Chapter 598: Extra 011 Trade (First Update)

Deep into the night.

The nightclub was still bustling.

Lei Qian took the initiative to chat with Mu Cidian, her face full of bashfulness.

Everyone thought Mu Cidian was very aloof and unapproachable back in the day, but only she knew that he had a warm heart.

The moment when Xin Zaozao and Song Lifei emerged from the private room, they saw Lei Qian actively chatting with Mu Cidian. One look was enough to tell that Lei Qian had strong feelings for Mu Cidian.

Her eyes tightened slightly.

Song Lifei naturally also saw this. He chuckled, “I was wondering where you had gone, Lei Qian. So, you’re here catching up with Mu Cidian.”

Lei Qian’s face went even redder.

Most of their classmates were the same age. Liu Qian was almost 29.

It was quite rare for a woman who was approaching 30 to remain so blushingly shy.

Xin Zaozao was watching all of this.

Lei Qian seemed a bit embarrassed. She said, “It’s getting late. I should get going. You all enjoy yourselves.”

“You’re leaving already? I wanted to chat with you about something…”

“It’s late. We should also head back.” Xin Zaozao cut off Song Lifei’s words.

Song Lifei turned to look at Xin Zaozao.

Xin Zaozao gave him a faint smile.

Mu Cidian didn’t turn to look at them, he just silently stood at the entrance, faithfully performing his duties as a server.

Song Lifei nodded, “Let’s leave together.”

“You don’t want to stay a little longer? Everyone seems to be having so much fun.”

“I must obey my wife’s orders.” Song Lifei joked.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Lei Qian glanced at Xin Zaozao next to Song Lifei, “You two really have a great relationship.”

Xin Zaozao said with a smile, “Relationships are reciprocal. If you are good to someone, they will be good to you.”

“Mm.” Lei Qian nodded.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

Lei Qian nodded, then turned to look at Mu Cidian standing next to her.

She gave Mu Cidian a faint smile.

It was a farewell.

Mu Cidian returned the smile.

Xin Zaozao had thought that Mu Cidian had forgotten how to smile.

After bidding Mu Cidian goodbye, Lei Qian went away with Song Lifei and Zaozao.

They walked out of the KTV gate.

Song Lifei volunteered, “Lei Qian, we will see you home. I’m not comfortable with a girl traveling alone late at night.”

“No need, I have already texted my dad, he will be here to pick me up soon.”

“It’s so late and your father’s not asleep yet?”

“My dad has always been like this, no matter how old I get, he’s always worried about me…” She trailed off, a little embarrassed.

After all, she was 29 years old now, and her parents still treated her like a child.

“If I had a daughter I would be the same way.” Song Lifei joked so Lei Qian wouldn’t feel awkward.

“In that case, we should get going.” Xin Zaozao suddenly said.

Song Lifei was somewhat surprised once again.

Didn’t they come here tonight to discuss something with Lei Qian? The original plan was to take some time during the reunion to persuade Lei Qian as an old classmate. Now it seemed like Xin Zaozao had changed her mind?

Be that as it may.

Song Life watched and listened to her every move.

He said, “Well then, we’ll be off. Remember to message the group when you get home.”

“Ok.”

Xin Zaozao and Song Lifei left together.

The two of them got into the car.

Song Lifei couldn’t help but ask, “Head Xin, I don’t understand your actions tonight. You made me go to great lengths to organize a reunion, but now you’re just letting it go?”

Xin Zaozao didn’t respond.

Song Lifei continued, “Lei Qian’s father, Lei Qiang, adores his daughter. Back in high school, he used to pick her up and drop her off every day. He even brought her lunch himself. If Lei Qian can convince him, contracting a piece of land in their village should be a piece of cake.”

The Xin Group was interested in a land development project on the outskirts of Jin City, in Lei Family Village. Their previous attempts to secure this piece of land had been unsuccessful, as the villagers were skeptical of big corporations after being swindled on a similar project in the past.

Originally, Xin ZaoZao had planned to chat with Lei Qian about this today.

Now, she had indeed changed her mind.

She asked, “Does Lei Qian like Mu Cidian?”

“You noticed?” Song Lifei chuckled.

No kidding, she wasn’t blind.

Moreover, Lei Qian didn’t try to hide it.

“Back in high school, Lei Qian had a crush on Mu Cidian. She reportedly wrote him a love letter but never gave it to him. But everyone in the class knew about her feelings for him. However, no one thought they would end up together because Mu Cidian seemed untouchable to all of us, including me.” Song Lifei said, reminiscing.

Xin Zaozao nodded.

“Do you have any other plans?” Song Lifei asked. He had been working with Xin Zaozao for three or four years and was generally familiar with her way of doing things.

“Yes, there are other things.” Xin Zaozao said.

Song Lifei looked at Xin Zaozao, but chose not to ask further.

….

The next day.

Xin Zaozao was sitting in her office, looking at a financial report in front of her.

Contrary to her expectations, Wan Quan’s financial situation was dire. She had been addicted to gambling over the years, and even though she gambled less frequently now, the money she owed and her poor living conditions were of great concern.

Given that Mu Cidian was a filial son, she knew he would be eager to improve his mother’s living conditions and thus would be keen to earn money.

Xin ZaoZao put down the financial report, and said to her secretary, “Okay, I got it. You can focus on your own work.”

“I just find it strange for Director Xin to be concerned about Wan Quan’s affairs. She should be beyond saving.” The secretary was certain.

People like Wan Quan, who had no survival skills and were completely incapable of supporting themselves, were only going to get worse.

“There are other matters.” Xin Zaozao didn’t elaborate.

Seeing that Xin Zaozao didn’t want to talk, the secretary minded her own business and left in an orderly manner.

