Chu Shichen felt uncomfortable sleeping in his shirt and trousers, so he woke up. It was daybreak outside the window. Xiang Mingzhang was leaning next to him, without taking off his clothes. His short hair was covered with dust and grass from the horse farm.
The two of them were dirty and ruined the pure white sheets and pillows. Chu Shichen couldn't stand it anymore and patted Xiang Mingzhang's arm.
Xiang Mingzhang opened his eyes. He had smoked a cigar in the cold wind last night. His voice became rough: "Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Chu Shichen didn't know much either, so he said, "Get up and take a shower."
Xiang Mingzhang obediently turned over and got out of bed. His cell phone was placed next to his pillow. It was almost out of battery and the screen was still on the page of call records.
Chu Shichen said methodically: "Calm down for a night, Auntie should be stable, I will accompany you there later. Don't talk about anything else, don't mention New Zealand again, just apologize to Auntie, okay?"
Xiang Mingzhang plugged in the phone charger and agreed cheerfully: "Okay, no problem."
Chu Shichen noticed it quickly: "You seem to be in a good mood?"
"It's OK." Xiang Mingzhang said pretentiously, "My mother agreed to go to New Zealand."
Chu Shichen asked in surprise: "Really?"
Xiang Mingzhang pulled Chu Shichen into the bathroom, stripped him naked while recounting the midnight conversation, and they squeezed into the shower together, turning the shower head to the maximum.
Chu Shichen wore the necklace that Xiang Mingzhang gave him around his neck and he never took it off. After getting wet, the silver light blended with the water light, and a piece of crystal clear and tiny pieces was adorned between his collarbone.
The air was filled with mist, and Xiang Mingzhang felt that Chu Shichen was no longer an ordinary person. Even though he clamped his hands around Chu Shichen's waist, the skin against them exuded a fresh and hot temperature.
Chu Shichen was so hot that he couldn't breathe: "Xiang Mingzhang... turn the water down a bit."
"Then how do we clean it?" Xiang Mingzhang pushed Chu Shichen against the glass wall, "How about this, is it cooler?"
Chu Shichen was in a world of difference in front and behind him. He thought the saddle was hard and tiring, but Xiang Mingzhang, who was impulsive in the morning, was even worse.
After washing, Chu Shichen's legs felt sore and hot. Before he could recover, Xiang Mingzhang forced him to blow-dry his hair.
It was already dawn when they had finished packing. They went to meet Bai Yongti and had a sumptuous breakfast. Both sides kept silent about the embarrassing incident, as if it had been exposed.
The ginger soup was warm and thick in a small bowl. Chu Shichen didn't like the taste of ginger, so he took two sips and paused, drinking it very slowly.
Bai Yongti looked at him with amusement and said, "You don't mind the smell of cigarettes, but you are not used to the taste of ginger? After all, it is edible."
Chu Shichen smoked cigarettes to relieve his depression, but it was not frequent. He sniffed his cuffs: "Do I smell?"
"No." Bai Yongti explained, "I just saw that you smoked the cigar very skillfully."
Chu Shichen realized that he was seen by Bai Yongti at the horse farm last night, so wouldn't it be wrong for him to lie on Xiang Mingzhang so wantonly... He embarrassedly pretended to be at ease and drank the ginger soup quickly.
Bai Yongti not only saw the intimate scene between Chu Shichen and Xiang Mingzhang, but also heard Chu Shichen's questioning of Xiang Mingzhang. She was stunned in the darkness and actually breathed a sigh of relief with tears in her eyes.
Bai Yongti was not good at speaking, so she said without pretense: "Shichen, thank you."
Chu Shichen was slightly startled, then realized the gratitude. He accepted it generously and replied, "Aunt, thank you for the ginger soup."
After having breakfast at Manzhuang, Xiang Mingzhang sent Chu Shichen home.
There is a gym in the community. Chu Shihui went there to exercise early in the morning. Her face was flushed. She was changing shoes in the entrance hall of the villa. When she saw Chu Shichen coming back, she gestured and said, "Come on, come on."
Chu Shichen looked at the posture and asked, "Are you practicing Wing Chun too?"
"What?" Chu Shihui said, "I learned a few lessons of self-defense from my coach."
