Shang Kun's eyes flashed, and he said casually, "You agreed to Gong Chao's request?"
Lin Weiping was puzzled. How did he know so much about her? It seemed he knew a great deal about her background, which was why he could guess Gong Chao so easily. A chill ran down her spine; she wondered what else Shang Kun knew. Did he also know about the Tianjin incident? It seemed she shouldn't hide it any longer and had to confront him as soon as possible. "Yes, I promised him first."
Shang Kun nodded and said, "We'll talk about that later. Let's deal with the immediate problem first." He then began to speak casually, but his words were much simpler than when he spoke to the translator. He was confident that Lin Weiping could articulate her thoughts without his prompting. Let her do as she pleased; he could use this opportunity to focus on properly guiding and controlling the main issues at the table.
After a couple of rounds, Lin Weiping understood Shang Kun's intentions. She cursed him inwardly for being cunning and treacherous, putting her in such a predicament. She had to listen to both Chinese and English simultaneously, and her fingers flew across the keyboard as she jotted down the gist of what was being said. Her mind raced, and her face flushed red. But soon, a glass of iced water was placed in front of her, with a tempting slice of bright yellow lemon added. Lin Weiping quickly downed it, feeling instantly refreshed and reborn. She quickly managed a smile for Huang Bao, who had brought the water, and very stingily managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Here are ten for you."
Huang Bao was overjoyed. He had been listening from the sidelines and understood the crux of the matter. He tried to put himself in her shoes and found it impossible to keep up. He immediately understood Lin Weiping's predicament. Seeing her face flushed red, he quickly realized what was going on and hurriedly opened the door to call Bing Shui over. His intention was simply to help Lin Weiping, but he hadn't expected to receive such a generous reward. "Here are ten for you," Lin Weiping said. With ten, there would be twenty, thirty, forty. He was only worried about getting her to agree to something; once she did, things would be easier. It seemed Lin Weiping wouldn't make things difficult for him regarding the workers' return.
It turned out this was a special steel plant project. Old man Lin De possessed unique expertise, leading the world's industry, and was rarely willing to cooperate. Therefore, Shang Kun used the volume of his company's steel usage as leverage to negotiate a partnership. It seemed Lin De was interested; otherwise, he wouldn't have traveled all the way to China. His presence at least indicated a willingness to cooperate, though it didn't necessarily mean it would be Shang Kun. However, it gave Shang Kun a glimmer of hope. If the deal went through, not only would his product costs be significantly reduced, but more importantly, the quality of his products would be greatly enhanced due to the guaranteed material quality. Therefore, he put in a great deal of effort, determined to achieve his goal.
During a brief break from translating and taking notes, Lin Weiping briefly considered the project. His intuition told him it was incredibly appealing. First, there was its scale; second, the technical sophistication of the project itself; and third, the high-end international market it targeted. Participating in this project made him feel like he was stepping onto a new level. This was the feeling of having a global perspective and a broad vision. Shang Kun must feel the same way. His attitude at the negotiating table today was more serious than ever before. He hadn't even considered this much when finalizing the SWS project. He imagined Shang Kun's mind was racing, anticipating three, four, or even five moves ahead. Although it was only a basic conversation, not yet a substantive negotiation, the tension was already palpable. A barrage of questions was being exchanged, and while Lin Weiping often found certain remarks difficult to handle, Shang Kun could deflect them with witty and sincere responses. Lin De was similar; he could always raise the most difficult questions, yet also smoothly smooth things over, although he occasionally whispered a few words to his two assistants. Later, Lin Weiping also submitted. This was clearly beyond her current level; today was a contest between two old foxes. She obediently cooperated with Shang Kun, letting Shang Kun lead the strategic thinking, while she just needed to execute the tactics thoroughly, albeit in a flurry of activity.
An hour and a half passed, and both sides asked to rest. Shang Kun stood up and tossed a key to Lin Weiping: "Thank you for your hard work. Your luggage is in this room. The others and I are in the room next to yours. Take a rest." Lin Weiping nodded obsequiously, but the first thing she did was check her phone. Seeing the other managers doing the same thing, she wanted to laugh, but she didn't even have the energy. Unexpectedly, the foreigner working for Lin De, who was taking notes, approached her, showing her his laptop screen and asking for her notes. Lin Weiping wanted to roll her eyes, but helplessly, she had to simultaneously instruct the dock's accountant to endorse the draft and send it to XX Company in North China, and to handle all incoming calls from Triumph Company, while also discussing the notes with the foreigner. She felt like she was multitasking. However, the foreigner was very meticulous; although he didn't scrutinize every word, he didn't overlook the smallest details. In the end, Lin Weiping could only copy his notes, saying she would take them back to her room to study, to appease him. As soon as I entered the room, I kicked off my high heels and plunged my head into the cold water. I almost fainted.
