What a Fox

At that moment, the opera performance in the main hall on the first floor began as well.

The red curtain drew back, revealing a performer in a female role taking the lead, followed by several other characters.

The lilting strains of opera rang out-

Seeing that the performance had begun, Bai Chen said a quick goodbye to those beside him and hurried downstairs.

Lin Jingchen's gaze followed him until he disappeared from view.

From where Lin Jingchen sat, he could look down and see everything below clearly.

"Mr. Lin-what are you looking at?" Chen Gang called to him.

Lin Jingchen came back to himself and chuckled. "Nothing. This teahouse is quite nice, that's all. A lovely view."

"Hahaha-as long as you like it, Mr. Lin." Chen Gang laughed heartily, though it sounded a little forced.

A young woman in a qipao then approached, carrying a teapot on a tray.

She stopped in front of them and gently set everything down.

Every now and then, she stole a glance at Lin Jingchen, who sat to Chen Gang's right.

A gentle smile remained on Lin Jingchen's thin lips, as though it had become a habit.

It made the attendant feel a little shy.

With a rosewood scoop, she measured tea leaves into a lidded bowl and rinsed them with boiling water from the kettle beside her. Steam rose in delicate curls, carrying the fragrance of tea.

Amid the fragrant steam, his heart gradually settled. A long-absent sense of familiarity washed away the desolation in his chest, leaving his mind empty and tranquil.

After repeated infusions with boiling water, she poured the tea into porcelain cups and placed them before the two men.

"Gentlemen, your West Lake tea is ready. Please enjoy," the attendant said, then reluctantly departed.

With his well-defined right hand, Lin Jingchen slowly lifted the teacup before him. Holding it a short distance from his nose, he inhaled its fragrance, then brought it to his lips for a delicate sip.

As the tea entered his mouth, its distinctive, fresh fragrance swirled over his tongue, filling his mouth and nose with its aroma.

He then slowly returned the cup to the table.

There was an art to tasting tea. A cup was taken in three sips: the first to test its temperature, the second to savor its fragrance, and the third to drink it. Those were the rules.

Chen Gang, sitting across from him, drained his cup in one gulp, poured another, and downed that too. He had no use for so many rules.

He even spilled quite a bit while pouring.

Lin Jingchen's brows drew together almost imperceptibly, and the corners of his mouth dipped slightly, though his expression appeared largely unchanged.

"Mr. Chen, you've gone to considerable trouble to invite me here for tea. If you have a proposal, please get straight to it," Lin Jingchen said in his rich, resonant voice.

"Hahaha... You're a straightforward man, Mr. Lin. There is indeed something I need your help with..." Seeing his response, Chen Gang came straight to the point.

"The plot in the west of the city will soon be up for bidding. I hear you're determined to win it, Mr. Lin, so we'd like to partner with your company," Chen Gang said with a broad smile.

"You want a share of the Lin Group's pie?" Lin Jingchen lifted his cup and took a sip. His tone held neither displeasure nor anger; it was an entirely ordinary question.

He raised his gaze, his beautiful, alluring eyes fixed on Chen Gang. Although he was smiling, a chill ran down Chen Gang's back.

Chen Gang hurried to explain. "It's not about taking a share. It's about a win-win arrangement, Mr. Lin!"

He then added, "Mr. Lin, barring any surprises, the Gu Group will also be bidding this time, and they've made their preparations."

Lin Jingchen continued drinking his tea, as though the bidding had nothing to do with him. "I'm aware."

"This bid is certainly important, but how can I trust that you're sincere about working with the Lin Group, Mr. Chen?" His tone remained mild.

Chen Gang fell silent.

At this point, even a fool would have understood what Lin Jingchen meant.

Chen Gang hastily added another condition, though it pained him terribly. He cursed inwardly, What a fox. He's even shrewder than his father. Like father, like son, indeed.

He laughed. "Of course we're sincere, Mr. Lin. We're very serious about this partnership." He then took out a contract and handed it to Lin Jingchen, his heart aching.

This was his last resort, prepared out of fear that Lin Jingchen would refuse.

"Mr. Lin, this is a plot on the outskirts of Chenghua. It isn't worth as much as the one in the west of the city, but it's still a good piece of land. Consider it a small token of sincerity toward a partnership between our companies."

Lin Jingchen glanced down, then took the contract Chen Gang offered.

After reading it for a while, he smiled in acknowledgment. "Not bad. It is a good piece of land." He set the contract down. "However, whether we can offer you a share of the western plot will still need to be discussed with the Lin Group's shareholders."

At those words, Chen Gang's heart sank. Although Lin Jingchen had agreed to discuss it with the others at the Lin Group, everyone knew he was the one with the most authority.

If he agreed, the others would not dare do anything, even if they were unhappy.

But Chen Gang knew that Lin Jingchen would never change his mind easily. Every decision he made came after careful consideration. If he was saying this, there was a ninety percent chance the deal would fall through.

Disappointment showed on Chen Gang's face, but he kept smiling.

"Well, it's about time. Mr. Chen, I have a meeting this afternoon. Thank you for the tea today." With that, he picked up his phone and stood. "I'll treat you to a meal sometime."

Seeing that he was leaving, Chen Gang wanted to persuade him to stay, but Lin Jingchen gave him no chance and walked straight out.

Anger flared inside Chen Gang.

Fuck, that Lin Jingchen really is a goddamn bastard. I offered him such a good plot, and he still wouldn't take it.

What he did not know was that Lin Jingchen had already spotted all the plot's drawbacks. Although the surroundings were pleasant, the land would be difficult to develop, and it would not attract much foot traffic.

If they partnered, the Chen Group would certainly profit, while the Lin Group would definitely lose money. He was not that foolish.

Lin Jingchen quickly went down to the first floor. It was crowded with customers now. He scanned the room as though searching for something, but found nothing.

The corners of his mouth dipped slightly, and his eyes dimmed. Seeing that it was almost afternoon, he could only leave the teahouse in disappointment.

Even after stepping outside, he looked back, hoping someone might come out.

But he found no one. He had not found that young man.

He shook his head and gave a soft laugh. "Perhaps he's already left."

Lin Jingchen got into the car, his spirits low.

Once he was inside, the driver seemed to notice something and asked, "Sir, did you lose something?"

From the car, the driver had seen Lin Jingchen repeatedly looking back and assumed he had lost something.

"No. Let's go," Lin Jingchen said evenly, betraying no emotion.