Limited-Time Attachment - Chapter 38

The Italian restaurant was located on the north side of a new street, boasting an impressive exterior and ambiance.

A faint fragrance of flowers drifted through the air, and the air conditioning was set to a perfect temperature. In a corner of the grand hall, a pianist sat at a grand piano on a circular low platform. Warm, yellowish light spilled from the ceiling, reflecting off the black-gold mirrored walls, casting the entire restaurant in a heavy, tranquil atmosphere.

A handsome young man occupied the best table in the restaurant, sitting opposite a middle-aged man of average appearance.

The middle-aged man had flat facial bones, dark skin, and blunt features, distinct Southeast Asian characteristics. Even though his clothing and accessories were top-tier and styled according to the latest trends for “sophisticated gentlemen,” he still exuded an undeniable air of a nouveau riche “tuhao.”

Furthermore, his expression at this moment was incredibly arrogant and condescending. His lack of inner substance was made even more apparent by this first impression.

“The quality of nickel mines in Country F has long had a great reputation, they are among the best in the world. However, the international situation has been fluctuating quite a bit lately, and exchange rates for many currencies are volatile. I see that domestic orders seem to have been affected,” the young man said with a friendly smile.

The middle-aged man dismissed this with indifference, his attitude slight: “This kind of impact is nothing to the mining industry. No matter how the market fluctuates, rare minerals are a fundamental necessity for development. Any commodity can face stagnation, but not minerals.”

“…That is true. No matter where you are, holding a mine is no different from holding a mountain of gold,” the young man agreed.

The table was set for four. The appetizers had not yet been served, and the two men were merely chatting.

If one looked closely, the younger man bore a slight resemblance to Zhou Jibai from certain angles.

Zhong Hexuan. Zhou Jibai’s paternal half-brother and Zhong Xingzhou’s elder brother, probed with hidden meaning: “The domestic market is developing steadily now with huge demand. Does Mr. Chen not consider continuing to expand his business within the country?”

The shrewd Southeast Asian Chinese tycoon and mine owner glanced at Zhong Hexuan, refusing to take the bait. He shifted the topic back smoothly: “Opening up the market is naturally ideal, but business is all about timing.”

A flash of light crossed Zhong Hexuan’s eyes, and he smiled with a hint of refined elegance: “The current situation is indeed not very favorable, but that is the general environment. If the domestic market is hard to push into, other places will only be worse. Besides, the Zhong family has been in international trade for a long time and is very familiar with the market. Once our families are joined by marriage, I’ll have to call you ‘Brother-in-law.’ With the Zhong family’s guarantee, are you still afraid of not finding the right timing?”

At the mention of “marriage,” interest finally sparked on Chen Shengrong’s face. He lightly toyed with a wine glass on the table: “Family is naturally trustworthy. If we become one family, what concerns would I have left? But…”

Chen Shengrong paused. Zhong Hexuan immediately pressed: “But what?”

Chen Shengrong’s sun darkened eyelids drooped, hiding the malicious calculation in his eyes.

Zhou Jibai’s beauty was beyond doubt; no man would not lust after her.

But she was too beautiful, that dazzling radiance would undoubtedly attract the covetous eyes of many. A man like Chen Shengrong, willing to pay the price of a mine for a woman, didn’t want her to continue dressing in an alluring way to seduce other men. He wanted her to become his absolute property, wearing only what he allowed and doing only what he permitted, devoting herself entirely to pleasing him.

The first time Chen Shengrong met Zhou Jibai was at a joint business banquet. That seductive face had been cold, and despite her stunning charm, she looked as though she couldn’t be bothered with anyone. From that moment, shattering Zhou Jibai’s lofty self-esteem and turning her into a plaything crawling at his feet became Chen Shengrong’s new goal.

“I hope my future wife can be a law-abiding, virtuous wife and mother,” Chen Shengrong looked back at Zhong Hexuan, showing a troubled and helpless smile, “Rather than a woman who… frequents various cocktail parties and interacts with different men.”

Zhong Hexuan frowned slightly: “You mean you want her to return to the family entirely?”

Chen Shengrong smiled without speaking. His heavy lips didn’t make him look sincere or reliable; instead, they felt inexplicably sinister.

Zhong Hexuan had thought he had some difficult demand, but now he felt a wave of relief and even a bit of secret joy.

Zhou Jibai was difficult to deal with as it was. Zhong Hexuan had been worried that a mere marriage wouldn’t be enough to completely kick her out of the Zhong Corporation. Chen Shengrong’s plan suited him perfectly.

As for what happened to Zhou Jibai, why should he care?

Zhong Hexuan laughed brightly: “But of course. My sister is just young, but she will learn to be obedient later. She just needs a little time.”

Chen Shengrong nodded, showing a seemingly kind and understanding smile: “Of course, Miss Jibai is a very outstanding woman. Although she has some shortcomings, I believe she can certainly become a praiseworthy wife.”

Zhong Hexuan and he exchanged a glance, smiling in mutual understanding.

