"Wanheng Software Group?"
"I know them. Our Xia family holds some shares in the company," Xia Ruoshui said casually.
"What?"
Chen Fan was stunned.
He already knew the Xia family was powerful, and that the Xia Group in Jiangzhou was only one of their many businesses. But he hadn't expected the Xia family to be so influential that they even owned shares in a tech giant like Wanheng Software Group.
"One of Wanheng's vice presidents is my cousin, Xia Wenyu," Ruoshui added.
"Why are you suddenly asking about Wanheng?"
Chen Fan briefly explained his plan to intercept the project from the Chen family and snatch it away.
"Hmm… Alright then. I'll reach out to my cousin Wenyu now and see what the situation is over at Wanheng,"Ruoshui said seriously.
Last time, Chen Fan had helped her. Now, she finally had the chance to return the favor—and she would give it her all!
Ruoshui took out her phone and dialed her cousin Xia Wenyu.
"Hey, Ruoshui? What made you call me out of the blue?"
A woman's voice came through quickly—it was her cousin, Xia Wenyu.
Her father had married into the Xia family, so she took her mother's surname.
"Wenyu, I heard your company, Wanheng Software Group, is planning to build a large industrial park in Jiangzhou. Is that true?"Ruoshui asked.
"Yes, we were just discussing it in a meeting this afternoon. But why do you ask? Doesn't the division you're managing in Jiangzhou have no real estate operations?"
Wenyu was puzzled.
If Ruoshui's company had real estate capabilities, then Wanheng would've naturally considered her first.
"Have you decided which real estate company you'll be partnering with yet?"
"Not yet. But from what I heard, Vice President Han, who's overseeing the project, seems inclined to give it to Chen Construction in Jiangzhou."
"Wenyu, I have a close friend whose company is also eyeing that project. Could you do me a favor?"Ruoshui asked tentatively.
"I really wish I could help, but I'm not in charge of that area. And to make it worse, I don't get along well with Vice President Han at all."
Wenyu sounded apologetic.
"Wenyu, please? If you help me this time, then at this year's family gathering, I'll back down if we end up competing."
Ruoshui gritted her teeth and made a big offer.
Every year, the Xia family held a large annual gathering where internal rankings and evaluations took place.
In the past, Wenyu had never been able to beat Ruoshui. Now, just to help Chen Fan, Ruoshui was willing to give up her competitive edge.
"Huh?"
Wenyu suddenly noticed something unusual.
"Ruoshui, that doesn't sound like you. This 'close friend' of yours… is it a guy or a girl?"
"Um… he's… a guy,"Ruoshui answered shyly.
"Hehe, I get it now. I'll do my best. As soon as I hear anything, I'll contact you right away,"Wenyu chuckled, instantly understanding the situation.
With how proud and aloof Ruoshui normally was, for her to go this far for someone… the guy must be very special—maybe even her future husband.
"Thanks so much, Wenyu."
After exchanging a few more words, Ruoshui hung up.
—
Meanwhile, over in the Chen family's estate in Jiangzhou, Chen Jinping (the fourth son) called the old master.
"Father, how's the deal with Wanheng Software Group going?"he asked curiously.
"We're close to sealing it. I had a good talk with Vice President Han, who's in charge of this matter. He'll be visiting Jiangzhou in a few days. You all need to prepare and make sure he is well received—we need to leave a good impression."
"Once he's satisfied, we'll sign the contract right away,"the old master instructed.
As long as they locked in Vice President Han, the project would be theirs, and tens of billions in profit would flow into the Chen family's pockets!
Just thinking about it brought a pleased smile to the old man's face.
"Oh right—what's going on with that little bastard Chen Fan?"
The old master asked with a dark expression.
"Well… Father, somehow that brat managed to cozy up to Wei Jingxiong. Now Wei's protecting him, and Starong failed to do anything to him…"
Jinping said helplessly.
"Useless! You couldn't even get rid of that disgrace!"
The old master roared in fury.
"Fine. Let him be smug for a little while longer. Right now, our top priority is securing the Wanheng project. Once we've got that in the bag—we'll deal with Chen Fan."
This deal would be decided in just a few days. With billions on the line, the old master was determined. For now, Chen Fan could wait.
"Father, should I call Feiming back? Let him handle Chen Fan?"
Suddenly, the eldest son offered a suggestion.
Chen Feiming, his son and the eldest grandson of the Chen family, was the brightest among the younger generation. He had topped the city in the national exams and entered a top university.
The old master had always called Feiming the "Qilin prodigy" of the family. He believed the future of the Chen family rested on his shoulders.
"No. Don't call Feiming back."
The old man immediately rejected the idea.
Feiming was the Chen family's future. His time was too valuable to waste on someone like Chen Fan.
Chen Fan wasn't worth it.
"Let's have Old Third bring back Wenjing. She'll handle Chen Fan."
He thought for a moment and made a decision.
Chen Wenjing, second only to Feiming among the Chen family's younger generation. In any other prestigious family in Jiangzhou, she would've easily been the number one rising star.
But with a "Qilin prodigy" like Feiming in the family, Wenjing's brilliance had been completely overshadowed.
"Yes, Father,"Jinping nodded and went to make the call.
—
On the other end, when Wenjing picked up the call and heard that it was Grandpa's request, she reluctantly agreed—even though she wasn't interested at first.
She'd return to Jiangzhou in the next couple of days and begin dealing with Chen Fan!
—
Time passed. By noon the next day, just as Chen Fan finished class—
[Ding!]Day 9 reward for severing ties has arrived!
And this time, the reward completely exceeded Chen Fan's expectations!