After exchanging WeChat with Zhou Chaoshen, Liu Xiaoxiao was so happy she could hardly control herself. Her actions preceded her brain, and she couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to take Zhou Chaoshen’s arm.
The next second, she grabbed nothing but air.
Liu Xiaoxiao widened her eyes as she looked at Zhou Chaoshen, who had instinctively dodged her hand. Her heart suddenly flustered, and she quickly explained, “Zhou, Brother Zhou, I’m sorry, I…”
Zhou Chaoshen shook his head and said gently, “It’s okay.”
Liu Xiaoxiao’s hand, frozen in midair, slowly withdrew behind her waist. Her fingers curled slightly. She looked at the noble and cool face in front of her and suddenly recalled her friend’s evaluation of him — “When you first get to know Zhou Chaoshen, you’ll think he’s easy to talk to, always polite to everyone. But the deeper you get, the more you’ll realize there’s a kind of indifference above even those in high positions, and a natural aloofness about him.”
“President Zhou, long time no see.”
A familiar voice sounded from behind.
Liu Xiaoxiao came back to her senses and turned to see her elder brother walking toward them. Although she hadn’t yet taken over the company’s affairs, the influence of her upbringing made her well-versed in the social rules. When she looked at Zhou Chaoshen again, she already wore the demeanor of a noble lady. Lifting her skirt slightly, she said gracefully and elegantly to Zhou Chaoshen, “Brother Zhou, you two chat, I’ll go first.”
Zhou Chaoshen replied gently and politely, “Goodbye, Xiaoxiao.”
“Mm-hmm, goodbye.” Liu Xiaoxiao turned around, her curled lashes lowered slightly, covering the disappointment and loneliness in her eyes.
She thought, this goodbye was clearly just a polite phrase. If he really wanted to “see her again,” the “Xiaoxiao” wouldn’t have ended with a period, but with “Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal if there’s a chance.”
The young lady who had always been pursued and adored since childhood experienced a setback with a man for the first time. Before she could feel the joy of the aloof flower bending for her, her secret crush had already been strangled in the cradle.
---
Facing Liu Chaotian’s greeting, Zhou Chaosheng gave a polite, slight nod, counted as saying hello, “President Liu.”
Liu Chaotian turned his head and glanced at the departing back of Liu Xiaoxiao, with a half-smile, half-not, said: “What does President Zhou think of my little sister?”
Zhou Chaosheng knew the other party came over to help Liu Xiaoxiao out of the situation after seeing that scene just now. Of course, while helping, the main point was still to probe his real purpose for coming.
“Your sister is lively and adorable in character, very likable.” Zhou Chaosheng followed the other’s words and said.
Liu Chaotian gave a light laugh: “If I’m not mistaken, President Zhou probably didn’t come for my little sister, right?”
Zhou Chaosheng didn’t take the bait: “Xiaoxiao is talented and beautiful. I think probably no one in all of Jingdu wouldn’t like her.”
Liu Chaotian raised an eyebrow: “Oh? I didn’t know my little sister had such charm.”
At this moment, a waiter came over with a tray: “Sir, would you like a glass of whisky?”
Zhou Chaosheng didn’t immediately respond to Liu Chaotian’s words, but instead reached out and picked up the whisky-filled champagne glass from the waiter’s tray, raised his wrist and clinked it in the air with the other’s glass, then said casually: “There’s still a lot President Liu doesn’t know.”
After saying that, he turned and said to the dazed waiter, “Thank you.”
The waiter was probably new. After hearing this, he realized his big employer was standing next to him, so he quickly lowered his head, no longer daring to glance at Zhou Chaosheng’s standout face, and nervously replied “You’re welcome” before hurriedly leaving.
Liu Chaotian’s gaze slightly darkened, but his face wore a just-right smile. He raised his own glass and lightly clinked it with Zhou Chaosheng’s champagne glass.
Ding.
The crisp sound made when the glass rims touched.
“President Zhou’s words are really tantalizing. Is there still something in Jingdu that I don’t know?”
Liu Chaotian was thirty-six this year. Among the usual industry seniors in their fifties or sixties, he was considered young and promising. But when going up against Zhou Chaosheng—who was nine years younger and also a storm-maker in the industry—his experience seemed a bit lacking. Plus, blind media and reporters often compared him with Zhou Chaosheng. From company to personal aspects, Zhou Chaosheng’s hardware and skills were mocked by industry insiders as “crushing him in all aspects.”
From various events, it was clear Liu Chaotian didn’t quite like Zhou Chaosheng as a person.
“Of course I believe President Liu knows Jingdu top to bottom like the back of his hand, but…”
“But?”
Zhou Chaosheng smiled slightly, continuing: “But this matter didn’t happen here.”