But soon, some tactless person rang the doorbell. Lin Weiping quickly wiped his face with a towel, pierced the peephole with his most venomous gaze, and saw it was Shang Kun. He had no choice but to obediently open the door and let him in. "President Shang, this negotiation must have been very tiring. Why don't you take a break?"
Shang Kun looked at her face, which was soaking wet, and knew without a doubt what someone who had drunk ice water could do. He laughed and said, "I had no choice but to pull you in today. I didn't intend for you to work so hard. But now you have no choice but to accompany me. You should have a general understanding of this project by now. I'm determined to win it, and I've been planning for it for months. I know it put a lot of pressure on you during the negotiations, but firstly, you did a great job, and secondly, I had no choice. I have to be very careful with my words when dealing with that old fox, Lin De."
Lin Weiping helplessly spread his hands, not even having the strength to force a smile, and said, "But I have something to do tomorrow, I promised someone. I probably won't have time until after 3 pm."
Shang Kun ignored her words. Remembering that her breakup with Gong Chao wasn't complete, he felt a lump in his throat. Besides, his mind was already racing with tension, and he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. So he pretended not to hear and said, "But it's already showing results. Lin De came to my room earlier and said he's jet-lagged and wants to rest for a while so he won't be tired when he meets the mayor tonight. I think he's just as tired as I am. The translator for tonight should be able to handle it, but you'd better come along; it's good to get to know some people in politics. Tomorrow, arrange for Lin De to visit one of my companies; schedule yours for the afternoon. If you have the energy now, go back to the company and make some arrangements."
Upon hearing this, Lin Weiping felt a chill run down his spine and said, "Okay, okay, I'll go back and make arrangements right away. Just don't make me do any more translation notes, it's like forcing a duck onto a shelf. Is that authentic translator with you? I'll show her the disc so she can familiarize herself with the content, so I don't have to do it again next time. If you ask me to translate again, you really need to ask Old Wang to prepare an ice pack for me."
Shang Kun smiled and said lightly, "You should tidy yourself up. You're completely ruining the image you had just presented as so impressive."
Lin Weiping smiled and said, "Boss, you look great today. You seem to be wearing perfume, right?"
Shang Kun, unusually a little uncomfortable, chuckled, "Huang Bao did want to spray it on me, but I really don't like using it. Everything he brought out smelled wonderful, so I finally used his aftershave before he let me off the hook. Today, when I was talking to Lin De, I almost fainted from their perfume. Huang Bao seems like a jovial guy, but he has a good eye for things. I'll leave my image design to him today." Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Good men are usually forged in the crucible of marriage. I've watched Huang Bao grow up, and his image has changed the most since he got married."
Lin Weiping wondered if a failed marriage counted, but she dared not say it aloud, lest she rub salt in the wound. Pulling her suitcase, she said as she walked out, "Boss, please cancel this reservation for me. I'm comfortable at home; I don't like staying in hotels. I'll definitely be there tonight; consider it enjoying myself."
Shang Kun followed him out, casually pulled out the key card, and said to Lin Weiping, "Lin De is incredibly shrewd. He also saw that you and I work together as a team and said that the two of us are invincible. Xiao Lin, you can consider whether you are interested in doing this project. I believe this project will broaden your horizons and enrich your life."
Lin Weiping's heart skipped a beat; she was interested in the suggestion. She quickly replied, "I will consider it carefully and give you an answer when Lin De gets back. Boss, you should go back and rest; you have a business dinner tonight."
Shang Kun smiled but remained silent, watching Lin Weiping enter the elevator before leaving. He thought to himself that the soundest he'd slept lately was probably the time he held her hand while watching a movie; for some reason, he felt incredibly safe then. However, Lin Weiping seemed to be a very active and easily distracted person. Trying to tie her down to Kaixuan seemed unlikely; Kaixuan would only be repeating what she'd done before. Her private dealings with Yu Fengmian and her frequent flights across China all indicated that she wasn't someone easily controlled. The only thing he could truly use to hold her was this project. If he could get her to focus all her energy on this new project, wouldn't he have a chance? Shang Kun chuckled softly and walked back to his suite. It seemed this project had gained another reason.
The evening meeting was very formal, with representatives from the television station and newspapers in attendance. The guests sat on either side, with the mayor and Lind in the center, creating a very respectable atmosphere. However, this time, the professional translator was still in charge of interpreting, and without the interference of obscure technical terms, the translator's skill was still very high, as could be seen from the smiling faces of the guests and hosts.
