Chapter Eighteen: Spend More Time with His Eldest Brother

Shangguan Miaomiao held her last cup of coffee and knocked on the office door.

“Come in.” Inside, Shangguan Renran picked up her pen and circled the area near Lingnan.

Most of Lingnan was farmland, but to the east, the land closest had largely been requisitioned by the government—off limits. But to the south…

“Director, I bought some milk tea and coffee. This is the last one—I’m sorry, I bought the same amount as before.” There was a note of apology in Shangguan Miaomiao’s words, yet her tone was unmistakably proud.

Shangguan Renran put down her pen and looked up, her unadorned face stern. “Then I suppose this last one must be for Director Shangguan.”

“It’s fine, I can make another trip,” Shangguan Miaomiao straightened, hand slightly extended, intending to pass the beverage over.

“No need. I don’t like coffee.” She preferred tea, though she didn’t refuse coffee outright—it depended on the person offering.

She had thought, as Uncle Yang’s daughter, the girl would be as honest and straightforward as her father. Who would have expected she’d turn out this way.

Shangguan Miaomiao’s movements faltered for a moment, then returned to their natural ease, a polite smile on her lips. “Of course, how could you drink this kind of coffee? It was my misunderstanding.”

“Leave. In the future, unless it’s a work matter, you don’t need to come in.” Shangguan Renran’s voice was cold. She’d never compromised herself—if she didn’t like someone, she didn’t want to see them again.

“Director, don’t you think that’s a little—”

“Ye Xin, show her out.” Shangguan Renran returned to her work; there was no sense wasting time on someone so insignificant.

“Director, this way please.” Ye Xin gestured toward the door.

“You… Fine, I’ll go.” She’d like to see how long this young lady could keep up her airs.

Her father had told her to take good care of Shangguan Renran, the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, in the company. But what was so special about someone who relied on her family? Without the Shangguan family, she was nothing.

“What happened, Director? Doesn’t the Minister like coffee?” Seeing Shangguan Miaomiao looking so dispirited, the others grew concerned.

“Maybe she just doesn’t like the coffee I brought. But it’s alright, I can drink it myself.” Shangguan Miaomiao forced a show of cheer, making the others feel even more sympathy for her.

“Don’t be upset, Director—we all love it.”

“Yes, you’re so thoughtful.”

“What others turn down, we appreciate.”

“Absolutely, we do.”

Their words of comfort came from every side, and inside, Shangguan Miaomiao was delighted.

This was exactly the effect she wanted. If she was ostracized by the whole department, then once things went wrong, there’d be no place for that young lady here. So what if she was the president’s daughter? She’d have to leave all the same.

“Miss, what is she after? Hmph, such petty tricks,” Ye Xin said indignantly on her mistress’s behalf.

“For dealing with people like that, it’s enough.” But those who could be won over by such means were hardly remarkable. How had her father ended up hiring these sorts? No wonder the sales department’s profit margins were always the lowest. Then again, this gave her the perfect stage to prove herself.

——

“So, what do you want?” Gong Yi sat on the sofa, his cold, hard features softened just a bit. After all, if he came looking, it was never for nothing.

“I want the land south of Lingnan,” Huangpu Shenqing recalled what Mo Yi had said the day before and had his people investigate—only the southern section was still available, and fortunately, the Gong family hadn’t developed it yet.

“What do you want it for? Planning a new project?” Gong Yi was curious—was their company expanding?

“Just tell me if you’ll give it or not.”

“Fine. This afternoon, I’ll have someone print out the transfer contract for you. But what do I get in return?” He couldn’t let himself be shortchanged; this was a rare chance to take advantage.

“I’ll treat you to dinner another day,” Huangpu Shenqing replied, lips barely parting.

His dark gray suit was impeccably tailored, accentuating his striking looks—tall, with an elegant nose, cool eyes, brows like dark feathers, his hair slightly tousled.

At his white-cuffed wrist, a small square cufflink gleamed, adorned with a blue gemstone.

“Dinner’s not the point. That Miss Shangguan—are you sure she’s the one you’re looking for?”

Didn’t she have blue eyes?

Had they vanished?

But anything was possible.

“Yes. Now, I’m certain she is.” Of course, the main reason was the test he’d conducted.

“Well, congratulations. You’ve finally found what you were looking for.” He’d accompanied him step by step on this search.

“Thanks,” Huangpu Shenqing said with genuine gratitude. He had never doubted him.

“Oh, skip it—just buy me dinner. Hearing you thank me sends chills down my spine; it’s not like before. There’s something else in it now.”

He hoped this wasn’t turning into some emotional scene—he couldn’t handle that from him.

A cold laugh escaped Huangpu Shenqing.

“Yes, that’s more like you.” This was his friend’s true self. Was he a glutton for punishment? He was starting to resemble that Ouyang kid. No, he’d best spend more time with his older brother.

These two were starting to make him feel off-kilter himself.

But ever since his brother left for the base, news had been scarce. He wondered how he was doing now.