Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 107: Chapter 105: Deloitte China

"Dear passengers, welcome aboard Star Alliance member Air China flight CA096 to Zhonghai. The aircraft doors are now closed. Please turn off all electronic devices, including mobile phones, and fasten your seatbelts..."

As the gentle, pleasant welcome announcement played, the aircraft, guided by a tow tractor, began to pull away from the terminal gate and taxi slowly toward its designated runway.

As business class passengers, Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan had changed into slippers and settled comfortably into their spacious seats long before the economy class passengers had even finished boarding.

At that moment, the economy class cabin behind them was still buzzing with noise.

Flight attendants hurried through the narrow aisles, either helping passengers stow their carry-on luggage or responding to service requests.

Though each of the young women wore exquisite makeup, a hint of exhaustion lingered in their eyes.

Watching the flight attendants rush past him, Gu Heng turned to Jiang Ruan, who was sitting by the window. "Is this the life you long for?"

Jiang Ruan, who had been leaning against the window, staring blankly outside, heard his voice. Her gaze flickered slightly, but she offered no response.

Seeing her silence, Gu Heng just shook his head, picked up his copy of *National History Outline* again, and continued to read.

Soon, under the guidance of the control tower, Gu Heng’s flight took off smoothly.

About ten minutes later, the plane leveled out and the ride became smooth. The flight attendants, who had been in their jump seats, unbuckled themselves and began to provide cabin service.

"Sir, what would you like to drink?"

Just as Gu Heng was getting engrossed in his book, a gentle, pleasant female voice reached his ear, accompanied by a faint, fragrant scent.

Gu Heng turned his head and saw a young woman in an Air China uniform crouching beside him.

She had a pretty face, exquisite makeup, and neatly styled hair.

On her slender, pale wrist was a classic Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.

At that moment, she was gazing at Gu Heng with a burning intensity and a bright smile.

"A cup of tea, please."

Gu Heng smiled back at the young woman and replied gently.

"Of course."

"I’ll bring it to you right away."

After her respectful reply, the young woman stood up slightly, then leaned her body inward to ask Jiang Ruan, "Ma’am, what would you like to drink?"

"A cup of coffee."

Jiang Ruan looked at the flight attendant before her, her dark brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

’Normally, when a flight attendant serves passengers, she should make them feel respected while maintaining a dignified and graceful image herself.’

’But this flight attendant?’

’Isn’t she a little too close to Gu Heng?’

’Her chest is practically touching his face!’

"Of course."

"Right away."

The young woman acknowledged the order, then turned and walked briskly toward the galley, leaving Gu Heng with a view of her graceful, slender back.

"I think she’s interested in me."

After she left, Gu Heng picked up *National History Outline* again. His voice was low, laced with a casual certainty.

"She’s just doing her job. Don’t be so narcissistic," Jiang Ruan said coolly, pursing her lips. "We flight attendants aren’t as forward as you seem to think. Stop being so prejudiced."

"Oh..."

"Then perhaps I am just being narcissistic."

Gu Heng gave a noncommittal smile, his eyes never leaving the page in front of him.

Hearing his response, Jiang Ruan suddenly felt as if she had just punched a wad of cotton. She let out a small, cold huff and turned her head back to the window.

The next three hours of the flight passed in the blink of an eye.

After landing smoothly at Zhonghai Pudong International Airport, Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan, as business class passengers, naturally had the privilege of disembarking first.

"Have a good day!"

"Thank you for flying with Air China! We hope to see you again soon!"

Two flight attendants stood at the exit, bidding Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan farewell.

Among them was the same flight attendant who had been exclusively serving the business class cabin.

In response to her farewell, Gu Heng simply smiled at her before calmly disembarking and boarding the exclusive business shuttle bound for the airport’s VIP lounge.

As a super-VIP client of CMB, Gu Heng now enjoyed countless privileges. Access to VIP lounges in airports across the country was just a drop in the bucket.

At that moment, inside the business shuttle that could seat more than ten people, it was just Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan, along with the VIP lounge’s welcome staff and the driver.

CLICK...

Suddenly, Gu Heng placed a small slip of paper on the tray table in front of Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan froze for a second, but as soon as she saw the information on the note, she understood everything.

It was obvious that the flight attendant had secretly passed it to Gu Heng.

’She’s just doing her job...’

’We flight attendants aren’t as forward as you seem to think...’

’Don’t be so narcissistic...’

Recalling the words she had just said to Gu Heng on the plane, and then looking at his calm, unruffled expression, she felt her face flush with utter embarrassment.

"When did she give this to you?"

Jiang Ruan’s pale face was flushed red; it was hard to tell if it was from anger or shame.

"While you were napping."

"She brought me a fruit platter and slipped it to me then," Gu Heng said casually. "Oh, and she also told me she doesn’t mind if I have a girlfriend."