Xin Zaozao took a few more glances at the financial report, showing no emotion. Then she immersed herself in her work once again.

At 8 p.m., she got off work.

She was driven home.

“First, let’s stop by Buye City.” Xin Zaozao instructed.

The so-called Buye City.

It was the most high-end nightclub in Jin City, where Mu Cidian worked as a server.

The driver parked the car at the entrance.

Xin Zaozao said, “Wait for me for a moment; it should be quick.”

“Very well, President.”

Xin Zaozao walked in.

Many noticed her, as she frequently came here, and they immediately served her with utmost respect.

Xin Zaozao asked a waiter to call the lobby manager for her.

The lobby manager rapidly walked towards Xin Zaozao and respectfully said, “Welcome Miss Xin, would you like a private room tonight? If you had told me earlier, I would have prepared it for you.”

“I won’t be spending money here tonight. I’m here for something else.” Xin Zaozao stated.

“Miss Xin, is there anything I can help with? I’ll go through fire and water to assist.

“It’s not that serious,” Xin Zaozao chuckled at the lobby manager’s overzealousness, “I just need to speak with one of your employees, Mu Cidian.”

“Mu Cidian?” The lobby manager seemed unfamiliar with the name, but immediately promised, “I will find whoever Miss Xin requests, no matter what it takes. Please wait a moment.”

Xin Zaozao nodded.

True to his word, within less than 5 minutes, Mu Cidian was brought out by the lobby manager.

Mu Cidian was initially surprised, and even more so upon seeing Xin Zaozao.

“Here he is, Miss Xin. Anything else you need?”

“I need him for half an hour.”

“We could offer him to you for a lifetime if you like,” the lobby manager replied with a hint of flattery.

Xin Zaozao chuckled, “That would be a bit much.”

Smiling obsequiously, the lobby manager said, “Then I shall leave you be, Miss Xin.”

Xin Zaozao nodded.

The lobby manager tactfully left the scene.

Xin Zaozao turned to look at Mu Cidian.

Mu Cidian returned her gaze.

Xin Zaozao said, “Come with me.”

Mu Cidian followed Xin Zaozao.

They headed to an open-air platform outside the KTV.

The April wind was somewhat chilly.

As Xin Zaozao watched Mu Cidian, she wondered if he was cold in his relatively thin clothes.

Maybe it’s because he’s too skinny.

More than a month after being released from prison, he didn’t seem to have gained any weight.

Of course, she wasn’t interested in how well things were going for him. She had her own agenda. Holding no punches, she said, “I plan to construct an ecological project in Lei Village. The inhabitants of the village are quite insular, and the village chief is Lei Qian’s father. Lei Qian’s father dotes on her, and if she could persuade him, the project would go a lot smoother.”

Mu Cidian had anticipated this. He knew Xin Zaozao was not here for non-business matters.

They would not talk emotions at all.

Moreover, he even thought that they might not even have a chance to discuss business, given their relationship. However, Xin Zaozao appeared to be more rational than he was.

After being in the business world for years, Xin Zaozao was no longer the same person. Her attitude towards people and things, she can distinguish clearly.

Mu Cidian chose to remain silent in that moment.

Xin Zaozao stated, “I won’t ask you to help for nothing. Your mother has a debt, right? If you can help me broker this deal, I’ll pay it off for you.”

Mu Cidian looked at Xin Zaozao.

Xin Zaozao continued, “I don’t really need you, I could handle this myself, but I don’t want to waste too much time. Time is precious to me.”

“What can I do for you?” Mu Cidian asked her.

“Lei Qian likes you, doesn’t she?”

“So, I should owe her a favor.”

“I believe there aren’t many people who are willing to accept a convict like you.” Xin Zaozao reminded him.

She was reminding him to seize a good thing when it comes.

Given that a woman likes him, he should not have overly high expectations.

“So, you mean I should be with Lei Qian?” Mu Cidian asked her.

“That’s your personal matter, and has nothing to do with me.” Xin Zaozao stated.

Mu Cidian just looked at Xin Zaozao.

Xin Zaozao continued, “Think about it. I’ll come find you tomorrow.”

“No need to ponder upon it, I can agree, but I want a copy of your project plan.”

Xin Zaozao stared at him.

She scoffed, “What are you planning?”

Mu Cidian knew Xin Zaozao would not trust him, and would even be wary of him.

He explained, “I need to know what benefits Lei Village will obtain.”

“I can share all the benefits Lei Village will get, but not the specific plan.”

“Alright.” Mu Cidian nodded in agreement.

“So, you have agreed?”

“How much are you paying me?” After all, money is a good way to clear debts.

Xin Zaozao said, “Your mother’s debt is 96,000, and upon completion of the deal, I’ll give you 100,000.”

It turned out.

He was not aware his mother’s debt was already 50,000.

He thought for a while, “Okay.”

“You have a week, any longer would be a waste of time.”

“Alright.”

“I will have someone deliver the materials to you tomorrow,” Xin Zaozao dropped a sentence and left right away.

Mu Cidian simply stared at Xin Zaozao’s retreating figure.

He watched her aloof profile disappear.

He thought they would no longer have any connection, merely running into each other occasionally in the city. However, he would leave with his mother sooner or later, and they would be strangers till they died. Now, it was just a process.

He went back to his workstation.

He finished work in the wee hours.

As he was preparing to call Lei Qian after getting off work, he received a text from her, “Be careful when you get off work.”

Mu Cidian frowned.

He replied, “How did you know I’m off work?”

“I guessed.”

“Where are you?” Mu Cidian, being as bright as he is, certainly would not believe such a lie.

“Um… Behind you.”

Mu Cidian turned around.

Lei Qian walked out from the dark, slightly embarrassed.

Mu Cidian watched her, saw her still somewhat shy manner towards him.