In the afternoon, Zheng Shan's secretary brought Song Qiao to the agreed-upon teahouse on time.
Zheng Shan had already arrived and was calmly making tea.
"Mr. Song has arrived, please have a seat quickly."
Upon seeing Song Qiao, he enthusiastically invited him to sit.
Song Qiao was not one to stand on ceremony. Drawing upon the tea culture knowledge he had acquired in his previous life, he took his seat according to custom.
Furthermore, he handled all the tea-drinking etiquette with such precision and flawlessness that Zheng Shan couldn't help but be impressed.
Tea drinking was a cultural practice of their generation, and Zheng Shan was surprised that Song Qiao, so young, knew the rules so well.
This young man, it was clear, had received specialized training.
"May I ask the Provincial Governor why you wished to see me?"
After a brief period of small talk, Song Qiao gently put down his teacup and directly asked the question.
It wasn't that he lacked patience, but rather that he genuinely didn't want to waste time on pleasantries.
"Mr. Song, have you heard of the Mike Winston Company?"
As soon as he heard this, Song Qiao understood the Provincial Governor's intention.
However, he remained composed and asked, "I know a bit about them. May I ask what the Provincial Governor means?"
"I wish for you to help me deal with this company. Since they invested in our province, they have been engaged in monopolistic trade."
"If we don't stop them, it will be very detrimental to our economic development here."
Song Qiao smiled and calmly took a sip of tea.
"Provincial Governor, you think too highly of me. I am a businessman in the food processing industry. How could I possibly contend with a multinational corporation?"
Zheng Shan did not hide his intentions. "To be honest, I had some doubts about your capabilities at first. However, Xu Chong, the former chairman of our provincial chamber of commerce, strongly recommended you."
Song Qiao frowned.
He did not know Xu Chong and had no prior acquaintance with him. Why would this person think so highly of him?
He fell into deep thought for a moment.
"So, Mr. Song, would you consider taking this on? If you agree, all your enterprises in our province will be given priority treatment."
"Of course, this is within the bounds of the law!"
Zheng Shan chuckled and made a generous offer.
However, Song Qiao shook his head without hesitation and directly refused, "I'm sorry, Provincial Governor, but I don't wish to be involved in this matter."
"My company is currently in a dispute with the Glorious Group, and fighting on two fronts would be very disadvantageous for me."
Zheng Shan looked at Song Qiao with surprise.
He had not expected him to refuse. To be able to resist such a good offer, Song Qiao was truly remarkable.
His composure alone was something most people lacked.
"Very well, since you've said so, I won't force you."
"However, Mo Ling of the Glorious Group has always been very interested in this matter. If you refuse, I will have to let her handle it."
Song Qiao, who had initially been indifferent, felt a jolt.
Although he didn't want to take on this hot potato, he absolutely did not want it to fall into Mo Ling's hands.
If the Glorious Group were to receive official backing, it would be extremely disadvantageous to him.
He observed Zheng Shan for a moment, discerning that the old fox was not bluffing.
He then picked up the teacup he had just set down.
With a faint smile, he said, "Provincial Governor, I've changed my mind. I will deal with this Mike for you."
"Today, I intend to thoroughly curb Mo Ling's arrogance."
The Provincial Governor was overjoyed and felt a surge of relief.
He hadn't expected that merely mentioning Mo Ling would elicit such a strong reaction from Song Qiao.
With Xu Chong vouching for him, this matter was all but secured.
After agreeing to Zheng Shan's terms, Song Qiao exchanged a few pleasantries and took his leave.
As he exited the teahouse, he encountered Mo Ling, who had come to apply for credentials from Zheng Shan.
It was a case of "enemies meeting," and their eyes blazed with animosity.
However, Song Qiao was too preoccupied to engage in a verbal spat. He merely cast a dismissive glance at her and walked away.
His attitude infuriated Mo Ling to the point of wanting to stomp her feet.
"What is he?!"
"Just you wait until I get support from the Provincial Governor. I will make you realize that you, a nouveau riche, are not in the same league as us."
As she entered, she fumed inwardly.
...
After leaving the teahouse, Song Qiao returned directly to the headquarters of New Kai Capital.
He happened to run into Xia Yuqing, who was there to hand over a project.
Upon seeing Song Qiao, her expression immediately darkened, and she began to scold him.
"What was your attitude towards the Provincial Governor at the company today?"
"Do you know his status and position?"
"If the Provincial Governor were to hold a grudge, wouldn't our Tianhong be ruined?"
The barrage of questions made Song Qiao rather impatient.
"Nothing has happened, has it? This is New Kai Capital. If you still want the project, don't cause trouble here!"
After speaking, Song Qiao turned to leave.
"You're a puppet, and you actually think you're the boss. Quickly tell me where your boss is; I want to talk to him!"
Xia Yuqing was so angry with Song Qiao that her teeth ached.
"You're daydreaming here. The boss isn't someone you can just meet whenever you please."
"If you want to find him, go ahead and look. I won't stop you."
"You..."
Seeing her husband's indifferent demeanor, Xia Yuqing finally realized that her words had been a bit excessive.
A pang of guilt arose in her heart towards Song Qiao.
"Hmph, without the boss's strength, he's still putting on airs like the boss."
Despite her guilt, in her mind, Song Qiao still paled in comparison to the mysterious boss.
...
As soon as Song Qiao returned to his office, Ye Zhiwei walked in with a worried expression.
"Song Qiao, I just received a notification from Li Bingqing. She's invited us to attend a banquet. Should we go?"
"I suspect that after the setback at the villa last time, she's definitely planning to regain some ground. Who knows what malicious tricks she might have up her sleeve."
Song Qiao pondered for a moment and said, "Agree to it. We'll go together."
"But, what if they..."
"Perhaps it's better not to go. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."
"That woman, Li Bingqing, is not someone to be trifled with."
"And the Li family of the capital is a force to be reckoned with."
Ye Zhiwei was still concerned.
"Don't worry, we have this under control. It's also an opportunity for us to gauge their recent activities."
"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can plan your strategies more effectively."
Song Qiao remained firm in his decision.
"But what if this is their trap?"
"Don't worry so much. We'll deal with whatever comes our way."
"I happen to want to see what kind of underhanded schemes these people are planning."
Song Qiao remained remarkably calm, seemingly unconcerned about Li Bingqing and Mo Ling.