Chapter 326: Chapter 326

"Let’s have another drink; this one is my apology. The comment I made earlier was out of line. What I should have said is that I’m truly looking forward to working with you! But, of course, this will depend on Director Hua’s performance tomorrow," Qi Longbing said with a smile.

Is she familiar or strange? Or does she just ignite my thoughts even more now? He couldn’t articulate it clearly, but he felt his enthusiasm rekindled by her presence.

Hua Xiaomo listened to his words, a mix of emotions undoubtedly churning within her. My ’performance’? What does he mean? What else could he possibly want?

Our company doesn’t absolutely need the Qi Imperial Court, she thought. How I wish I could just tell him that directly!

However, considering their company’s impending IPO in City A, she had to tread carefully. It wasn’t a matter of capriciously deciding not to cooperate. Moreover, she was no longer a teenage girl; she was now a mature mother, a mature female entrepreneur. She had to consider issues comprehensively, from every angle.

"I don’t quite understand what you mean, President Qi. Just state your conditions directly. If they can facilitate our cooperation project, I believe my company and I will fulfill your requirements to the greatest extent possible," Hua Xiaomo said, looking at Qi Longbing. A hint of light flickered in his eyes.

Unbeknownst to her, this was precisely what he longed to hear.

Qi Longbing smiled as he looked at her, his blue eyes reflecting her image. "Fulfill my requirements to the greatest extent, President Hua? Those are your words."

Qi Longbing walked over with a glass in hand and suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder.

Hua Xiaomo reflexively pushed him away, accidentally spilling the drink from her glass onto his clothes.

Qi Longbing frowned and asked, "Director Hua, what is the meaning of this?"

"I..." Hua Xiaomo hesitated, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

Yet, she still didn’t want to spoil their relationship. It could affect the cooperation between the two companies and complicate their IPO.

This Qi Longbing is so annoying! What does he really want? Hua Xiaomo suddenly felt that securing this cooperation might not be so straightforward after all.

Qi Longbing continued smiling at her, then suddenly took the glass from her hand and drank from it. Updates are released by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥

"President Hua, we can indeed cooperate, but it requires tangible commitments from you. Do you understand what I mean?" Qi Longbing gazed into her eyes, still as captivating as they were five years ago.

And the body wrapped inside that suit jacket is likely just as memorable! he thought.

Hua Xiaomo’s face reddened as she regarded him. "Tangible commitments? What do you mean?"

"Don’t you understand? You’ve been in business for more than just a year or two, haven’t you? As far as I know, your company has survived over three years in B4 and has become a leader in the industry. You must have effective management methods. So, I believe you understand this aspect of business quite well," Qi Longbing said, looking at her with a smile, a hint of malice playing on his cheeks.

Hua Xiaomo frowned, looking at him. I don’t understand what he means, she thought. But she had a bad feeling that the cooperation might fall through this time.

Hua Xiaomo quickly stood up and, without saying a word, headed towards the doorway.

But Qi Longbing’s voice rang out from behind her.

"Tomorrow, come to my house. Join me for a meal, and perhaps I can consider cooperating with your company," Qi Longbing said after downing a glass of wine, the smile on his face even brighter.

Hua Xiaomo paused, then quickly pushed the door open and walked out. This feeling is really annoying. So, he still has designs on me, she fumed internally.

Hasn’t he already gotten engaged? Why is he still doing this, especially after I told him I have a boyfriend? Is there any point to this entanglement? Why does it have to continue? she wondered, frustrated.

Soon, people outside saw her emerge, and Wen Yajun quickly approached.

"Xiao Mo, you’re out! How did your talk with President Qi go?" Wen Yajun asked, looking at Hua Xiaomo and noticing her complexion seemed a bit off.

Hua Xiaomo looked up at Wen Yajun. She wanted to tell him something, but she just couldn’t bring herself to say it. After all, he’s from the Qi Imperial Court, not someone on my side.

"It was nothing much. I’m a bit tired, so I’m going to go back and rest," Hua Xiaomo said and hurriedly left the venue.

"Let me see you downstairs," Wen Yajun said, swiftly fetching a suit jacket and following Hua Xiaomo.

Once Hua Xiaomo was in Wen Yajun’s car, it was a while before she finally burst out.

"I really don’t know what Qi Longbing is trying to do! This cooperation... I see no way to accomplish it," Hua Xiaomo vented as soon as she got into the car.

Wen Yajun looked at her, her expression somber. "What did President Qi say to you?"

"He wants me to go to his house for dinner," Xiao Mo said. As soon as she finished, she felt something was off with her tone. Or perhaps it wasn’t my tone that was off, but the person who said it. If Qi Longbing had said those words, the feeling would be entirely different—it would carry an inherently evil nature. Xiao Mo didn’t even need to think to guess his intentions.

But if cooperation could only be achieved by selling her body, she would rather not. To this day, do I, Hua Xiaomo, still need to stoop so low as to sell myself? No, absolutely not! I never have before, and I certainly won’t start now!

Wen Yajun looked at Hua Xiaomo and suddenly smiled. "What’s the big deal? You’re just going to his house for a meal. What’s there to worry about? Just go."

Hua Xiaomo looked at Wen Yajun, her teeth clenched from anger. "Are you really siding with an outsider against your own family? Wen Yajun, you’re my own brother! How can you side with Qi Longbing? I know what that guy is thinking. He just wants to take advantage of me!"

Wen Yajun looked at Hua Xiaomo, pondered for a moment, then said, "Xiao Mo, you’re not getting any younger. Why don’t you consider your own happiness for a change? Why do you think President Qi said those things to you?"

"Why he said those things to me? I don’t want to think about it. He’s engaged already, practically a married man. I don’t want to be called a homewrecker," Hua Xiaomo said quickly. These complicated relationships... I can’t deal with them. I’ll avoid them as much as possible, she resolved.

"What homewrecker? You’re getting more and more ridiculous. Haven’t you thought it through? He’s only engaged; he has never married. Do you know why he hasn’t married? Fool, he’s waiting for you! Can’t you see it even now?" Wen Yajun said, shaking his head. Then, he sped off, driving the car as if it were flying.