Zhan Bei Jue extended his hand for a handshake, remaining silent.
The man bowed respectfully, "We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience caused by our outdated practices."
"Did anyone get hurt? If so, I'll arrange for everyone to go to the hospital free of charge."
"We are extremely sorry. The director was also furious upon learning of this and has personally arranged a banquet to appease you."
"We hope Mr. Zhan will be magnanimous and grant us some of your favor."
Zhan Bei Jue scanned the astonished villagers with a blank expression and said to the man in a cold tone.
"No need. Thank you for making the trip. Please tell Director Wang that I acknowledge this favor."
"Not at all. Mr. Zhan is too kind. It was our mistake..."
"No need for further pleasantries. I will call Director Wang myself another day. You may leave."
"My friend needs to rest. Please leave a car to take us to the city."
And so, Jiang Nan Fang once again found herself in a special vehicle.
The difference this time was that it wasn't to settle a score, but to protect her.
She didn't want to leave. The issues with the village hadn't been resolved, and Engineer Zhang and the others might still face trouble.
"Zhan Bei Jue..."
"I know what you're worried about," Zhan Bei Jue interrupted her.
"Don't worry, I've handled everything."
"We traveled thousands of miles to support their construction, and yet they dared to make things difficult for us. It's simply outrageous."
"The Construction Department has been notified. No one will obstruct Engineer Zhang from now on."
"Otherwise, Zhan Corporation will not participate in any investment promotion, even if they offer to pay us."
"Not only will I not come, but no one from the entire Nan Cheng industry association will dare to come."
"They can look forward to remaining a poverty-stricken city for life."
So he knew everything, and had even arranged the solutions.
Jiang Nan Fang breathed a sigh of relief.
But then she felt rather embarrassed.
She had always believed her professional skills were strong enough that by snatching his business, she could take everything from him.
However, it now seemed that the deep roots, connections, and widespread influence of Zhan Corporation were something she would need many years to catch up to.
The thought alone was disheartening.
She was no match for Zhan Bei Jue, not in any aspect.
For her first project, she needed his help, and he even had to travel thousands of miles to save her life.
With herself like this, how could she possibly compete with him?
She had even thought of making his life a living hell?
A fool's dream.
After speaking, Zhan Bei Jue saw her dejected expression and assumed she was still scared. He gently raised his arm, intending to pull her into his embrace.
"Don't be afraid, it's all over now..."
Jiang Nan Fang dodged his arm and shifted slightly, "There are people in front. Be mindful of appearances."
"..."
"Who's afraid? At worst, I'll die. I've died before, so they should be the ones afraid of me."
"..."
Zhan Bei Jue was amused by her indignant look. "Alright, alright, you're not afraid, others are afraid of you."
To appease Zhan Bei Jue, the director's secretary had pre-booked the city's most luxurious hotel for him.
The car dropped them off, and once inside, Jiang Nan Fang turned hostile.
"Alright, your mother tried to scheme against me once and failed. Now that you've rescued me, we're even."
"Don't expect me to thank you. I'm tired and want to sleep. You should go back."
Zhan Bei Jue stood outside the door, looking at her heartless demeanor, and considering his own anxiety throughout the journey, felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.
"Jiang Nan Fang..."
"Yes, I'm a petty person who burns bridges and is ungrateful. I admit it. Can you leave now?"
As she tried to close the door, Zhan Bei Jue pressed his hand against the door panel.
"Wait."
Jiang Nan Fang looked at his face and taunted him.
"What? Do you need me to say a few words of gratitude? If you don't get back what you've put in today, you won't be able to go home?"
Zhan Bei Jue sighed and lifted his shoe to show her.
From his calf to his shoe, it was covered in fine yellow dirt, looking utterly filthy.
"Look how dirty I am. How can I go out and see people?"
"..."
"You can leave, but can you at least go in, take a shower, and change your clothes before you go?"
It was indeed a good excuse to stay.
Unfortunately, Jiang Nan Fang wasn't buying it.
Given their current relationship, sharing a room to shower and change clothes was too much of a compromise for her!
"Go and book a room yourself. You can shower for as long as you want."
"...Engineer Zhang called me with an urgent matter. I came out on a private jet and didn't bring my ID."
'Then you can stay here, and I'll move to another room,' Jiang Nan Fang thought of saying.
But then she remembered that the situation was sudden, she hadn't packed any luggage, and she didn't have her ID either.
"Then leave after you've showered!"
"Okay."
Finally, he was inside.
Zhan Bei Jue stood at the door, taking off his shoes, and couldn't help but lament how pitiful his current situation had become.
After a full hour in the shower, ensuring he was completely free of dust, Zhan Bei Jue emerged wrapped in a towel.
Jiang Nan Fang was also dirty, so she stood on the balcony, not sitting down.
It was already past eight in the evening, and in the less bustling city, the lights had begun to twinkle.
She looked at the scattered city lights and, for no reason, her thoughts drifted back to her child.
Her hair had come undone during their escape, and the strong evening breeze on the rooftop made her frail figure seem as if she might float away.
Zhan Bei Jue quietly walked up behind her, longing to hold her as she stood there, quiet and lonely.
"What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Nan Fang quickly raised her hand to wipe her eyes, "Nothing."
"What's wrong? Are you crying?"
Zhan Bei Jue instinctively lowered his head to cup her face, but she slapped his hand away.
"Get away from me!"
"Why aren't you wearing clothes?"
Zhan Bei Jue was speechless again. "My clothes were too dirty, so I put them in the washing machine."
"Go inside and stay there. It's not proper to wander around like this."
She turned her head away from him. "Leave after your clothes are washed."
The sound of water came from the bathroom. Jiang Nan Fang went to wash up, while Zhan Bei Jue took out his phone and continued to deal with the work he had left behind for the day.
He was very hungry, having not eaten since noon. He figured Jiang Nan Fang must be hungry too, so he ordered dinner.
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Nan Fang finally emerged.
She was wearing a bathrobe identical to his.
Zhan Bei Jue put down his phone and called out to her, "You must be hungry. I've ordered dinner. Come and eat."
Jiang Nan Fang's clothes had also been washed, and she now somewhat understood his attire.
She was indeed hungry, and they sat down facing each other.
Seeing her eat ravenously, it was clear she was famished. Recalling the day's events, Zhan Bei Jue couldn't help but reprimand her.
"You know, sometimes you seem smart, and other times you're incredibly foolish."
"???"
"After suffering so many losses, you still don't consider the consequences before acting. Relying on a few flashy moves, you constantly put your personal safety at risk. Today's incident..."
'Just because you saved my life, you think you're something special?'
He just wouldn't stop lecturing her.
Jiang Nan Fang glared at him, "My safety has nothing to do with you. Weren't all my past insecurities caused by you?"
"Don't think you have the right to lecture me just because you saved me once. Shut up."
"...Jiang Nan Fang..."
"If you say one more word, get out!"