Chapter 54

 

Ming Xi: …

She was one step late—but being able to coincidentally see Boss Liang, wasn’t that just perfect timing?

Ming Xi smiled faintly and walked out of the coffee shop, heading toward Pierre.

In her heart, she felt a touch of admiration for herself.

No—encouragement.

In front of Liang Jiancheng, how could she so easily admire herself? She needed to encourage herself more, so she could openly and calmly receive the gaze he deliberately cast her way.

Ming Xi pursed her lips, her smile growing even brighter.

Even if there was no chance of winning, she couldn’t let down the business suit she bought for two thousand yuan. Perhaps Haiou was no longer Pierre’s backup option—but she could still become the backup herself, couldn’t she?

When she first joined Haiou, He Yuan had handed the new home-appliance business directly to her. Whether in Group A or Group B, the sales rep all had their complaints. Everyone understood that if this new business line took off smoothly, she would never lack orders at Haiou in the future.

At the same time, all beginnings were difficult—landing the first deal was hard, let alone expanding the business further.

People questioned Mr. He’s bold decision, yet none dared to exchange business portfolios with her. Who would give up a mature line of business to chase performance in an unknown field?

No one competing with her didn’t mean no one was watching.

Since she joined the company, her colleagues in both Group A and Group B, including He Yuan and Mr. Huang, had all been watching—

Watching when she would close her first deal.

Similarly, Ming Xi didn’t know when her first deal would come.

Giving herself more patience and more expectation was her work principle.

With this mindset, closing the deal was just a matter of time.

Moreover, she had genuine sincerity towards her clients.

Even if Pierre had already decided to work with Xinghai, the fact that he still made a point of meeting her today, didn’t that prove her earlier efforts had value?

Losing this deal to Liang Jiancheng wasn’t shameful.

…

Liang Jiancheng was gracious in conduct, meticulous in his work, but merciless in business.

From contacting Pierre two weeks ago to successfully signing the contract an hour ago, Liang Jiancheng had long anticipated that he would compete with Ming Xi for this deal.

From the moment Ming Xi joined Haiou, he roughly guessed what business He Yuan would assign her. Having gone to so much trouble to recruit her, he couldn’t possibly give her the easiest task.

Liang Jiancheng was sorry. He liked her, but in business, he couldn’t be like King You of Zhou, offering up orders just to make a beauty smile.

Pierre had a large order.

If long-term cooperation could be established, the profits would be substantial. That was why Liang Jiancheng handled the negotiations personally, followed through closely, and—before Ming Xi even realized it—had essentially completed the entire cooperation process.

While she…

…was still busy moving house.

Ming Xi was already a very capable newcomer to foreign trade, with accurate judgment of clients. Pierre had mentioned her earlier in the car—Haiou had a very persistent sales rep, and he insisted on meeting her.

Having snatched this order from Seagull, especially with Ming Xi in charge of the sales, Liang Jiancheng admitted it was an unfair victory.

But in business, he had always separated people from matters.

When it came to orders, it wasn’t a competition between him and Ming Xi, but between Xinghai and Haiou.

So was that why Boss Liang was so confident—confident enough to personally deliver the client to a competitor? Ming Xi glanced at Liang Jiancheng. Though she said nothing, the doubt in her eyes was unmistakable.

Liang Jiancheng gave a polite, helpless smile. In home appliances, Xinghai did indeed possess an absolute advantage in cooperation. He was confident, yes—but not careless enough to deliberately hand a client over to a competitor.

He truly had just been passing by… Would she believe that?

Was their relationship limited to just competition? He wanted so see her as close friend—was that not allowed?

He never underestimated Ming Xi, and he believed she would certainly make a strong start.

Just as she had said in the elevator—she would give it her all. And so, in his own way, he would make one thing clear to her—

Even though at this moment he has feeling for her, he couldn’t possibly give up any of his benefits.

Sorry…

If Ming Xi knew what the incredibly charming Boss Liang was thinking, she might have scoffed like Zhao Yang in the office.

Hmph, who cares?

Liang Jiancheng stood next to Pierre. When Pierre learned that she was Lamia, the one he had been in contact with, he was pleasantly surprised and immediately gave her a French-style hug.

Ming Xi: …

Uh.

Pierre looked Ming Xi up and down, praising her enthusiastically: “Lamia, you’re far more beautiful—and far younger—than I imagined. I thought you’d be a strict, serious middle-aged woman.”

Why?

Ming Xi was a little curious.

