Chapter 747: Personality Test
The harsh winter had passed, but the air in the night was still full of chill. Under the dim illumination of the street lights a few sparrows were fluttering and flying, braving the chill to seek food to alleviate their hunger.
Right as his cigarette burned out, a black Mercedes Benz drove fast and quickly stopped in front of Tang Xiu's car. A sturdy man came out and opened the rear door, as Chen Zixue came out and tightened his black windproof overcoat while carrying a roll of papers and going toward Tang Xiu's car.
"Hello, Mr. Tang."
Chen Zixue realized that Tang Xiu did not have the intention to get off the car, thus he had no choice but to bow and say.
Tang Xiu wore an expressionless expression. He threw the cigarette butt from the window and saw Chen Zixue's face slightly change, then said indifferently, "If you have something to say, then say it quickly. The weather is cold, and sleeping on the bed is much more comfortable than outside."
For a moment, Chen Zixue was silent. He suddenly let out a smile and said, "I'm very sorry for disturbing you this late at night, Mr. Tang. The chief purpose why I did that is concerning the construction project of your company that is about to be held. There's also a saying that Mr. Tang may have heard as well, that delicate works require time and slow labor. And due to your company only giving a short period of time, I personally took charge of the architect team to draw the blueprint design. We could only finish 60% of it. Please take a look at it."
Tang Xiu casually glanced at him, then took the design roll. His vision immediately focused as he opened the roll and observed it a few times.
The design was done exquisitely with excellent skills according to the main design given by Tang Xiu. It had been carefully well divided and segmented, either the floor height, the distribution of buildings, the use of architectural design and space... all of them were well done and excellent. Despite having only a shallow knowledge of modern architectural design, Tang Xiu still felt astounded.
Unfortunately, it was an unfinished, or rather, a semi-finished product!!
Tang Xiu observed the other dozens of design drawings and then rolled them up again, handed it over to Chen Zixue, and said, "It's too cold here. Let's find some place to chat."
A glint suffused in Chen Zixue's eyes as he returned to his car without hesitation. The two cars drove for less than 10 minutes as they finally stopped at the entrance of a 24 hours convenience store on a nearby street.
"Welcome."
The young and beautiful female clerk raised her head and greeted them. This 24-hour convenience store had two male and one female clerks, and all three of them were very young. However, when the female clerk in the counter saw Tang Xiu, she lightly blanked for a moment before she said with amazement, "Tang Xiu?"
Tang Xiu, who just entered the store, did not pay attention to the female clerk. When he heard her calling his name, he glanced at her from the distance. What he did not expect was that the female clerk turned out to be Yi Lianyan.
"Why are you here?"
Seeing Tang Xiu was a pleasant surprise to Yi Lianyan. Looking a bit embarrassed, she said, "I'm short on money, so I'm working to earn my living expenses. What about you? … How come you are out late at night like this?"
"I just came out to discuss some things with a friend of mine. Never thought I would meet you here," said Tang Xu. "If anything, just tell me if you are short on money, as long as it is less than 7 digits I promise you can work for me later."
Yi Lianyan couldn't help laughing. "Do you want to pay my salary in advance, by chance?"
"Yup!" Confirmed Tang Xiu.
"Nah, if a gentleman cannot eat from charity, so am I as a woman." Yi Lianyan slightly shook her head. "Pay me my salary when I officially work for you!"
The nearby male clerks curled their lips and shot contemptuous looks.
Seven digits?
What a bull! Pretending to be some rich redneck! If you want to support and take Yi Lianyan as your mistress, just say it directly. Why the empty words to deceive her?
HYPOCRITE!
The duo directly labeled Tang Xiu inwardly.
Tang Xiu turned his head to look at Chen Zixue, who wore a smiling face without speaking behind his back. He pointed to a table placed by the window and said, "Yi Lianyan, give us an Oden serving each and two bottles of water."
"Got it. Please wait a bit." Yi Lianyan smiled and left.
