Chapter 1083: Well-Matched Opponents

Wang Jianming said, “Their investment procedures are all legitimate and legal. I can’t just kick them out, right? Besides, they’ve invested real money in Dongzhou, which helps develop the place. It’s not a bad thing for me.”

He Wanying said, “The country is so big, there are many places they can invest in. Why do they have to choose Dongzhou? Help develop Dongzhou? Make contributions to the people here? I don’t buy it.”

Wang Jianming softly said, “Don’t worry, I treat them all the same.” Seeing his wife still unhappy, he chuckled bitterly, “They haven’t done anything wrong, I can’t be ruthless just yet.”

He Wanying said, “Doesn’t Elder Xu know? Why doesn’t he intervene? If they’re honestly doing business, that’s fine, but if they use your influence for something bad, it’ll definitely implicate you.”

“There’s no ‘if’, Wanying, don’t worry yourself. I’m personally watching them.”

These last few days, Xu Chunliang’s car has been used by Hua Zhuyue, and at ten o’clock in the evening, she drove straight to Xu Chunliang’s garage.

Xu Chunliang had just returned from drinking at Gao Xinhua’s place and invited Hua Zhuyue into the house.

Hua Zhuyue said, “So, just you alone here?” She was asking knowingly; if Elder Xu were home, she might not have come in.

Xu Chunliang said, “You’re not a person?”

Hua Zhuyue spat, “You’re getting braver.” She handed the car keys to Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang said, “You can keep using it; I’ve been driving the office car these days.” As the director of the administrative office at Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital, getting a car is quite convenient.

Hua Zhuyue said, “My assistant from Nanjiang will be here tomorrow, so I’ll have a car to use.”

Xu Chunliang said, “We’ll see once he arrives.”

Hua Zhuyue put the keys back and Xu Chunliang poured two glasses of red wine.

Hua Zhuyue said, “I still have to get back to the hotel. You want me to drink and drive?”

Xu Chunliang said, “It’s not like there’s no place to sleep here, I’ll clean up my room.”

Hua Zhuyue glared at him, “Why should I sleep in your room? There’s no guest room here?”

Xu Chunliang said, “There is, but I’m worried you’d be scared sleeping alone; last time, it almost ended badly.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Stop with the bad ideas, we agreed to be respectful guests and not cross any boundaries.” Only then did she take the wine Xu Chunliang handed her, raised it to her lips, and suspiciously asked, “Did you spike it?”

Xu Chunliang slapped his forehead, “I forgot, should’ve known.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Reminding you, don’t challenge the law’s limits.”

Xu Chunliang clinked glasses with her, “Zhuyue…”

Hua Zhuyue’s brows furrowed and eyes widened; Xu Chunliang quickly corrected, “Sister Hua.”

Hua Zhuyue nodded with satisfaction, “Now that’s better.” She took the glass back to the sofa and sat down.

Xu Chunliang also brought his glass over and sat close to her.

Hua Zhuyue said, “Chunliang, I know what you’re up to and I admit, I do quite like you. But I still can’t pinpoint exactly how much I like you.”

She leaned in to give Xu Chunliang a quick peck on the lips. As Xu Chunliang parted his lips, she’d already pulled back, blocking his mouth with her hand, “We need to be sensible with each other, we’re adults now, must consider consequences.”

Her eyes glanced at Xu Chunliang’s noticeably disheveled pants, softly said, “Keep it in check.”

Xu Chunliang said, “I’ve lost some self-control recently, but it’s a long story.”

Hua Zhuyue glanced again, not just a long story, chuckling lightly, “I have my principles, no matter how much I like you, I won’t just give myself to you, you wouldn’t force me, right?”

Xu Chunliang shook his head, “Am I that kind of person?” He had to admit, when it comes to flirting, they were evenly matched.

Hua Zhuyue said, “When we both can stay rational, it proves we’re not that important to each other yet. You’re quite a philanderer, nice to everyone, but never loving too deeply, calling you a cad doesn’t quite capture it. If you were completely a cad, women could see your true self, but you happen to be sentimental and righteous, even I can’t tell if you’re good or bad.”

Xu Chunliang said, “I always thought you understood me well.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “I understand you to some extent; outsiders can see clearly, you and Xiahou Mulan are quite unusual now.”

Xu Chunliang, called out on his relationship with Xiahou Mulan, wasn’t embarrassed at all, sighed, “Sister Hua, you can say what you want about me, just don’t drag her in. She’s not married yet.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Ha, there you go defending her. If you two don’t have a thing, I’ll pluck out my eyeballs for you.”

Xu Chunliang pretended to be shocked, “No need for such gruesome stuff in the middle of the night.”

Hua Zhuyue smiled charmingly, reaching out to gently pat his chest, “I’m saying this for your own good. Don’t want to add to your burden, if your conscience awakens one day, how will you repay all these emotional debts?”

Xu Chunliang sipped his wine while Hua Zhuyue stood up to pour him more, softly said, “You’re still young, should focus your energy on your career, constantly thinking about those trivial romantic things isn’t good.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Sister Hua, you’re truly broad-minded and accommodating.”

