Dazzling

This time when Qing Ye returned to Zhazha Pavilion, Qing Hongzhi arranged for two people to accompany her to handle these matters - one was a female assistant from his company.

The other person was Jiang Bo, who could be considered Qing Hongzhi's friend despite their age difference. In his thirties and still unmarried, he was a famously formidable figure in Beijing's legal circles. "Formidable" referred to his commanding, unstoppable presence in the courtroom, while "figure" naturally meant his reputation as someone who moved through romantic entanglements without getting attached.

Jiang Bo had indeed helped Qing Hongzhi extricate himself from that complicated case. Later, when Qing Hongzhi started his own company, he hired Jiang Bo as his part-time legal counsel, consulting him on various matters - including this time with the transfer of his daughter's corporate responsibilities.

Qing Ye wasn't particularly familiar with Jiang Bo, though they had met twice before. She was largely resistant to her father's arrangements this time, feeling that it was just a matter of going back to sign some documents, yet her father had to make such a big production out of it.

Take this Lawyer Jiang for example - he brought a large suitcase directly. Seeing his eye-catching black trench coat paired with a red turtleneck sweater and those shiny British leather shoes, Qing Ye strongly suspected that his big suitcase contained nothing proper - probably all clothes, making it seem like he was going on vacation.

Especially with that neatly trimmed mustache and standard playboy face, Qing Ye couldn't understand how clients trusted someone with his appearance.

Moreover, on the way to the airport with Uncle Sun driving, Jiang Bo - who looked nothing like someone in his thirties, but rather a devilishly handsome man with peach blossom eyes when he smiled - spoke to Qing Ye in an overly mature tone: "Last time I saw you, you were quite short, with two little braids. You've grown so much now."

"..."

"I thought you were still in high school."

"..."

"By the way, do you still remember me?"

Qing Ye gave him a forced smile, then closed her eyes pretending to sleep, finally making him stop talking.

He didn't stay quiet for long before starting to chat with Assistant Tian.

Meanwhile, Qing Ye felt somewhat uneasy. Since New Year's Eve, she had completely cut off contact with those people from Zhazha Pavilion. After more than half a year, returning to that once-familiar place and seeing that person actually made her nervous.

After boarding the plane, Jiang Bo sat next to Qing Ye and took a document from his briefcase, handing it to her: "This is the asset assessment report. I've already prepared it for you. We'll negotiate the transfer price based on this report later - I'll handle the negotiations for you, don't worry."

Then he took out another document and handed it to her: "This is the transfer agreement. Your father said that place is quite poor, so I expect they might not understand these things well. I simply prepared everything - if they have no objections, they can just sign directly."

"Rest assured, this agreement covers all risk avoidance for you - debt issues, operational status, labor risks are all clearly listed. Once the other party signs, whatever happens to this company in the future won't be your concern."

Qing Ye skimmed through it and threw the transfer agreement back to him. As for the asset assessment report regarding the transfer fees, Qing Ye directly tore it in half.

The "rrrip" sound startled Jiang Bo, who immediately exclaimed: "Why did you tear it up?"

Qing Ye slapped the torn scraps onto him: "Not needed."Jiang Bo raised an eyebrow: "Not needed? Your father specifically told me to help you calculate your assets clearly so you don't lose money in the transfer."

Qing Ye said again: "Thank you for your kindness, but I don't intend to accept any transfer fees."

Jiang Bo immediately narrowed his eyes, looking shrewd and calculating. Qing Ye instead smiled and got straight to the point: "What else did my father tell you?"

Jiang Bo raised his eyelids in surprise and laughed: "I find you're just as quick-witted as your father."

Qing Ye turned her head, opened the sun visor, and gazed at the smoke-like clouds, saying calmly: "Sending two people to follow me - did he think I was going to negotiate with a listed company?"

Jiang Bo crossed his legs leisurely: "It wouldn't matter if I told you, but what's in it for me? Introduce me to your schoolmates?"

Qing Ye shot him a disdainful look: "Uncle, where's your sense of shame?"

Jiang Bo looked unconcerned: "Call me brother, what uncle? I'm only slightly older than you. Are all the girls at your school like you, never looking people properly in the eye?"

"Only those who don't look properly at improper people."

Jiang Bo immediately laughed and leaned closer to Qing Ye: "Your father did mention something else - he asked me to check if you've found a sweetheart in that poor place."

Qing Ye turned her eyes uncomfortably toward the window and said coldly: "Then why are you telling me?"

Jiang Bo said quite confidently: "Whether I tell you or not, I'll complete what your father asked. I've been through this before, so little sister, be careful not to expose yourself."

"..." Damn you.

