"Grandma said you insisted on marrying into Qingcheng back then. If you had listened to her and stayed in Haicheng, with the Ming family backing you, you certainly wouldn't have to endure this kind of treatment."
Qin He chuckled, "But then I wouldn't be here, would I?"
After a brief chat, there was a knock on Qin He's office door.
Yu Jing stood outside, "President Qin, the implementation team has a new plan for the construction of those ancestral halls. President Gu is asking you to join him to hear it."
Qin He stood up, "I'm coming."
She turned to Ming Xue and instructed, "Stay in the office and don't wander around, understand?"
Seeing Ming Xue nod her head obediently, Qin He was still a little uneasy, "Yu Jing, please keep an eye on her for me."
Yu Jing acknowledged.
As Qin He left, Ming Xue's eager gaze shifted to Yu Jing.
"Are you... that Gu Qichen's assistant?"
Yu Jing nodded, "Yes, Miss Ming."
As the little tyrant of Haicheng, Ming Xue feared only her father and her cousin Qin He. Now that Qin He was gone, she feared no one. She stood up and circled Yu Jing.
"So, do you know a lot about Gu Qichen and my sister? Tell me!"
Yu Jing's expression turned serious, "Miss Ming, that concerns the privacy of President Gu and President Qin—"
Qin He had already arrived in the conference room. The joint implementation team of Gu Corporation and Qin Corporation rose as soon as they saw her.
Qin He's seat was next to Gu Qichen's. She walked over and sat down, then turned to greet him, "President Gu."
Gu Qichen looked over, his gaze deep.
Qin He frowned slightly, always feeling that this man's gaze was a bit strange today.
The implementation team spoke, and Qin He listened to the plan.
Ultimately, it was still necessary for the United Department to compromise. The families knew the general trend; the ancestral halls would have to be relocated.
"They are united in demanding two hundred million in compensation?" Qin He's expression turned icy, "And they want us to build a new ancestral hall in a designated location?"
The designated location was particularly excessive, a prime piece of real estate within a scenic spot in Qingcheng.
Qin He said with a cold face, "Is this the plan you've discussed? Do you agree?"
"President Qin, if we don't agree, there are no other options. If these families refuse to move, we cannot proceed with the subsequent construction. The daily cost of delays is not small."
Qin He looked at the document, "You can only agree to one of these two conditions. For the rest, you figure out a way."
Then, she looked at everyone, "If anyone can resolve this matter, they will receive a bonus of one million yuan."
With such a generous reward, the previously glum implementation team immediately perked up.
Gu Qichen added from the side, "No forceful methods are to be used."
After discussing a few more plans, everyone left. Qin He stood up, intending to return.
"President Gu, I'll be heading back now."
"Gu Qichen." Gu Qichen looked up at Qin He, "We're old acquaintances, no need to be so formal."
Qin He frowned slightly, not understanding his intentions, "It's better to maintain a more formal tone during work."
After speaking, she asked, "How is Grandma Gu? Did you check the surveillance footage of the old house like I asked?"
Gu Qichen's expression turned grim. He grunted, "The caregivers have already been changed."
Qin He was finally relieved, "I'll visit Grandma Gu this weekend. I'm leaving now."
The two left the conference room one after the other.
When they reached the office door, they saw Yu Jing standing there with a pained expression, while Ming Xue was pulling on his clothes, pestering him.
"And then, after my cousin and Gu Qichen divorced?"
Upon seeing Gu Qichen, Yu Jing approached him like a savior, "President Gu!"
Qin He called out to Ming Xue, "Ming Xue, come here!"
Yu Jing looked at the girl in horror as she transformed into a well-behaved child in an instant, sighing in amazement at how relentless Miss Ming was.
He had initially intended to keep his mouth shut and never utter a word, no matter how much Miss Ming tried to coax or threaten him.
However, Ming Xue was always able to pick out loopholes from his answers, like peeling back layers of an onion.
"This is my cousin, Ming Xue. It seems she's been troubling Assistant Yu quite a bit. I apologize," Qin He said with a faint smile.
Gu Qichen glanced at Ming Xue. Seeing that she was looking at him with disdain, she snorted and turned her head away when he met her gaze.
"Your sister is very cute." Gu Qichen turned back to his office, "Yu Jing, come in."
Yu Jing, looking miserable, followed him back into Gu Qichen's office.
By the time work ended in the afternoon, Qin He was leaving the joint department with Ming Xue.
She drove towards the hospital, with Ming Xue in the passenger seat, sucking on a lollipop.
"I went to see my cousin. Cousin, the Miss Xu who's taking care of him seems to have an unusual relationship with him. Are they boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Qin He's lips curved into a slight smile, "Not yet."
The car arrived at the hospital, and the two went to Qin Yun's ward.
Unexpectedly, Lu Mingxi was also there. Upon seeing Qin He, he immediately walked over solicitously, "Little Kitten is here."
Ming Xue happily called out, "Brother Lu!"
After spending some time in the ward, Qin He noticed Xu Wanwan was not there and asked Qin Yun, "Where's Wanwan?"
Qin Yun looked a little sheepish, "She had a family matter today and didn't come."
"What matter?"
But Qin Yun refused to say anything.
Qin He narrowed her eyes and turned to Lu Mingxi.
Lu Mingxi spread his hands, "Don't look at me, I don't know either. When I arrived, I just saw Miss Xu storming out."
Had they quarreled?
Qin He had a rough idea.
When leaving the hospital, Lu Mingxi volunteered to stay and look after Qin Yun for the night.
Qin He first took Ming Xue back to her place, then sat in the car and called Xu Wanwan.
"Wanwan, what are you doing?" Qin He asked tentatively.
Xu Wanwan's voice was slightly hoarse, "Just getting ready to sleep."
"It's not even nine o'clock yet, when did you become so disciplined?" Qin He chuckled, "What's wrong, did my brother bully you? Lu Mingxi said you stormed out."
A voice gritted with teeth came from the other end of the phone, "Your brother is a beast!"
Qin He's heart skipped a beat, "What happened, tell me."
"My father arranged a blind date for me, and your brother said I should go!" Xu Wanwan was extremely angry.
Qin He's brows furrowed tightly.
She had been visiting her brother every evening recently and had a good idea of the relationship between Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan.
However, Qin He understood her brother's personality very well. Qin Yun appeared carefree on the surface, but he was actually a man with strong possessiveness.
If he liked Xu Wanwan, why would he send her on a blind date?
Qin He narrowed her eyes, "So, are you really going on that blind date tomorrow?"
"What else can I do if I don't go? You know how many blind dates my family has arranged for me over the past two years. My father said if I dare to run away halfway again, he'll break my legs!" Xu Wanwan's indignant voice lowered.
"If he breaks my legs, I won't be able to help you and look after your brother."
Hmm...
A smile appeared on Qin He's face, "So, what are your plans now?"
"I didn't have any plans, but now I do." Xu Wanwan's voice was mischievous, "Tomorrow, I'll go and look after your brother for you, and you go on the blind date for me, how about it?"
"Not good!" Qin He's mouth twitched.
She had always thought that the relationship between Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan was just a thin veil away from being fully realized.
Just needing a little nudge to break through.
But now, it seemed that was not the case.
Under persistent bombardment, Qin He finally had to agree.
But she also became more curious as to why her brother was pushing away the woman he liked.
Was he stupid?!