However, the slow, monotonous pace of the conversation, with its constant jargon and formalities, was incredibly tedious. Lin Weiping, being the least senior, naturally sat at the back, constantly being jostled by the camera cables, which was quite frustrating. Eventually, her mind drifted off, and she started thinking about her own affairs. Glancing sideways at Shang Kun, although he wasn't in the main seat, his every move exuded an air of dominance. Perhaps Huang Bao had groomed him again; despite it being evening, his face wasn't oily, his shirt collar wasn't slouching, and he still looked energetic. This afternoon, when Shang Kun knocked on the door, Lin Weiping was still a little afraid of being alone with him in a room, feeling awkward. But Shang Kun did nothing, not even touching her, only showing concern and intimacy in his words, and unusually escorting her to the elevator, every action showing great respect. But logically, someone like him shouldn't be thinking about marriage, so what was the point of his actions? And what about herself? She had been avoiding considering her relationship with Shang Kun—what was she really trying to achieve? Can two people who are prickly, wary, and calculating get along well? My mind is in turmoil, and the answer seems far away.
The meeting with the mayor ended, and the mayor didn't stay for lunch, taking his leave. Lin Weiping saw from afar that Old Wang caught up with the mayor in the lobby; the two were arm in arm, unusually affectionate. It seemed that once business grew, it was inevitable to be involved in politics. He wondered when he himself would reach that point. Just then, Lin De approached, chuckling, "I'll have my usual breakfast later. Normally, I'll be full of energy for work and inspections afterwards. Miss Lin, would you mind showing me around your company later? I'm very interested in a heavy industry enterprise managed by a young and beautiful woman."
Lin Weiping guessed that he must be planning a surprise visit, hoping to see the most authentic side. True gold fears no fire; let him see. So he smiled and said, "Good idea! I'm very pleased that Mr. Linde is visiting my company today. Mr. Linde has managed the company for so many years; he must have valuable experience to share with me." He then told Shang Kun, who had just seen the mayor off, about Linde's intentions. Shang Kun laughed, "That's good. I haven't even had a proper look at your triumphant return, and he's already beaten me to it. Is everything alright on your end?" Lin Weiping smiled slightly, "A new company with stable production usually looks very promising." He then led Linde and the others to a Western restaurant. Lin Weiping noticed that the general managers all had pained expressions on their faces; it seemed they were afraid of Western food.
Lin De, a seasoned manager, possessed a unique perspective on factory operations. His questions, while not necessarily tricky, were often detailed and unexpected. He would point to a spot and ask several "whys," then silently observe the workers' movements for a long time. Lin Weiping didn't interfere, though his two subordinates asked numerous questions, though easier to handle than Lin De, as their questions were often superficial. Shang Kun simply watched silently; he was a shrewd man, observing the workers' precise movements and discipline—something not achieved overnight, something Lin De likely recognized. Laymen often judge a factory by its cleanliness, assuming it's well-maintained, even going so far as to wear pristine white gloves. Experts, however, observe the workers' demeanor and the arrangement of finished products, semi-finished goods, tools, and scrap materials. Even just watching the cranes move and the hoists rise and fall reveals their expertise.
Lin Weiping was naturally confident; she had maintained a high-pressure approach to this from the very beginning of construction. Lin De spoke little but observed a lot, wandering around the workshop for a while before finally emerging from another door. Looking out, he saw a dark, gloomy expanse, resembling an open field overgrown with weeds. "Is this the site for the second phase of construction? Is it just lying fallow now?"
Lin Weiping smiled and said, "Phase two isn't here yet. It's in the open area near the equipment head where raw materials were originally stored. We plan to start phase two in the spring when construction is easier. This is where phase three is located. The land price has increased by a certain amount per square meter, but we haven't let it lie fallow. When we were working on phase one last year, instead of filling this area with slag, we had saplings brought in and planted. You see, after a year of growth, they've already grown to waist height. My thinking at the time was that people tend to pile up things they don't use for a long time on empty ground, and over time this place becomes a garbage dump, which not only affects the environment but is also wasteful. Secondly, selling the saplings as they grow tall will generate a small income. Thirdly, when you're tired from work, seeing a lot of greenery is very refreshing; greenery makes people feel energetic. Fourthly, saplings conserve water and soil, which is more environmentally friendly than lawns. Judging from the current profit momentum of the company, we should be able to plan for phase three by this time next year, using all our own funds. By then, the saplings will be fully grown and ready to sprout."
Lin De burst into laughter upon hearing this, and Lin Weiping seized the opportunity to recount the whole story to Shang Kun, who also chuckled knowingly. Lin Weiping was further enraged by their laughter: "What are you talking about? I simply dislike damaging the environment and am doing my best to beautify it. Of course, it would be even better if I could generate some income from it. Would it be better to dig up a few big trees from elsewhere just to decorate the place?"
Lin De laughed and said, "In you, I seem to see my younger self. I had plenty of energy, a quick mind, and I considered everything carefully, big or small. I can't do that now. People get tired easily, so I have to focus on the big picture and let go of the small details. There are some things I can only turn a blind eye to."
Shang Kun mocked, "This shows that your profit-driven nature is deeply ingrained; you take everything, big or small."
