BF Chapter 19

After the acquisition plan for the Mong Kok project was completed on schedule, Liao Zhihong, who had been lying in the hospital for two months, also returned to the company to cancel his sick leave.

Xu Shen was informed of this matter by his secretary as soon as he arrived at the company in the morning. He didn’t react much and didn’t think about greeting Liao Zhihong, since he would see him at the meeting later anyway.

“With Manager Liao back, he might find trouble for you again, Young Master Shen,” the secretary reminded him with some concern.

Xu Shen couldn’t care less, “What trouble can he find for me? He’d need to have the ability for that first.”

The meeting was set for ten o’clock.

Xu Shen was delayed by a few minutes when entering the conference room; Liao Zhihong was already seated in the main seat, while everyone else kept their heads down, not daring to utter a peep.

During the two months Liao Zhihong was absent, Xu Shen had been presiding over all matters big and small in the department; now that Liao Zhihong was back in person, handing the work back to him seemed to carry no fault.

Xu Shen walked forward with a smile; watching him approach, Liao Zhihong hesitated for a moment and actually subconsciously wanted to stand up.

Xu Shen approached him, pressing one hand down on his shoulder, and with a slight exertion of force, pressed him right back into his seat, smoothly taking away the folder in front of him: “Apologies, Manager Liao; this document is mine. I’ll have someone print another copy for you.”

His secretary quickly delivered a new document; Liao Zhihong found it hard to say anything, and Xu Shen had already walked over to an adjacent seat and sat down, saying, “Let’s start the meeting.”

Liao Zhihong was unhappy, but didn’t dare to express it on his face.

Xu Shen taking over the project’s presiding work was Xu Shiji’s decision, who would dare object? Moreover, everyone had seen his abilities: work that had previously been stalled immediately progressed smoothly once he took over, without falling into a disadvantage even when clashing with Xu Ziren.

Now, quite a few people in the Real Estate Development Department had joined Xu Shen’s camp both openly and covertly; he himself had also newly recruited and transferred capable hands to his side from other departments. It is no longer the situation he was in when he first joined the company, fighting alone and allowing Liao Zhihong to casually dismiss him with some useless old documents.

Furthermore, Liao Zhihong had always suspected that when he met with an accident on Young Master Shen’s very first day of work, it was hard to say the matter was unrelated to him.

Regrettably, even though the police were called at the time, no one was caught, leaving no evidence whatsoever.

Even Xu Ziren had only only told him to keep a close eye on Xu Shen, to give way on the surface and avoid direct conflict. He could only suppress his resentment for the time being.

“After the acquisition of the Mong Kok project is completed, the next step is to start project bidding and strive to start construction as soon as possible…”

Xu Shen methodically arranged tasks for his group of subordinates, while Liao Zhihong silently flipped open his folder, self-aware enough not to interrupt or raise any objections.

At 11:30 AM, Xu Shen finished his meeting and returned to his office; Zhan Shili called on the company line to invite him out for lunch together.

Xu Shen refused, “It’s my father’s birthday banquet tonight, so I have to get off work early; I need to hurry up and finish my work at noon.”

Zhan Shili had expected him to say that. Usually when he asked him out, he would only agree once out of three times, which was probably intentional.

“Then nevermind,” Zhan Shili said, “A nice new restaurant just opened near the company, and I originally wanted to take you to try it out. Since you’re not free, it’ll have to be next time. I’ve reserved a table and it’s not good to waste it; I’ll ask your third brother then.”

Fiddling with the telephone cord, Xu Shen scoffed gently: “Suit yourself,” and hung up directly.

Zhan Shili set down the phone and casually replied to Xu Zikang’s message: [Tonight is your dad’s birthday banquet so I need to leave work early. I have a lot to do at noon and won’t have time to go out for dinner. See you tonight.]

Tonight was Xu Shiji’s 70th birthday, and a grand banquet was held at a seaside hotel in the most bustling area of ​​Hong Kong Island.

Notable people from all over the city were present in full attendance, the venue packed with distinguished guests.

Xu Shen accompanied Xu Shiji alongside Xu Ziren, receiving guests who came and went.

