Chapter 145

"Treat him well now, and he will treat you even better later." As he said this, Qi Zhiwen raised his hand and patted Huo Jingcheng on the shoulder. "This is the hard-earned wisdom of someone who has been through it; that is how I succeeded."

Upon hearing this, Huo Jingcheng raised an eyebrow, looking thoughtful.

Thinking it over carefully, what Qi Zhiwen said was not without reason. In the business world, the long game is the most important strategy; wait until the timing is ripe, then strike at the target to achieve a comprehensive breakthrough.

His thoughts instantly drifted back to the multinational meeting in California last time. The two sentences he and Su Mingyan had exchanged in a tit-for-tat confrontation echoed in his ears like a demonic spell, circling and reverberating incessantly.

Huo Jingcheng couldn't help but click his tongue in annoyance, then let out a deep sigh. He adjusted his expression and mood, took off his sunglasses, pulled a faint smile to his lips, and walked up to greet him.

Beside him, Qi Zhiwen nodded affirmatively—very good, not bad—and then followed behind Huo Jingcheng, walking over as well.

Su Mingyan had just returned from a business trip to Linjiang. It had been a sudden, unexpected trip; the corporate jet hadn't had time to apply for a flight path with the Civil Aviation Administration, and the flight was delayed on the return journey, which was why he was late—there was no other meaning behind it.

Due to his own circumstances, he took the initiative to speak first, apologizing and explaining: "The flight was delayed, so I arrived late. I apologize for the delay, Mr. Huo."

Huo Jingcheng curled his lips into a smile, though the faint expression didn't reach his eyes, and he replied with a good attitude: "It's fine."

Hearing this, a hint of hesitant confusion appeared in the depths of Su Mingyan's eyes. If it were any other time, if Huo Jingcheng didn't throw out a few sarcastic remarks, he wouldn't be Huo Jingcheng.

Why had he changed his nature today? It was completely inconsistent with his usual style.

However, before Su Mingyan could think it over, Qi Zhiwen had already reached out his hand toward him.

With a faint smile on his face, he shook his hand as well: "Mr. Qi."

Qi Zhiwen chimed in: "Mr. Su, it's hot outside; why don't we go inside first?"

Because of the high outdoor temperature, they were playing indoor tennis.

Su Mingyan didn't rush onto the court, instead sitting on a plastic chair in the VIP lounge to close his eyes and rest. Because of the branch manager's careless dereliction of duty, he had flown to Linjiang on short notice the night before last, but he had already promised Huo Jingcheng, so after resolving the matter, he had rushed back; it was inevitable that he would be exhausted.

After a while, Su Mingyan went onto the court. At the same time, on the other side of the net were Huo Jingcheng and a certain young entrepreneur.

This match was intended to facilitate cooperation between the Bank of China and Hengfeng; there was no way they would make people opponents. That young entrepreneur, having the sense to read the room, smiled and spoke up: "My ball skills are poor, so I won't ruin it for Mr. Huo. Why doesn't Mr. Huo pair up with Mr. Su?"

Su Mingyan, standing on the other side of the net, held a faint smile: "My ball skills are also poor, and I dare not ruin it for Mr. Huo even more."

Once said, the personnel on both sides remained unchanged.

The match began with Huo Jingcheng serving. His broad, thick hand tossed the tennis ball upward, his right hand, wearing a wristband, swung up, and the racket followed through with the swing.

Whether it was because Su Mingyan was too exhausted, he failed to return this simple ball hit over by Huo Jingcheng.

Su Mingyan: "..."

Huo Jingcheng: "..."

Seeing this, the people around them spoke up to smooth things over, brushing the interlude aside.

Afterward, Huo Jingcheng didn't dare to play hard, constantly going easy on him, and in the end, Su Mingyan still won the set.

The match lasted for two hours in total, intermittently. Huo Jingcheng had the intention to "curry favor," but unfortunately, Su Mingyan wasn't having it; he didn't engage in conversation on the court, only saying, "Focus on the game."

By the time the match ended, Huo Jingcheng hadn't managed to exchange many words with him.

7:30, You Ran Ju.

The surrounding scenery was elegant; a tree of white magnolias stood exquisite, the whole courtyard filled with floating, subtle fragrance. The white magnolias were blooming for the second time, adding a touch of stunning beauty to the twilight, and the dense bamboo shadows were tinged with a pale purple.

The round table was not filled only with company employees; a few young masters who served as sycophants were also gathered. Rather than a business negotiation, it felt more like a gathering within the circle.

