Ji Chen’s background was truly top tier; even Fu Chi could not quite reach that upper circle.
Yet, this did not mean he lacked ways to meet people, for a businessman never runs out of methods.
Ji Chen genuinely had no time to spare for Fu Chi. Since he had decided to properly manage his future industry, he had to produce solid results with the Liuguang brand that had fallen into his hands.
That way, when he eventually took over the Qingsheng Group, he would have built a foundation and could not be considered merely a nominal young master.
Managing a company was not as simple as merely talking about it. Even with the assistance of Cheng Ming, a demoted vice president, Ji Chen was still running around in a frantic state because neither his original body nor his clones had any prior experience.
“Ji Zong, one of Liuguang’s regular high-end clients has ordered a set of purple jade jewelry. Price is no object; the client cares about the quality of the purple jade and Liuguang’s craftsmanship. Currently, Liuguang’s inventory does not have raw materials of that grade.”
“This client spends heavily at Liuguang every year and has introduced quite a few distinguished VIPs. We cannot afford to neglect this order, or it will create a very negative impact.”
At this point, Cheng Ming wore a peculiar expression: “Ji Zong…”
In just a few short days, dark circles had already formed under Ji Chen’s eyes. Hearing this, he furrowed his brows: “If you have something to say, spit it out. Stop stuttering.”
Cheng Ming paused before speaking: “It’s about that batch of raw stones we were previously negotiating to sign with the Fu Corporation. President Fu has already cut open a portion of them, and among them is a piece of exceptionally high-grade purple jade. The Fu Corporation seems planning to put it on the market.”
Bang!
Ji Chen slapped the table and stood up: “Is this Fu Chi’s doing?”
“Uh, eight out of ten times, yes. President Fu came looking for you earlier, but since you didn’t see him, after that, we received the client’s phone call. When it comes down to it, our side didn’t play fair. Seeing a negotiated cooperation fall through like that would make anyone unhappy.”
Ji Chen glanced at him sideways: “Whose side are you on?”
“Naturally, I am on your side. A mere piece of purple jade certainly cannot stump you. As for the company side, I have already made arrangements. The top designers are in place, waiting for you to bring back the raw materials so they can get right to work, guaranteed to satisfy the client.”
Ji Chen told Cheng Ming to leave, his face turning gloomy.
Jade was a matter of destiny to begin with. There was plenty of purple jade on the market, but pieces of exceptional quality were exceedingly rare.
Now that the client had ordered an entire set of jewelry, the raw material had to be abundant and cut from a single piece; otherwise, there would be a massive disparity in the luster and translucency, and where was he supposed to find that on short notice?
“Fu Chi!” He gritted his teeth as he muttered those two words.
Tentatively, he had his subordinates contact the Fu Corporation to purchase the purple jade at a high price, but the other party refused to take his call.
Ji Chen drove straight over and barged into the Fu Corporation. The front desk receptionist alternated between sweating and cautiously receiving him.
He had assumed Fu Chi would refuse to see him, especially since he had deliberately given Fu Chi the cold shoulder earlier. To his surprise, however, he gained entry to the general manager’s office with ease.
When he saw Fu Chi, the man showed no trace of prior events, putting on just the right amount of surprise and inviting him to sit down. That handsome face looked more obnoxious than ever.
The moment he saw Fu Chi, Ji Chen could not remain calm. Every time he thought about how his clone had been treated, anyone would find it impossible to stay tranquil.
Reaching out, he grabbed Fu Chi’s tie, fire burning in the depths of his eyes: “Was the purple jade business your doing?”
Fu Chi was not angry at all, smoothly wrapping a hand around his waist: “Want to throw hands?”
The hand holding the tie gripped so tightly it made a cracking sound. Ji Chen stared into those lowered phoenix eyes, took several deep breaths, and only then reluctantly let go. He knew that throwing a tantrum could not solve any problems.
Finding a seat, he attempted to reason with him: “It is normal for cooperation negotiations to fall through; I was not intentionally making things difficult for you.”
“I am going to take over the Qingsheng Group, and Liuguang is the first company I have taken under my wing. Many people are watching, and I want to do my absolute best to run it well. The cooperation with the Fu Corporation is indeed good, but I have a superior option.”
