There is not much coolness in the night breeze in July.
The lights on Zhengfa University's playground were dim, dyeing the track a warm orange color.
Students in twos and threes were walking. Occasionally, someone would run past. The sound of footsteps and breathing mixed together and gradually faded away.
Zhao Chen and Shen Zhiyi were walking side by side, very slowly.
After eating, she proposed to come here for a walk. She said that the school playground had been renovated and she wanted him to take a look.
But in fact, he knew that she wanted to stay a little longer.
"How was Board of Directors driving today?" Shen Zhiyi asked.
Zhao Chen smiled:
"Property identified buyer."
Shen Zhiyi turned to look at him:
"Really? Who bought it?"
"Jiahe Assets." Zhao Chen said, "The quotation is 2.6 billion."
Shen Zhiyi took a breath:
"2.6 billion? So high?"
Zhao Chen nodded.
Shen Zhiyi suddenly remembered something:
"What you said before...Lu Shen, does it have something to do with this matter?"
Zhao Chen was silent for a second.
Then he said:
"Behind Jiahe, there is his shadow."
Shen Zhiyi paused for a moment.
She stood there and looked at Zhao Chen, her eyes full of surprise:
"You mean... the person who bought the property is..."
"Yes." Zhao Chen said, "Lu Shen. Blackstone China's vice president, our 'good senior'."
Shen Zhiyi opened his mouth, but no words came out for a long time.
If Zhao Chen hadn't mentioned him on the phone two days ago, she would have almost forgotten about this person.
She rarely remembered what happened at that party three years ago.
All I know is that Zhao Chen came to her rescue that day. Later, the two gradually got to know each other and got together last semester.
The name Lu Shen has long been buried deep in her memory.
Unexpectedly, three years later, it would reappear in this way.
"You..." She looked at Zhao Chen, not knowing what to say, "You agreed?"
Zhao Chen nodded:
"Agreed."
Shen Zhiyi was stunned for a moment and frowned slightly:
"But you just said that Shen Jue supports Ping An? If you also support Ping An, wouldn't it be easy for Board of Directors to pass?"
Zhao Chen looked at her:
"Zhiyi, in business, this is a simple business decision without any personal feelings."
He paused:
"Jiahe gave me 2.6 billion, and Ping An gave me a price difference of 2.528 billion. I have no reason not to sell it to Jiahe."
Shen Zhiyi was silent for two seconds.
Then she lowered her head and whispered:
"But... that person..."
She didn't finish.
But Zhao Chen understands what she means.
That person humiliated him in public three years ago.
The way that man looked at her made her uncomfortable.
That person now came back with 2.6 billion and bought the assets of Henglong.
This made her feel awkward.
Zhao Chen looked at her expression, and suddenly felt a little soft.
She felt wronged for him.
"Zhiyi," he said softly, "You are making this matter simple."
Shen Zhiyi raised his head and looked at him.
Zhao Chen held her hand and said while walking:
"I sell properties not because I am short of money, but because I am not optimistic about the future of the property."
He paused:
"The vacancy rate of office buildings is rising, rents are falling, and the valuation of property companies cannot last for a few years. Now it is sold for 2.6 billion to cash out at the highest point."
Shen Zhiyi listened and said nothing.
"Jiahe spent 2.6 billion to buy it. It was a gamble."
Zhao Chen continued,
"We are betting that there is room for real estate in the future, we are betting that office buildings will continue to rise, and we are betting that this investment can bring them a return."
He turned his head and looked at her:
"So, I didn't sell the property to them. I made a bet with them."
Shen Zhiyi was stunned for a moment:
"Betting?"
"Yes." Zhao Chen said,
"I bet that the property is not worth the price, they bet that the property is. Who wins will be revealed in a few years."
He smiled, the smile was very light, but there was something in his eyes:
"To a certain extent, they are not my Cooperator, but my opponents."
Shen Zhiyi looked at him for a long time.
Then she suddenly smiled, her eyes turning into crescents:
"You mean, they bought things at a high price that you don't think are worth it?"
"Yes."
"Then they didn't lose money?"
"If my judgment is right," Zhao Chen said, "They will indeed lose money."
Shen Zhiyi's mood suddenly improved.
She held Zhao Chen's hand tightly, with a hint of excitement in her voice:
"Then I believe you."
