Before Xu Zhimeng could even turn around, his phone rang. He looked at the number and was pleasantly surprised. He said to Fan Yi, "President Fan, you really have the best word to say. She called right after I mentioned it."
Fan Yi was also intrigued. "Oh, so fast. Zhu Haicheng must have pushed her too far. Looks like we still have a chance. Bring her over, and we'll discuss the terms." Fan Yi finished with a lewd smile. As long as Liu Yiyi needed his help, things would be easy. There was no woman in this world she couldn't be defeated. The only reason you couldn't defeat her was because your offer wasn't strong enough.
Suan Zhimeng answered the phone in front of Fan Yi, "Hey, Yiyi, have you thought it through? Actually, the only one who can help you is President Fan. Don't misunderstand, I also want to help you. Zhu Haicheng is too ruthless. Ordinary people can't afford to mess with him." "What? You can handle things over there yourself?" "Oh, okay, come up here. I'll wait for you in President Fan's office."
Xu Zhilang, speaking to Fan Yizao, said, "President Fan, Liu Yiyi actually said that Zhu Haicheng's instructions can only be resolved by himself. She just wanted to say a few words to me, so I let her upstairs. What do you think?"
Fan Yidao: No problem. Since she's still coming to you, she must have something to ask. Otherwise, she'd be just wasting her time delivering herself to your door.
Xu Zhimeng thought about it and realized it made sense. With Liu Yiyi's connections in the provincial capital, even if things turned sour, why would he be afraid of her? Besides, this was inside Tianyi Group. What could Liu Yiyi do to him? He hadn't even bothered to settle the score with the slap she gave him yesterday.
Liu Yiyi knocked on the door of Fan Yi's office, and Yang Shiqi followed her into the room. However, she didn't say a word and just stood there. Fan Yi and Xu Zhimeng both regarded her as a bodyguard that Liu Yiyi had hired and ignored her. The two soldiers did not come in, otherwise Fan Yi and Xu Zhimeng would have been more cautious about Liu Yiyi's attitude after seeing her.
Fan Yi lit a cigarette with a cold smile on his lips. He didn't say anything, but Xu Zhimeng naturally went up to him warmly. "Yiyi, you're here. You need to hear my explanation about what happened yesterday. Actually, I'm trying to help you. Zhu Haicheng isn't as simple as you think. Only President Fan can handle that."
Liu Yiyi waved her hand to stop Xu Zhimeng from continuing. She said, "Xu Zhimeng, from now on, you go your way and I'll go mine. We'll have nothing to do with each other. But before that, I have a few questions for you."
Xu Zhimeng said with a sorrowful expression, "Yiyi, you really have to believe me. I'm doing this for your own good. You don't understand Zhu Haicheng. He's a man of his word. He'll do anything if you don't pay him back. And with such a large sum of money, who in the province can help you besides President Fan? Zhu Haicheng won't stop until he gets the money. You just need to keep President Fan happy for a bit; it won't make you lose a penny, and then you'll be safe. Sigh, can you understand my good intentions? If it weren't for your safety..."
Liu Yiyi remained unmoved by Xu Zhimeng's so-called "victim card," coldly saying, "Zhu Haicheng's matter has been resolved; you, Assistant Xu, need not worry about it."
Xu Zhimeng, of course, didn't believe it, but seeing the faint, happy smile on Liu Yiyi's lips, a chill ran through him. "Oh dear, no way," he thought, "did Zhu Haicheng already sleep with my girlfriend last night? Have they reconciled? Does that mean I'm wearing a green hat?" He thought, "That lecherous Zhu Haicheng, if he hadn't slept with Liu Yiyi, would he have let her escape today? He'd probably drag her to court by now."
Feeling embarrassed and annoyed, Xu Zhimeng sneered, "Solved? What makes you think you can solve it? Is it your body?"
Liu Yiyi understood perfectly well what Xu Zhimeng meant, and her pretty face flushed red with anger! After a long while, she pointed at Xu Zhimeng with a trembling finger and said, "You, you are shameless! Do you think that just because you are shameless, everyone else is as shameless as you?!"
