Jiang Yongran finishes the Hennessy in his glass and takes a deep breath.
He lost. It is surprising that he lost in this way!
He even doesn’t know how it comes to end up in this result!
He pours the glass full again for himself. He has just taken up the glass when his phone rings.
It is a strange number.
At the moment, Jiang Yongran is in a bad mood. He forcefully presses to hang up the phone. Then, he takes up the glass and drinks half of the wine.
His phone rings again. It is the strange number again.
Jiang Yongran frowns. He puts his thumb on the Hang Up bottom, but surprisingly, he presses the answer button.
“Who is that?”
The caller gently laughs, “I call at the wrong time. It seems that General Manager Jiang is in a bad mood.”
Hearing the voice, Jiang Yongran feels surprised. It sounds familiar as if he heard of it before…
Yes, the voice of the man he met last evening: Gu Luan!
Jiang Yongran grits his teeth. He has the desire to give a forceful punch on Gu Luan. He says, “Director Gu, you directly reported the accident happened last evening. You are fond of making use of rumors for advertising!”
“Oh? Do you think I made that report published?”
Jiang Yongran forcefully puts down the glass, “I don’t care which bastard did that. Anyway, he is from your industry! Director Gu, did you build your reputation in this way?”
“I think there are some misunderstandings between us. As to the person who provided the information for the report, I am still investigating it. The report does no good to all of us. General Manager Jiang, you may calm down and think about it carefully.”
Jiang Yongran snorts, “Gu Luan, I don’t want to argue with you. Anyway, your subordinate Xia Ning is a tough woman. She really surprises me!”
Gu Luan feels confused to hear his words, “What happened? What’s wrong with Ning?”
“Director Gu, you are pretending that you don’t know it? Your assistant is really tricky!”
Gu Luan is aware that Jiang Yongran is emotional. He says, “General Manager Jiang, if you don’t mind, shall we choose a time and talk about it face to face?”
“What do we need to talk about? Xia Ning is your subordinate. No matter how we talk, it is impossible for you to turn partial to me!”
“Seemingly, you have some problems with Ning. How about we meet at eight this evening? I won’t bother you long…”
“No need! I have other appointments this evening!”
Gu Luan realizes that Jiang Yongran is going to hang up. He says hurriedly, “Wait! General Manager Jiang. I want to meet you for issues not only about Ning, but also about Junhao Group.”
Jiang Yongran pauses his hand. He calms down a little, “What do you mean?”
“It’s inconvenient to talk on the phone. At 8 o’clock in the evening, I’ll wait for you in XX hotel. Please take the time to come over.”
After thinking for a while, Jiang Yongran said, “OK. I’ll meet you there.”
He wants to know what this director of World Era Weekly wants to do!
After all, Xia Ning is hired by Zhou Mengyao. Even though Jiang Yongran feels displeased, he has to keep patient and hand over his work to Xia Ning. When he leaves the company, Jiang Yongran glances at the clock. It is almost eight in the evening.
He gets to the place Gu Luan mentioned and goes directly into the hotel.
Inside the presidential suite, Gu Luan has been waiting there for him.
“General Manager Jiang, good evening.” Gu Luan sees him. He stands up and holds out his hand to Jiang Yongran.
“You may save the formula.” There is a special circumstance today. Jiang Yongran is very upset. He even doesn’t glance at Gu Luan but goes directly to sit down.
Gu Luan holds his hand in the air. He smiles in embarrassment. At the time, a waiter comes in and serves some dishes and the wine.
Gu Luan pours a glass of wine for Jiang Yongran. Jing Yongran holds up the glass and finishes it at once. Gu Luan feels very confused. He pours another glass for Jiang Yongran, “General Manager Jiang has been in the business for so many years. What makes you so upset?”
Jiang Yongran stares at Gu Luan. He knows that even if he doesn’t tell, Gu Luan will find out the truth sooner or later. So, he responds angrily, “It is because of the damn report. Zhou Mengyao gives me a long vacation while my job will be handed over to Xia Ning and An Zihao!”
Jiang Yongran finishes his words. He lifts his head to drink up the wine.
Gu Luan feels surprised. Based on the words, Jiang Yongran is suspended from his duty by Zhou Mengyao for now.
No wonder he is so upset.
“Oh. It is because of that incident. I understand.” Gu Luan nods. He drinks a mouthful of the wine.
Jiang Yongran is aware of Gu Luan’s reluctance. He asks, “Didn’t you say that you have something to talk about with me? I am here. What’s it? Go ahead. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Gu Luan glances at Jiang Yongran. He asks meaningfully, “You have been working in Junhao Group for almost ten years, haven’t you?”
“Hum.”
“Though we have some misunderstandings, I hope you don’t mind. I ask you to meet today to talk about a deal with you.”
“A deal? About what?”
