"Chairman Chen, Chairman He has left his position due to health reasons. Who will take over as vice chairman?" Xu Xue stepped forward and asked, bending over.
Upon hearing this, the group of directors suddenly sat up straight, each looking at the others as if they were competitors.
Zhao Yan, however, did not follow convention: "The position of vice chairman carries great responsibility. We shouldn't fill it hastily; let's leave it open for now until we find a suitable candidate."
The others were somewhat disappointed to hear this, but soon perked up again, each feeling they had a chance.
And this was exactly what Zhao Yan wanted to see. As long as the vice chairman position remained unfilled, they would have to curry favor with him.
"Chairman Chen, Binhai Capital's partnership was snatched by Changhong Trading. They're about to hold a signing ceremony. Are we just going to let this go? There must be something going on!" an old man said.
"That's right, we prepared for so long only for our hard work to benefit someone else. It's not fair!"
"Chairman Chen happened to have diarrhea that day. Changhong Trading's bid was only 5 percent higher than ours. What are the odds? There must be a traitor in the company!"
The others chimed in with their opinions.
Zhao Yan had no idea what to do. He could only deadpan, "Leave this matter to me."
As if he could handle it. He didn't understand any of this. All he wanted was to indulge in decadent pleasures and frolic in a sea of promiscuity.
Seeing Zhao Yan's expressionless face, everyone admired Chairman Chen even more. A self-made tycoon who remains calm in the face of disaster.
He looks like he already has a solution in mind.
There must be a way to salvage this.
Zhao Yan then announced the end of the meeting. Everyone stood up and saw him and Xu Xue off respectfully.
"I have something to attend to. Clear my schedule for today and tomorrow. Also, look into Changhong Trading's background," Zhao Yan said.
He had to hurry off and eat, drink, whore, and gamble. How could he focus on work when pleasure awaited?
Asking Xu Xue to investigate Changhong Trading was just a precaution. He Ming definitely wouldn't let this go.
Xu Xue nodded. "Yes, Chairman Chen."
"Good girl," Zhao Yan said, stroking her cheek.
Xu Xue twisted her body coquettishly to avoid his touch. "Chairman Chen, please don't. I'm a married woman. It wouldn't look good if someone saw."
Believing him to be a womanizer, she deliberately emphasized her marital status while acting coy.
"You're right, that wouldn't be good," Zhao Yan said seriously as he withdrew his hand.
Xu Xue was stunned.
Had she overdone the virtuous wife act?
Zhao Yan continued gently, "So next time, let's find somewhere private to discuss socialism's superiority over capitalism."
With that, he entered the elevator before Xu Xue could respond, leaving her standing there alone.
Zhao Yan arrived at the underground parking garage and found Chen Han's Porsche, then set off for the Binhai International Hotel.
It was the nicest hotel in Binhai. He heard they had everything one could want, with only one flaw - it was expensive.
No, being expensive wasn't the hotel's flaw.
It was his flaw for being broke.
Zhao Yan had long fantasized about indulging in a feast there, and today he would finally fulfill that fantasy!
He would eat the most expensive, tender abalone!
As soon as his car pulled up at the hotel entrance, a doorman hurried over to open the door and take his keys to park.
Zhao Yan straightened his suit, both nervous and excited as he entered the hotel lobby.
"Welcome to the Binhai International Hotel."
Beautiful women in red cheongsam dresses bowed deeply on both sides.
"The usual, Chairman Chen?" The hotel's pretty manager in black stockings greeted him with just the right smile, her voice sweet.
Zhao Yan strongly condemned this vile capitalism. He absolutely...loved it!
It turned out he didn't hate capitalists before, he hated not being one himself.
He nodded politely. "Yes."
"Brother? What are you doing here?"
A somewhat familiar voice rang out.
Zhao Yan looked back to see Chen Yurou with her long hair draped over her shoulders. She had an aloof expression and a curvaceous figure, wearing a white dress and black high heels.
And beside her...was himself.
Sure enough, the man standing next to Chen Yurou was none other than Zhao Yan. But the soul inside was Chen Han.
"Brother, what's the matter?" Seeing her brother silent, Chen Yurou's fine brows furrowed.
Zhao Yan then reacted. He had to admit, hearing the usually aloof Chen Yurou call him "brother" felt kind of awesome.
What if she called him "father" instead?
He pretended not to recognize himself and asked blankly, "Yurou, who's that with you...?"
"Hello, I'm Teacher Chen's student. My name is Zhao Yan," Chen Han said, stepping forward to extend a hand.
Chen Yurou was even more curious now. Zhao Yan had such a mature air about him despite his young age, more so than her own brother.
How had she never noticed before?
Plus they shared so many common interests and likes - what were the odds?
She felt completely at ease around him, chatting endlessly. Of course she didn't know his soul was actually her brother.
To Chen Yurou, this was the legendary affinity she had heard about.
It made her heart flutter wildly. She certainly wouldn't have agreed to Zhao Yan's dinner invitation otherwise, given her usual aloofness.
However, recalling that he had called her "lewd," she couldn't help feeling somewhat ashamed and angry.
Hmph. She would grudgingly let it slide because he was treating her to dinner.
Zhao Yan and Chen Han shook hands. "Nice to meet you. I'm Chen Yurou's brother, Chen Han. She's been spoiled by me since she was little and has a bad temper. Her mood changes faster than the weather. Please be patient with her."
There was definitely some personal resentment mixed in.
Chen Yurou's pretty face darkened. What kind of brother talked that way about his little sister, even if it was all true? He shouldn't say such things in front of outsiders!
She glanced nervously at Zhao Yan.
"No way. Teacher Chen is very friendly and gentle, reasonable and understanding," Chen Han said sincerely, gripping Zhao Yan's hand more tightly.
You little punk, daring to malign my sister right in front of me using my own body. Trying to avenge personal grievances, huh?
Hearing this, Chen Yurou smiled brightly. She felt her classmate Zhao Yan was much better than her brother.
Zhao Yan withdrew his hand, keeping a straight face as he bullshitted, "I have a dinner appointment and I'm running late. I must be going now. Goodbye, Brother Chen."
"Have a nice evening," Chen Han nodded.
After watching her brother leave, Chen Yurou complained to Zhao Yan, "My brother always badmouths people and spews nonsense. Don't believe a word he says. And he was so rude to just leave like that."
The smile on Chen Han's face gradually faded. He felt a draft hitting his little cotton-padded jacket.
"Ahem. Teacher Chen, how can you talk about your brother that way? He must have had important business to rush off like that. After all, he works hard to earn money for your sake."
Chen Yurou was surprised to see her brother be so discourteous today. Yet Zhao Yan was even defending him. He really had an open mind and upright values!
She was starting to fall for this man!
Chen Han probably couldn't have imagined in his dreams that he helped Zhao Yan successfully woo his own little sister.
And Zhao Yan probably couldn't have imagined that his uncle had helped him win over his girlfriend.
When their spirits switch back, one would discover he somehow acquired a pretty rich girlfriend.
The other would find his sister had been stolen away, and the culprit was...himself.