After getting off the plane and transferring to a bus, Jiang Bo complained the entire way. But only when they finally got off the bus and arrived at Anzi County did Jiang Bo sincerely exclaim: "This place is really backward. From what era is this taxi? I think your father might be overthinking things. Could you really find a boyfriend in this place? That would be quite peculiar taste."

Although Jiang Bo's feelings mirrored Qing Ye's initial impression of Anzi County, hearing these words now felt irritating to her. She directly walked away to hail a cab.

Assistant Tian followed behind her with the luggage, saying: "Qing Ye, let's find a place to stay first. We can put our things down before meeting the other party."

Since Qing Ye was the only one familiar with this place, she got in the taxi and told the driver the name of the hotel where Xing Wu had taken her last time. Then she sat quietly in the passenger seat, watching the window without saying a word.

After getting out at the hotel, seeing Qing Ye's low spirits throughout the journey, Jiang Bo walked up to her and said: "Don't look so upset, as if your father sent two people to monitor you. Think about it - during such a critical time as your college entrance exams, your father had no choice but to send you here. He's always felt guilty about it. Isn't he just afraid you might make a wrong move in a moment of confusion? After you graduate, your father will at least find you someone from a wealthy family, or at least someone of equal status - like a quality elite such as myself."

Qing Ye took out her ID card and handed it to Assistant Tian, then turned to Jiang Bo: "The one he wronged was my mother, not me. Also, please pick up your dignity from the floor."

Jiang Bo fell silent, thinking that Brother Qing's daughter certainly had personality. No wonder before leaving, Brother Qing had gone to great lengths to ask him to nip any inappropriate budding relationships in the bud if discovered.

Jiang Bo narrowed his eyes and smiled silently.Qing Ye shared a room with Assistant Tian, while Jiang Bo had booked a single room for himself. By the time they returned to their rooms, it was already 3 p.m. After a brief rest, they prepared to head to Zhazha Pavilion. Since they might need to register with the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, which couldn’t be done today, they planned to meet with the other party first to discuss the relevant matters and prepare the documents tomorrow.

The weather in early February didn’t seem as cold as last year. Wearing a light purple coat that wasn’t particularly thick, Qing Ye didn’t feel the need to huddle up. She and Assistant Tian stood downstairs waiting for Jiang Bo.

However, when this gentleman finally came down, he had changed into a full suit and leather shoes. His outfit and the confident way he walked made him stand out like a rare flower in this small county town.

Qing Ye’s eyelid twitched as she asked him, “Why did you change clothes?”

Jiang Bo straightened his suit with a serious expression. “This is called professionalism, little sister. Let’s go, time to get to work.”

“...”

And so, Jiang Bo made his appearance at Zhazha Pavilion dressed as if he were heading into an international trade center, attracting curious glances all along the way. Since Qing Ye had already informed Du Qiyan in advance that she would be arriving today, even Huang Mao and Pang Hu were present when they reached Qinggu Food Factory.

The moment she stepped into the familiar courtyard, Pang Hu excitedly dropped his book, stood up from his small stool, and grinned foolishly at Qing Ye. “I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”

Qing Ye spread her arms open to him. “Did you miss me?”

Pang Hu laughed and hugged her. “Yeah, missed you a lot.”

Jiang Bo, standing beside Qing Ye, silently observed this massive figure, his face twitching. No way?

Then Huang Mao also approached, looking pitiful. “You only have eyes for the fat guy, not me? You never reply to my messages. Have you forgotten about me?”

Qing Ye went over and slung an arm around his shoulder, leading him toward the factory building while muttering under her breath, “Do you ever know when to shut up? I brought you a gift this time.”

Huang Mao’s eyes lit up at the mention of a gift. “What is it?”

“I’ll give it to you tomorrow.”

After that, Qing Ye whispered something to Huang Mao that Jiang Bo and the others couldn’t hear, but they saw Huang Mao glance back at Jiang Bo.

Watching Qing Ye and Huang Mao with their arms around each other, whispering secrets, Jiang Bo’s frown deepened. As soon as Qing Ye entered the factory, she went straight to the production line to find Liu Nian and began discussing the recent production situation with him.

Meanwhile, Jiang Bo and Assistant Tian were invited by Du Qiyan to the office, where she served them two cups of tea.

Holding his teacup, Jiang Bo looked through the office glass and saw how unusually familiar Qing Ye seemed with the young man named Liu Nian.

It was at that moment Du Qiyan called out, “Qing Ye, they’re back.”

Qing Ye and Liu Nian’s conversation came to an abrupt halt. They lifted their heads and looked toward the factory entrance. Quan Ya walked in first, followed by the man she hadn’t seen in over half a year.

