123: Chapter 123 The Banquet

Chapter 121: The Banquet Arrangement

By the time Qiao Yichen drove back to Chuangxing Company, it was already four in the afternoon.

He didn't return to the Planning Department but went straight to Liu Yanran's office. He knocked a few times, but there was no sound from inside. He knocked twice more, still no answer.

After a moment's hesitation, he turned the doorknob and peeked inside; Liu Yanran was indeed not there.

He walked in, sat down on the sofa, and sent a message: "Yanran, I'm back. I'm in your office now."

After sending it, he put the phone aside and leaned against the back of the sofa, closing his eyes to rest for a few seconds.

His mind began to calculate the business at hand.

The dinner on Thursday had to be hosted. He needed to return the favor to Teacher Song Qixiu, and it was best to maintain the relationship with President Wu Guodong—it would only bring benefits. He also needed to meet with Zhou Huaiming—after all, he had paid cold hard cash for the cabinet, and since he was introduced by Teacher Song Qixiu, his presence would help the atmosphere.

Most importantly, he had to invite Teacher Song Qixiu. As long as he showed up, the other two would be much easier to handle.

He took a deep breath, picked up his phone, and dialed the first number.

The ringtone lasted for over ten seconds before the other side picked up.

"Hello?"

Qiao Yichen immediately sat up straight, his tone respectful: "Hello, Teacher Song Qixiu, this is Xiao Qiao. I'm not sure if it's convenient for you to take a call right now?"

Teacher Song Qixiu's voice was unhurried, carrying the tone of an elder: "Xiao Qiao, why are you looking for me?"

Qiao Yichen kept his posture very low, his tone sincere: "Teacher Song Qixiu, I'm calling you today mainly to thank you properly. Thanks to your help in introducing a buyer last time, that antique cabinet couldn't have been sold so quickly. I've been keeping this in mind and was thinking I really should treat you to a meal."

There was silence on the other end, as if waiting for him to continue.

Qiao Yichen continued: "The time is set for Thursday evening. I wonder if you're free? I know you're usually busy. If the time isn't right, we can change it. Please don't feel pressured."

After listening, Teacher Song Qixiu chuckled softly: "Xiao Qiao, there's no need to be so polite over such a small matter."

Qiao Yichen quickly followed up, his tone even more sincere: "It was a simple gesture for you, but it was a huge help to me. If you don't give me this chance, I'll really feel uneasy."

Teacher Song Qixiu pondered for a few seconds before finally relenting: "Alright then, I'll clear my schedule for Thursday evening."

Qiao Yichen's eyes lit up, and he thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you so much, Teacher Song Qixiu. I'll send the restaurant address and time to your phone later."

"Okay," Teacher Song Qixiu replied and hung up.

Qiao Yichen put down his phone and let out a long breath.

Talking to Teacher Song Qixiu was indeed mentally draining. Every sentence had to be weighed, the posture kept low, the words concise, and yet perfectly measured.

But now that the most important call was done, the rest would be much easier.

He adjusted his breathing and began to dial the second number.

This time, he called President Wu Guodong.

Speaking of which, the two had only met once and spoken on the phone a few times. Their relationship wasn't very close, relying entirely on the favor from when he helped Wu's daughter out of a jam. Otherwise, it wouldn't be easy to get in touch with a local renovation boss like him.

However, that favor was later used to enter the Private Negotiation Fair—President Wu Guodong had helped bridge the connection to Teacher Song Qixiu. Back and forth, they were now even.

The call connected, and a hearty laugh came from the other end: "Xiao Qiao? What made you think of calling me?"

Qiao Yichen smiled as well and didn't beat around the bush: "President Wu, I'm calling today mainly to invite you to a casual dinner at Guiyu Shanfang on Thursday evening. I wonder if you have time?"

President Wu Guodong asked with interest: "Oh? Why did you suddenly think of treating me to dinner?"

Qiao Yichen said with a smile: "When I received your call last week, I realized I was in the wrong. The company has been busy, and I haven't had the chance to invite you for tea. I want to take this opportunity to properly make it up to you."

