My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: The Banquet. “Women of the Red Dust”

Jian Yumeng sent Yu Xiao to the kitchen to prepare the dishes. We walked to the balcony, and she tilted her head slightly, studying me. Jian Yumeng also possessed a certain aura of “darkness,” likely stemming from her past, but there was no doubt that, to me, she was an ally.

“Miss Jian, is there something you want to say to me?”

Jian Yumeng took out her phone and smiled. “We’ve known each other this long, yet we don’t even have each other’s contact information. That’s hardly right.”

Hearing her say it, I realized she was right; it was indeed a lapse on my part. She saved my number and we added each other on WeChat. On the chat screen, she sent a smiley face followed by a sentence: ‘Don’t try to carry it all yourself. I can’t help with the big catastrophes, but small favors are no problem.’

I looked at the text, then up at Jian Yumeng, who looked perfectly at ease. She leaned back into Feifan’s lounge chair and remarked comfortably, “No wonder You Feifan loves the balcony. Where did she get this chair? It’s so comfortable, I think I’ll get two for myself.”

I didn’t intend to let the topic slide, so I asked in a low voice, “How much do you know?”

Jian Yumeng shook her head, resting her hands behind her head. “When Yu Xiao was serving her sentence, she relied entirely on Feifan’s protection in prison. We’ve never fully repaid that debt; you’ve essentially inherited her goodwill. I wonder how much President Lan knows about our Jian family? We may not match the Lan family or the Guan Group in the real estate industry, but we are no small fry. You likely understand Guan Shuyun’s political and business network well. I wonder if you’d like to understand a bit about the Jian family’s connections—both above and below board.

I recalled news reports from years ago. Looking at the inseparable pair they are now, one wouldn’t guess that Jian Yumeng was once the source of Yu Xiao’s greatest disaster. If it hadn’t been for Jian’s machinations, Yu Xiao’s prison term wouldn’t have been nearly so long. I muttered meaningfully, “Above and below board…”

Jian Yumeng stood up and watched Yu Xiao’s silhouette in the kitchen, saying nonchalantly, “When you fought for the old Mr. Lan’s inheritance and brought down Beisheng International, your actions weren’t entirely ‘bright’ either, President Lan. In this circle, who can say they are 100% clean? One more connection is one more safeguard. There are things you will eventually need my help with. For example…”

She leaned in and whispered a few words. I laughed. “If things ever truly fall to that point, I will certainly knock on Miss Jian’s door for help.”

“Just don’t be a stranger.”

…

The home banquet prepared by Guan Shuyun could only be described as high-profile. From her ancestral home, which bled luxury at every turn, it was clear that she was flashy to the bone. I had just parked my car and hadn’t even turned off the engine when I saw her standing by the door waiting. Upon hearing the door unlock, she eagerly pulled it open. “Welcome, President Lan. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to grace my home for a simple meal.”

“President Guan is being too polite. I feel quite bad coming as a guest empty-handed.”

“Your presence is face enough. Reciprocal gift-giving is such a hassle; let’s skip it where we can. This way, please.”

The Guan family’s security was substantial; guards were visible everywhere, both inside and outside the garden. I followed her into the villa and took the elevator directly to the second basement level. She introduced the space casually: “This floor is dedicated to entertaining guests. This is the Western dining room, that’s the Chinese one, with the service area in between. Very convenient.”

As we walked, she opened a door. “Entertainment room. Mahjong, billiards, poker. Across the hall is the KTV room. After dinner, shall we play a few rounds of mahjong or perhaps sing a bit?”

I smiled and declined. “I didn’t realize President Guan had so many hobbies. To be honest, I’m a very dull person. My life is work, and my hobby is also work.”

She stared at me in disbelief, rubbed her nose sheepishly, and changed the subject. “Please, follow me.”

We walked to the deepest part of the floor, where an inconspicuous door led to a winding hardwood staircase. She switched on the wall lamps, and we descended. Before she could speak, I teased, “Two wine cellars… President Guan’s refinement is truly unique.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t get me started. It took a lot of work to install the cooling water layer beneath these cellars.”

Leaning against the doorframe, she casually took two glasses from a cabinet and opened the doors to both cellars. We entered the right one first, where she pointed to some packaged bottles.

“This cellar is for Baijiu and Huangjiu. I actually have quite a lot of social engagements; how can one deal with people without alcohol? Remember what I told you in my office? ‘A pot of clear tea boils the universe, a glass of strong wine charges through the world.’ My father taught me that. When I first returned from France, I knew nothing about business, let alone the profound complexities of human relationships. But dealing with wine is dealing with people; after enough time, you get slick.

These three racks are all Moutai. Alcohol is a drain on the liver and the wallet, but stocking a few million worth of aged Moutai for visiting relatives, hosting guests, or gifting clients is much more elegant than giving cash. Over there is high-proof Huangjiu; I like to steep medicinal wine, but I don’t drink it myself—it’s all for gifts. Interested? I can have someone put a few cases in your car later.”

