Getting out of the car with Song Tianyao was naturally Chu Xiaozhong's secretary Kong Wing-yan. She wasn't there simply to congratulate Song Tianyao on the opening of his pharmacy; rather, she had some matters to handle. As they walked, Song Tianyao spoke to her:
"I've registered a secondary distribution company called Crown Asia on paper. I've been lazy these past few days, and I've only drafted about two-thirds of the accounts and lists regarding Crown Asia's profit distribution. I'll give you the list and figures later, and you can complete them yourself. You can then transfer the funds to those people's accounts each month."
"Are you really not planning to continue being Mr. Chu's secretary? I heard from Young Master Zhong that Mr. Chu and his mother both tried to persuade you to stay. Besides, even if you don't become his secretary, this pharmaceutical company called Crown Asia can help you accumulate wealth quickly. Why don't you manage it yourself instead of handing it over to Young Master Zhong?" Kong Wing-yan turned her head to look at Song Tianyao beside her and asked curiously.
As Chu Xiaozhong's secretary, she couldn't possibly match the prominence Chu Xiaoxin's secretary held in the Chu Family. She wasn't overly jealous; their statuses were different. Chu Xiaozhong was independent and a hands-on young business talent, while she only needed to handle mundane tasks for her boss. Chu Xiaoxin, on the other hand, was more like a powerless ruler, entrusting all power and trust to the young man before her. All matters concerning Likang were decided by this young man's word—something that couldn't be obtained through mere jealousy or envy.
Kong Wing-yan simply couldn't understand why Song Tianyao, who was now enjoying a very high status in the Chu Family, would want to withdraw from the Chu Family's affairs. Even Crown Asia, the secondary distribution company that Chu Yaozong had tacitly allowed him to register, only retained the name of the company's registrant and transferred all company affairs to Chu Xiaozhong. It was for this reason that Chu Xiaozhong arranged for her to take over from Song Tianyao.
"You really think Crown Asia belongs to me alone?" Song Tianyao smiled at Kong Wing-yan. "The Customs Foreign Devil, the British Army responsible for anti-smuggling in Hong Kong waters, the Marine Police, and all the officials in the Industrial and Commercial Administration Office —I have to manage them all. The benefits all need to be paid from the profits in Crown Asia's accounts. As for why Crown Asia uses my name, Song Tianyao, it's to serve as a brand for Mr. Chu, to let everyone see that even a lowly secretary like me, Song Tianyao, can get Mr. Chu to give me one of the five distribution companies if I do a good job. It's just a story of spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones. This is all for show. Of course, Chairman Chu will agree. Do you think I'm stupid enough to actually monopolize Crown Asia's profits? It's impossible. I know my own business. Earning a little is enough. If I want to stand out, I still need to rely on my own efforts... Wow, it's really rare to be able to remain motionless and be admired by two beautiful women in front of me."
When Song Tianyao and Kong Wing-yan reached the Wind-and-Rain Corridor outside the shop, they noticed Lou Fengyun and Golden-Tooth Lei standing at the door, while Yan Hung and Meng Wanqing stood on the street. They were clearly looking at them, so Song Kong Wing-yan smiled and changed the subject at the end of their conversation.
"Secretary Song."
"Secretary Song."
"Secretary Song."
"Brother Yiu."
He was sizing up Meng Wanqing and Lou Fengyun outside the door. They all greeted him. Kong Wing-yan looked at the two groups, turned her head slightly, her hair even brushing against Song Tianyao's ear, and whispered, "Both women look older than you. Are they really your... lovers? A meeting between the first and second wives?"
"You're a bit older than me, Auntie. Are you even thirty yet? You're quite old, yet I still outshine you. But I won't give you a chance to get back at me. And let me just say, when we're not talking about work, you're no different from any other woman—just as gossipy." Song Tianyao didn't answer Kong Wing-yan's question, but instead teased her. Then, he casually walked outside the shop and introduced Kong Wing-yan to the two groups of people, "This is Young Master Zhong's secretary, Miss Kong Wing-yan. She's here to see me."
He then pointed to Lou Fengyun and said to Kong Wing-yan and Meng Wanqing, "This is Sister Yun. She lives alone upstairs from me. I haven't succeeded in getting her yet, but I'll have the chance in the future."
Then, turning around, he introduced Meng Wanqing to Lou Fengyun and Kong Wing-yan: "This is Miss Wanqing. She refused to go out with me, so I haven't succeeded yet. So, everyone, don't feel too awkward."
Kong Wing-yan's introduction was alright, but when she introduced Lou Fengyun and Meng Wanqing, Song Tianyao's nonchalant yet frivolous tone when he said he hadn't succeeded made Kong Wing-yan's eyes widen. Although polygamy hadn't been abolished yet, the ideas of female independence and gender equality were deeply rooted in her mind as a educated woman who had studied abroad. Her first reaction was to see how the two women would react to Song Tianyao, this arrogant man, and whether they would hurl a few sharp words at him.
To her surprise, Meng Wanqing only listened to Song Tianyao's words, glanced curiously at Lou Fengyun, and remained silent, while Lou Fengyun's chest rose and fell slightly, clearly indicating that she had breathed a sigh of relief.
"Secretary Song, I drove Miss Wanqing here. She wants to thank you in person." Yan Hung saw Song Tianyao reach for a cigarette in his pocket and handed him his own, lighting it for Song Tianyao.
"Miss Wanqing, you're too kind. Please come in." Song Tianyao, with a cigarette between his fingers, smiled politely at Meng Wanqing, revealing a row of white teeth.
Then he looked at Chen Tai, who was hiding behind Golden-Tooth Lei and had just called him Brother Yiu, but was now cowering and stammering, and said with a smile:
"You don't owe me anything, and you even saved my life, so why are you still giving me that look?"
After greeting Golden-Tooth Lei with a smile, he then led everyone into the Western medicine store.
Meng Wanqing hesitated for a moment, wanting to turn and leave, but Yan Hung wouldn't allow it. He was only hoping Meng Wanqing would defeat Widow Yun. Seeing Song Tianyao, Kong Wing-yan, and the others walk into the shop first, he lowered his voice and said to Meng Wanqing, "Miss Wanqing, Secretary Song has really been incredibly kind to you. He went to great lengths to save you that night. You should thank him yourself."
Actually, Yan Hung went all out that night. As for Song Tianyao, he really didn't do anything; Yan Hung did all the dirty and hard work.
Meng Wanqing shook her head slightly. She had a good impression of Song Tianyao, otherwise she wouldn't have thought of him when she was in despair. But when she actually had to talk to him, she didn't know what to say, so she stayed where she was.