Lin Weiping thought that since the two men were laughing so in unison, Lin De must be thinking something similar to Shang Kun, but out of politeness and because they weren't familiar with each other, they couldn't say it aloud. But he didn't want to delve too deeply at the moment, so he simply said, "The two gentlemen seem to have remarkably similar thoughts. If Mr. Lin De is interested, you can take a look at our internal food street." He then proceeded to explain the street's history. Lin De was indeed very interested, and after touring the area under the watchful eyes of the group who rarely saw foreigners, he said, "The main benefit of this street is that the company has shed its logistical burdens."
Lin Weiping laughed: "Yes, that was our main consideration at the time. Anyone with experience in managing a company would like to get rid of the big burden of logistics."
Lin De then changed his posture, leaned slightly forward, and extended his hand, saying, "Ms. Lin, it's a pleasure to meet you. If there's an opportunity, I hope to work with you to explore the best ways to reduce costs in China."
Upon hearing this, Lin Weiping's smile blossomed into a radiant one. This gesture and words indicated that Lin De had approved of her management. She quickly extended her hand with a beaming smile and proudly showed the document to Shang Kun. Shang Kun chuckled and said, "As an investor in this company, I am even more pleased to see that the company completed the equipment installation last November and was able to invest its own funds in the launch of the second phase this April."
Lin De smiled and said, "I don't know if this is your strongest or weakest point, Ms. Lin, but judging from your position in the Chinese industry, your other companies should be even more well-developed. I'm very sorry for choosing to ambush you today, but this also shows us the most authentic side of you. As the saying goes, a strong general has no weak soldiers, which gives us an idea of Mr. Shang's capabilities. Because of time constraints, I won't visit the other companies one by one. The mayor just mentioned that he can arrange for someone to come and explain the investment environment here to me tomorrow. I'd like to hear it, and I'm sure Mr. Shang will be interested as well."
Shang Kun certainly knows the investment environment here, right? But Lin De's involvement is the best bargaining chip for negotiating preferential policies with the city government, so how could he not attend tomorrow's briefing? "Sure, I'll arrange it tomorrow," he readily agreed.
After dropping Lin De and his group off at the shop, it was already past 11 p.m. Shang Kun turned around, took out his car keys, and sat in Lin Weiping's car with a grin, saying, "I'm tired and don't want to drive. You can take me home."
Lin Weiping simply pulled out the key, turned around, and walked out of the car. "Old man Lin De has made my head spin. I want to walk around to clear my head. Mr. Shang, you can take a taxi home yourself. My house is close by, so I won't see you off." After saying that, he smiled and actually left. Shang Kun had no choice but to come out. As soon as he came out and closed the car door, Lin Weiping immediately took the key behind his shoulder and used the remote to close the car door without even turning his head.
Shang Kun could only laugh and cry as he chased after her, putting his arm around her shoulder and saying with a smile, "You're getting more and more ruthless. Before, you relied on the large sum of money I had, and now you're relying on Lin De's favor. Come on, get in my car, I'll take you home. It's dark and not safe to drive here." With that, he put his arm around Lin Weiping and led her to his car.
Lin Weiping stopped at the car door, a half-smile on his face, and asked, "What does President Shang mean by this?"
Shang Kun was taken aback by Lin Weiping's aggressive approach and hesitated for a moment before sincerely saying, "I am very happy to be with you. I feel like I have met a kindred spirit. If you don't mind that I am ten years older than you, then marry me."
Lin Weiping was very surprised to hear this, as it was completely different from what she had expected. She felt flustered and wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. After a long pause, she finally said, "I haven't thought about these things yet..." Before she could finish, Shang Kun interrupted her, "Don't speak. Go back and think about it slowly. Don't rush to answer. But at the very least, you should believe that we are the best partners, which is already very rare." To be honest, Shang Kun was afraid that Lin Weiping would say the word "reject." Both of them were people of their word, unlike children who often spoke irresponsibly. If Lin Weiping refused outright, then even the subtle, ambiguous gestures wouldn't be possible later. Would Shang Kun let that happen? But in his heart, Shang Kun still had some doubts. Was it right to say it today?
Chapter
Twenty-three
Gong Chao picked Yu Fengmian up from the restaurant. The whole way, Yu Fengmian just stared out the window in silence. She only hummed and hawed at the topics Gong Chao tried to bring up, a stark contrast to her attitude upon arrival. Gong Chao, at a loss, gave up on his rambling and pulled a bankbook from his pocket, handing it to Yu Fengmian. He said, “This is some money I had left after buying and renovating the house. It’s not much, and I’ve put the password on a small piece of paper inside so you might forget it. I imagine you might be short on cash when you get back, so this little bit will be fine in an emergency. Don’t refuse me. You used to treat me like family and were determined to help me, and I still will, even though I can’t do much. You must accept this.”
