197: Chapter 197: Xu Ruolan in Danger!
197: Chapter 197: Xu Ruolan in Danger!
“Situ, times have changed; the heat has been on for the past few years.
We’ve rarely taken any action, otherwise, we’d be in trouble if we were targeted.”
The hoarse voice across the phone hesitated, then spoke.
“As long as it can be done, I’ll pay whatever it takes!”
A sinister glint flashed in Situ Nan’s eyes as he sneered, “I still believe ‘money talks’ hasn’t gone out of fashion.
Just go ahead and do it, and once it’s accomplished, I’ll pay ten times the price!”
The mention of ten times the price brought an instant silence from the other end of the line.
Eventually, a voice came through: “Deal!”
The call was hung up.
Situ Nan took a deep breath and massaged his somewhat stiff face before dialing another number.
“President Xu, what are you busy with now?”
Situ Nan chuckled, his voice incredibly warm, sounding as if he were chatting with an old friend he hadn’t seen in years.
This ability to switch faces was essential for a top businessman; without it, Situ Nan wouldn’t have climbed to the top tier of Zhonghai City’s business world in just a few short years.
Xu Ruolan was clearly surprised by Situ Nan’s call, as Ning Fan’s behavior at the archery club should’ve been a serious loss of face for Situ Nan.
The pharmaceutical deal was likely ruined too, but Situ Nan’s taking the initiative to call was an unexpected move that made Xu Ruolan consider that there might still be a chance to salvage the drug deal.
After all, Xu Corporation desperately needed this batch of drugs.
“Mr.
Situ, I’m really sorry about today’s incident, and on behalf of Ning Fan, I apologize to you.”
Xu Ruolan sincerely said into the phone.
As for whether she truly felt any remorse, that remained known only to the heavens.
“Haha, no problem at all, just minor issues; I don’t take them to heart.
We’re all in business here, and in business we talk business; do you still want that batch of drugs?”
Situ Nan quickly offered an olive branch, believing that upon hearing this, Xu Ruolan’s judgment would be completely muddled by him!
Indeed, as soon as the drugs were mentioned, Xu Ruolan immediately tensed up and asked, “Are you really prepared to sell that batch of drugs to Xu Corporation?”
Situ Nan laughed heartily, his voice earnest as he said, “Of course I can sell, but it depends on how.
Besides, I intend to make some profit on the side.
I trust President Xu won’t mind.”
“Not at all, I don’t mind in the slightest!”
Xu Ruolan was truly overjoyed.
If Situ Nan had suggested over the phone that he would give away the drugs for free to Xu Corporation, she would have been suspicious.
But now, knowing that Situ just wanted to make a profit,
She was immediately reassured.
However, she couldn’t help but feel surprised.
Such an obvious change in Situ Nan’s attitude—did he have some ulterior motive?
Unable to discern Situ Nan’s true intentions, Xu Ruolan carefully said, “Mr.
Situ, I truly appreciate this.
I must treat you to a good meal sometime to discuss finalizing the drug transfer.”
She knew all too well that no amount of fancy talk over the phone mattered.
Only once the contract was officially in front of them and signed could she breathe a sigh of relief.
“Haha, no time like the present; let’s make it today.
Come to my villa for dinner tonight, and we can settle this matter,” Situ Nan said cheerfully.
Then, as if remembering something, he added a reminder, “However, President Xu, I have a small request.
I wonder if you could accommodate me.”
“Just say it.
As long as it’s within my power, I’ll certainly do my best!” Xu Ruolan replied, her spirits high at the prospect of securing a deal that would determine the future of Xu Corporation, yet she remained patient on the phone.
She would not relax until the paperwork was officially signed.
“That Ning Fan—don’t bring him along today, and better not even tell him about it, to spare us any awkwardness…”
Having said this, Situ Nan paused, then spoke in a very heavy tone, “I know I was outclassed and deserved to lose, but…”
He couldn’t bring himself to finish, but Situ Nan believed Xu Ruolan would surely grasp his implication.
As expected, the astute Xu Ruolan immediately understood, her voice cool as she said, “Rest assured, I certainly won’t bring him this time.
And as for Ning Fan’s offense, Xu Corporation will prepare a generous gift as an apologetic gesture to you.”
The phone call ended, and Xu Ruolan let out a long sigh of relief.
For now, it seemed like the most perfect solution to the problem had been found: she had gotten the medication and also rid herself of Situ Nan’s entanglement.
Most importantly, she might be able to defuse the tension between Situ Nan and Ning Fan.
…
At the end of the workday, Ning Fan, as usual, waited for Xu Ruolan in the underground parking garage so they could go home together.
Xu Ruolan arrived on schedule, and her mood seemed quite pleasant, which eased the somewhat anxious Ning Fan.
“Yo, Boss, you seem in a good mood!”
Ning Fan greeted her with a smile.
But Xu Ruolan didn’t even glance at him and went straight into the car.
Just as Ning Fan was about to open the passenger side door.
“Beep beep!”
A crisp sound rang out as the car door was locked from the inside.
“What the heck!
Boss, what’s this about, did I offend you or something?”
Ning Fan leaned against the window, asking with a smile.
“Take a taxi home today, I’ve got something to do, it’s not convenient to take you with me.”
Xu Ruolan said coldly.
Her expression was impassive, like a proud swan.
“What’s up?
I can come with you, can’t I?”
Ning Fan cracked a smile, cigarette dangling from his mouth, refusing to leave.
He tugged at the door, but Xu Ruolan showed no sign of opening it.
“I really have something on, there’s a social event tonight that I need to attend.
You go home first, it wouldn’t be convenient to bring you along!”
Xu Ruolan said, frowning, and then honked the horn, showing that her patience was wearing thin.
Ning Fan touched his nose awkwardly, not expecting Xu Ruolan to be so unsparing.
“Alright, alright.
An underhanded gathering of capitalists, what business does a civilian like me, straight out of the village, have at such an event?”
Ning Fan shrugged his shoulders, feigning disappointment, deliberately trying to irritate her.
“Hey, hey, hey, Mr.
Ning, who said anything about an underhanded capitalist gathering?
Can’t you phrase it less offensively?”
Xu Ruolan’s lovely eyes flashed angrily as she glared at him deeply.
“Er…
okay.” Ning Fan’s face stiffened, then he chuckled, “I shouldn’t say underhanded capitalist gathering, it should be a business exchange among industry magnates, yes, definitely an exchange.”
“You…
your attitude gives you away, you don’t really think that!”
Seeing his disdainful look, Xu Ruolan got angry.
A proper business collaboration, in his mouth, turned sour, as if she were going to sell nuclear bombs.
“Oh come on, we plain folks don’t know how to slap on a facade of flattery.
Just drive safely,” Ning Fan said, realizing further dialogue was pointless, and walked away with an air of nonchalance.
“Such a petty man!”
As Ning Fan left with his tail between his legs, Xu Ruolan sighed and started the car, driving away lengthily.
However, she didn’t notice that the moment she started the car and chose a direction, Ning Fan’s head popped out from the side of a building, memorizing the direction, a hint of puzzlement in his eyes.
He made a call, instructing the new head of the security department to tail Xu Ruolan.
When Zhu Xuetao heard who his target for surveillance was, he almost bit his own tongue.
“What?
Brother Ning, you aren’t kidding, right?
Tailing the president — if I get caught, I can kiss my position as head goodbye!”
[Special thanks: To our loyal supporter M9, it’s you!
Thank you, brother.
Oh, and we’re still a thousand votes short, guys, let’s charge!]