Chapter 003　You got burned, didn't you?

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng was still sitting at her workstation, chatting with Xu Shuyi. Seeing Su Xian emerge from General Manager Liang's office, Xu Shuyi waved to Zhao Nanfeng, signaling him to move to the vacant seat in the team—the workstation of Zhang Xiaowen, a female employee currently on maternity leave, right next to Li Chengshi.

  Su Xian approached them and said amicably, "Engineer Zhao, please stay right here at my desk. Thank you for your support; I will do my utmost to complete this project with you." As she spoke, she voluntarily picked up her laptop and sat down at Zhang Xiaowen's station.

  Zhao Nanfeng shook his head. "Su Xian, you are still the same: flexible and adaptable for your career, but nitpicking and exacting with your lovers."

  "What kind of talk is that? From today on, let's get along well. Feel free to raise any work requirements or suggestions. However, our relationship is a thing of the past. You've already entered a perfect marriage with someone else, so let's not bring it up again."

  Zhao Nanfeng remained silent.

  Li Chengshi quietly said, "Good morning, Team Leader."

  "Morning." After the word left her mouth, Su Xian felt her reply was a bit dry, so she added softly, "Good morning." Still uneasy, she turned her head to check his expression but found that Li Chengshi was also looking at her. However, his expression was typically emotionless, making it hard to gauge his mood. Unable to rest easy, she used the excuse of discussing his regularization to call him into the small meeting room.

  *

  "Didn't the agreement state three months for regularization?" Li Chengshi was a little worried. After all, nowadays, graduation meant unemployment, and even to intern at Anliang Construction, which wasn't top-ranked in the industry, he relied on his mother pulling strings.

  "Don't worry about the regularization. I called you here to talk about that night. I seriously reviewed everything last night and realized it was definitely my fault. It might be because of my age, but my tolerance for alcohol is much worse than before. Of course, being drunk is no excuse. I caused you immense harm—that's a fact. I admit my mistake and sincerely apologize to you."

  Seeing that Li Chengshi remained silent, Su Xian immediately added, "I know a mere apology is definitely not enough, so I am willing to offer 50,000 yuan in financial compensation. Do you find that acceptable?" His family background was modest, and he was still an intern; he probably hadn't seen much money. She figured 50,000 would be enough to buy his silence.

  Li Chengshi sprang up from his seat. He was angry. What does giving me money mean? What does she take me for?

  Su Xian was startled and quickly said, "100,000!" Better to lose money than face disaster; that was acceptable.

  "Is this about money?!"

  "Then what else do you want?" Su Xian's heart began to pound nervously.

  "I don't want anything! It was just... a moment of drunken madness. We are both adults; it's not a big deal. We've talked it out today, so let's let it go. No one should ever bring it up again."

  Is that his true feeling? Su Xian pondered, recalling the cunning look he had when he suddenly pulled out her shawl during the three-legged race.

  "The way you say that is truly reasonable, but I'm 10 years older, your leader, and you are, well, that... So I feel it's necessary to offer compensation." Su Xian thought she would get him to take the money first, then bring up the shawl.

  Li Chengshi felt embarrassed. What is 'that'? So annoying! Why did I impulsively expose my privacy? Besides, isn't it usually the woman who feels wronged? Her pitying look really annoys me! "Who needs your compensation? I didn't suffer any loss!"

  Then why did you make a fuss about being a virgin? Su Xian was a little speechless. "Since I feel I took advantage, and you feel you suffered no loss, then give me back the shawl, and we can formally put this matter to rest, okay? You've also seen the great opportunity that has come to our team; we should both focus our energy on work."

  Li Chengshi sneered, "So, you want to buy peace of mind with money, huh?" Turns out even the pity was faked. Despicable!

  "You could say that." Su Xian felt a bit of honesty wouldn't hurt.

  "Fine, I agree." A trace of mischief suddenly arose in him. "But you owe me the money for now. I'm afraid if you transfer it, you'll accuse me of extortion later, and if I take cash home, I'm afraid my mother will find out. I'll ask you for it when I need to use the money."