Hua Zhuyue giggled, sitting close beside him, she wrapped her arm around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes, murmured like in a dream, “I think we’re good as we are now, all unclear and ambiguous, whether you consider me a sister or a confidante, we should still keep some distance, don’t you think?”

Xu Chunliang gestured with his hand, waved it in front of her, Hua Zhuyue was a bit confused, “What?”

Xu Chunliang said, “Such a long distance?”

Hua Zhuyue blushed, lowered her head, and gently bit his ear: “You’re really a bad guy.”

This time, Xu Chunliang actually remained calm, and he actually listened to Hua Zhuyue’s words. If it’s about keeping a distance, then let’s see who can’t hold out till the end.

Hua Zhuyue said, “I’ve been tired all day, I’m going to take a bath and sleep. You should stay calm too, Chunliang. There’s one thing I must remind you of, some things are better left unsaid.”

Xu Chunliang poured a full glass of red wine, drank it all at once, and said passionately, “Sister Hua’s words really hit the spot for me. Cheers!”

Hua Zhuyue winked at him and sashayed to the guest room, leaving Xu Chunliang alone in the early autumn morning.

Xu Chunliang has a habit of getting up early, and last night Hua Zhuyue’s teasing left him restless, resulting in a night of less-than-ideal sleep. He ended up having a late-night call with Xiahou Mulan in Hu Hai. The conversation was intense, like a raging fire on one end and a flood on the other. If it weren’t for unfinished business, Xiahou Mulan might have wanted to fly back to him then and there.

As soon as Xu Chunliang entered the living room, he smelled something delicious, and it turned out Hua Zhuyue was busy in the kitchen.

Hua Zhuyue said, “Up so early?”

Xu Chunliang yawned and said, “I couldn’t sleep at all, and it’s all your fault.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Why suppress it? Let it be free, and you’ll be free too.”

Xu Chunliang laughed helplessly. Hua Zhuyue was more thoughtful than he expected. He moved closer to her in the kitchen and saw her frying eggs.

“Impressive, skilled both in the living room and the kitchen.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Alright, I’m just barely making breakfast. I haven’t cooked for any other man before.”

“Then I’m really lucky.”

Xu Chunliang naturally wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and Hua Zhuyue didn’t refuse. Not long after, she felt something unusual from behind and scolded, “Get away, stop messing around.”

Xu Chunliang laughed and let go of her: “The eggs are in the pan.”

Hua Zhuyue raised the spatula as if to hit him: “Are you going to eat or not?”

“Of course I am.”

Xu Chunliang obediently went to the side and waited, watching Hua Zhuyue busy around the kitchen. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would find it hard to believe that the woman who usually appeared as a strong professional was now willingly cooking for him in the kitchen. A sense of happiness welled up in him.

He was undoubtedly lucky. Hua Zhuyue, Xiahou Mulan, Su Qing, Ye Qingya—all of them treated him so well. He thought of Mei Ru Xue too; she was good to him but always kept a certain distance. As for Mo Han, their relationship was one of mutual benefit. Xu Chunliang decided not to dwell on it. No wonder they say to master one’s craft, one must first eliminate desires; women truly are a distraction.

Hua Zhuyue brought the finished breakfast to him. It wasn’t just decent; her cooking skills were quite impressive, and the Western-style breakfast was pleasing in all aspects.

After eating his fill, Xu Chunliang noticed Hua Zhuyue hadn’t eaten much and was just smiling at him from across the table.

Xu Chunliang said, “Why aren’t you eating?”

Hua Zhuyue said, “You’re so smart yet you can’t figure out something so simple. I poisoned your breakfast.”

Of course, Xu Chunliang knew she wouldn’t do that. He smiled and said, “That’s quite harsh.”

Hua Zhuyue lifted her chin slightly, and Xu Chunliang looked at her snow-white neck and swallowed. Suddenly, he walked over, hugged her, and bit down hard on her flawless white neck, leaving a deep lip mark before stopping.

Hua Zhuyue slapped his butt: “So annoying, I still have to meet with Lu Ming later.”

Xu Chunliang looked at her and laughed.

Hua Zhuyue said, “Little pervert.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Speaking of business, I talked to Zhang Hengyang yesterday. He’s in charge of getting information from Da Heng.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “He can invest in shares.”

Xu Chunliang nodded. That’s what he thought too; only by sharing profits can they share risks. Although the Blue Star Group is financially robust, they have no previous development experience, while Zhang Hengyang happens to be an expert in that field.

Xu Chunliang said, “We can talk to Uncle Tong. His influence in the area is unmatched.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “No problem, I thought about that too.”

Xu Chunliang said, “How’s it going with Lu Ming?”

Hua Zhuyue said, “He’s a pragmatic person. I’ve scheduled a meeting at the tourism bureau in the afternoon, and in the evening, I’m planning to invite several leaders from the bureau to dinner. Do you want to join?”

Xu Chunliang said, “I better not join the fun, lest others speculate about our relationship.”

Hua Zhuyue laughed: “What’s our relationship?”

Xu Chunliang said, “A flirting and playful relationship.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “That really seems to be the case.”