"Why are you staring, huh? Can’t I thank you on behalf of Teacher Yang too?"
As she spoke, Xia Xiwei naturally let go of Zhou Wang, showing no sign of embarrassment.
Zhou Wang chuckled and then shifted his gaze to Mr. Liu from Guang Province, who had approached unnoticed. He engaged in conversation with him and, amidst the other’s beaming smile, took a business card from Miao Ying to hand over.
He didn’t notice that just after he turned his head, Xia Xiwei pursed her lips and quietly touched her burning earlobe.
Since the transaction between Zhou Wang and Yang Liping had been completed, there was no need for the others to stay.
Huo Chengrui was the first to leave, accompanied by his assistant and bodyguard, he got back into the Mercedes business car. As he instructed the driver to drive, he took out his cellphone, thought for a moment, and made a call.
"Hello, Sister Jessie, it’s me... I need you to look into someone for me, uh-huh, named Zhou Wang, mainland guy... I’ve sent you the basic information... OK, bye-bye!"
After hanging up, Huo Chengrui picked up a cigar and sniffed it at his nose, trying to ease his inner agitation.
Today, he had pushed aside another project to come to White City, thinking this investment was in the bag, but he ended up failing, and this displeased him.
He could not care less about profits of millions, but he did not like the feeling of wasted time.
He wanted to see who exactly this Zhou Wang was... You messed up a project for me, so would it be too much if I took the chance to settle the score?
Jessie was the private advisor serving their entire family and a capable assistant appointed by his father. It was her who had organized the information on Yang Liping for him in such detail that he didn’t have to think, which helped him take the initiative in the transaction. He had great faith in her abilities...
Considering Zhou Wang’s assets and reputation, it should not be difficult to investigate him.
Ring, ring!
The urgent ringtone sounded, and Huo Chengrui glanced at the phone, surprised as he answered:
"Hello, Sister Jessie, results so soon?"
"Chengrui, it’s me."
However, the voice coming from the other end was not the expected efficient female voice, but a low male voice.
"Father, why is it you?"
Instinctively, Huo Chengrui sat up straight.
His father, Huo Yingxiong, in his prime, was undoubtedly the controller of the entire Huo Consortium and the most revered figure to Huo Chengrui.
Sometimes he felt like he and his father were not like father and son, at least in front of Huo Yingxiong, he dared not act arbitrarily.
"Jessie happened to be reporting some matters to me. When you called her, I was right next to her. I heard from Jessie that you are investigating someone named Zhou Wang?"
"Yes, Father, you..."
Huo Chengrui was puzzled. Ever since he officially started working, Huo Yingxiong rarely interfered with him. Chengrui really couldn’t understand why he would suddenly call about such a ’trivial’ matter?
"The Zhou Wang you mentioned, is he from Yunnan Province, young, and wealthy?"
"He is from Yunnan Province, both young and wealthy, correct."
Without any explanation, Huo Chengrui dared not inquire and could only answer honestly.
"That’s it."
The voice on the other end was suddenly stern, "I ask you, why are you investigating him, have you offended him?"
"Ah, no... not quite offended, it’s just that I find him a bit unpleasant, though there hasn’t been any direct conflict..."
Frightened, Huo Chengrui hurriedly explained.
"What happened, tell me the whole story, if there’s any concealment... you will lose inheritance rights."
Huo Yingxiong spoke coldly.
Lose inheritance rights?
Huo Chengrui was dumbfounded.
It’s not like he had killed anyone or set a fire, yet why would he lose his inheritance...
But he knew his father never joked with him, so despite great confusion and bewilderment, Chengrui started recounting everything as meticulously as possible, even instilling what he was thinking when he spoke certain words, and what Zhou Wang’s reactions were...
Always a proponent of "time is money," at this moment, Huo Yingxiong was extraordinarily patient and even interrupted now and then to inquire about some details.
By the time Huo Yingxiong fully grasped the whole story, nearly half an hour had passed.
Afterward, a long silence ensued.
In Chengrui’s uneasy anticipation, several more minutes passed. Finally, Huo Yingxiong spoke:
"I understand the situation. You don’t need to worry about it anymore, but remember, from this moment onward, stop any notions you shouldn’t have, and never make any moves against Zhou Wang, or else..."
Huo Yingxiong didn’t finish his sentence, only saying the last line lightly before hanging up directly.
With the phone still in his hand, Chengrui finally breathed a sigh of relief. He tugged on his sticky clothes, realizing only then that cold sweat had drenched his back.
He couldn’t understand...
Why?
Did his father not only know Zhou Wang, but also seemed to value him highly?
No, it was more than just valuing; it felt more like some sort of apprehension, according to Chengrui’s own judgment.
Thinking about Zhou Wang’s age and the unknown confidence far beyond the ordinary that he possessed...
Could it be, is it possible...
One random, chaotic thought after another ran through Chengrui’s mind, making him restless.
He didn’t know how long had passed when finally, amidst his agonizing wait, the phone rang again, and Chengrui cautiously answered it: