"Brother Jiang."
Seeing Lin Jiang enter, Li Yuanyuan came out.
"Brother Jiang, look over by the window."
Following Li Yuanyuan’s gaze, Lin Jiang saw Lin Qiangwei sitting there.
She had changed into a black dress, its sexy allure undiminished.
"She came over at noon looking for you. I told her you weren’t here and I didn’t know when you’d be back. After she finished eating, she just sat there waiting," Li Yuanyuan said.
"I see. Go on, get back to work."
"One more thing," Li Yuanyuan said.
"That official who came for the inspection the other day—I saw him again this morning. I didn’t dare to greet him. Maybe he came because our food is good."
"Next time you see him, keep an eye out. Service and quality must be impeccable, and so must the hygiene. We can’t afford any slip-ups."
"Got it. But what about that woman?"
"In ten minutes, tell her to come find me in my office on the fifth floor."
"Got it, Brother Jiang."
Lin Jiang left the noodle shop and went to his office.
Seeing Lin Jiang arrive, He Jing followed close behind and brewed him a pot of tea.
"I approve of the black stockings today," Lin Jiang said, looking at the ones with letters on them.
"I knew you were coming, so I changed into them. I usually wear flesh-toned ones," He Jing said charmingly.
He checked He Jing’s attributes.
[Pet No. 1: He Jing]
[Hunger: 10%]
[Status: Excellent]
’Damn, her hunger is only at 10%, and her gaze is already dripping with desire.’
’She gets hungry a little too quickly.’
"A good performance."
"Thank you for the compliment, President Lin."
He Jing came before Lin Jiang, knelt down, and poured his tea.
"After the district official’s inspection, I had you all compile a report. How is that coming along?"
"It’s all done," He Jing said.
"The official specifically praised the noodle shop that day. We’re planning to set that part aside so we can use it for promotion when necessary."
"’When necessary’ is the right way to put it. When I’m opening a new branch and need to build some hype, we’ll pull it out then. The effect will be much better."
"You’re right, President Lin. There’s also one other thing..." He Jing paused.
"When I went to the shop, Yuanyuan told me she saw the official who did the inspection come back to the noodle shop to eat."
"I already heard about that from Yuanyuan," Lin Jiang said after a moment’s thought.
"You and Yuanyuan stay in touch. Next time something like this happens, you go over, say a few nice words, and ask if you can get a photo with the official. That’s all promotional material."
"Understood."
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
Hearing the knock, He Jing looked toward the door.
Just then, Lin Qiangwei pushed the door open.
"I have an appointment to discuss something here. You can leave for now."
"Understood, President Lin. Call me if you need anything."
"Alright."
He Jing left, a hint of disappointment on her face.
’She had thought that after they finished with business, President Lin might reward her a little. She hadn’t expected someone else to show up.’
As she left, He Jing gave Lin Qiangwei a polite nod. The latter responded in kind, but her eyes were sizing He Jing up.
"President Lin, you certainly live a comfortable life. Are you keeping a mistress hidden away here?"
"Let’s skip the pleasantries and get down to business."
"I’ve come today to discuss a partnership with you, President Lin."
Lin Jiang raised an eyebrow. "A partnership?"
"I am willing to sell 30% of Night Charm KTV’s shares for 2.4 million," Lin Qiangwei said.
"Alternatively, I could use 10 million to buy 30% of Haojie Clubhouse’s shares. What do you think, President Lin?"
’Night Charm KTV was quite large, focused mainly on business entertainment, and its daily revenue was considerable.’
’Buying 30% of its shares for 2.4 million would be an incredible bargain for him.’
’And her offer to buy 30% of Haojie Clubhouse for 10 million was also a deal that favored her.’
’But if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’
"Is the KTV still open for business?"
"It’s been shut down for rectification."
Lin Jiang’s expression remained unchanged; this was within his expectations.
’After they’d burst in on his meeting with the official that day, it was certain they’d get a slap on the wrist.’
’A complete shutdown was unlikely. Lin Jiansheng had been in the game for too many years; he definitely had his own connections and wouldn’t fall so easily.’
