Chapter Twenty-Two
When Meng Wangzhou was pacing outside the activity room for the third time with a broom in his arms, Shen Qianzhan had just finished a pot of rose tea.
Regretting how the afternoon tea felt too bland without hazelnut chocolate cookies, she glanced at Meng Wangzhou, who was drifting around the doorway like a wandering spirit, and asked, "Does Boss Meng always have so much... energy and free time?"
Ji Qinghe followed her gaze toward the NPC Meng Wangzhou, who had been quietly making his presence felt outside the window, and lightly swiped his finger across the touchscreen of his laptop. "This shop hardly gets any customers all year round. This is pretty normal for him."
Shen Qianzhan let out an "oh." Though curious about how Meng Wangzhou usually made a living, she didn’t press further.
A story only truly becomes a story when told by the person involved. Asking Ji Qinghe about it without permission would just be gossip.
As a professional producer, Shen Qianzhan couldn’t allow herself to leave a bad impression of being nosy and gossipy with the investor during the early stages of their collaboration.
This was both professional integrity and moral cultivation!
While she was still basking in her own self-righteousness and spiritual elevation, Ji Qinghe remained completely unaware of her rich inner monologue. He glanced unintentionally at Shen Qianzhan, who was lost in thought while biting the cap of her pen, and said, "Meng Wangzhou hasn’t always stayed in Beijing. He and I both studied clock restoration under the old master."
This piece of history was somewhat unexpected.
Shen Qianzhan instinctively asked, "Then why did he say he wasn’t proficient in clock restoration when I contacted him through the expert last time?"
"He wasn’t wrong," Ji Qinghe chuckled lightly. "He gave up while still learning the theoretical basics."
Shen Qianzhan was rarely at a loss for words. She scratched her head and asked, "How old were you when you started learning restoration under Master Ji?"
She remembered that Ji Qingzhen had already reached middle age and wasn’t young when he gained fame in China for restoring the Mufan Clock.
"I don’t remember," Ji Qinghe said, scrolling the document to the final signature and seal section. He shifted his gaze away and looked at her. "Probably around the time you were still sucking on a pacifier, I was already holding a screwdriver."
Shen Qianzhan felt insulted. "I’m only turning thirty next year. Show some respect, will you?"
Ji Qinghe retorted, "Thirty already? Does Producer Shen’s age grow by the month? Weren’t you twenty-four in June?"
Shen Qianzhan was so angry she laughed. Rolling up her sleeves, she muttered under her breath, "What a jerk." Aloud, she said, "Mr. Ji wasn’t exactly honest either when he claimed to be a professional freeloader with a general store that sells everything at home."
Qiao Xin’s face turned pale.
She quietly tugged at Shen Qianzhan’s sleeve, trying to remind her that they were still at the negotiation table with the client.
"Fair enough," Ji Qinghe said calmly, looking perfectly at ease. "I do freeload quite a bit."
Ming Jue, who had helped Ji Qinghe expand Endless Year’s territory by at least twofold, felt speechless. "..." According to Mr. Ji’s definition of freeloading, those without some real skill probably didn’t even qualify to call themselves freeloaders.
He silently took the laptop Ji Qinghe pushed toward him and carried it to the next room to print.
When the sound of paper spitting out from the printer came from next door, Shen Qianzhan’s temper, which had nearly flown out of her body, finally settled a little. Pressing her lips together, she muttered discontentedly, "With eloquence like yours, Mr. Ji, it’s a shame you’re not in debate."
Seeing that he had teased her enough, Ji Qinghe knew when to stop. "No shame. After all, there are more important things to do."
Shen Qianzhan didn’t want to engage with him at all.
Listening to the rhythmic printing sounds from next door, she imagined stacks of RMB soon flying into her bank account and instantly felt at peace.Tsk, how come she's acting just like Su Zan now, really growing older without gaining any wisdom.
What's the point of getting angry with the golden sponsor? Is money not good to count, or is Daddy not fragrant enough?
She smiled brightly as she poured Ji Qinghe a cup of lukewarm green tea: "We'll be signing the contract soon, please have a cup of green tea to soothe your throat."