Yu Fengmian stared blankly at her bankbook. From the moment she learned of the bad news about her family, she had already given up on Gong Chao in her heart. She knew herself very well; in the eyes of young people like Gong Chao, she, Yu Fengmian, had nothing but money. Perhaps only an old man in his sixties or seventies would find her youthful charm appealing. Now that her money was in jeopardy, what attraction did she still hold for Gong Chao? It was better to withdraw early and preserve some dignity. But she hadn't expected Gong Chao to show true feelings in times of crisis. However, Yu Fengmian wasn't a child; she knew very well that Gong Chao's "affection" was entirely based on friendship, having nothing to do with love. She opened the bankbook and saw 240,000 yuan—not a small amount. It was remarkable that Gong Chao was so generous. She calculated that this was the amount in her bankbook that she had kept in the safe deposit box after returning home, but if she used that amount to bribe officials, it would be gone in no time. She really needed Gong Chao's money, but how could she possibly accept it? She still liked Gong Chao very much and always hoped to leave perfectly, leaving him with some good memories. If she accepted the bankbook, it would mean she was either destitute or greedy—neither of which she wanted to leave Gong Chao with. So, after much deliberation, she returned the bankbook to Gong Chao, forcing a smile, and said, "You know, even a skinny camel like me still has some meat on it, and besides, things haven't come to a head yet. Don't worry about me. Keep this money for yourself when you go back to China. I appreciate your kindness."
Gong Chao didn't take it, but Yu Fengmian still stuffed it into his pocket. Gong Chao pretended not to see it and continued driving, saying, "Sister Yu, I told Lin Weiping when you'll arrive at Shanghai Airport, and she'll pick you up on time. I think you definitely don't want to see people in the industry right now, and Weiping is an outsider. She's the only outsider I can rely on. Anyway, you need to take care of yourself and get some rest. Don't overwork yourself, so you'll have the energy to salvage the situation later. You and Weiping should stay on good terms anyway, and I don't think you'll refuse."
Yu Fengmian felt a mix of emotions. If it were before the New Year, she would have been overjoyed to hear such considerate words, but now it was too late, and her lover could only be treated like a brother. She nodded as if she had heard, but said nothing more. At the airport, she silently completed all the formalities and hurried through customs, not daring to linger, afraid that she would lose control of her emotions and break down in front of Gong Chao. But when she took her glasses out of her bag, she found that Gong Chao's bankbook was back in her hand, lying red at the bottom of her bag. She didn't know when Gong Chao had put it there, which showed that he wasn't acting, but genuinely caring for her. Thinking of this, she felt a little guilty towards Gong Chao, but more than that, she felt reluctant to let go. Coupled with such a huge blow, and since no one around knew her anyway, she gave up and let the tears stream down her face, deciding to cry her heart out alone in a foreign land.
Gong Chao roughly knew Yu Fengmian's strong personality and guessed that she didn't want to show weakness in front of him, so he didn't say much. He watched Yu Fengmian go inside, and after standing outside for a while, he suddenly felt that everything that had happened in China was so far away from him. When he thought of Lin Weiping's name again, there was no more pain or hatred. Hadn't the two of them been able to talk on the phone normally just a few days ago? As for Yu Fengmian, he could finally repay her favor today, and the burden in his heart was much lighter. In the afternoon, a design firm invited him to meet. He thought that staying in the United States might not be a bad idea. Starting over here, although it would be more tiring, at least his heart wouldn't be so burdened.
Lin Weiping drove herself to Shanghai Pudong Airport as instructed. Amidst the massive queue of people waiting to pick up passengers, she first checked the arrival information on the large screen. It seemed Yu Fengmian's flight was slightly delayed. Considering the upcoming customs checks, Lin Weiping left the terminal and went to the waiting area to find something to eat or do. But before she even left, her phone started ringing incessantly. She took it out and saw it was a Shanghai number. What a coincidence! Had someone seen her arrive in Shanghai? She answered, only to be met with the unexpected call of John Chen. "What? It's you? Aren't you overseas Chinese supposed to wait until after the Lantern Festival to go out? You're here so early this year?"
John's background noise was so loud that you had to listen carefully to hear what he was saying. "There's nothing I can do. There aren't many Chinese people in our country, and the judicial system doesn't care what race you are. They still hold court during the Spring Festival. The second son of the boss has fallen into trouble, and Manier told me to immediately take the judgment to China to regain control of our company. The boss's second son, Waldo, who is also the new boss's younger brother, came with me. You see, the first thing I did after leaving the airport was to call you to let you know, hoping you can help me."
Lin Weiping thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "John, are you at Shanghai Pudong Airport? If so, grab your luggage and come to the international arrivals gate immediately. I'm waiting for someone here, and we can take you back together. I'll wait for you at the gate." While waiting, Lin Weiping thought to herself that two women around her had already fallen from grace this year. It wasn't entirely undeserved; they had their own faults. But they were women, and for some reason, she felt a pang of pity for the Second Madam and Yu Fengmian. Faced with a male-dominated society and the combined forces of men, these two women might have no chance of turning things around this time.
