WSIDIILMBOCIR Chapter 5
by VolareThe current relationship between Qin Yuanging and Li Chongge could only be described as somewhat eased. To say that they had genuinely returned to their previous state without any lingering resentment would be a bit of a stretch.
An invisible barrier had formed between them, one that even the two involved parties couldn’t quite articulate.
However, this neither-too-close-nor-too-distant relationship was just right for Qin Yuanging.
It allowed him to see Li Chongge often without fostering unrealistic fantasies due to excessive closeness.
Regarding Li Chongge’s magnanimity, Qin Yuanging thought that someone like him probably wouldn’t deign to haggle over trivial matters.
There were still some details between Kewei and Mingfan that hadn’t been completely finalized, so the resort project was merely a preliminary concept and not yet ready to launch.
But Qin Yuanging wasn’t slacking. He spent a lot of money to hire two well-known designers to oversee the project, ready to move at any time.
He also recruited several recent college graduates. Although they lacked experience, they were highly adaptable and had a spark.
He received another call from Li Chongge a week later.
Kewei’s office area was vast. A first-timer would surely get lost in the enormous parking lot, but Qin Yuanging was familiar enough to find his exclusive parking space with ease.
That’s right, Qin Yuanging had an exclusive parking space at Kewei.
In the past, Qin Yuanging would appear in Li Chongge’s office almost every other day, sometimes because he encountered a problem he needed help with, sometimes to ask him out for a meal, and sometimes simply because he was bored and didn’t know who to hang out with, so he would simply mooch off Li Chongge.
But getting into Li Chongge’s office wasn’t that easy. Seeing that his three secretaries were being overwhelmed, Li Chongge directly gave Qin Yuanging internal permissions, allowing Qin Yuanging to have his exclusive parking space in Kewei’s core area and to take Li Chongge’s private elevator directly to the office.
Therefore, at that time, Qin Yuanging went to Li Chongge’s office more often than he went to his own.
It was just that Qin Yuanging didn’t understand his own feelings then, mistakenly defining his dependence on Li Chongge as friendship, and recklessly enjoying Li Chongge’s kindness.
Two years later, Qin Yuanging’s parking space was still there, but he couldn’t enter Li Chongge’s private elevator.
Secretary Liu came down to pick him up.
Secretary Liu was a typical elite white-collar worker, dressed in a neat and professional suit, her makeup always flawless, and even the curve of her lips was just right.
She was a very excellent woman.
“Mr. Qin.”
Secretary Liu held a card and swiped it to open the elevator for Qin Yuanging.
“Li is in a short meeting, it will probably be over in fifteen minutes. Please wait in his office for a moment.”
“It’s okay, I’ll wait for him in the reception room outside his office later. You go ahead with your work and don’t worry about me.”
Secretary Liu still smiled politely.
“Li said you can wait in his office. I’ve already made coffee for you, and your favorite fresh apple juice.”
This was Qin Yuanging’s personal preference. He didn’t like eating apples, but he loved drinking fresh apple juice.
Originally, fresh juice wasn’t an option on the tea and water menu in Li Chongge’s office, but because of Qin Yuanging’s frequent visits, a juicer was quietly delivered to Secretary Liu.
Surprised by Secretary Liu’s thoughtfulness and good memory, Qin Yuanging sincerely exclaimed, “Secretary Liu, you’re so nice.”
He would be satisfied if his secretary had half of Secretary Liu’s professionalism and insight.
Secretary Liu: “…You’re too kind.”
When he entered Li Chongge’s office, it was indeed empty.
Secretary Liu closed the door and left, and Qin Yuanging sat somewhat awkwardly on the reception sofa directly opposite Li Chongge’s desk.
He used to come and go freely in this office and was very familiar with it. Although the furniture arrangement hadn’t changed much, it now seemed strangely unfamiliar.
Qin Yuanging would never have sat properly on the sofa before, either half-lying or sprawled on it, as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
Li Chongge was busy with his own things, while Qin Yuanging entertained himself.
Although Qin Yuanging also had his own things to do, he wasn’t nearly as busy as Li Chongge.
First, the Qin family’s business wasn’t nearly as large as the Li family’s, so there weren’t as many things to handle.
Second, Qin Yuanging had his father to support him, and he still had a few years of leisure to enjoy, but Li Chongge had taken on the burden early on.
After taking a few sips of apple juice, Qin Yuanging took out his phone and began to deal with work messages.
When Li Chongge pushed the door open and came in, he couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at Qin Yuanging, who was sitting properly on the sofa.
“Don’t you ask me why I called you here?”
Li Chongge put the documents in his hand on the desk and turned to ask Qin Yuanging.
When Qin Yuanging received Li Chongge’s call, he used only a businesslike tone to say seven words.
“Come to my office.”
As for the reason, he didn’t mention a word.
But Qin Yuanging didn’t care about the reason anyway.
Qin Yuanging put away his phone, met Li Chongge’s questioning gaze, and replied with a smile, “Your time is valuable. You always have something to ask me for. Rather than talking unclearly on the phone, it’s better to ask you in person.”
“I’m going to Jiang City on a business trip tomorrow.”
Qin Yuanging was confused.
“And then?”
“Kewei has a client there who runs a chain of hotels. They will be opening a new one in Jing City this year. Do you want to negotiate a deal with them?”
Now Qin Yuanging understood that Li Chongge was introducing a client to him, taking the initiative to be the middleman and connect them.
Originally, Qin Yuanging subconsciously wanted to refuse. He couldn’t accept Li Chongge’s unrequited efforts with peace of mind.
But reason told Qin Yuanging that if he refused, it would definitely arouse Li Chongge’s suspicion.
Li Chongge’s reputation was valuable. With him stepping in, Huichuang securing this business was basically a certainty. Rejecting the benefit that was already in his grasp was something that Qin Yuanging couldn’t justify.
Moreover, Qin Yuanging was essentially a businessman, and he couldn’t afford to miss such an opportunity.
“Of course, when do we leave?”
“In an hour.”
After Li Chongge finished speaking, he sat back at his desk, seemingly having something to deal with.
Qin Yuanging regretted coming so early. Although he did want to see Li Chongge, spending an hour alone with him made him unsure where to look.
So he had to take out his phone and send a message to Jiang Muyuan, asking her to recommend a decent restaurant in Jiang City. Since Li Chongge was introducing him to resources, it was only right that he treat him to a meal.
Thinking that he would be with Li Chongge for the next seven or eight hours, Qin Yuanging felt that it was a kind of torture for him.
A happy torture, that is.