Chapter 343: Truly Good Friends

He found Captain Liu to be a straightforward man, someone worth befriending. So, he said,

“Excellent. Since Captain Liu holds the Mingyue Group in such high regard, we would of course be delighted to be friends with you.”

“Come, let’s have some tea and chat first.”

At six in the evening, Chen Qingdi, Chairman of the Mingyue Group, decided to make his move. He dispatched his head of security, Qian Laoliu, to the Forest City Investigation Team’s office building to pick up Captain Liu Yueqiang.

They were to head directly to a VIP private room at the Rose Fragrance Grand Hotel, where Chen Qingdi was waiting in anticipation of his meeting with Captain Liu Yueqiang.

When Captain Liu Yueqiang saw Qian Laoliu arrive to pick him up, he was a little surprised but maintained a polite demeanor.

He said, “I have my own car and could have come over myself. I’m sorry to trouble you by having you send someone to get me.”

Qian Laoliu knew Captain Liu Yueqiang was just feigning politeness and didn’t pay it much mind. He simply smiled without a word and led the captain to the VIP room at the Rose Fragrance Grand Hotel.

When they arrived at the private room, Captain Liu, having just stepped inside, was met with another round of courtesy from Chen Qingdi. He said respectfully, “Chairman Chen, hello. Thank you so much for inviting me.”

Chen Qingdi smiled in reply, “Captain Liu, I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time. Let’s be seated. I’ve already ordered the food—all impressive signature dishes.”

Inside the VIP room of the Rose Fragrance Hotel, Captain Liu felt a little lost in the face of Chen Qingdi’s courtesy.

For some time now, he had been investigating the Mingyue Group in his capacity as part of the investigation team, trying to uncover any potential illegal activities on Chen Qingdi’s part.

Yet today, Chen Qingdi was being exceptionally polite to him, which left him feeling somewhat bewildered.

Captain Liu chuckled and said, “President Chen, you’re being too kind. Treating me to a meal at such a high-end hotel… I’m quite flattered.”

Chen Qingdi smiled in response. “Captain Liu, as long as your investigation team stops making trouble for our company, that would be the greatest kindness you could show us. Forget just treating you to dinner—we ought to be worshiping you like a deity.”

Captain Liu gave a helpless laugh. “While the investigation team does have some authority to regulate businesses, we don’t go out of our way to find fault. We’re simply conducting a routine investigation of your company.”

Chen Qingdi listened and said dismissively, “Even if that’s not the case, it doesn’t matter. We like being friends with the investigation team, but we will absolutely not accept being falsely accused.”

Captain Liu was well aware of Chen Qingdi’s shrewdness and cunning. He decided to change tactics and try a more amiable approach. “President Chen, truthfully, we just hope your company can abide by the relevant regulations and operate legally. That would be beneficial for your company and for our team.”

Chen Qingdi smiled faintly. “Captain Liu, I understand what you mean. We will abide by the relevant regulations. At the same time, we also hope the investigation team can treat our company fairly.”

The conversation between the two grew deeper, and the atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.

Captain Liu felt a sense of relief. He felt that this exchange with Chen Qingdi wasn’t filled with the hostility and conflict of their previous encounters.

However, just then, a waiter came in, breaking the harmonious atmosphere. “Gentlemen, here are our house specialties—braised pork belly and steamed fish. Please, enjoy.”

Captain Liu looked at the delicacies on the table and swallowed. He had always loved the food at this hotel, but today he had no appetite at all.

He gave an awkward smile. “President Chen, please, you go ahead and eat. My stomach hasn’t been feeling well lately, so I probably can’t eat much.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Qingdi immediately said, “Captain Liu, your health is your wealth! You must take good care of yourself. How about this? I’ll have the waiter prepare a bowl of hot noodle soup for you. It’ll be easy on your stomach.”

Captain Liu was very moved. “Thank you, President Chen. You’re so thoughtful.”

After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Qingdi took out a small, exquisite box and pushed it in front of Captain Liu. He smiled and said, “My friend, we haven’t met often, but this is a small gift. You must accept it.”

Captain Liu looked at the small box before him, his heart skipping a beat. He knew a gift from Chen Qingdi certainly had a deeper meaning, but he figured that since a valuable item was being offered, he would be a fool to refuse. So he accepted the box, offered his thanks, and the two continued their meal.

At the dinner table, the two chatted about many things, from the weather to politics, from the economy to culture; it seemed they had an endless supply of topics. Chen Qingdi was an eloquent speaker, his witty remarks flowing one after another, earning Captain Liu’s admiration.

“My friend, what has this world come to?” Chen Qingdi sighed. “The Mingyue Group has always been a model enterprise in Jiang Cheng, and yet there are still so many people who want to destroy it.”

Captain Liu just smiled and didn’t answer. He knew he couldn’t win an argument with Chen Qingdi on this topic.

“My friend, do you know why I want to work with you?” Chen Qingdi suddenly asked.

Captain Liu shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

“Because I admire your character and your ability,” Chen Qingdi said. “I believe that if you and I work together, we can achieve great things.”

Captain Liu couldn’t help but be moved by these words. He knew that earning Chen Qingdi’s appreciation was no easy feat.

“My friend, do you know why I gave you this gift?” Chen Qingdi asked another question.

Captain Liu shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

“Because this gift represents my sincerity,” Chen Qingdi said. “I hope you will remember our friendship and our partnership.”

Captain Liu couldn’t help but be moved by these words. He knew it was a great fortune to have earned Chen Qingdi’s friendship and trust.

The two hit it off, and it seemed they had an endless supply of things to talk about.

By the time the dinner ended, it was late at night. Chen Qingdi had his head of security, Qian Laoliu, drive Captain Liu back to the investigation team’s office building.

Captain Liu looked at the small box in his hand, his heart filled with a mix of confusion and pleasant surprise.

He opened the box. The first thing he saw was a huge diamond, glittering with a dazzling light, as if proclaiming its own value.

Although Captain Liu didn’t know much about jewelry, he could tell this diamond was undoubtedly worth a fortune.

Then, he saw a gold bracelet underneath the diamond. The bracelet was inlaid with an exquisite pattern; a single glance was enough to tell it was handcrafted, not some ordinary piece of gold jewelry.

Captain Liu’s wife had always wanted some diamond and gold jewelry, but he had never been able to fulfill her wish. Now, Chen Qingdi had given him such a gift, leaving him utterly astonished.

‘What on earth does this mean?’ Captain Liu wondered. ‘Why would Chen Qingdi give me such a valuable gift?’

He shook his head, unable to figure out the reason. But since he had already accepted the gift, there was no sense in returning it.