A Meeting of Four with Divergent Minds

Xia Xiang didn't have any classmates at the construction site. He had asked Cao Shuli to pretend to be his girlfriend with an ulterior motive. However, he couldn't say it outright, so he vaguely replied, "Never mind that. There's something else I need to take care of first. I need to meet an important person." "Do I still need to pretend to be your girlfriend?" Cao Shuli asked, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice. "Up to you!" Xia Xiang was being crafty, hoping to avoid any future complaints from Cao Shuli about him taking advantage of her. So, he left the decision to her. Without a moment's hesitation, Cao Shuli gently hooked her arm around Xia Xiang's and said, "Such a fun thing, and I happen to run into it. If I don't participate, it wouldn't be my style. Let's go, who's afraid of who?" Xia Xiang felt a bit awkward as Cao Shuli clung to him closely. This was just pretending, did she have to be this intimate? Who's afraid of who? He was actually a little worried that Li Jiefu would see them and tell Cao Yongguo. If Cao Yongguo got the wrong idea, all his efforts to build a good image with the Cao family today would be for nothing. He couldn't pull his arm away from Cao Shuli, so he could only hope that Li Jiefu wasn't in Feng Xuguang's office. Unfortunately, Xia Xiang's wish was not granted. Not only was Li Jiefu in Feng Xuguong's office, but he was also surrounded by Feng Xuguang and Li Hongjiang, one serving tea and the other offering cigarettes, treating him like a VIP. But while Li Jiefu enjoyed the tea and cigarettes, he remained tight-lipped about the questions Feng Xuguang and Li Hongjiang were asking, just shaking his head and laughing. "Mr. Feng, Mr. Li, you two shouldn't pressure me. I'm just here to drop off Director Cao's daughter at the construction site. As for the young man accompanying her and their relationship, I have no clue. I'm just a driver, responsible for driving, and I shouldn't ask unnecessary questions..." Feng and Li both knew that even if Li Jiefu knew why the director's daughter insisted on coming to the JiJia Supermarket site, he wouldn't tell them. Feng Xuguang, not being close to Li Jiefu, didn't push further, but Li Hongjiang, having shared a few drinks with Li Jiefu, thought they were quite familiar and tried every trick to get Li Jiefu to talk. But Li Jiefu was too smart for that, enjoying the cigarettes and tea, and playfully dodging Li Hongjiang's questions.

Li Jiefu had dropped off Xia Xiang and Cao Shuli, knowing that Director Cao had sent him to keep an eye on them. After some thought, he found Xia Xiang to be steady and reliable, and noticed Cao Shuli's unusual attitude towards Xia Xiang, so he decided to take a stroll around the nearby market. He planned to report back to the director that everything was normal. He even thought that Xia Xiang was a decent and sensible young man, and maybe the director would be pleased. There was no need for him to meddle further.

The director's personal matters, whether good or bad, wouldn't benefit him, so out of sight, out of mind. Li Jiefu went to the market, spent half an hour, bought a bunch of vegetables, and upon returning, was immediately caught by Li Hongjiang.

Li Hongjiang had been pestering Feng Xuguang, trying to find out his relationship with Director Cao, but Feng Xuguang was equally confused. When Li Jiefu returned, Li Hongjiang realized that Director Cao hadn't come, just his car, and it wasn't there for Feng Xuguang. This made him feel more at ease, and his attitude towards Feng Xuguang cooled down. He then focused on pleasing Li Jiefu.

Feng Xuguang only then realized that the Audi outside was Director Cao's official car. Though he didn't know Director Cao, he knew his position and power. Since Li Jiefu was his driver, Feng Xuguang didn't dare to be disrespectful and invited him into the office, speaking with a smile.

Each of the three men had their own thoughts, especially Li Hongjiang, who was extremely anxious. He couldn't figure out if Director Cao's daughter had come to the JiJia Supermarket site by chance or if there was some hidden meaning behind her visit. He needed to carefully read the director's intentions, or he might unknowingly ruin his career. Seeing Feng Xuguang's puzzled expression, he became even more uneasy and treated Li Jiefu with even more respect. Even though Li Jiefu was just a driver, he was close to the director. If he casually mentioned Li Hongjiang's name to the director, it would be a huge success.

