My Alleged Husband

Chapter 918: Chapter 831: Memories_9

Li Haixiao was truly furious: ”In the entire city, no one has ever dared to exploit my daughter, Li Jiayuan. That old Zhang, how dare he boldly use my daughter to achieve his goals? Hmph!”

”Xiao Cheng, go and arrange for Old Master Zhang to meet with me. Tell him I want to discuss the project collaboration for that plot of land in Nanxi!” Xiao Cheng was Li Haixiao’s right-hand man, his most capable and trusted assistant. Among Li Haixiao’s four assistants, Xiao Cheng’s annual salary was the highest.

The next day, after heading to the office, Li Haixiao instructed his secretary to arrange a meeting with Old Master Zhang. On the surface, it was about collaboration, but in truth, it was about settling accounts. Li Haixiao cherished his daughter like a treasure. How could he allow anyone to exploit her?

”President Zhang, hello. I’m the secretary for the President of Li Corporation. You can just call me Xiao Cheng. Our President would like to meet with you to discuss the commercial land project in Nanxi. Do you have some time?” Xiao Cheng politely inquired about Old Master Zhang’s availability.

Following Li Haixiao’s instructions, Xiao Cheng managed to arrange for Old Master Zhang to meet. Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhang naively thought it was because Li Jiayuan had gone back to her father to plead on his behalf, pushing Li Haixiao to collaborate on the project. However, reality would soon deliver a harsh slap to Old Master Zhang’s face.

”Sure, I’m available anytime. The question is, when will President Li have time?” Old Master Zhang asked Xiao Cheng, gazing at him with eyes akin to a ravenous wolf eyeing fresh meat, practically drooling—desperate to ensure this juicy opportunity didn’t slip away.

Seeing the barely disguised greed in Old Master Zhang’s gaze, Xiao Cheng quietly sighed to himself in pity, ”Sigh, if Old Master Zhang knew that the President wasn’t setting up this meeting to discuss collaboration, but instead to settle accounts... I wonder what shade of green his face would turn. But honestly, this is all his own doing—of all people to exploit, why did he choose the President’s daughter? Everyone knows Miss Jiayuan is the jewel of the President’s heart. How could he possibly tolerate this? Sigh!”

”Alright then, President Zhang. I’ll be in touch once our President is available. Does that work for you?”

Old Master Zhang couldn’t be happier—he was eager to collaborate with Li Haixiao as soon as possible. How could he disagree? He stood up hastily and said to Xiao Cheng, ”Perfect, it’s settled. As soon as your President has time, just let me know. I’ll be there without fail.” This impatient display made Xiao Cheng feel even more sorry for him.

Upon his return, Xiao Cheng faithfully relayed the entire exchange with Old Master Zhang to Li Haixiao. Hearing this, Li Haixiao couldn’t help but sneer, ”Hmph, is that old man really worthy of cooperating with me? And what makes him think his useless son is good enough for my daughter? Zhang Mo has no such standing. Xiao Cheng, go and tell Zhang Mo the meeting is set for three days from now in the café next to our company at noon sharp. If he’s late, he’ll miss it entirely. Go on.” With that, Li Haixiao waved Xiao Cheng away.

Xiao Cheng bowed slightly and replied, ”Understood, President. I’ll handle it right away.”

After speaking, Xiao Cheng exited the room, leaving Li Haixiao alone in his office.

”Hello, this is the assistant to the President of Li Corporation. May I speak to President Zhang?”

Old Master Zhang’s secretary answered, ”I’m sorry, President Zhang isn’t here right now. May I ask what the matter is? I can pass along a message for you.”

Xiao Cheng said, ”Sure, please let him know that our President has scheduled a meeting with him. Three days from now at noon, in the café next to our company, to discuss the contract. If he’s late, there will be no second chances.” With that, Xiao Cheng hung up the phone.

That evening, Old Master Zhang returned to his office, where his secretary informed him of Li Haixiao’s message about the meeting scheduled for three days later in the café near Li Corporation to discuss the collaboration. Hearing this, Old Master Zhang was ecstatic: ”Finally, it’s happening! Finally, I can secure the collaboration for the Nanxi land project. Truly, heaven does not disappoint those who persevere! This whole thing is really thanks to Li Haixiao’s precious daughter, Li Jiayuan. If it weren’t for her convincing her stubborn father, how else could I have landed this partnership so easily? Hahaha! I wonder, if Li Haixiao knew I had exploited his daughter, the apple of his eye, would he boil over with rage?” Old Master Zhang believed that Li Haixiao’s willingness to meet was orchestrated by Jiayuan, that she had played a significant role in convincing her father. But little did he realize, after meeting Li Haixiao, not only would the collaboration fall apart, but his company would find itself teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, staring down the barrel of collapse. But that’s a story for another time.