He Mengchao, true to his reputation as a wicked friend, knew him all too well and retorted directly, "You call that turning over a new leaf? That's more like a pig rooting for a head!"
Du Feiyang was furious. "He, I'm breaking off relations with you."
"We break off relations seven or eight times a year, and this is the first time this year. It's fine, if you want to break off, then break off. Whoever backs down is a coward.
Let's see how long you can last this time. It's usually no more than three days. I'm really looking forward to your new record!"
Tang Ling found it hilarious, these two jesters.
Coming out this time had indeed brought much more joy, it was quite interesting, more fun than following women on a sea excursion.
"Dinner is ready."
Xie Sui had finally finished preparing the meal. Du Feiyang and his companion immediately scrambled for seats. Du Feiyang wanted to sit next to Hu Pan, or opposite her, it was fine. If he didn't pursue, how would he know if there was no chance?
He Mengchao couldn't out-maneuver him and ended up squeezed next to Tang Ling, with Guan Zhizhi beside him. He felt a bit awkward. He admired Guan Zhizhi greatly, but only from afar, he dared not get close.
Guan Zhizhi said generously, "Young Master He, I heard you recently joined the He family headquarters. You've gained the old man's favor, and your future is limitless."
"It's alright, just getting by. Miss Guan is also doing very well."
He Mengchao didn't dare to meet her eyes. Some girls, if you look at them too much, you might actually fall for them.
"Come, let's toast. It's fate that we can all gather together. From now on, we are all friends. We must drink up."
"Cheers!"
"Taste Brother Xie's culinary skills. He brags about being unmatched in the world, let me see if it tastes like dragon meat?"
"As if you've ever eaten dragon meat."
The group began to eat. Xie Sui picked out fish for Lin Wanwan, deboned it for her. Guan Zhizhi envied, "Mr. Xie is such a good husband. Miss Wanwan is truly blessed."
"I'm only behaving well these few days. I was also a scoundrel in the past, you just didn't know about it. Eat well, drink well. I'm a simple person, not good with words, please don't mind."
"Sister-in-law, you're being too formal. We're not outsiders. Miss Hu, let's have a drink. It's been a while. I think you've become even more beautiful."
"Thank you."
Hu Pan and Du Feiyang clinked glasses. There was no awkwardness, they acted like friends. Xie Sui breathed a sigh of relief. Hu Pan had truly grown a lot.
"Brother Xie's cooking is really good, it's delicious!" Du Feiyang tasted it and couldn't stop his chopsticks. It was truly delicious.
He had eaten countless delicacies, but what Brother Xie made today was exceptionally appetizing, and he ended up eating three bowls.
The others also praised the food. Xie Sui said proudly, "I have two great strengths in my life: the first is making money, and the second is cooking. But now I'll add one more: doting on my wife. I have three strengths now, which is quite a lot. I'll be a good man in the future."
No one responded, they were all engrossed in eating.
Hu Pan also ate two bowls. Xie Sui had to mix his rice with the soup. How could these young masters eat so much?
By the end of the meal, only some soup was left. Xie Sui, the chef, felt a sense of accomplishment. "You won't say I was bragging anymore, right?"
Du Feiyang: "Brother Xie, if you were a woman, I'd definitely marry you and dote on you exclusively."
"Scram, I wouldn't marry you either."
Hu Pan went to wash the dishes. Guan Zhizhi didn't know how to do such chores; she was a pampered young lady whose fingers never touched the water.
"Brother Xie, about the investment, have there been any developments? We didn't come just to eat, drink, and have fun."
Tang Ling brought up the serious matter. He was the only son in his family and had been managing the business from a young age, so he cared more about it and wasn't as playful.
"My proposal has been submitted, and we're waiting for site selection and county committee approval before we can start.
However, with your participation, I believe it will be much faster. I'll urge them tomorrow, and everyone can meet the county leaders. Your influence is greater than mine."
Guan Zhizhi said, "I have fifty million here. Count me in."
"Miss Guan is very generous! That's a lot. Prices in the mainland are low, fifty million can invest in a very large project. You want to be a major shareholder!"
Guan Zhizhi: "I'm running out of money now. If I don't make money work for me, I'll just be consuming my savings."
Thinking of her predicament, her eyes dimmed.
Xie Sui understood. The Liu family situation was difficult to resolve.
Without dwelling on unpleasant matters, the group pooled two hundred million, and Xie Sui, the major shareholder, didn't have to contribute any money.
He held a twenty percent stake in dry shares. He would be responsible for all future matters and would make up for any insufficient funds.
After discussing for the entire afternoon and settling on a general direction, Xie Sui asked Hu Pan to take them back to the guesthouse, where she would also stay to host everyone.
Hu Pan felt a little disappointed, as she had wanted to stay at Xie Sui's place.
Upon returning to the guesthouse, no one could sleep. Du Feiyang suggested, "Let's go ice skating or play billiards. That's all the entertainment here."
"Not interested. The equipment is primitive, and the environment is poor. I'd rather lie down. You guys go ahead."
He Mengchao and Tang Ling weren't interested. Du Feiyang then took Hu Pan and Guan Zhizhi along.
Du Yujie had wandered off somewhere, and no one cared.
The skating was at an roller skating rink. Guan Zhizhi, wearing a mask and hat, only revealed her eyes, yet she still attracted the attention of many young men. Her demeanor clearly indicated she was a great beauty.
Du Feiyang was dressed fashionably, with bodyguards trailing him. No one dared to be presumptuous. They had heard that investors from Hong Kong had arrived in the county, and these were likely them.
"I'm going to skate. Miss Hu, would you like to join me?"
"Okay, I'll get your skates."
Hu Pan hadn't skated in a long time either. She and Guan Zhizhi were having a great time.
Yan Xiaoliang walked over with his men and approached Du Feiyang, greeting him, "Young Master Du, long time no see. Give me a chance to play the host. When can we have a meal together?"
Du Feiyang: "Tomorrow, perhaps. You swindled Du Yujie out of her money, you should be careful. That woman holds grudges and is not to be trifled with."
Yan Xiaoliang was unconcerned. "This is the mainland, not a place where she can run wild."
Du Feiyang fell silent. Good advice is hard to give to someone bent on self-destruction. He had at least offered his goodwill.
Hu Pan skated back, her cheeks flushed and very cute. "Yan Xiaoliang, what are you plotting? Brother Xie let you off the hook and didn't bother with you, and you still haven't learned your lesson?"
"General Manager Hu, you can even boss around Director Xie. Your relationship is quite unusual!"
Yan Xiaoliang laughed it off, his eyes full of ambiguous meaning.
Hu Pan got angry. "Shut up, you can't say anything good from a dog's mouth. Do you want your little factory to close down?"
Yan Xiaoliang's face darkened. This woman could indeed ruin him. She managed factories in other counties and was very forceful. State-owned enterprises were being squeezed out of business by her.
If her father wasn't the mayor and hadn't arranged so many job positions, she would have been dealt with long ago.
"Just kidding, why such a temper? Let me buy you a soda to cool down."
"We're not close. Don't make these kinds of jokes in the future. I'm a serious person."
Hu Pan gave him no quarter, and didn't even drink the soda. She pulled Guan Zhizhi for another lap, ignoring him. Yan Xiaoliang was so angry he could only glare.