Volume One, Chapter Nine: Too Much Sincerity, My Heart Is Uneasy

On the way back, she kept wondering where those eyes seemed familiar from, until just now when she lay down on the bed and suddenly had a flash of insight.

She finally understood where those eyes were familiar from!

Those eyes resembled Huo Yanchuan’s, or rather, they looked very much like the Huo Yanchuan of the past.

Especially under the light.

Lin Jie suddenly widened her eyes. “But I saw Huo Yanchuan at the bar tonight.”

Parading around with Lu Xiaorou, making such a spectacle. That was quite the display.

Tang Ruan said in a low voice, “That’s why I said they only resemble him.”

Not Huo Yanchuan.

Huo Yanchuan would never come to Country Y.

He hated Country Y that much.

“Ruan Ruan, you’re not still hung up on Huo Yanchuan...”

Hearing Lin Jie’s question, Tang Ruan looked over. “No.”

She had already decided to let go; she wouldn’t look back.

——

The next morning

Tang Ruan and Luo Yu arrived punctually at the TG building.

The receptionist located their records and led them to the private elevator. “This elevator goes straight up to the 19th floor.”

The CEO’s office was on the 19th floor.

“Thank you.” After expressing gratitude, the two entered the elevator one after the other.

When the elevator doors opened again, a young man wearing glasses stood not far ahead.

Seeing them, he introduced himself proactively. “Miss Tang, Mr. Luo, my surname is Chen. I am CEO Gu’s secretary.”

“Hello, Secretary Chen.”

“CEO Gu is in the office. I will take you there.”

At the CEO’s office door, Secretary Chen stopped Luo Yu. “Mr. Luo, please wait outside. The CEO only requested to see Miss Tang.”

Luo Yu gave Tang Ruan an inquiring glance.

Tang Ruan pressed her lips together. “Wait for me outside.”

Secretary Chen pushed the door open, and a faint woody, cool fragrance wafted out, momentarily mesmerizing Tang Ruan.

“Miss Tang?” Secretary Chen’s voice brought her back, and she stepped into the office.

The office was spacious. Behind a huge desk was a chair facing away from her.

“CEO Gu?”

“Mm.” A voice came from behind the chair.

That voice...

“Miss Tang, what brings you here?”

Tang Ruan placed the prepared documents on the desk. “CEO Gu, Tang Group has shown great sincerity. May I ask what concerns you have?”

She fixed her gaze on the back of the chair, trying to find any useful clues.

Unfortunately, there was nothing.

“Tang Group’s sincerity is indeed very strong.”

If he thought the sincerity was strong, why not agree to cooperate?

“But the sincerity is too much—it unsettles me.”

Tang Ruan: ?

She couldn’t quite understand that.

“The profit share ratio needs adjustment.”

So, he was still dissatisfied with the profit split.

——

Tang Ruan: “...What ratio did you have in mind, CEO Gu?”

Actually, Tang Group’s offer had some room for downward adjustment, though not much. Securing cooperation with TG was the first step in expanding into Country Y’s market. For this reason, she was willing to make slight concessions.

Provided TG didn’t go too far.

“Four to six.”

Four to six—?

Four to six?

Tang Group four, TG six?

Or TG six, Tang Group four?

Either way, it seemed off.

Tang Group had previously offered three to seven.

They had been stuck on that ratio and unwilling to agree, and now he said four to six.

Did this CEO learn math from a PE teacher? Or was he deliberately teasing her?

“CEO Gu, are you joking with me?”

“No joke.”

Tang Ruan: ...

There was a knock on the door, and the next moment Secretary Chen entered.

“President.”

“Bring Miss Tang to sign the contract. Change the profit ratio to four to six.”

Four to six?

Secretary Chen bit back a smile but couldn’t resist raising an eyebrow.

He had seen deals where the profit share was squeezed against the other party, but never where the other party’s share was raised.

This CEO’s move was truly baffling.

Still, he was just the secretary; his duty was to follow the CEO’s instructions.