The display screen showed that Yu Fengmian's plane had arrived some time ago, but John Chen hadn't come yet. Lin Weiping had no choice but to stand at the door, searching inside and out, afraid of missing anyone. Yu Fengmian came into view first, walking with her head held high as before, wearing sunglasses on her nose. Lin Weiping couldn't help but step forward to take her luggage and smiled, "You must be tired from your journey. Come with me."
Yu Fengmian smiled at her and said, "Thank you for picking me up. I appreciate it."
Lin Weiping laughed and said, "Seeing how straight your back is and how confident you look, it seems I have a chance to ask for something in return. But I came here specifically to pick you up, and I just got a call that the general manager of my former company has just arrived at Pudong Airport and has to go back with us. You don't mind, do you?"
Yu Fengmian merely smiled, a smile somewhat pale in the winter sunlight, but Lin Weiping knew what she meant. She must have been thinking, "Can I care?" But Lin Weiping didn't care; that was Yu Fengmian's style. Stepping outside, he saw John pushing a luggage cart past. As he drew closer, he saw a young man following him empty-handed; presumably, it was the boss's second son, Waldo. He seemed utterly useless. A young man willing to watch his old servant push his luggage—anyone with a conscience wouldn't do that, unless John was incredibly servile. But Lin Weiping knew John wasn't that kind of person. Without hesitation, he shot Waldo dead.
Even Yu Fengmian chimed in in the local dialect, "This young man is utterly heartless, making an old man with gray hair push his luggage. He has no conscience at all. But it's good, though. Companies run by people like this are usually easy to deal with. It might not be a bad opportunity for you."
Lin Weiping smiled at Yu Fengmian and said, "You're an expert, aren't you? Your perspective is different from most people. It's a pity, though, that while our equipment is similar, our products are on different paths. We won't have a conflict with them until I've completed the third phase. But that's a story for later." He then went to greet John. Yu Fengmian watched her speak fluent English with the two men, her voice radiant. Suddenly, she felt that such a strong and outstanding girl was indeed unworthy of Gong Chao at this stage. Perhaps Gong Chao himself knew the gap between them, which was why he was so insecure and jumped up and down when Yu Fengmian stirred things up. Maybe her actions in sowing discord between the two young lovers were actually helping Lin Weiping. But for Yu Fengmian, the outcome was ultimately detrimental to both herself and others.
Upon reaching the car, Waldo made no attempt to help carry the luggage. Lin Weiping ignored him; why bother teaching someone irrelevant a lesson? However, Yu Fengmian's suitcase was incredibly heavy. Lin Weiping and Yu Fengmian each carried one end, Lin Weiping asking, "How can it be so heavy? What did you bring?" Yu Fengmian smiled, "The older you get, the more you can't live without possessions." She then sat down in the passenger seat, completely ignoring the two large suitcases John and the others had in the back. The trunk was already full, so they had to put a smaller suitcase in the back seat. John climbed in first, followed by Waldo. It took Lin Weiping a moment to realize that it wasn't because Waldo was being modest, but because the middle seat was uncomfortable for a long journey. Such people were truly rare; just because he had a little money? A typical spoiled brat.
They got in the car and set off, bypassing downtown Shanghai and heading straight for the highway. The journey wasn't difficult, so he had the time to answer John's question. "Lin, I heard your current company is doing very well, with many skilled workers who used to work for us. If I take over, will you bring them back?"
Yu Fengmian had been resting with her eyes closed after getting into the car, but hearing John's tone, she asked, "Xiao Lin, what did he say? It sounds like he's blaming you." Lin Weiping was about to answer when she interrupted him, so she had to translate for her. Upon hearing this, Yu Fengmian turned around and gave John a quick, sharp glance, then snorted coldly and said, "Tell him that within two years, you'll take over that factory as well."
Lin Weiping smiled and ignored her. She knew that Yu Fengmian was harboring resentment and couldn't help but vent her anger on John because he spoke without any sense of propriety. However, she was right; John's tone seemed too arrogant. Did he think she was his subordinate? But she didn't take it to heart and smiled, "John, even you and I were driven away back then, let alone those workers who had no power. As for after you take over, I won't deliberately hinder the movement of those workers."
Waldo raised his voice and said, "Okay, that's settled then. We have good benefits and income, and strong financial strength. There's no reason for the workers not to come back. Miss Lin, if you're willing to come back, the position of assistant general manager will still be reserved for you."
Lin Weiping raised his eyebrows slightly, barely suppressing his amusement, and said, "Thank you, but after a year away, I've become a bit wild. I'm afraid going back might affect your management. I'd rather not bother."
