It took Xia Honglang a full three minutes to fully digest Mr. Gu’s words.
“So, you’re inviting the Xia Corporation to participate in the utilization and development of new energy?”
“Yes,” Mr. Gu nodded.
“However, from both a technical standpoint and for financial support, there are many more suitable partners, such as Hua Heng…” Xia Honglang wasn’t entirely sure why Mr. Gu wanted to collaborate with the Xia Corporation.
It could be said that things had been peculiar from the very beginning of their cooperation.
Initially, when the Xia Corporation first attended a joint meeting, there was a shoe print from Xia Qingtian on the document handed to Mr. Gu…
Ordinarily, such an action should have significantly lowered the first impression, yet the cooperation that day had been exceptionally smooth.
What had Mr. Gu said at the time?
Qingtian’s… shoe print… had an artistic flair… right?
Later, Xia Qingtian frequently caused trouble for Mr. Gu, and even now, Qingtian was still a contracted artist under Gu’s Entertainment.
Qingtian…
Qingtian!
Xia Honglang seemed to snap back to reality, immediately looking at Mr. Gu and stating righteously, “Mr. Gu, although I am very interested in this project, the Xia Corporation is likely not suitable.”
“The Xia Corporation certainly has much room for improvement, but I wouldn’t go so far as to sell my daughter for gain, or resort to a honey trap.”
Xia Honglang looked at Mr. Gu and shook his head slightly, “Mr. Gu, please find another partner for collaboration.”
“Pfft.” Upon hearing Xia Honglang’s words, Mr. Gu couldn’t help but laugh.
This father and daughter pair were astonishingly in sync on a certain frequency.
“Mr. Gu?” Xia Honglang frowned slightly at Mr. Gu’s laughter, was he being mocked?
“I apologize, I mean no disrespect,” Mr. Gu said with a light laugh. “Originally, Hua Heng was indeed the partner I was considering. However, Qingtian coincidentally witnessed some internal conflicts within Hua Heng’s management today. It seems their three young masters are not getting along well.”
Mr. Gu wasn’t ready to inform Xia Honglang about Xia Qingtian’s accidental involvement in a shooting incident, as it might frighten him.
Therefore, he skirted around the issue, continuing, “Just as President Xia said at the meeting today, when I choose a collaboration partner, I value character more than financial background.”
Hearing Mr. Gu’s words, Xia Honglang also recalled his conversation with Gu Yaoying earlier that day.
At the time, he was simply displeased with that scoundrel who dared to flirt with his daughter. He never expected it to inadvertently leave a good impression of his character with Mr. Gu.
“Although Hua Heng is currently excellent in all aspects, no one can predict the future. This project is, after all, a national-level undertaking, and I still wish to seek a more stable partner.” Mr. Gu’s gaze was candid. “Indeed, as President Xia mentioned, there are many more suitable partners, but there are very few that I can trust wholeheartedly.”
“Mr. Gu…” Meeting Mr. Gu’s eyes, Xia Honglang’s gaze stirred.
He had to admit, these words had indeed struck a chord with Xia Honglang.
Having navigated the business world for many years, he had relied on his integrity to reach where he was today.
“Very well, since the Xia Corporation is so appreciated by Mr. Gu, I will boldly accept this collaboration on behalf of the Xia Corporation.” Xia Honglang extended his hand.
“I hope for a pleasant cooperation henceforth,” Mr. Gu extended his hand and shook Xia Honglang’s. The two parties had reached a verbal agreement, and once the contracts were signed, the matter would be settled.
With the matter settled, Xia Honglang’s eyes were filled with joy.
After all, as long as this project was successfully executed, not to mention the subsequent profits, just the reputation and status alone would elevate the Xia Corporation to a brand new level.
Wonderful!
Having settled the matter, Mr. Gu did not linger. He merely stated that it was getting late and took his leave.
Today’s incident with Hua Heng was unexpected, and the clues Xia Qingtian provided were extremely important.
He should have been cooperating with Hua Heng on this project.
At that time, he could never have understood how that organization had mastered the core energy technology in such a short period, even going so far as to destroy his research laboratory with a mysterious explosion.
Now, it seemed he had chosen the wrong teammate from the start.
Hua Heng, a long-established and stable enterprise, now appeared to have many loopholes.
And Hua Heng’s second and third young masters.
He recalled that afterward, it was only reported that the two young masters had been sent abroad, and a year later, news emerged that the second young master had died abroad, and the third young master did not return.
Looking back now, the second young master had already died by this time, and the third young master likely had no future.
Thinking of this, Mr. Gu felt a chill run down his spine.
If it weren't for Xia Qingtian, he might very well have lost completely this time, ending up with an outcome where he wouldn’t even know how he died.
And then… there would have been the desperate struggle for survival in a fire.
His hands trembled uncontrollably at his sides, and Mr. Gu struggled to maintain his usual indifferent and distant demeanor.
“Then I won’t keep you, Mr. Gu.” Seeing Mr. Gu to the door, Xia Honglang said with a smile, “We’ll see each other at the business conference tomorrow.”
“Certainly, President Xia.” Mr. Gu gave a dry chuckle and turned to step into the darkness of the night.
“Mr. Gu.” A familiar female voice called out, causing Mr. Gu’s body to stiffen. As he turned back, he saw Xia Qingtian, who had just finished bathing and changed into her loungewear, standing in the light. “On your way back… please be careful.”
Xia Qingtian hadn’t intended to come out, but after all, Mr. Gu had brought her back tonight and offered the Xia Corporation such a good collaboration opportunity.
No matter how much she didn’t want to interact with people, she had to come out to see him off. Grabbing an apple she’d passed on the way from the dining room and stuffing it into Mr. Gu’s hand, Xia Qingtian said with a slightly awkward tone, “Also… goodnight.”
After saying this, Xia Qingtian quickly retreated behind Xia Honglang, adopting a childlike posture.
“What a child who never grows up,” Xia Honglang was also amused by his daughter’s adorable display, yet he spoke polite words, “Mr. Gu, please excuse my daughter.”
Seeing Xia Qingtian like this, Mr. Gu felt the chill in his heart seem to be dispelled by a warm aura.
He offered a gentle smile, “Goodnight.”
After saying this, Mr. Gu finally left the Xia residence, got into his car, and the journey home no longer felt entirely dark.
The apple in the car exuded a faint, fresh fragrance, much like the fragrance he caught when Xia Qingtian bid him goodnight.
While waiting for the red light, he happened to glance up at the sky and saw the bright moon and a few scattered stars. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly:
Tonight, the moon is indeed beautiful.
On the other side, someone’s mood was far from beautiful.