41: Chapter 41 Strange, why aren't these two getting any chemistry?

The next day, Zhao Yang no longer went to Qingting with An Xin.

His mission as a liaison had been completed, and he continued to retreat behind the scenes, focusing on being a planner.

The matter at Qingting appeared to be nothing more than a perfectly normal business activity—a private enterprise undertaking an economic and cultural project for the Jinghai City government, with nothing suspicious about it.

Gao Qiqiang arrived, carrying a backpack containing the necessary Aptitude documents.

Zhao Yang went to the airport personally to pick him up.

After getting into the car, Zhao Yang dialed General Feng's number.

The call connected quickly, and General Feng's voice came through: "Little Zhao, has he arrived?"

"He has, we are at the airport."

"Go to the same place as last time; a comrade will be waiting for you. Just leave the loan matter to him."

"Is there anything we need to be aware of?"

"His surname is Qian. He might try to flatter you, but... I believe you can handle it."

"Alright, understood."

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Yang drove toward Zhongshan Park.

"Old Gao, how is the situation over there?"

Gao Qiqiang gathered his thoughts: "Zarova is currently in Ulan Country, and the connections have all been made. However, we need to be quick. The An-225 is fine, but the jurisdiction over the Tu-160 will no longer be with their unit next month. Once it is transferred, we will have to give up."

"Time is a bit tight, but it should be doable. Have you sent the people out?"

"They are leaving immediately. The people were borrowed from the Construction Group; they are all skilled old hands, and operating large equipment is no problem. They have short-term visas, valid for one month, and are going out under the guise of equipment maintenance personnel. Once there, we can hire some laborers locally; the manpower should be sufficient."

Zhao Yang nodded, then suddenly had a thought: "What do you think of Chen Shuting from the Construction Group?"

Gao Qiqiang was taken aback for a moment, then replied: "She is very supportive of our work here and hasn't asked too many questions. She is very astute, deep-thinking, decisive in her actions, and capable. The Construction Group is currently being managed by her in an orderly fashion."

Zhao Yang observed Gao Qiqiang, feeling a bit puzzled—they had clearly already met, so why was there no sign of a spark between them?

He smiled: "Old Gao, you're not young anymore, what do you think of Chen Shuting?"

Gao Qiqiang was stunned and quickly shook his head: "I won't hide it from you, Section Chief Zhao, I did have thoughts about it. But after interacting a few times, I gave up that idea."

"Are you put off by the fact that she has been married and has a child?"

"That's not it. She is a very good woman..." Gao Qiqiang scratched his hair, "I don't know how to describe that feeling; it's just that when I see her, it's like seeing myself. Although we can talk, there just isn't that kind of feeling."

Zhao Yang was stunned.

How strange, in the original show, you two were clearly supposed to be a couple!

However, upon second thought, it wasn't hard to understand.

Gao Qiqiang was sailing smoothly nowadays and hadn't experienced the hardships from the original show, so his mindset was naturally different.

And Chen Shuting was also from humble beginnings, with a temperament similar to Gao Qiqiang—two parallel lines, destined never to intersect.

"I was even thinking of playing matchmaker, but since you don't feel it, then forget it."

Chatting, they arrived at Zhongshan Park.

Zhao Yang walked in front of Gao Qiqiang, his expression arrogant, chin tilted toward the sky, looking every bit the second-generation heir who thought himself third only to heaven and earth.

Gao Qiqiang couldn't help but rub his eyes—this change of face was too fast!

Although he had questions, it wasn't the time to probe, so he could only follow silently.

Arriving under the thousand-year-old cypress tree where he had met General Feng last time, a slightly chubby, middle-aged man with a side-parted hairstyle ran over with a beaming smile: "This must be Young Master Yang! And this... must be President Gao."

Zhao Yang nodded, hands in his pockets: "Why choose a place like this? There's no place to park, making us walk a long way. By the way, what should I call you?"

"I am Qian Bugou from the trading firm. Young Master Yang can just call me Little Qian."

