Chapter73

For both Han Qian and Sun Ya, no matter which path Tu Xiao chose, it was bound to be profitable for him.

After hanging up the phone, Han Qian frowned at the entrance to the comprehensive department, lost in thought. Sun Ya had gone to see Guan Dagou? Tu Xiao's eagerness to pivot into legitimate business was evident. The shady dealings he had relied on were becoming harder to sustain, and if those gray areas were shut down, Tu Xiao's days as the local despot of District Eight would be numbered.

Without money, how could he keep his underlings in line?

Neither Sun Ya nor Gao Lüxing would be foolish enough to persuade Tu Xiao to abandon his ambitions. So, what could she discuss with Guan Dagou? In the end, wasn't it all about the construction business? Whether Gao Lüxing worked with Tu Xiao or Yan Qingqing, the outcome would be the same.

No, wait!

Han Qian slapped himself on the forehead in frustration.

If Gao Lüxing and Tu Xiao worked together, he would have no way to profit from it. Whatever Gao Lüxing's intentions, Han Qian needed money. Calling out to Yang Lan's office, he turned and strode out of the comprehensive department to find Yan Qingqing.

Inside her office, Yang Lan gripped the pen in her hand, her expression thunderous. That rascal had no intention of behaving himself, and at such a critical juncture, he dared to vanish again? Did he not realize how much resentment he'd already stirred among the department's staff?

Yet after a while, Yang Lan noticed no one seemed to be gossiping about Han Qian. She rose and quietly opened the door to observe, only to find a collective sense of relief on everyone's faces, as if they had narrowly escaped a disaster. Yang Lan understood then.

Han Qian's repeated altercations had left a lasting impression: to these colleagues, he was now someone with a hair-trigger temper, prone to violence. No one wanted to provoke him further.

Yang Lan sighed. Perhaps getting into a couple of fights was a blessing in disguise—no one in the department would dare test him now, and for that, she felt a strange sense of relief. When she looked up and saw Liu Jiulong about to stand and approach her office, she slammed the door shut.

Half of the comprehensive department were problem children. Liu Jiulong wasn't one—he was a problem adult. That was how Yang Lan saw it.

Outside Yan Qingqing's office, Han Qian leaned against Yang Jia's desk. The young woman had piled up her stash of snacks, watching him with wide, curious eyes.

"Brother Qian, have some chocolate—gives you energy. Want some water too?"

"Don't try to bribe me—it won't work. I'm not here to satisfy your nosy curiosity. I didn't have lunch because I fell asleep, so I'm just a bit hungry."

As he reached for a snack, he found his hand grabbing air. Turning, he saw that Yang Jia had scooped them all up into her arms, glaring at him like a wary puppy. Han Qian reached out, and she immediately bared her teeth in warning.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you, a guard dog? It's just a snack, why so possessive? We've only known each other a few days, but you're already plump as a dumpling."

"Don't lie! I never gain weight no matter how much I eat."

"Then go weigh yourself."

Yang Jia eyed him suspiciously, but refused to move.

With a few bites to settle his hunger, Han Qian suddenly called out,

"Yang Jie."

Yang Jia spun around immediately. Seizing the moment, Han Qian snatched a bottle of milk from her stash, popped the tab, and took a swig. As Yang Jia shot him a murderous glare, he slipped into Yan Qingqing's office, closing the door behind him. Outside, Yang Jia set her snacks aside and headed off to check the scale, muttering that she simply couldn't be gaining weight.

Inside the general manager's office, Han Qian noticed the woman in the white suit again. He took a closer look this time: twenty-eight or twenty-nine, slightly taller than Yan Qingqing but shorter than Wen Nuan, with gold-rimmed glasses and hair pinned up at the back. Her features weren't striking, but she exuded an air of poised intelligence.

Of course, Han Qian knew better than to be fooled by appearances. Her words were always sharp as knives.

Yan Qingqing frowned, a hint of teasing in her tone as she scolded,

"You stole that milk from Yang Jia, didn't you? Honestly, you always go out of your way to do exactly what annoys others most. And next time—knock before you barge in."

"Got it."

Han Qian showed no intention of leaving, sipping the milk as he settled onto the couch with a faint smile.