Liu Chaotian swirled his glass: “Then where did it happen?”
“Jinzhou.”
After speaking, Zhou Chaosheng expressionlessly observed the other’s micro-expressions and body movements. But to his surprise, Liu Chaotian’s emotions showed no flaws, as if the car accident had nothing to do with him.
But Zhou Chaosheng didn’t conclude from this, and continued probing.
Liu Chaotian’s gaze moved from the glass to Zhou Chaosheng’s face, repeated: “Jinzhou?” After saying that, he seemed to find it funny, and continued: “That’s someone else’s territory, President Zhou. I think you might be mistaken. My hands don’t reach that far.”
Zhou Chaosheng didn’t get angry at this veiled jab, but replied slowly: “Jinzhou’s forces are a mix of dragons and snakes. It’s inevitable that a few big prawns disguised as little fish slip in. Unfortunately, I happen to be the little fish whose eye got pecked by a big prawn.”
Liu Chaotian said with a fake smile: “President Zhou actually calls himself a little fish? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard this year. What does that make the others, fish feed?”
“President Liu, I can’t agree with that. As is well known, fish feed is actually very versatile. Not only can it be used to make efficient organic fertilizer, it can also significantly improve the yield and quality of flowers and fruit trees. Plus, with advanced technology now, high-quality protein can be extracted from fish feed for use in food additives and health products, achieving high-value utilization of resources.”
Zhou Chaosheng looked at Liu Chaotian’s darkening face, half-smiling as he added the final sentence: “Of course, it might not necessarily be eaten by the little fish. After all, a fish’s appetite is just that tiny, while the feed is countless… Do you think I’m right, President Liu?”
Liu Chaotian’s face sank: “President Zhou is so knowledgeable, I dare not accept the praise.”
“Not at all,” Zhou Chaosheng said modestly: “Speaking of expertise, I’m just showing off in front of a master, President Liu.”
After hearing this, Liu Chaotian’s expression could no longer be called simply unpleasant. It was as if his whole face had collapsed, just short of tearing into Zhou Chaosheng on the spot.
In the industry, only a small number of people knew that Liu Chaotian got into Stanford in the past by relying on sniping a spot. Before that, he was once obsessed with collecting and studying artificially manipulated deformed animals—such as three-headed snakes and three-headed turtles. When his father found out, he was so furious he nearly broke his legs, saying he was fooling around instead of doing anything serious. After that, Liu Shaowei began imposing various strict controls over him, even using underhanded and forceful methods to push him into the position, making him the current leader and CEO of Shengda.
These things were Liu Chaotian’s dark past. In all his life, no one had ever dared to bring up this kind of disgrace in front of him except for Zhou Chaosheng, this guy who didn’t know his place.
Having had his sore spot stepped on, Liu Chaotian had little patience left to waste more words with this young punk. He directly said, “President Zhou, you’re a smart man. Let’s stop beating around the bush.”
Of course, Zhou Chaosheng wouldn’t speak plainly and continued circling around: “I heard President Liu is currently working on a major new energy project?”
Liu Chaotian looked at him cautiously: “President Zhou, what exactly are you trying to say?”
“Don’t be nervous, President Liu. I was just having tea with my second uncle and happened to hear a word or two from his mouth.”
How could Liu Chaotian not know what position Zhou Chaosheng’s second uncle held in the government? And as it happened, the person responsible for reviewing and approving his project was one of Zhou Yanqing’s trusted aides. If the other party wanted to cause trouble and block his document, it would be as easy as lifting a finger.
—Zhou Chaosheng had come with ill intent.
Realizing this, Liu Chaotian’s gaze suddenly turned cold: “So you’re threatening me now?”
“How could you think that, President Liu?” Zhou Chaosheng showed a surprised expression. “My second uncle has been upright and clean all his life, honest and low-profile. Even my father couldn’t make him change his principles, let alone a junior like me. Rest assured, President Liu, I would never joke about my uncle’s reputation. As long as there’s nothing wrong with your paperwork, everything’s fine.”
The first half was okay, but the second half made Liu Chaotian almost curse out loud on the spot. What did he mean by “as long as your paperwork has no problem”? Was Zhou Chaosheng planning to blatantly mess with his project? Damn it, he even said it wasn’t a threat. This was basically stepping on his head with a gun to his temple.
“Zhou Chaosheng, what exactly do you want?” Liu Chaotian asked with a dark expression, gritting his teeth word by word.
Seeing the reaction was about right, Zhou Chaosheng pulled back just in time: “Then let’s return to the previous question. President Liu, are you the big prawn?”
Liu Chaotian was stunned: “What big prawn?”
Zhou Chaosheng stared into his eyes without answering.
