"Tell me quickly, what benefits did you get?" Cheng Lu asked excitedly.
"I've discussed it with the provincial capital and we're moving both major projects there. However, the parts project will stay in Mingshan Town. While it's not a major project, it's still tens of millions, which is acceptable for a town," Chen Feng explained.
"Only tens of millions?" Cheng Lu replied, somewhat disappointed.
"Miss Cheng, even a mosquito's leg is meat. Never underestimate small projects worth tens of millions. If you attract several such projects, they become major ones," Chen Feng said optimistically.
"Chen Feng, you're truly optimistic." Cheng Lu gave a wry smile.
"The key is that pessimism doesn't solve anything, so it's better to be optimistic. Alright, Miss Cheng, I won't talk to you anymore. I need to go explain the relocation of the two major projects to the provincial capital to Shimajima Keiko," Chen Feng changed the subject.
"Can't someone else explain it?" Cheng Lu asked with a hint of jealousy.
"The Shimajima Corporation project was introduced by me, so it's most appropriate for me to explain," Chen Feng replied.
"Then I'll go with you," Cheng Lu pouted.
"Alright." Chen Feng didn't refuse. The more you reject a woman, the more she tends to overthink. Anyway, this meeting with Shimajima Keiko is a business matter, so Cheng Lu accompanying him isn't a big issue.
"You really want me to go? Shouldn't you refuse?" Cheng Lu asked, smiling happily.
"Why should I refuse?" Chen Feng responded.
"Shimajima Keiko secretly likes you, and wouldn't I be an eyesore if I went?" Cheng Lu teased, wanting to gauge Chen Feng's attitude towards Shimajima Keiko.
"Miss Cheng, you're overthinking. Shimajima Keiko is the daughter of a chaebol. Would she secretly like a grassroots official like me who comes from a farming background?" Chen Feng retorted.
"That's true." Cheng Lu smiled happily. As long as Shimajima Keiko didn't like Chen Feng, that was enough.
A short while later, Chen Feng and Cheng Lu appeared before Shimajima Keiko.
"Chen Feng, and who is this?" Shimajima Keiko looked at Cheng Lu, a surge of jealousy involuntarily rising.
"This is Mayor Qin's secretary, and also my work partner. We're here to explain the relocation of the Shimajima Corporation projects to the provincial capital..." Chen Feng started to explain further, but Shimajima Keiko gestured for him to stop. She already knew about this. To be honest, she admired Chen Feng's straightforwardness and adaptability. He could just let go of Shimajima Corporation's two major projects. The most pressing matter now was to figure out the relationship between Chen Feng and Cheng Lu.
"Chen Feng, there's no need to discuss the two projects further; I already know. My parents have also agreed and unanimously believe that the provincial capital, with its vast resources, is perfectly suited to host Shimajima Corporation's projects. Although the two major projects are not settling in Mingshan Town, we still thank Mingshan Town. How about this, since you are both here, let's have dinner together to express our gratitude. I'll be leaving for the provincial capital in a few days, and it will be hard to thank you then," Shimajima Keiko said, her gaze filled with jealousy as she looked at Cheng Lu.
"There's no need to be so formal, is there?" Chen Feng, sensing the intense tension between the two women, instinctively tried to decline.
"Chen Feng, it's fine, it's just a meal, it's not a big deal," Cheng Lu said with a smile. If Shimajima Keiko wanted to compete with her in drinking, so be it. Having grown up in a political family, Cheng Lu had a high tolerance for alcohol and was determined not to be outdone by a Japanese woman.
Chen Feng fell silent. With both women wanting to drink, what else could he say? The three of them then proceeded to a hotel private room. To their surprise, three bottles of red wine were brought out immediately.
"Chug?" Cheng Lu challenged provocatively. She absolutely wouldn't show weakness in front of Chen Feng.
"Yes," Shimajima Keiko agreed reluctantly. Although her alcohol tolerance wasn't high, if she refused Cheng Lu's challenge, she would lose face in front of Chen Feng and how could she compete for Chen Feng with this Chinese beauty in the future?
"Let's take it easy," Chen Feng advised with a wry smile. The two women, fueled by jealousy, completely ignored Chen Feng and started drinking. In less than ten minutes, two bottles of red wine were finished.
"Miss Cheng, you can't drink anymore," Chen Feng quickly urged Cheng Lu.
"Why not? The Japanese woman actively proposed a drinking match, why should a Chinese woman be afraid?" Cheng Lu replied, her face flushed and excited. While this amount of alcohol wouldn't get Cheng Lu drunk, it made her feel quite exhilarated.
"Take a good look, Shimajima Keiko is already passed out," Chen Feng said, feeling a bit dizzy.
"Passed out after just one bottle of red wine? How can Japanese women have such low alcohol tolerance?" Cheng Lu exclaimed excitedly. With such a low tolerance, she still wanted to compete for her man?
"She doesn't work in politics, and Japanese people tend to prefer low-alcohol content drinks like sake, so naturally, her alcohol tolerance is not high. Quickly think of a way to deal with the drunken Shimajima Keiko."
"How do you want to deal with it?"
"How about this, you go back first, and I'll carry Shimajima Keiko to a hotel room." Chen Feng casually suggested.
"No, absolutely not! It's not proper for a man and woman to be alone, I don't trust it. How about this, carry Shimajima Keiko to my dorm. I'm a woman, so Shimajima Keiko entering my room is safe." Cheng Lu refused immediately. With her present, there would be absolutely no opportunity for Chen Feng and Shimajima Keiko to be alone.
"That's fine too." Chen Feng didn't refuse; having the two women sleep in the same room wasn't a bad idea. If Shimajima Keiko needed help with anything in the middle of the night, like showering, Cheng Lu could assist. After half an hour of effort, Chen Feng helped Shimajima Keiko onto Cheng Lu's bed.
"Alright, I'm going back to sleep. I have a lot to do tomorrow, so I won't stay up late." With those words, Chen Feng hurriedly left Cheng Lu's room. After Chen Feng left, Cheng Lu quietly observed the flushed face of the drunken Shimajima Keiko. The more she looked, the more inferior she felt. People said Japanese women were beautiful, and seeing Shimajima Keiko today confirmed it. It wasn't just Chen Feng who might be attracted to her; even Cheng Lu herself was captivated. Perhaps due to the alcohol, Cheng Lu couldn't help but secretly kiss Shimajima Keiko. She had to admit, it felt quite good. If she didn't feel like she was betraying Chen Feng by doing so, Cheng Lu would have wanted to kiss her for several minutes. It was true that Japanese women were like cherry blossoms.
"Chen Feng, I... I like you." Just as Cheng Lu was about to go to sleep, Shimajima Keiko, under the influence of alcohol, spoke. Cheng Lu's jealousy flared up instantly. The worst had happened. However, upon reflection, Cheng Lu wasn't overly indignant. Chen Feng was so outstanding; it was normal for women to like him. The crucial point was who Chen Feng would ultimately marry.
"Then tell me, did Chen Feng sleep with you?" Cheng Lu whispered provocatively into Shimajima Keiko's ear.
"Chen Feng might like another woman more; he didn't sleep with me." Under the influence of alcohol, Shimajima Keiko spoke her true thoughts directly. Cheng Lu was ecstatic upon hearing this. The woman Shimajima Keiko was referring to must be her. Cheng Lu was about to ask a few more questions when, mistaking Cheng Lu for Chen Feng, Shimajima Keiko rolled over and pinned Cheng Lu beneath her...