Qiao Xin, who had witnessed Shen Qianzhan's lightning-fast change of expression the entire time: "..."
She felt she might never become a producer in her lifetime.
—
The afternoon progressed rapidly. Besides smoothly signing Ji Qinghe's employment contract, both parties drafted a preliminary agreement outline regarding investment amount and cooperation terms.
As the producer, although Su Lanyi had delegated authority allowing Shen Qianzhan to make many major decisions independently, matters concerning Thousand Lights' interests required her to only represent Thousand Lights in negotiations with Ji Qinghe. The final decision still needed Su Lanyi's approval.
The investment contract definitely wouldn't be signed anytime soon.
But given the current progress, Shen Qianzhan was quite satisfied.
Seeing that it was almost dinner time and her initial tasks were completed, Shen Qianzhan generously proposed treating everyone to a meal.
Ming Jue glanced at his watch and declined on Ji Qinghe's behalf: "My apologies, Producer Shen. Mr. Ji has a flight to New York at ten tonight, so I'm afraid he won't be able to join for dinner."
Shen Qianzhan paused while collecting documents, looked at Ji Qinghe who was drinking water, and asked: "How long will Mr. Ji be away on this business trip?"
"One week." Ji Qinghe met her gaze, his eyes shifting between deep and light under the light, constantly changing: "Ming Jue will continue handling the contract matters, it won't delay your work."
Shen Qianzhan had only asked out of casual concern. Seeing his misunderstanding, she parted her lips slightly but didn't explain further.
Before leaving, Shen Qianzhan specifically asked Meng Wangzhou, who had been sweeping with a broom all the way to the front hall, if he wanted to join for dinner.
Meng Wangzhou was initially quite happy, having just put down the broom he'd been holding all afternoon and preparing to change clothes. But noticing that Ji Qinghe hadn't come out with Shen Qianzhan, he suddenly remembered something and hesitantly said: "I just remembered, Qinghe needs to catch his flight tonight. I should see if he needs any help, so I better not go."
Shen Qianzhan didn't press him. She had only asked out of politeness anyway.
Meng Wangzhou's reaction was completely within her expectations.
She smiled and said: "Next time then. After Mr. Ji returns from his business trip, I'll treat everyone to a meal together."
Once back in the car, Shen Qianzhan pulled the pitiful, weak, and innocent Meng Wangzhou back from her WeChat blacklist to her friends list.
—
The following work gradually fell into a routine.
Shen Qianzhan focused intently on having the legal department and Ming Jue refine the contract.
Usually, as soon as she arrived at work each day, Shen Qianzhan would carry her thermos and take root in the legal department head's office.
Su Zan avoided her for several days. Only after finally getting his hands on the Christmas limited edition makeup set gift box did he realize... Shen Qianzhan had been so busy monitoring the contract recently that she simply had no time to bother with him.
After another failed attempt to find her, Su Zan asked Qiao Xin: "Where's Sister Zhan? Has she become infatuated with some handsome guy in the legal department again?"
Qiao Xin had been working nonstop under Shen Qianzhan's high-pressure work atmosphere recently, with swollen eyes from exhaustion. Hearing this, even her breathing sounded tired and hoarse: "Unless you have something important, better not look for her. She's been driving the legal department crazy lately."
Su Zan stroked his chin, unclear whether he believed it or not: "That troublesome?"The moment this was mentioned, Qiao Xin's face instantly contorted: "Endless Year is too difficult to deal with. Mr. Ji's special assistant is both demanding and shrewd. We've revised the contract three times, and new disagreements keep popping up."
Su Zan had been busy lately handling Xiang Qianqian's negative news, either in the PR department or out on assignments. When in the office, he was terrified of being caught by Shen Qianzhan and subjected to retaliation. Far from joining in the fun, he avoided her at all costs, so naturally, he knew nothing about the collaboration between Thousand Lights and Endless Year.
Seeing that Shen Qianzhan wasn't around, he simply pulled up a chair next to Qiao Xin, munching on her snacks as he asked, "How did Zhanjie negotiate with Endless Year? Looking at her practically living in the legal department, it's as if she's afraid the other side will regret it once they realize they've been taken advantage of."
