Zhan Jingrui encountered Senior Manager Fu in the parking lot, and they chatted as they entered the company.
He hadn't paid attention to the employees along the way until someone suddenly rushed up to greet him. Looking up, it was Xu Zheng.
Figuring out why Xu Zheng was there, Zhan Jingrui stopped and nodded.
"You're here."
"Yes, I'm here. I'm taking this collaboration with you very seriously, so I came early."
Xu Zheng acted like a sycophant, bowing and scraping before respectfully extending his hand to the person beside Zhan Jingrui.
"Hello, hello, you must be Manager Fu? I've heard so much about you. I'm Zhan Zong's high school classmate. Here's my business card. It's a pleasure to meet you, Deputy Manager."
Since Xu Zheng claimed to be Zhan Zong's high school classmate, Fu Qishan shook his hand but didn't take the card.
"Here to discuss cooperation? You are most welcome. Zhan Corporation is very pleased to collaborate with all ambitious individuals to hone skills and enhance brand image."
While Fu Qishan was being polite with official words, Xu Zheng took it almost literally.
"Thank you, Manager Fu. We will definitely work hard. Thank you, Manager Fu and Zhan Zong, for giving us this opportunity!"
Fu Qishan nodded politely but distantly, giving Zhan Jingrui a look. The two prepared to leave.
Before leaving, Zhan Jingrui told Xu Zheng, "Alright, talk to them when work starts. I have something else to do. I'm leaving now."
"Okay, goodbye, Zhan Zong, goodbye, Manager Fu."
Xu Zheng waved goodbye with a smile. He thought that was the end of it after the greeting, but then he suddenly called out to He Yao.
"He Yao! How can you be so impolite? You didn't even say hello when you saw Zhan Zong! Come quickly, say goodbye to Zhan Zong!"
Zhan Jingrui hadn't noticed He Yao's presence.
Herded by Xu Zheng's shout, he unconsciously turned his head back.
Sitting on a sofa in the lounge area a few steps away from Xu Zheng was a woman with short hair, a clean and pretty face, and wearing a professional skirt suit.
The woman sat up straight, quietly watching them, appearing gentle and poised.
After Xu Zheng called out to her, she quickly stood up.
But as their eyes met, Zhan Jingrui saw only strangeness and indifference in hers.
Xu Zheng was truly someone who had left home for half a lifetime only to return as the same high school student.
He was just like he was back then.
Upon noticing He Yao, he turned and immediately tried to re-establish contact with her.
Look at her, yesterday she was a disheveled figure fixing machines in the workshop, and today she's transformed into a city dweller, sitting in the lounge area of Zhan Corporation.
Seeing her beside Xu Zheng, Zhan Jingrui's good mood vanished by half.
A man eager to climb the ladder, paired with a woman unwilling to let go of an opportunity – their future together was sure to be spectacular.
Since the boss had called her, she couldn't just sit there.
He Yao bit her lip and stood up, mechanically nodding at Zhan Jingrui.
"Zhan Zong."
"The more I tell you you're impolite, the more impolite you get. Isn't Manager Fu here too?"
"Manager Fu."
Fu Qishan had no interest in Xu Zheng's attempts to curry favor and waved dismissively, continuing forward with Zhan Jingrui.
"Continuing what we were saying, when should we have a game?"
"I loved playing chess when I was younger. I even formed an amateur chess team in the company. Back then, haha."
"It's a pity the younger generation doesn't care for it anymore. I've been unmatched for years, so it's rare to find someone interested."
Before Zhan Jingrui could reply, Xu Zheng overheard this.
He stepped forward a couple of paces and boldly interjected, "Manager Fu likes chess? What a coincidence."
Fu Qishan turned, his expression showing annoyance at the constant interruption and Xu Zheng's lack of awareness regarding social graces in his attempts to climb.
"Oh? Do you have a suggestion?"
"Not at all, not at all. I don't play chess, but my assistant is excellent at it!"
To seize the opportunity, Xu Zheng's mind raced.
As the saying goes, "Men and women working together are more efficient," and chess surely falls into that category.
Having a young and beautiful woman accompany him would be much better than him playing himself.
Whether He Yao was good or not, he decided to agree first and secure the opportunity. Even if he had to go home and start learning immediately, it wouldn't be too late.
After all, he was the boss, and winning wasn't the main goal; it was about the opportunity, wasn't it?
"My assistant is very good at chess. We also have an amateur chess team at our company, and everyone praises her skill."
After saying this, he beckoned He Yao to come over.
Zhan Jingrui became even more displeased.
Xu Zheng would go to any lengths to achieve his goals.
Had He Yao already become his assistant so quickly? And an assistant who would play chess with the boss?
What kind of lies wouldn't he dare to fabricate, not afraid of being exposed by a strong wind?
The goodwill from his old classmate was completely exhausted by Xu Zheng. Zhan Jingrui no longer wanted to humor him.
Unexpectedly, He Yao walked over and politely bowed to Manager Fu.
"I only know a little, and I wouldn't dare to say I'm skilled in front of Manager Fu. Mr. Xu, please stop teasing me."
She actually plays chess?
How could Zhan Jingrui not know?
Back then, she always seemed world-weary and disinterested in studying.
Besides spacing out and dating, she seemed uninterested in anything else.
Now, forced by life, had she become so smooth and perceptive?
Look at her playing along with Xu Zheng, like a well-rehearsed duet.
As Fu Qishan had said, few young people played chess, and even fewer were as young and beautiful as He Yao.
He had enrolled his daughter in chess classes before, forcing her to learn for two years, but she was simply not interested. After two years, she hadn't learned anything, so Fu Qishan gave up.
Upon hearing that He Yao could play, he felt a sense of admiration.
"Oh? Your assistant has this hobby too? That's good."
"Playing chess can help one calm down and is a rather self-cultivating form of recreation. It's much better than constantly playing on one's phone. Young lady, if you enjoy it, keep at it."
He Yao replied politely, "I'll keep that in mind, Manager Fu."
Xu Zheng quickly chimed in again, "Since Manager Fu doesn't have anyone to play chess with, how about my assistant plays a few rounds with you?"
"You're surely busy today, but how about we schedule it for the weekend? We'll choose the venue, and we hope Manager Fu will grace us with his presence."
Fu Qishan couldn't help but turn to look at Zhan Jingrui.
He thought to himself, "As expected of your old classmate, he's quite shrewd. To do business with Zhan Corporation, he's managed to steal the limelight in these few minutes. He has successfully captured my attention."
Zhan Jingrui saw amusement and a hint of approval in Fu Qishan's eyes as he looked at Xu Zheng.
He, enduring his last shred of patience, looked at Xu Zheng.
"I understand your desire to get acquainted with Manager Fu, but don't blow your own horn. Just because you know a few words and can make a few moves on the board doesn't mean Manager Fu will waste his time with you. Xu Zheng, do you know what you're saying?"
Xu Zheng appeared full of confidence, "If I didn't have the skill, I wouldn't dare to take on this task. Don't worry, Zhan Zong, I have it handled. So, Manager Fu, how about this Saturday?"
"Hahaha." Fu Qishan chuckled.
"It so happens that Manager Zhan and I are also planning a chess game. We haven't found a suitable venue yet. Since you're keen to host, I'll give you an opportunity."
"It'll be this Saturday. Choose a location and inform Zhan Zong. I'll have some fun playing with you youngsters."