Suddenly, Chen Shengrong looked up: “Oh, she’s here.”

A slender, graceful, and beautiful woman walked in from the foyer. Her footsteps paused slightly after crossing two steps. A waiter approached and whispered a few words, gesturing toward Zhong Hexuan’s table.

The woman looked in the direction the waiter pointed. Her breathtakingly beautiful face was cold, and her light brown eyes were calm as they swept over Zhong Hexuan and Chen Shengrong.

“Miss Jibai is very charming today as well.”

Her dress shimmered with a faint phosphorescence as she walked. Zhou Jibai declined the waiter’s guidance and walked to the table with an easy, elegant posture. Even in a simple light purple French long-sleeved shirt and hip-hugging skirt, she seemed exceptionally seductive.

Chen Shengrong’s eyes never left Zhou Jibai. He propped his chin on his hands and spoke with a smile.

Seeing Chen Shengrong’s expression, Zhong Hexuan smiled contentedly to himself. He turned to Zhou Jibai with a familiar, enthusiastic look, standing up to exchange seats with her.

Under Chen Shengrong’s gaze, Zhou Jibai lightly smoothed her skirt and sat down opposite him.

“Mr. Chen is too kind,” Zhou Jibai nodded coldly.

Hearing this, Chen Shengrong gave a broad smile: “Given our future relationship, there’s really no need for Miss Jibai to be so formal. We should definitely get closer.”

“That’s right, Sister,” Zhong Hexuan chimed in. “There’s really no need to be shy. Mr. Chen is different from those other men. He was just talking to me about you. Mr. Chen has made full preparations regarding ‘taking good care’ of you.”

Zhou Jibai could tell from his tone alone that Zhong Hexuan was up to no good. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her gaze a clear warning.

As it happened, Zhong Hexuan was looking at her, and they locked eyes.

Neither of their expressions changed, but both understood that the other would not let them have their way easily.

Sitting opposite them, Chen Shengrong raised his chin slightly, adopting a composed and magnanimous posture: “Not at all, Young Manager Zhong exaggerates. There is still much I ought to do.”

Zhou Jibai turned her head and gave Chen Shengrong a perfunctory, fake smile.

Zhong Hexuan, on the other hand, looked very happy, complimenting Chen Shengrong like a devoted brother: “With those words from Mr. Chen, regardless of what others think, I am truly at ease.”

But Chen Shengrong ignored Zhong Hexuan, his blunt gaze raking over Zhou Jibai’s face. He smiled and summoned the waiter, saying softly: “Our party is all here; you may serve the appetizers.”

After saying this, Chen Shengrong looked at Zhou Jibai again: “I heard from Young Manager Zhong that Miss Jibai likes sweet wine. I wonder if Rosé Champagne is to your taste?”

Zhou Jibai’s eyes were cold and disdainful: “Mr. Chen is very thoughtful, thank you for choosing for me. However, I wonder what you two were discussing before I arrived? No need to mind me, please continue.”

Chen Shengrong’s smile faded slightly as he looked at her without speaking.

Zhong Hexuan felt a jolt in his heart, but he kept smiling and changed the subject: “What else could it be? We were talking about you, of course, Sister. Mr. Chen is quite concerned about you.”

Zhou Jibai ignored him.

In the meantime, the waiter pushed a high-quality dining cart to the table. Desserts served in exquisite porcelain dishes were placed on the top tier of the cart.

Zhou Jibai politely and elegantly moved her hand out of the waiter’s way. She smiled and said in a very soft voice: “Zhong Hexuan, you haven’t forgotten, have you? Before you took over international trade, I was the one responsible for this department.”

Zhong Hexuan frowned, and the smile on Chen Shengrong’s face vanished completely.

“There is no doubt that the mine in Mr. Chen’s hands is very valuable,” Zhou Jibai smiled slightly, finally looking Chen Shengrong in the eye. “It just so happens that the Zhong family has the right channels. I wonder if Mr. Chen is interested in expanding his business domestically?”

Zhong Hexuan’s face changed instantly. It was true he wanted to trade Zhou Jibai for a solid rare mineral cooperation agreement, but that didn’t mean this objective could be brought into the open by Zhou Jibai herself. This was an outright provocation.

This decision had also been approved by Zhong Zhengcheng. Did she really intend to go against her father’s wishes?

Opposite her, Chen Shengrong frowned: “I had heard Miss Jibai’s name before coming to the country, but I once thought that after you returned to the mainland, you would no longer participate in the affairs of the Zhong family.”

Zhou Jibai’s expression was cold as she looked at Chen Shengrong: “What do you mean, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Shengrong stared at her: “Miss Jibai should consider returning to the family more.”

The dining table fell into a temporary silence, no one spoke.

A guest at a nearby table, hidden behind decorative greenery in a visual blind spot, moved and looked up.

The guest reached up and adjusted the sunglasses perched on their nose, revealing a pair of grey-green eyes.

A sharp gaze shot out from above the sunglasses. Song Ming stared at the ill-intentioned mine owner, his expression icy.