"Sun Ya's gone to see Guan Dagou. It seems Vice President Gao wants to back Tu Xiao's pivot. I came to ask what you think—still not convinced by Tu Xiao?"

Yan Qingqing ignored him, instead turning to the woman in the white suit with a wry smile.

"See? He's clearly not giving up. Tu Xiao, once someone to keep at arm's length, has become the hot commodity."

The woman perched gracefully on the edge of Yan Qingqing's desk, laughing softly.

"Tu Xiao's always been a hot commodity. Didn't I say? He's survived in this city for so long because no one wants to provoke a madman. He has a web of connections in District Eight, and even city hall won't move without checking with him first. Vice President Gao likely sees that too. The city's developing fast—District Eight is right next door. What do you think?"

Yan Qingqing leaned back, arms folded, frowning.

"Miss Ji Jing! Are you asking me, or are you asking Han Qian? When you talk, at least look at me. We're friends, yes, but I'm still your boss. District Eight's future is uncertain, and even if I help Tu Xiao now, it's not like he'd be grateful. I'd be thankful if he didn't stab me in the back. If Gao Lüxing wants to play games, let him."

"Not afraid they're setting you up? That they'll drag a six-month project out for two years? If Changxiang realizes your intentions, they'll spin up a rival business overnight. What then?"

Ji Jing turned her head to look at Yan Qingqing. Her words clearly struck a nerve—Yan Qingqing clutched at her hair, groaning in frustration.

"And what am I supposed to do? Gao Lüxing sends Sun Ya to seduce Guan Dagou—who am I supposed to send? You? Ji Jing! Why don't you sacrifice yourself for me? It's not like you're getting married anyway."

"Why not send your little lover Han Qian? No risk, no reward."

Ji Jing shot Han Qian a mischievous look. Yan Qingqing eyed her warily, then glanced at Han Qian, puzzled.

"Wait—Tu Xiao likes men?"

Pfft!

Han Qian nearly sprayed milk all over the desk, torn between laughter and fury. The worst part was that Ji Jing seemed almost hopeful, and Yan Qingqing looked as though she was genuinely considering it.

Finally, Yan Qingqing spoke up.

"Han Qian!"

"I never should have come. Goodbye."

Not giving her the chance to push further, Han Qian stood and made for the door. Yan Qingqing dashed forward in her slippers to block his way, gripping his arm gingerly to avoid jarring his back.

"Don't mind Ji Jing's nonsense—I know you must have a plan, right? You're just worried Gao Lüxing might play dirty?"

"Auntie?"

The label "Auntie" made Han Qian relax a fraction. He turned and nodded at Ji Jing.

"She's already said it—Gao Lüxing has no real interest in helping you. If he offers Tu Xiao an exorbitant price and you refuse, you'll have to find another construction partner. Any of our current partners would be scared to death of Tu Xiao's retaliation. If there is one who isn't, then we can ignore Gao Lüxing altogether."

Yan Qingqing sighed, defeated. Perched on the desk, Ji Jing was unfazed by the "Auntie" remark. She smiled sweetly.

"You're quite thorough, aren't you, dear nephew?"

"Auntie, don't wear white—it makes you look chunky."

Han Qian's words cut straight to the quick. Ji Jing flushed, standing and glancing down at herself with a shy smile.

"I'm just… a little more voluptuous than Qingqing, that's all."

Han Qian turned and reached for the door, but Yan Qingqing had had enough. She snapped,

"Ji Jing, if you're going to act like this, go back to your operations team! Han Qian, stop being so petty. She's a grown woman, not some scheming old maid."

"I'm not an old maid—I'm a proper young woman."

"Ji Jing, if you say one more word, I swear I'll dump coffee all over you."

That threat silenced Ji Jing at last. She had a deep-seated cleanliness obsession—the real reason she'd never married. She craved a man's affection but couldn't bear even a finger's touch.

Han Qian took a deep breath.

"We can't let Gao Lüxing handle this. If he does, I'll lose my chance to squeeze money out of Tu Xiao."

Yan Qingqing blinked, then roared,

"Han Qian, you're infuriating!"

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Stop kicking—fine, I'll dodge!"