Chapter 28: Each with Their Own Thoughts

When it came to youthful triumph, Chu Dong was a bit past that age; as for fame and success, he hadn’t quite arrived. Yet, judging from the dramatic surge in sales since the name change from Fragrant Pavilion to Moonview Tower, it was clear that a single idea could indeed turn the tide.

Crimson wine swirled gently in a crystal goblet as Chu Dong’s slender fingers gripped the stem. A faint smile played at the corners of his lips. “Director Zhao, you insisted on meeting me today—what’s the occasion? Don’t tell me you’ve seen the profits and now you’re thinking of backing out?”

“Come on, do you take me for that sort of person? You, of all people, know what kind of man your brother Zhao is, even if others don’t. No, I have something else I want to discuss with you.” Zhao Fan refilled Chu Dong’s glass with practiced care, the diamond ring on his broad hand catching the light with a dazzling gleam.

“So, is this about new business opportunities?” Chu Dong set down his glass, lounging back on the sofa. His half-unbuttoned shirt revealed a broad, muscular chest. “I’ve been thinking myself about what to do next. You know, Moonview Tower has finally reached a turning point—the end of the month should see it cleared out completely. Once that’s done, our partnership effectively concludes.”

“Of course I’m here to introduce you to new business. Would I ever forget you when something good comes my way?” Zhao Fan’s face glowed with satisfaction. Moonview Tower had been revived from the brink, and with a modest profit to boot. This gave him new weight in the company’s boardroom; some had grumbled about letting an outsider walk away with the lion’s share of such a major project without investing a penny. But Zhao Fan always shut them down with a single retort: “Would you have managed any better?” That silenced them. In a way, Chu Dong had done him a huge favor, and Zhao Fan valued him all the more for it.

“Just don’t mistake me for some wandering alchemist with magical powers—I’m not that capable. And please, don’t saddle me with some impossible project that I’ll have to break my back to complete.” Chu Dong took a small, elegant sip of wine, looking every inch the prince.

“Never, never. I know talent when I see it. With your ability, there’s no problem you couldn’t handle. Don’t be so modest—too much humility is just false modesty.” Zhao Fan’s praise was not the empty flattery of the usual sort; it came from genuine admiration that welled up from the heart.

“Please don’t say that. I was just a lucky cat who happened to catch a dead mouse. Pure luck, that’s all.” Chu Dong didn’t feel embarrassed, but he believed in keeping a low profile; it wouldn’t do to let one compliment go to his head.

“If you keep talking like that, my entire marketing team might as well throw themselves into Xinghai Bay. Dozens of people racked their brains and got nowhere, and yet you sorted it all out as soon as you arrived. That’s why they say good generals are hard to find. I was thinking, if you don’t mind my humble company, why not stand shoulder to shoulder with me, side by side, and create something great together. What do you say...?” There was a naked longing in Zhao Fan’s eyes. He was truly sincere in his efforts to bring Chu Dong into his fold today. If Chu Dong agreed, it would not only give him a powerful right hand, but would be like giving Tianxiang Group wings to soar.

“Director Zhao, you know me—I’m naturally lazy. If you force me to work a regular job, I’d be stifled to death. Better not. If I ever joined your company, you’d find yourself saddled with a troublemaker, not some elite talent.” Of course Chu Dong wouldn’t agree. Joining Tianxiang might look like a shortcut to the top, but it would actually stifle his freedom, running counter to his goal of restoring the Chu family’s former glory.

“My friend, I know you’re no fish in a pond—you’re destined for great things. But Tianxiang can offer you the best platform for your ambitions. Listen, and don’t take this the wrong way: right now, you’re just patching up old seams. Yes, you made quite a bit this time, but you can’t guarantee you’ll always be so lucky. And it’s not like you’ll always find another Zhao Fan to work with, right? Even if by some chance you have another stroke of luck, can you be sure the next partner will be as desperate for cash as I was? Will you get the same cut of the profits? If you agree to join me, I promise you’ll have the greatest freedom I’m allowed to grant. And as for profits, I’ll transfer a full ten percent of the company’s executive shares into your name.”

Zhao Fan was no fool—he knew winning Chu Dong over wouldn’t be easy, so he continued to lay his cards on the table, unconcerned by Chu Dong’s initial refusal, hoping to breach his defenses with irresistible offers.

“Director Zhao, this is practically a gamble. No matter what happens to me in the future, I’ll never forget your generosity today—it’s almost overwhelming. But to be honest, I still can’t accept. You might think I’m being melodramatic, but I truly have my reasons.” By now, Chu Dong had set aside his usual playful manner, sitting upright with a hint of apology as he refused Zhao Fan’s invitation.

“Ah!” Zhao Fan sighed with regret. He had only taken over from his father in his forties, and for years had felt like a hero with no place to prove himself. But after meeting Chu Dong, he realized he was, at best, a competent mediocrity. Compared to Chu Dong, Zhao Fan felt he’d wasted half a lifetime.

“Director Zhao, Dalian isn’t such a big place. We’ll run into each other often enough. If you need anything, just ask. If you hadn’t let me take charge of Moonview Tower, I’d have been in a real bind more than once. And as it happens, even if you hadn’t called me today, I was planning to ask you for a favor.”

Chu Dong raised his glass and nodded to Zhao Fan, taking a sip.

“If you need something, just say so. There’s nothing we can’t discuss.” Zhao Fan, though disappointed that his plan to recruit Chu Dong had failed, was determined to maintain their good relationship.

“You know I don't have many talents, but I do have a knack for selling property. Of course, it’s too late for me to start developing now, and you know as well as I do that the real estate market in Dalian is in a slump—there are plenty of unsold properties waiting for me to move. But I’m not content to just take a small commission here and there. With your connections and reputation, if you could introduce me to the right developers, negotiations would go much more smoothly.”

Seeing Zhao Fan’s genuine willingness to help, Chu Dong didn’t hide his intentions. Still, their relationship wasn’t ironclad, so he sweetened the offer.

“And of course, Director Zhao, I can’t let you go to all this trouble for nothing. It wouldn’t be right to just hand you a cut—that would be like slapping you in the face. Here’s what I propose: from now on, I’ll handle the exclusive sales for one of Tianxiang’s developments, free of charge, as a way of returning the favor. What do you think?”

“Say no more! Your business is my business. Rest assured, there’s an industry conference next month—I’ll make sure you have a brilliant introduction. As long as there are properties to sell in Dalian, your business will never run dry.” Zhao Fan thumped his chest in reassurance.

With their intentions laid bare, the two men clinked their glasses together with a crisp “ding,” exchanged a knowing smile, and drained their wine in one go.