A hint of embarrassment flashed across Ouyang Mingqi's face. This usually calculating man even had his ears turning a suspicious shade of red. He softened his tone and said,
"After all, you saved my life. You're my benefactor. Why pretend you dislike me so much?"
After saying that, Ouyang Mingqi looked at her seriously. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Xia Ruolin walking towards them, so he quickly stopped.
"What were you two talking about?" Xia Ruolin glared at Ouyang Mingqi menacingly. She had just seen Ouyang Mingqi smiling at Xia Weilan and thought he was trying to please both of them.
"Nothing. I'm here to pick you up. Let's go." Ouyang Mingqi immediately took Xia Ruolin's suitcase gentlemanly.
"Humph! I didn't ask you to come pick me up." Although Xia Ruolin said so, she still followed Ouyang Mingqi. Before leaving, she gave Xia Weilan a fierce glare.
After they left, Xia Weilan stared at the direction they disappeared in for a long time. Had they joined forces for good in this lifetime?
"What are you thinking about?" Mo Beichen walked over with their two suitcases in hand, looking a bit puzzled.
"Nothing. Let's go." Xia Weilan replied calmly.
In the chairman's office of the Xia Group, as soon as Xia Weilan entered, she saw Old Master Xia talking business with his secretary.
Old Master Xia motioned for Xia Weilan to sit on the sofa beside them.
Then Xia Weilan heard Old Master Xia talking about the cooperation project in Country Z:
"Ruolin came back this time but didn't come to report to me right away. The result might not be ideal."
"Chairman, should we still follow up on this project?" the secretary asked.
Old Master Xia hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "I heard that Z might come to our country recently. The exact reason is unknown. If we can find out where he'll be staying, we might still have a chance to negotiate."
Z Jewelry Company has always had a good reputation. As long as they can cooperate with them, even if it's just a small cooperation, it can greatly enhance the Xia family's reputation and might even make them famous overseas.
That's why Old Master Xia wanted to give it a try even though he knew it would be difficult.
"Secretary Liu, go and inform the project department to prepare for this project with all their might from now on."
"Yes." Hearing this, the secretary retreated in a well - trained manner.
"Grandpa, the Z Jewelry Company you mentioned, is it the one from Country M? Are we going to cooperate with them?" Xia Weilan had already heard most of the conversation and couldn't help asking excitedly. Xia Weilan had always known about a world - renowned jewelry designer Z, who was also the founder of Z Jewelry Company.
"Yes, girl. But this matter is still up in the air." Old Master Xia's tone was not very optimistic.
"Grandpa, I want to participate in this project." Xia Weilan suddenly said. In fact, she hoped to have the opportunity to meet this design master in person.
Hearing this, Old Master Xia thought for a while. "This matter has already been assigned to Ruolin. If I let you participate too..."
"Grandpa, just let her join!" came Xia Ruolin's haughty voice from the door. She walked in briskly on her high - heels, looking completely different from her previous dejected self. Just now, Ouyang Mingqi had given her a lot of information about Z, including Z's preferences and design concepts. After reading it, Xia Ruolin realized where she had offended Z. Now that she heard Z was coming to China, her confidence was immediately rekindled. She believed that with that information, she could convince Z.
Xia Weilan looked at the high - spirited Xia Ruolin coldly, not missing the mockery and disdain in her eyes.
"Then you two should cooperate well." Old Master Xia said seriously.
"Okay, Grandpa." Xia Ruolin smiled brightly.
Not long after, the project department held a seminar on the cooperation plan with Z Jewelry Company.
When Xia Weilan entered, Xue Zhiqing forced a smile on his old face and invited Xia Weilan to sit on his right, while Xia Ruolin sat on his left.
During the meeting, Xia Ruolin hid the information she got from Ouyang Mingqi and only shared the information that could be found on Baidu. However, she still received praise from everyone.
"I've already met with the person in charge of the other company. They're very interested in cooperating with our company." Xia Ruolin said without blinking an eye, looking at Xia Weilan proudly.
The reason she let Xia Weilan participate was to let Xia Weilan know how excellent she, Xia Ruolin, was, and that everyone in the project department supported her.
Throughout the meeting, Xia Weilan just sat there calmly without saying a word.
This made everyone not optimistic about her.
"Both are young ladies, but obviously Xia Ruolin has more presence."
"Yes. Before, Xia Weilan was just a small - time designer, while Xia Ruolin is already the deputy general manager."
Some people whispered without any fear that Xia Weilan would hear them.
After the meeting, Xia Weilan called the manager of Z Jewelry Company herself. Unexpectedly, as soon as she said she was Miss Xia, the other side hung up the phone immediately.
"Why are they so impolite?" Xia Weilan frowned in confusion.
In the following days, no matter what channel Xia Weilan used, she was directly rejected by the other side.
Just then, Xia Weilan's phone beeped a few times. It was a transfer from a stranger who had added her as a friend.
After thinking for a while, Xia Weilan remembered that this person was Locke, who had lost his wallet in a foreign country.
"Miss Xia, I'm sorry. I just got back to my country and re - registered my phone number. I'm really sorry to have kept you waiting for so long." Locke sent a series of messages.
Xia Weilan couldn't help but smile. She didn't expect the other person to be so serious.
Just then, the other side initiated a voice call. Xia Weilan clicked to answer and heard Locke's gentle and shy voice again:
"Miss Xia, I'm in Jingdu. Are you nearby?"
It was evening. Xia Weilan was just about to get off work, so she said, "I'm in Jingdu."
"Great! I'm at Yunmeng Hotel. Can I treat you to a meal?" Locke invited.
"No need. I have some things to deal with recently. Let's make it another time." Xia Weilan glanced at the clock on the wall and stood up. She had an appointment with Mo Beichen to discuss the matter of Z Jewelry Company that evening, so she really had no mood to go. Moreover, she had only done a small favor before and didn't really care about it.
"Okay, then I'll invite you another day." Locke said and then hung up the call.
"What's up? Your benefactor is not available?" Z looked at Locke's expression and immediately guessed the result.
"Yes. She's quite busy recently and said she'll make it another time." Locke put down his phone and looked at Z. "But I originally wanted to introduce her to you. I saw that your friend circles are all about jewelry design. You must have a lot to talk about. It's a pity..."
"It seems we're not fated. I'm only here to see you for two days and then I have to leave." After Z said that, he picked up the menu and started ordering.