’So, a shutdown for rectification was the most predictable outcome.’
’And after that day, Lin Qiangwei must have relayed his message.’
’He didn’t want to deal with her father. As long as they stayed out of each other’s way and his KTV stayed open, things would be just as they were before, with negligible impact.’
’For Lin Qiangwei to come here today and offer him such a bargain, she probably had an ulterior motive.’
"There must be another reason. Since you’re already here, let’s just be open about it."
Lin Qiangwei leaned forward, closing the distance between them.
The ravine between them was like a black hole, drawing Lin Jiang’s gaze.
"There’s no other reason. I simply want to partner with you, President Lin."
"Is it because your father is planning to pull out?"
Lin Qiangwei’s expression stiffened, turning a little more serious. "Why would you say that, President Lin?"
"Your father was in a hurry to buy Haojie Clubhouse, which I’m guessing was to pave the way for you. But after realizing the gap between our sides, he thought of a partnership to tie us together."
Resting his head on one hand, Lin Jiang watched Lin Qiangwei with a playful look.
"But I don’t see any need to partner with you. You can’t offer me any substantial benefits. What’s the point of a partnership?"
’Lin Qiangwei knew that the man before her had a strong core; he couldn’t be won over so easily.’
"Then let’s talk about something else," Lin Qiangwei said.
"You should be careful of Lang Zhenglian."
"Him?"
"He’s been recruited by Wang Xianping; he’s not with my father anymore. Because you’re the one who got him sent to jail, he’s been holding a grudge against you."
"Who is Wang Xianping?"
"He’s from the Iron Red District. He owns a company that runs a chain of restaurants. Fuxing Noodle Shop, Doxi Barbecue, Holy Yuan Hot Pot—you’ve heard of these brands, right? He owns all of them," Lin Qiangwei said.
"Because of you, business at his most profitable noodle shops has been affected. I heard he started looking into you a long time ago."
"His shops, where are they mainly located?"
"Mostly on Fenghua Street. He has some in other places, but not many," Lin Qiangwei said.
"Now that Lang Zhenglian is working for him, he might come looking for trouble at any time."
"Fenghua Street..."
"Looks like we’re going to cross paths."
"Cross paths?"
"I’ve opened new branches in both the Xuanli District and the Fenghua District. Bumping into him is inevitable."
Lin Qiangwei’s brow furrowed.
"Why would you choose those two places?"
"Why? Can’t I?"
"Wang Xianping and Pan Shengli are both major players, and they have a very good relationship."
"Are you saying Pan Shengli will help him?"
"That’s one part of it," Lin Qiangwei said. "Pan Yongbin is Pan Shengli’s son."
"So this is your modern-day political marriage, then."
Lin Qiangwei shrugged. "It’s just mutual exploitation. They want to use this marriage to get their hands on the Lin Family assets. I don’t think Pan Yongbin is very smart; controlling him is no challenge. And so, we ended up together."
"So you haven’t told anyone that I’m the boss of Berkeley. You want to use me to get rid of them."
"That’s an exaggeration. We’re not even in the same league. I’m just a woman. What right do I have to use you, President Lin?"
Lin Qiangwei perched half her bottom on the edge of the desk.
As she sat, the already form-fitting dress was pressed into a perfect semicircle.
"I just want to stay by your side, President Lin, and learn how to do business."
"You’re an engaged woman. Don’t get hot and bothered."
Lin Qiangwei stood up, moved in front of Lin Jiang, and leaned so far over the desk that half her body was on it, nearly spilling her two "big white rabbits" out.
"Isn’t it more exciting when you score even with a goalie in the way?"
"You really fucking know the rules of the game, don’t you?"
"A woman’s job is to make a man happy, isn’t it?"
Lin Jiang reached out, hooked Lin Qiangwei’s chin, and said condescendingly:
"The man’s rule is: you’re only useful when you have value to be exploited."
Lin Qiangwei tilted her head back, feeling extremely uncomfortable under Lin Jiang’s scrutiny.
It was as if she had no secrets left before him.

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