Xu Zhimeng said, "How am I shameless? I've worked hard for you, connecting you with President Fan, all to save you and your company. I've done my part, and yet I get such a shameless comment in return?"
When Liu Yiyi saw that Xu Zhimeng actually described his despicable act of drugging her as hard work and a merit, she simply didn't know what to say to refute him. Her heart, which had already been shattered into eight pieces, was now smashed into sixty-four pieces on the ground. "Xu Zhimeng, say whatever you want. I have a few questions for you, and I hope you will answer them seriously. It would be a way to put an end to our relationship. Since we are already like this, you don't need to lie to me anymore. I will leave as soon as I get the answer."
Xu Zhimeng had been blinded by the thought of being cuckolded, but now that he had calmed down, he realized that his words had gone too far. He immediately lowered his tone and said, "Yiyi, I shouldn't have doubted you, but I really care about you, that's why I did this. Just tell me what you have to say, and I promise I won't lie to you."
Liu Yiyi said, "Fine, have you ever truly loved me?"
Without even thinking, Xu Zhimeng replied, "Of course I loved you. I think you know that better than I do."
Liu Yiyi said, "Okay, then list the ways you show you love me."
Xu Zhimeng hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Does calling you, chatting with you, sending you flowers and gifts, helping your company with business, and worrying about your contracts count?"
Liu Yiyi sneered: "Can your love give me security? I just want the security of a happy woman."
"I," Xu Zhimeng stammered again, glancing at Fan Yi before he couldn't continue. Just because Fan Yi had taken a liking to his woman, he had lost her. But Fan Yi held his future in his hands, so how could Xu Zhimeng dare to say no?
Liu Yiyi continued, "Would you do anything for me?"
Xu Zhimeng answered readily this time: "Yes!"
Liu Yiyi said, "Okay. Slap him across the face to vent my anger!" Liu Yiyi pointed at Fan Yi.
Song Zhimeng was dumbfounded. Liu Yiyi's request was putting him in a difficult position. Slap Fan Yi? Wouldn't that ruin his bright future? If he didn't slap him? He guessed that he would have no hope of being with Liu Yiyi for the rest of his life.
Volume 2 [273] I'll beat you until you can't take care of yourself
Fan Yi, who had been calm and collected, suddenly let out a cold snort. Xu Zhiming was completely unaware of what was going on in his mind; he was questioning his own loyalty. Thinking of this, Xu Zhiming didn't dare hesitate. He said to Liu Yiyi, "Liu Yiyi, don't force me! You're trying to put me in an unjust and immoral position. Do you want to see me reduced to begging on the streets? Would that make you happy?"
Liu Yiyi breathed a long sigh of relief. She had gotten her answer: Xu Zhimeng only cared about his future and not her. Compared to Zhao Qiang, Xu Zhimeng was not even scum. Actually, Liu Yiyi was afraid that he would really slap Fan Yi twice, and she wouldn't be able to face him then. However, a real person like Xu Zhimeng would not be able to withstand the test at the crucial moment.
Liu Yiyi decisively turned and walked out. She wasn't interested in Xu Xiaoya's suggestion to expose Xu Zhimeng and Fan Yi's ugly faces. Besides, would the employees at Tianyi Company dare to say anything about exposing their boss's scandals? Would they dare to stand up and criticize him? Would they even want their jobs if they did? So Liu Yiyi didn't intend to waste her time. In fact, she didn't even need to come, but Zhao Qiang, with the good intention of standing up for her, brought her along anyway.
As Xu Zhimeng watched Liu Yiyi turn and leave, various scenes from the past few years of their relationship flashed through his mind. It would be no exaggeration to say that it had been hard work, and the biggest reward he had received was holding Liu Yiyi's hand once or twice. But now Liu Yiyi was turning around and preparing to abandon him. Xu Zhimeng was unwilling to accept this! He took two steps forward and grabbed Liu Yiyi's shoulders: "Don't go."