Today, this Fourth Young Master Xu was considered to have officially made his appearance in upper-class social circles, and all kinds of flattering praise flooded in. Those who used to disdain to look him in the eye now had to offer him half-hearted compliments of “a young man of fine talent” or “like father, like son.”

Just as Zhan Shili had said, Xu Shen was very comfortable on occasions like this.

Whether it was politicians, celebrities, wealthy businessmen, or even a flock of charming wives and elegant ladies, he could handle anyone with ease, conversing with a relaxed smile, always able to chime in on any topic without it seeming abrupt.

Although a Xu Shen like this hadn’t grown up in this circle, he was born suited to be this Fourth Young Master of the Xu family, and perhaps far more than just that in the future.

Zhan Shili was also present, helping to entertain the guests.

Occasionally turning back to see him in the gaps between conversing with people, seeing him move around the entire venue thoughtfully and attentively taking care of every arriving guest, Xu Shen felt that a Zhan Shili like this was truly a bit of a wasted talent.

His future, perhaps, should not be here even more so than his.

Before the feast commenced, He Mingzheng, the chairman of Zhuosheng, arrived late. Coming along with him was Ma Shide’s son, Ma Shouliang.

After Ma Shide was imprisoned for falsifying accounts, his son took over the company. The debt restructuring plan failed and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy and at that critical moment, He Mingzheng stepped in and acquired Ma’s company. Now the two companies were joined into one, and Ma Shouliang had also become a shareholder and director of Zhuosheng.

He Mingzheng strode forward, holding Xu Shiji’s hand tightly with both hands, full of vigor: “Brother Ji, you really grow more robust as you age! Your complexion looks much rosier than the last time we met. Truly, when a person is met with joyful events, their spirit is refreshed!”

Xu Shiji didn’t particularly like He Mingzheng, but he still maintained a polite demeanor and exchanged a few pleasantries with him. Xu Ziren and Xu Shen also shook hands with him.

He Mingzheng pointed to Ma Shouliang beside him to introduce him to them, speaking without the slightest restraint, “I reckon even if you haven’t met, you definitely all know each other, especially you, Young Master Shen. Taking away that building in Mong Kok from their Ma Family back then using such clever methods, even I admire you.”

Xu Shen didn’t take the ridicule to heart, taking the initiative to extend his hand toward Ma Shouliang: “Young Master Ma, a pleasure to meet you.”

Ma Shouliang stared coldly at him and reached out to shake his hand in return.

This man was tall and robust, with great strength as well. As he gripped Xu Shen’s palm, he intentionally increased his force as if on purpose, almost crushing the bones in his palm.

Xu Shen calmly met the other man’s gaze, showing not the slightest trace of discomfort on his face.

After a struggle, Ma Shouliang reluctantly let go, and Xu Shen nonchalantly put his hand back into his pocket.

This kind of foolish brute who only knew how to use crude strength and wrote all his emotions on his face was not worth wasting his mental energy at all.

In the end, it was Xu Ziren who spoke: “It’s almost time to start the feast; please all head inside and take your seats first.”

Over on the banquet hall side, Xu Zikang was somewhat flustered to discover that the wristwatch Zhan Shili had given him earlier was missing. Zhan Shili soothed him, asked where he had been before, and said: “It should have been left in the lounge. I’ll go get it for you. Sit here and don’t wander around recklessly.”

There was someone else in the lounge. Qin Su had just changed into a new evening gown here and was shouting for someone: “Sister Huan, help me get that pigeon blood ruby necklace! Sister Huan! Where is she?”

As Zhan Shili entered, Qin Su turned around, spotting him. Her eyebrows rose high, and a soft, charming tenderness sprouted in her eyes as she glanced at him: “Nic.”

Zhan Shili nodded to her, entered the door, picked up Xu Zikang’s wristwatch from the adjacent table, caught sight of the jewelry box on the side, and asked Qin Su: “Is it this necklace?”

Qin Su took a look and saw that it was precisely the necklace she was looking for, exclaiming happily, “That’s the one!”

Zhan Shili handed the necklace over. Reaching out her hand, Qin Su touched his fingertips, giving them a gentle squeeze before releasing: “Nic, you put it on for me.”