"Not enough money?" Zhao Yang gave a thumbs up, "A very realistic name—who would ever think they have enough money?"

"Pfft!" Gao Qiqiang really couldn't hold it back and laughed out loud.

Qian Bugou gave a dry laugh: "Young Master Yang, it's not the 'enough' as in 'enough money', it's the 'filth' as in 'impurity', meant to signify being free of dust and filth."

"Oh..." Zhao Yang patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Then you must be a person of high moral character. Let's go, let's attend to business first. No one will make things difficult for us, right?"

Qian Bugou specialized in securing loans and held a high position in the trading firm.

The persona Zhao Yang played was that of a mysterious second-generation high official, while Gao Qiqiang was his white glove.

This was a very typical setup for a second-generation heir to make money—using information asymmetry to trade goods; the path was legitimate.

Qian Bugou had handled quite a few related businesses and made a killing on loan rebates.

This time the loan amount was very large, so he was running around, working very hard.

Seeing him laughing so happily, Zhao Yang secretly found it amusing.

This fool had no idea that his every move was under the eyes of those above.

This kind of person was just livestock kept in captivity—allowed to steal a bite, but brought in to grind the mill when needed, and slaughtered for meat when the need arose for a feast.

It was estimated that after this job was finished, this guy wouldn't be far from wearing silver bracelets.

Seeing that Zhao Yang was driving a four-ringed car, Qian Bugou became even more enthusiastic.

In his view, only second-generation heirs who had reached a certain height would choose such a low-key car.

On the way to the trading firm, the flattery never stopped.

Seeing that Zhao Yang ignored him, he praised Gao Qiqiang, forcing Old Gao to blush from the compliments.

Qian Bugou busied himself running around until evening, and the procedures for the tens of millions in loans were finally completed.

With the financial strength of Qilan Investment, they could have handled it alone, but Zhao Yang did not want to expose his relationship with Qilan Investment too much, and this business was a hot potato; any company that handled it would need to be disposed of, so Qilan Investment could not get involved.

After finishing, Qian Bugou wanted to invite Zhao Yang and the other to go have fun at Heaven on Earth, but Zhao Yang ignored him, gave him a look as if he were an idiot, and dragged Gao Qiqiang away.

After the four-ringed car drove away, Qian Bugou spat: "Isn't it just relying on having a good father? What are you being arrogant about!"

Seeing Gao Qiqiang constantly digging at his ear, Zhao Yang couldn't help but laugh: "What's wrong, Old Gao, couldn't take it?"

Gao Qiqiang gave a wry smile: "I won't hide it from you, Section Chief Zhao, I just kept feeling like there was a mosquito buzzing next to my ear. That Qian Bugou, he talks too much."

"Indeed, it's a waste of talent for that guy not to go to the Deyun She. What do you want to eat?"

"Whatever you like, I'm fine with anything."

"There's a Donglaishun ahead, let's go for some hot pot. You haven't had it before, right?"

"I've heard it's a specialty of the Imperial Capital, but I've never tasted it."

The two sat at a square table.

The clear broth in the copper pot was boiling and rolling, and slices of lamb, as thin as cicada wings, were dropped into the pot, instantly turning from red to white, fluttering lightly in the rolling waves.

The two inhaled simultaneously—a rich, hot fragrance mixed with sesame paste and the scent of meat wafted into their nostrils.

"Old Gao, hurry up and eat, while the meat is tender." Zhao Yang smiled, "When I'm in the Imperial Capital, this is my favorite thing to eat."

"It's truly delicious!"

Gao Qiqiang's first bite was tentative, but then he began to feast, and soon sweat appeared on the tip of his nose.

While eating and chatting, Zhao Yang's phone rang.

He pressed the answer button, and An Xin's voice came through.

"Hello, Zhao Yang. I met with President Jiang of Qingting today, and the discussion went quite smoothly. However, there is a situation, and I need to hear your opinion."