Thinking this, Secretary Chen extended his hand to Tang Ruan, motioning politely, “Miss Tang, please follow me.”

Tang Ruan stared fixedly at the chair’s back and couldn’t help but ask, “CEO Gu, do we know each other?”

Why, without reason, would he concede more profit to Tang Group?

This was completely different from the TG CEO’s known style of conduct.

There was only one explanation...

They knew each other.

This time, no voice answered.

A hand rested on the armrest of the chair, fingertips flicking twice.

Secretary Chen timely urged, “Miss Tang, our CEO has other matters. I will see you out.”

Tang Ruan remained silent, waited a moment longer, then turned and left.

Secretary Chen exhaled in relief and followed.

Secretary Chen adjusted the profit ratio, reprinted two copies of the contract, and pushed them in front of Tang Ruan.

Tang Ruan reviewed the documents, then decisively signed her name and stamped her seal.

With such a favorable offer, she had no reason to refuse.

After signing, Secretary Chen escorted her to the private elevator, watched the doors close, then turned back to the CEO’s office.

“President, the contract has been signed.”

The paper stopped at the last page, boldly bearing Tang Ruan’s signature and seal.

“Mm, you may leave now.”

“Yes.”

As the door closed, Secretary Chen couldn’t resist glancing inside, just in time to see the CEO extend his hand and rest his fingertips on a particular spot on the document.

That spot... seemed to be where Miss Tang had signed?

Coupled with the voluntary concession...

Secretary Chen pursed his lips.

He seemed to have uncovered a huge secret!

——

“Ruan Ruan...”

A low, tender male voice full of affection.

Tang Ruan spent a few hours wandering at a nearby mall, buying gifts for friends and family, then took a taxi back to the hotel.

After tidying up, her phone rang.

“Dad.”

Tang Zhen Guo’s voice came through the receiver, light and cheerful.

“Ruan Ruan, the engagement is off.”

Breaking off the engagement was a joyous occasion that deserved a proper celebration!

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I see Huo Yanchuan is a bit unwilling. Be careful. If he dares to harass you, tell me, and I’ll deal with him.”

Unwilling?

Huo Yanchuan?

On second thought, that made sense. Proud as he was, how could Huo Yanchuan accept being dumped by his so-called “admirer”?

“I understand, Dad.”

——

Tang family villa, South City

“Master, the items you ordered have arrived,” Uncle Li, the butler, entered.

Tang Zhen Guo waved his big hand with unmistakable grandeur. “Let’s go see!”

The engagement was off, the goods had arrived, everything was ready—only waiting for nightfall!

In the courtyard, servants were unloading boxes from a truck.

One by one, the boxes almost filled the yard.

Stamped on the boxes were the large characters: “Fireworks and Firecrackers.”

Uncle Li scratched his head in confusion. “Master, why did you buy so many fireworks?”

It wasn’t a festival or holiday; what occasion was there to light fireworks?

Even if they could light them, so many fireworks might not even be used up in one whole night.

“To celebrate!” Tang Zhen Guo’s voice was strong and full of spirit.

Uncle Li and the nearby servants were utterly perplexed.

Celebrate?

Celebrate what?

Tang Zhen Guo explained cheerfully, “Ruan Ruan’s engagement being broken off is a great joy.”

“As soon as it gets dark, light these fireworks for three hours straight, every night for three days!”

“Not for nothing—I’ll pay you triple overtime.”

Now, everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.

Genuine smiles from the heart.

The Tang family already paid their servants generously, and triple overtime was a significant bonus.

Watching fireworks and earning extra money—this was the kind of dream that made one smile in their sleep.

As night fell, many people gathered in the Tang family courtyard.

Most of the fireworks were stacked under the eaves, to prevent stray sparks from igniting them prematurely.

Uncle Li’s expression grew serious, frequently glancing at the sky and his watch.

When the clock struck eight, Uncle Li took two steps toward Tang Zhen Guo. “Master, the time is nearly right.”