Vice President Wang’s private villa is located in the suburbs, backed by Niujiao Mountain. It is named for the two sides of the mountain range that arch up like ox horns. Between the two mountains lies a ravine and valley filled with dense greenery; whenever it rains, wild game frequently emerges.
The hot springs are piped down from the mountain and are beneficial to health. It is said that when Vice President Wang faced a capital turnover crisis a couple of years ago, he was still reluctant to sell this villa. Song Que, having heard Qin Wangye casually mention this in two sentences, was curious. “How does President Qin know that?”
“I wanted it, but he would not sell,” Qin Wangye said.
Song Que suppressed a smile and looked out the window. Sure enough, the ox-horn arch appeared, the mountain peaks standing in a unique formation.
The villa is built as a three-story, symmetrically balanced white western-style house. The tiles on the roof are made of red bricks salvaged from old buildings, and the walls, dappled by breezes and dew and climbed by vines, do not look intrusive from a distance. On the contrary, they blend into the surroundings with a unique charm. Vice President Wang is in the construction business and is rumored to be well-versed in Feng Shui layouts; naturally, his taste is not lacking.
The autumn rain in Zhaocheng comes and goes quickly. In any case, the next few days promised to be sunny. Vice President Wang stood at the door in casual wear; he was primarily hosting Qin Wangye and Song Que, with the others acting as accompanying guests.
In all fairness, Song Que is quite ascetic. Even after securing such a massive project, he never indulges in wild partying. When the group met and exchanged pleasantries, Vice President Wang happily mentioned they could have a whole roasted lamb for dinner. Among the accompanying guests were several materials suppliers introduced by Vice President Wang. They were certainly not the type to cut corners or engage in trickery. Song Que sat down to talk with them, and after one cup of tea, he understood their sincerity. The quotes were indeed acceptable. More importantly, the quality was top-tier, and all of them were reputable firms.
Song Que is not a person who likes to procrastinate. He immediately messaged Su Chen, asking him to draft the contract and send it over so they could discuss the details.
“Everything is ready outside. Please, everyone,” Vice President Wang invited them warmly.
Qin Wangye had been listening all along, barely speaking throughout the process. However, whenever he added tea for himself, he would habitually refill Song Que’s cup as well. One of the CEOs inwardly muttered to himself. Since the teas were different, the pots used were also different. Was President Qin not rumored to be extremely picky? Why was he sharing a pot with President Song? The Pu’er was almost being brewed like floral tea.
“Does the flavor not get tainted?” Song Que was also a little curious.
Qin Wangye said in a low voice, “It is fine. It has both fruit and tea notes. You should try it next time.”
Song Que was trusting. “Okay.”
The roasted lamb was tender and delicious. There were various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on the table, and Song Que consciously grabbed a bottle of coconut juice. Halfway through the meal, Su Chen called. Song Que thought he was reporting progress, but Su Chen’s tone was solemn. “President Song, are you sure about the procurement plan for the building materials?”
Song Que frowned. “Speak.”
Qin Wangye looked up.
Su Chen continued, “President Song, I just checked the internal data and found that the procurement for this project has already been submitted.”
“What?” Song Que’s voice turned cold. “Who submitted it?”
“The signature is Assistant Zhao,” Su Chen replied, “and the supplier listed is Junjian.”
Song Que closed his eyes deeply.
Junjian is far inferior to the materials companies they met today. Furthermore, he had never assigned this task to Zhao Guangyuan. More importantly, Junjian has been frequently collaborating with Song Hongfang for the past two years; they are essentially in bed together. When did Song Hongfang get to Zhao Guangyuan? And when did Zhao Guangyuan start harboring ulterior motives?
“Fortunately, the company has not approved it yet.”
Song Que let out a cold snort. “It will not be approved without my nod. Zhao Guangyuan must have thought I would not concern myself with trivial matters like material procurement. He probably intended to make a show of being well-prepared at the time, assuming I did not know about Junjian.”
