Liu Jiulong looked on, his brow furrowed, unable to comprehend the subtle exchange of glances between Yang Lan and Han Qian. In his presence, Han Qian said nothing further, rising and leaving the office. Two minutes later, Liu Jiulong emerged as well, his expression desolate as he slumped over Han Qian's desk, looking utterly pitiful.
Han Qian sneered at Liu Jiulong's theatrics. He found nothing about this man worth pitying—already middle-aged yet still playing the field, determined to keep the home fires burning while chasing "new flags" elsewhere. If Liu Jiulong were single, Han Qian would have held his tongue—everyone has the right to pursue love. But he wasn't; he had a wife and child. Should his wife learn of his pursuit of Yang Lan, she would surely create a scandal at the office, blaming Yang Lan for seducing her husband and refusing to acknowledge her own husband's infidelity. For that alone, Han Qian had always held a low opinion of Liu Jiulong.
Listening to Liu's endless sighs, Han Qian couldn't help but ask,
"So, Deputy Liu, when do you plan on getting a divorce?"
The question caught Liu Jiulong off guard. He looked up, frowning.
"Who said I was getting a divorce?"
"You're hovering around Yang Jie like this—does your family know? Yang Jie treats me like a younger brother, but Deputy Liu, you should clean up your own house first. If your wife finds out and comes here making trouble, insulting Yang Jie, I might be forced to defend her—and none of us want that. It would just bring unnecessary headaches for her."
Had Liu Jiulong been single, Han Qian wouldn't have said a word, regardless of looks or capability. But he wasn't. Liu Jiulong glanced at him, then dropped his gaze and sighed heavily.
If he had the courage to divorce, he wouldn't have waited until now.
Han Qian said his piece, whether Liu Jiulong would heed it was his own affair. Han Qian laid his head on the desk, eyes closed, resting.
Outside the company, Sun Ya had already handed her car keys to Wu Siwan.
"Take the car for now—there's no need to worry about being seen. The tension between Han Qian and Li Dongsheng is already boiling over. Once that truly erupts, I'll transfer the car to your name. You'll be working in my PR department. With a face like yours, it'd be a shame not to use it."
Sun Ya playfully pinched Wu Siwan's cheek, then entered the elevator with a bright smile. As she reached the lobby, she dialed Guan Junbiao, her voice soft and syrupy.
"Brother Guan, why didn't you answer my call last night? I had a few drinks and wanted to see you."
Seated beside Guan Junbiao was Tu Xiao, the phone on speaker. Sun Ya's coquettish tone rang out clear as day. Guan Junbiao paused a moment, then chuckled.
"Ah, last night I had things to handle—couldn't pick up. Have you thought things through, sweetheart?"
"You're so bad, Brother Guan."
"I'll send you an address. Let's meet and talk, just the two of us."
He ended the call. Tu Xiao took a drag on his cigar and nodded.
"Go see what sort of offer Gao Lvxing has. Biaozi, that Han Qian is a slippery one—be careful not to trip up."
"I know. Should I go see Sun Ya now?"
"Keep your pants zipped, that's all I ask."
Guan Junbiao left Tu Xiao's office and headed to the teahouse to meet Sun Ya. He didn't much like the woman—she'd been downright disdainful of him only recently, yet now she was all sweetness and "Brother Guan" this, "Brother Guan" that. Who could fathom what went on in her head?
Sun Ya was cut from the same cloth as Yan Qingqing: sheer stockings, high heels, tight skirt—though unlike Yan Qingqing's wine-red hair, she kept hers black, knowing she couldn't carry off bolder colors.
As she sat across from Guan Junbiao, the latter had forgone his usual suit for a red floral shirt, its gold chain gleaming at his throat, nearly half a pound in weight. Guan Junbiao wasn't ugly, but he had an unseemly air about him.
Sun Ya's voice dripped with sweetness as she rose to pour tea, her tight skirt emphasizing her curves. Guan Junbiao kept his composure, smiling faintly.
"So you've found the time today, Miss Sun? Let's not bother with these little games—we're both adults."
Sun Ya returned to her seat, resting her chin on her hands as she pouted prettily, the low neckline of her dress revealing snowy skin.
"Brother Guan, how boring of you. I just missed you."
Guan Junbiao chuckled, lifting the tea to his nose but not drinking. His simple gesture told Sun Ya he was no easy mark. She reached into her bag, producing a bulging envelope and a hotel room key, placing them on the table with a soft smile.
"Since you're in the mood for honesty, I won't pretend anymore. I hear you've been close to Han Qian lately, and you mentioned that Mr. Tu wanted a meeting with our Director Gao. Director Gao has agreed—if Mr. Tu consents, everything can move forward smoothly."
Guan Junbiao glanced at the envelope and key, his mind cooling even further.
"Meetings don't matter. Your Director Gao wants to save face, but my boss isn't the sort to jump at anyone's beck and call. I've heard Glory wants to develop the land at the old airfield—needs a builder. My boss has some cash to invest, wants to pivot. Go back and ask if Director Gao can make that happen. After that, I'll decide whether I want what's in this envelope or the key. As for Han Qian—he's just a friend, maybe a partner, but his offer was far more genuine than yours."
Sun Ya laughed, teasing.
"Are you saying Han Qian would give you a room key too? I've shown you all my sincerity. We'll just have to see how things go—Han Qian's just a pawn in Glory, what's he got that's so special, Brother Guan?"
"This isn't my call to make, and you know it. Just like I know it's not yours either. Let's both go ask our bosses. If you're just looking for a little excitement… well, I wouldn't say no."
He reached for the room key, but Sun Ya quickly pressed it down with her fingers, her breathing quickening as she forced a calm smile.
"If you're in no hurry, how could I be? Let's save this key for the day our companies truly become partners. Maybe then I'll have a special surprise for you. In the meantime, I'll get the details in order. You tell me what you need, Brother Guan—I'd like nothing better than to see us working together."
With that, Sun Ya stood and left, taking the room key with her but leaving the money behind. Once she was gone, Guan Junbiao called a subordinate to deliver the cash to Sun Ya's manager in Glory's PR department.
Then he pulled out his phone and called Tu Xiao.
"Biaozi, call Han Qian now—see where he stands."
Meanwhile, Sun Ya relayed everything to Gao Lvxing. On the phone, Gao Lvxing was silent for a full minute before finally responding.
"The car's ready. Go pick it up."
Sun Ya's eyes sparkled like spring blossoms as she cooed softly,
"Brother, I have a little sister, too…"