Pierre explained why he had agreed to the meeting: “Your work attitude is excellent—truly persistent. Forgive my prejudice toward beautiful women, but girls as pretty as you usually don’t need to work so hard.”

Perhaps due to nuances in the English expression, Ming Xi felt that Pierre was speaking very directly.

So she replied just as directly, jokingly: “It’s precisely because of this prejudice toward beautiful women that we have to work even harder.”

Pierre laughed.

So did Liang Jiancheng.

Ming Xi didn’t quite understand Pierre’s change in attitude, but as a man, Liang Jiancheng understood perfectly. Just like what he’d told Maggie before—looks really could be a weapon.

Today, Miss Ming was dazzling to anyone who saw her—including him, an old acquaintance.

Since he had already delivered the client, Liang Jiancheng couldn’t very well interfere further with a competitor’s client meeting.

He extended his hand to Pierre.

Pierre shook it back.

After finishing their handshake and parting ways, Liang Jiancheng also politely extended his hand toward her.

Ming Xi extended her hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Liang, for bringing my client.” She deliberately acted playfully.

Liang Jiancheng’s eyes sparkled with a smile, his tone equally playful: “It’s me who should thank Miss Ming for helping entertain my client.”

…Truly outrageous.

She couldn’t outtalk him in English, and even in Chinese he managed to irritate her.

Ming Xi’s lips curled up as she met Liang Jiancheng’s gaze calmly, displaying the fearless attitude of a newcomer: “If there isn’t this deal, there’ll be the next one, right, Mr. Liang?”

“Yes. I wish you success.” Liang Jiancheng affirmed her and offered his blessings with great grace.

As they spoke, their hands remained clasped.

Liang Jiancheng’s hand was long and well-proportioned, his palm warm. When he held her hand, his fingers curved naturally, carrying just the right amount of control—

Ming Xi’s hand was completely enveloped in his.

Both were handshakes between a man and a woman—but if she said that shaking hands with Pierre felt the same as shaking hands with Liang Jiancheng, she would be deliberately lying to herself.

Liang Jiancheng excused himself politely. Ming Xi and Pierre went into the coffee shop to talk business, and just as she had anticipated—

Pierre had already signed the contract with Xinghai for the procurement of the mini fridges and capsule coffee machines.

Out of courtesy, Pierre explained his reasoning to her.

This batch of mini fridges and capsule coffee machines was to be supplied to a global luxury hotel chain. The buyer’s requirements for quality were extremely high, and they also needed endorsement from a well-known brand.

Haiou’s quotation was slightly cheaper and more cost-effective, but Pierre—who had already conducted a thorough market survey—said candidly: “Lamia, it’s not that I don’t trust you. I simply trust Shuangyang Electronics more.”

Ming Xi nodded in understanding.

Pierre’s words were very polite; she didn’t feel uncomfortable and even sensed Pierre’s affirmation of her business capabilities.

After pondering for a moment, Ming Xi expressed her thoughts to Pierre in English: “Regardless, I’m willing to be your assistant in China. I haven’t been in sales for long, but I believe that a truly excellent salesperson does more than just complete orders. China’s economy is growing rapidly, and the market changes quickly. I hope we can be friends—sharing business information beyond just transactions. I believe there are no permanent partnerships. Xinghai is a highly respectable competitor, but no single company can take every order.”

Right?

Pierre truly admired someone like Ming Xi—open-minded, intelligent, and clear-spoken.

Her English was good, her responses sharp and thoughtful. Some phrasing wasn’t perfectly idiomatic, but it was precise.

Most importantly, as a salesperson, Ming Xi had one quality Pierre found especially compelling: every time she responded to an inquiry, she didn’t stand from her company’s perspective—she stood from his.

Emotionally, Pierre also hoped to build a deeper connection with Lamia through orders.

But emotion was emotion.

There’s a Chinese saying: “Business is business.”

After afternoon tea, Pierre prepared to leave. He stayed at the nearby Scully Hotel and chose to walk. Even without securing the order, Ming Xi personally walked him to the hotel and stopped in the lobby.

“How long will you be staying in Haigang?” Ming Xi asked.

Pierre was already a seasoned procurement officer. From Lamia’s every move, he could tell she hadn’t given up.

“I’m sorry—my upcoming schedule is confidential. I can’t tell you yet,” Pierre replied, adopting a professionally distant tone.

Ming Xi nodded and extended her hand again.

“I wish you all the best.”