Liu Yiyi frowned. At this moment, Yang Shiqi, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly made her move. It was unclear when she had concealed a stun gun in her hand, but she stabbed Xu Zhimeng in the abdomen. Xu Zhimeng immediately collapsed to the ground, his whole body shaking like a sieve, and foam immediately came out of his mouth. It seemed that the stun gun was quite powerful, truly injuring people invisibly.
Yang Shiqi swiftly subdued Xu Zhimeng, who was about to make a move, and said to the somewhat frightened Liu Yiyi, "Was it this bastard who drugged you?" Yang Shiqi was pointing at Fan Yi. Since she had already taken action, she couldn't let any bad guy get away with it; that was Yang Shiqi's style.
Liu Yiyi nodded. Without Fan Yi's instigation and coercion, how could Xu Zhimeng have willingly offered up his girlfriend? He didn't have such a bad habit.
Yang Shiqi said, "If that's the case, are you still planning to just leave like this?"
Liu Yiyi asked, puzzled, "What else do you want? Xu Zhimeng has already suffered enough punishment. I have no feelings for him anymore."
Yang Shiqi pointed the stun gun at Fan Yi and said to Liu Yiyi, "Slap him twice. That's the punishment he deserves."
Fan Yi had actually been observing coldly the whole time. When Xu Zhimeng was taken down, he moved his hand but didn't press the alarm. At this moment, Fan Yi felt he shouldn't remain silent any longer, so he pressed the alarm and stood up. He snorted coldly, "Such arrogance! What do you think Tianyi Market is? A shopping place? Someone you can come and go as you please?"
Yang Shiqi was just looking for an outlet for her anger when Fan Yi ran headfirst into a brick wall. He was about to strike a cool pose when Yang Shiqi threw away the stun gun, pulled a pistol from her waist, and fired a shot into Fan Yi's leg. Fan Yi's cool face instantly turned green! The female secretary at the desk by the door screamed. Yang Shiqi turned the gun and fired another shot into her leg: "Don't scream! Anyone who screams will be shot dead."
"This is a real gun!" Fan Yi clutched his leg wound and collapsed to the ground. How could this be? How could someone dare to openly commit violence with a gun in his office? Did he have a death wish? Was there no law anymore?
Bang! The office door was kicked open, and two soldiers rushed in after hearing the gunshot. Yang Shiqi waved her hand: "Get out and guard outside. Anyone who tries to rush in, shoot them down!"
Fan Yi saw that two People's Liberation Army soldiers had entered, and then, seeing the imposing manner Yang Shiqi exuded, he immediately understood: Damn it. That bitch Liu Yiyi has found a powerful backer! No wonder she dared to be so arrogant, coming to Xu Zhimeng's door to have him slapped. She's fearless because she has power! Damn it, the law does have rules, but if the other party has a powerful background, what's the law worth?
Yang Shiqi won over the female secretary with just one sentence. The secretary covered her mouth with one hand and her leg injury with the other, ignoring what was happening in the office. Yang Shiqi turned to the stunned Liu Yiyi and said, "This man forced your boyfriend to drug you. Are you willing to let him go? If I were you, I would slap him twice! Then beat him up until he can't take care of himself."
Liu Yiyi was provoked by Yang Shiqi. Yes, Xu Zhimeng's lack of self-control was one reason, but Fan Yi's coercion and threats were an even bigger reason, so he was the real culprit! Liu Yiyi screamed and grabbed things from the table, throwing them at Fan Yi indiscriminately. The monitor, the fax machine, and a large ashtray were smashed on him, making Fan Yi howl and crawl on the ground with his injured leg. Yang Shiqi was furious and shot him in the other leg as well. Now Fan Yi obediently lay on the ground and let Liu Yiyi kick him.
Yang Shiqi also vented her emotions along with Liu Yiyi. The two women had turned a perfectly good office into a complete mess, with three wounded lying on the floor. Fan Yi was practically buried under a pile of garbage. His security guards arrived quickly after receiving the signal, but they encountered two armed soldiers at the door. The security guards were not armed, and in such a situation of overwhelming force, there was no doubt that after taking down the two fearless security guards, the rest retreated.
