Chapter 412

After finalizing the contract with Treasure Forest Logistics, Chen Yang prepared to return to Qingshui City.

With Shen Anna and Qin Qin handling the contract matters, he wasn't worried about any mistakes.

Compared to that, having to deal with Hu Qingwan and three other women every day in the villa actually made Chen Yang feel unaccustomed, especially when Lin Wei wasn't around.

However, just as he was packing his luggage, his phone suddenly received a call from an unknown number.

"Chen Yang, I'm Zhou Zhixin, chairman of Aspirenew Group. I heard you're in Xingcheng; do you have time to meet?"

Chen Yang froze for a moment. His trip to Xingcheng was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and he hadn't informed many people, especially the leadership of Qingshui City. Yet Zhou Zhixin could know his whereabouts immediately. Obviously, the other side had been sending people to monitor his movements.

However, after thinking it over, Chen Yang still agreed to the invitation.

He first drove to the basement of Shen Anna's villa and woke Yexin from her bed.

This woman dominates both the legal and illegal sides of Xingcheng; bringing her to the meeting, even if Zhou Zhixiang had designs on Chen Yang, would have to think twice.

Upon hearing that Zhou Zhixin wanted to meet Chen Yang, Yexin directly called him and changed the meeting place to Worry-free Residence.

Then she called back to Worry-free Residence, asking the management there to strengthen security.

When Chen Yang and Yexin arrived at Worry-free Residence, indeed there were many more burly black-clad bodyguards.

Those bodyguards quickly ran to Chen Yang's car, opened the door for him and Yexin. Afterwards, they neatly stood in a line, respectfully saluting Yexin.

At that moment, Chen Yang felt Yexin had a bit of a mafia boss's aura.

Seeing Yexin's cold expression and imposing presence, Chen Yang whispered a reminder: "Big sis, tone down your aura; don't scare the Zhou surname off so they dare not come. Later go tell Zhou Zhixiang I'm spreading black rumors about me."

Yexin snorted coldly: "If he doesn't even dare come here, he might as well go home and take care of his kids!"

Chen Yang thought Yexin made a point. Worry-free Residence is nominally just one of the gathering places for Xingcheng businesspeople. As a big shot in Xingcheng's business circle, Zhou Zhixin not even daring to come here would be too embarrassing.

Sure enough, not long after, a long motorcade slowly approached from the distance. Leading it was a black Rolls-Royce, followed by several Mercedes-Benzes.

Chen Yang had never met Zhou Zhixin before, but he knew the other's older brother Zhou Zhixiang, so as soon as the person got out of the car, he knew the main figure had arrived.

What surprised him was that, besides Zhou Zhixin's bodyguards, his old nemesis Wu Junhui also came along.

"Chairman Zhou, Chairman Wu, welcome to Worry-free Residence as guests." Yexin gave a very formal greeting to Zhou Zhixin and Wu Junhui.

Chen Yang also extended his hand to shake Zhou Zhixin's and exchanged pleasantries. As for Wu Junhui, he simply ignored him.

Wu Junhui had always harbored resentment toward Chen Yang; if it weren't for Zhou Zhixin's earnest invitation, he wouldn't have come to Worry-free Residence.

"You Chen, you've got a big face, needing Chairman Zhou to come see you in person."

Chen Yang had originally not wanted to bother with Wu Junhui, but when the latter opened his mouth with snide remarks, he fired back: "You Wu, what does my meeting Chairman Zhou here have to do with you?"

Wu Junhui glared fiercely at Chen Yang, about to speak again, but Zhou Zhixin stopped him with an outstretched hand.

"Old Wu, Worry-free Residence is renowned in Xingcheng's business circle; Chairman Chen invited me here because he thinks highly of me, Zhou. Don't overthink it."

Chen Yang thought: "You don't want to overthink, so why bring so many bodyguards?"

"Chairman Zhou, let's continue the discussion inside!"

Zhou Zhixin nodded, then entered Worry-free Residence under the guidance of its beautiful female attendant. Wu Junhui, worried that Chen Yang might secretly find someone to deal with him, quickly kept pace with Zhou Zhixin's steps.

Faced with the unfriendly Zhou Zhixin, Yexin directly handled matters by the book, placing the discussion location in her office.

"Chairman Zhou, you're looking for my brother to discuss matters—do you have any good projects to promote him?" Yexin opened by clarifying her relationship with Chen Yang. Her meaning was clear: she was warning Zhou Zhixin not to bully Chen Yang; otherwise, he would offend not only the Lin and Hu families, but also the Ye family of Xingcheng.

Zhou Zhixin had always thought Chen Yang and Yexin were merely cooperating happily, but from today's reception lineup at Worry-free Residence and Yexin's demeanor, his confidence seemed a bit outdated.

"Ms. Ye, I indeed have important matters to discuss with Mr. Chen. However, this is somewhat confidential; I hope I can talk with Mr. Chen alone. Do you think that's appropriate?"

Yexin glanced at Chen Yang, then walked straight out of her office. Zhou Zhixin also had Wu Junhui step aside first.

When only Chen Yang and Zhou Zhixin remained in the office, the latter said: "Mr. Chen, the renovation project of Qingshui City Fruit Market. If you insist on doing it, I can speak to my brother about it and get him to give the project a green light."

Chen Yang had long guessed Zhou Zhixin's purpose in seeking him out, and feigned asking: "Chairman Zhou, I don't know what you want me to repay."

Zhou Zhixin laughed: "I never seek repayment when making friends. This time, let's just treat it as a greeting gift for our first meeting."

Had Chen Yang not known Zhou Zhixin's background, he would have really believed his nonsense.

"Chairman Zhou, we're both businessmen, so let's talk business!"

Upon hearing Zhou Zhixin's words, he froze for a moment. He hadn't expected Chen Yang to be so direct, opening with business talk.

"Mr. Chen, you know I'm in the building materials business. Because of my brother's ties, I can't invest directly in Qingshui City. So I hope the new market's construction materials will favor Aspirenew Group."

Chen Yang had heard from Liu Shijie that Zhixin Group's material prices in Qingshui City were twice the market price; he certainly didn't want to be the sucker.

Director Zhou, there's something I don't want to hide from you. The fruit market in Qingshui City was forced upon me by Mayor Kong Jie. Actually, I'm not optimistic about its future prospects.

Moreover, this matter has been dragging on for a while. Since Secretary Zhou opposes it, I certainly can't cause trouble for the leadership.

Zhou Zhixin fell silent instantly. He had originally come with sincerity to ask Chen Yang for the material supply rights to the new market, but he never expected the other party to have no interest in investing at all.

Manager Chen, the fruit market is in an excellent location; if you can take it over, you can make a lot of money.

Director Zhou, actually I'm not very interested in money right now. Moreover, the environment around the fruit market is very complex; it requires not only a huge investment of money but also considerable effort to manage. I sincerely hope someone more suitable can take it over.

Zhou Zhixin was speechless again. He only knew that Chen Yang wanted to take full control of the Green Autumn Fruit Market, but he never expected the other party to merely be taking over this project passively.

If Zhou Zhixiang continues to block this project, Chen Yang will likely abandon it outright. Then the loss would not only be Kong Jie's but also the Zhou family's.