"You could say that." Qiao Xin recalled the conversation between Shen Qianzhan and Ji Qinghe that afternoon and shared what she could with Su Zan: "Zhanjie estimated the project budget at three billion. Mr. Ji agreed without even asking."
In the past, whenever Shen Qianzhan went to negotiate investments, even the most familiar and trusting investors would grill her relentlessly—how long it would take to produce the project, when returns were expected, and the risk assessment for project profits—practically forcing her to write a guarantee.
She had never seen anyone like Ji Qinghe, who accepted everything after just a brief understanding.
Su Zan, however, wasn't surprised: "Rich people don't care about such small change. Three billion is nothing for Zhanjie to play around with."
When Qiao Xin heard three billion referred to as "such small change," her face contorted to the point of losing all expression control: "Mr. Su, please don't say that. I'm afraid if I start resenting the rich, I'll take it out on you too."
Su Zan tugged at the corner of his mouth but didn't smile: "Am I considered rich? I'm practically about to go beg on the overpass."
Qiao Xin added gloomily, "You're the kind of rich who squanders wealth like water. I've never seen a man more capable of throwing money away than you."
Su Zan hissed, about to retort that Ji Qinghe's three billion wasn't exactly being thrown away either, but he stopped himself, realizing it wasn't entirely accurate. With his Zhanjie's capabilities, those three billion probably wouldn't go to waste...
Though he lacked business acumen, after being constantly exposed to it, he wasn't that naive.
Ji Qinghe's investment was likely meant to boost Endless Year's watch brand, raising its prestige—essentially buying an advertising spot.
If a three-billion investment could fully expand Endless Year's watch market in China, making it the most renowned luxury brand in the country, it would clearly be a win for Endless Year.
Thinking this, Su Zan faintly sensed the precise calculations beneath Ji Qinghe's refined exterior. He suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Shen Qianzhan.
If Mr. Ji really had his eye on his Zhanjie, with all these schemes and strategies constantly at play, who knew when Shen Qianzhan might end up under Ji Qinghe's control.
He tossed the beef jerky into his mouth, stood up, and patted Qiao Xin's shoulder encouragingly: "Work hard. If you do well, you can expect a red envelope from Mr. Ji."
Qiao Xin slowly typed a question mark: "Why would Mr. Ji give me a red envelope?"
Su Zan smiled mysteriously and deeply, then walked straight into Shen Qianzhan's office with his Christmas gift box.
Shen Qianzhan received Su Zan's WeChat message just as she had happily finished wielding her little whip.
Confirming that the final version of the contract could be sent back to Endless Year that afternoon, she finally shifted her esteemed self and left the legal department.
—
In the winter of Beijing, the sunlight was warm and dry.On clear days, you could see the wind scattering dust for miles, the sky a pristine wash of blue.
When Shen Qianzhan passed through the corridor back to her office, she was greeted by the afternoon sunlight streaming along the path.
The building kept the winter wind outside the windows. As she gazed into the distance, she could see the bustling crowd at the entrance of the nearby shopping mall. The giant screen displayed a short video preview for the New Year's Eve countdown. The dazzling sunlight made her squint slightly, as if suddenly realizing another new year was approaching.
She paused, about to send a WeChat message to Ji Qinghe.
Her phone vibrated lightly, and a message from Meng Wangzhou arrived first, as if he had just discovered a new world: "I’ve been released?"
Before Shen Qianzhan could reply, another WeChat message followed closely.
Meng Wangzhou asked her: "Are you free on the evening of the 31st, Producer Shen?"
Shen Qianzhan thought for a moment and replied: "Yes."
That would be during the New Year holiday, and aside from social gatherings, there was nothing serious going on.
Meng Wangzhou invited her: "Our association is organizing a singles' matchmaking event."
Shen Qianzhan: "..." Damn? Are you trying to get me killed by Ji Qinghe?
Author's Note: Today, Producer Shen is still shamelessly fawning over her patron.
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me with overlord tickets or irrigated with nutrient solution between 2020-02-23 18:04:22 and 2020-02-24 18:20:19~
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