I coughed and slowly said, "Once upon a time, in a deep mountain, there lived a brother and sister. The brother had ears that could hear things from very far away. The sister had eyes that could see things from very far away. It was thanks to these abilities that the brother and sister avoided many dangers from outsiders who came to raid them from outside the mountain."
However, as the siblings spent more time together, they developed feelings for each other and fell in love...
As I got to this point, YoYo was already resting her chin on her hand: "Wow... an illicit affair!"
I wiped my sweat and continued, "Well... this is a love story that transcends all boundaries. Therefore, the brother and sister's love was collectively opposed by the other members of the mountain tribe, who forbade them from being together. The brother and sister loved each other deeply and didn't want to be separated. Finally, they made a tragic decision... the brother pierced his own ears, which allowed him to hear everything, and the sister blinded herself. They left the tribe and fled to the deepest part of the mountains, where they lived together, relying on each other for survival... This love story touched countless people. Years later, a song praising this brother and sister was sung by many, many people..."
Like many who had heard this story, the young girl was indeed hooked: "What song?"
I coughed, wiped my sweat, and then sang at the top of my lungs: "Two tigers, two tigers... one has no eyes, one has no ears, how strange, how strange!"
...
The awkward atmosphere between YoYo and me finally dissipated. After realizing she had been tricked, the little girl came over laughing and playfully chasing and hitting me. After we played around in the room for a while, we finally managed to make her temporarily forget about her brother-in-law.
A moment later, Ning Yan returned and knocked on the door. She came in, first glancing with surprise at YoYo, who was laughing and joking with me, then looking at me with a strange expression: "Chen Yang... um, you..."
"Is something wrong, Ning Yan?" I let go of YoYo and patted the dust off her skirt.
"Hmm..." Ning Yan carefully observed my expression: "Miss Fang... Miss Fang has arrived. She just got here. She knows you're here and wants to see you."
oh?
I immediately stood up and looked at Ning Yan.
"Um...she, she wants you to come over for a moment."
But I sensed something unusual about it.
Fang Nan's sudden arrival is perhaps not surprising... Fang Nan wanting to see me is also not surprising.
The strange thing is the sentence, "She asked me to come over for a moment."
Because if Fang Nan wanted to see me, she would naturally come over. Instead of having Ning Yan invite me—she wouldn't put on airs like a powerful businesswoman or female boss in front of me.
Sure enough, Ning Yan added, "Um... Mr. Qiao came with Miss Fang."
"Mr. Qiao?"
“That’s Miss Qiao’s father.” Ning Yan said with a wry smile, “I ran into Qiao Qiao outside just now. After she heard that Mr. Qiao had arrived, she ran away through the fire escape without even having time to say hello to you.”
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter Forty-Nine: No Negotiation Means No Negotiation!
Meeting Qiaoqiao's father again under such circumstances was hardly a pleasant experience.
This is easy to understand... If you were in that situation, and you encountered a man who would abduct your daughter, and this man was already married, involved in organized crime, and capable of murder, arson, and other heinous crimes, you wouldn't treat such a man well either.
Ning Yan led me to a luxury suite at the very back of this floor.
There were two men standing at the door, probably Mr. Qiao's men. They looked at me warily, but with Ning Yan there, they didn't stop me.
Upon entering the suite, the strong smell of cigars filled the air. In the living room, Mr. Qiao was deeply slumped in a single sofa. He looked older, or perhaps more tired, than before. His hair was longer, with a wisp of hair obscuring his eyes. He seemed lost in thought, oblivious to the presence of others, intently watching the cigar butt in his hand, observing the flickering embers.
Fang Nan was dressed in a sharp, professional business suit, a designer brand with excellent workmanship. The well-tailored suit perfectly accentuated her mature womanly charm and voluptuous figure. Unfortunately, her light makeup couldn't conceal her dark circles. Her face also showed signs of fatigue, though she seemed to be trying to hide it. Fang Nan's gaze was somewhat cold…
Of course, as soon as I pushed the door open, Fang Nan immediately stood up, the icy look in her eyes vanishing instantly. Her gaze gradually warmed, and she looked at me intently. She seemed ready to rush into my arms, but she stopped herself by slightly raising her hand, forcing a stiff smile to cover it up: "Chen... Chen Yang, you're here. We've been waiting for you."
