Chapter 141: Interest

In the days that followed, Fu Wenzhou called much less often, while Song Qingyou was busy on her end as well.

It was as though their communication had abruptly been severed.

Only after she finished dealing with the Song Group’s financing did she realize that more than half a month had passed since Fu Wenzhou left on his business trip.

That evening, after returning home, Song Qingyou sent him a message.

You: When are you coming back?

After sending it, Song Qingyou went to take a shower.

When she emerged, the chat window was still frozen on the line she had sent. There was nothing beneath it—not even a reply.

A faint unease stirred within her. Fu Wenzhou had never taken more than three minutes to respond to her messages.

Without hesitation, she started a video call.

It took two attempts before the other end answered, but the person on the screen was not the one Song Qingyou wanted to see.

“President Fu is already asleep,” Fu Nan said. “Madam, is there something you need?”

Song Qingyou frowned. “Why is Fu Wenzhou’s phone with you? Are you sleeping in the same room?”

“Yes. It’s a suite.”

Remembering that Fu Nan was Fu Wenzhou’s bodyguard, and that overseas travel was far less safe than staying in the country, Song Qingyou decided that having him provide close protection was perfectly reasonable. She asked no further questions and merely said, “Could you turn the camera toward him?”

Fu Nan paused for two seconds before replying, “Of course.”

The image on the screen wavered, and the camera was turned around.

For two or three unsteady seconds, the scene flashed past. The room appeared to be shrouded in darkness, but within that darkness Song Qingyou caught sight of a figure lying on the bed.

Tall and lean, with deep-set, cold, sharply defined features.

It was him.

His mullet seemed to have grown a little longer, though.

Song Qingyou made a mental note to take him for a haircut when he returned.

Seeing him eased her worries considerably. Afraid of waking Fu Wenzhou, she deliberately lowered her voice. “Have you been very busy lately?”

“Yes,” Fu Nan replied.

Song Qingyou nodded and ended the call.

She raised a hand and rubbed the space between her brows. She had nearly forgotten that Fu Wenzhou was not idle at all. He was the president of the Fu Group and the current head of the Fu family. His life was no easier than hers.

Song Qingyou crouched down and gently poked Zhouzhou on the head, murmuring softly, “Spring is almost here. Why hasn’t your master come back yet?”

With Fu Wenzhou away, Song Qingyou began suffering from insomnia again. Clutching a medical book and carrying the cat, she walked over to the rattan chair and lay down. She ended up making do there for the entire night.

The next morning, Song Qingyou woke feeling as though every bone in her body ached, as if she had been run over by a car. She immediately regretted sleeping in the recliner.

For once, she had no choice but to take half a day off. She slept in bed until noon, and only then did the soreness ease enough for her to force herself to go to work.

What Song Qingyou had not expected was to find an uninvited guest waiting in her office.

The moment she saw Jiang Xun, Song Qingyou thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. She rubbed her temples and looked up again, only to find that Jiang Xun’s cold, striking face, with its hint of an enigmatic smile, had not vanished.

Only then did she confirm that it really was Jiang Xun.

Leaning against her desk with her arms folded, Jiang Xun curved her lips into a smile. “Miss Song… No, I should call you President Song now.”

“How did you get up here without an appointment?” Song Qingyou asked, pressing her lips together.

Jiang Xun raised an eyebrow. “Is the name of the Jiang family of Binhai not enough to get me through the door?”

Song Qingyou’s brows drew together slightly, her expression indifferent. She walked over and picked up the desk phone.

“I remember telling all of you on my very first day at the Song Group that no matter who it was, anyone coming up to the top floor had to report to me in advance. If it happens again, resign on your own.”

After watching Song Qingyou hang up, Jiang Xun clicked her tongue. “Is that really necessary?”

Song Qingyou lifted her eyes coolly. “What do you want?”

Jiang Xun had come to discuss a partnership. She immediately handed over a file.

“Your words before the New Year changed my father’s mind. He’s decided to expand the family business into the capital, and I’m in charge of the project. This is the proposal. You can look it over first.”

Song Qingyou opened the file and turned a page, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

In just a few short months, the Jiang family had already built an extensive network in the capital. They truly were the dominant force in Binhai.

Jiang Xun’s proposal was extremely detailed, and Song Qingyou had to admit that she was tempted.

Closing the file, Song Qingyou said, “I can work with you to take over the new development project at Seaview Bay, but some parts of this proposal may need to be revised.”

“How?” Jiang Xun asked. She displayed considerable sincerity toward the partnership. “Anything within my power is negotiable.”

Song Qingyou’s voice was calm. “I have no objection to your taking sixty percent of the profits, but the development rights must belong to the Song Group.”

Jiang Xun narrowed her eyes and smiled without warmth. “President Song, isn’t that a little excessive? We may be taking sixty percent, but we’re also putting up a substantial amount of money. If you take the development rights as well, what exactly are we supposed to do?”

“You came to me not only because your newly established company would face risks trying to take that parcel of land on its own,” Song Qingyou replied, “but also because the amusement park and five-star hotel nearby belong to the Song Group. You want to develop a tourist attraction there and create a joint venture with the amusement park and hotel.”

Jiang Xun fell silent for a long while, then suddenly laughed.

“Song Qingyou, you really are… making me see you in a new light.”

Song Qingyou’s expression remained unchanged. “You can think it over. You only need to give me an answer before the bidding begins.”

“No need.” Jiang Xun said, “I agree.”

Song Qingyou was somewhat surprised that she had agreed so quickly.

Jiang Xun seemed to notice the doubt in her eyes and shrugged. “Why bother overthinking it? As long as there’s money to be made, isn’t that enough?”

The contract was signed with astonishing speed. Neither of them was fond of beating around the bush or dragging things out. Once the terms were settled, they signed immediately.

Just before leaving, Jiang Xun suddenly asked, “Where’s that clingy large dog of yours?”

Song Qingyou’s pen paused. “On a business trip.”

Jiang Xun gave her a meaningful look. “Would you like to hear something?”

“I’m not interested.”

“Oh?” Jiang Xun drawled. “Not interested even if it concerns Fu Wenzhou?”

Song Qingyou’s eyes snapped up. “What happened to him?”

Jiang Xun shook her head with a laugh. “I thought you were truly some celestial being untouched by worldly concerns. Turns out you have exceptions after all.”

Song Qingyou’s brows knitted tightly. “Are you going to tell me or not?”

Jiang Xun clicked her tongue. “A few days ago, I went to the black market. I was looking for someone, but I happened to hear a few things about Fu Wenzhou. Apparently, he bought a shotgun from the black market in Country M. Then, to avoid airport security checks, he took a ship across the Mobius Strait and eventually made his way to Country Y.”

After a pause, Jiang Xun looked at Song Qingyou. “I only heard this secondhand, so I don’t know whether it’s true. You’ll have to decide for yourself.”