As news of Fang Yuqing becoming the CEO of Zhicheng Real Estate spread, many people felt uneasy and restless. Word from the Fang family was that this decision had not been made at Fang Yuqingâs own discretion alone.
âFang Yuqing joining in the partyâ and âthe collective attitude of the Fang familyâ were two totally different concepts altogether.
This entailed that the people of Zhicheng had truly gained the ability to compete with all their opponents. They had not lacked money in the first place. Now, it seemed like they did not lack anything at all.
Some people began to worry that Zhicheng might go back on their word.
These worries and probing persisted till the day of the auction itself when led by Fang Yuqing, Zhicheng abided by their promise and acquired Plot No.4 which encompassed a whole hundred and fifty thousand square metres at a low price.
This time, Xu Tingsheng had it very easy as a tag-along. After Plot No.1 had been acquired by Jinxiong Corporation, he and Huang Yaming went outside the auction hall to smoke a cigarette.
A man who looked around thirty was walking by when he stopped and smiled at Xu Tingsheng.
Xu Tingsheng had never met Ding Miao before, not knowing who he was as he simply smiled in response. Smiling at someone who is smiling at you is the common sense of being street smart.
While there were some others in the vicinity as well, Ding Sen was very âstraightforwardâ as he walked over and extended a hand, âXu Tingsheng? Hi, let me introduce myself. Iâm Ding Miao.â
Huang Yaming extended his hand before Xu Tingsheng could, shaking hands with Ding Miao before saying loudly, âHi, Iâm Huang Yaming.â
Then, he moved closer to him, whispering, âHe doesnât know.â
Vaguely hearing these words, Xu Tingsheng stared rather dazedly at Huang Yamingâs back, at his shoulders which gradually seemed to have become broader than before.
Regardless of whether this âcover-upâ was too childish in itself, whether Ding Miao believed it or not, Xu Tingsheng knew that Huang Yaming was protecting him. He wished for an end to be put to that previous matter as Xu Tingsheng was left free from implication in this matter.
Huang Yaming would not have had any time to hesitate or consider matters upon Ding Miaoâs sudden appearance. Therefore, this must be what he had decided previously, the attitude that he had decided on taking. He had already long since decided that he would be the one to bear the responsibility if anything happened.
Somewhere along the way, the people beside Xu Tingsheng had begun attempting to bear some things for him.
After the auction had ended, those of Zhicheng left the auction hall and descended the stairs together.
Another bunch of people stood there, clapping towards them. Some whistled, jeering loudly. If Xu Tingsheng were to call those on his side the ânon-inheritorsâ, these people would be called the âinheritorsâ.
âLook, everyone! The new real estate tycoons are hereâŚâ
âIsnât that so? They even got the plot of land with the greatest surface area.â
âGuys, most of us here are either relatives or friends of yours. If the time comes and no one wants to buy the flats, remember to promote it to our families! Maybe weâll even consider it, building a little thatched hut down by the countryside and using it for barbecuing on outings.â
âItâs just that the price of each unit canât be more than 2000 yuan!â
Xu Tingsheng could only helplessly walk past the storm of mockery with the others as no one rebutted or responded to their words.
âI just donât understand. Weâre nicely abiding by our agreement, so whyâre they still so hostile?â Reaching the carpark, Tan Yao who had come over to join in the commotion wondered aloud.
âTwo reasons for that,â Ye Qing said.
âI never asked you,â Tan Yao replied.
Ignoring his childish quibbling, Ye Qing continued, âFirstly, the person who led them in jeering just now is my older brother, Ye Tan. Heâs also a shareholder of Jinxiong Corporation. Besides being born earlier than me and as a male, heâs never defeated me in any other aspects before. So, viewing this to be his first ever win, he naturally would be triumphant. Still, this is merely an appetiser. I have more to face when I get back home.â
âSecondly, look at us. Actually, there arenât that many people whoâre willing to see us underdogs working hard to make something of ourselves. If even we are able to do so, where will they get their sense of superiority from in the future? Also, they would have more competition that way.â
Many were silent as they agreed with her words. Hu Shengming who had been continually called âtrashâ by his two older brothers felt it the most deeply. He who usually loved messing around gave a long, earnest sigh at this.
âOh,â Tan Yao replied, âThen, if you know that youâll be bullied if you go back home, why must you still go back anyway?â
Looking at him, Ye Qing asked, âYouâre concerned about me? If you are, work hard and make something of yourself so that youâll be able to take care of me in the future.â
Tan Yao exclaimed, âWho likes to care about you!â
After returning to Starry Splendour from the auction hall, half of those present in the private room directed their gazes at Xu Tingsheng while the other half stared at that safe.
The meaning concealed within their gazes was: Now that weâve already acquired Plot No.4, what do we do next? âŚWe should be at the next step of your predictions and corresponding measures, right? It should be time to open the safe then.
They felt just like a party who had just returned from killing a boss monster.
âThings are finally settled. Whatever the case, everything went successfully,â Xu Tingsheng smiled relaxedly, next asking, âThereâs nothing else, right? âŚIf there isnât, letâs meet again after the new year. I wish you an early Happy New Year, everyone, and many happy returns. I wonât be calling and texting all you guys one by one when the time comes, then.â
âThatâs it? No follow-up arrangements?â
âI more or less have everything planned. As for whatever remains, it can wait till after the New Year. Letâs meet up again then. Right, the procedures. Iâll leave it to you guys to handle all the relevant procedures. Iâll be very busy for the upcoming period of time, after which I should be going home for the New Year.â
âYouâŚwhat will you be busy with?â
âFinals!â Xu Tingsheng replied earnestly.
Xu Tingsheng made a trip back to his office at Hucheng that afternoon.
Taking out his key, Xu Tingsheng casually pushed at the door. He thought that as he wasnât there and Lu Zhixin wasnât there too, there should be no one in the office. He had never imagined that as soon as he pushed at the door, it would open.
Music, white blouse, short skirt, high-heeled shoes, stockings, messy hairâŚ
Tang Yufei was actually dancing in there alone. He saw her in the midst of the most captivating segment of some sexy chair dancing.
Xu Tingsheng closed the door and stepped back out of the room.
After a while, Tang Yufei said, âAlright, come in, Boss.â
As Xu Tingsheng entered his office, Tang Yufei had already packed everything up tidily and did not seem awkward or ill at ease at all.
âSorry to interrupt you. I came by to get some stuff,â Xu Tingsheng said with a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
Tang Yufei covered her smile with the back of her hand, asking, âYou wouldnât fire me because of this, right?â
Xu Tingsheng said, âI wonât. The company doesnât seem to have a rule regarding this. When the company holds an annual meet in the future, youâre welcome to perform up on stage. After all, itâs said that as compared to individual enjoyment, collective enjoyment would be preferable.â
Tang Yufei shook her head, âNo, I should just do this for individual enjoyment. Otherwise, I may not be able to get married in the future. Still, if Boss wants to watch, as your secretary, I wouldnât mind throwing a private performance for you. Right here, right now.â