Su Yuxiang

In late spring, May brought wildflowers carpeting the mountains and willow catkins drifting through the air. The weather gradually turned hot and muggy.

Amid the deafening roar of the massive Construction Site, a sturdy figure pushed a cart, hauling load after load of bricks and stones into the nearby buildings under construction.

"Rumble, rumble—"

After dumping a large cartload of bricks onto the ground, Zhou Ming plopped down on a wooden plank, wiped the grimy sweat from his face with a towel, unscrewed a bottle of iced tea, and took a few gulps before resting properly.

Counting the days, he had already worked at this Construction Site for twelve straight days. Even the migrant workers had begun looking at him strangely. Once he finished today's work, it would be about time to stop.

The money he had on hand was almost up to four thousand, enough to cover his living expenses for a while. It was time to begin carrying out his next plan as well.

At the entrance to the Construction Site.

A group of sharply dressed male and female assistants surrounded a stylish young man and woman as they walked over.

"Young Master Chu, Miss Su, this way, please."

"Miss Su, construction on our Lijing Bay luxury residential project began in June the year before last. In less than two years, progress has already reached 68%. We expect it to officially launch early the year after next. By then, this major project, with an investment of nearly five billion, is expected to bring in over ten billion in profit, with a return rate close to one hundred percent."

"Yes, the Lijing Bay plot is prime feng shui land. It's close to the city center, the railway passenger station, the airport, and other transportation hubs. To the west lies a natural scenic area, with beautiful surroundings and pleasant views. Back when the land was being auctioned, if President Chu hadn't decisively thrown down 3.8 billion, this treasure of a plot would have been snatched away by someone else long ago."

"President Chu's boldness is truly admirable!"

"Of course, our Young Master Chu also has excellent vision. He believes this project has even greater potential to be tapped. We could build a high-end business center around the neighborhood and attract a number of upscale commercial institutions..."

The male and female assistants kept flattering the young man in the middle, shamelessly kissing up to him.

While basking in their flattery, the young man, who looked every bit the spoiled young master, ingratiatingly said to the lovely woman beside him, "Yuxiang, what do you think? Our family's real estate project isn't bad, right?"

His tone carried a distinct note of pride and showing off.

The beautiful woman frowned at his frivolous appearance, then gave a slight nod. "It's not bad."

Hearing her approval seemed to reward him somehow. The man became wildly excited. "Really, Yuxiang? You think this project has great prospects too, right? Let me tell you, conservatively speaking, this project can make five billion! And the various property assets in this development have at least another five billion in untapped value!..."

After boasting for a while, he added, "Yuxiang, I also heard that the Su family has recently been considering expanding into real estate. Let me tell you, that's exactly the right idea! If your Su family is interested in this project, all it takes is one word from you, Yuxiang, and leave everything to me. I'll make sure you profit from this project!"

Watching Young Master Chu wave his arms about as if he had taken aphrodisiacs, Su Yuxiang's brows furrowed deeply again.

She had long heard that Chu Tianhao was an ignorant, good-for-nothing playboy. Seeing him now, it seemed the rumors were true.

Su Yuxiang was beginning to regret following her father's arrangements and coming to inspect this so-called Lijing Bay project. With such a boring, shallow man at her side, no amount of investment return could stir the slightest interest in her.

"Yuxiang..." Chu Tianhao's voice sounded beside her again, but it had become somewhat awkward. "Yuxiang, my dad called me yesterday. He said he wanted to introduce me to someone and told me to bring her to see our Chu family's Lijing Bay project... Now that you've seen it, this project is pretty good, right?"

"And..." As he spoke, Chu Tianhao's face suddenly reddened slightly, but he still gathered his courage and said, "Yuxiang, what do you think of me? You and I... we're quite suitable for each other, aren't we?"

By the end, even Chu Tianhao found it strange that he had started stammering.

Perhaps it was because this was the first woman he had met whom he genuinely liked. He was not normally like this.

"What?"