“Thank you, I’ll remember what you said to me today.”

“It’s what I should do.”

Even so…

Pierre’s last words were a slight comfort to Ming Xi.

Sometimes, giving it your all doesn’t guarantee a good outcome—that’s simply life. Yet there were always people who sneer at such efforts.

After seeing Pierre off, Ming Xi returned to the office. Zhao Yang was seated at his desk when he suddenly spoke in a cold, mocking tone: “A lot of female sales rep look hardworking, but they’re not really here to work. They’re just scheming to marry abroad… France is nice—dog shit everywhere you step.”

Ming Xi’s face drained of color.

She had intended to sit down and conduct market research on home appliances online, but Zhao Yang’s casual mockery sent a surge of anger straight through her chest.

This was exactly why workplace prejudice against women existed—because of people like Zhao Yang. He had never treated her as an independent professional, only as a future accessory to some man.

Ming Xi took a deep breath, her gaze cold and unyielding as she looked at Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang lowered his head slightly, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by Ming Xi’s gaze. He was the team leader, with only two members under him: Wu Jingjing and Ming Xi. Wu Jingjing spent her days trying to please and flatter him, but what about Ming Xi?

A young girl personally recruited by Boss He—anyone could guess what kind of “relationship” she must have had with him. Zhao Yang had seen this kind of thing too often. From the first day Ming Xi joined, he had already decided she and He Yuan were in “that kind” of relationship.

Zhao Yang’s attitude towards Ming Xi was classic: if this beauty were willing to flatter him, he’d treat her politely, just like Wu Jingjing.

But this beauty had looked down on him from start to finish—so why should he show her any courtesy?

Ming Xi kept a calm face. Just as Zhao Yang was about to avert his gaze and sidestep the confrontation, she curved her lips into a frank, unguarded smile, locked onto his eyes, and asked directly: “Team Leader Zhao, do you have a problem with me?”

Zhao Yang panicked; he was usually all talk and no action, not good at being confronted head-on.

Ming Xi stepped out from her desk and walked straight up to him. “Zhao Yang, I’ve been busy with my own accounts lately and haven’t done a good job maintaining rapport with my superior—that’s on me. If I’ve made you uncomfortable during this time, then as my team leader and senior, could you tell me directly?”

Hmm?

The corner of Ming Xi’s lips lifted slightly.

Oh right—wasn’t apologizing supposed to come with serving tea?

Since Zhao Yang didn’t respond, she made her stance clear first. Ming Xi reached out, picked up Zhao Yang’s teacup from his desk, went to the pantry, refilled it with hot water, and returned.

“Team Leader Zhao, if I’ve been unfriendly in any way, I sincerely apologize. I hope you’ll be magnanimous and not hold it against me, considering I’m still young and new to the field.”

With that, she placed the tea in front of him.

Zhao Yang: …

He had indeed been blatantly making things difficult for Ming Xi lately. He’d treated her like an out-of-town young girl he could easily control, assuming she wouldn’t dare tear off the mask. He hadn’t expected her to be so bold.

At the neighboring desk, Sister CC was touching up her powder. When she saw Ming Xi and Zhao Yang suddenly locked in confrontation, she froze—powder nearly falling off her face. The workplace was always full of bullying.

She hadn’t expected this newcomer to be so difficult to bully.

Wu Jingjing was calculating in her mind, suddenly wanting to change her allegiance. After observing things for days, she suspected Zhao Yang—the so-called “connected hire”—might not come out on top against Ming Xi. Ming Xi was rumored to be Mr. He’s person. Zhao Yang was said to be tied to Mr. Huang’s family. In a partnership company like Haiou, employees choosing sides was nothing new.

“Oh my—how could Team Leader Zhao not appreciate Xiao Xi’s sincerity?” Wu Jingjing chimed in with a smile.

If Ming Xi really was Mr. He’s lover, which one more dangerous to offend—a brother-in-law or a lover? Of course, it was the lover. A lover could whisper directly in one’s ear at night, while the younger brother-in-law needed someone else to do so.

Wu Jingjing gave Ming Xi a friendly smile.

Ming Xi didn’t understand the speed of Wu Jingjing’s change of attitude.

“Then I’ll leave it here. If there are any issues with work later on, I hope you’ll give me more guidance, Team Leader.” She placed Zhao Yang’s ceramic cup gently back on his desk.

Zhao Yang remained silent, his expression dark.

