My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Performance. “Actors”

Having raised Qingfan so well, with Xiduoduo’s late-night companionship, and with Yu Xiao and Jian Yumeng taking such careful care of me while I was injured—even the bond I share with Mu Duoran—it was all a foundation built by Feifan’s own hands.

I was enjoying the happiness and care brought to me by all these friends, gifts left behind by Feifan. It was as if even in her absence, she had left behind an immeasurable and heavy love.

My fragility was because of her; my strength was because of her. My loss of composure and my injuries were because of her; my drunken madness was also because of her. Sometimes I mistakenly thought that the passage of time and a quiet sense of well-being were slowly smoothing over my feelings for her, only to realize the moment she dropped me that I was the one who truly could not live without her.

Her love for me was as silent as spring rain. I was the greedy, selfish one; I was the one who disregarded feelings, thinking that by stubbornly shouldering everything, I was making a grand sacrifice. In truth, what I did amounted to nothing.

After seeing off Yu Xiao and Jian Yumeng, I sat on the floor holding Xiduoduo, flipping through our old photos. Seeing the way Feifan smiled still made my heart skip a beat uncontrollably. I stood up and went into the kitchen. I began to learn how to grind coffee beans myself, preparing the next day’s breakfast in advance and keeping the house spotless, letting the scent of mundane domestic life fill my world.

During a break, I dialed Bi Lan’s number. “President Bi, I apologize for the sudden call. Are you free tomorrow?”

“Is something the matter, President Lan?”

“The matter of the investment stake cannot be delayed any longer. I’d like to invite you to the Guan Group tomorrow to discuss the partnership.”

“Since it’s about business, how could I refuse?”

“Good. I will meet you at Jieshi Excellence then.”

…

Early the next morning, I strode into the main hall of the office clutching my bag. Even with large-framed sunglasses and heavy concealer, the purple bruise on my forehead was still obvious. Everyone looked at me like I was a freak. Luckily, I ran into Xiao Du. As I marched forward, she glared at the surrounding staff. “Get back to work! Don’t you have things to do?!”

We stepped into the elevator. Xiao Du leaned forward and cautiously pointed toward the injury. “President Lan, this…”

“I fell.”

“Nothing’s broken, is it?!”

I gave a faint smile. “If it were broken, would I be here? Cancel any non-essential appointments. President Bi is coming over shortly; bring her straight to my office.”

“Understood, President Lan.”

Inside the office, Duoran called the landline from an unfamiliar number. Her message was alert and brief: “Scheduled for nine o’clock.”

“Understood.”

Today’s play had to be performed, and it had to be brilliant. Soon, Miss Bi Lan entered the office. Seeing my injury, she asked with concern, “President Lan, are you alright?”

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Yumeng said you were a workaholic; now I believe her. You won’t even put down work while injured.”

“As I mentioned before, the investment in the new company requires approval from both parties. However, given President Bi’s strength, I don’t think President Guan will object.”

“It’s fine.” Bi Lan leaned in and whispered, “Yumeng already briefed me. If this works, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter. I understand you have your own plans, President Lan. Consider this a favor and a way to build a connection.”

I raised my coffee cup with a smile. “Thank you for the help.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll be relying on you in the future. If there are good projects, please keep me in mind.”

“Naturally. To a successful partnership.”

We deliberately chatted until nearly ten o’clock before leaving the company and driving to the Guan Group headquarters. The secretary, seeing my aggressive arrival, hurriedly greeted us and pushed open the door to Guan Shuyun’s office.

Duoran was already there. She and Guan Shuyun were drinking tea, looking like they were in the middle of a pleasant conversation. Seeing me appear, Duoran wiped the smile from her face, leaned back in her chair with her legs crossed, and assumed an air of lofty arrogance.

After a few whispered words, Guan Shuyun stood up and walked toward me. She leaned in to examine my forehead, whispering, “What happened to your head?”

I turned my head and looked at Duoran with cold disdain, as if our eyes would strike sparks if we looked at each other for a second longer. I shifted my gaze back to Guan Shuyun and replied coldly, “I fell. Is this your guest?”

Guan Shuyun answered formally, “Let me introduce you. This is Miss Doris. She is very interested in our partnership investment and came specifically to discuss it today. You’ve arrived just in time… and this is?”

Guan Shuyun introduced Doris to me, but Doris merely gave me a lukewarm nod from her chair, showing no intention of standing up. Ignoring her, I turned to Guan Shuyun. “This is President Bi of the Bi Group. She is also here to discuss the venture capital.”

Bi Lan politely extended her hand to Guan Shuyun. “I have long heard of the Guan Group. Hello, President Guan. I am Bi Lan.”

Guan Shuyun put on a bright smile and greeted her warmly. “Come, come, please sit! I love having more people; tea and conversation are better when it’s lively.”

