Chapter 138 - A Miss

The next morning, in the HR Manager’s office on the eighth floor of the Emali Group building, by the tea table.

Hu Jing personally poured Ye Fan a cup of tea and then looked at him with a flirtatious smile, “Here, try some of the fine tea I’ve collected.”

Her voice was soft and silky with a husky undertone, and before she had finished speaking, she threw Ye Fan a seductive glance without giving herself away.

This was a complete change in attitude from when they first met yesterday.

Ye Fan chuckled, lifted the teacup, and sensed a unique aroma of tea—it was natural, a combination of floral, fruity, and honey fragrances that lingered.

Taking a closer look at the tea in the cup, he noticed its golden yellow color, and how crystal clear and pure it was.

Just from the fragrance and color, Ye Fan was certain that this was a fine tea.

He sipped it, allowing his taste buds to relish the sweet and refreshing flavor as he gently closed his eyes.

After a while, Ye Fan opened his eyes and heard Hu Jing’s coquettish laugh, “How is it?”

“Good tea,” Ye Fan nodded, “What kind of tea is it?

It’s not your ordinary tea, is it?”

“Jin Junmei, a branch of Zhengshan Xiaozhong black tea, with an annual production of only around one thousand kilograms,” Hu Jing explained, a touch of pride in her voice.

“I had to rely on a friend to get this authentic Jin Junmei from its origin in Tongmuguan, Wuyi Mountains, Fujian.”

“You certainly know how to enjoy yourself,” Ye Fan remarked with a smile.

“Of course.

Living in this world, if you don’t have fun when you can, what use is all the wealth when you’re old and grey?” Hu Jing said as a matter of course.

Ye Fan laughed again, making no comment.

Hu Jing’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, “Because I was busy with work yesterday and you had just returned and not yet settled in, I didn’t get the chance to discuss our future division of responsibilities.”

Last night, after she got home, she pondered a lot and realized that weakening Ye Fan’s presence and excluding him completely was impossible.

Therefore, she resolved to clearly define their roles, to incorporate Ye Fan into her management system, while also using her charm to enchant Ye Fan, ensuring he would follow her orders.

But to her surprise, Ye Fan immediately waved his hands and said, “No, no, didn’t we agree on this yesterday?

I’m not the one to handle affairs, I’ve always been lazy, so don’t burden me with responsibilities.”

Hu Jing couldn’t help but be taken aback, her beautiful eyes fixed onto Ye Fan’s deep, oceanic eyes, trying to discern if he was telling the truth.

Ye Fan continued with a sly grin, “Hu, the great beauty, could you grant me another leave this afternoon?”

Hu Jing’s brows slightly furrowed but then she laughed seductively, “Giggle, of course, I can.”

“Heh, thanks a lot,” Ye Fan said with a smile, “If there’s nothing else, I won’t disturb you any further.”

“Mhm, okay then,” Hu Jing replied.

After Ye Fan left, Hu Jing sat back in her large office chair, shook her head in self-mockery, and muttered to herself, “I thought he was different, but I didn’t expect that at such a young age, he’s already thinking about coasting through life, wasting my pot of Jin Junmei tea.

Well, it’s better that way; at least I don’t have to worry about him undermining me from behind.

Still, I should reel him in from time to time, tease him a bit when there’s nothing else to do.”

Ye Fan returned to his office and continued searching for information online.

He was determined to buy a large bar for Lu Chengqiang and to fulfill his promise to establish a martial arts gym for Shi Sheng—tasks that needed to be completed soon, keeping him busy.

Around ten o’clock, his mobile phone suddenly rang.

Ye Fan took it out and saw that it was a call from Su Meizhen.

“Hello, Sister Su, what’s up?” Ye Fan asked as he answered the call.

Su Meizhen’s somewhat reserved voice came from the phone, “Manager Ye, do you have time?

There is something I need to discuss with you.”

“Yeah, I do.

I’ll come down to see you,” Ye Fan replied casually.

Su Meizhen quickly said, “No, no, how could I trouble you to move?

I’m already in the security stairwell on the east side of the eighth floor.”

“Alright then.

I’ll come to find you,” Ye Fan said.

After hanging up his phone, he stepped out of the office and made his way to the safety stairs on the east side.

Su Meizhen approached him with a nervous smile and called out, “Manager Ye.”

“Heh, what’s up?

Sister Su,” Ye Fan said with a faint smile.

Su Meizhen offered the bulging kraft paper bag she was holding to Ye Fan, saying uneasily, “Manager Ye, I was blind before; please take this money back.”

Ye Fan glanced at the kraft paper bag full of money, and shook his head lightly with a smile, “Money once given doesn’t come back.

Don’t worry about it; as soon as I walk out this door, I’ll forget all about it.”

With that, he gestured towards the door of the staircase.

“How can that be?

Manager Ye, please take back the money,” Su Meizhen pleaded.

Ye Fan shook his head with a light smile and said, “Forget it, I’ve got things to do.

If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.

Goodbye.”

After speaking, he left the safety staircase and entered the corridor.

Su Meizhen didn’t know whether to call out or to stop him, standing there helplessly as she watched Ye Fan leave and let out a deep sigh.

The money was burning a hole in her pocket, yet she couldn’t return it, and now Ye Fan had the upper hand.

In the afternoon, Ye Fan didn’t go to work but instead went out to scout locations for the martial arts venue.

For the martial arts venue, his plan was to pick a good location, rent a sufficiently spacious place, decorate it stylishly and generously, ensure it had complete facilities, and staff it with martial arts coaches and a professional medical team.

The investment certainly wouldn’t be just a million; it would have to start at thirty million.

He drove around to several places he had in mind all afternoon.

At five o’clock, Qin Mengyao and Bobo called him in succession, inviting him out to dinner, but Ye Fan declined because he had things to do that evening.

After seven-thirty, as dusk fell and the night grew hazy, Ye Fan drove into the parking lot of Heroic Bar.

It was a large bar, spanning over two thousand square meters, with two floors—the first floor housed the main hall, dance floor, bar, and booths, while the second floor contained private rooms.

Ye Fan entered Heroic Bar, not to kill time, but to assess the establishment’s condition.

Through the brokerage information, Ye Fan knew this bar was on the market, so he went to check it out.

Around eleven-thirty at night, Ye Fan left Heroic Bar.

He was quite satisfied with the bar: it was well located, newly furnished and had been in operation for just two or three years, and it had an ample flow of customers.

But one thing puzzled him; the bar was thriving, making a lot of money every day, so why would someone want to sell it?

Nevertheless, he was confident and not worried about any hidden issues.

The next morning, Ye Fan took another day off.

He drove to Heroic Bar, walked in, and was led by a young man in a crisp new white shirt and black trousers from the first floor to the second, then into a luxuriously decorated VIP room.

“Mr.

Ye, please wait for a moment; our boss will be here shortly,” the young man said after pouring a glass of water for Ye Fan.

Ye Fan nodded and sat calmly on the leather sofa to wait.

A couple of minutes later, the sound of footsteps came from outside the room with an open door, punctuated by the distinct click of high heels on the floor.

Ye Fan couldn’t help but look up towards the doorway, and in the next moment, he saw a beautiful woman with a sensual figure, wearing a black leather jacket and red high heels, appear at the entrance.

When he clearly saw the woman’s stunning face, he was so surprised that he stood up.

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