—

[What should I do if my direct superior doesn’t like me?] Ming Xi asked Brother Jiangliu on OICQ late at night.

His reply was quite interesting, he said:

[A team leader who can’t recognize talent and lacks judgment—rather than racking your brains to please him, it’s better to overthrow him.]

Ha~

Ming Xi sat in front of her computer and opened OICQ again. Brother Jiangliu was online, checking in on “him.”

[How’s work been lately?] came the greeting from Smile Without Talking

[Bad.] she replied simply.

[What’s wrong?]

Thinking of Pierre’s deal, of Liang Jiancheng, and of Zhao Yang’s hostility, she typed an impulsive line:

[Everyone’s bullying me.] [Really? Who?]

Ming Xi curved her lips. At this moment, she felt no anger at all. She still needed to focus on work and wanted to end the conversation quickly, she typed: [It’s nothing. Just someone unimportant.]

Actually, what she really wanted to say was someone who made her heart race, someone she still wanted to climb over and boss around.

But as Brother Ximen, there were many things she couldn’t say too clearly. Otherwise, Brother Jiangliu might think “he” was perverted.

After a while, “Smiling Without Talking” sent a very gentle message:

[Did that person make you sad?]

Ming Xi answered honestly.

[…I’m not sad. I’m just grinding my teeth in hatred!] Ming Xi responded playfully, followed by an angry emoji.

[That’s OK.]

As long as you’re not sad…

Upstairs, Liang Jiancheng let out a rueful smile at his computer screen. For the first time in his life, he found himself worrying that the girl he liked might be angry with him.

Do girls always say the opposite of what they mean when they’re angry?

So—could he interpret an unimportant person as an important one?

Liang Jiancheng rubbed his forehead, unable to help but laugh at his own shameless thoughts. He had offended her, and instead of comforting her, he comforted himself…

He really was a shameless bastard!

Mark knocked and entered the office. He saw Mr. Liang seated behind his desk again, wearing that half-smiling, hard-to-interpret expression. If he didn’t know that Mr. Liang’s computer was absolutely forbidden to be touched, Mark would have loved to sneak into his boss’s OICQ account to see who on earth he was chatting with.

As a new assistant this year, Mark had missed quite a few interesting gossips at Xinghai. But he was approachable, and many people, eager to curry favor with him, shared a lot of gossip about Xinghai.

For instance, last year’s lively year-end banquet. Or Maggie’s sudden resignation.

As for Maggie’s departure, Mark had heard some unverified gossip in casual office chatter. Some people vividly described how Maggie had dated Mr. Liang, but because Mr. Liang chose someone else to marry, Maggie resigned in a fit of anger.

When you’re in the world, people will always talk. As a boss, you’re inevitably the subject of speculation behind closed doors. For example, the two bosses downstairs, Huang and He, have countless romantic tales circulating among their employees.

After finishing his report, Mark decided to make an extra effort to impress and added, “Mr. Liang, there’s a newly opened Italian restaurant in Haigang. The atmosphere is excellent. I’ll send you the address later—you can take Miss Zhang there when you have time.”

Behind the computer screen, Liang Jiancheng adjusted his glasses. His calm gaze swept straight toward Mark, and then, in an extremely objective and level tone, he said, “Mark, to keep you from worrying about things you shouldn’t be worrying about in the future, I think it’s necessary to clarify my relationship status.”

Mark’s brow twitched, inwardly cursing. What had he done to deserve the boss personally explain his relationship status to him?

“Ms. Zhang and I have no relationship right now. I’m currently… single,” Liang Jiancheng said.

Mark: …

“Understood, Mr. Liang.”

Mark gave an awkward but polite smile, closed the door, and left.

What wealthy boss isn’t a bit of a playboy anyway…

He had thought Mr. Liang was a rare exception, but now it seemed there wasn’t much difference after all. Given how quickly Mr. Liang moved on, it didn’t seem strange anymore if he really had dated Maggie before.

There were dozens of companies in the Zhongjin Tower. During the peak of OICQ group chats, one particularly bold employee had created a group called “Zhongjin Handsome Guys and Beautiful Girls Private Chat Bar.” The group’s note read: Absolutely no bosses allowed! Welcome all handsome guys and beautiful girls to join the private chat.

While Ming Xi was deep in a brainstorming session, she discovered she had been added to the group.

The person who added her was Lin Han from Xinghai. She recalled the day they bought computers—Lin Han had asked for her OICQ, saying he wanted to send her a useful pirated office software.