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  Su Xian found this troublesome and suggested, "You can lock it in a company drawer; it's very safe."

  Li Chengshi rolled his eyes at her.

  "Okay, okay. Then give me back the shawl."

  "I'll only return it to you after I've spent the 100,000."

  "Then didn't we just waste half a day talking?!" She was getting a little agitated.

  "Since I've agreed to take the money, I won't use the shawl to make trouble again. Do you want me to swear an oath?"

  Su Xian noticed his sarcasm and said helplessly, "No need. I'm willing to trust your character. As for emotional issues, I'll overcome them myself."

  **

  They had meetings all day.

  The project Zhao Nanfeng brought in was a Sino-Japanese joint venture. The Japanese side, the Yasuda Group, had previously collaborated with his firm and had already signed the design contract. However, the Chinese partner, Zhengyuan Venture Capital, insisted on joint design with a Chinese design firm and the use of a Chinese construction company. He immediately thought of his former employer, Anliang Construction, and recommended it to the Japanese representative, Department Head Sato. Anliang was a design-and-construction integrated company, and he was more confident in Anliang's construction quality compared to those big, famous enterprises.

  But whether both the Chinese and Japanese clients would approve of his recommendation would depend on Anliang's strength.

  "The Chinese side strongly recommends Dacheng Construction, probably a connection. I don't want my painstaking design to be ruined by their construction quality, General Manager Liang. We must win this contract."

  Liang Wenya nodded. "Although Zhengyuan Venture Capital only has a 40% investment share, they absolutely cannot be ignored. We haven't worked with that General Manager Yang, but I'll try to contact him before the formal meeting next week. Engineer Zhao, what are Department Head Sato's hobbies?"

  "He likes outdoor sports: long-distance running, mountain climbing, surfing. He participates in the Tokyo Citizens Marathon every year and can run a full marathon."

  "Our local marathon has already passed, but there's an off-road obstacle race the week after next. Xiao Wei, go register the company for a group entry first. We'll invite the client to participate then; it will definitely boost goodwill. Su Xian, train these next few days and aim to complete the course."

  Su Xian nodded and promised without hesitation, "Don't worry, General Manager Liang, it's a piece of cake."

  *

  The entire company immediately sprang into action, preparing qualification documents, adjusting brochure layouts, organizing similar case studies, highlighting differentiated advantages, and drafting the preliminary cooperation framework, among other tasks. Everyone wore happy expressions. After all, a good project was like a shot of adrenaline.

  Liang Wenya also issued a call to the entire company for employees to participate in the off-road obstacle race.

  But only three or four sports enthusiasts raised their hands, including Su Xian.

  "Those who can complete the entire course will be rewarded 10,000 yuan." She knew a generous reward encourages brave men.

  Sure enough, the number immediately jumped to about ten people, and even Li Chengshi raised his hand.

  Su Xian looked at him suspiciously, thinking: You don't want the ready-made 100,000 from me, but you're willing to risk your life to earn this 10,000?

  It wasn't entirely incomprehensible, though. The 100,000 was shady money; the 10,000 was honor.

  **

  Close to quitting time, Zhao Nanfeng closed his laptop and said to Su Xian, "Pick me up at 8 AM tomorrow at the Huaji Hotel."

  "Alright, Engineer Zhao."

  "Then I'll be going now. See you tomorrow."

  "Engineer Zhao, isn't General Manager Liang taking you out for dinner tonight?" Xu Shuyi asked curiously.

  "General Manager Liang did offer to treat me, but I told her there's no need for that kind of thing among old employees."

  "Just like you." Xu Shuyi gave him a thumbs-up.

  After Zhao Nanfeng left the company, Su Xian asked her, "Why were you sucking up to him so much?"

  "Team Leader, your actions were sucking up. Mine are genuine admiration from the bottom of my heart."

  "You win."

  "We all like working with him. Only you liked dating him. You got burned, didn't you? Haha."

  Su Xian shook her head helplessly.

  **