Chapter 88 - The Meeting of Three Women (Part Two)

Thump! This was exactly the question I was afraid Su Xin would ask. I hurriedly tried to smooth things over with a laugh, saying, "Ah, I know Zhang Jing from business, just through business, haha."

"Yeah, right. You can't even be bothered to come up with a decent lie," Chu Qitong, who was sitting beside me, gave me a disapproving glance and muttered under her breath with a sneer. I could only cover my embarrassment with a dry cough. How was I supposed to know that these three women would one day end up sitting in the same car? Ah, if I had known things would turn out this way, I would have just told Su Xin the truth from the start...

The three women, each beautiful and with her own charm, soon became lively and cheerful after I introduced them. I couldn't help but secretly marvel—three women together really do make for a dramatic scene. They chatted happily, but I was anything but relaxed. My ears were glued to the conversation coming from the back seat, worried that someone might let something slip and reveal the truth to Su Xin.

Fortunately, Zhang Jing and Chu Qitong were careful not to go too far, and whenever a sensitive topic came up, they instinctively avoided it. That put me at ease. After about ten minutes, the Audi A8 finally pulled up at the Italian restaurant by the lake.

I asked the manager to add three more seats, and what was meant to be a romantic dinner date had instantly turned into a group meal, leaving me both amused and exasperated. At this moment, the three women were chatting away, completely ignoring both me and Li Dabiao. He and I could only exchange helpless smiles and focus on the feast before us.

Whether Zhang Jing did it on purpose or not, her first appearance in front of Su Xin and Chu Qitong was a complete success. Su Xin kept calling her "Sister Zhang" with such warmth that anyone listening might have mistaken them for real sisters. I couldn't help but sigh—Su Xin really was a bit too naive. Chu Qitong, on the other hand, wasn't as easy to win over, but she too was getting drawn into the conversation. After all, when it comes to women, there's nothing more captivating than topics like looks, makeup, fashion, and jewelry.

Halfway through the meal, Su Xin and Chu Qitong went to the restroom. I took the opportunity to nudge Zhang Jing and whispered with some annoyance, "Why did you come and join the fun? I’m warning you—don’t bring up any sensitive topics. My girlfriend doesn’t know my real identity, so don’t say anything you shouldn’t, got it?"

Zhang Jing couldn't help but laugh at my guilty, furtive appearance. After I shot her a glare, she restrained herself a little, but still spoke with some pride, "What, I can’t meet your girlfriend? After all, I’m your right hand—shouldn’t I get to know my future boss’s wife? Besides, I’m not a man—are you afraid I’ll steal your girlfriend? Honestly, your girlfriend is stunning. I knew you’d have excellent taste."

"Of course, the girl I, Xiao Qiang, like has to be outstanding," I replied, a little proud. Since she was already here, there was no point in dwelling on the subject. I changed the topic and asked as I ate, "By the way, did you handle those matters I asked you about?"

"Yes, everything’s done. Chu Zhengsheng’s Dynasty Group has officially become a subsidiary of Sunshine Group, and all the materials you asked me to buy are at your place. I didn’t have the code for your lab, so I just left them outside. Also, I heard recently that the city government is considering lending money to Xia Fugui. Looks like you were right—he really can’t come up with that much cash. My people found out that the bank has already finished assessing his company and the loan has been disbursed. As soon as the city government approves their loan, our plan can begin." As Zhang Jing spoke of official matters, her expression grew serious and she put down her knife and fork.

"Good, that puts my mind at ease. Now everything is in place, we’re just waiting for the right moment. But I don’t think it’ll happen too soon, and in fact, I want Xia Fugui’s old city redevelopment project to get going for a while. By the time I return from the capital, we’ll be ready to catch this big fish in one go!"

Zhang Jing nodded forcefully, her eyes flashing with anger. "Xia Fugui’s end is near! Soon, I’ll have avenged my parents..." She stopped herself mid-sentence as the two women returned from the restroom, quickly bowing her head and resuming her meal.