Su Yuxiang parted her lips in surprise, her mind in turmoil.

What... what was this?

Was this a confession? A confession after less than an hour of meeting for the first time?

How could such a bizarre person exist in this world?

"Sorry, Young Master Chu. I suddenly don't feel very well. I want to go back and use the restroom."

Making up an excuse, Su Yuxiang turned to leave.

"You don't feel well? Where doesn't it feel well? How about I take you to the hospital?"

Chu Tianhao asked with concern, feeling puzzled. She had been perfectly fine just now, so why had Yuxiang suddenly become unwell?

"No need. I can go by myself. You all carry on with your work."

Su Yuxiang turned and walked back, quickening her pace slightly in an attempt to shake off the irritating figure clinging to her.

Chu Tianhao sensed that something was wrong too. Panicking, he immediately chased after her and grabbed her hand. "Yuxiang, Yuxiang, don't go. Listen to me finish. My dad told me yesterday that if the Su and Chu families could form a marriage alliance, he would let me manage the Lijing Bay project. As long as you nod, Yuxiang, the Lijing Bay project will belong to the two of us. Yuxiang, that's over ten billion!"

Boom!

It was as though a pot had exploded beside them. The several female assistants standing nearby glared at Su Yuxiang as if they wanted to devour her alive, the jealousy in their hearts nearly burning them to ashes.

Over ten billion! Young Master Chu was throwing away over ten billion just to pursue this woman?

How wonderful would it be if I were that woman?!

"Sorry, I'm not interested in this project. Let go."

Su Yuxiang, forcibly held back, became angry. Never in her life had anyone treated her so rudely. She snapped, "Let go of me right now!"

Chu Tianhao's eyes reddened. He gripped the woman before him even harder, his face turning vicious. "Su Yuxiang, think this through carefully. Five billion is enough to buy the entire Su family. What is there for you to refuse? Didn't your father send you here? Who are you pretending to be pure for in front of me?"

Chu Tianhao was angry as well. He had played with so many women; no matter how aloof or innocent they acted, none had failed to fall under his money offensive. Even if Su Yuxiang had higher standards, with that much money thrown at her, she still dared put on an act?

Slap!

"Let go!"

A resounding slap landed on Chu Tianhao's face. As she shouted angrily, Su Yuxiang struggled even harder.

Chu Tianhao was dumbfounded. This woman dared to hit me?

No one had ever hit me since I was little!

"I won't let go!" Chu Tianhao's temper flared. He craned his neck and tightly gripped Su Yuxiang's hand. The bamboo-jade skin of her arm had already been squeezed red.

"Let go of me! Can someone please come help me?"

Su Yuxiang was on the verge of tears. What kind of lunatic had she run into? Her pleading gaze swept all around, hoping someone would stop this madman.

The assistants nearby exchanged looks, but none dared step forward. The female assistants, in particular, looked gleeful at her misfortune and showed no intention of helping.

At that moment, an unfamiliar man dressed like a migrant worker pushed a cartload of bricks over from the opposite side.

"Hey! Hey! Someone come help me! This man is insane!"

Su Yuxiang's eyes lit up. She felt as though she had seen this person somewhere before. Like someone clutching at a lifeline, she hurriedly shouted at the migrant worker.

"Me?"

Hearing her call, Zhou Ming hesitated for a moment. Then, seeing the woman's pitiful appearance and the almost pleading look in her eyes, his heart softened. He set down the handcart and walked toward the young master.

"Eh, Little Yang Bro, you're here too! I'm Dongzi, Lin Dadong. Brother, don't you recognize me? We even drank together last time."

Zhou Ming wrapped his arms around Chu Tianhao's waist and smeared the dust from his body, along with snot and sweat, all over the expensive fabric of his coat.

"Who are you? You bastard, let go of me! Someone, get this lunatic off me!"

Amid the commotion, Su Yuxiang broke free from his grasp. She looked back gratefully at the "migrant worker," then left this troublesome place without looking back.