Tang Xiu and Chen Zixue came to the window and sat at the table. Then, Tang Xiu straightly spoke, "I have seen the design drawn by your company and they are indeed excellent. But there's something I don't get. Why did you still dare to come to Shanghai while you have yet to complete it? More so that you even dared to find me so late at night like this?"
"It's for benefit and interest. Hence, coming here to find you is a must," said Chen Zixue with a smile.
"Benefits, huh?" Tang Xiu commented with a disdaining expression. "Everyone wants to get benefits. But do you think you can slice a piece of the cake by looking for me now?"
"It's a simple truth that what I'm doing is a fool's dream to take the unfinished design, and yet I still want to win this Magnificent Tang Corporation's big project tender. I'm very clear about that, because I know that no company would hand over the project without a complete design. But I'm betting and turns out that I've already gotten 40% of the bet."
"Why is that?" Asked Tang Xiu with interest.
"I called you and succeeded in making you leave your comfortable bed in the middle of the night. That proves that I have succeeded in about 20%. Then, you looked at the unfinished design, adding another 20%. Added to the previous, it's 40%," said Chen Zixue with a smile.
Tang Xiu nodded and said, "You're very confident, something I can appreciate. So, tell me straight. You came directly and took your semi-finished design to look for me, were you prepared to impress me?"
Chen Zixue himself had recited his own script for countless of times, so he could reply with confidence, "The Magnificent Tang Corporation is planning to build a big construction project of an industrial park and HQ, while my Senyuan Group will only earn a slice, 100 million yuan from start to finish. Once we win this project and start it, your Magnificent Tang Corporation can send someone to supervise all the processes of the entire project, including all the capital expenditure required for the project."
100 million?
Tang Xiu furrowed his brows deeply. He did not expect that Chen Zixue only wanted 100 million yuan—way too little. Based on the calculation he made with Kang Xia, the construction investment of the Magnificent Tang Corporation's HQ and industrial park in Shanghai must be at least 10 billion.
Earning 100 million from a ten billion yuan worth project was definitely not something any construction company was willing to do.
"This matter shouldn't be as simple as that, no?" Tang Xiu subconsciously took out a cigarette as Chen Zixue swiftly took a lighter and lit it up for him.
"Boss Tang, for you to have such achievements at such a young age proves that your intelligence and wisdom are extraordinary," said Chen Zixue. "I want to use your plan to build the Magnificent Tang Corporation's HQ and buildings in Shanghai as an introduction, or you can call it a gift. As long as Boss Tang gives your promise to give all future construction projects of the Magnificent Tang Corporation to my Senyuan Group."
Tang Xiu's face slightly changed and a cold glint suffused his eyes. He took out his phone in front of Chen Zixue and quickly dialed a cell number, saying, "Inspect all the senior executives of the Magnificent Tang Corporation. I want to know who has leaked out the new plan of the company's branch development."
"Understood." The voice of the Chief of Intelligence of the Everlasting Feast Hall transmitted out of the phone.
Chen Zixue kept smiling with a calm expression and waited until Tang Xiu finished the phone call. Then, he touched his nose and smilingly said, "Boss Tang, you company has made this development plan and I believe that the scale of the project and investment in Shanghai will be quite big. Furthermore, it will be inevitable for you to seek cooperation partners. Frankly, my Senyuan Group has been engaged in real estate business for more than 20 years and can be ranked amongst the top ten construction companies in China. However, my company has reached a bottleneck at preset. If I want to break through this state and propel our development a level, we must find another shortcut and do unconventional gambits. And your Magnificent Tang Corporation can give us a way out."
"Then, I wanna ask you something," Tang Xiu said indifferently. "Do you know how many branches and exclusive stores my company is going to build?"
"I dunno about that," Chen Zixue shook his head. "But I dare say that it will definitely be a lot."
Tang Xiu knocked on the table as he squinted his eyes and said, "Let's say I hand over the construction project of the Magnificent Tang Corporation's HQ and industrial park to you, are you not afraid that I'd take back my commitment after you're done with the construction?"
"What I'm betting on here is your character and moral integrity, to be honest," said Chen Zixue solemnly.