Fang Nan's behavior was a bit strange. She seemed to avoid looking at me, her eyes only glancing at my face. Although she showed strong reluctance and excitement, she forced her head away and gave a weak smile: "I don't need to introduce you, do I? This is Mr. Qiao. I think you should know each other."
I suppressed my curiosity and walked over to Mr. Qiao. I extended my hand and said, "Hello, Uncle Qiao."
"I don't deserve it." Qiao Qiao's father glanced at me and said indifferently, "Just call me Mr. Qiao. There's no need to call me Uncle."
Hmm... I'm a little angry.
I smiled, and seeing that he didn't intend to shake my hand, I shrugged, withdrew my hand, and glanced at Fang Nan. Then I sat down on an empty single sofa.
Soon, someone I hadn't seen in a long time appeared—Fang Nan's female secretary, Ms. Qian Pan. She brought in two cups of coffee from outside. I ran into an acquaintance and tried to greet her, but I saw Qian Pan subtly wink at me, as if signaling me to be quiet.
“Fang Nan.” Qiao Qiao’s father took a puff of his cigar, then slowly straightened his legs and sat up straight, a worldly smile playing on his lips. “You… the buyer you were talking about, is it Chen Yang? Hmph… I admit his business is quite large now. But in China, many things can’t be bought with money. I came here with sincerity, and you’re using Chen Yang to block me?”
Fang Nan's expression remained unchanged, her gaze cold, and she slowly said, "Mr. Qiao, you are a respected elder and a veteran in the business world. How could I dare to disrespect you?"
“Business is business.” Qiaoqiao’s father smiled thoughtfully, but the smile was not pleasant; instead, it carried a somewhat oppressive air. “I prefer to keep business simple: you sell, I buy, fair trade… But the way you’re doing this is a bit out of character for you, Miss Fang.”
Fang Nan suddenly smiled. Her previously somber face softened into a smile, like a spring flower in bloom. At that moment, Fang Nan exuded the calm and composure of a powerful woman: "Mr. Qiao... I, Fang Nan, have built this company over the years. Although I've relied on some family support, I'm certainly not ignorant of the rules to have reached this position. However, this company is something I built from scratch, and years of hard work deserve to be entrusted to someone I trust. As for the price..." She smiled, deliberately paused, and then slowly continued, "Neither you nor I are short of money."
“One’s own business is like one’s own children; finding a good person to entrust it to is only natural.” Qiao Qiao’s father looked at me and smiled, “But are you really sure he’s the right person to entrust it to? This kid has hundreds of millions in assets now, but he’s probably still a little lacking when it comes to navigating this quagmire. Even you, Fang Nan, if it weren’t for all these years… your company would probably have been taken over long ago. You know my foundation, Qiao. If you give me this company, I’ll naturally ensure its healthy development.”
Fang Nan just smiled but didn't reply. After Qiao Qiao's father finished speaking, he waited for a while. Seeing that Fang Nan was unmoved, a strange expression flashed across his face. He stood up, laughed, and said, "Alright, since that's the case, I won't say any more. Think it over and make your own decision. Whether this deal goes through or not depends on your decision, Miss Fang."
He casually stubbed out his cigar, then walked over to me. I immediately stood up, but he looked me up and down for a while before nodding and saying calmly, "Very good, you are very good."
When he said this, I always thought he was being sarcastic or saying it out of anger, but his tone seemed very calm, not like he was angry.
Then I heard him continue, "You're doing very well in North America. I heard you've gotten involved in Hollywood too. Young man, you've got a real knack for business. Hmm..." He patted my shoulder forcefully, "I can't believe... you just got back and your first deal is snatched from my mouth. Heh! You're a force to be reckoned with, a force to be reckoned with!"
After saying that, Qiaoqiao's father strode towards the door. While I was still bewildered, he turned back and glanced at me: "Tell Qiaoqiao, even if she hides to the ends of the earth, she's still my daughter! She can't wander around outside forever!"
After saying that, he pushed the door open and left. Only the sound of the door closing betrayed a hint of his inner anger.
Only after Qiaoqiao's father left the room and closed the door did Fang Nan, who had been sitting upright, suddenly slump down. She shook her head, sighed, and then looked up at me with a slightly moist, pitiful look in her eyes. She whispered, "You're here...you're finally back."
