Watching his wife telling Yang Hanqing not to be polite, Xiao Ming shook his head internally.
Jiang Xue was good in every way, smart too, but her heart was just too soft.
And it was those soft-hearted women that were the easiest targets for manipulative ones; if the man wasn't resolute enough, heartbreak was as certain as a nail hammered into a board.
But then again, if Jiang Xue weren't soft-hearted, she might have divorced him long ago, instead of enduring two long years waiting for his rebirth, right?
Such a good woman had to be cherished and never lost.
After some more idle chat, Yang Hanqing stood up to leave. Reaching the door, he turned back casually, "Mr. Xiao, regarding the situation Maohe might encounter in a few days, there are still some crisis response details I am unclear about.
Later, before you leave, please stop by my office, and we can finalize everything."
Jiang Xue instantly nudged Xiao Ming: "Don't wait till later; go now. I'll scrub the thermos, and you can grab it when you leave."
"I'll scrub it. Dishwashing detergent isn't good for the skin."
Xiao Ming picked up the thermos and said to Yang Hanqing with a stern tone, "Go back to the office and wait; I'll be there shortly."
Yang Hanqing's heart fluttered and she left with her head down.
A moment later, Xiao Ming finished scrubbing the thermos and returned, taking the paper towel Jiang Xue handed him and drying his hands, complaining, "I cooked because you are my wife and pregnant. Why's Yang Hanqing eating with us? What's that about?
Aren't you worried that she'll get hooked on my superb cooking and won't be able to leave me?"
Jiang Xue shook her head: "Qing has helped me a lot, and she's all alone. Morally and emotionally, I should look after her a bit.
Besides, you're business colleagues, seeing each other all the time. If I push her away without a reason, it will put you in a tough spot at work.
So, whether she gets hooked by your cooking, I don't care, as long as you don't fall for her."
Xiao Ming smiled wryly: "Why is all the pressure on me?"
Jiang Xue's smile had a teasing edge: "Resisting temptation is the most basic integrity for you as a man and a husband, isn't that right?"
"Right! My wife's words are golden, always right.
But, if you want the horse to run, you've got to let the horse eat well. Heh, my dear wife, how about some spiritual reward?"
Saying so, Xiao Ming leaned forward, bringing his face closer.
"A lazy donkey turning the mill, you sure have a lot of demands!"
Rolling her eyes at him, Jiang Xue pursed her lips about to kiss him when, out of the blue, Xiao Ming turned his face straight into hers and planted a heavy kiss on her lips.
"Ha-ha! The taste of pork ribs isn't bad either; it's got a taste of life. Next time I'll stew you some pork trotters."
Xiao Ming left with a mischievous smile while Jiang Xue touched her lips with her fingertips, scolding with a laugh, "This juvenile ghost!"
Arriving outside Yang Hanqing's office, Xiao Ming waved to the approaching secretary: "No need for greetings; just tell her I've arrived."
"Mr. Xiao, Mr. Yang said you can go right in without being announced," said the secretary respectfully.
This woman, usually so meek looking, can be quite aggressive!
With a smirk, Xiao Ming pushed open the office door and walked straight in, sitting down on the couch.
"Wasn't I clear enough in the car yesterday? Maohe will only be affected by public opinion. If there's a group protest, just be careful to avoid any disturbances.
Plus, I'll be there too; what else are you worried about?"
Yang Hanqing was nibbling on a biscuit, looking pitiful.
"Maohe is what my father built from scratch, interwoven with the hard work of two generations. It's not your responsibility, so of course, you can talk without your back hurting."
Xiao Ming glanced at her sideways, saying coldly, "What do you want to do then? Maybe you should just return all those properties now before things escalate."
"It's just a matter of time anyway."
"What about your plan?"
"Doesn't matter. If I can't take over Dabang this time, there's always next time. Without you, Mr. Butcher Yang, I'm sure I won't have to settle for eating only pigs with bristles."
Yang Hanqing's hand tightened, crushing the biscuit. Moments later, tears began to fall drop by drop.
"I'm sorry, don't be angry. I didn't mean to blame you, I've just never dealt with such big issues before, and I couldn't help but worry.
You don't have to worry about me, I just need to adjust myself."
Xiao Ming knew this was the most typical "green tea" expression. Seeing Yang Hanqing cry, he couldn't keep being intentionally indifferent.
After all, Yang Hanqing was a senior executive of his company and hadn't done anything excessive; it wouldn't be good for either of them if their relationship became strained.
Actually, Jiang Xue was right; it didn't matter what Yang Hanqing thought. What mattered was whether he could resist the temptation.
He sighed, took out his phone, and dialed Zheng Yanan's number.
"This is Xiao Ming. Prepare ten of the largest pizzas and snacks for over a dozen people and send them to the CEO's office of Maohe Real Estate on the fifth floor at No. 139, JianShe Road... Any flavor will do, as long as they're hot.
An accountant will come by this afternoon; just tell them how much I owe you."
After hanging up the phone, Xiao Ming said to Yang Hanqing, "Stop pretending to nibble on biscuits. I just bought a pizza shop this morning, so arrange for an accountant to check their books later.
Also..."
He pulled out a set of keys and threw them on the table.
"Kanjiang No.1 Block A's top floor is my property. I'm entrusting the decorating to Maohe; let Xue'er design it personally. Follow your company's formal project procedure; pay as much commission as is due, don't be polite, just treat me like a regular customer."
Yang Hanqing knew Xiao Ming ordered the pizzas for her, but she also understood it was out of pity and apology; otherwise, he wouldn't have ordered so much, making it seem like he was treating his wife's colleagues to a meal.
Her heart felt both happy and sad, sour and bitter—so complex that she couldn't tell what it was exactly.
This man was too clear-headed, impeccably efficient, and conquering him seemed as hard as reaching the skies.
Yet it was for this very reason that he stood out as outstandingly excellent, unique, and irresistible.
"Why did you suddenly buy a pizza shop?"
Xiao Ming smiled, "Because it was a place Xue'er and I used to go to often. She liked the taste there, so I bought it.
Making money doesn't matter; as long as the taste stays the same, that's fine."
Yang Hanqing wanted to slap herself. What was she doing asking such questions, as if she hadn't been stimulated enough already!
Looking at the keys on the table, she wisely shut her mouth.
The house Xiao Ming bought was naturally going to be Jiang Xue's future home, and by paying commission through formal procedures, it was clear he didn't plan to let Jiang Xue know just yet, waiting to surprise her when they moved in.𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
Thinking about this, she suddenly felt stuffy and said brusquely, "Do you have anything else? If not, you can leave now. I need to get back to work."
Xiao Ming was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled knowingly, stood up, and left.
When he went to Jiang Xue to pick up a thermal bucket, he took the initiative to mention ordering a heap of pizzas and snacks because he pitied Yang Hanqing eating biscuits, telling Jiang Xue to treat her colleagues to them later on.
Jiang Xue was naturally very satisfied with the way he balanced the situation, though she kept complaining about his extravagant spending.
When he arrived at the company's entrance, the receptionist was munching on a lunch box but quickly wiped her mouth and stood up, seeing Xiao Ming.
"Save some room, there will be pizza later."
Xiao Ming smiled, and amidst the receptionist's surprised and admiring gaze, he entered the elevator.