Liu Chaotian, realizing belatedly, recalled Zhou Chaosheng’s earlier metaphor, then connected it with Jinzhou—instantly recalling the car accident that happened there eight months ago. His expression shifted. Looking at Zhou Chaosheng again, there was a bit of anger: “You suspect I was behind it?”
Zhou Chaosheng didn’t take the bait: “President Liu, I never said that.”
But Liu Chaotian couldn’t match Zhou Chaosheng’s ability to stay calm. Just from that response, he knew he’d guessed right.
“President Zhou.” Liu Chaotian steadied his breath and switched to official tone, trying to be as calm as possible. He carefully chose his words and explained, “I think you may have misunderstood me. Even if we’ve had some friction in the past, it’s not to the point of wanting to take your life. Besides think about it, what good would it do me? Getting rid of a competitor? Come on, this is a law-governed society. I’m not stupid enough to throw away my future and my current position for this. If the Zhou family found out, I’d be the next one to go, wouldn’t I?”
Zhou Chaosheng looked into his eyes and finally confirmed that he wasn’t lying. He casually nodded, then uttered a name: “Yan Yikuan.”
Liu Chaotian shook his head: “Don’t know him.”
Zhou Chaosheng: “If you don’t know him, then why is he in contact with Song Guoyuan?”
Song Guoyuan was a deputy general manager at a subsidiary of Shengda.
Liu Chaotian frowned slightly: “That happened? Do you have proof?”
Zhou Chaosheng knew he wouldn’t admit it. He turned and held out his hand. Wiesen, very perceptively, placed a prepared document envelope into Zhou Chaosheng’s palm.
Liu Chaotian looked at the dark brown envelope, eyes narrowing: “What’s that?”
Zhou Chaosheng: “The evidence you asked for.”
Liu Chaotian withdrew his gaze: “Even if it’s real, what does it prove?”
Zhou Chaosheng chuckled: “At the very least, it proves that my car accident isn’t completely unrelated to Shengda.”
Liu Chaotian was finally witnessing Zhou Chaosheng’s unreasonable persistence. He sighed helplessly: “President Zhou, have you ever thought maybe someone’s just trying to smear Shengda?”
Zhou Chaosheng raised an eyebrow: “Then you’ll need to provide evidence, President Liu. If not, I’ll assume it was Shengda’s doing.”
Liu Chaotian: “…”
Zhou Chaosheng placed the file on a tall cocktail table beside him. Two long fingers pushed it forward until it touched Liu Chaotian’s arm resting on the table. He chuckled lightly: “President Liu, I’m short on patience. I hope you can find the evidence soon. Let’s not let this misunderstanding grow deeper, until it’s beyond repair.”
Liu Chaotian: “…”
Before leaving, Zhou Chaosheng gently patted Liu Chaotian’s stiff shoulder and said warmly, “President Liu, I’ll take my leave. Until next time.”
Liu Chaotian: “…”
He forced out a smile: “Goodbye, President Zhou.”
Five minutes later, watching Zhou Chaosheng’s figure disappear through the door, Liu Chaotian finally exploded after holding back his anger all night. He raised his hand and smashed his wine glass on the ground.
Clang!
Everyone nearby jumped back in fright. Some even screamed.
With a dark expression, Liu Chaotian ignored the chaos at the banquet, waved a bodyguard over, and whispered coldly in his ear: “Get Xu Zhener here right now.”
Five minutes later, a man hurried down the stairs: “President Liu, what happened? Who upset you this badly?”
Liu Chaotian let out a cold laugh: “Who else?”
Xu Zhener dared not speak again.
Liu Chaotian didn’t want to waste more words and directly ordered, “Go investigate Zhou Chaosheng’s car accident—find out who was behind it. Focus on Song Guoyuan. I want to see who dared to mess around right under my nose…”
If it weren’t for someone secretly pulling strings, how could he have been forced to lower his head in front of Zhou Chaosheng today?
Absolutely disgraceful.
—
On the other side, after leaving the banquet hall and getting into the car driven by his bodyguard, Zhou Chaosheng picked up his phone and called one of his people far away in Jinzhou.
The call connected quickly. “Young Master.”
“Uncle Xu, starting tomorrow, arrange a few people to follow Jiang Yuanye.”
Xu Guang was briefly stunned. “Follow him all day?”
Zhou Chaosheng responded with a hum. “I’m worried someone might try to harm him.”
Xu Guang: “…..."
"Young Master, are you planning to sack President Jiang and drag him into an alley to secretly beat him up?”
Zhou Chaosheng paused for a moment and said, “Uncle Xu, you’re overthinking it. I just want to protect him.”
Xu Guang: "......"
Zhou Chaosheng didn’t explain much more. “Alright, that’s all. I’m hanging up.”
On the other end, Xu Guang who had just been hung up on: “….."
What the hell did I just hear?