John was taken aback by Fengmian's glance back, feeling that the woman's eyes were sinister, as if they could draw blood with a single cut. He hurriedly asked Lin Weiping, "Is she your current boss? What did she just say?"
Lin Weiping laughed, "She's not my boss, she's my friend. Ah, what did she just say?" Although John was tactless, he had still mentored some of his people. Yu Fengmian's words were too harsh, so he wouldn't translate for them. However, he had at least repaid John's favor when he left the company before, and even if he hadn't, it was necessary to remind John that things were different now.
John finally understood, but Waldo didn't, and said, "It's alright. By the way, Miss Lin, please book a hotel for me. I'll check in first."
Lin Weiping scoffed inwardly. How long had it been since they arrived in Shanghai from South Asian countries? His old man used to always come to the company first; it seemed each generation was less capable than the last. He then took out his phone and booked two rooms for him at Old Wang's hotel. It was obvious this young master wouldn't be frugal and would share a room with John to save money.
John bombarded Lin Weiping with questions, such as current raw material prices, market conditions, and industry trends, which Lin Weiping naturally answered one by one. However, he was careful in his answers, only stating what was advantageous to him, much like Confucius's meticulous writing of the Spring and Autumn Annals. Waldo, on the other hand, pretended to know everything, asking irrelevant questions that were difficult to answer. Yu Fengmian, meanwhile, remained silent with her eyes closed, whether truly asleep or not, was a testament to her ability to maintain silence amidst such a headache-inducing noise. Perhaps her inability to understand English made things slightly easier for her.
After dropping John and the other man off at the hotel, Lin Weiping turned the car around to the parking lot and asked, "Where are you going?"
Yu Fengmian was taken aback: "You know my family?" But as soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately understood. Lin Weiping was also a man of the world, and he knew that the bosses of companies in trouble often had a long line of creditors behind them, especially in the construction industry. "You should go back and check. They're not familiar with your car." But he opened the car door and sat in the back seat, probably afraid that people would see him and cause trouble.
Lin Weiping agreed, but still kindly added, "You should be careful. If this happens to a man, he might get a few punches or kicks, but women are at a greater disadvantage. Especially those of you in the construction industry."
Yu Fengmian sighed and said, "Let's go take a look. The security where I live is very strict; unauthorized people can't get in. If someone is waiting for me, I can see them in the lobby downstairs. I want to find out what's going on." Although she already knew the seriousness of the situation, she still clung to a sliver of hope until she saw it with her own eyes. Lin Weiping understood. The road wasn't long, just a few minutes' drive. When they reached the building, while Lin Weiping was turning and reversing, Yu Fengmian saw the people she didn't want to see but expected to. Her expression naturally turned grim, but Lin Weiping was busy turning around and didn't observe her closely, only noticing her terrifying silence. Once on the main road, he glanced at her in the rearview mirror and saw her still looking out the window. He thought to himself, "Her mind must be far from calm right now." But he had to wake her up: "Do you have any other accommodations? Or are you staying at a hotel?"
Yu Fengmian jumped back in shock, as if she had just come to her senses. She said blankly, "I have a place to stay, but only a few people know about it, so I'd better not go. As for hotels, unless I don't come out, they'll find me anyway. Okay, take me to the long-distance bus station."
Lin Weiping was puzzled. What was she doing outside? Why didn't she just go to Shang Kun and Old Wang, resolve the matter, and then get rid of the burden and start anew? Logically speaking, no matter how down on her luck she was, she still had considerable assets; she wouldn't end up penniless. Where was she going?
Chapter
Twenty-four
After seeing Lin De and his group off at the airport, Lin Weiping saw Shang Kun's Mercedes and quickly walked over and opened the passenger door, getting in without hesitation. She had driven there, and the keys were still with her. Shang Kun laughed, "You learn bad habits so easily, but not good ones." He had no choice but to obediently get into the driver's seat. Lin Weiping had already inserted the keys and started the engine, so Shang Kun drove off immediately. "It's Saturday today. Haven't you thought about relaxing? I've been tense these past few days with Lin De, and I really don't want to go back and face the same people and things."
Lin Weiping laughed, "I have things to do. Being stuck with Lin De every day, I can only manage the company and the dock by phone. I'm worried and want to go back and check on things. Take me to the dock." By today, all the goods picked up during the Spring Festival have been shipped out, and all payments have been received. However, today is supposed to be the day the cargo ships arrive at the dock, and the cargo owners will be picking up their goods. Lin Weiping felt it would be better if he were present; it would give him peace of mind.
Shang Kun, unaware of the intricacies of the situation, dismissively said, "The company doesn't necessarily stop functioning without you. Often when you're here, there are indeed waves of reports, requests, and signatures, but even when you're not here, things still run smoothly, maybe with more phone calls. You need to gradually train them, instead of getting overwhelmed every day. The company's production is currently going smoothly, the loan is in place, and there are no personnel changes. You should distribute those recurring administrative tasks to people who are mutually constraining, instead of doing everything yourself."