“The Fu Corporation is not going to go bankrupt just because you lose one partnership. Do you really want to offend me, the heir of Qingsheng, over a single partnership?”
Fu Chi’s brows twitched slightly: “A superior option? Who do you plan to cooperate with?”
Ji Chen held his head high: “That is none of your business. If you sell me that piece of purple jade, this matter is wiped clean. I know you feel uncomfortable about it, and I am willing to buy the purple jade in your hands at a high price, considered as an apology gift.”
Fu Chi glanced downward; his discomfort went far beyond just his feelings.
Seeing that Fu Chi remained silent, Ji Chen pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and turned on speakerphone.
In a less-than-pleasant tone, he said, “I have already settled things with others, and you stalling here, aside from making this young master annoyed with you, what possible benefit, the Li family has already…”
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is a disconnected number.” The gentle female automated voice broadcasting from the handset caused Ji Chen’s expression to sink.
Refusing to give up, he dialed several more numbers, all of which were disconnected. How was that possible? Were all his little buddies playing hide-and-seek at the same time?
Finally, one call went through, and before Ji Chen could even speak, the person on the other end started wailing.
“Ji Chen, you’ve really screwed me over to death! What kind of crazy stunt did you pull to get caught by your old man, who insisted we led you astray? If I hadn’t run fast, my legs would have been broken by my dad.”
“Don’t call me anymore! Starting today, we are officially breaking off our friendship. We can resume our camaraderie once you inherit Qingsheng. Hanging up now.”
The busy dial tone of the hanging-up call caused Ji Chen’s complexion to gradually turn as dark as charcoal, and he completely lost any desire to look up at Fu Chi’s mocking expression opposite him.
Lifting a hand to hook under his awkward chin, Fu Chi leaned in close: “Little young master, your friends aren’t very reliable, are they?”
That title of little young master stepped directly onto a landmine. Without a second thought, Ji Chen threw a punch.
Fu Chi had not expected Ji Chen to resort to fists the moment he spoke. Although he dodged in time, he was still grazed on the jaw, and the slight stinging sensation instantly displeased him.
Seeing Ji Chen coming at him again, his eyes darkened as he caught the slender wrist.
Ji Chen was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, vowing to beat Fu Chi into a punching bag. Unfortunately, after a few rounds, he was pinned down and pressed onto the sofa.
A long leg’s knee wedged against his lumbar spine while a single hand locked down both of his wrists, Fu Chi’s entire body completely caging Ji Chen in.
Pinned to the sofa, Ji Chen said in a stifled voice of grievance: “Fu Chi, think carefully about the consequences of offending me. Let go right now and let me hit you once, and we’ll call it even.”
Fu Chi swept his gaze over the beautifully elongated lines of the pinned body, his tone ambiguous: “You don’t like me calling you little young master, or is it that you are rather sensitive to me?”
Ji Chen’s heart skipped a beat, trying his best to ignore that rich, exotic fragrance: “What nonsense are you spouting? Get lost! Fu Chi, you, ah.”
Fu Chi struck with ruthless precision; his waist felt like it was about to snap. Ji Chen cried out in surprise before hearing a low chuckle.
“It seems it is the latter. Guests should be treated as guests, and since the little young master is so angry due to my poor hospitality, shall I make you happy?”
“Fu Chi, you bastard!” Ji Chen’s face cycled between pale and red.
He didn’t want to think about it, but exactly as Fu Chi said, he was overly sensitive to him.
Even a touch through his clothing would send shivers down his spine.
Some things were mutual.
Initially, Fu Chi had purely wanted to teach the little young master a lesson. Seeing him stop cursing and lie motionless against the sofa with his face hidden, Fu Chi withdrew his hand, sat down opposite him, lit a cigarette, and scrutinized the still-immobile young master as his gaze grew increasingly dark.
Was it his imagination? The feeling Ji Chen gave him was vastly different.
When the cigarette burned down to the filter, the unmoving figure suddenly bolted upright, threw a slap toward those sharp, well-defined features, and with a look of supreme arrogance, wore puppy eyes that seemed to say, “Didn’t expect that, did you?”
Fu Chi’s expression darkened.