Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch. 108 (Xu Jiamu x Cheng Siying)
Xu Jiamu found Cheng’s Biological researchers to be an interesting bunch. At least she had never seen anyone use lab measuring cups and test tubes in the kitchen. However, while these researchers were carefully mixing ingredients, the results could match their dedication.
But Cheng Siying’s cooking skills were quite good. Xu Jiamu thought to herself that Professor Cheng was truly versatile.
“When I was studying abroad in Blue Country, I relied on instant noodles for survival,” Cheng Siying said warmly.
Xu Jiamu lowered her eyelashes. Her voice was deep. “Because of our grandfather, our family all has a taste for Chinese cuisine.”
“The next time you come to Blue Country, I’ll have the family’s cook, who has been in service for thirty years, prepare a feast for you.”
Cheng Siying tilted her head. “I thought at this moment, you would say you’d cook for me personally.”
Xu Jiamu’s tone was cautious. “But I hope you’re in good health.”
Cheng Siying: “…”
“Alright.” She chuckled softly, finding Xu Jiamu really interesting. The usually aloof beauty was actually easy to get along with and polite. She regretted not getting to know Xu Jiamu earlier—though it wasn’t too late now.
After their meal, they placed the utensils in the designated area. Xu Jiamu invited Cheng Siying to go for a walk outside.
“The lake in the park misses you,” Xu Jiamu said.
“Is that so?” Cheng Siying lightly glanced at Xu Jiamu and agreed.
The park was close to the research institute, but they walked slowly. They didn’t speak, yet the atmosphere was comfortable. Half an hour later, Xu Jiamu and Cheng Siying stood side by side by the empty park lake.
The sky was somewhat overcast. The end of winter was approaching, but snow still persistently sought to return to the earth. There was a light snowfall today, and the corners of the park were marked with remnants of previous snow. The lake’s surface hadn’t frozen, cold and serene like a dark jade, devoid of the shadow of any fish.
Xu Jiamu’s gaze returned from the sky, casting her eyes downward. Cheng Siying, however, didn’t look at the lake. Her gaze stretched into the distance.
“In the past, when I wasn’t feeling good or when there were problems in my research, I would come here and watch the water flow,” Cheng Siying said softly. “As if the troubles and doubts in my heart would leave with the current.”
“If all the doubts in life could truly be washed away by water,” Cheng Siying’s lips curved, “then human existence wouldn’t have any meaning.”
Xu Jiamu’s hands hung by her sides. She looked at the lake’s surface, her voice very soft.
“So, the reasons that make you feel bad… do they include matters of the heart?”
Cheng Siying looked at her with confusion.
Xu Jiamu didn’t turn her head, and her voice remained subdued. “The matter of breaking off the engagement, did it make you sad?”
Are you still fixated on Ji Yichen?
Cheng Siying’s eyes earnestly met Xu Jiamu’s. She was puzzled by why she was asking this. Looking at Xu Jiamu’s delicate profile, her pupils clear, she replied, “I’ve never been troubled by matters of the heart before.”
Xu Jiamu raised an eyebrow.
“Strictly speaking, in my current life, there’s only family and friendship. I uniquely lack romance.”
“Engaging with Ji Yichen at his peak was the least rigorous thing my father, who was always meticulous, did in his life,” Cheng Siying said.
The woman next to her suddenly felt that “Xu Jiamu” sounded very pleasant.
“Let’s head back,” Cheng Siying said, “I still have work in the afternoon.”
“Mhmm.”
Xu Jiamu turned without expression, chin slightly lifted. “Let’s go.”
Cheng Siying found Xu Jiamu’s demeanor somewhat odd. She extended a finger and gently tapped Xu Jiamu’s back. “Miss Michael.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Don’t just ask me. As a young, accomplished, and beautiful woman, haven’t you been pursued by anyone?” Cheng Siying asked her.
Xu Jiamu was honest. “A lot.”
Cheng Siying let out an “Oh.”
“Both men and women,” Xu Jiamu continued.
Cheng Siying nodded.
“Very many,” Xu Jiamu added.
Cheng Siying remained silent, her lips lightly curling.
“However,” someone turned their gaze, their palm resting on the woman’s waist who was a half step behind, guiding her forward, “I used to think that I’d spend my life with my work.”
Cheng Siying put her hands in her pockets, couldn’t help but smile.
They walked for a while, until the entrance of the research institute was right in front of them. They stopped at the door. Cheng Siying turned around, looked at Xu Jiamu’s face, and asked, “When you say ‘in the past,’ when was it?”