"Sometimes one's character is not worth mentioning at all once one is facing the interests and benefits in front," said Tang Xiu casually.
"I'm betting that your character is worth the stake," once again, Chen Zixue said. "In addition, I give you my personal guarantee that my Senyuan Group will not be greedy in the follow-up cooperation. We will take what we must earn and we'll constrict ourselves to not take a dime from anything that is not ours. What I can guarantee compared to the other construction companies is that we can definitely reduce the budget for building any branch office and the exclusive store of the Magnificent Tang Corporation, but still ensure the quality of the project."
"So, what you meant by benefits is just that you want to go over the path of quantity, no?" Said Tang Xiu indifferently.
"That's right!" Chen Zixue firmly nodded.
Tang Xiu just nodded in response. Not only did he not give any promise to him, he looked at Yi Lianyan instead, who placed the two Oden servings on the table, and said with a smile, "This stuff tastes great; I once had it here before. So, how about trying it first?"
Chen Zixue nodded in response. Although he ate it, he could not taste it at all as he swallowed it. He was calculating inside whether his chance of impressing and moving Tang Xiu increased, and how much the percentage would be.
Tang Xiu quietly ate his serving and occasionally glanced at Chen Zixue's face, scrutinizing his pensive look. It secretly made him surprised and also a bit regretful.
What made him surprised was that this man really had the ability and the capital that satisfied and moved him. What made him regret was that Chen Zixue had too much ambition. Although he was not afraid of people with ambition, he did not want to waste too much on him.
"Can I ask you something?"
After finishing half the bowl of Oden, Tang Xiu wiped his mouth with a tissue and smilingly said.
Chapter 748: It's All About Survival
Chen Zixue swallowed the Oden in his mouth, then took the water bottle on the table and sipped it. Then, he replied, "Please do ask, I'll answer the best I can."
"What would you choose if you had to pick between a wolf and an eagle?" Asked Tang Xiu.
"I'd choose an eagle," said Chen Zixue without hesitation.
"Why? A wolf is wild in nature, always going all-out with its strength, tough and tenacious—just like you started eight years ago. Although an eagle indeed can fly high in the sky, it doesn't have a wolf's personality, and can only survive in the food chain by virtue of its inborn endowment."
"The eagle can soar to the vast sky and look down at all walks of life and sentient beings. I would rather sit up high and aloof. I don't want to be a wolf even if… an Alpha of its pack." said Chen Zixue.
Tang Xiu sighed inside. If it was a wolf he would still have the intention to tame it, but it would not be so easy if it was an eagle. One had to be on guard so as not to get pecked and blinded when catching and taming an eagle, and though Tang Xiu had the ability to protect himself, he did not want to waste too much time for that.
More so that Chen Zixue had too much wealth. If he were to become a cultivator, he would have the capital to stay in the competition, vying for resources. After Tang Xiu returned to Earth, he found that there were indeed many precious herbs here, but those precious herbs were limited, and he did not want to add more troubles.
"It's really a pity."
Tang Xiu took out his wallet and took a hundred bill yuan and placed it on the table. He then got up and said, "I'll see you at the project tender!"
Having said that, he greeted Yi Lianyan and directly left the 24-hour convenience store. He could approve Chen Zixue's means in the striking business deal and also recognized his ability, but he could not acknowledge him as an individual.
Chen Zixue did not get up. All sorts of thoughts churned up and swirled inside his mind, recalling Tang Xiu's words before he left. Although he also realized that Tang Xiu allowed him to participate in the project bidding and was highly likely to choose his Senyuan Group, what did he mean with his last sentence?
He could not figure it out and it somewhat depressed his mood.
"Would you like to have another serving of Oden, Sir?"
Yi Lianyan came to Chen Zixue's front with a smiling face and asked after cleaning up the disposable meal box left by Tang Xiu.
Chen Zixue raised his head to look at her pretty face. Suddenly, his heart moved and he asked, "Are you called Yi Lianyan? I'm Chen Zixue, the Senyuan… Forget it. Just call me Big Brother Chen if you don't mind!"
