Zou Yong was invited to attend Eastern First-class’s monthly eting. He arrived at the company early, and Cheng Qiaobei personally received him and invited him into his office.
In one corner of the office was a tea table, "Please have a seat, President Zou."
Zou Yong watched Cheng Qiaobei take out a brand new tea set, "A new purchase?"
Cheng Qiaobei leisurely brewed the tea, "Yes. On my last business trip to Cizhen, I thought of you when I saw this tea set, so I bought it."
Zou Yong nodded, "Very thoughtful."
The two chatted while sipping tea. Zou Yong was often surrounded by flatterers, but the Cheng Qiaobei before him, even though he represented an investnt project, never showed any attempt to curry favor or appear weak to his investor.
He had a natural air of authority, not one to lower his stance due to temporary setbacks. Zou Yong admired this trait in him, as it reminded him of his younger self.
Zou Yong put down his teacup and asked, "Has Ning Xi visited the new company?"
Cheng Qiaobei added more tea to his cup, "Yes, she visited the day after we moved to the new location."
Zou Yong nodded, "Did she comnt on the environnt?"
Cheng Qiaobei had a slight smile on his lips, "She said it’s better than before."
Zou Yong seed pleased with this answer and took another sip, "The tea is good."
After attending Eastern First-class’s eting, Zou Yong truly witnessed the prowess of an excellent team. According to the financial report of the first month, fulfilling the wager was no problem.
As Zou Yong left Eastern First-class, the dim car lights obscured his somber expression.
From the front seat, Zou Yong’s secretary, Jin Fangbin, turned to the back seat and said, "President Zou, news just ca from the hospital that Miss Chen has an appointnt for her second IVF next Wednesday."
Zou Yong frowned, looked out the window, and sighed, "Sigh..."
Jin Fangbin noticed Zou Yong’s expression and said, "Miss Chen was already very worn out from the first IVF, and we’re not even sure if she’s fully recovered before going for the second one."
Zou Yong pressed his lips tightly, "Enough, that’s not your concern."
Jin Fangbin continued, "I’ve prepared so precious dicinal herbs to nourish the body and placed them in your trunk, President Zou. You can give them to Miss Chen."
Zou Yong’s eyes softened, and a smile appeared at the corners, "I might not have ti today; there’s a eting in the afternoon."
Jin Fangbin said, "The eting ends at four in the afternoon, and Miss Chen gets off work at five. It’s a fifteen-minute drive from the company to the power station, giving you forty-five minutes to et her."
Zou Yong retracted his gaze, seeming to accept Jin Fangbin’s suggestion.
Chen Ningxi was on a call with a provincial company leader when Zou Yong’s call ca through, but his phone notification indicated the line was busy.
Ten minutes later, Chen Ningxi hung up and noticed Zou Yong’s missed call, so she called him back.
"Hello, Mr. Zou. I was just on a call. Did you need sothing from ?"
Zou Yong’s car was already parked in front of the power company. He said, "I need to talk to you; please inform the security guard."
Chen Ningxi: "Okay, I’ll make a call."
The parking gate bar was raised, and Zou Yong drove into the power company’s courtyard.
Chen Ningxi heard footsteps in the hallway, and soon Zou Yong appeared at her office door. "Ning Xi, I hope I’m not delaying your departure."
"No, we get off at five," Chen Ningxi replied and asked, "What did you need for?"
Zou Yong placed the gift box he was holding on her desk and sat down on the sofa again.
"These are dicinal herbs to nourish the body. Take them ho and make so soup," Zou Yong said.
Judging from the packaging, it wasn’t a luxury item, but upon seeing the wild ginseng inside, Chen Ningxi still insisted on not accepting it.
Chen Ningxi said, "Mr. Zou, this wild ginseng is too precious. You should keep it and make soup yourself."
Zou Yong said, "I didn’t buy it; it was a gift from a friend. It’s not valuable. Just take it."
"..." Chen Ningxi could only accept it.
Zou Yong looked at her, "How’s your recovery going?"
"Pretty good." Chen Ningxi didn’t imdiately catch on, but then realized he was referring to the procedure done today.
Zou Yong added, "Don’t push yourself too hard. If you don’t want to go through with the IVF, express your feelings clearly. If necessary, I can speak to your parents, and it would be difficult for Cheng Qiaobei to insist further once they are involved."
Chen Ningxi opened her eyes wide, hastily explaining on behalf of Cheng Qiaobei, "He hasn’t forced , and it was my decision to go for IVF."
Zou Yong was montarily speechless, "...Can your body handle it?"
Chen Ningxi said, "It’s okay, I can handle it."
Seeing the ti was advancing, Zou Yong stood up to leave, saying, "I have social engagents tonight, so I’ll head off."
Chen Ningxi could only express her gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Zou."
Zou Yong waved his hand, "No need to see off, go about your work."
Chen Ningxi escorted him to the staircase, watching as Zou Yong descended until he disappeared around the stairwell corner before returning to her office.
Cheng Qiaobei entered and imdiately noticed the wild ginseng gift box by the entrance, asking, "Who bought the ginseng?"
Chen Ningxi said, "Mr. Zou’s. He specially ca to my office to deliver it before the end of the workday."
Cheng Qiaobei paused while changing his shoes, "Mr. Zou bought it for you?"
"Yes." Chen Ningxi responded.
Cheng Qiaobei walked inside towards the bathroom, washed his hands, and then went to the kitchen to assist.
"Why did he suddenly think of giving ginseng?" Cheng Qiaobei was puzzled.
Chen Ningxi said, "A few days ago, Mr. Zou ran into my dad in the city. I guess they talked about . He suggested I have so ginseng to strengthen my body."
Cheng Qiaobei’s pace slowed as he picked vegetables, "Seeing those two et, Dad would talk to him about this?"
He was implying it was a privacy matter, one that Chen Weichuan would not voluntarily bring up.
Chen Ningxi said, "Not sure, maybe it just ca up in conversation."
Cheng Qiaobei licked his lips and said, "That’s odd. Mr. Zou was at the company eting today. Why didn’t he give the ginseng to —an easier option than going all the way to your office?"
Chen Ningxi understood what he ant, "Don’t overthink it; he’s just like an uncle to ."
Cheng Qiaobei placed the picked vegetables under the tap and trapped Chen Ningxi between the sink and him, looking down into her eyes:
"Whom do you trust more, or him?"
Cheng Qiaobei was the person she trusted unconditionally. If she had to choose between the two, she would choose Cheng Qiaobei without hesitation.
"I trust you." Chen Ningxi said.
Cheng Qiaobei’s lips curled into a smile, "Since you trust , be more vigilant next ti. And don’t forget one thing: you call him uncle, but there isn’t any blood relationship between you two."
His words reminded Chen Ningxi that she indeed shared no familial ties with Zou Yong.
Chen Ningxi also expressed her true feelings, "But towards , he has only ever shown concern for a younger generation. I’ve never felt any other kind of emotional projection."
Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, "Zou Yong, that kind of person with worldly wisdom who has experienced life’s vicissitudes—whether it’s hiding emotions or intentions, it’s all too easy for him."
Chen Ningxi pursed her lips, thought for a mont, then said, "If it’s really as you say, I feel..."
She found it hard to articulate her inner feelings, feeling slightly nauseous.
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