Xu Jiamu’s tone was casual. “About the same time as Professor Cheng’s present.”
“I see,” Cheng Siying said, stepping onto the staircase and meeting Xu Jiamu’s gaze. “So, not long ago.”
Xu Jiamu nodded.
Cheng Siying couldn’t resist; she raised her hand, her index finger pausing before touching Xu Jiamu’s skin. Xu Jiamu grabbed Cheng Siying’s hand, applying a slight pressure.
The cool fingertip met the soft cheek, and Xu Jiamu’s face nestled into a shallow dimple.
Cheng Siying couldn’t help exerting a bit of force. Xu Jiamu leaned back slightly in response, chuckling.
“Goodbye,” Cheng Siying withdrew her hand, turning around. “I need to work.”
“Until next time.”
Watching her figure, Xu Jiamu said, “Professor Cheng, I’ll come find you for a meal another day. Please make up for the egg you owe me today. Thank you.”
Cheng Siying didn’t turn back, just waved her hand.
Once Xu Jiamu got into the car, her secretary in the front seat turned around, smiling, and asked, “President Xu, do you need me to order flowers for Miss Cheng on your behalf?”
Xu Jiamu’s expression remained unchanged. “No need, I’ll handle it myself.”
“Rather than flowers and jewelry, it’s more important to address the dining issue at the research institute as soon as possible.” Xu Jiamu thought about the institute’s environment and added, “And the security issue.”
“Understood, President Xu. I’ll take care of it immediately.”
A few days later, apart from dining arrangements at the research institute, a carefully selected team of elite professionals, all with good reputations and strong capabilities, settled into the institute. From general managers to finance, HR, and administration, everything was covered. At this point, the institute entered its normal operational phase.
Meanwhile, Xu Jiamu and the Lu Corporation’s Lu Manxin attended an official auction in the capital city organized by government authorities.
This auction involved urban and suburban construction land in the capital city, along with various projects. The participants in the bidding were heavyweight enterprises of Huazhou. Xu Jiamu’s goal this time was to acquire suburban land up for auction.
With the blueprints and plans for the Universal and Lu Corporations’ technology parks in hand, they aimed to secure the targeted land in this auction.
“If we can’t win, it’s not a big deal,” Lu Manxin crossed her legs and leaned back lazily, whispering to Xu Jiamu, “We can always buy elsewhere.”
They already had acquired the right to use the majority of the land, but they needed to secure some areas close to the city through bidding. If they could obtain the desired land, their technology parks would form a neat rectangle.
Lu Manxin’s gaze swept around, and she beckoned to Xu Jiamu, gesturing towards the woman who was bending down. She asked, “Did you see the moves made by Peak Union and other companies?”
Xu Jiamu nodded.
“Tsk.” Lu Manxin lightly rubbed her fingers together, raising an eyebrow. “May the best one win.”
Buying land, a major undertaking, is hard to keep secret. Lu Corporation and Universal Corporation are buying, and so is Peak Union and other companies. They are purchasing the land adjacent to the other, and apart from land, these top companies in the capital received the news that the government plans to extend the subway to the suburbs. However, the detailed plan has not been disclosed yet; everything is still under discussion.
If this plan is realized, the land prices in the suburbs will definitely soar. The companies buying the land are all gambling on where the subway will be extended. An industrial park is not just a few dozen or a few hundred square meters. With the plans of Universal and Lu Corporations, the technology park covers an area of three hundred hectares, equivalent to three million square meters of land. The land alone is worth astronomical numbers, and the development of suburban land will require further investment, an amount even more massive than astronomical figures.
Lu Manxin isn’t afraid of confronting things openly, she’s concerned about underhanded tactics by some individuals, deliberately setting traps behind the scenes, interfering with official decisions. The establishment of the technology park is also supported by the government. If the subway doesn’t extend in the direction of the technology park…
The back view of Huazhou’s wealthiest person, who is admired by countless people, gently taps the armrest, with a faint smile.
That’s truly interesting.
“President Lu, President Xu, good morning,” a deep male voice interrupted their conversation.
Xu Jiamu looked up and nodded at the man. “Mr. Ji.”
“Didn’t expect President Lu to be here in person. It makes me a bit nervous suddenly,” Ji Yichen said with a faint smile.
“This auction, I hope the two of you will go easy on us,” Ji Yichen said.
Lu Manxin chuckled softly. “Don’t worry.”
