"Officer, take a look at this," Lin Jiang said, pointing at the computer.
"He pointed his finger at me, and in the process, knocked the computer off the counter. It hit one of our employees, and then he called me to step outside."
From the officer’s angle, it didn’t look like Pan Yongbin had pushed it. It seemed more like a light touch.
It was a bit hard to see, but the computer definitely fell.
"Officer, please let me explain! I really didn’t do it. We were the ones being threatened! We’re the victims here."
"The surveillance footage is right here," the officer said. "It clearly shows you threatening him. How are you the victim? You tell me."
"On my way in just now, I took a specific look. There are no cameras in the area by the back door. You must have cased the place beforehand before calling him over, didn’t you? You’ve certainly got some experience with this."
"But—"
"Enough with the ’buts.’ You’re coming with us!"
Whether Pan Yongbin had actually pushed the computer was no longer important.
He had threatened the noodle shop owner and called him outside alone. That alone was enough to constitute "picking a fight and provoking trouble."
Without giving them a chance to argue, the police escorted the two men out of the noodle shop and into the waiting police car.
"Brother Jiang," Yang Tao said as he came out, "After this incident, they should be locked up for a few days. But I expect Lin Jiansheng will make a move soon."
"That’s a given," Lin Jiang said. "But we won’t make the first move. Whoever acts first is at a disadvantage. We’ll just focus on our own business and counter their moves as they come."
"But remember, if they ever show up and I’m not here, you call me immediately. No matter what."
"Got it."
With the minor disturbance over, Lin Jiang called Huang Youwei.
The district leadership was coming for an inspection in a few days, so he needed to get some information beforehand.
"President Lin, I was just about to call you."
"What’s up?"
"Remember how we mentioned the district leaders were coming for an inspection? The date’s been set for tomorrow at 10 AM. Do you have a moment now? I’d like to discuss it with you."
"That’s what I was calling you about. I’m at the noodle shop. Come over."
"Yes, of course. I’ll head over right away."
CLICK-CLACK-CLICK—
He had just hung up the phone when he heard the CLICK-CLACK of high heels. Liang Shuhuo had appeared before him.
"Back already?"
"Don’t ask. I’m going to need a bowl of your pan-seared steak over rice to console me."
"Alright. There’s an empty seat by the window."
"And I’ll take a glass of sour plum juice, too."
"Go on, have a seat."
"Okay."
After telling the kitchen to prepare the pan-seared steak over rice, Lin Jiang brought the sour plum juice over to Liang Shuhuo.
"So what happened? Must be serious if you need pan-seared steak over rice to soothe your soul."
Liang Shuhuo threw up her hands. "I didn’t even get to see him. It’s a lost cause."
"It’s normal not to get a meeting. It’s not like he was going to wait around just for you."
"Saying I didn’t get to see him isn’t quite right. The truth is, he had no intention of seeing me at all."
Liang Shuhuo said, sipping her sour plum juice,
"I saw the designer from Mo Shu talking with the mall’s general manager when I got there. They seemed to be getting along great. By the time they finished and I went to talk to him, he just said he was busy and completely ignored me."
"He ignored our lovely Miss Liang?"
"Maybe I was dressed too prim and proper. Not as provocative as that woman."
"Who? The designer from Mo Shu?"
Liang Shuhuo nodded. "Mo Shu Design is one of the top firms in the industry, and that Miao Xin is an expert at playing those kinds of games. She probably got to him first and sweet-talked him."
"So, you’re just going to give up like that?"
"No way! My big bro is so amazing, and you basically run this neighborhood. You have to get revenge for me."
"And how would I do that?"
Liang Shuhuo’s eyes narrowed, a sly glint appearing in them.
"Use the ol’ handsome-man-honey-trap on her. Toy with her emotions and break her heart. That’ll be my revenge."
"And here I thought you were going to ask for my help in landing the project. I didn’t expect this kind of scheme."
"Am I the kind of person who asks the impossible? A project this big is beyond your capabilities," Liang Shuhuo said.
"Let’s stick with my idea. You go work your magic, toy with her emotions, and let me have a little fun."
