Walking at the front was a man in a dark blue suit, about ten years old, with an extraordinary bearing.
Zhao Chen's eyes fell on him.
Lu Shen.
The vice president of Blackstone China, an outstanding alumnus of Zhengfa University, the person who patted him on the shoulder that night three years ago and said, "A second-generation ancestor like you."
Zhao Chen didn't move.
He just watched the man walk through the crowd, nodding and greeting people along the way, and finally stopped in the middle of the banquet hall, shaking hands with Zhou Huai and saying hello.
Zhou Huai pointed towards Zhao Chen and whispered a few words.
Lu Shen nodded, and then walked straight this way.
Chen Xi and Zhang Qingxue subconsciously leaned closer to Zhao Chen.
Lu Shen walked up to Zhao Chen and stretched out his hand:
"Chairman Zhao, long time admirer."
Zhao Chen holds his hand:
"Mr. Lu, I have long admired you."
The two hands were held together and stayed there for two seconds.
Lu Shen smiled and said:
"We met in school three years ago. I didn't expect to meet again here today. It's fate."
Zhao Chen also smiled:
"Fate."
The two looked at each other.
Everyone around them fell silent and watched this scene.
Lu Shen took back his hand and his eyes stopped on Zhao Chen's face for a moment, as if waiting for him to ask something.
But Zhao Chen asked nothing.
He just held the wine glass and waited for the other party to speak.
Lu Shen smiled and said proactively:
"When Zhou Huai told me that Jiahe wanted to take over Henglong Property, I was stunned for a moment. I didn't expect that we are so destined."
He paused:
"I didn't plan to show up so early. I wanted to wait until the delivery was completed. But I happened to be at Shan City today, so I came over to ask for a drink."
This was said in a flawless manner - it not only explained why he appeared, but also hinted at his relationship with Jiahe.
Zhao Chen nodded:
"Mr. Lu is very polite. Jiahe's team is very professional and the transaction went smoothly."
Lu Shen laughed:
"As long as it goes well. Chairman Zhao Don't worry, if you leave the property to us, we will definitely manage it well."
The two chatted for a few more words, all in a casual manner.
Lu Shen said:
"Chairman Zhao, there are a few friends over there. I'll go over and say hello first. Let's talk later."
Zhao Chen nodded:
"Mr. Lu, please excuse me."
Lu Shen turned around and left, walking towards a few people on the other side of the banquet hall.
Chen Xi looked at his back and whispered:
"He's... leaving now?"
Zhang Qingxue pushed up his glasses:
"Otherwise? You can't be the first to say, 'I'm just here to trouble you' at a cocktail party, right?"
Zhao Chen said nothing.
His eyes still fell on Lu Shen.
Lu Shen was chatting with a few people, smiling and feeling like a fish in water.
Everything is normal.
But Zhao Chen always felt that something was wrong.
His eyes swept over the people around Lu Shen.
Zhou Huai, got to know.
Jiahe's legal person in charge, I have met.
A few unknown men and women should be their LP representatives.
Then, his eyes stopped.
At the edge of the crowd, stood a woman.
She was wearing a burgundy evening dress, holding a glass of Champagne, and stood there quietly.
She didn't look here, just looked down at the wine in the glass, like an ordinary guest.
But that silhouette...
Zhao Chen's fingers tightened slightly.
Chen Xi noticed something strange about him and followed his gaze:
"Zhao Zong?"
Zhao Chen has no answer.
He just looked at the woman.
She seemed to feel something, slowly raised her head and turned her face.
Opposite the west eye.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Lin Wanqing.
She is a little thinner than she was in Henglong, and her jawline is as sharp as a knife.
The makeup is still delicate, but there is a layer of black under the eyes that cannot be removed.
She looked at Zhao Chen.
No smile, no movement, no expression.
Just watch.
That gaze was very calm, as calm as a pool of stagnant water.
But Zhao Chen saw something from under that pool of stagnant water.
Not hate.
Not proudly.
It was something he finally understood.
Why is the quotation of Jiahe so accurate?
Why are they so uninterested in Due Diligence.
Why does everything seem so smooth and unreal?
Because someone told them what the real value of Henglong Property is.
Because someone told them which details can be ignored and which issues do not need to be investigated in depth.
Because there is someone who knows Henglong's trump card better than anyone else.
Lin Wanqing.
The woman he kicked out of Henglong.
That Short Selling woman who lost 250 million.
The woman who thought she was completely eliminated.
Now, she was standing in the banquet hall of Lu Shen, wearing a burgundy evening dress, like any ordinary guest.
Zhao Chen looked at her.
She also looked at Zhao Chen.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then she looked away, lowered her head and took a sip of wine, as if nothing had happened.
Zhao Chen's hand holding the wine glass did not move.
Chen Xi's voice was very low:
"Why is she here..."
Zhao Chen has no answer.
He put the glass down:
"I'm going to the bathroom."
He turned and left.
Chen Xi and Zhang Qingxue looked at each other, but neither followed.
Zhao Chen came out of the bathroom and was not taken back to the banquet hall.
He opened a side door and walked out onto the terrace.
The night wind blows over, bringing with it the unique atmosphere of the city.
He stood by the railing and looked at the lights in the distance.
There were footsteps behind me.
He didn't look back.
"Chairman Zhao, hiding here alone?"
It's the voice of Lin Wanqing.
Zhao Chen still hasn't looked back.
Lin Wanqing walked to him and stood side by side with him, looking at the same night.
The two were silent for a few seconds.
"One hundred million."
Lin Wanqing spoke, his voice was very soft, as if he was talking to himself,
"I put all Working Capital in."
Zhao Chen's fingers moved slightly.
One hundred million.
He turned his head and glanced at her.
The night wind blew her hair slightly. In the dim light, her profile was thinner than it was at Henglong, and her jawline was as sharp as a knife.
"Are you so optimistic about Henglong Property? Can your construction companies survive without Working Capital?" he asked.
Lin Wanqing did not answer.
She just looked into the distance, raising the corners of her mouth slightly.
The smile was so faint that it was almost invisible.
Zhao Chen waited for two seconds.
She didn't speak.
He suddenly understood - she wouldn't tell.
How those companies operate, how those projects are continued, how those Suppliers debts are repaid - she won't tell him.
Maybe it's because it's useless to say it.
Maybe it's because she doesn't care anymore.
Maybe because...
There was no way out for her.
Zhao Chen withdrew his gaze and looked at the lights in the distance again.
"You made me lose 250 million." Lin Wanqing finally said, "I have to get it back."
The wind blew across the terrace, bringing with it a hint of coolness.
"One hundred million." Zhao Chen said, "You bet one hundred million and want to earn back 250 million?"
Lin Wanqing said nothing.
Zhao Chen shook his head:
"Lin Wanqing, you bet too big."
He turned and left.
When he reached the door, he paused.
There is no looking back.
"I hope Lu Shen is worth your money."
He opened the door and left.
Lin Wanqing stood there, watching his back disappear from the door.
The night wind continued to blow.
She stood alone for a long time holding the wine glass.
Then she looked down at the wine in the glass and shook it slightly.
One hundred million.
She did stake 100 million.
What should the company do?
She won't tell Zhao Chen--this is her only chance.
Only by embodying its own value can her company have hope of survival.