Su Mingyan sat in the main seat, and the seat beside him belonged to Huo Jingcheng.

Alcohol is a must for dinner parties. There were still leaders at the table, so the liquor didn't overstep the bounds—it was a traditional old Beijing white spirit, strong in flavor and with a lingering kick.

Someone at the table was pouring drinks; holding the decanter, he went to Su Mingyan in the main seat first.

Seeing this, Su Mingyan frowned imperceptibly. Jiang Xihan kept a tight rein on him and didn't like him drinking, so he basically didn't drink at dinner parties now, except in special circumstances.

The decanter touched the rim of the glass, and just as he was about to refuse, a leisurely male voice cut in from mid-air.

Huo Jingcheng, sitting beside Su Mingyan, saw his predicament and spoke a step before him: "Mr. Su prefers tea; replace the white spirit with tea for him."

Su Mingyan didn't decline his kindness, but he felt increasingly unsure of the situation, fearing that Huo Jingcheng would demand too high a profit in the contract later.

His distinct finger bones pressed against his swollen temple, and he clicked his tongue imperceptibly.

The waiter waiting to the side skillfully brewed the tea, carrying the purple clay teapot with a beam handle, and prepared to fill Su Mingyan's cup.

Huo Jingcheng asked the waiter to give him the teapot.

The waiter's tea-pouring motion paused, then he respectfully offered the teapot.

His dear girlfriend's tea art was top-notch, and Huo Jingcheng, having been influenced by her, had learned a thing or two; his technique for pouring tea was skillful and serious.

Su Mingyan, sitting to the side, watched the similar tea-brewing technique and pursed his thin lips. Something seemed to cross his mind, but the thought vanished in an instant, impossible to capture.

He could only attribute it to the idea that all tea arts under heaven are one.

After the tea was poured, Su Mingyan curled the corners of his lips into a smile and thanked him softly.

Huo Jingcheng replied, "You're welcome."

Qi Zhiwen, sitting opposite, had been watching the whole time and only felt that the atmosphere between the two was strange.

A moment later, Huo Jingcheng rubbed the bamboo chopsticks in his hand and, without changing his expression, used serving chopsticks to place a piece of steamed fish into Su Mingyan's bowl, adding considerately: "Be careful, there are bones."

Su Mingyan lowered his eyes to gaze at the snow-white fish meat, staring silently for a few seconds, feeling inexplicably confused. Then he lifted his long eyelashes and met Huo Jingcheng's black eyes sideways.

The entertainment after the meal was a card game.

Su Mingyan didn't have a strong addiction to cards; after playing a few rounds, he called others to take his place, while he himself walked out of the private room to smoke.

Standing on a few steps in the courtyard, the black-tiled roof hung with lanterns, white walls layered upon layers, covered in the shadows of bamboo and cypress.

Slowly and methodically lighting a cigarette for himself, he turned his head to look around, only to discover someone in the pavilion opposite.

The figure was impossible to ignore, and Su Mingyan recognized him at a glance.

Huo Jingcheng held a thin cigarette in his mouth, one hand in his pocket, his tall, crane-like figure standing in the pavilion, the blue-white smoke drifting leisurely from between his sharp, thin lips.

The metal lighter slid open, emitting a crisp, loud "clink," which drew Huo Jingcheng to look toward the sound.

The moment he saw Su Mingyan, his action of exhaling smoke paused, the pungent, rich smoke passing through his lungs for a turn.

Huo Jingcheng unhurriedly removed the thin cigarette from his lips, slowly exhaled a breath, and immediately strode forward with his long legs, walking toward Su Mingyan.

After the tennis match, both had changed back into formal wear; their polished leather shoes stepped on the stone slabs, making a "clack-clack" sound.

Huo Jingcheng stepped up the stairs and stood beside Su Mingyan, his posture more casual than the other's.

The two tall, straight figures were hard to distinguish in stature; twelve years ago, the reputation of the "Jingbei Twins" was not without foundation.

"Changed your nature?" Su Mingyan's Beijing accent was languid as he turned his head to glance at Huo Jingcheng.

He crossed his arms with one hand, the other holding the cigarette, flicking the ash to the side, and then unhurriedly added the second half of his sentence: "Or have you gone crazy?"

?? Review Chapter 127

? Mr. Huo: "What, what sound? Ears so sharp, do you really think of yourself as a dog?"

? Big Brother: "When it comes to acting like a dog, how could I compare to you?"

? Pouring tea and picking up food, Big Brother's OS: No, is he sick?