Song Que’s eyes were cold. “Regardless, Zhao Guangyuan is finished.”
The authority Song Que gave him was not vast, but it did include a baseline of trust. Zhao Guangyuan probably never expected that Vice President Wang’s networking would provide Song Que with more choices. Before he could even lay the groundwork, he was exposed here. Song Que told Su Chen not to worry about Zhao Guangyuan’s filing and to redo it.
After hanging up the phone, Qin Wangye’s voice sounded behind him. “Are you full?”
“Just about.” Song Que turned around. “And you, President Qin?”
“We have eaten and drunk together so many times. Why do you still call me ‘President Qin’?” Qin Wangye said. “It feels distant.”
His expression was clear and bright, with the vast, star-studded sky behind him. Song Que whispered, “Then what should I call you?”
Qin Wangye replied, “Just call me by my name.”
Song Que felt that would be even more awkward. Qin Wangye understood what he was thinking and added, “If that does not work, learn from Shao Fuguang and the others. Call me Brother Ye.”
His heartbeat quickened, and a surge of fiery emotion rose into his throat. While feeling somewhat at a loss, Song Que was the first to call out in a husky voice, “Brother Ye.”
It is no exaggeration to say that these two words sounded as if they had been enhanced with a sonorous, resonant effect. They brushed against his eardrums, instantly softening by several degrees, making one’s bones go numb and effectively enveloping Qin Wangye in the sound. Qin Wangye was speechless for a moment.
“Hey? What are President Song and President Qin talking about?” Vice President Wang, seeing the two standing there like wooden stakes, could not help but call out.
Qin Wangye said, “Talking about Brother Ye.”
Song Que: “…”
“No, that is not it,” Qin Wangye softened his tone. “We will be right there.”
Qin Wangye put one hand into his trouser pocket, looking effortlessly cool, if not entirely natural. He changed the subject. “Why were you angry just now?”
Normally, Song Que would not be willing to discuss such things to avoid being a laughingstock, but at this moment, he wanted to change the subject even more than Qin Wangye did. Thus, he spilled everything.
Qin Wangye had long ago seen that Zhao Guangyuan was unreliable. “This counts as leaking company secrets. My advice is to fire him.”
Song Que nodded.
The night wind blew, carrying a chill. Song Que intended to return to his seat to drink a cold beverage. Unexpectedly, Qin Wangye’s voice sounded abruptly in his ear: “Call me that one more time.”
Song Que turned around suddenly. Qin Wangye’s face was inches away, his eyes filled with genuine joy and teasing, a look Song Que would never tire of seeing. Song Que thought he had misheard. Fortunately, Qin Wangye was thick-skinned enough to repeat it: “Call me that one more time.”
His voice was deep, with a hint of coaxing.
Song Que could not control himself. “Brother Ye.”
“Hey!” After responding, Qin Wangye added a comment: “Sounds good.”
Song Que: “…………”
A subordinate’s betrayal can make anyone furious at any time, but Song Que’s internal heat was clearly burning on his face. For the time being, he could not concern himself with Zhao Guangyuan and was drinking his cold beverage to cool down.
Qin Wangye chatted with Vice President Wang with complete composure, and even found the time to say, “It is too cold; drink less of that.”
Song Que put the remaining half-bottle back on the table.
Vice President Wang had lived for over half a century after all, and he could not help but feel something was off. Being familiar with Qin Wangye, he spoke up: “President Qin has been getting along quite well with President Song since he returned this time.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Wangye looked into Vice President Wang’s eyes for a moment, and then one of his sword-like eyebrows arched high.
Vice President Wang: “?” Where is this sense of crisis coming from?!
Qin Wangye said, “Did Vice President Wang not hear? President Song calls me Brother Ye. If we were just ordinary acquaintances, who would call me that?”
Vice President Wang: “.”
He attempted to see even a trace of embarrassment on the face of this peerless elite and excellent heir to the Qin family. Qin Wangye demonstrated with his actions that it was impossible.