Liu Yiyi threw a stick from the table at Fan Yi's head, causing his forehead to bleed. She let out a long breath and said to Yang Shiqi, "I feel better now. Have you had enough?"
Yang Shiqi felt a little embarrassed and stopped. She had originally intended for Liu Yiyi to smash things, but she'd been feeling incredibly frustrated since last night, and she was afraid her mouth blisters would get worse if she didn't vent. She awkwardly wiped the dust off her hands and said, "I've smashed enough, Sister Yiyi, shall we go?"
Liu Yiyi said decisively and without hesitation, "Let's go."
Yang Shiqi took two steps but then turned back and fired two shots at Xu Zhimeng, who was still foaming at the mouth. The shots made Xu Zhimeng foam even more and his body twitched and trembled. Liu Yiyi was startled: "You still shoot? What if you kill someone?"
Liu Yiyi now regretted letting Yang Shiqi come up with her; this transvestite was no less insane than Zhao Qiang. These people were all incredibly crazy. Liu Yiyi believed that if she hung out with them, she would become insane too; this kind of emotion was contagious, as evidenced by the mess she had made inside the room.
Yang Shiqi put away her gun and said, "It's alright, I know what I'm doing. It's just a normal wound, it won't affect their future lives at all. But how can they remember this lesson if they don't suffer a little and leave a scar?"
Liu Yiyi thought it made sense. So she said nothing more, and the two of them slammed the door shut and left. Two soldiers cleared the way. They made it smoothly down the building. Outside, Zhao Qiang and the women were chatting and laughing when Yang Shiqi stepped forward respectfully and said, "The person has been safely brought back. Five shots were fired. Xu Zhimeng and Fan Yi were each shot in the leg, and the secret agent was knocked down."
Zhao Qiang snapped his fingers. "Let's go!" He didn't care whether the person above lived or died; it was Yang Shiqi who fired the shot anyway. If his grandfather wanted to pursue the matter, he could just arrest this Yang freak and take her back; it was too annoying to see her around.
Back at the provincial capital branch, Liu Yiyi was initially a little worried, fearing that someone would investigate the shooting at Tianyi Group. After all, it wasn't a big deal in the eyes of ordinary people. But after having a peaceful lunch without any police coming, she was completely relieved. Yang Shiqi wouldn't have been so foolish as to fire a shot if she wasn't confident.
Before 1:30 PM, Zhu Haicheng arrived with his entourage in the BMW 7 Series he'd mentioned worth over two million yuan. The paperwork was complete, and they also brought a 500,000 yuan gas card, valid nationwide. Seeing that Zhu Haicheng seemed sincere, Zhao Qiang didn't say anything more, gesturing for Liu Yiyi to accept the car and gas card before letting Zhu Haicheng leave. Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Qiang suggested returning to Donghai City. Although the provincial capital was bustling and the girls were attractive, for some reason, Zhao Qiang just couldn't get used to living there.
Yang Shiqi cautiously asked Zhao Qiang, "I need to stay here to continue dealing with what happened last night. You guys go back first, and I'll return to Donghai City as soon as things are settled here."
Zhao Qiang patted Yang Shiqi on the shoulder without saying anything. The two had been cooperating fairly well before. But Old Master Yang's sudden outburst made Zhao Qiang feel disheartened. He didn't know what to do in the future and could only take it one step at a time. Fortunately, Old Master Yang had stopped, otherwise Zhao Qiang would still be fighting right now.
Zhao Qiang got into Xu Xiaoya's Passat, and before Xu Xiaoya could even settle in, he took the initiative to start the car, saying, "When we go back to Donghai City, you should also change your car. Change Wei's, Hu Qian's, and Zhang Lingfeng's cars too, and make sure they match the standard of Sister Yiyi's car."
Xu Xiaoya chuckled: "You're the brains of our bellies, you should reimburse us! We want gas cards too!"
Zhao Qiang couldn't bear to see the fervent looks Xu Xiaoya and the other girls gave Liu Yiyi's BMW. What's the point of making money if not to make yourself comfortable and make your family and friends happy? Buy it!
