A myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind, none of them good.
Chen Jiaojiao felt hollow. She slumped onto the office sofa and asked Lu Mingzhe, "What do you want me to do next?"
When Lu Mingzhe had heard about her and Xiang Yang, he had been shocked and angry, rushing over there on impulse.
On the way, all he could think about was breaking them up.
But now, seeing that Chen Jiaojiao hadn't done it intentionally and seemed rather dejected, as if he were meddling and trying to break up a happy couple, he felt a pang of sympathy.
"How long have you two been together? Do you really like Xiang Yang?"
Chen Jiaojiao snorted at him impatiently.
Knowing that Lu Mingzhe didn't have a good impression of her and would likely be thinking the worst of her for being with Xiang Yang, she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of him.
"Not long. I was just attracted to his youth and good looks, and we were dating casually because I had nothing else to do. Since it's not working out, we'll just break up."
"Don't worry, I won't contact him again. You can go now."
Fine, Chen Jiaojiao was heartless and didn't understand sadness. He had been worrying for nothing.
Lu Mingzhe didn't leave immediately. Instead, he spoke to her.
"I'll find someone to arrange for Xiang Yang to go back to school. To avoid any awkwardness, I'll pretend I don't know about your breakup, and you two can handle it yourselves."
"But you must see him return to campus before you break up."
After leaving Chen Jiaojiao's home, he used his father's name to contact someone in the education department.
After a meal and drinks, and leveraging his connections, he finally managed to sort out Xiang Yang's return to school.
The next day, he used the excuse of a business trip and, with his card in hand, came to Hangcheng again.
It was already past 11 AM when his plane landed. Thinking it was lunchtime, he hoped he might be able to have a meal with Xiang Wan if they met.
So, he called Xiang Wan.
As it turned out, Xiang Wan said she was busy.
There had been a problem during the acceptance of a previously contracted project, and they were currently redoing the work.
"I'm at the site with the client. I'm busy all day today."
Lu Mingzhe knew she wasn't lying, as he had heard about this matter firsthand from that old man.
The project had no issues; it was clear he was deliberately finding fault.
He thought that by barging in and teaching him a lesson, the man would know that Xiang Wan had someone backing her and would restrain himself. He hadn't expected him to be so audacious.
"Do you still have to handle this kind of thing yourself? Where is Tang Haichao? How much salary does he pay you that you have to manage everything?"
Xiang Wan's side was chaotic, with workers constructing, people finding fault, and her child still at home being monitored for fever. She was extremely annoyed.
"Are you done? If you are, I'm hanging up. Don't call me again if there's nothing important. I'm not as idle as you are."
"I told you I'm not leaving Hangcheng, so why are you treating me like a thief?"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry."
Lu Mingzhe knew he had said a bit too much and quickly apologized to her.
"Is Niannian feeling any better? Can I go see her?"
"No. Grandma is at home taking care of her. What if she sees you..."
He knew exactly how much his grandmother had liked Lu Mingzhe back then.
After all the trouble, bearing and raising a child, and his absence during critical moments, he wondered what the old lady thought of him now. Sigh.
Since he couldn't see Xiang Wan in the afternoon and she wouldn't let him visit the child privately, he could only surprise her.
"Okay then, you go ahead and be busy. I'll hang up."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Mingzhe took a taxi straight to the oncology hospital.
He remembered exactly where Director Qian's office was and went directly to push open his office door.
Perhaps the old man had learned his lesson after being beaten last time, as he now knew to lock his door.
He pushed it, but it didn't open. Lu Mingzhe knocked on the door from the outside.
Director Qian soon came out and met his gaze through the glass.
Seeing it was him, his expression changed.
"Why are you here? Do you need something?"
"Yes. But how can I tell you if you don't open the door?"
Director Qian, through the door, said sternly, "I didn't hold you accountable for what happened last time. Stop being so troublesome."
"Your business with Xiang Wan has nothing to do with me. If you need to handle it, handle it yourself. Why do you keep coming to me?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since we both hate Xiang Wan, wouldn't it be good to cooperate?"
Oh? So he hated Xiang Wan too? He was here to seek cooperation!
Director Qian hesitated for a moment, then opened the door.
Xiang Wan ate her boxed lunch and stayed at the site until past three in the afternoon. The two details were finally fixed.
The person in charge of supervision called Director Qian to report the situation, and Director Qian asked Xiang Wan to take the phone.
"Xiao Xiang, I'll give you another chance. Regarding the incident a few days ago, if your attitude is good, perhaps you can still earn some profit from this project."
"But if you continue to be stubborn, we'll just drag this out..."
Xiang Wan understood.
The acceptance of this project was in his hands. As long as he didn't declare it satisfactory, she wouldn't receive the final payment for the project.
Moreover, they would endlessly send people to rework and provide after-sales service, delaying the delivery date and severely damaging the company's reputation and interests.
Last time, she hadn't expected him to be so despicable and had impulsively made harsh remarks, leading to the current situation.
Xiang Wan knew she had to bear some responsibility. Since he was now offering a way out, she had to go along with it.
"I'm sorry, Brother Qian. I drank too much last time and acted foolishly, saying something offensive."
"I've been wanting to apologize to you, but as you know, there have been many family matters recently."
"You're a magnanimous person. If you have time today, shall we have dinner together? I promise to apologize sincerely. Okay, Brother Qian?"
She secretly calculated: as long as he signed the project confirmation, even if she got drunk, vomited, or he made unwanted advances, she would accept it!
As long as the signature meant money, who would remember who he was later?
Director Qian glanced at Lu Mingzhe, who was sitting beside him swaying slightly, and agreed with a smile.
"We've known each other for more than a day or two, and we've dealt with each other more than once. Although you spoke disrespectfully last time, I'm still willing to give you a chance."
"Then it's settled. I'll see you after work. But I have a condition."
"We're meeting alone tonight. Don't bring any of those unsavory people with you."
This old scoundrel was determined to take advantage of her, wanting to meet privately.
Although she felt uneasy, knowing what she would face, for the sake of the entire company and the substantial commission, Xiang Wan had to grit her teeth and play along.
"No problem. I'll book a restaurant now. I'll send you the address later."
After hanging up Director Qian's call, Xiang Wan received a WeChat friend request.
It was from Lu Mingzhe.
The verification message stated: I'm in Director Qian's office now.
This immediately made her accept the friend request.
Xiang Wan sent him a question mark, asking what he meant and how he knew Director Qian. Lu Mingzhe didn't explain, only saying:
"Tonight, follow my lead. I'll be going with Director Qian. I'm going to help Xiang Wan completely get rid of this scumbag today."