“It’s President Xu’s meticulous work style,” Lu Manxin looked at Xu Jiamu, “As a business partner, it’s only natural to be in sync. However, I have heard recently that some people say I’m insatiable, always trying to meddle in everything.”
Lu Manxin’s gaze turned slightly cold, and a smirk curved her lips. “Since some people think of me that way, I can’t help but show them.”
The extraordinarily alluring woman raised an eyebrow. “I can be even greedier.”
Ji Yichen fell silent for a moment.
“If Mr. Ji finds it convenient, please convey a message for me. I appreciate everyone thinking highly of me,” Lu Manxin lifted her chin lazily against the seat, her voice slow. “Thank you.”
A chill ran down Ji Yichen’s back. He understood that among the people he contacted, someone had spoken carelessly and it reached Lu Manxin’s ears. He strained his face, clenched his teeth to maintain a smile, “President Lu is joking.”
“Take care,” Lu Manxin retracted her gaze. Ji Yichen left quickly with a faint smile, his back drenched in cold sweat.
Once he left, Lu Manxin sneered, then turned to Xu Jiamu, who had completely ignored Ji Yichen throughout the conversation. “The world is full of opportunists. These people love talking business at the dining table. After a few drinks, they dare to say anything. If they dare to say it, don’t be afraid it’ll reach my ears.”
Xu Jiamu responded with an “Hmm,” “I don’t like socializing.”
“I don’t either. Instead of that, wouldn’t a candlelit dinner with my wife be better if we had the time?” Lu Manxin shifted her seat upwards and smiled. “Fortunately, no one dares to pressure me.”
Candlelit dinner?
Xu Jiamu’s gaze flickered.
She hadn’t experienced it and wanted to give it a try.
Twenty minutes later, the auction began.
Land in the capital was worth its weight in gold. Most of the buildings and land in the urban area were auctioned due to various reasons, some forced repossessions, others due to bankruptcies caused by mismanagement. Each piece of land was fiercely contested. However, when it came to suburban land, the prices dropped significantly.
Though they were called suburban, the auctioned land was quite far from the city, inconvenient due to lack of development and transportation. Strangely, auctions that were previously not very competitive now became intense. Many participants had also heard about the subway construction plan, but the suburbs were vast, and they didn’t dare to gamble on where the subway would be extended. Moreover, they didn’t know how long it would take for the construction to be completed.
However, many people noticed that those participating in the auction were mostly technology companies.
As Lu Manxin had mentioned, they didn’t need to obsessively shape the technology park into a rectangle. If the land on the east side was bid too high and exceeded expectations, they would buy the land on the north side. If the north side wasn’t feasible, they would go for the west side. Some people wanted to compete for it? Let them.
Both Xu Jiamu and Lu Manxin maintained composed expressions. Their teams beside them were equally calm, calculating and raising paddles simultaneously. Ji Yichen’s brows gradually furrowed. If they bid like this, how would their technology park be built?
However, the available liquid capital in his hands… He had to grit his teeth and bid, but that would put pressure on the company’s operations within the next six months.
“Mr. Ji, should we bid on this piece of land?” someone next to Ji Yichen asked.
“This piece of land is the largest tonight. According to intelligence, this land is adjacent to the land already purchased by the Lu family. It should be the piece of land they most want to acquire tonight.”
Ji Yichen asked coldly, “What’s our projected amount?”
The assistant held up two fingers.
This amount…
Ji Yichen took a deep breath, “Give it a try. I can personally offer two hundred million.”
On stage, the auctioneer announced the starting price for the auction, 150 million.
Ji Yichen’s assistant immediately straightened his shoulders. He hadn’t raised his sign yet, but in the first row, the Lu family’s sign was already up.
“Lu Family, 410 million.”
Assistant: “…”
Ji Yichen: “…”
Others: “…”
The auctioneer remained unfazed, “410 million, is there a higher bid?”
“Mr. Ji?” The assistant asked Ji Yichen anxiously.
Ji Yichen furrowed his brows. They had guessed his bottom line. If he joined in, Lu Manxin and Xu Jiamu would surely outbid him. However, just giving up like this was unacceptable to him. But he also understood that if he dared to compete with the Lu family, adding a million might seem miserly, and adding ten million if Lu Manxin gave up after two or three increases, he would lose more than two hundred million…
“410 million for the first time, 410 million for the second time, 410 million for the third time!”
“Thud.”
The gavel fell, and the auction concluded.
Xu Jiamu turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on Ji Yichen’s face. Seeing his frustrated expression, she calmly looked back.
Not bad.
