “May I know if this is Mr Lu?”
Lu Chuiqing is slightly surprised, “Yes.”
“Good day to you, Mr Lu. CEO Xiao is on the second floor, please allow me to lead the way.”
The second floor is filled with sofa seats, privacy provided by the curtains in between tables. Knowing that Xiao Zhan is there, Lu Chuiqing instantly feels relieved. He smiles and says his thanks to the server as hints of complicated feelings start to fill his heart.
As he passes by a decorative mirror, Lu Chuiqing steps in front of it and adjusts his hair and clothes before following the server to the second floor.
The sofa seats and table are half covered by the curtain, Xiao Zhan is sitting there with his legs crossed, his ankle on his other knee. His jacket is casually left on the back of the sofa, his shirt collar unbuttoned.
Lu Chuiqing starts to get nervous, his actions becoming stiff. He lifts the curtain and nods at Xiao Zhan, apologising carefully, “CEO Xiao… I am sorry for the long wait.”
Xiao Zhan did not even look up. He points at the seat opposite him with his chin, indicating for Lu Chuiqing to sit there.
Lu Chuiqing sits down anxiously while the server comes over and passes the menu to Lu Chuiqing and Xiao Zhan, asking politely, “CEO Xiao, Mr Lu, what would you like to order?”
Lu Chuiqing is stunned, “Aren’t the food already ordered?”
The server replies, nonplused, “No, not yet.”
Lu Chuiqing looks over at Xiao Zhan, the latter not minding at all that his excuse has been exposed, continues to order his own meal with a calm and unbothered expression on his face.
Lu Chuiqing knows that he is being tricked, silently cursing in his heart but has no courage to show it -- CEO Xiao is the boss, and the boss is always right. If he said he has ordered, he has ordered.
Lu Chuiqing, “I want to have something that can be made quickly. Do you have any recommendations?”
The server recommended some and Lu Chuiqing chooses one randomly, “May I have two of this please, one for takeaway.”
Xiao Zhan, “For your colleague?”
“Yeah.” Lu Chuiqing nods, “CEO Xiao, please let me treat you to this meal.”
Xiao Zhan laughs and answers unhurriedly, “I was the one who asked you out, do you think I would make you pay?”
Lu Chuiqing is momentarily at a loss of words. He has realised that his words might be inappropriate, seemingly accusing Xiao Zhan of being stingy -- which is, of course, impossible.
Lu Chuiqing shakes his head immediately, “No, no, I am taking out for my colleague too, I can’t use your money like this… What I mean is, I shouldn’t be using your money like this.”
Xiao Zhan takes a mouthful of his lemon water and answers, not really minding, “Suit yourself.”
After the food arrives, Lu Chuiqing focuses all of his attention on eating. Perhaps because Xiao Zhan’s food has not arrived yet, the big boss here now has nothing else to do, so Lu Chuiqing can faintly feel Xiao Zhan’s eyes on him.
Lu Chuiqing wiped his mouth, and asks hesitantly, “CEO Xiao, is there something you need for asking me out?”
“Qifu Provisions’ operations resume today.” Xiao Zhan says, “What are your thoughts?”
Lu Chuiqing stuns momentarily, it was not what he had expected Xiao Zhan to ask. Although he has done his own investigation on Qifu Provisions, it was all done on the side using his own off-time. How can he share such off-baked results with Xiao Zhan, who excels at critiquing and judging such things?
He did indeed read through Value Scan’s short-selling report. He can, of course, talk about his views based on the report, but is that not merely stating his thoughts in hindsight?
He does not have a choice. Sharing his off-baked results seems to be the lesser of the two evils, so that was what Lu Chuiqing decides to do. He shares his perspective honestly based on the crude investigation he has done alone on the incident.
After listening to him, Xiao Zhan comments simply, “The direction is right, but there is no depth.”
Lu Chuiqing feels slightly discouraged and replies, slightly dejected, “Yes, I understand.”
“But to be able to find the right direction, that fact alone is good.”
At this moment, the server comes up and serves Xiao Zhan’s meal. Xiao Zhan picks up his knife and fork, cutting his steak along its bone. He is always surrounded by an extraordinary aura; sharp, graceful and steadiness melding perfectly into one as if charm and charisma are incessantly oozing out of him.
Despite their similar table manners, everything in front of Xiao Zhan seems to automatically become something made by a Michelin restaurant chef, as for Lu Chuiqing… it is not much different from the economic meals he gets from the canteen right below his office.
Right at this moment, Lu Chuiqing clearly understands the reason for his anxiousness and sense of insecurity when facing Xiao Zhan, and his wish to avoid him.
When a person is capable of playing around with his own capital, there is no doubt that he is skilled at playing with people’s hearts too.
With that all being said, Lu Chuiqing does not think that Xiao Zhan would treat him as an equal. After having been through all those things in the past, Lu Chuiqing does have an inferiority complex. He completely understands and treasures one’s independence and personality right now, and he is working hard to combat his own inferiority complex.
He does not feel sorry for those who willingly abandon themselves to others, making themselves worth nothing more than objects. Lu Chuiqing will not become one of those people.
Perhaps, Xiao Zhan does consider him to be a potential employee worth developing, but what about his secondary gender? Having been etched in people’s hearts for so long, certain thoughts and prejudices are deeply rooted, something almost set in stone.
Maybe Xiao Zhan merely has a favourable impression of him, which Lu Chuiqing does not mind at all. After all, it is a very common phenomenon. Even he is naturally and instinctively attracted to an alpha.
But what goes beyond that shallow layer of sexual interest and desire?
There is an unspeakable sense of grief in Lu Chuiqing’s heart.
it’s like the ml is trying to make me hate him 😩 seriously what happened to “i won’t force u” ml literally wouldn’t take no for an answer and went as far as tricking mc to come see him despite mc very clearly trying to set a boundary 😐 #disrespectful af
ReplyDeletethx for the ch!
Tuve el mismo sentimiento. Esto fue una bandera roja para mi
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