[Ming Xi, this is a private group my friend set up. Everyone here is a regular employee, so the chat is pretty free. You can hang around and have fun—just don’t reveal your identity. The group owner has verified everyone; we’re all small fries here. It’s safe.] This was a careful reminder from “Cold Winter.”

Ming Xi felt that Lin Han’s personality was completely different from his online name, “Cold Winter.” He was enthusiastic, more like “Passionate Summer.”

So, the conversation was quite free… but how free?

She joined the group.

Just in time to catch the hottest topic:

[How many girlfriends has Liang Jiancheng of Xinghai had?! I’m dying of curiosity—any insiders please spill!]

Ming Xi: …

What kind of mysterious intelligence organization did Lin Han drag her into?!

Normally, Ming Xi wasn’t one to be distracted by gossip. She was about to log off when a clear thought suddenly surfaced in her mind—

If Haiou couldn’t be Pierre’s choice, and there was nothing wrong with her as a sales rep, then the problem lay with the product. She shouldn’t keep banging her head against the same wall—she needed to create another option for the client.

Once the idea took hold, Ming Xi grabbed her bag and hurried out of the Zhongjin Tower.

She was heading to Tianming Factory to have a serious talk with Factory Director Li.

Factory Director Li was a very responsible and good factory manager, practically on duty 24/7. But if follow-up orders didn’t come through, Tianming would soon face bankruptcy.

The idea was a spur-of-the-moment thing, but her firm resolve allowed Ming Xi to act immediately.

Over the next three days, she shuttled back and forth between Haigang Computer Market and Tianming Factory. Finally, on Friday, Factory Director Li called her excitedly and said, “Ming Xi, come over—you need to see this sample.”

Ming Xi had dealt Factory Director Li for a while now. He was the type who was strict with himself but generous with others, an old-fashioned good man. She genuinely respected and liked him.

When Ming Xi arrived at the factory, Factory Director Li showed her a sample that was almost entirely handmade.

Seeing the sample, Ming Xi was truly pleasantly surprised!

Factory Director Li might not have had trendy aesthetic sensibilities, but his craftsmanship was flawless—more than that, it was exquisite.

On the spot, Ming Xi wanted to give this new sample to Pierre.

The North American market was enormous. Even if Liang Jiancheng had godlike abilities, he couldn’t possibly swallow every order himself!

Since he couldn’t monopolize all the orders, then there was her opportunity.

But now she couldn’t reach Pierre. She called him repeatedly but his line was busy every time.

For the first time, Ming Xi felt real anxiety over work. She was terrified that Pierre had already left Haigang. Pierre was Liang Jiancheng’s client—he might keep his schedule secret from her, but surely not from Liang Jiancheng?

Without much thought, Ming Xi called Liang Jiancheng. When the call connected, she heard the sweet announcements of airport staff faintly in the background.

Liang Jiancheng was at the airport?

“Ming Xi, what’s the matter?” Liang Jiancheng asked gently.

Ming Xi said urgently, “Mr. Liang, I need to ask you for a favor. Can you get in touch with Pierre?”

“I can. He’s right next to me. I’m seeing him off at the airport.”

Ming Xi couldn’t help but gasp, blurting out instinctively, “I have a sample I want to give to Pierre. I’m in the Tiansha Industrial Zone right now—can I come over directly?” She didn’t have time, so there was no room for pleasantries or hesitation.

Liang Jiancheng understood and kept it concise: “Pierre boards in about fifty minutes. But Ming Xi, he’ll need to go through security early. Even at top speed, it’ll take you at least twenty minutes to get here.”

Ming Xi clenched her teeth and voiced her request: “Liang Jiancheng… can you help me stall Pierre a little? Delay his security check?”

Liang Jiancheng: …

Usually it was Mr. Liang when she had no business with him—now that she needed help, she called him by his name.

“Ming Xi, are you asking me this as a friend?”

He could help a friend, but not a competitor.

“Yes! A friend! A very good friend! My only friend!”

Ming Xi instantly caught the implication in his words. Sweet talk spilled out in one breath, shameless and desperate: “Liang Jiancheng, if you help me this time, I’ll agree to anything you ask—”

“Ming Xi, come right now. I can hold him for at most twenty-five minutes,” Liang Jiancheng said without hesitation.

Okay!

Half a minute later—

Ming Xi got into Factory Director Li’s old Xiali, and her phone received a text message from Liang Jiancheng with Pierre’s specific boarding terminal.

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