Chapter 103: Elf From The West
Chen Yang picked up his pen and wrote down several names.
Zhuo Mingquan from the General Affairs Section, Ding Baozhen, these two—one is Director and the other is place chief.
Normally, Zhuo Mingquan is the Director, so his power should be somewhat greater than Ding Baozhen’s, but Ding Baozhen has another identity: he is one of the members of the Central Executive Committee over in Nanjing, so he can actually speak directly with them there as place chief.
These two men’s backgrounds are too complicated. Chen Yang thought for a moment and still drew an X over them.
Next are Director Qin and Director Tang. These two also have connections to Nanjing, and moreover to his superior, the Minister of Finance.
These two cannot be trusted either, so Chen Yang’s remaining choices are only Guo Zhaohui and Feng Jian from the Tongji Office.
Guo Zhaohui is already all jittery from that data now, leaving only Feng Jian as usable.
However, this Feng Jian’s foundation is too shallow; it’s unknown whether he can hold up.
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling—suddenly, a burst of telephone ringing interrupted Chen Yang’s thoughts.
Chen Yang picked up the telephone and said, “Hello, this is Chen Yang from the Economic Department.”
“Mr. Chen, oh no, Boss Chen.” The voice on the other end was very distinctive; Chen Yang quickly recognized who it was.
“Mr. William, hello.”
“Boss Chen, I’ve finished the proposal you wanted.” William laughed: “Do you have time tonight? Let’s meet; I’ll explain the details of the proposal to you.”
Chen Yang’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. Sure enough, expensive has its benefits. This William Taylor charges a lot, but his efficiency is truly high.
“Good, good. Let’s meet at the Vienna Coffee House as usual.”
“That works,” William paused and said: “Boss Chen, remember to bring the final payment. I don’t like owing money.”
This must be the reincarnation of a money-grubber. Chen Yang had heard from Lin Xueli that this guy has a royal family background.
And he’s the Chief Legal Officer of the Asia Oil Company. By rights, he shouldn’t lack money, yet he acts like he’s obsessed with it.
“Rest assured, Mr. William. As long as the proposal satisfies me, money is no issue.”
William chuckled lightly: “Boss Chen, you can rest easy. When it comes to legal affairs, I’m the professional.”
“Seven o’clock, see you tonight.”
“Good, goodbye.”
After hanging up, Chen Yang looked at the only remaining name on the draft paper—Feng Jian—and sighed softly. The opportunity had been given to him; whether he could seize it depended on his choice.
“Secretary Li, come in for a moment.” Chen Yang picked up the telephone and had Li Ningyu come in.
Soon, Li Ningyu pushed open the office door and walked in. Chen Yang handed her the prepared press release and said slowly, “Secretary Li, post the announcement.”
“Officer, you’re disbanding the Tongji Office? How so sudden?” Li Ningyu looked at the press release with some surprise and uncertainty.
“This is an order from above. Just carry it out. Oh, and after posting the announcement, have Deputy Director Feng come see me. I have something to discuss with him.”
Li Ningyu nodded: “Yes, Officer. I’ll go do it right away.”
*******
Shanghai, French Concession, Vienna Coffee House.
At seven in the evening, driver Old Qi punctually dropped Chen Yang off at the door of the Vienna Coffee House.
Chen Yang pushed open the coffee shop door and searched for William’s figure, but in an instant, a graceful silhouette sitting in the corner of the coffee shop caught Chen Yang’s attention.
Speaking of which, Chen Yang’s true identity is that of a small boss from the future world.
Living in a place like Hangcheng, Chen Yang has collaborated with all sorts of domestic and foreign internet celebrities, big and small—not exactly battle-hardened, but he’s seen some of the world.
Yet when he saw that figure, he was still shocked by her beauty.
It was a very obviously foreign friend, yet wearing a moon-white soft satin qipao, with a collar adorned with grape buttons and silver-thread embroidery of twining lotuses along the edges.
The sleeves were cut in a seven-tenths flared shape, revealing a section of creamy forearm, with a jade bangle on her wrist whose emerald sheen matched her eye color, cool and clear like West Lake water.
The qipao fabric was thin and sheer as a cicada’s wings; under the light, it faintly revealed the outline of her shoulder blades. The perfect bust revealed by the qipao undulated like Atlantic waves, yet restrained by Eastern subtlety.
An egg-shaped face delicately painted in fine brushwork, with contours as even as Song dynasty porcelain arcs, the lines from cheekbones to jaw smooth as if meticulously polished by the finest craftsman.
Eastern charm in her attire, embedded with a French touch.
A slender nose bridge like the tip of a white jade hairpin, slightly upturned with the crispness of Western painting; yet her lip peaks held Jiangnan’s softness, like velvet soaked in bayberry juice, emanating a touch of vermilion glow.
Hazel-green pupils floating with amber light under the glass lamp, almond-shaped like Eastern willow leaves, yet with tails drooping like French rose petals, diffusing a haze of misty sorrow.
Her gaze flowing, half her pupils hidden beneath lowered lashes when looking at someone, like stars sunk in an ancient well—innocent yet laced with a charm that begged to be spoken but held back.
Unlike traditional Chinese women, her fingertips held a slender ladies’ cigarette, smoke curling around her bangs.
That French slant bang cut just right, softening an overly bold hairline while letting one feel her stunning beauty.
Such an outstanding girl was like a perfect artwork meticulously drawn by God, with an angelic face, a devilish figure—like an elf fallen from heaven to the mortal world.
Chen Yang watched, sighing inwardly nonstop: so a foreigner could actually wear a Chinese-style qipao this beautifully.
“Eh, Boss Chen, when did you arrive?” Just as Chen Yang was sizing up the girl, a voice sounded by his ear.
Chen Yang turned his head at the sound and saw that William had somehow come to his side.
“Right on seven, Boss Chen is very punctual.”
Chen Yang smiled and replied: “Punctuality is a must. Let’s find a place to sit and talk.”
William said amiably: “I’ve already found seats, Boss Chen. Your foundation hasn’t found a suitable agent yet, has it?”
“Come, let me introduce you to a professional talent.”
Professional talent? Before Chen Yang could refuse, William led him straight to where the girl was sitting.
For some reason, Chen Yang inexplicably began to feel a bit expectant.
He didn’t even know what he was expecting.
Sure enough, William walked up to the girl and said to Chen Yang: “Boss Chen, allow me to introduce Miss Aisha.”
“In your Chinese terms, she’s my cousin.”
“Don’t let her young age fool you. I can guarantee she’s extremely professional.”
The girl extinguished the ladies’ cigarette in her hand, extended her hand to Chen Yang with a smile, and said: “Hello, I’m Aisha, a graduate of Oxford University in the United Kingdom.”
Chen Yang reached out and gently grasped her small hand. This elf-like girl before him had slender fingers, with a faint tobacco scent lingering on her fingertips.
“Hello, I’m Chen Yang.”
