Chapter 333

Wu Wu Huilin had already vaguely understood why such a perfect, proud woman as Jian Qiu would be with Zhou Andong—she must have been defeated by his sheer audacity.

Seeing Wu Wu Huilin, Gu Bing's gaze locked onto her, his heart pounding faster.

This woman was exactly his type: intellectual, elegant, and refined.

Seeing that Zhou Andong and Wu Wu Huilin hadn't come over, he couldn't help but walk over.

"Dongzi, who's this beautiful lady?"

"Wu Wu Huilin, Qiuqiu's college classmate and best friend." Then Zhou Andong introduced her: "Gu Bing, Qiuqiu's cousin."

Wu Wu Huilin shook Gu Bing's hand: "Hello, Mr. Gu!"

Gu Bing gave what he thought was a dashing smile: "You're Qiuqiu's best friend, so don't call me 'Mr.'—that's too formal. Just call me 'Cousin,' like Qiuqiu does."

"..."

Wu Wu Huilin was speechless again—dogs really do find dogs, cats find cats, dung beetles find dung piles. Gu Bing and Zhou Andong were cut from the same cloth, both utterly shameless.

Seeing the expression on Wu Wu Huilin's face, Zhou Andong suppressed his laughter: "Don't mind him—he's just like this. Blunt, speaks without thinking, but he means no harm."

Gu Bing shot Zhou Andong an annoyed glare—what do you mean I'm blunt and speak without thinking? —then turned back to Wu Wu Huilin with enthusiastic warmth.

"Wu Huilin, let's not stand here talking. Come sit down."

Wu Wu Huilin felt a strong urge to flee, then immediately called Jian Qiu to complain: One cousin, one boyfriend—why do they both look like scoundrels?

"Alright!" Wu Wu Huilin gritted her teeth and followed them to the booth. Zhou Andong asked: "What would you like to drink, Miss Wu?"

Wu Wu Huilin hesitated, then said: "Just a glass of ice water."

Gu Bing was about to protest—why drink ice water in a bar? —when Zhou Andong replied: "Fine!"

It infuriated Gu Bing—he ground his teeth—but Zhou Andong ignored him, waved to the waiter, and ordered a glass of ice water.

Zhou Andong said: "Miss Wu, I don't know if Qiuqiu told you, but the company we're setting up in Xiangjiang is for investing on the mainland."

Wu Wu Huilin nodded: "She mentioned it, but not in detail."

Zhou Andong explained: "Jiandong is investing in mainland industry—first, acquiring Jiangzhou's First Construction Company; second, investing in urban integrated projects..."

Zhou Andong gave Wu Wu Huilin a detailed overview: "By the end of this month or early next, you should go to Jiangzhou to make initial contact with the city government and discuss the acquisition of Jiangzhou First Construction—it'll reassure the local side."

"Alright," Wu Wu Huilin nodded. "I'll notify you before I go."

Gu Bing had been unable to interject until now; seeing the discussion end, he hurriedly said: "It's already noon—let's get something to eat. We can talk while we eat."

Wu Wu Huilin didn't refuse—after all, one was Qiuqiu's cousin, the other her boyfriend; she'd be seeing them a lot more in the future.

They didn't eat at the hotel. Instead, under Wu Wu Huilin's guidance, they went to an old-established teahouse, over a hundred years old, existing even before the War of Resistance.

Though it had weathered upheavals, war, and economic development—its building transformed from thatched hut to wooden structure to today's reinforced concrete—it had never moved from its original location.

Elderly folks and young people who grew up nearby still came here, because not only had the teahouse's location stayed the same, but so had its taste.

"Wu Huilin's here!" As the three entered, two elderly men smiled and greeted Wu Wu Huilin.

Wu Wu Huilin warmly replied: "Uncle Sun, Uncle Wang, it's been a while—how are you both?"

"Doing great!" Uncle Sun chuckled. "Eat well, sleep well."

Wu Wu Huilin smiled: "If you eat and sleep well, you're healthy, right, Uncle Wang?"

"Right!" Uncle Wang nodded. "Girl, which one of these two handsome lads is your boyfriend?"

Gu Bing puffed out his chest, standing tall like a proud rooster showing off his feathers to a hen.

"Idiot!" Zhou Andong muttered. "So damn embarrassing!" Then he turned and walked toward the stairs.

"Neither is my boyfriend—just ordinary friends," Wu Wu Huilin said helplessly. "I'm going upstairs. We'll talk another time."

Upstairs, nine out of ten tables were occupied; Wu Wu Huilin nodded and greeted familiar faces as she passed.

Zhou Andong sat by the window and asked Wu Wu Huilin: "You come here often? You know all the diners."

Wu Wu Huilin nodded: "My home's nearby. This teahouse's been here for a hundred years. Most guests live close by. I've been eating here since I was a kid—those people I just greeted? All neighbors."

"Oh," Zhou Andong said.

A girl of eighteen or nineteen approached: "Sister Wu Huilin, bringing friends? What'll you have today?"

"Firecrow Triple Drum, fried shrimp cakes, fresh lotus-wrapped sticky rice chicken rolls, gold medal pork chop buns..." Wu Wu Huilin ordered a long list.

Zhou Andong quickly said: "That's enough—don't waste."

Wu Wu Huilin smiled faintly: "These are all signature dishes. I've eaten them since childhood—over twenty years—and I've never gotten tired of them."

A young man in a suit, carrying a briefcase, walked over.

"Wu Huilin!"

Wu Wu Huilin was surprised: "Zhi Xiong? What are you doing here?"

"Why can't I be here?" Zheng Zheng Zhixiong glanced at Zhou Andong and Gu Bing, his eyes wary.

Wu Wu Huilin said: "Zhi Xiong, let me introduce you—Mr. Zhou and Mr. Gu, they're from the mainland."

Zheng Zheng Zhixiong's wariness vanished, replaced by contempt. He said bluntly: "Wu Huilin, how can you be with two mainlanders?"

"Zheng Zheng Zhixiong!" Wu Wu Huilin's face darkened. "Our company is investing on the mainland—they're..."

"What?" Zheng Zheng Zhixiong exclaimed dramatically, cutting her off. "Wu Huilin, is your boss insane? Investing on the mainland? If he's got too much money, give it to me!"

Wu Wu Huilin was angry: "Enough. Leave now, Zheng Zheng Zhixiong."

Zheng Zheng Zhixiong grinned: "You don't know yet? Sincere Properties sent people to scout the mainland market—they barely made it back. Last night's press conference warned: the mainland's investment environment is too hostile. Don't go there."

He turned to Zhou Andong and Gu Bing, sneering: "Poor mountains, cruel waters breed vicious people. You came here to swindle money, right? You think we Xiangjiang people are fools? Get back to the mainland."