The four of us sat around the coffee table. Duoran wouldn’t even look at Bi Lan. After some brief pleasantries, we got down to business. While pouring tea, Guan Shuyun signaled, “Miss Doris, since President Lan is here, feel free to share your thoughts.”

Duoran shifted her posture and spoke in a cynical tone: “Our German Doris Venture Capital Fund has been established for several years now. We have always focused on European projects—finance, securities, engineering, IT manufacturing. We have yet to fail a project.

We’ve set our sights on domestic projects this time, including the cooperation between President Guan and President Lan. To open the Chinese market, we are willing to participate in any project with prospects and a reasonable amount. I have already sent the materials to President Guan. If President Lan has any questions, feel free to consult me.”

After her brief introduction, I toyed with the rim of my cup and took an opposing stance, snorting, “Doris Venture Capital? Never heard of them. President Guan, are they reliable?”

Facing my doubt, Duoran smiled meaningfully. Guan Shuyun cleared her throat to play the peacemaker. “Oh, President Lan, you’re always so blunt. Don’t worry, I personally checked Doris’s background, and I’ve seen Miss Doris’s sincerity. She is willing to invest 20%, which is quite a substantial amount. Moreover, she is willing to participate in future new projects. A VC looking for sustainable development wouldn’t make such big promises without a solid background. And what about President Bi? What are your thoughts?”

Bi Lan sipped her tea and laid her cards on the table. “Compared to Miss Doris’s boldness, I am more cautious. After all, a first-time collaboration always carries risk. I am willing to invest to test the waters. If both President Guan and President Lan agree, I am willing to take a 5% stake. To me, this is the most reasonable amount.”

Hearing Bi Lan’s words, Guan Shuyun crossed her legs, looking unsatisfied. she looked at me with a raised eyebrow as if to say, You want someone with this kind of background to participate?

I spoke up immediately. “Miss Doris, I wonder if you would be willing to give up 5% of your share to President Bi? Having an extra person means shared risk. It’s better to be cautious when entering the domestic market; being too aggressive can be reckless.”

Duoran let out a scoffing laugh and shook her head mockingly. “Is President Lan underestimating the strength of our Doris company? Never mind 20%—even if you wanted a 50% investment, I could provide it. If Doris Venture Capital can capture the opportunity, I am not inclined to share the results.”

Her words were laced with disdain, causing Bi Lan to frown. She said coldly, “Miss Doris, perhaps because you have stayed abroad for so long, you don’t understand how things work in China. You should learn a bit more about basic social etiquette. It’s like this tea; we use a fairness pitcher so the tea in every cup is even and fair. I understand you follow a ‘heroic’ philosophy, but in investment, you are being too offensive.”

The negotiation reached a total stalemate. Duoran lost her patience, grabbed her handbag, and stood up. She looked at Guan Shuyun. “President Guan, this is a difficult conversation. You should discuss it with President Lan and see who is more suitable. I have other collaborations to discuss, so I won’t waste any more time. I’ll wait for your good news.”

Duoran left no room for negotiation, brushing dust off her clothes with a hint of disgust. Guan Shuyun tried to invite her for lunch, but she arrogantly refused and walked out. I sat there solemnly, mentally praising her for a perfect “playing hard to get” performance. Guan Shuyun had to smile awkwardly as she saw her out. She turned back and said, “I’ll see my guest out first. Please wait a moment.”

She left the office with Duoran. Bi Lan held her teacup, examining it. “This Doris really acts like a nouveau riche. Hmm… nice teacup, though.”

I was amused by her evaluation. If Duoran had heard that, she would have rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “You’re not angry, are you?”

“Why would I be? Though, for a ‘Doris’ to suddenly show up out of nowhere is strange. Is it possible Guan Shuyun wanted to checkmate you a long time ago?”

“President Bi, you see right through it. President Guan never wanted me to introduce my own VCs. The people she brings in will naturally lean toward her when the time comes. That is the same reason I came to you.”

Bi Lan sighed as she finished her tea. “It’s a pity my strength is limited and I can’t help you more, President Lan.”

“It doesn’t matter. We won’t know the outcome until the very end.”

Soon, Guan Shuyun returned to the office. She sat down and looked at Bi Lan. “President Bi, regarding the cooperation, I need to discuss this situation thoroughly with President Lan. Thank you for valuing this partnership. It’s getting late; how about we have lunch together and chat?”

Bi Lan also assumed a high posture. “Though my investment cannot compare to Miss Doris’s, the Guan and Lan families should know a thing or two about the Bi Group’s standing in the real estate industry. My sincerity was there; it’s fine if the result is unsatisfactory. The road is long, and there will be many projects and opportunities. I’ll pass on the meal. I’ll take my leave now.”