Chu Shichen was embarrassed to say that he went to a fighting gym to learn, but was ruthlessly beaten down by Coach Xiang.
The brother and sister walked into the house, and Chu Shichen said, "The venue for the design exhibition has been negotiated, it's in Xuguyuan. You decide on the specific steps and the number of people from the school, so that I can arrange the next step."
Chu Shihui said: "Well, I understand."
As they were talking, Chu Shihui's cell phone vibrated. It was a call from Li Heng.
Upon learning that Xiang Mingzhang was helping to organize a design exhibition, Li Heng called Chu Shihui to dissuade him. Chu Shihui then revealed the matter of the equity transfer. Li Heng made no less than thirty calls overnight.
Chu Shihui didn't answer. Another message came. She relayed, "Li Heng went to Macau with his friends. He said he would fly back today and meet me to talk."
The reaction was big enough, Chu Shichen said: "Just focus on your business and don't worry about anything else. He will come to me if he has no other choice."
Mrs. Chu had just gotten up and came out of the bedroom wrapped in a shawl. She asked, "Xiaochen, were you with Mingzhang last night?"
Chu Shichen said: "I accompanied him to Manzhuang, and Aunt Bai agreed to go to New Zealand together."
Mrs. Chu was very happy, knowing that Bai Yongti was isolated from the world and needed help when she went out, so she started to prepare before she even washed her face.
Chu Shichen went upstairs to catch up on his sleep and stayed at home to work remotely in the afternoon. Before the day was over, Li Heng couldn't help but call him and questioned whether the equity transfer was true.
He was busy, so he just admitted it perfunctorily and didn't waste time on Li Heng.
The next day, Chu Shichen met with Mr. Cao from Ningli Pharmaceutical. This project was a non-public bidding, but the interaction between the two parties could not be relaxed.
Chu Shichen returned to the company after socializing. Li Cangqiu happened to be out for something, so the two did not meet, but he guessed that Li Cangqiu must have known about it.
When you suspect a person, all of that person's behaviors become unusual. Chu Shichen was curious about Li Zangqiu's reaction, but also afraid that he would not be rational enough in the situation.
The tedious matters of the design exhibition were gradually finalized, and Chu Shihui sent invitations to more than a dozen technology companies to participate in the exhibition, including Xiang Yue and Yisi.
Especially Yisi, many old employees watched Chu Shihui grow up, and with Chu Shichen personally promoting it, they all agreed to show their support.
Now the situation has changed dramatically. Chu Shichen already has enough supporters, the consent letters have been gathered, and the news of equity transfer has spread like wildfire.
It was rumored among the management that Chu Shichen had no intention of clarifying the matter, which was tantamount to tacit consent. He only said that there would be a party after the design exhibition and he hoped that everyone would celebrate together.
After get off work on the weekend, Chu Shichen left late and met Li Cangqiu in the elevator.
Compared to Li Heng, Li Zangqiu was patient and cautious enough. He knew that Chu Shichen had all the skills and strategies, and was no longer the prodigal son who could be easily fooled.
The ceiling light flickered, and Chu Shichen said, "Uncle, the elevator is here."
Li Zangqiu asked politely: "There's a minor problem with the car, would it be convenient for you to give me a ride?"
Chu Shichen agreed: "Okay, but I need to do something first."
Due to the presence of the driver, Li Zangqiu did not say a word along the way. When they arrived at the place, it was Lawyer Lei's office.
Li Zangqiu had dealt with Lawyer Lei when he was handling a yacht accident, but they had no more interactions since then. He roughly guessed what Chu Shichen was going to do, and his face turned serious.
Lawyer Lei went all out and drafted the equity transfer agreement as instructed, waiting in the conference room to discuss the details with Chu Shichen.
Not knowing that Li Zangqiu would come, Chu Shichen only prepared two cups of coffee, and he placed his cup in front of Li Zangqiu. He took out a bag of additional materials from his bag, handed it to Lawyer Lei, and said, "See if there is anything missing."
Lawyer Lei took over: "Some details need to be confirmed with Miss Chu herself. When is she free?"
Chu Shichen said: "She is busy with the exhibition, why don't you go to her house."
Li Zangqiu was always skeptical. As far as he knew, although Mrs. Chu doted on her son, she valued her daughter more in terms of her future. Besides, Chu Shihui was very opinionated and would not be willing to be manipulated by others.
