After the children left, the parents gathered, especially Mr. Liao, who deliberately stayed with Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng.
"I really didn't expect the two children to become such good friends," Mr. Liao said with a look of relief.
Wei Yumeng smiled, "Our Shiqing has told me a lot about your daughter. She is indeed an excellent girl."
"To receive such praise from Miss Wei, I am humbled."
Wei Yumeng looked at Mr. Liao. Although their conversation seemed fine, it also revealed the common trait of businessmen. He always seemed to hold something back, even when accepting praise, which felt awkward.
Zhan Mohan, standing by, didn't join their conversation but was engrossed in his phone.
Wei Yumeng was discussing the children with Mr. Liao when his expression suddenly changed. A fawning smile reappeared on his face, yet he feigned shyness, making him seem utterly awkward.
"Mr. Zhan, actually, I have other matters I'd like to discuss with you."
Wei Yumeng instinctively glanced at Zhan Mohan, who remained unfazed.
Mr. Liao continued, "I heard that Mr. Zhan is currently looking for a partner in the apparel industry. I hope Mr. Zhan can give us an opportunity."
"Is this a self-recommendation?" Zhan Mohan asked indifferently.
"That's right. I believe you know that our Liao family has been in the apparel industry for decades, with patented craftsmanship and design. I wonder if Mr. Zhan could give us a chance to cooperate, considering how good the children are together?"
Wei Yumeng finally understood what had felt off all along. Liao Yixue's strange attitude towards Zhan Shiqing, and Mr. Liao's peculiar behavior earlier, all pointed to one thing: he was here for the project.
The Zhan Group was a colossal enterprise, naturally attaching great importance to its partners. Once a company aligned with the Zhan Group, it would gain significant benefits. Such an experience could even establish a company's prominence in Pengcheng's business circles. It was rumored there was an unwritten ranking based on the number of collaborations with the Zhan Group; more collaborations meant a better relationship and higher capability, thus leading the business community. The Liao family, while not insignificant, had no outstanding achievements despite decades of operation, leaving them relatively unknown.
Thinking of this, Wei Yumeng felt a surge of anger. He deliberately brought up the children's friendship, implying he wanted to leverage that connection to gain favor with the Zhan Group.
Meanwhile, Zhan Shiqing looked at Liao Yixue in disbelief. "Xiaoxue, why would you say that? Aren't we good friends?"
Liao Yixue even pushed Zhan Shiqing away. "It's all your fault! It's because of you that I have to be separated from my best friend. It's because of you that I have to pretend to be someone I'm not and maintain a good relationship with you!"
Zhan Shiqing was stunned, not fully comprehending Liao Yixue's words.
"What's going on? Xiaoxue," Zhan Shiqing asked, unwilling to give up. "Even if I don't understand how things got this way, there's always a solution. Let's find one together, okay?"
"There's no solution because we're not from the same world," Liao Yixue said, looking down with a sense of inferiority. "You are the cherished daughter of the Zhan Group, and I am the daughter of an ordinary family. It's… it's not that I'm not good enough for you. Even… even if you consider me a friend, I'm merely a tool, only meant to help my father get closer to your family, so…" Her voice trembled with growing sadness.
Zhan Shiqing looked at Liao Yixue for a long time before reaching out and taking her hand. "No, Xiaoxue, how can you be a tool? I genuinely consider you my friend. Whether you're the daughter of the Zhan Group or an ordinary family, I just see you as my best friend."
Liao Yixue felt even more distressed upon hearing Zhan Shiqing's words. Compared to the innocent Zhan Shiqing, she carried a heavier burden at such a young age. For the sake of her family's business, she had to feign similar interests to the Zhan family, leading her to believe she was born merely as a tool for her family to exploit. She didn't know if she could continue being friends with Zhan Shiqing, yet she longed to shed all pretense and be Zhan Shiqing's genuine friend. The better Zhan Shiqing treated her, the more pain it caused, which was why she desperately resisted and pushed away.
"Xiaoxue, perhaps… perhaps my words alone aren't enough to prove anything. Mother always said that to make someone believe you, words aren't sufficient. Would you be willing to give me a chance? I will continue to treat you as my good friend, and I hope you won't feel this pressure. If there are problems, we'll find a solution together." Zhan Shiqing spoke, then turned to Zhan Jinzhi, who had returned at some point. "My brother is incredibly smart. Even if we can't solve the problem, he definitely can."
Zhan Jinzhi nodded. "Since I know this isn't your true intention, I'm willing to help you resolve this. And I believe… Mom and Dad have also noticed the problem."
Meanwhile…
Zhan Mohan's brows furrowed upon hearing Mr. Liao's words. "Is this why you had your daughter get close to my daughter?"
Mr. Liao blinked slightly but then gave an awkward smile. "What does Mr. Zhan mean? The children's good relationship is their own business, how could it be considered deliberate closeness?"
"Doesn't the children's reaction just now speak volumes?" Wei Yumeng couldn't bear it any longer. "Liao Yixue was very resistant to interacting with Shiqing, and upon hearing your words, she could only follow along. Isn't that the best evidence?"
"This…" Mr. Liao shrugged. "You two, I just wanted them to get along. I didn't expect such a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? Mr. Liao, your tactics might work on others, but within the Zhan Group, they will only be more repellent." Wei Yumeng's eyes still held a look of disgust. She was starting to worry about how Zhan Shiqing would react if she found out.
Zhan Mohan cast a cold glance at Mr. Liao. "Actually, your family, the Liaos, was indeed on my list of potential partners. But now, seeing a father who would even use his own child, I find it impossible to trust."