Zhan Shili glanced at her, casually stepping forward to go behind her, raising his hand to lightly brush the long curly hair at the back of her neck over to one side of her shoulders, helping her put the necklace on.

Qin Su looked at the necklace on her neck in the mirror ahead before her gaze fell back onto Zhan Shili behind her, eyes lowered and focused. She asked softly with a smile, “Nic, do you have a girlfriend?”

Zhan Shili replied calmly, “No.”

“You’re so young, handsome, and capable… surely a lot of girls like you,” Qin Su’s voice wound gently, “Whoever becomes your girlfriend in the future will definitely be very happy.”

Zhan Shili didn’t respond; helping Qin Su fasten the necklace, he also raised his eyes to look at the mirror ahead, very meticulously helping her brush some of her curly hair back behind her neck, before stepping back a pace to say: “There you go.”

Qin Su turned back to smile at him: “Thank you, Nic.”

Zhan Shili nodded: “No need.”

The woman still wanted to say something, but out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Xu Shen, who had appeared at the lounge doorway at an unknown time. The smile at the corners of her mouth faltered slightly, but she quickly covered it up, resuming her normal tone to thank Zhan Shili once more before departing first.

Xu Shen leaned against the doorframe with folded arms, looking at Zhan Shili with an air of ease: “Nic, you really bold. You’ve truly opened my eyes.”

Zhan Shili didn’t care about these teasing remarks of his, asking him, “It’s almost time for the banquet to start, what are you doing here?”

“Followed you over,” Xu Shen said frankly, “It was stifling up front, so I came to get some fresh air.”

He closed the door, walked over to sit on the couch nearby, and poured himself a glass of water.

Zhan Shili came over, half-squatted down in front of him, and pulled up his right hand to look at it: “That Young Master Ma squeezed you quite heavily.”

“You saw?” Xu Shen was slightly surprised. He had thought Zhan Shili was busy dealing with Xu Zikang and had no time to pay attention to anything else.

Zhan Shili raised his eyes to look at him: “Want to teach him a lesson?”

“Teach him a lesson how?” Xu Shen asked, amused. “He isn’t Liao Zhihong; as the eldest young master of the Ma family, he doesn’t get isolated that easily.”

Zhan Shili nodded: “Not bad, you’ve made progress. Learned to be patient for the time being.”

“So you were mocking me,” Xu Shen set down his water glass and leaned his body forward, encircling both hands around Zhan Shili’s neck, his fingertips gently stroking the ends of the hair at his nape, “What were you doing just now? Is my stepmother even worth expending your thought to coax?”

Zhan Shili captured the displeasure in his eyes: “Jealous?”

Xu Shen said, “I’m not your wife, do I have the qualification to be jealous?”

The corners of Zhan Shili’s mouth floated up, delight blooming in his eyes: “Mn, good that you know.”

Seeing this man smile once more, Xu Shen stared at him intensely, almost greedily, suddenly realizing that he might indeed care a bit. Even knowing full well that a woman like Qin Su couldn’t possibly occupy Zhan Shili’s heart, he still cared.

Zhan Shili explained, “Your father dotes on her quite a bit; keeping a slightly better relationship with her carries no harm. I haven’t done anything else.”

“You haven’t done anything else indeed,” Xu Shen said sourly, “Just being gentlemanly and gentle toward everyone, making people’s hearts flutter.”

Zhan Shili asked, “Am I like that toward you?”

“No,” Xu Shen irritably, “Cut it out, liar.”

Zhan Shili never denied that he was a liar; he asked Xu Shen, “You don’t like liars?”

Xu Shen raised a finger, pressing against his lips and then pressed it onto Zhan Shili’s lips, gently stroking with his fingertip: “I told you, you have to coax me to make me happy.”

“Young Master Shen is too hard to coax, but I’ve been working hard at it,” Zhan Shili nodded and said.

Xu Shen began to smile: “Then keep up the good work.”

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t/n: this chapter title can also be read as “eating vinegar,” it’s just that it’s slang for being jealous in english so I left it as jealousy and not eating vinegar, the literal translation of the title.

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