Seeing her frail and helpless appearance, I felt a pang of heartache. I immediately took two steps forward, half-squatted beside her, took one of her small hands, and said softly, "Yes. It's me. I'm back... What happened? You don't look well."
Fang Nan smiled sweetly, tilted her head gently on my shoulder, and said softly, "Never mind... you're back. So we don't have to worry about anything anymore."
After she rested her head on my shoulder, she stopped moving and didn't say anything. I was wondering what was going on when I noticed a wet patch on my shirt. Looking down, I saw Fang Nan with her arms around my neck, silently sobbing.
My heart ached. I quickly picked her up and whispered, "What happened?"
She didn't speak.
I sighed, "Oh, it's my fault... I didn't see you right away after I got back. You must have been sad. I'm so sorry, please... please don't cry."
"No, it's not..." Fang Nan wiped away her tears, forced a smile, and shook her head, saying, "It's not you."
Her smile only made her look more tired and haggard, a fact that even her meticulous makeup couldn't conceal. Fang Nan's eyes were bloodshot, clearly indicating that she had been sleeping poorly lately.
As soon as I let go, Fang Nan grabbed me tightly as if startled: "You're leaving? Where are you going?"
"I'm not leaving, I'm not going anywhere." I didn't dare to pull my hand away, so I let her hold it and whispered, "You look terrible, let me help you inside to rest."
Fang Nan then hummed in agreement, and naturally wrapped her arms around my neck. I hooked one arm under her knees, picked her up, and carried her into the inner bedroom, gently placing her on the large bed.
I originally thought that after we met, it would be a passionate and intense scene. I even imagined that Fang Nan would cry to me, resent me, or miss me... But now it seems that her reaction is relatively calm, without the intense scene I had expected.
Fang Nan lay on the bed with her eyes half-closed, letting me unbutton her coat and then pull the blanket over her.
"You look terrible, what's wrong?"
"Hmm..." Fang Nan curled up in the blanket, her head gently resting on my lap. She snuggled closer to me, then suddenly looked up at me: "Chen Yang... how about I give Deep Blue Entertainment to you?"
"..." I was stunned, and it took me a second to react: "What?"
"I... I'll give Deep Blue Entertainment to you, okay?" Fang Nan repeated, this time speaking louder and more clearly.
"You...don't say such childish things." I chuckled and gently pinched the tip of her nose. "What are you talking about? Such a big company, you think you can just give it away like that?"
"It's not a gift to someone else... it's a gift to you." Fang Nan looked at me very seriously: "You're not just anyone."
“That won’t do either.” I shook my head: “This is such a big company, all your hard work, how can you just throw it away like that?”
I recalled the conversation between Qiaoqiao's father and Fang Nan earlier, and gradually I began to understand something—could it be that Fang Nan was going to transfer Deep Blue Entertainment?
"Are you having some kind of trouble?" I put away my joking tone and looked at her seriously. "Is there a problem with your company? Are you short of funds? Is there a problem with the company's operations? If you need help, I can help you. What difficulties are you facing? If you lack funds, I can allocate them to you immediately."
“No…” Fang Nan smiled weakly. She glanced at me and suddenly said, “Do you think I’m an incompetent female boss? Do you think my Deep Blue Entertainment only developed because of… my family’s connections?”
"Of course not." I looked at her long eyelashes and smiled. "Don't forget, I used to be your driver. I know how capable you are."
"That's good then." Fang Nan sighed. "The company is fine. We have tens of millions in cash on hand that we can withdraw at any time, and we have no external debt. The company is operating well and there are no difficulties... except..."
"Just what?" I frowned.
Fang Nan suddenly struggled to sit up. She even pulled away from my embrace, leaned against the bed, and looked at me very seriously: "However, I can't continue running this company now. I have to get rid of it as soon as possible."
"Why?"
Fang Nan's expression was complicated: "Don't ask anymore. In short... I don't want to give this company to anyone else, I want to give it to you."
As she spoke, her voice became somewhat childlike. I tried to comfort her and continue, but Fang Nan seemed very determined. I felt helpless and asked her why, but she wouldn't say. I could only try to calm her down for now.