I understood perfectly. Guan Shuyun was naturally giving me a masterclass in flaunting wealth and social maneuvering. I shook my head with a smile. “I appreciate the sentiment, but at my age, tea is a healthier choice.”

She clapped her hands and, with a hint of excitement, led me to the adjacent red wine cellar. There were oak barrels and scattered bottles in large quantities. She was like a child sharing a favorite toy, wanting to infect me with her enthusiasm. “Since you don’t like Baijiu, you won’t refuse red wine. I don’t believe someone of your status doesn’t have a taste for it. You must have a glass or two to unwind.”

Finding it hard to argue, I answered truthfully, “That is true.”

She picked out a bottle and handed it to me. “This white wine isn’t very old. It’s semi-sweet, not too acidic or cloying. It’s excellent and very suitable for women.”

She beckoned to the entrance, and a domestic worker hurried in. Guan pointed to the racks. “Pack those few bottles and this one up. Put them in President Lan’s car later.”

I reached out to stop her. “I appreciate your hospitality and the tour was lovely, but please skip the gifts. As you said, reciprocal giving is a hassle…”

Seeing I wouldn’t budge, she dismissed the worker and poured two glasses of wine. “Fair enough. How could President Lan be lacking in such things? My apologies. But a taste shouldn’t be a problem.”

I took the glass. As we clinked, she looked at me intently. “President Lan, your cold demeanor is truly captivating.”

“How so?”

“It’s like… hmm… not being able to have you makes one itch with desire, but having you would make one never want to let go.”

She took a small sip. I followed suit. Taste is a strange thing; the wine was good, but I disliked the atmosphere. After the aftertaste settled, I responded to her comment: “Everyone’s perception is different. Some might say the same about you, President Guan—’itching with desire and unable to let go.’ Your vocabulary is quite interesting.”

Suddenly, someone poked their head in. “Boss, the guests have all arrived.”

I realized then that I wasn’t the only guest tonight. Following Guan Shuyun out, I whispered, “I just realized you have other guests to attend to.”

She shook her head nonchalantly. “Those old foxes are regulars. It doesn’t matter if I stay with them. You are the guest of honor today.”

As Guan Shuyun had promised, the large round table in the Chinese restaurant was surrounded by prominent figures in the industry, including some influential politicians. For me, even with my wide network, this meal was necessary. Everyone rose to greet us. She carefully guided me to the seat of honor and introduced me with a flourish.

“The Lan name is famous; even without President Guan’s mention, everyone knows it.”

“Since President Lan took over the family business, things have truly flourished!”

“It seems a powerful alliance between President Guan and President Lan is in the works…”

These people wore smiles while harboring their own agendas, gathered by the gravity of self-interest. Business cards were exchanged, and deeds were touted. Most importantly, the key people for the Island Project were present. They expressed great interest in Jieshi’s involvement. After some detailed discussion, Guan Shuyun tapped her wine glass to interrupt.

“I didn’t invite you all here today for business; I simply missed you. There’s plenty of time for business talk. Today, just focus on eating, drinking, and having fun. Don’t blame me later for poor hosting.”

Someone immediately played along. “President Guan has the best sense of humor! Come, come, a toast, a toast…”

The wine session began with the usual predictable patterns. After hours of drinking and conversation, it was late. Guan Shuyun looked after me, even stepping in to intercept toasts meant for me. By the end, I was better off than I expected—just slightly tipsy.

To clear my head, I went for a walk in the garden. Guan Shuyun accompanied me for a few laps. “The project is nearly a done deal,” she said easily. “Do you want to go back in and play a few rounds of ‘drunken mahjong’ with them to deepen the bond?”

Very few people actually enjoy such social obligations. I declined immediately. “No, I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

“They say the big boss of the Lan family is a workaholic—piles of money but no time to spend it. Where’s the meaning in that?”

“Perhaps at a certain height, the money isn’t important. It’s the sense of achievement that one enjoys.”

She smiled and didn’t press further, beckoning a nearby security guard. “Arrange a driver to take President Lan home.”

…

The Island Project was soon posted for public bidding. After a month of active preparation by both companies, Jieshi—under the Lan family—secured the project along with the Guan Group without much effort. As soon as the results were out, Guan Shuyun called.

“President Lan, are you satisfied with the result?”

“Jieshi winning the bid is thanks to your help, President Guan. I owe you a significant favor.”

“How about our two companies hold a victory banquet?”

I stared at the cooperation agreement on my desk. “Let’s skip the banquet. I’m currently thinking about the terms of the cooperation agreement.”

“There’s no rush on the agreement. I have a few other projects in hand that need partners. I’ll be inviting bids through a third party. If you’re interested, I’ll have someone send the details over. Of course, I work with many companies, so I haven’t just invited you. Fairness is better for everyone, after all.”

“Is that so? I might just take you up on that.”