The more Li Hongjiang thought about it, the more excited he became. Though he had drunk with Li Jiefu before, it was always in group settings. Now, face-to-face, he began to think about how to persuade Li Jiefu to join him for a casual dinner.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted Li Hongjiang's thoughts. Irritated, he rushed to open it, expecting to see another group of college students looking for internships. Instead, he saw a young man and woman, and without thinking, he snapped, "Who are you? What do you want?"

Xia Xiang didn't recognize Li Hongjiang, but seeing him in a red safety helmet, he guessed his status and smiled, "I'm looking for Mr. Feng, and she's looking for Master Li..."

Li Jiefu appeared from behind Li Hongjiang, nodded at Xia Xiang, and turned to Cao Shuli with a gentle and humble smile, "Shuli, are you done with your assignment? Ready to go back?"

Cao Shuli glared at Li Hongjiang, entered the room with Xia Xiang, closed her notebook, and said, "Uncle Li, wait for me in the car."

Li Jiefu agreed, nodded to Li Hongjiang and Feng Xuguang, patted Xia Xiang on the shoulder, smiled, and left.

Cao Shuli's sun-kissed face was rosy and beautiful. Her glare, instead of being intimidating, only added to her charm. But to Li Hongjiang, it felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone. He realized, to his horror, that the girl in front of him was the director's daughter! How could he have been so stupid? He had been so focused on flattering Li Jiefu that he had offended the director's daughter. If she spoke ill of him to the director, his future would be in jeopardy.

In a flash, Li Hongjiang's mind raced through a thousand thoughts. After a moment, he regained his composure and hurriedly approached, smiling apologetically, "Excuse me, I was a bit abrupt earlier. I wasn't targeting you, just a bit anxious. I sincerely apologize."

Afraid to upset Cao Shuli further, Li Hongjiang decided to approach Xia Xiang, hoping to mend things indirectly. Xia Xiang, understanding his intent, extended his hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Xia Xiang."

Feng Xuguang, surprised and delighted to see Xia Xiang, and noting his closeness to the director's daughter, stepped forward, "Xia, why didn't you let me know you were coming? Did you want to surprise me?"

Li Hongjiang, sweating, was baffled by the complex relationships. Feng Xuguang had just said he didn't know Director Cao, yet now he knew Xia Xiang, who was with the director's daughter. He shook Xia Xiang's hand warmly, "I'm Li Hongjiang, manager of the Second Construction Company. Pleased to meet you."

Feng Xuguang, grinning, introduced, "Xia, let me introduce...," giving Xia Xiang a meaningful look.

Cao Shuli, standing by the fan, stepped forward, linked arms with Xia Xiang, and sweetly said, "I'm Cao Shuli, temporarily... Xia Xiang's girlfriend."

Feng Xuguang's eyes lit up with surprise, and Li Hongjiang's smile widened. He quickly poured two glasses of water for Xia Xiang and Cao Shuli, ignoring that he wasn't the office owner.

Cao Shuli, after saying her piece, sat quietly on the sofa, flipping through her notebook. Xia Xiang glanced at her, surprised by her mature side.

Feng Xuguang, knowing Xia Xiang had business to discuss, tried to signal Li Hongjiang to leave, but Li Hongjiang ignored him, determined to stay unless explicitly asked to leave.

Xia Xiang, chatting with Feng Xuguang, disregarded Li Hongjiang's presence, intentionally letting him hear, "Mr. Feng, I noticed the site is halted. Is it due to funding issues?"

Feng Xuguang, sitting next to Xia Xiang, looked at Li Hongjiang, rubbed his head, and chuckled, "Yes, we have a bit of a shortfall. A deal's payment is delayed, causing the holdup. By the way, Xia, about the project we discussed, I'm still very interested. Why haven't you followed up? Are you here to give me some news?"

Feng Xuguang wondered why, as the director's son-in-law, Xia Xiang wasn't working at a profitable company but was stuck in Li Dingshan's struggling firm. While he joked with Xia Xiang, he was deeply puzzled. If Xia Xiang was leveraging the director's influence to get Li Hongjiang to start work, Li Hongjiang would likely comply, but demanding 10% equity seemed excessive.

Feng Xuguang wasn't against giving 10%, but it seemed unwarranted. He had underestimated Xia Xiang, thinking he was just a softie relying on his father-in-law.

As if to confirm Feng Xuguang's thoughts, Cao Shuli interjected, "Mr. Li, why is the site stopped? I wanted to sketch a layout, but there were no workers."

Li Hongjiang's eyes brightened, finally understanding the situation.