Zhao Chen looked at her:
"Isn't it awkward?"
Shen Zhiyi shook his head:
"It's not awkward anymore."
She paused and then said:
"When you say that, I'm looking forward to it. I want to see how they end up."
Zhao Chen couldn't help but laugh.
This woman is as innocent as a blank sheet of paper sometimes.
But her innocence made him feel at ease.
The two of them continued walking forward.
The lights on the playground stretched their shadows long and intertwined.
Shen Zhiyi suddenly asked:
"Zhao Chen, are you really not angry?"
Zhao Chen knows what she is asking.
That night three years ago, Lu Shen patted him on the shoulder and said, "A rich second generation like you who hangs around all day long."
She remembered that sentence.
Zhao Chen was silent for two seconds.
Then he said:
"Is it useful to be angry?"
He paused:
"If he scolds me, I will remember it. But business is business. If he offers 2.6 billion, I will sell it.
If he loses, it is his own choice. If he makes money, he deserves it."
He turned his head and looked at Shen Zhiyi:
"I will not do anything that harms the interests of shareholders because of personal grudges."
Shen Zhiyi nodded.
She suddenly felt that the man in front of her was different from the boy who rushed out to rescue her back then.
It's not that he has become indifferent.
It has become stronger.
Be strong enough to put your emotions aside and only do what is right.
"Achen." She called his name softly.
"Huh?"
"You are really awesome."
Zhao Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled:
"You just found out?"
Shen Zhiyi hit him lightly:
"Don't be too proud."
The two of them laughed together.
The night wind blew by, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus beside the playground.
In the distance, someone is flying a kite.
The luminous kite floats in the dark blue sky, like a flying star.
Shen Zhiyi leaned on Zhao Chen's shoulder and suddenly said:
"That person will definitely suffer a loss this time, right?"
Zhao Chen thought for a while:
"If my judgment is correct, it will happen sooner or later."
Shen Zhiyi laughed:
"That's good."
Her voice was very soft, but Zhao Chen could hear the expectation in it.
He said silently in his heart:
Lu Shen, three years ago you said I was the second generation ancestor.
Three years later, I will bet you with Henglong Property worth 2.6 billion.
See who laughs last.
At nine o'clock in the evening, Zhao Chen sent Shen Zhiyi downstairs to the dormitory.
Shen Zhiyi didn't go upstairs immediately.
She looked at Zhao Chen:
"Are you still busy tomorrow?"
"Busy." Zhao Chen said, "Jiahe's deposit has arrived, so we need to prepare Due Diligence."
Shen Zhiyi nodded and was silent for another two seconds.
Then she suddenly came over and kissed him on the face.
Didn't leave.
She just looked at him up close, with a little light in her eyes:
"Then I... won't go back."
Zhao Chen looked at her.
The night wind blew by, carrying the fragrance of her hair.
He didn't speak.
He just reached out and gently held her hand.
Let's walk together in the opposite direction of Zhengfa University, farther and farther away.
But her warmth was very close in his hand.
The next morning, a certain hotel.
The sun shines in through the gaps in the curtains, cutting a bright line at the head of the bed.
When Shen Zhiyi woke up, Zhao Chen had already woken up.
He was leaning on the bedside, looking down at his phone, frowning slightly.
"What's wrong?" Her voice was still a little hoarse.
Zhao Chen handed her the phone:
"Jiahe's deposit has arrived. One hundred million, one cent is a lot."
Shen Zhiyi glanced at it, then looked up at him:
"You don't look... happy?"
Zhao Chen shook his head:
"It's not that I'm unhappy. I'm just thinking about what Lu Shen wants to do."
He paused:
"2.6 billion, 100 million deposit, full payment before signing the contract - this is not like doing business."
Shen Zhiyi looked at him:
"Like what?"
Zhao Chen was silent for two seconds:
"It's like a demonstration."
Shen Zhiyi said nothing.
She just leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Whatever he wants to do," she whispered, "You can handle it."
Zhao Chen looked down at her and suddenly smiled:
"Have you so much confidence in me?"
Shen Zhiyi nodded:
"Hmm."
Zhao Chen put his arms around her and said nothing.
Outside the window, the sun is just right.
A new day, a new battlefield.
But with her by his side, he felt that those things were nothing.