Lin Weiping thought to himself, "I knew this a long time ago, and I've been doing it for a while now. But in the beginning, I was worried that you would discard me after you've served your purpose, so I took on many tasks. Later, I started my own business, so how could I not be busy? I'm just afraid that things will get too smooth. One day I'll be strolling around outside and come back to the company, only to find that everything has changed, that I've been sidelined, and that someone else has taken over the company without any problems."
Shang Kun smiled, reached out and pulled Lin Weiping's hand to the handbrake. "You're cunning and quick to learn. You've already managed Kaixuan so tightly that I can't get in. I can only try to take over everything and make you mine. You're mine now, so I don't care if you get all of Kaixuan."
Lin Weiping smiled and said, "So it's a business merger. Then, Mr. Shang, what price are you asking for Lin Weiping?"
Shang Kun glanced at her sideways and saw that she was smiling but only looking at the road ahead, without showing any deep affection, happiness, or satisfaction. He thought to himself, "That's it. I can only blame myself for not being strategic enough and taking the initiative first. These days, whoever takes the initiative is at a disadvantage. But circumstances are beyond my control. There's only one Lin Weiping. Gong Chao is gone, and now Old Wang is eyeing the situation covetously. I have to strike first, especially since my terms seem to be a bit unfair to her." He said casually, "If you're not afraid of getting tired, I'll hand over my position to you. You can control the signing. From now on, I'll stay home and enjoy life, and you can support me as you please." Shang Kun had been in the business world for many years and knew all too well how to break down someone's defenses. Like boxing, a few conventional punches are not as effective as a single, all-out punch. The same goes for winning someone's favor. Occasional gifts are not as effective as a large, unexpected gift. He was going all in with Lin Weiping.
Lin Weiping turned to look at him in surprise, recalling how he had signed off on his ex-wife Pan Yingchun's monthly expenses during a previous meal. She doubted the truth of his words, but based on her past understanding of Shang Kun, he wouldn't lie to her about this. What did he mean? Did he truly love her so deeply that he was willing to relinquish his most prized possession—financial control? Turning back to sit upright, she suddenly realized something was wrong. "You're on the wrong road. This is the highway to Hangzhou."
Shang Kun glanced at her and smiled, "That's right, we're going to Hangzhou. It's your own fault for not driving. Once you're in my car, you have to listen to me. Old Wang invited me to his house for lunch today to try his homemade dishes. You should come along; it's quite good. Besides, his father isn't home, so you won't have to suffer from his nagging."
Lin Weiping exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't Old Wang a local? He speaks fluent local dialect. But the words 'private kitchen dishes' sound a bit odd to me. Could it be some kind of insect or meat that's incredibly nourishing?"
Shang Kun laughed: "Old Wang and I aren't old enough for that yet."
Lin Weiping immediately realized he had been presumptuous and quickly changed the subject, blushing: "These days it's all the rage to buy an apartment by West Lake, Old Wang is keeping up with the times too."
Shang Kun smiled as he looked at her face, which was flushed to the roots of her ears. He couldn't help but tighten his grip on her hand and said, "You'll see when you get there. Ordinary people can't stay at Old Wang's place. His father is a retired cadre. Many of the city's leaders used to benefit from his father's influence. Although he has retired from the provincial government, his influence is still there. Of course, if Old Wang didn't have that ability, he might not have reached his current level just by relying on his father."
Lin Weiping nodded and said, "So he's the son of a high-ranking official. No wonder the mayor was so affectionate with him the other day. By the way, no wonder he was so angry when Yu Fengmian snatched the land he had his eye on. I'm afraid he felt not only wronged himself, but also upset that his father's status had been reduced. But he's done well for his father, and he hasn't disgraced him."
Shang Kun laughed, "Why do you care so much? If you're interested today, stay in Old Wang's study, and I'll let you know the whole answer. Hey, why don't you stop me from using aftershave again today? But Huang Bao treats that bottle like a treasure, saying it was a gift from his wife, and he can only use it, not take it. When we go to Hangzhou later, can you buy me a bottle? Yes, two bottles. Give one to Huang Bao, and I'll order him to use it every day to drive his wife crazy. Haha."
Lin Weiping found Shang Kun's tone a little strange, yet also amusing, as if he were being coquettish. Looking at his face, he saw his stubble was indeed clean-shaven, and he'd already noticed the faint fragrance when they met that morning. Suppressing a barely suppressed laugh, he said, "Yu Fengmian is right, the older you get, the more possessions you accumulate. Your bags get bigger and bigger, even you know to add a bottle of aftershave."
Shang Kun asked, "Where did you take Yu Fengmian after you picked her up?"