"What's the hurry? What happened?" Xu Zixi asked on the way. Ever since she learned that their destination was the Haicheng Marine Biology Research Institute, she had a hunch about the answer.
Sure enough, Pei Mingyuan said, "We discovered a rare species of sea fish in the sea area where the project is located. This species had disappeared for twenty years. The exploration team sent the suspected body tissue of this sea fish to the research institute for testing. The test results came out two hours ago, and it's definitely that sea fish! The Pei Group and the Yan Group's acquisition of this bay has already drawn envy. The implications behind this news are too significant. The Pei Group can't suppress it, and there's no need to. The Yan Group's suggestion is that we announce it to the media first to take the initiative."
"You're right. We must take the initiative at this moment," Xu Zixi immediately understood the ins and outs. She said, "This is also the best opportunity to promote the project. After today, I'm sure our project will become the focus of the whole country."
Pei Mingyuan checked his watch and said, "The press conference will start in ten minutes. Fortunately, you brought the materials in time. Yuan Xi, you've worked hard."
"Since I'm already here, if there's anything else I can do to help, just tell me, Mr. Pei," Xu Zixi said.
Pei Mingyuan said, "Of course. You're my right-hand and left-hand person now. I need you very much."
Xu Zixi followed Pei Mingyuan into the research institute building. Sure enough, she saw a group of media people with cameras and video cameras surrounding the laboratory. The middle-aged man she had seen at the project site discussing the "Golden Amber" and an old man in a white lab coat were being interviewed by the media.
The press conference was held in the research institute's conference room. Everyone was in a hurry, and the tension was palpable just from their expressions. Xu Zixi quickly got involved and started to help.
At 4 p.m., a sudden news report shocked the whole of Haicheng and even Country C.
"Recently, the Pei Group discovered an object suspected to be left by the 'Golden Amber' in the bay it is responsible for developing. After analysis and testing by the Haicheng Deep-Sea Science Research Institute, it was confirmed that this substance is indeed the solidified secretion of the 'Golden Amber'. Now, let's interview Pei Mingyuan, the president of the Pei Group who discovered the 'Golden Amber'..."
On TV, Pei Mingyuan, who usually dressed in a motorcycle style, was now wearing a solemn suit. His hair was neatly combed, and he even wore a tie. It was obvious that the Pei Group attached great importance to this matter.
"Discovering the 'Golden Amber', which had disappeared for twenty years, in the sea area we are going to develop and transform is a great honor for the entire Pei Group. The Pei Group will surely cherish this God-given opportunity. We will do a good job in environmental protection, protect the entire sea area, and let the 'Golden Amber' truly return to the ocean. The Pei Group will also spare no effort to turn this bay into a well-known tourist destination in the country and strive to complete the construction as soon as possible and open it to the public. Before that, please do not go to this sea area without permission to avoid danger."
In the black Maybach on the way back to the seaside villa in the south of the city, the two kids were snuggled up together, sound asleep. Yan Yincheng propped his chin with one hand and gently stroked Yuan Xiaoxuan's hair with the other. He was wearing earplugs and listening to the live broadcast of the "Golden Amber" press conference.
"Mr. Pei, could you please tell us what the opportunity was that led you to discover the secretion of this rare sea fish?"
On the video, Pei Mingyuan was talking eloquently to the reporters, while Yan Yincheng's thoughts drifted away with the reporter's question.
What was the opportunity? In his previous life, this project in Haicheng was handled by other people from the Yan Group. He only heard his father mention it briefly at the board meeting. At that time, it was only said that the project was losing a lot of money, which indirectly led to the bankruptcy of the Pei Group. Moreover, this rare sea fish called the "Golden Amber" never appeared until he died.
Could it be that because he was reborn and came to Haicheng, the so-called butterfly effect caused some things to deviate?
However, with the gimmick of the "Golden Amber", this bay jointly developed by the Yan Group and the Pei Group in this life should not lose money like it did in the previous life. As long as it is well-managed, it will be a continuous source of wealth.
Maybe he could consider increasing the investment.
It was already after eight o'clock in the evening when Xu Zixi finished helping Pei Mingyuan with the "Golden Amber" press conference. After seeing off all the media, Xu Zixi let out a long sigh of relief. Her legs were extremely sore, and at the same time, she was glad that she was wearing a pair of sports shoes today because she had planned to take the kids to the aquarium. Otherwise, her legs would have been useless.
