"Did you forget?" Xia Shiyu looked at Jiang Chen suspiciously.
"How is that possible." Jiang Chen scratched the back of his head and made way for her. "Let's talk inside."
He went to the cabinet and poured two glasses of water. When he returned to the main room, Jiang Chen found that Xia Shiyu was already sitting in Ayesha's seat.
"Drink some water first."
"Mhmm, thank you." Xia Shiyu took the cup from Jiang Chen's hand and rubbed it.
It was the middle of winter in Shangjing in December. Although there was plenty of heat in the room, she was still a bit cold. Jiang Chen looked around and saw there was no place to sit, so he sat next to her.
But as soon as he sat down, an unnatural feeling crept into his heart. Because he was too close, he could even feel the throbbing of his heart.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath and tried to calm his restless heartbeat. But the situation seemed to be developing in the opposite direction. The faint scent of her body entered his nose along with the wind, and his racing heart became even more restless.
Xia Shiyu, who was also embarrassed, held the cup with her fingers and stared at the pattern on the floor. She used the white mist above the cup to hide the anxiety on her face.
The atmosphere in the room seemed to have frozen.
Jiang Chen, who realized this, scratched his face. Out of consideration to break the awkward situation, he coughed and said.
"Speaking of which, do you want to hear about what just happened?"
"Ah, yes, that's true." Xia Shiyu blushed as she coughed with her fists clenched. She pretended to be calm and replied in a cold tone.
It would be perfect if she didn't bite her tongue when she spoke.
[Wait, why am I so nervous?]
Jiang Chen suddenly realized that his behavior was not like himself as he cursed himself in his mind. Then he forcibly dispersed the inexplicable throbbing in his heart and told Xia Shiyu about his conversation with Liu Xiangguo at the Liu family's house.
"So, for our business in Hua, they are willing to provide policy protection?" Xia Shiyu put the cup on the bedside table when they started to talk business. Her previous nervousness disappeared as a sharp light flashed in her eyes.
People often say that serious men are more attractive, but at this moment, Jiang Chen unexpectedly discovered that the serious Xia Shiyu also exuded a different kind of charm.
But appreciation also depended on the occasion. Jiang Chen didn't interrupt and nodded.
"Exactly."
"What price did they offer?"
"10% of Future Group's profits in Hua."
"What a lion's mouth. A 10% profit would be at least a billion dollars a year. He dares to blatantly ask for a bribe. Liu Xiangguo sure has guts. "She crossed her legs casually, held her chin, and said in thought.
No matter where one was doing business, there was no lack of such expenses, be it within or outside the country. To put it bluntly, it was a transfer of benefits. To put it nicely, it was a public relations expenditure. Although Future Group's main business in Hua was in the internet field and the investment in this area was less than traditional industries, it was impossible to say that there was no investment at all.
"The appetite of the head of the aristocratic families. After all, the family business is so big." Jiang Chen smiled. "If they can really provide enough protection for our industry, the 10% profit shouldn't be too expensive. At first, he wanted 10% of the global profit, but I rejected it. "
If it was before, even if Jiang Chen had the courage, he wouldn't have the confidence to say no. But now it was different. Future Group had established a foothold overseas. Although the Liu family was powerful, the two sides stood on equal footing.
Whether it was for the country or for personal reasons, working with Future Group was absolutely beneficial.
"Then, what is the transfer of benefits?" Xia Shiyu asked.
"Charity." Jiang Chen said softly, "Set up a charity fund in my own name. Every year, 10% of Future Group's income in Hua will be invested into the fund. Hire designated companies to invest in schools and hospitals in specific areas."
"One hand taking clean money, the other hand taking political achievements. What an efficient method." Xia Shiyu quickly understood the trick.
"That's right." Jiang Chen snapped his fingers and smiled. "Looks like you already got the hang of it."
Xia Shiyu's mouth curved up.
"You underestimate me. I'm the CEO of Future Technology."
This kind of benefit transfer method was not rare. Although she was not the CEO who personally did the bribery, she would look over every financial expenditure. Future Technology's grey area expenditure had been maintained at a relatively healthy 5%.
Although it wasn't something to be proud of …
"It's the CEO of Future Group." Jiang Chen corrected her.
Xia Shiyu paused for a moment before she smiled.
"Yes … Speaking of which, we made an agreement before."
When Xia Shiyu went to Pannu Islands last time, Jiang Chen invited her to be the CEO of Future Group. But Xia Shiyu didn't immediately agree. Instead, she agreed to wait until the Phantom helmet was on the shelves before accepting the promotion.
"You don't want to be promoted?"
"No." Xia Shiyu shook her head. Her eyes were fixated on her intertwined fingers. "But … I'm not sure if I can handle this challenge."
"Is it really okay to say this to the boss?" Jiang Chen smiled.
Showing a lack of confidence in front of the boss was a big taboo for an employee about to be promoted. But what made Xia Shiyu feel strange was how easily she exposed her weak side.
Perhaps it was because he had never felt like a boss to her, but more like … a friend.
Xia Shiyu comforted herself in her mind.
"I trust you," Jiang Chen abruptly said.
"Eh?" Xia Shiyu looked at him, confused.
"Whether it's your ability or your loyalty." Jiang Chen smiled.
"… What a strange way of putting it. Is this something a boss should say to an employee? " Xia Shiyu looked away. Although her tone was as steady as ever, Jiang Chen could still hear the discomfort in her voice.
"Of course not." Jiang Chen shook his head. "If it was a normal employee, he wouldn't be able to handle this position, and I wouldn't say this to him."
If it was a normal employee, they wouldn't understand his expansion strategy, and he couldn't trust the operation of the group to someone unknown. But if it was Xia Shiyu, the situation would be different. At the very least, she wouldn't betray him. This was not based on unreasonable and unconditional trust, but based on her personality and the relationship between the two.
But in Xia Shiyu's ears, it was misunderstood into another meaning.
[Does this mean … I have a special place in your heart?]
Xia Shiyu's heart skipped a beat.
She had originally thought that the so-called young girl's feelings were not fated with her, but at this moment, she truly felt that apprehension, and it completely negated her view all along.
Indeed, to be able to distort trust into a higher level of meaning, this kind of imagination was a girl's feelings.
"Then Xia Shiyu, let me ask you again. Are you willing to take on this position that only you can handle and realize my dream?" Jiang Chen looked into her dark pupils and asked again.
"Your dream … Can you tell me what it is?"
"If you are willing."
"I am willing."
Only the last three words did not contain the slightest hesitation.
Jiang Chen opened his mouth, but the words came out, and he finally looked down.
"Mhmm, thank you …"
For a split second, he had almost told her his secret.
Sure enough, he still couldn't trust the people in this world.
But why did he tell Ayesha? He was puzzled for a long time and didn't have an answer. Perhaps it was because he believed she would never betray him, or perhaps it was because of other reasons.
The moment of hesitation on Jiang Chen's face didn't escape Xia Shiyu's eyes. Although she felt a trace of annoyance at not being able to obtain his trust in the end, a wisp of gratification and relief arose in her heart when she saw that instant of hesitation.
At least for a moment, he felt guilty for the unequal trust.
"Then … I'll go back first." Xia Shiyu didn't force him to tell her and stood up.
"Mhmm, that's about all we have to talk about tonight … Rest early."
"You too."
Xia Shiyu turned around and walked to the door. But just as she put her hand on the doorknob, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Is it Ayesha?" Seeing how close the two were, a hint of jealousy rose in her chest.
But then, Jiang Chen suddenly raised his head and looked at the door. A chill that had disappeared for a long time suddenly crawled into his heart.
"Don't open —"
Kacha —
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