"Alright, how do you do, Brother Chen?" Yi Lianyan smiled.
Chen Zixue nodded and said with a smile, "Would you like to sit and have a chat?"
Yi Lianyan complied and sat on the chair previously used by Tang Xiu. She then smiled and said, "Brother Chen should be a quite capable man, right? I just overheard your conversation. You want to have a business partnership with Tang Xiu, right?"
Chen Zixue found it funny, so he asked, "Does it mean I'm very capable because I want to form a partnership with Tang Xiu?"
"That's of course," Yi Lianyan smilingly said. "Tang Xiu is a very capable person. If you don't have any skills, how could he possibly miss his sleep and come here to discuss business with you otherwise? However, I can tell that it's you who are asking him after hearing the exchange between you two."
Chen Zixue couldn't help laughing and said, "That's right. It's me who's asking him to give me a source of income and a fortune."
"You can make your dream come true as long as you are sincere. That's what I believe," Yi Lianyan laughed. "As for Tang Xiu, he… sometimes has his soft side in some cases, though."
"Do you perhaps know him very well?" Asked Chen Zixue, surprised.
Yi Lianyan pondered before shaking her head and saying, "Nah, I don't know him that well. But I can sense that side of him shine sometimes. Brother Chen, you're a very handsome man, but you don't have Tang Xiu's charm. I recall from before…"
Yi Lianyan's words abruptly halted as though she realized that it was something that could not be said. Finally, she said with a somewhat awkward expression, "I recalled when Tang Xiu saved me."
A smile outlined on the corner of Chen Zixue's mouth and his depressed mood turned for the better. He had a calm personality, to begin with, and rarely engaged in idle talk with strangers. But as a impulse he wanted to chat Yi Lianyan at this time, so he was not in a hurry to leave. Then, he said with a smile, "Could you tell me what abilities he has that he can be a savior for such a pretty woman like you?"
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you that." Yi Lianyan declined with a dry smile.
"Oh?" Chen Zixue looked at her straight on.
Being stared at by him made Yi Lianyan a bit stunned. She secretly regretted talking too much just now. She hurriedly got up and said, "Brother Chen, I don't think you're a bad person, so I'm going to tell something. Do not ever have sinister thoughts toward Tang Xiu, or you will end up very miserable otherwise."
With that said, she immediately returned to the checkout counter and never looked at Chen Zixue's direction.
Chen Zixue slightly furrowed his brows and took back his vision. His eyes reflected that he fell n thought. The secret that Yi Lianyan did not want to say was probably because the matter was not simple. Though his curiosity was indeed piqued, he still suppressed the urge.
****
Early in the next morning.
When Tang Xiu woke up from his sleep, he found that the one who was beside him before had disappeared. After getting dressed, cleaned his face and rinsed his mouth, he went to the first floor, and then heard some sounds from the kitchen.
"Got up early?" Tang Xiu leaned on the door and watched Kang Xia's back, who was now wearing an apron and cooking.
Kang Xia turned around and smilingly said, "Wasn't it you who got up late at night? Why not sleep more?"
"There's something very important we gotta do today. It's best to get up early and join in the fun, no?" Tang Xiu laughed. "Anyways, the host of the project tender will still be you, though. I will just listen and watch."
Kang Xia let out a smile and said, "You really are one hell of a Big Boss, always idle and carefree. Anyways, just go to the dining room and wait there for a while. Breakfast will soon be served."
Tang Xiu did not leave, however, but said, "Anyways, it was Chen Zixue who called me last night, hence I met him."
Kang Xia was stunned and she immediately turned around to ask, "What did he want from you?"
"His company, the Senyuan Group, has yet to finish the entire blueprint, but he wanted to make a deal with me," said Tang Xiu. "This guy is very good, and I admit that he's by far the most business genius I've ever seen. I gotta tell you another issue as well. The latest development plan of our Magnificent Tang Corporation has been leaked out."
"What?" Kang Xia's face greatly changed and there was a faint anger in her eyes.