Zhao Qiang said, "Okay, the approved funds for each person will be 3.5 million. Apart from the 500,000 yuan for fuel cards, we'll reimburse you for everything, including registration, taxes, loading, and insurance."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Qiang, you are really generous, but if you spend money like this, you will soon run out of funds."
Zhao Qiang waved his hand: "I naturally have a way. After the cosmetics are launched, we will appropriately increase the number of agents for the slimming tea in first-tier cities in China, and increase the daily sales to 100,000 units. Based on Zhao Qiang's original daily income of 70 million, increasing the sales tenfold is equivalent to a daily income of 700 million, which is enough to buy 100 or 200 cars."
Xu Xiaoya was overjoyed to hear this: "Really? You're not planning to go for the limited edition, high-quality route anymore?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Increasing sales doesn't conflict with my original strategy of focusing on high-quality products. The sales volume at existing sales points won't increase; only the number of cities covered by sales will increase. The same applies to cosmetics. Even after opening sales points in second-tier cities, we'll still have to limit sales. Take Moutai liquor, for example. Even if an ordinary person has money, they can't buy it. That's the principle of scarcity driving up prices."
Xu Xiaoya nodded: "I agree. I'll discuss it with Zhang Lingfeng later to decide which first-tier cities to open more stores. You just need to ensure the supply; you don't need to worry about anything else. Just continue being your leisurely manager."
With Wei's help, Zhao Qiang wasn't worried about the supply of the mother tea at all. He could produce tens of millions of servings of slimming tea's mother tea every day on his own. It's just that Zhao Qiang didn't want to do it. He wanted to enjoy life, not be burdened by it. He only needed enough money; any more was just a bunch of numbers.
Qiang once again bows in gratitude to all the friends who have given their strong support! There are only four days left until the end of the month, and Qiang hopes to persevere to the end! He will never let everyone down!
Volume 2 [274] Going to School
Huaxia University of Technology, general education courses.
Zhao Qiang stared blankly at the sky above the auditorium. It was empty, but the large classrooms were packed with people. Even if you couldn't understand Professor Gu's class, you had to come to make an appearance and show your status. When would an ordinary person get to attend Professor Gu's class? It was an honor, but for Zhao Qiang, it was also a misfortune. To put it bluntly, it was a waste of time.
With everything settled in the provincial capital, it was impossible for Zhao Qiang and Xu Xiaoya not to report to the University of Science and Technology. Professor Gu didn't say much, only making one request that Zhao Qiang still finds amusing. Professor Gu said, "Zhao Qiang, I know you and Xiaoya are a good couple, but my students are not allowed to date at the University of Science and Technology. This is my first requirement for accepting students, because dating will affect their studies. I can make an exception for you and Xiaoya, but you can't create a bad influence on me at the University of Science and Technology. Can you promise me that? As for what you two do in private, that's fine with you."
How could Zhao Qiang refuse? So now Xu Xiaoya sat far away on the other side, and the two didn't even dare to look each other in the eye, because too many male classmates were paying attention to Xu Xiaoya. If Xu Xiaoya paid attention to Zhao Qiang, then Zhao Qiang would soon be doxxed. It is said that the campus network of the university is also extremely powerful. At that time, it would cause a great uproar, which would make Professor Gu furious. He is very concerned about his reputation.
Finally, get out of class ended. The next class wasn't Professor Gu's, so his students followed him back to the lab. Zhang Zhen, 32, a postdoctoral fellow, was a full-time employee of Professor Gu's lab, the only one, and also served as the lab's deputy director; Ni Hong, 27, a doctoral student; Han Chao, 28, a doctoral student; Li Tianwen, 26, a doctoral student; Zhao Qiang, 23, a graduate student; and Xu Xiaoya, 22, a graduate student.
Professor Gu doesn't usually take on graduate students, but he's currently supervising two, which has puzzled the other four students. As for the other menial workers in the lab, they don't need any introduction.
