Not long after getting off the congested elevated highway, they were blocked again by a red light. The driver stepped on the brakes and looked at the road ahead on the navigation system.

Pei Xi reclined in the back seat and pressed his fingertips to his throbbing temples, trying to relieve the bursts of pain under his skin.

Counting today, he had been working at a high intensity for a month. His body was reaching its limit, and was sending out warning signals about its urgent need to rest.

If he didn’t sign the contract quickly, he would likely exceed his limits.

Someone passed by outside the window. The light wavered, and he couldn’t help but frown at the discomfort caused by the change between light and dark.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the passing traffic police, the bustling vehicles, and the hotel with eye-catching decorations across the street.

—Island Hotel, the most famous love hotel in Wancheng. The rich colors on the outside walls were full of suggestive implications.

It was a pity that he had no interest in this. Just as he was about to look away, the hotel door suddenly opened from the inside and several men came out one after another, talking and laughing.

The Wancheng shopping district was very big, and at a glance, almost all of the faces were unfamiliar. 

Except for the one who took up the rear, as if taking a leisurely stroll. His appearance and stature were excellent, and he stood out amongst the crowd, so much so that Pei Xi’s eyes landed on him the moment he appeared.

And like all of his companions, he was also “equipped” with a young man.

The young man had a perfect smile on his face, with a slender figure and thin clothes, and the way he paced close to the man’s side was full of obedience and flattery.

With the time of day, the location, and the people, the transaction of money for flesh was all but brought openly to the table.

Pei Xi’s eyes immediately filled with disdain, as if they had been dirtied by something unclean. When the red light turned green, he turned his head without hesitation: “Let’s go.”

Pei Group Building.

As soon as Pei Xi entered the office, his assistant hastened over with several documents.

“President Pei.”

Dong Han placed the documents in front of Pei Xi.

“There are indeed many people interested in the riverside property, but except for the He family, the others pose no threat to us.”

The riverside property had long been in disuse, and would be reclaimed if construction work did not begin. Therefore, the landowner, Mr. Zhang, intended to transfer this land.

The site was located upstream of the industrial zone, overlooking the mountains and the river. The environment was superior, the surrounding infrastructure was complete, and the foot traffic was enormous and steady.

No matter how you looked at it, this land had extremely high commercial value. With proper planning, it could be called a money-making treasure land.

Everyone coveted this savory dish, and once the news of the transfer was released, countless pairs of eyes stared at that piece of land.

It was only that the land was expensive. The price alone was enough to deter 70% of those people, not to mention the other stringent requirements put forth by Mr. Zhang.

Currently, the only two families that could perfectly meet all of the conditions were the Pei and He families.

The He family. His only threat was also his greatest threat.

He thought of the man he had seen at the door of the hotel not long ago. Pei Xi suppressed his disgust and quickly recalled the other two people who were accompanying He Chuzhou at that time.

Fortunately, Mr. Zhang wasn’t there.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that the opponent had no direct means of defeating the enemy with one blow.

It wasn’t that he was overly cautious, but that his opponent, He Chunzhou, was so strong.

Or to be more precise, the assistant at He Chuzhou’s side was so strong.

The talent cultivated by the old man of the He family was not only flexible in mind and decisive in method, but always loved to take people by surprise.

He had already suffered more than one setback at the hands of this behind-the-scenes strategist, and now that they were meeting on a narrow path again, he did not dare to let his guard down.

Pei Xi: “Find some time today to contact Mr. Zhang’s assistant and ask if Mr. Zhang is free tomorrow. I want to speak with him in person.”

Dong Han: “You want to make an appointment for tomorrow?”

Pei Xi: “En.”

“But President Pei, Mr. Zhang’s auction is tonight.”

Dong Han reminded him: “If we make an appointment individually as soon as the auction is over, won’t it seem a little too forceful?”

Pei Xi stared at the computer without looking up: “There is no need to consider this in business.”

It was the nature of businessmen to pursue profit, and they were never afraid to put their goal directly on the table. Being reserved didn’t work in their circle. If you hesitated for a moment, it would be too late for correction or regret.

Dong Han nodded: “Yes.”

The afternoon meeting began at 3 o’clock and lasted until nearly 7 o’clock.

Mr. Zhang’s auction would be held in a neighboring city, starting at half past eight, and it would take at least an hour to drive there from Wancheng, so time was a bit tight.