His hair had grown longer, no longer the edgy buzz cut he used to sport. At some point, it had been styled into a choppy, textured faux hawk. Dressed in a black motorcycle jacket, his eyes exuded a cold, handsome aura. From the moment Qing Ye saw him, her heart seemed to stop. She could even feel the sounds entering her eardrums magnifying infinitely. Everyone else faded away instantly, and her eyes held only that one figure.Qing Ye thought she would lose control of her emotions upon seeing him, that she might act impulsively like she did on New Year's Eve, even unable to restrain herself. But perhaps it was truly because too much time had passed since their last meeting—this once so familiar person now felt slightly unfamiliar. She was more composed than she had imagined; at least from outward appearance, she showed no emotional fluctuations.

She simply set down the new product in her hands and walked toward them. Xing Wu soon noticed her, turning his gaze to look at her—just... looking at her, his dark eyes unfathomable.

Jiang Bo and Assistant Tian also emerged from the office. Qing Ye walked up to Quan Ya and the others. Surprisingly, no one spoke; even the usually most chatterbox Huang Mao was quietly watching them at that moment.

The atmosphere held a strangely awkward feeling at a certain instant, leaving even Assistant Tian glancing around uncertainly, unsure of the situation.

Jiang Bo tugged at the corner of his mouth with amusement, observing the two men who had just entered—one with a refined appearance, the other radiating a heroic spirit. Both stood over six feet tall and were surprisingly good-looking.

Qing Ye faced them with her people, introducing calmly yet politely: "This is Lawyer Jiang, and this is my father's assistant, surnamed Tian."

Then she turned to the opposite side and introduced: "Quan Ya, Xing Wu."

Jiang Bo stepped forward, handing them his business card with a smile in his eyes: "Qing Ye has entrusted me to handle her modification procedures this time. Shall we find a place to talk first?"

Quan Ya took the card, glanced at it, then looked at Qing Ye. She averted her gaze—she had made it very clear to Jiang Bo that she didn't want the transfer fee, and the remaining procedures could be handled simply.

The initial money she used to acquire the factory had long been repaid by the monthly payments Xing Wu had Du Qiyan send her. She didn't want to discuss asset liquidation matters anymore. Since leaving Zhazha Pavilion, she hadn't invested any effort in this factory. Now returning was merely about completing formalities—it really wasn't that complicated.

Quan Ya put away the business card. Xing Wu said to Jiang Bo: "Let's talk somewhere else."

The modification materials were already prepared, all with Fang Jie. That area was more spacious, located in Zone 3 of the nearby shooting range, not far to walk to.

As they were leaving, Huang Mao approached Xing Wu and said to him: "Watch out for that bagayaro."

Xing Wu frowned: "What bagayaro?"

"That mustached guy next to Qing Ye. Doesn't that mustache make him look like a bagayaro? Just now Qing Ye quietly told me not to say too much about your relationship with her in front of him. Why do you think that is?"

No sooner had he spoken than Huang Mao's expression changed: "Could it be that Qing Ye and he..."

Xing Wu glanced back at the dignified-looking Jiang Bo but remained silent.

On the way, Qing Ye walked together with Quan Ya the whole time, discussing various situations at the factory. Since she left, all matters big and small in the factory had been managed by Xing Wu and implemented by Quan Ya. Usually, recruiting workers, dealing with clients, suppliers, and advertising merchants—all these were handled by Quan Ya. The factory now had over a dozen workers and had even hired an accountant, becoming more and more properly established.

Jiang Bo, Assistant Tian, and Xing Wu walked behind. Jiang Bo tried to casually inquire about the factory's future development while making small talk with Xing Wu.Before they knew it, they had arrived at Fang Jie's company—a standalone five-story office building that was quite impressive.

Jiang Bo deliberately tugged Qing Ye back and whispered to her, "I just chatted with that Xing Wu. This factory might attract significant investment later. Are you sure you don't want a transfer fee? If your dad finds out about this..."

"No," Qing Ye replied decisively.

Upon entering the building, the five of them stepped into the elevator. Quan Ya pressed the button for the fifth floor. Assistant Tian held the door as Qing Ye entered first, standing at the very back. After everyone had filed in, the elevator doors closed.

When Qing Ye looked up, she noticed Xing Wu standing right in front of her. His back was still as tall and broad as ever. The proximity was so close that his familiar scent seemed to rush toward her, seeping into her senses and instantly reawakening long-dormant emotions. A sudden urge to wrap her arms tightly around him from behind surged within her, but the elevator soon stopped. Quan Ya announced, "We're here. This way."

Qing Ye unconsciously stepped forward but accidentally stepped on the back of Xing Wu's heel. He glanced back at her, and she looked up at him in a fluster, murmuring softly, "Sorry."

Xing Wu had already averted his gaze and stepped out of the elevator. Qing Ye hurriedly followed at the rear, quickly regaining her composure after the awkward moment.