Gu Luan takes out a file. He passes it to Jiang Yongran, “This is the detailed information of Junhao Group’s shareholders. Based on the distribution, Zhou Mengyao’s share accounts for 40% of the total. She is the executive president of Junhao Group. An Zihao and you hold 10% of the shares respectively. You three combined hold 60% of the total. President Jiang, have you ever imagined that one day, you may be able to be the executive president?”
Gu Luan’s words get right in the target of Jiang Yongran’s dream. Jiang Yongran’s hand holding the glass slightly trembles. He glances at Gu Luan suspiciously. He takes the file but he doesn’t open it. Instead, he drops it on the table, “Director Gu, your joke goes too far. To be honest, both I and An Zihao, and any other shareholders all want to be the president. But it is not something to be given just because we want. If it is possible, in the last ten years, An Zihao would have taken the post, let alone me. What makes you think that you have the authority to discuss about Junhao Group?”
Gu Luan slightly lifts his lips, “Yes. General Manager Jiang, what you say is right. Zhou Mengyao is tough. Unless she leaves, you and An Zihao have to wait. It is not known how long you may need to wait. But I am afraid that even if Zhou Mengyao leaves, the successor won’t be you or An Zihao. That will be bad.”
Jiang Yongran feels shocked to hear his words. He asks, “What do you mean?”
Gu Luan sticks up two fingers, “Xia Ning.”
Jiang Yongran widens his eyes.
What? Zhou Mengyao wants to make Xia Ning the successor?
It gets complicated. Unconsciously, Jiang Yongran gives out some cold sweats on his forehead. But he pretends to be calm, “Director Gu, isn’t Xia Ning your subordinate? It is not something you can make the rumor by unreasonable guess. In the business world, strategies replace themselves again and again. Director Gu, you need to say things with evidence. Or, how can it be convincing? Though I am not a very reliable man, I am rational in serious issues. Director Gu, what on earth do you ask me to meet here for?”
“General Manager Jiang, I appreciate what you have said. I want to tell you that Zhou Mengyao came to meet me some days ago. She signed a contract with me. The purpose was simple. She wanted to borrow someone from me. It was Xia Ning. General Manager Jiang, you may think about it. Will Zhou Mengyao hire Xia Ning for no reason?”
Jiang Yongran turns silent. He makes no responses to Gu Luan’s question.
“I haven’t known you for a long time. It is understandable that you don’t trust me. Well…” Gu Luan takes out a contract and puts it in front of Jiang Yongran, “Shall we sign a contract? So, you will have some guarantee legally and you don’t need to be worried.”
Jiang Yongran thinks for a while. He puts down the glass and takes up the contract to read. His eyes brighten at once! He looks at Gu Luan in disbelief, “How do you learn all these?”
Gu Luan smiles, “I work in the newspaper industry. Collecting information is what I am best at.”
Jing Yongran holds the contract. His eyes gleam.
If what Gu Luan said is true, it is not difficult for him to take Zhou Mengyao’s position.
But why does Gu Luan help him?
“Director Gu, as you have just said, we haven’t known each other for long. Why do you help me?”
Gu Luan freezes the smile on his face. He darkens his eyes, “Because of someone.”
It is because of someone who he wants to cherish and love all his life!
The next day, Jiang Yongran goes for his vacation. Xia Ning suddenly gets a lot of work to do. It is impossible for her to make a delay with excuses. She can’t but go to ask An Zihao for help.
Surprisingly, An Zihao is not hard on her. He answers her questions as much as he can in detail. He is totally different from his usual indifference.
With the help of An Zihao, Xia Ning works for a whole day and doesn’t feel it is very hard.
However, she eats more food and tends to be tired more easily. Almost every two hours, she will feel hungry. After she finishes eating, she needs to have a nap. Luckily, Junhao Group is large enough. She always chooses some hidden small rooms to rest. Or, if someone else sees her, there may be some rumors to spread.
In the following days, An Zihao patiently teaches her how to deal with her work. Xia Ning studies hard. However, no matter how much An Zihao teaches in detail, Xia Ning feels that he is very deep and unpredictable, as if he is a black hole, which may swallow her inside one day.
Anyway, it is good in one aspect. The busy work keeps Xia Ning from missing Yi Yunrui too much. It is miserable to be missing him all the time. Xia Ning wishes she could be busier, so that she will be able to fall asleep once she goes to bed. That is best for her.
After collecting her things, Xia Ning glances at the time. It is eight in the evening. She finally finishes her work of the day.
She can’t help giving a yawn. Xia Ning turns her neck, wondering why she feels so tired recently…
At the time, Xia Ning’s phone rings. It is a strange number.
“Hello…”
“Is that Miss Xia Ning speaking?”
The voice sounds official, vaguely with undeniable authority. Xia Ning feels confused, “Hum. This is Xia Ning. Who is that?”
“Miss Xia, my surname is Cheng. I am an official of the Central Discipline Inspection Department. You are expected to provide some assistance to us in a case.”
