Chapter 30 - Change
“You seem to be becoming more beautiful by the day, but I can't pinpoint exactly what's changing.” Zhang Xiaoloong remarked with a serious expression.
“Oh, stop it!” Yang Jingjing playfully wrinkled her nose, though deep down, she felt quite pleased.
She had experienced this sensation when she woke up that morning, initially thinking it was a mere illusion. However, Zhang Xiaoloong's comment had confirmed her suspicion. Could it be that this was the effect of being in love?
Yang Jingjing playfully stuck out her tongue and scolded herself internally for indulging in such thoughts. Nonetheless, she continued, “Let's finish eating. Afterward, I'll accompany you to your appointment. We should head to Qinghe Village as well.”
“You can relax here,” Zhang Xiaoloong suggested, believing it was a reasonable idea. “I had a good chat with Chen Yaru yesterday…”
“Who's Chen Yaru?” Yang Jingjing, ever sensitive, interrupted.
“Chen Yaru,” Zhang Xiaoloong explained, perplexed. “She's the manager at Yuanbo's company and also the boss's daughter. Do you know her?”
“I wondered why she wanted me to come. Turns out, she wanted me to meet a beautiful female manager. I didn't realize you were so skilled. You were out for just a few hours yesterday, and you already made connections with the other company's female manager,” Yang Jingjing teasingly said with a hint of jealousy.
“What nonsense are you talking about? I'm going to discuss glass with her,” Zhang Xiaoloong blushed as he explained. “If you want to come, feel free. Who's stopping you? I doubt I could tire out a high-profile reporter like you.”
“No, I won't be your third wheel,” Yang Jingjing retorted, her breakfast fury laced with a curious sense of jealousy.
Half an hour later, Zhang Xiaoloong and the reluctant companion entered Yuanbo Company together.
This time, it wasn't as quiet as before. The receptionist girl stood up with a welcoming smile and, upon hearing Zhang Xiaoloong's name, promptly escorted them to the manager's office.
Chen Yaru was inside the office, and upon hearing the knock and the announcement of Zhang Xiaoloong's arrival, she swiftly grabbed a small mirror to check her makeup and adjust her clothing. Satisfied that everything was in order, she calmly uttered, “Please come in.”
Zhang Xiaoloong pushed the door open and stepped inside. Although he wasn't wearing the suit from the previous day, to her, he looked just the same.
As she was about to offer a greeting, she noticed another exceptionally beautiful young woman following closely behind him.
The two women exchanged glances, as if they hadn't expected this situation.
“Xiaoloong, who is this?” Chen Yaru, after all, was on her home turf. She was the first to react with a smile, but inwardly, her heart raced with anxiety.
If this turned out to be Zhang Xiaoloong's girlfriend, her chances might not be very promising.
Not to mention anything else, just in terms of looks, this girl was unquestionably on par with her. Moreover, that kind of pure and innocent demeanor could easily captivate any man.
“Oh, her name is Yang Jingjing, a reporter from Beijing,” Zhang Xiaoloong swiftly introduced.
“She's also a friend of his,” Yang Jingjing chimed in and extended her hand to Chen Yaru. “Manager Chen, you're so stunning.”
“You too,” Chen Yaru rose and shook hands with her. Then she turned to Zhang Xiaoloong and inquired, “Why aren't you wearing the suit I bought for you yesterday?”
“That outfit is nice, but it feels a bit formal. I prefer casual attire,” Zhang Xiaoloong replied without sensing any underlying tension between the two women.
Yang Jingjing felt somewhat displeased upon hearing this. When she saw the suit yesterday, she found it rather odd. Why would Zhang Xiaoloong own such clothing? Now, she learned that it was Chen Yaru who had purchased it for him.
However, Zhang Xiaoloong had clearly mentioned that this was his first visit to the city, and he didn't know this woman. Why would she give him clothes the moment they met? He actually accepted them. Could it be that he didn't score highly on the college entrance exam and was considering becoming a gigolo?
“Yeah, Xiaoloong prefers a more relaxed style,” Yang Jingjing interjected and playfully tapped Zhang Xiaoloong's attire. “Yesterday, when he returned home, he took off his suit. I was in the middle of a shower at the time. When he came out, he nearly startled me.”
Pffft…
Zhang Xiaoloong cleared his throat, his eyes welled up with tears as he gazed at Yang Jingjing.
She displayed no fear whatsoever. Her large, expressive eyes seemed to silently ask, “Did I do something wrong?”
Zhang Xiaoloong felt utterly defeated. He had spoken the truth earlier about taking off his clothes and showering, but it had come out sounding differently, and that shocked him.
“First, let's discuss the greenhouse,” Chen Yaru's expression did shift, but upon observing Zhang Xiaoloong's reaction, she quickly surmised that there must be more to the story.
Yang Jingjing hailed from Yanjing, while Zhang Xiaoloong had never ventured far, not even bothering to report to school. Their proximity and shared overnight stay seemed implausible.
“Yes, this is a sketch I drew last night. The dimensions indicated here are approximately what we're looking at. How much do you estimate the cost to be?” Zhang Xiaoloong handed her a piece of paper adorned with his drawing.
“Regarding the specifics, we'll need to consult someone for precise measurements, factoring in geographical location, construction conditions, and other variables,” Chen Yaru only cast a brief glance at the sketch before returning her gaze. “Let's start with addressing the immediate issues.”
Zhang Xiaoloong had a bad feeling. “Go ahead.”
“We utilize a robust zinc-plated steel frame structure and the finest greenhouse glass. My suggestion is to employ Sunlight Plates at the top, known for their anti-freezing properties. They're lightweight, resilient, and less prone to damage. While they don't offer the same transparency as glass, they still achieve an impressive 80% light penetration, which should suffice for your needs,” Chen Yaru mused after careful consideration. “Regarding the pricing, I haven't had the chance to draft the official list yet, but I can provide you with a rough estimate. The cost per square meter will be approximately $200.”
“200 dollars per square meter?” Zhang Xiaoloong took a deep breath.
An acre of land amounted to less than 600 square meters. Even if it were 600 square meters, it would still total $120,000.
At the party yesterday, Chen Zhaomin and Chen Yaru's conversation had been hushed, but he had overheard it. He had wanted to learn about the pricing, thinking of alternative solutions. He never expected such a substantial difference. Suddenly, the value surpassed a hundred thousand dollars.
At the time, Chen Zhaomin had mentioned he only lacked transportation funds. If he rashly accepted the offer, he would end up owing the other party over a hundred thousand yuan at once, a debt that would be challenging to repay in the future.
“You're not intentionally inflating the price, are you?” Yang Jingjing sensed something amiss. If this situation persisted, Zhang Xiaoloong's visit would be in vain. “In reality, I was just teasing you earlier. Zhang Xiaoloong and I are just ordinary friends. There's nothing between us. Please don't make things difficult for him because of me.”
“Miss Yang, I assure you that's not the case. My earlier offer aligns with our agreement from yesterday. We've already made significant concessions, practically selling these products at cost price,” Chen Yaru explained, her demeanor now composed. “Initially, I had contemplated pricing these items at only 5,000 yuan. However, I began to think that Xiaoloong might not be comfortable with such a low price. The foundation of our honesty is that we have a long-lasting relationship. That's why we presented this offer.”
“You're right,” Zhang Xiaoloong affirmed, understanding the reasoning behind the pricing. “I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't proceed with these purchases at this time due to insufficient funds.”
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