Thus, dinner was naturally skipped. Pei Xi told the driver to wait at the door of the company and walked straight to the elevator after exiting the conference room. 

It was already after working hours at this point, and a few girls were loitering in the administrative room, gathered together to chat:

“In your video…..this is President He from the He family. Where was he filmed?”

“The location is near Wan High School. It was probably a high school student who ran into him during evening self-study.”

“Someone in the comments actually said he looks like a ‘domineering CEO.’ Isn’t that just so?”

“He Chuzhou, ah, he’s so handsome. Every shot looks like it’s from a blockbuster movie.”

“It’s a pity that he’s a fool and a playboy.”

“Which of today’s rich second generations doesn’t spend money?”

“Don’t always aid the enemy. Our President Pei is both handsome and talented, no less good-looking than President He…..”

While talking, the slightly older girl spotted the person walking over from the other end and gently tugged her colleague with a shhh.

When the person drew closer, they greeted him with a staggered “President Pei,” and watched him leave.

“Be careful.”

The curly-haired girl warned the intern: “From now on, during work hours and especially in front of President Pei, never discuss He Group or President He.”

The intern was curious: “Why? Do they not get along?”

This was an interesting question. The girl raised an eyebrow: “Look at those two people. Does it seem like they would get along?”

When the intern heard this, she looked at the main character of the video, who was casually leaning against a car, then looked up at her immediate boss, whose strictness was evident even when he was viewed from behind. She nodded thoughtfully.

“It seems that’s really the case…..”

Their mismatched horoscopes were visible to the naked eye.

*

*

After leaving the city and turning onto the highway, Pei Xi rushed to the auction venue ten minutes before it started.

The venue was seething with people happily drinking alcohol. With Mr. Zhang’s identity and status, this small auction was as crowded as a large one.

Pei Xi signed in at the door and received his number card. Mr. Zhang spotted him from a distance in front of the French windows and smiled happily, waving at him.

Pei Xi handed the number card to Dong Han and walked over. He stopped a step away from the other party, grasping the outstretched hand: “Mr. Zhang.”

Mr. Zhang held champagne in one hand, the knowing smile on his face undiminished: “President Pei came here right after leaving work?”

Pei Xi retracted his hand with a nod.

Mr Zhang: “Aiyo, you’ve worked hard. It’s so flattering that President Pei came all this way to participate in my little auction.”

Pei Xi pulled his mouth into a faint arc: “Mr. Zhang is being modest. It is my honor to receive an invitation.”

“How can that be? I think President Pei is the one being modest. All right, then I hope there is something in my collection that President Pei likes. Oh, by the way—”

Mr. Zhang remembered something and turned to the person beside him, his eyes cycling between him and Pei Xi: “Both of you are well-known figures in Wancheng. I suppose you don’t need me to make introductions, right?”

Since he said this, Pei Xi was finally willing to glance at the figure next to him whom he had been ignoring.

The latter smiled casually. His tone was low and deep, with a languid energy: “En, we’re old friends.”

Compared to Pei Xi, who wore a neat, ironed suit and tie, tidy from his hair to the tips of his shoes, He Chuzhou was simply the opposite extreme.

A dark suit jacket was placed on his left arm, and his tie was untied. Two of the buttons on his shirt were undone and the collar was loose, exposing part of a collarbone.

His hair seemed to have been carefully tended to and then accidentally messed up, a few strands falling down over his forehead. It was like looking at a big cat that had finished hunting and licking its fur, very lazy and relaxed.

The outside was excellent, but the inside was rotten.

Pei Xi swiftly looked away, not commenting on his so-called “old friends” statement.

“Old friends? Haha, it’s great that you’re old friends, ah. We’re all acquaintances, which makes matters easier to deal with.”

Mr. Zhang toasted them joyfully: “Okay, since we know each other, I won’t say much else. I hope the auction tonight goes smoothly.”

Pei Xi’s frown was almost invisible, and there was no alcohol in his hand.

At this time, a waiter carrying a tray happened to pass by He Chuzhou. The latter took a glass very smoothly and then extended it to Pei Xi in a natural movement.

Pei Xi raised his eyes, but He Chuzhou wasn’t looking at him. The corners of his mouth were pursed in a smile: “I’ve heard that Mr. Zhang has a vast collection. Tonight’s auction will be exciting.”

