Qin Xi frowned slightly. She didn't have any young acquaintances from the past—and even if she did, they would be women. Yet, the person the secretary mentioned was clearly a man.
"Let him in," Qin Xi said after a brief moment of thought. She wanted to see who would dare impersonate an old friend of hers and claim to have an appointment to discuss business.
Soon, the secretary led in a vaguely familiar figure.
"President Qin, we meet again," the young man said with a warm smile as he saw Qin Xi.
"So, it's you—pretending to be an old friend of mine and lying to my secretary about having an appointment to discuss business?" Qin Xi questioned, her face filled with displeasure.
She had seen the man twice before: once when she and Yang Chen went to the Qin Group to sign a contract, and the second time last night at Su Ji Restaurant.
To Qin Xi, unimportant people weren't worth a second glance, so even now, she didn't know his name.
The man smiled. "President Qin, I came to your company today precisely to discuss business. Please don't misunderstand."
Hearing that he was indeed here for business, Qin Xi's anger subsided slightly, and she felt a little awkward. "My apologies. May I ask your name?"
"Yang Wei. 'Yang' as in the poplar tree, and 'Wei' as in majestic," he replied, exuding the demeanor of a refined gentleman.
There was no denying that Yang Wei appeared to be a cultured and elegant young man—at least on the surface. At the moment, he didn't overstep any boundaries, and his gaze when looking at Qin Xi was clear and respectful.
"What kind of cooperation are you proposing?" Qin Xi asked coolly.
"President Qin must be aware of Chenghe Group from Zhoucheng. It's one of our Yang family's enterprises. Recently, we've gradually begun expanding into Jiangzhou's market. However, given that the Yang family is a first-tier family in Zhoucheng, our current progress in Jiangzhou doesn't align with our status. Therefore, we need a partner whose strength matches ours." Though Yang Wei's tone was humble, his words subtly emphasized the Yang family's power.
Initially, Qin Xi had been somewhat interested when he mentioned cooperation, but after sensing the arrogance in his words, her interest waned.
"So, you believe Sanhe Group is a match for the Yang family's status?" Qin Xi asked.
Yang Wei smiled proudly. "In my eyes, Sanhe Group's standing in Jiangzhou isn't particularly high. But that's fine. Once the Yang family collaborates with Sanhe Group, your company's status will undoubtedly rise."
"From what you're saying, a partnership with an out-of-town first-tier family's company would bring us greater benefits than a partnership with Yan Chen Group, a nationally renowned enterprise?" Qin Xi narrowed her eyes.
Yang Wei had come to Jiangzhou primarily to expand the market. While discussing business with Qin Xi was one goal, his main purpose was to get closer to her.
He didn't know much about Sanhe Group's current situation.
"Of course not. Yan Chen Group is a well-known enterprise nationwide, and even globally, its ranking is impressive. Not to mention, it's backed by the宇文 family, one of the eight great families of Yanjing. Our Yang family can't compare," Yang Wei admitted with self-awareness.
Qin Xi smirked coldly. "Since you're aware of that, you should also know that Sanhe Group is already collaborating with Yan Chen Group. On top of that, we're also working with the Su family, the wealthiest in Jiangzhou. Do you really think an out-of-town family enterprise is qualified to partner with us?"
Yang Wei's expression finally shifted. He had only known that a few weeks ago, Sanhe Group was still part of the Qin family's assets. It had never crossed his mind that Sanhe Group could establish ties with Yan Chen Group.
"President Qin, more friends mean more opportunities. Though Yan Chen Group and the Su family are strong, the Yang family isn't weak either. Partnering with us could make Sanhe Group even more formidable. There's still value in our cooperation."
Yang Wei still wanted to secure the deal. The Yang family's efforts in Jiangzhou had been met with setbacks. Previously, his sister and brother-in-law had approached Yan Chen Group for collaboration, but for some unknown reason, the initially willing Yan Chen Group suddenly rejected the proposal.
Because of this, the family had sent him to Jiangzhou to open up the market. However, after arriving, he had approached several top-tier influential families, only to be turned down each time.
Left with no choice, he had settled for first securing a partnership with the Qin family. Now, he was trying to leverage his connection with Qin Xi to collaborate with Sanhe Group.
After a brief consideration, Qin Xi responded, "A partnership with the Yang family is a significant matter. I'll report it to the chairman. If we decide to proceed, I'll contact you."
"Very well. In that case, I won't say more. I'll await your good news," Yang Wei said with a smile, standing up and leaving behind a business card before walking out.
As soon as Yang Wei left, Qin Xi called Yang Chen and relayed the situation.
Yang Chen's response was brief: "Reject."
Though she didn't understand why Yang Chen refused to collaborate with the Yang family, Qin Xi knew that he was Sanhe Group's chairman. She picked up Yang Wei's business card and tossed it into the trash.
After work, Yang Chen came to pick up Qin Xi again. On their way to the kindergarten, he suddenly said, "If that guy dares to show up at Sanhe Group again, just have him thrown out."
Qin Xi was momentarily confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"Yang Wei, the one who came to discuss business with you today. He's no good—he's ruined many women in Zhoucheng. 'Business talks' are just an excuse to get close to you," Yang Chen said flatly.
"Really?" Qin Xi looked surprised, then asked curiously, "How do you know so much about him?"
"Do you remember that guy Xiao Yi had a crush on in college?" Yang Chen asked.
"She really liked him back then, but later, the jerk tried to trick her into going to a hotel. When she refused, the next day, she saw him walking out of a hotel hand-in-hand with another woman."
Qin Xi nodded. "How do you know about this?"
Yang Chen smiled. "Last time Xiao Yi treated me to a meal, we ran into that guy. Turns out, he's now the husband of Yang Wei's younger sister."
After Yang Chen recounted the incident, Qin Xi was furious. "He actually insulted my sister? Forget about working with us—no way!"
At a large entertainment venue in Jiangzhou—Nightless City—
Yang Wei had just stepped out of the parking lot when he suddenly sneezed. "Damn it, who's cursing me?"
"Brother Yang!" A meticulously dressed young woman waved at him eagerly from the entrance.
"Why did you suddenly want to bring me here?" Yang Wei asked as he approached.
"Last time, you said that if I could get either Qin Xi or Qin Yi into your bed, you'd marry me, right?" Fang Yue suddenly asked.
Yang Wei's heart burned with desire as he recalled seeing Qin Xi at Sanhe Group earlier.
"I did promise you that, but it's been days, and you still haven't delivered," Yang Wei said with a cold laugh.
"Tonight, just sit back and enjoy both of them," Fang Yue said with a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with excitement at the thought of marrying into the Yang family.