Why is This Troublemaker So Damn Rich?

Just yesterday, Yang Na had mentioned her and asked if he wanted to meet. He never expected it would be under these circumstances.

"What a coincidence. A pleasure to meet you. We’ll be counting on your support for Yanghe Commerce moving forward."

"Since I’m here, I’d also like to understand your plans for the Qingjiang Province market, especially as a newly established company."

At this, Yang Hui’s expression grew serious. She was a legitimate business partner. He had to be precise and thoughtful in his response, or it could damage his company’s image.

"Should we find somewhere else to talk?"

The shop was still quite dirty, as a lot of construction materials had just been moved in. It was fine for a short while, but staying long wouldn’t be comfortable.

Serene shook her head. "I have something to attend to shortly, so I can’t stay long. I’ll be visiting your office later anyway, we can discuss the details then."

He nodded. "Regarding the NLB partnership, my plan is to open twenty-five stores this year to complete our strategic layout across Qingjiang Province. Since it’s already June, the sales target for this year is set at sixty million. That’s because none of the stores will be open for a full year—some might not even launch until year-end. We simply don’t have many operating months."

"Twenty-five stores? Isn’t that a bit ambitious? NLB has very high standards for its commercial districts and locations. You can’t just get approval for any spot you find."

Since Yanghe Commerce was the agent for the NLB brand, every site selection had to be approved by NLB. Without authorization from the brand headquarters, the store couldn’t open.

Even though they had negotiated a provincial agency agreement, authorizations were granted on a store-by-store basis. This allowed the brand to control the quality of its partners’ new stores and prevent them from opening in unsuitable districts or locations, which would damage the brand’s image.

"What do you think of the location I’ve chosen for this store?"

Serene’s eyes narrowed. "Excellent. It’s impeccable."

"All future stores opened by Yanghe Commerce will adhere to the highest standards. They will be in the best commercial districts, in prime locations, with attractive layouts. Only then can the store design be truly effective."

"You seem very confident in your channel expansion, President Yang. From what I know, your competitor in Qingjiang Province, Futong Commerce, has an annual revenue of over one billion. They also have partnerships with nearly every A-list project in the province. What gives you the confidence to compete with them?"

He wasn’t surprised she knew his surname was Yang. After all, she was the direct liaison between NLB and Yanghe Commerce, so it was only natural she’d have his information.

"Serene, you should know that my partnership with your company was arranged by the leadership at Xinyue Group. Therefore, the cooperative relationship between Xinyue Group and Yanghe Commerce should need no further explanation."

She nodded. She had, of course, heard about this, but only she, Song Wen, and the head of NLB were privy to that information.

"As for Yida Department Store, I’m also fairly confident. It’s just that many of their locations have issues with foot traffic and customer demographics, making them unsuitable. Only five or six of them meet the brand’s requirements."

"In other words, between Xinyue Square and Yida Department Store, I already have over twenty opportunities. Add a few other independent projects, and completing the full provincial layout this year won’t be a problem."

Hu Mei nodded. "It sounds like you’re more trustworthy than Li Yang."

A faint smile touched his lips. "Don’t compare me to him. I’m more trustworthy than anyone. I never lie."

"Then what about your conversation with Aunt Zheng just now? You didn’t lie to her?"

"..."

’This woman has no social skills. How could she call me out right to my face?’

Hu Mei left. Yang Hui watched her from behind, his gaze tracing the sway of her willow-like waist. Her loose-fitting jeans couldn’t conceal the full curve of her bottom—with each step, the fabric stretched taut into a ripe, peach-like arc before springing back, like ripples spreading across the surface of a wind-brushed lake.

’The brand actually sent such a gorgeous representative. She’s a modern-day Su Daji. Only a man with my level of self-control could resist her charms. A lowlife like Li Yang would probably cave to her every demand.’

He checked on the construction materials that had arrived at the store. It looked like work could begin that very night. ’Pretty efficient.’

Yang Na had requested the renovation crew work in three shifts and had coordinated with Xinyue Square to allow for quiet construction during the day. With so many shoppers in the mall, any loud noise would disrupt their experience. Yang Hui had stressed the importance of cooperating with the mall’s policies.

He couldn’t ignore the mall’s best interests just because President Tian was doing him a favor. That wasn’t how Yang Hui operated.

After leaving the NLB store, he glanced at the prospective Zen location next door. Just as he was about to leave, he heard someone call out, "Yang Hui, fancy seeing you here."

He turned around. It was a coincidence, indeed. Lin Yu.

It was strange. They were both in the retail industry, and yet in his two years at Ruijing, he’d never once crossed paths with her. Now he’d run into her twice in two days.

Yang Hui really didn’t want to engage, but Lin Yu was already walking toward him. "You’re going to the party tonight, right?" she asked. "I heard Teacher Chen is going to be there."

’So she’s going to be there too,’ he thought. ’This should be interesting. I wonder if Zheng Lei will try to pull something.’ ’Zheng Lei?’

For some reason, thinking of him brought back the phantom warmth of Huang Lingyu’s rear on his hand. He shook his head, trying to banish the wicked thought.

"I’ll be there."

His reply was terse. He turned to leave. He had absolutely no interest in this woman anymore.

"Yang Hui, can we find a place to talk for a bit?"

"No, thanks. I’m not a fan of clout-chasing."

He turned and walked off, hearing Lin Yu call after him, "We could do it a different way!"

’Heh. I’m not interested in used goods.’ Without a backward glance, he headed for the elevator to the B1 parking garage to retrieve his car.

Lin Yu watched his retreating back, her eyes filled with resentment. She was a practical person; her head told her to find a rich man, but her body was honest. Every time she saw Yang Hui, she felt an uncontrollable urge.

Yang Hui had just settled into the driver’s seat when his phone buzzed with a WeChat notification.

He picked up his phone, an incredulous look on his face. It was from his WeChat contact "Lamb to the Slaughter"—Aunt Zheng’s daughter.

’Did Aunt Zheng make her send this? From what she said, her daughter is in Qingzhou right now.’

[Lamb to the Slaughter: Yang Hui, my mom told me to invite you over for dinner. Do you dare come?]

’Dare he?’ He really didn’t. Before, it was just Aunt Zheng being pushy. Her daughter had seemed relatively normal, and knowing nothing could happen between them, they’d never spoken after adding each other on WeChat.

It seemed Aunt Zheng had forced her to do this too.

[Yang Hui: It’s not that I don’t dare. I’m just too busy to get away these next few days.]

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