Mr Zhang: “Haha, you flatter me.”

Pei Xi lowered his eyes to the champagne and raised his hand expressionlessly to take it. He touched Mr. Zhang’s champagne glass lightly, and there was a clear clinking sound. The golden liquid in the glasses swayed.

The auction was about to begin, and Mr. Zhang quickly left for the back to prepare. His assistant followed him upon seeing this, and asked him if he was interested in letting Pei Xi and He Chuzhou bid for the riverside property.

“Bid?” Mr. Zhang was surprised. “But so far, President He has not expressed any intention to purchase it, ah.”

The assistant: “You don’t know, but those two are famous rivals in Wancheng. Because the development direction of their enterprises are highly consistent, their competition for projects has never stopped. But compared to President Pei, who strikes first, President He is the best at attacking from behind.”

“Is that so?” Mr. Zhang was not from Wancheng, and didn’t know much about its business district. “I hadn’t considered that.”

The assistant: “Then what do you think now?”

Mr. Zhang pondered for a moment before quickly reaching a decision: “If that is the case, then I’ll let them compete individually.”

The assistant was puzzled: “Compete?”

“The price is secondary. The key is to make the best use of the land.”

Mr. Zhang smiled and patted his assistant on the shoulder: “Although this is business, it can’t all be about money. Sometimes it is also very important to consider other aspects of fairness.”

*

*

As soon as Mr. Zhang left, Pei Xi immediately put down his unfinished glass and turned around to leave.

He Chuzhou was left alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. Bored, he remained there and slowly finished his small half glass of champagne.

Very soon, a man wearing a gaudy shirt strolled over. He looked at Pei Xi as he walked away and gloated: “Is he scowling again?”

He Chuzhou didn’t care: “Is he? I didn’t see.”

“That’s okay, it’s fine that I saw it.”

Wu Qing grinned cheekily: “How long has it been since the last corporate meeting? Why does it seem like Pei Xi’s attitude toward you has gotten even worse? What project did you steal?”

“What I’ve been working on lately are all previous projects.”

He Chuzhou finally finished the glass of champagne and set down the empty glass: “Don’t falsely accuse me.”

Wu Qing: “You dare to say that you don’t plan to take the riverside property?”

He Chuzhou raised his eyes to look askance at him: “I haven’t taken it yet. Why, do you need a commercial loan?”

“It’s not me who needs one, ah. You’re not taking my land.”

Wu Qing: “But you still haven’t said a word up to today. Are you holding back your ultimate move again? You have such a dark heart, no wonder Pei Xi doesn’t like you.”

“What a coincidence.” 

He Chuzhou shrugged indifferently and walked toward the auction table: “I also don’t think much of blockheads who regard everyone as beneath their notice.”

Wu Qing followed up: “That’s right, but the insult is not very accurate. Blockhead? Such a pretty blockh—”

“President He, we meet again.”

A middle-aged man appeared out of nowhere, a palm on his big belly and a smile on his face: “Do you have a couple of minutes?”

Wu Qing recognized this man as the boss of a large domestic medical device company. Since the previous year, he had been expressing his strong intention to partner with He Group.

After nearly a year of contact and inspections, the other company was at last successful in signing a contract with He Group yesterday. Early this morning, he was still talking about his “great contraptions” when he abducted He Chuzhou to go for breakfast.

He just didn’t know what the point was of trying to get together after the contract was already negotiated.

The auction would start in a few minutes, and he was idle at the moment. He Chuzhou stopped good-naturedly and waited for the other party to continue.

The portly man got straight to the point: “It’s nothing important. I am just extremely grateful to President He for agreeing to cooperate with us. To express my gratitude, I have prepared a small thank you gift.”

“Oh?” Wu Qing heard this and immediately became interested. “What kind of thank you gift?”

“Well, it needs to be kept secret for the time being.”

The portly man spoke modestly, but there was an unconcealable look of pride on his face. He seemed to be full of confidence in his preparations.

“When the auction is over, I will have someone deliver the gift to President He. I ask that he kindly accept it at that time.”

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T/N: Yes, I started yet another project. Blame the unique existential dread of someone getting to a good story before me. That’s how much I like it.

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Table of Contents >> Chapter 2