But now that he had seen it with his own eyes, written in black and white and only lacking the stamp and signature, Li Zangqiu had to believe it. He was stirring the sugar cubes in his coffee when he suddenly put the spoon back on the porcelain plate.
Chu Shichen flipped through the documents for a moment and asked calmly, "Uncle, is it not to your taste?"
Li Zangqiu asked: "Do you really want Xiao Hui to transfer the equity to you?"
Chu Shichen admitted: "This kind of thing is not a joke. Lawyer Lei can testify."
Li Zangqiu said: "I heard from Li Heng that Xiao Hui didn't do it voluntarily. You forced her to do it."
Chu Shichen did not argue, but said ambiguously: "Whether you are willing or not has already been decided, the agreement and materials are ready."
Li Zangqiu stopped beating around the bush and said, "You shouldn't do this if your sister doesn't want to."
"Uncle, I know you and Li Heng love Xiao Hui." Chu Shichen said, "but this is our family matter."
Li Zangqiu accused, "Just because you are a family doesn't mean you can bully your sister by relying on family affection. Chu Zhe left you and your sister shares, and you tried desperately to sell them. Now that you regret it, you want to snatch Xiao Hui's shares. That doesn't make sense."
"There is not only one truth for everything." Chu Shichen said, "Xiao Hui hasn't graduated from college yet, and she will study for a master's degree in the future. Who can predict what will happen in three to five years? I am already a director, and the equity in my hands is more useful at this stage."
Li Zangqiu sneered and asked angrily, "What role do you want, Director Chu?"
Chu Shichen frowned slightly: "You praised me for being capable and competent, so of course I have to live up to your expectations and do a good job."
The conflicts that had accumulated during this period and even over the past year were about to explode. Li Zangqiu simply could not accept in his heart that the trash that he had easily controlled in the past could actually ride on his head step by step.
"You are too arrogant." Li Zangqiu said bluntly, "It's not as easy as you think to become a department director just after you get a promotion."
Chu Shichen slammed the folder shut and raised it to the air: "So I want equity. To pass the customs, I need a clearance certificate. To ascend to heaven, I need a ladder to climb to the sky."
The solid wooden chair rubbed against the floor, making a harsh sound. Li Zangqiu stood up and said, "Let me ask you one last question. Do you really want to do this?"
Chu Shichen stood up, turned sideways to face Li Cangqiu, and said, "Then I'll ask you a question. Xiaohui and I both have the last name Chu. What difference does it make to outsiders who holds the shares? Why do you object?"
Li Zangqiu answered in a high-sounding manner: "I feel sorry for Xiao Hui."
Chu Shichen said: "I will not treat my sister unfairly. I will give her the rest of the Chu family's assets, and I will also leave her the proceeds from selling the shares last year. I will fully support her in starting her own business in the future."
"You have a good plan!" Li Zangqiu grabbed Chu Shihui as a cover, "You have taken away the equity, and you want your sister to start her own business. You want to take Yisi for yourself, but don't forget that there is a bigger shareholder Xiang Yue behind you."
Chu Shichen remained calm: "That's between me and Mr. Xiang."
Li Zangqiu said contemptuously: "Do you think you can rise to prominence by relying on Xiang Mingzhang? He promoted you because you have no equity and rewarded you with the title of director. Do you think he would let you become the young master again?"
Chu Shichen said: "Even if you don't like the position of Sales Director, it was once the most important position under you. Weren't you also a Director at the beginning? Didn't you 'show your talents' in the position of Director, and then became the Chief Operating Officer? Who was the top leader at that time? Who can remember it after so many years?"
Every word he said hit home, and Li Zangqiu was so angry that he could not contain himself: "Okay... okay! You, Master Chu, wanted to take my seat, but you have been trying to get by for so many years. Now you have grown wings!"
In contrast, Chu Shichen was unusually calm: "Things are different now, uncle, I thought you should have understood it a long time ago."
Li Cangqiu's face flushed red, and the elegance he maintained in front of others was gone.
Everything went according to plan. Chu Shichen pulled out a party invitation from his bag and handed it over personally, with suspicion hidden in his eyes.
"I must do it," he finally tried, "If uncle objects, we should think of another way."
(End of this chapter)