Fatal Desire

Chapter 16 The Reasons for Song Xi's Return to China

Zhou Ji'an collected his thoughts and said, "If it's just for investment, why doesn't she just contact you directly? Why bother contacting Zhongrui?"

Huasong Group was originally a leading international smart terminal company, but internal strife led to its decline and it was eventually acquired by a newly established company.

Companies that are little-known yet can raise hundreds of billions of yuan must have powerful connections and influence, and must be backed by influential figures.

While others might not know, Zhou Ji'an knew that the person behind the scenes was Zhao Yansen.

After the acquisition of Huasong, Zhao Yansen did not interfere with Huasong's independent operation, so the group was still managed by Huasong's original CEO. Over the years, Huasong Group's businesses have included, but are not limited to, technology, healthcare, finance, and energy, and it has more than enough resources to invest in startups.

Supporting Morningside Biotech was a piece of cake for Zhao Yansen.

Zhou Ji'an was certain that as long as Song Xi asked, Zhao Yansen would definitely fulfill her request.

Zhao Yansen glanced down at his phone. His well-defined face was incredibly aggressive, and when his thin eyelids were lowered, he exuded a natural dominance and unapproachability.

"Who is the person in charge of Morningside?"

“Song Xihe…”

Zhou Ji'an paused, then suddenly realized.

This collaboration is part of Morningside Biotech's five-year strategic project and is of great importance. The main person in charge of the project is Song Xi.

However, there is another person in charge—Shang Shixu.

Song Xi's boyfriend.

"You're so jealous." Zhou Ji'an took off his gold-rimmed glasses. "Even if Song Xi married the President of the United States, she would still be Song Xi, wouldn't she?"

Zhao Yansen's deep-set eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but it vanished in a moment, leaving him looking utterly uninterested.

His eyelids drooped slightly, his gaze falling on the cups and saucers on the mahogany coffee table, his long, slender fingers slowly and deliberately gripping the cups.

"Since you know she's my sister."

Zhao Yansen suddenly turned the teacup upside down, making a slight clicking sound. The moment the warm liquid flowed down, he sharply lifted his eyelids and stared directly at Zhou Ji'an.

"Are you making things difficult for her now, trying to go against me?"

Zhou Ji'an suddenly felt a sharp pain in his temple and fell silent.

Yes, he has no right to lecture Song Xi.

He also promised never to mention it again.

However, they still deliberately made things difficult for Song Xi, leaving her waiting at the Sino-Swiss headquarters for several hours before making her go to the club.

"Clearly distinguish between public and private matters."

Zhao Yansen slowly wiped his hands, his expression indifferent and calm. "If you refuse, you refuse; if you cooperate, you cooperate. Don't mess with her."

*
Around noon, after exercising all morning, everyone was a little hungry, so we moved from outdoors to indoors.

The club was once the residence of princes and ministers, and due to the membership system, it is mainly frequented by people in the circle.

It offers extremely high privacy.

Screens and slender sandalwood strips are installed at the corners on both sides of the hall. The restaurant has the majestic presence of the green cypress of Gushan Mountain and the peaceful elegance of plum blossoms and cranes. The chef was hired from a Chinese restaurant in Wudaoying Hutong.

The club manager made a special trip to serve these gentlemen, initially arrogant but later becoming obsequious and fawning over them.

Those present, including Song Xi, did not react much to this.

When Song Xi first arrived at the Zhao family, she felt embarrassed for those who were trying to curry favor when she saw similar scenes. Later, she gradually realized that only ordinary people are embarrassed, while capable people are not.

Song Xi sat down at the dining table, with Chi Wang to her left. Meng Boyu went to find Jiang Shangxue, arriving a couple of steps later; the engaged couple sat close together.

After greeting Song Xi, Jiang Shangxue asked, "It's been a while since we last met. How have you been?" They would run into each other every now and then in the United States. It wasn't a long-awaited reunion, but they weren't close enough to talk about everything.

"That's good." Song Xi's gaze swept over the ring on her left middle finger, her pupils filled with a faint smile. "I heard you got engaged. Congratulations."

"Thank you. It's a pity you didn't come back to China for the engagement party." Jiang Shangxue's fingertips curled slightly, and she asked again, "Why did you suddenly want to come back to China? I remember your plan was to settle down abroad."

"The reason for returning to China..." Song Xi thought for a moment and smiled, "To pay taxes to the country."

Jiang Shangxue was stunned for a moment after hearing this.

This answer was completely unexpected.

Chi Wang and Meng Boyu were amused by Song Xi's answer; the former laughed brightly, while the latter's lips curled into a smile.

The private room was filled with laughter and conversation; everyone spoke in a relaxed tone, as if they were chatting casually.

As Zhao Yansen and Zhou Ji'an entered, they heard Yingying's laughter before they even saw anyone. The atmosphere here was lively and warm, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere between the two of them just moments before.

Chi Wang exclaimed dramatically, "Gentlemen, you've finally arrived! We were starving if you hadn't come soon!"

Zhou Ji'an exposed him: "Before you speak, hide the cake in front of you."

I've already eaten half the cake, and I'm starving. I might as well believe the sun is black today.

"Hey!" Chi Wang laughed and pushed Zhou Ji'an in his wheelchair to sit next to him. "You sit here."

The only remaining seat was to Song Xi's right, at the head of the table. Zhao Yansen strolled over leisurely and sat down with an air of nonchalance.

Chi Wang excitedly informed her, "I've verified it; the employees at my sister's company privately like to call their business partners 'Daddy Client.'"

“Cutting off someone’s source of income is like killing their parents,” Jiang Shangxue explained. “The client providing the source of income is like having a second parent.”

After that incident, Zhou Ji'an's attitude towards Song Xi improved considerably. Wen Ya asked her, "You call her that too?"

"No, the company employees are just joking around in private."

Song Xi smiled faintly, "But if President Zhou likes to hear the contractor call you 'Daddy Client,' I can call you that too."

Any form of address that promotes cooperation is a good one.

Song Xi has long since lost her parents, so she doesn't mind calling the client "Daddy" a couple of times. Her main strength lies in her ability to be flexible and adaptable.

Upon hearing this, Chi Wang burst into laughter, while Jiang Shangxue and Meng Boyu also smiled with raised eyebrows.

Only Zhao Yansen's eyes were frighteningly cold.

That's great. She brought him a brother-in-law back from China, and now she's given him a father figure. He raised her, and she calls Zhou Ji'an "Dad," so doesn't that make Zhou Ji'an her dad too?
Zhou Ji'an also considered this aspect. It was fine to joke around, but he couldn't accept Song Xi actually calling him "Daddy Client".

Zhao Yansen glanced at her lazily from the corner of his eye: "Song Xi."

The moment the man spoke, his clear, cold voice, like the striking of jade, reached Song Xi's ears, and she couldn't help but tremble.

When she was young, she had seen Zhao Yansen speak in a Beijing accent and confront high-ranking officials in the municipal government, which was very frightening.

Although he spoke with a smile, the senior executives were filled with fear, their hearts pounding like ants on a hot pan.

"Brother, are you hungry?" Song Xi knew when to stop and subtly changed the subject. "Let's order some food first."

Zhou Ji'an was not surprised.

Song Xi speaks softly and is very well-mannered. She occasionally makes a joke or two with her brothers. She is quick-witted and knows how to behave appropriately.

The club manager, quick to notice, immediately approached Song Xi and asked, "Miss, what do you need?"

(End of this chapter)