"Acquiring Berkeley, now that’s a huge deal!"
"President Lin’s boldness is really beyond our imagination. Most importantly, he’s so young, only in his twenties. The average person just doesn’t have what it takes."
"Only in his twenties!"
"That’s why we’re so impressed. At least, I know I don’t have that kind of guts."
Huang Youwei took a sip of tea, glanced at the Chunghwa cigarettes and Maotai liquor on the floor, and said,
"However, President Lin definitely won’t be handling this personally. His friend will surely be meeting with us to discuss the specific plans. I’ll be sure to put in a good word for President Pan."
Huang Youwei had this spiel down pat.
After all, quite a few people had already come looking for him these past few days.
"President Huang, do you have the contact information for that designer? I’d like to get in touch with her."
"I actually don’t have it, but one of our VPs might know. Let me ask her."
With that, Huang Youwei dialed He Jing’s number.
"President He, I wanted to ask you about something. Do you have the contact info for President Lin’s friend, the designer?"
Others might not have known about the relationship between Lin Jiang and He Jing, but Huang Youwei was crystal clear on it.
Which is why he was extremely polite when he spoke.
"She’s here?"
"Okay, okay, I understand."
After hanging up, Huang Youwei looked at Pan Shengli.
"Your timing is perfect. Our President Lin is discussing this very matter with his designer friend right now."
Pan Shengli and Pan Yongbin’s eyes lit up. "President Huang, is there any chance we could meet President Lin and the designer?"
"Meeting our President Lin probably wouldn’t be convenient," Huang Youwei said.
"I’ll be frank. President Lin could spend over a billion to acquire Berkeley—you know what his status is. You, me... we’re not in the same league as him. Even if you did meet, President Lin wouldn’t be interested in a long chat. Think about it, doesn’t that make sense?"
Pan Shengli nodded. "Indeed."
The man drops over a billion in one go, while he had to beg and plead just to get a project worth tens of millions. The gap between them was like a chasm. What Huang Youwei said wasn’t meant to be demeaning.
"You can’t meet President Lin, but I think meeting his designer friend might be possible. As for how the talks go, that will depend on your methods, President Pan."
"I understand what you mean, President Huang. Just giving us a chance is enough."
"President Lin and the others are probably discussing it now. I’m guessing that after they finish, they’ll hold a meeting with us executives. I’ll try to get you an answer as soon as possible. Wait for my call."
"Then thank you for your help, President Huang."
"It’s nothing. Don’t mention it."
RING RING RING—
Huang Youwei’s phone rang.
"It’s President Lin calling me."
The Pan father and son held their breath, afraid of disturbing Huang Youwei as he answered the phone.
"Yes, yes, okay. I’ll be right over."
After that brief reply, Huang Youwei hung up and looked at Pan Shengli, saying,
"President Lin wants me to go over. It should be about coordinating the renovation project. I can’t stay with you any longer. Wait for my call."
"Then we won’t disturb you any further, President Huang. But rest assured, we’ll do what needs to be done. We understand the etiquette."
"You’re too kind, President Pan. Just wait for my call."
"Okay."
They shook hands, and the Pan father and son left. But they didn’t leave in a hurry; instead, they started wandering around the first floor.
"Dad, do you think there’s any hope for this?"
"There’s definitely hope, but we don’t know how much. It will depend on the designer’s attitude."
Pan Shengli looked up and said, "Let’s go. They sell bird’s nest over there. Let’s go buy some."
"Are you buying bird’s nest for Mom?"
"Not for your mother. It’s for President Lin’s designer friend. We have to bring something for our first meeting. We can’t show up empty-handed."
Pan Yongbin nodded, understanding the logic.
"It’s true what they say: a higher rank can crush you. Dad, you’re a respected figure yourself, yet now you have to give a gift to a designer. SIGH..."
"There’s nothing to be done about it. Things like fate are determined the day you’re born."
Pan Shengli said,
"To splurge over a billion in his twenties to buy Berkeley... he has a level of boldness and wealth that we simply can’t compare to. If you want to make money from him, you naturally have to be more polite. You need to understand this."
"I know," Pan Yongbin said.
"But to be that capable in your twenties... it really makes you envious."
"Envy is useless. You need to learn from people like him. That’s how you’ll grow and become stronger."
"Dad, don’t worry. Once I take over the family business, I’ll definitely take the company to a new level."
"That’s all I need to hear."
After lunch, the two of them went to the office. He Jing thoughtfully brought them some tea.
"This woman is something else."
Watching He Jing’s retreating back, Liang Shuhuo commented, sizing her up.
"Her figure is ’something else’? You two seem to be about the same age."
"Hey, that’s not what I meant! I mean she really knows how to handle things. I’ve been here a few times, and she always shows up right away to bring you tea."
Liang Shuhuo looked at Lin Jiang. "Brother, have you had any ’unspoken arrangements’ with her?"
"Yup."
Liang Shuhuo: ...
Lin Jiang’s bluntness left Liang Shuhuo completely speechless.
"Brother, you could at least pretend to be a little modest."
"I’m this rich. Who still plays the innocent young boy routine?" Lin Jiang said nonchalantly.
"You touched me last time, and now you’re off touching other girls. You’re such a player, brother."
"What, feeling a little jealous?"
"Yes, I am," Liang Shuhuo said, deliberately putting on a cutesy, high-pitched voice.
"Then I’ll give you a bite too, so you can find your balance."
"Hee hee hee..."
Liang Shuhuo laughed so hard her "big white rabbits" jiggled, instantly understanding Lin Jiang’s meaning.

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