"Yuan Xi, you've really worked hard today!" Pei Mingyuan looked at Xu Zixi with admiration and approval in his eyes. "Fortunately, you were here. Otherwise, I don't know how chaotic the scene would have been."
Xu Zixi said half-jokingly, "Don't say such polite words, Mr. Pei. When you give an order, of course, as your assistant, I can only do my best. It would be better if you took some practical actions to compensate me for my ruined harmonious weekend."
Pei Mingyuan was in a very good mood and said with a low laugh, "How about I treat you to a sumptuous dinner? It's already this late. You're not going to rush back to cook for the kids, are you?"
Xu Zixi was really hungry. It would take at least an hour to drive back to the villa in the south of the city from the Haicheng Marine Biology Research Institute. She felt that she might not be able to hold on until then, so she readily agreed, "Okay, then I'll let Mr. Pei spend money tonight."
Xu Zixi got into Pei Mingyuan's car and headed towards the busiest business district in the city center.
The car was driving smoothly on the road, and soft music was playing inside. Xu Zixi was sitting in the passenger seat, looking through the messages on her phone. The cool night wind blew in from the window, stirring the hair on her shoulders.
Pei Mingyuan only took one look and was captivated by this scene. He quickly looked away and forced himself to focus on the road ahead.
After a while, he suddenly said, "Yuan Xi, I'm sorry."
Xu Zixi lazily raised her eyes and said, "Why are you suddenly apologizing, Mr. Pei? You don't seem to have done anything to be sorry for me recently, do you?"
Pei Mingyuan said, "I'm sorry. I didn't manage Weiwei well. She spread your old news within the company. I... I also had some negative opinions about you because of those old news, so I was a bit cold to you for a while. I'm formally apologizing to you today."
Xu Zixi smiled indifferently and said, "It's human nature. I don't mind."
The more detached she seemed, the more uncomfortable Pei Mingyuan felt. Especially after she issued a challenge to Pei Weiwei that day, their conversation in the elevator made him realize that he had underestimated her all along, underestimated her character and tenacity. If the news of the "Golden Amber" hadn't been announced today, the distance between him and her might have become farther and farther because of those old news.
"Yuan Xi, can I ask you a question?"
Xu Zixi said, "If you have anything you want to know, just ask today. You're my boss, and I'm your subordinate. It's better for both of us to be honest earlier."
"Can I ask who the father of your two children is?" Regarding that old news from Fengcheng, what Pei Mingyuan was most concerned about was the father of her two children. She had betrayed Yan Zhen, but the news didn't mention the man she had an affair with. Who could it be?
Xu Zixi didn't expect him to ask this. She frowned slightly and felt a bit uncomfortable. This discomfort came from a man's inquiry about a woman's background when he was interested in her.
"It doesn't matter. You just need to know that the children belong to me alone," Xu Zixi said.
Since she avoided the topic, Pei Mingyuan didn't press further. He changed the topic and asked, "Did you join the Pei Group because you knew that this project was a cooperation between the Pei Group and the Yan Group?"
"Yes," Xu Zixi propped her chin with one hand and played with the diamond ring on her neck with the other. The light of the diamond ring flashed, stinging Pei Mingyuan's eyes.
"Aren't you afraid that the people from the Yan family will find out about your existence?" Pei Mingyuan asked, looking away.
"So what?" Xu Zixi smiled faintly. "My affair with Yan Zhen was four years ago. Everyone has a new life now. The relationship between the Yan family and the Yuan family has not only not been affected but has become closer than before. Why should they make things difficult for a helpless woman like me? If the people from the Yan family are really that petty, it means this project is not worth my efforts. I'll just leave."
"You don't have to leave!" Pei Mingyuan realized that he sounded a bit eager. After a pause, he said, "Don't worry. You're my subordinate that I personally recruited. As long as what you ask for doesn't touch the interests of the Pei Group, I'll help you. However, I also need to remind you that the person sent by the Yan Group to Haicheng has a close relationship with Yan Zhen. Even if you've let it go, the other person may not."
"Really?" Xu Zixi became interested. "Who is the person they sent to Haicheng?"