How could I not understand her pain and anger? Her once-happy family had been destroyed by Xia Fugui. Zhang Jing was, in truth, a very pitiable girl.

Once everyone had finished eating, Chu Qitong shook her head in disappointment and said, "Ah, this Italian food isn’t as authentic as in the capital. Su Xin, next time come to my house. I’ll have our chef make you a proper meal. That’s better than wasting money on these inauthentic dishes."

Her words left me a little frustrated, but I had to swallow my irritation. After all, I’d rejected her before. It seemed this girl truly had a grudge against me. Su Xin’s friendship with her was actually a little dangerous, but if I really tried to separate them, I’d feel guilty—after all, they’d been best friends since childhood, and besides, I had hurt Chu Qitong before.

After the meal, the three women kept chatting enthusiastically, while Li Dabiao and I sat to one side, murmuring quietly. "Boss, once the security company opens, you should assign people to protect the executives of Sunshine Group. How’s the company doing lately?"

"Don’t call me boss, just Dabiao is fine," Li Dabiao replied with a grin. "The security company is expanding fast. With plenty of funding, we’ve recruited a lot of tough guys retired from the special forces. Business is booming. I want to expand further—what do you think?"

"I think it’s a good idea. There aren’t many people in this line of work yet. You should grow the business, set up branches across the province, and then move into the national market." I nodded in agreement, then added, "If you need more money, ask Zhang Jing. Remember, your Tianying Security Company is the strong arm of Sunshine Group. Don’t worry about the legal side, but make sure you control the underworld. Don’t let Sunshine Group suffer on that front."

"Got it! You can count on me," Li Dabiao agreed firmly, then continued, "Xiao Qiang, I have a favor to ask. My mom’s surgery is done, and my sister will be coming back soon, but about her school..."

"Oh? Your sister is coming back? Isn’t she supposed to be studying back home?" I asked, a little surprised.

"Yeah, but Mom insisted she come back. She doesn’t want her staying in the sticks any longer," Li Dabiao said, sounding a little embarrassed.

"Alright, since it’s your mom’s wish, let your sister study here in City C. I’ll ask Chu Zhengsheng to help—he has plenty of connections," I promised. Li Siyuan had already missed nearly a month of classes, and her old school definitely wouldn’t take her back. Someone would have to pull some strings.

"Xin Xin, it’s already half past seven. We won’t make it back for evening study anyway. Why don’t we find somewhere to have some fun?" I heard Chu Qitong’s voice.

"That’s true. Since we can’t make it back in time, we might as well go out and have fun," Su Xin agreed, clearly interested.

"Great, I’m free too. Let’s go out and relax together," Zhang Jing chimed in.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked, joining the conversation. "If it’s far, let Li Dabiao drive us."

Su Xin nodded in agreement, but soon the three of them fell into a quandary—they couldn’t think of anywhere interesting to go. Suddenly, Chu Qitong’s eyes lit up as she suggested excitedly, "If we can’t think of anywhere, why not go to a bar?"

"A bar?" Zhang Jing glanced at me, her cheeks flushing instantly. After all, that was where she and I had first met.

"Yeah, I heard there’s a new, luxurious bar in town. Someone invited me last time but I didn’t go. Since we have time now, let’s go together and relax." Chu Qitong glanced at me, saw that I wasn’t objecting, and grew even more excited. "It’s been ages since I went to a bar. Xin Xin, you’ve never been, have you? This is your chance to experience what it’s like."

"I don’t mind, but..." Su Xin seemed a little hesitant about the idea of a bar, but with Chu Qitong pressing, she couldn’t turn her down. When Zhang Jing nodded in agreement, Su Xin could only purse her lips and say, "Alright, let’s go."

Since all three women agreed, I had no objections. I asked Li Dabiao to get the car, and we prepared to head to the bar.