He paused and added: "By the way, Teacher Song Qixiu has also agreed to come. If you have time, you must come."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

Qiao Yichen didn't rush him and waited quietly.

After a moment, President Wu Guodong spoke, his tone a bit more serious than before: "Teacher Song Qixiu is going too?"

"Yes, he's already agreed."

"Alright," President Wu Guodong agreed readily. "Then I'll head over Thursday evening."

Qiao Yichen quickly thanked him: "Great, President Wu. I won't disturb you further. I'll send you the address later."

After hanging up, he leaned back and let out another long sigh.

Just as he hung up, he looked up and found Liu Yanran standing at the door at some point.

Qiao Yichen was startled for a moment and sat up from the sofa: "Yanran? When did you get back?"

Liu Yanran walked in, placed the folder in her hand on the desk, and glanced at him: "Just a few minutes ago. I saw you were on the phone, so I didn't say anything." She sat down in her office chair and looked up at him. "So, were you just inviting people?"

Qiao Yichen nodded, stood up from the sofa, and walked to the opposite side of her desk: "Yes, for the gathering on Thursday evening. I just finished two calls."

Liu Yanran asked: "Who did you invite?"

"The first was to Teacher Song Qixiu, the one you just heard," Qiao Yichen said. "The second was to President Wu, the owner of a local renovation company."

Liu Yanran looked at him: "It seems both of them agreed?"

"Yes." Qiao Yichen nodded, his tone carrying a hint of relief. "I called Teacher Song Qixiu first. Once he relented, the rest was easy."

Liu Yanran nodded and began organizing the documents on her desk, saying casually: "That's good then."

Qiao Yichen leaned against the edge of the desk and added: "I'll make one more call to the person who bought my antique cabinet last week, Zhou Huaiming. He was introduced by Teacher Song Qixiu."

Liu Yanran nodded, made a "please" gesture, and lowered her head to continue her work.

Qiao Yichen dialed the third number.

This time it rang for a long time, only connecting when it was about to hang up automatically.

A slightly unfamiliar voice came from the other end, sounding puzzled: "Hello? Who is this?"

Qiao Yichen wasn't surprised—after all, they had only met a few times and weren't close. It was normal that the other party hadn't saved his number.

"Hello, Teacher Zhou, I'm Qiao Yichen. The one who sold the antique cabinet last week, do you remember?"

Zhou Huaiming was stunned for a moment, then realized, his tone becoming warmer: "Oh, Mr. Qiao! I remember now, I remember. What's up? Is something the matter?"

Qiao Yichen said with a smile: "Nothing major. I just wanted to invite you to dinner on Thursday evening. I've also invited Teacher Song Qixiu this time. Since you were introduced by Teacher Song Qixiu, even though we aren't that close yet, there shouldn't be a problem with having a meal together to get to know each other, right?"

When Zhou Huaiming heard that Teacher Song Qixiu was also coming, his tone became significantly more serious as he pressed: "Teacher Song Qixiu is going too?"

"Yes, he's already agreed."

Zhou Huaiming asked again: "Who else?"

Qiao Yichen spoke truthfully: "There's also President Wu, President Wu Guodong, and my girlfriend. Five people in total."

Zhou Huaiming pondered for two seconds and didn't hesitate much: "Alright, then I'll head over on Thursday evening."

Qiao Yichen exchanged a few more pleasantries before hanging up.

After finishing the three calls, Qiao Yichen leaned back on the sofa, opened his phone, and sent the restaurant address, time, and participants for Thursday to the three of them.

After sending them, he slumped back and lay flat on the sofa, completely relaxing.

Talking to these old foxes required weighing every single word; it was more exhausting than a whole day of meetings.

Liu Yanran looked up at him, didn't say anything, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Qiao Yichen just lay there, staring at the ceiling in a daze. The office was very quiet, with only the occasional sound of Liu Yanran typing and the sound of fine rain outside.

Time slowly passed, and in a flash, it was time to get off work.

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