Summer #40

Don't Turn from Summer (莫负寒夏) by Ding Mo (丁墨)

Chapter 40

Rao Wei pulls the door open and sees Zhang Yifang standing in front of the big glass window, a slim cigar in his hand. He looks calm as always.

In the room there’s a faint smell of cigarette. A soothing smell.

“Chief Zhang.” Rao Wei calls.

Zhang Yifang turns to look at him and says with a smile, “Come and sit.”

They sit down at the couch nearby. Rao Wei is a little stiff on the face, while Zhang Yifang just watches him with smiling eyes.

“How come you lost Lot A?” Zhang Yifang asks.

Rao Wei: “I’m sorry Chief Zhang. It’s my fault. But trust me, I will think of other ways and get this lot back by all means...”

Zhang Yifang, however, just raises his hand and stops him from continuing. He picks up the tea set on the table and pours a cup for each of them. Rao Wei leans forward and bows, fingers tapping the table lightly, “Thanks, Chief Zhang.”

Zhang Yifang has a little sip of the tea with him and then says, “Rao Wei, do you know where you have failed?”

Rao Wei is quiet for a moment. It’s really embarrassing for a mature person like him to admit his mistakes. But in front of Zhang Yifang, he confesses candidly, “I made the mistake that I just thought about attacking Lin Mochen but instead was tricked by his trap and let him get the bargain.” He pauses and says, “I really didn’t think he could be so bold and crazy.”

But Zhang Yifang slightly shakes his head. “No, your mistake was that you didn’t have a clear idea of Rong Yue’s business principles, my principles.”

Rao Wei suspends.

Zhang Yifang says with an even tone, “Wei, you have been with me for so many years. What do you think is my principle of choice?”

“It’s...profit?”

Zhang Yifang nods, “Exactly. So you haven’t forgotten. Regarding land bidding, the first thing you should consider is what is the most profitable action for us Rong Yue. Undoubtedly it’s acquiring Lot A. It concerns the construction plan of several billion. But you just got the wrong end and thought only about how to snipe a new opponent who hasn’t even got his feet steady on the ground, making it your primary goal. You thought you were much stronger than Feng Chen, so you only thought about offending and neglected defending. Lin Mochen, on the other hand, saw through your mind and made this trap. Wei, you are still too hasty. After all, most people in this world are ordinary or even underhanded ones. None of the opponents you had in the past was as outstanding as him and, with the strength of Rong Yue on your side, you were winning easily. This time you also felt his difference, right? And your mood affected your judgment. But, Wei, profit is the most essential. The old saying― Don’t be pleased by external gains, or saddened by personal losses―has its deep meanings in it. No matter others come with great aggressiveness, evil intentions, or with threats, what you should always keep in mind is nothing but profit. Only in this way could you stay invincible.”

Rao Wei is quiet for a long moment before he nods, “I got it, Chief Zhang. What should we do now?”

“What do you think?” Zhang Yifang turns the question back at him.

Although he is really reluctant, Rao Wei still replies, “The solution with the least cost is to cooperate with Feng Chen to develop Lot A. Only this way can we minimize its impact on our overall plan.”

Zhang Yifang nods with a smile.

Rao Wei sighs lightly and says, “Then I will have someone get in touch with them in a few days.”

But Zhang Yifang says, “No, be quick with it. Don’t delay.”

“Why?”

Zhang Yifang says amiably, “We lost. Don’t be afraid to admit it. Let the collaboration start early and show that we don’t mind. This is the bearing we should have as a Number One enterprise. Then other companies will be more reassured to cooperate with us.”

Rao Wei is more or less struck in his heart and nods, “I see, Chief Zhang.”

--------

The proposal for collaboration quickly reaches Lin Mochen.

He is a little surprised at receiving it so quickly from Rong Yue. After a little thinking, he decides not to get personally involved. Instead, he assigns the manager from the real estate company to respond and work with them. Rao Wei does the same. He assigns the job to a manager from a sub-company instead of handling it himself.

There is some tacit understanding between them after all―it’s kind of embarrassing to see each other right after the fight. Since everybody is working for profit―Rong Yue has to collaborate with Lin Mochen to complete their overall development plan; Lin Mochen has to cooperate with Rong Yue to make profit―let’s just get into contact and reach a basic agreement before the bosses meet.

In the next few days, the collaboration plan is making rapid progress. Other companies are still watching on. But undoubtedly, Feng Chen has made a magnificent first impression in the real estate industry and become someone whom even Rong Yue can’t take lightly of.

The cold war between Mu Hanxia and Lin Mochen continues. Everybody is busy at the company these few days. When the two see each other in the office, although their eyes involuntarily find each other, neither of them says anything. Mu Hanxia knows that many times Lin Mochen is watching her, just as her looking at him when he does not notice. It’s like something important is broken and is left with a hole in it. Water is continuously leaking out, but neither of them is willing to be the first one to mend it.

Soon it’s weekend.

Mu Hanxia also has her own relations to maintain. She calls Fang Chengzhou at her seat, “Hello, Lao Fang.”

Fang Chengzhou’s voice is deep and slow as usual, “What’s the matter, Xiao Mu?”

“Got time this evening? I’d like to invite you to dinner.”

Fang Chengzhou smiles, “Why invite me to dinner?”

Mu Hanxia lowers her voice and says, “To thank you for your help, of course.”

However, Fang Chengzhou says, “But, Xiao Mu, I haven’t helped you with anything.”

Mu Hanxia pauses only a second before she says, “Didn’t you teach me how to play Taichi?”

Her response makes Fang Chengzhou chuckle. He says, “OK. Tell me the location and I will ask my driver to drop me off there.”

After settling the appointment, Mu Hanxia looks up at the clock. Still a few minutes before the end of work day. She grabs her cup and goes to the break room. There aren’t many people in the office at this hour and there’s only her in the break room. She fills her cup with hot water and drinks slowly while leaning beside the window.

The door is pushed open. Lin Mochen walks in.

Mu Hanxia looks up at him. Not sure it’s her illusion or not, He looks a little thinner and his face skinnier after the last few days, during which she didn’t see him up close.

She figures it must be her illusion.

Lin Mochen also stares at her, his hands in his pant pockets and his eyes dark and deep.

He walks over.

Mu Hanxia turns back to look out the window.

“We are having dinner with Rong Yue this evening. Come with us?” He says, “This is the beginning of our important collaboration.”

Mu Hanxia then looks straight his way and says in a matter-of-fact manner, “I’ve asked Lao Fang to dinner.”

Lin Mochen is quiet for a moment and then nods. This is truly something more important.

“Still mad?” He asks in a low voice.

Mu Hanxia’s heart softens.