The auction concluded smoothly, and Xu Jiamu and Lu Manxin returned with success. In the car, they examined the land maps in Ji Yichen and others’ hands.
“It’s messy, but it’s a kind of beauty,” Lu Manxin remarked. “At least we’re all together.”
“Yes,” Xu Jiamu nodded, shrinking the map. Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Oh.”
She noticed that beside the land they had bid for today was the Cheng Research Institute. The institute and the surrounding land neatly separated the land Ji Yichen had acquired.
Xu Jiamu’s gaze deepened, and she closed her notebook.
Nearly half a year after leaving Peak, Cheng Siying received a rare call from Ji Yichen.
The voice of the man on the phone was gentle and polite, “Siying, it’s been a while. Are you busy with work lately? My father’s birthday is coming up, and he’s been looking at old photos. He came across pictures of him, Uncle Cheng, and the two of us when we were kids. He’s feeling sentimental and would like to invite you over for a meal. Do you have the time?”
Cheng Siying’s tone remained calm, “No.”
On the other end of the phone, Ji Yichen sat in a dark car, looking at the map in his notebook. His tone grew even gentler, “Siying, is it because of the broken engagement that you still hold resentment toward me?”
“Ji Yichen, if you have something to say, just say it,” Cheng Siying checked the time, “I’ll give you two minutes.”
Suppressing his anger, Ji Yichen chuckled, “Alright, you’re right. I can’t hide anything from you. Here’s the situation: the land around the Cheng Research Institute, including the institute itself, is on a 70-year lease acquired by my father. I’d like you to transfer this land to me. How does that sound?”
Cheng Siying responded without hesitation, “No.”
“Don’t reject right away. I’ll try to meet your conditions as much as possible. Or how about this: aside from the money for purchasing the land, I’ll reduce the usage period for the new materials by ten years. What do you think?” Ji Yichen coaxed persuasively, “You can sell the land to me and continue your research at the institute. I’ll let you rent it for free for two years. With the money, you can buy equipment to continue your research. You need funding now, don’t you?”
Cheng Siying looked at her watch and said, “First, even if I need funding, I won’t sell the land to you. Second, you’re too late. I’ve already sold this land to someone else. Third, you have ten seconds left.”
Ji Yichen immediately asked, “Whom did you sell it to?”
“Respect others’ privacy. This matter is confidential,” Cheng Siying said, “Three seconds left.”
“Our relationship, Siying—”
“Click.” Cheng Siying hung up the phone, looked at Xu Jiamu, and said, “Thank you for telling me.”
Xu Jiamu rested her chin on her hand and, illuminated by the candlelight, gazed at Cheng Siying’s face. She smiled faintly, “As a token of gratitude, shall we toast?”
Across the table, the woman, for once wearing a dress, with her hair done up and simple jewelry, raised her tall glass.
“Toasting.”
The rich wine moistened the bright red lips. Xu Jiamu’s gaze swept from the corner of Cheng Siying’s mouth that had been licked, and she casually remarked, “I suggest you inform the person who bought the land in advance about this matter. I have a feeling Ji Yichen will disturb him.”
Indeed.
Cheng Siying spoke softly, “After dinner, I’ll text Miss Xin.”
“Alright… huh?” Xu Jiamu blinked her eyes, “Miss Xin?”
“Yes,” Cheng Siying nodded, “It’s quite coincidental. This Miss Xin shares the same name and surname with your sister Pearl’s friend, but she’s not a celebrity.”
Selling her father’s lifelong efforts was a secret pain in Cheng Siying’s heart. She had signed the documents and entrusted others to handle the matter. However, on that day, she had glimpsed the people who came to the institute and then went to the land management bureau with her assistant and the client through the office window. She wanted to know who the future owner of this land would be.
It was a woman of delicate appearance, with a friendly smile. She wasn’t the stunning beauty she had seen on the Weibo post that day.
How could such a coincidence happen in the world?
Cheng Siying smiled at Xu Jiamu.
Xu Jiamu’s expression gradually faded as she picked up her phone.
Well, you see.
In this world, such coincidences do happen.
After finishing filming, Xin Nuo squatted in an area with signal and sent a message to Xu Heran, “Mhm, tell your sister, it’s me who bought it.”
“Does she want it? I can transfer it to her.”
Xin Nuo said with a smile, “No need for money, exchange it for her sister.”
The author has something to say:
Xu Jiamu: Okay.
Xu Heran: Give give give!
Cheng Siying: Huh?
Xin Nuo: ^-^
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu
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