"For a long time to come, our main task will be to isolate the 'G' substance," Professor Gu said to his students after he sat down. "This is a major project that the country has entrusted to us. Other university laboratories will also focus on this task. Whoever makes the first progress will be valued by the central government. You all understand what I mean, right?"
Zhang Zhen said, "Teacher, we understand what you mean, but this is really not an easy task. Theoretically, we have some basis, but it's not complete. In the actual refining process, we simply can't achieve that high speed of motion. It seems that this project will be difficult to make progress in a short period of time." What Zhang Zhen said was true; otherwise, what would Zhao Qiang use to restrain the Yang family?
Professor Gu gave Zhao Qiang a meaningful look, and then said, "I believe in you. Keep up the good work. Let me know if you make any discoveries. Okay, get back to work. Zhao Qiang and Xu Xiaoya are your juniors, so please take good care of them."
"Yes, teacher." Zhang Zhen led the way in bowing to the teacher, and everyone left Professor Gu's office.
Once inside the lab, Zhang Zhen assigned tasks. As the senior student and a full-time employee of the lab, he had the authority to do so. "Zhao Qiang, you and Junior Sister Xu will be in charge of cleaning the equipment first. We'll talk about it after you're more familiar with the environment."
Xu Xiaoya pouted, but Zhao Qiang happily accepted, carrying a bunch of bottles and jars to wash. Xu Xiaoya had no choice but to follow, and the two chatted while working in front of the sink.
"I don't think I'm cut out for research. I prefer economics." Xu Xiaoya was having second thoughts. This was no longer the excitement she felt when she heard that Professor Gu was coming to take on a disciple. Now that she was in a higher position, her vision was naturally more far-reaching. She would no longer be based on the original baseline. As a result, Xu Xiaoya's temperament also improved dramatically. In addition, girls like expensive clothes. With her beautiful face and figure, paired with elegant clothes, she looked like a princess.
Zhao Qiang said, "I don't think I'm good at anything, but I'm interested in doing anything."
Xu Xiaoya teased playfully, "You're a genius, while I'm just a silly little girl."
Zhao Qiang subtly hooked Xu Xiaoya's chin with his finger, "You're not stupid at all."
Xu Xiaoya's face was full of happiness. "I wasn't stupid before, but I became stupid after I met you. My mother said that when a girl meets the boy she loves, she becomes stupid."
Zhao Qiang said with certainty, "No, your mother is lying to you. You haven't become stupid, you've just become more beautiful."
Xu Xiaoya chuckled, "It's your cosmetics, okay? Hehe, I don't care anymore, you can apply them yourself. I'm going to a finance class. The teacher asked you to cover for me. I'm off." Xu Xiaoya left as soon as she said that, throwing away her leather gloves and disappearing without a trace.
In the lab, Han Chao asked Ni Hong curiously, "Senior sister, I don't understand why the professor accepted two graduate students this year. This is not like the professor's usual personality. He always said that graduate students are not good enough."
Ni Hong was examining data in front of an instrument, and without looking up, she said, "You'll have to ask the teacher about this." Then she said nothing more.
Han Chao wasn't surprised by Ni Hong's reaction; they'd known each other's temperaments after spending so much time together. Li Tianwen, holding a sample tube, came over with a smile and said, "Han Chao, are you envious? Our junior sister Xu is a real beauty. Aren't you tempted to go after her? If you're too late, those hungry wolves at school will snatch her up first. These days, good cabbages are scarce, but wild boars are plentiful, haha."
Han Chao glared at Li Tianwen: "Little Li, are you deliberately trying to ruin me? If I had such thoughts, wouldn't the professor kick me out of the lab? You should wait until you finish your doctoral studies before you start dating."
Zhang Zhen came in from outside and said, "Alright, everyone, let's get to work. I won't repeat the importance of the topic."
The student who was chosen by Professor Gu was certainly no ordinary talent, so everyone stopped joking and got busy.
When Zhang Zhen entered the washroom, he found only Zhao Qiang there. He asked, somewhat puzzled, "Where's Junior Sister Xu? Did she go to the restroom?"