"I already sent someone to investigate it," said Tang Xiu. "All of the senior executives of the Magnificent Tang Corporation will be investigated, and I'm sure the results will come out soon. What I want to tell you is this. The Senyuan Group has completed a large part of the overall blueprint design, and I've seen more than half of it. It's excellent. If there is no special design and low bidder at today's tender, pick this Senyuan Group!"
"But this is not something trivial." Kang Xia frowned.
"I know. I get what you mean," Tang Xiu nodded. "But Chen Zixue told me his original idea, and it was the kind of ulterior motives behind the bidding. Although the amount of work in Shanghai will be quite big, it's obvious that he wants to produce the complete high-quality blueprint design, and yet he has not much time for that. He wanted to give up, so he offered another option…"
After a few minutes, Tang Xiu narrated Chen Zixue's plan and finally concluded, "He wants to bet on me, then we'll let him do the gamble. We'll hand over the construction of our company's HQ and industrial park to his Senyuan Group. Once it's completed, involve him in managing the construction of our branch offices and exclusive stores. As long as he's not greedy, we don't have to pay much attention to him again later."
Kang Xia thought deeply for a while before she forced a smile and said, "You are oversimplifying this matter. This Chen Zixue obviously understands that we must establish branch offices and exclusive stores in the second half of the year, hence he made this request. But you must not overlook something. It's impossible to finish the construction of the Magnificent Tang Corporation's HQ and industrial park within half a year. Not even a year is enough. According to our estimation, it can be fully completed at least by the end of next year."
"I'm aware of that. But then again, we're also saving the matter of constructing our branch offices and exclusive stores in different provinces one after another, aren't we? It's not like we can build them all at once. We can give the Senyuan Group the projects in one or two provinces. After the work in the first province is completed, and if this company dares to rob us in broad daylight and become greedy, we can stop the cooperation in time."
Kang Xia thought about it and said, "That's quite sound and reasonable indeed! So be it, then! If there are no good surprises from the other bidders today, we'll pick the Senyuan Group, then!"
The breakfast was quite lavish and tasted great.
After Tang Xiu and Kang Xia had finished their breakfast and were preparing to go out and head to the Paradise Manor, an uninvited guest arrived and ruined all Tang Xiu's plans for today.
"Why did you come here, Grandpa?"
Tang Xiu looked at the worried-looking Tang Guosheng and asked with a surprised expression, while Kang Xia looked somewhat uneasy standing before him.
The person who accompanied Tang Guosheng was Tang Min. There was an uneasy look on her face as she looked at Tang Xiu, seemingly wanting to speak a few times but hesitated. Despite seeing Kang Xia and Tang Xiu living together, there was no thoughts regarding this issue inside her head at the moment.
"Let's have a talk inside your study room, Xiu'er!"
"Alright!"
Tang Xiu took Tang Guosheng and Tang Min to the study room, while Kang Xia prepared to serve tea. When the tea was delivered and served to Tang Guosheng and Tang Min, she then prepared to leave.
"Sit there!" said Tang Xiu as he pointed to the chair next to the desk.
Kang Xia looked dull and walked over obediently, albeit hesitantly.
Tang Guosheng, however, was a bit surprised. He looked at Kang Xia and shifted his vision to Tang Xiu before he slowly said, "A major incident happened. It's about the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, along with a large number of intelligence personnel and servicemen. It's also about… the survival and destruction of the hidden force of our Tang Family."
Tang Xiu's heart thumped and he could not believe what he heard. One must know that now was the age of peace. How could such a grave issue occur?
"Exactly what happened, Grandpa?"
Tang Guosheng looked hesitant. He spent a lifetime in the military judging and reading countless people. Although he could see that Kang Xia and Tang Xiu had an unusual relationship, he did not know whether he could trust her, because what he was going to say was of the utmost importance. The situation as a whole was important, and was even more important in regards to Tang Xiu himself.
With his excellent wisdom, Tang Xiu found Tang Guosheng glanced once again at Kang Xia and immediately understood what he had in mind. Then, he said, "Grandpa, Kang Xia is my woman. Someone very close who I can trust other than her being a cultivator as well. You can feel at ease to say anything."