The matter of the Wushan Daoist and his disciple was but a minor interlude for Chen Fan.
He paid it no mind.
After resolving it, he returned to Bingqing Cosmetics.
To continue slacking off...
Ge Dashan and his group, highly cooperative with Chen Fan, engaged in boastful banter.
Time crept into the afternoon.
Xu An, growing impatient, dialed Xia Bingqing's phone.
Xia Bingqing's instinctive reaction upon seeing it was Ge Dashan was to reject the call.
However, reconsidering that she couldn't afford to offend the Xu family, she answered.
"President Xu..."
Xu An said, "President Xia, has there been any progress on the matter we discussed earlier?"
"It's been two or three days now, surely there should be a response!"
Xia Bingqing paused before replying, "President Xu, I truly cannot agree to the terms you proposed."
"I hope you can understand!"
After being rejected, the fire in Xu An's heart flared instantly, but he suppressed it, refusing to erupt. He said, "President Xia, I believe this collaboration would be a win-win for both of us. I hope you will reconsider!"
"After all, the Xu family of Lingnan holds a significant position in the cosmetics industry!"
"Many people would jump at the chance to cooperate with us!"
Xu An cast his bait.
Xia Bingqing's stance remained resolute, "I am truly sorry, but I cannot agree."
Refused for a second time, Xu An was nearing his breaking point. He took a deep breath and said, "President Xia, since you are unwilling to cooperate, I won't press the issue!"
"Alright then..." Xia Bingqing prepared to hang up.
Xu An quickly interjected, "President Xia, you previously said we are friends. Since we are friends, would you be amenable to having dinner together?"
Xu An had changed his approach to asking Xia Bingqing out.
Xia Bingqing had indeed said that before.
At this point, it was difficult to refuse.
To refuse again would be her fault.
Xia Bingqing clenched her fist and said, "Alright... I'll see you tonight!"
"Send me the location then!"
"Certainly!"
Seeing Xia Bingqing agree, Xu An was inwardly overjoyed.
A possessive desire, unprecedented, surfaced in his eyes.
"Hmph... Xia Bingqing, if you dare to show up today, I'll make sure you lose more than you gained, haha..." Xu An chuckled triumphantly.
He then changed into a custom-made suit and applied some cologne.
Admiring himself narcissistically in the mirror, he narrowed his eyes and said, "I refuse to believe Xia Bingqing won't end up in my bed!"
Laughing...
Exceedingly pleased with himself.
He could already envision Xia Bingqing lying beside him, a scene so incredibly beautiful.
Then, he selected two bottles of high-quality red wine.
With everything prepared,
In the evening, Xu An arrived at Lin City Grand Hotel and booked a private room with an excellent ambiance.
Most importantly, this room also featured a Simmons mattress for resting.
He then sent Xia Bingqing a message with the location.
Shortly after, Xia Bingqing received it. Reluctantly, she turned off her phone... sighing and shaking her head, thinking how sometimes, one truly had no choice.
After finishing her last piece of work, she went downstairs and told Chen Fan in the security room, "Chen Fan, come out with me for a bit!"
Chen Fan leaped out from the window in a rather stylish maneuver, "Let's go!"
He winked and asked, "Was I cool just now?"
Ge Dashan and the others watched with the expressions of onlookers, awaiting Xia Bingqing's reply.
Xia Bingqing snorted coldly and ignored them.