"Why go through all that trouble? I could just make *you* feel good directly. We’d be cutting out the middleman."
"Nope. You have to get my revenge first. Only then will I let you make me feel good."
"What if I get your revenge *and* help you land the project? What would you do then?"
Liang Shuhuo covered her mouth as she laughed. "Then I’ll let you feel good *all the time*."
"It’s a deal."
"Of course. My greatest virtue is that I always keep my word. If you can pull it off, I will absolutely deliver on my promise."
As if certain she had him hooked, Liang Shuhuo extended her pinky.
"Let’s make a pinky promise. If you can’t get my revenge, all your future design jobs are mine."
"No problem."
The two hooked their pinkies. For two adults to do something like this was surprisingly flirtatious.
Just then, the pan-seared steak over rice arrived. Liang Shuhuo picked up her spoon, her appetite suddenly surging.
Liang Shuhuo seemed to be in good spirits. Failing to land the project wasn’t about to stop her from enjoying a good meal.
’As for how long she could make him feel good... that would depend on her stamina.’
"Well, if it isn’t Director Liang. What a coincidence."
The voice interrupted Liang Shuhuo. They both turned to look.
Approaching them was a woman in a tight, hip-hugging skirt. Her hair was shoulder-length, and her curvaceous figure exuded an air of seductive charm.
"Director Miao, you’re here to eat too? This is my friend’s restaurant. Order whatever you like. It’s on me, I’ll save you some money."
Lin Jiang sized up the woman. ’This must be the Miao Xin that Liang Shuhuo was talking about.’
’High heels and a short skirt... that outfit definitely is provocative.’
"It’s just a bowl of noodles, I wouldn’t want to trouble Director Liang," Miao Xin said. "I’m dead set on winning this project. With the commission I’ll be making, I should be the one treating you."
"The bidding hasn’t even started. What makes you so sure the project is yours?" Lin Jiang interjected.
"Is this your assistant?" Miao Xin asked, looking at Liang Shuhuo. "What are your hiring standards? He sounds a bit unprofessional."
Miao Xin sized up Lin Jiang, her words dripping with insinuation.
"Director Liang doesn’t just hire based on a pretty face, does she?"
"He’s the owner of this noodle shop," Liang Shuhuo clarified. "And my friend."
"Oh, I see."
’Looking at Lin Jiang again, he was much more appealing. He really was quite handsome.’
"You’re in the restaurant business, so you wouldn’t understand this industry," Miao Xin said to Lin Jiang. "Landing projects is all about connections. I’ve already taken care of that, so the project is as good as mine."
"The person you’re talking about must be Huang Youwei, right? Funny you should mention it, I know him too."
Both women turned to look at Lin Jiang, their expressions starkly different.
"So what if you know him?" Miao Xin scoffed. "Do you really think your opinion carries any weight on a project this big?"
"We get along pretty well. You never know, it might just make a difference."
"Then suit yourself."
The noodle shop was a viral sensation online, and Miao Xin had originally intended to try the food.
But since he was friends with Liang Shuhuo, she decided against eating here.
"Sir," she said to Lin Jiang, "since you two are friends, she must have designed the decor for your restaurant, right?"
"You guessed it."
"I feel like the design is a little lacking. A lot of the details are unrefined. When you’re ready to open a new branch, you should come to me. I’ll give you a 20% discount, and my design fee is cheaper than hers, too."
With that, Miao Xin handed him a business card. "Remember to call me, okay?"
Liang Shuhuo rolled her eyes, cursing silently. ’Flat-chested and no ass. As if my big bro would ever be interested in you.’
Just then, Huang Youwei’s voice cut in.
"President Lin."
Seeing Huang Youwei approach, Miao Xin composed herself.
"President Huang, are you here for a meal? What a coincidence, so am I. Let’s eat together, and we can chat some more about the project."
Now that Huang Youwei had arrived, the perceptive Miao Xin quickly changed her tune.
Communicating with Huang Youwei was far more important than bickering with her rival.
"We can discuss that later," Huang Youwei said. "I’m here to see President Lin."
Huang Youwei walked right up to Lin Jiang and said tentatively,
"President Lin, should we find somewhere more private to talk?"

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