Chapter 38 Mutual Willingness

Yesterday, Zhang Qiming made an impromptu visit to the property management's surveillance room and obtained footage of Jiang Yan being cornered by He Chunmei and others. This included recognizing Jiang Yan as the rumored internet-famous heiress with a net worth of three billion, orphaned, owning cars and properties.

All thanks to Zhang Qiqi entrusting him with the task.

Before this, he only knew that the resident of unit 3201 was named Jiang Yan.

But he thought it was just a coincidence—a shared name.

Like Zhang Qiqi, he never imagined the Jiang Yan he knew would live in such an ordinary neighborhood.

"Director Zhang!" Zhang Qiqi glanced up and spotted him, her charming, rosy face breaking into a smile as she called out brightly.

She had sent Zhang Qiming several messages and even called, but he hadn't responded.

Coupled with her own plans, she had slowly made her way from the 7th floor up to the 28th floor.

Even after resting for a while, her calves were still weak.

It was only thanks to her years of fitness training that she had some basic stamina.

Otherwise, an average person would have collapsed halfway.

Zhang Qiqi's title of "Director" struck a chord in Zhang Qiming's heart.

The Homeowners' Committee usually dealt with trivial matters.

But now, under special circumstances, he and the property management were the primary liaisons with the authorities, responsible for the daily needs of over a thousand residents in the community. The power they held was substantial.

No longer could they be underestimated.

Thinking this, Zhang Qiming gave her a composed glance, his tone reminiscent of a seasoned official:

"Qiqi, I remember you live on the seventh floor. What brings you all the way up here? Quite the stamina!"

The reason he hadn't responded to Zhang Qiqi's messages promptly was that, after learning Jiang Yan's true identity, he had begun formulating his own plans.

When comparing Zhang Qiqi and Jiang Yan, his favor clearly leaned toward Jiang Yan.

He recalled news from a few days ago about a billionaire founder of a well-known brand in a certain country who transferred all his assets to his gardener.

It sounded unbelievable.

But the underlying reason was the extraordinary bond they had formed during the pandemic.

Now, with the relentless global heatwave, the situation was even more dire than during the pandemic.

As everyone knew, Jiang Yan's father had passed away early, leaving her alone in the world.

Psychologically speaking, a young woman like her would naturally gravitate toward or rely on mature men.

Though he was divorced and much older, he understood women's hearts better.

As the saying goes, adversity reveals true character.

If he could extend a helping hand to her repeatedly during this crisis and win her affection in the process, his later years would be set.

Even if it sounded like a pipe dream, there was always a chance it might come true.

At the very least, even if he didn't succeed in winning her over, befriending her would bring no harm.

Zhang Qiming's mind buzzed with schemes, growing happier the more he thought.

"Brother Zhang, what's got you so cheerful?" Zhang Qiqi asked curiously, noticing his silly grin.

"Ah, nothing."

Zhang Qiming scratched his head, suddenly realizing Zhang Qiqi was still waiting at his doorstep. "By the way, what brings you up here?"

Zhang Qiqi gave a coquettish laugh. "I sent you messages and called, but you never replied, so I had no choice but to come visit in person. Brother Zhang, don't you think I'm sincere enough?"

"Is that so?" Zhang Qiming's gaze swept over her body, his Adam's apple bobbing unconsciously as his voice grew huskier.

Zhang Qiqi parted her red lips and lightly patted his arm. "Of course it is!"

The weather was scorching hot.

Suddenly, Zhang Qiming felt even hotter.

A bold idea flashed through his mind like an explosion the moment he took in her alluring figure and ingratiating smile.

Excessive heat could cause dizziness, hypokalemia, and was particularly prone to triggering myocardial infarction.

Engaging in strenuous activity under such conditions was tantamount to dancing on the edge of death.

But if he missed this chance today, there might never be another.

They say it's better to die under the peony than to live without ever having tasted its beauty.

Having been single for so long, he was no exception to this temptation.

Besides, telling her who she had offended wouldn't affect his plans.

In fact, it might serve as a warning for her to drop the matter—indirectly helping Jiang Yan in the process.

If she understood his hints and something happened between them, it would remain a secret known only to heaven, earth, her, and him.

Swallowing hard, Zhang Qiming unlocked the door and murmured suggestively,

"Qiqi, you must be tired from climbing the stairs. There's no one home—why don't you come in for some water? I've got the information and video footage you asked me to look into. I'll organize it and send it to you later?"

His words were practically an open invitation.

Zhang Qiqi, whose child was nearly six years old and who was no stranger to the game of seduction, instantly grasped his meaning.

Though many consoled themselves with the thought that the extreme heat would soon pass, most knew the truth—the Apocalypse had arrived.

It had come with overwhelming force, unstoppable and relentless.

In such times, lowered moral standards, scarce resources, and exchanges of necessity would inevitably become the norm.

Under ordinary circumstances, a middle-aged man like Zhang Qiming wouldn't have warranted so much as a glance from her.

But these were not ordinary times.

Especially since Zhang Qiming, as head of the Homeowners' Committee, controlled certain resources.

Put bluntly, any call he made to the residents carried far more weight than anyone else's.

As a single mother with a young son, she needed allies—and resources.

And as for resources… well, she herself was the most valuable one.

Still, she didn't immediately agree to Zhang Qiming's offer.

Though they were both adults, and such matters were consensual—neither illegal nor immoral—

playing hard to get was an art she had mastered better than anyone.

With a sigh, she put on a helpless expression.

"Thank you for the offer, Brother Zhang. But I won't come in today. Didn't the property management say all residents are moving to the underground parking garage tonight? And we have to collect supplies ourselves. With just me and my son, and no one to help, I need to prepare early."

As expected, her pitiable demeanor struck right at Zhang Qiming's heart.

"Cough—that's nothing! I've got nothing better to do anyway. Besides, we share the same surname—we're practically family! Leave everything to me!"

Hearing this, Zhang Qiqi finally flashed another coy smile.

"Well then, I suppose I'll trouble Brother Zhang for that glass of water after all."

Even as she said it, she couldn't help but secretly gag at her own words.

Less than two minutes later, Zhang Qiqi emerged looking exhausted, her face flushed red.

It wasn't that Zhang Qiming was incapable—the temperature was simply too high.

The two of them nearly lost their lives.

(End of chapter)