"Alright, even if the company is being transferred, it's not something that can be done in a few words. It's a big deal. Let's talk properly after you've rested." I gently hugged her and lay her down again. "You don't look well... If you don't get a good night's sleep, you'll probably turn into a haggard old woman."
Fang Nan was startled. She covered her face with her hands: "Do I...do I really look old?" Her face immediately filled with anxiety: "Do I look old and ugly?"
"No, no!" I quickly reassured her, "You're fine, just a little tired. You're very beautiful, very beautiful... How could our little girl not be beautiful?"
Fang Nan finally felt relieved. She lay back down and whispered, "I know I'm old. I'm so much older than you... I... know..." Her voice trailed off, and her eyelids fluttered several times. Finally, they slowly closed, and she murmured, "I know, I'm... so much older than you... I've figured it out... I... won't bother... you... you..." As she spoke, her mind became increasingly hazy, yet she still reached out and grasped a corner of my clothing, seemingly letting out a sigh of relief: "Don't... go, I still have so much... I want to tell you..."
Fang Nan actually fell asleep in just a short while.
To be honest, I find it a bit strange... Logically speaking, I know Fang Nan's feelings for me.
We haven't seen each other for so long. Even if she doesn't hate me or make a scene with me... she wouldn't fall asleep as soon as we meet!
Just as I was filled with surprise, I heard a soft knock on the door. Then the bedroom door opened a crack, and Qian Pan stood in the doorway, silently mouthing the question to me and making a gesture, meaning, "Is she asleep?"
I nodded, and then Qian Pan winked at me, signaling for me to come out and talk.
I remained calm, but Fang Nan held onto my clothes tightly, so I didn't dare to pull away for fear of waking her. I could only take off my coat and walk out of the bedroom wearing only my shirt.
I haven't seen Qian Pan for nearly three years, but she looks even more shrewd and capable. Before, she was just Fang Nan's capable secretary and assistant, but now she looks much more composed.
"Sit down, Chen Yang." Qian Pan smiled at me. This woman in her thirties wasn't particularly beautiful, but she looked very clean and refreshing.
I smiled and sat down. "Sister Pan, it's been so many years. How have you been?" Then I sighed. "Sigh, I remember those days when I was at Deep Blue Entertainment... Well, when I first joined the company, you took good care of me. I remember that time... the company was holding an underwear show in a shopping mall, but the modeling agency we booked had a problem and couldn't find any female models. So I found a bunch of prostitutes to fill in, and it even made the next day's newspaper... Back then in the office, you slammed your fist on the table, glared at me, and yelled at me for a long time."
Qian Pan winked at me and laughed, "Yeah...you're the most audacious person I've ever met. But that thing, in the end, actually had a surprising effect..."
“Yes!” I laughed. “In the end, you decided to give me a bonus from the company.”
After catching up for a while, I immediately changed the subject: "Alright, enough chit-chat. We've all known each other for years. I'll invite some old friends to dinner another day so we can all get together and catch up... Sister Pan, I'm still a little confused about what happened earlier. What's wrong with Fang Nan? Is she having some kind of trouble?"
Qian Pan smiled, holding a cup of hot tea in front of her with both hands. She said, “Chen Yang… please don’t call me Sister Pan anymore. I can’t accept you calling me ‘sister’ now. Your status is different… I know you’re sentimental and a good person. I also know you don’t care. But your status is different now. Sometimes, you have to be careful about what you do and say. You can’t just think of yourself anymore. So, please just call me Qian Pan, or Miss Qian. I’m just Miss Fang’s secretary. If word gets out that you call me ‘sister,’ even if you don’t care, others will laugh at you. In this circle, status and poise aren’t useless. Sometimes it’s about face. If you lose face and are ridiculed, it won’t be good for your future development in this industry.”
She spoke very sincerely. I couldn't help but express my gratitude, saying, "Thank you."
Qian Pan nodded and smiled, "Hmm... I know you must be very curious right now... Sigh, don't blame me if I tell you."
"What's wrong?"
Qian Pan shook her head, a sigh on her face. She glanced again at the closed bedroom door: "First of all, I have to apologize to you... Well, Miss Fang is asleep... You must be wondering, right? Logically speaking, she actually misses you a lot. You just met, but she suddenly fell asleep... Actually..." She sighed, took a small plastic bottle from her pocket, and gently placed it on the table.