Hearing Gu Heng’s reply, Jiang Ruan felt as if two invisible hands had just slapped her across the face again.

"She..."

"She’s an exception!" Jiang Ruan argued stubbornly. "The vast majority are still good, decent girls!"

At her words, Gu Heng just gave that same noncommittal smile.

That smile, in Jiang Ruan’s eyes, made her feel inexplicably embarrassed and annoyed, but the small note in front of her left her completely speechless.

As they spoke, the business shuttle quickly arrived at the VIP lounge.

The two stood up and got off. As they did, Gu Heng caught a glimpse of Jiang Ruan out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t help but let a flicker of a smile cross his face as he watched her subtle move of crumpling the small note into a ball and tossing it into the trash.

’Naive!’

’Since I showed you the note, did you really think I’d be worried about you throwing it away?’

’I’ve already saved her contact in WhatsApp: "AAA Air China Ningning (flies nationwide)"!’

Gu Heng thought to himself, but he strode forward without breaking his pace.

After retrieving their luggage in the VIP lounge, the two walked toward the exit.

「 」

In early December, the temperature in Beichun had already dropped below freezing, but in Zhonghai, it was still in the high fifties—a rather comfortable climate.

Jiang Ruan pushed the luggage cart beside Gu Heng. As they walked out of the VIP lounge, they saw a Rolls-Royce Phantom parked silently right in front. The Spirit of Ecstasy ornament on the hood gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

In front of the Rolls-Royce Phantom stood a middle-aged woman with a very commanding presence. She wore a brown, double-breasted business suit, and her short, permed hair gave her a sharp, capable look. She exuded an elite aura from head to toe.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Gu Heng?"

The moment Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan emerged from the VIP lounge, the middle-aged woman immediately walked briskly toward Gu Heng, her expression and tone extremely polite and respectful.

"I am Gu Heng."

Gu Heng nodded in acknowledgment.

"Mr. Gu, hello."

After confirming his identity, the woman became noticeably more enthusiastic. She bowed slightly toward Gu Heng and proactively extended both hands. "I am Qin Ying, the Chief Strategy Officer of Deloitte China. A very warm welcome to you in Zhonghai."

"President Qin, it’s just an airport pickup. You really didn’t have to come in person," Gu Heng said with a smile as he shook her hand, exchanging pleasantries.

Qin Ying straightened up, a professional smile on her face. "Mr. Gu, you are a very important and distinguished guest of Deloitte China. It is only natural that we welcome you with the utmost sincerity."

Qin Ying, Chief Strategy Officer of Deloitte China.

Even among Deloitte China’s more than 20,000 employees across 31 offices nationwide, she was solidly one of the top three figures.

For such a person to come for an airport pickup in person was indeed a sign of the utmost sincerity.

For the past two days, Gu Heng had been in contact with Deloitte China’s CEO, Wang Shunfu. This was his first time dealing with Qin Ying.

The two stood in front of the VIP lounge, exchanging pleasantries for a few moments.

Then, Gu Heng gave a simple introduction. "This is Jiang Ruan, my personal assistant."

"Assistant Jiang, a pleasure to meet you."

Qin Ying greeted Jiang Ruan politely, extending her right hand as well.

Her every word and action were impeccable.

"President Qin, hello."

Looking at the incredibly poised Qin Ying and feeling the powerful, elite aura coming off her, Jiang Ruan seemed a little timid.

At the same time, her mind was filled with questions.

’Deloitte China?’

’Chief Strategy Officer?’

She had no idea what any of these titles meant.

Even so, she did recognize a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

To use a multi-million dollar Rolls-Royce Phantom for an airport pickup, the scale of the company was surely nothing to scoff at. It couldn’t be some small enterprise.

Watching the extremely respectful and polite way Qin Ying treated Gu Heng, Jiang Ruan found herself growing inexplicably more curious about the rest of their trip.

Although in her heart, ever since that night, Gu Heng had been a despicable, shameless, scumbag of a man, she had to admit that being with him had certainly broadened her horizons.

After the brief exchange of pleasantries, the three of them boarded the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan sat in the back, while Qin Ying took the front passenger seat.

"Mr. Gu, we’ve already booked a room for you at the Bulgari Hotel, Bund. Would you like to go to the hotel to rest first?"

Qin Ying turned around and asked Gu Heng politely.

"Let’s go straight to your company headquarters," Gu Heng instructed her. "We have a lot to do today. Let’s take care of business first."

"Of course."

As the Chief Strategy Officer of Deloitte China, Qin Ying was aware of Gu Heng’s packed schedule for the day. So when she heard his reply, she didn’t say anything more and simply instructed the driver to head to their corporate headquarters...

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