Water and Fire~Chapter 22.2: Let's Introduce Your Partner

 

Chapter 22.2: Let's Introduce Your Partner

After a while, Chu Qianmiao, Qin Qianyu, and another person emerged, presumably concluding the interview.

They walked to the department's sign to take a photo. He watched Chu Qianmiao shift her head, searching for something.

He thought she might be looking for someone to take their picture.

It was so hot, everyone wanted to stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning, so for a moment, few people passed by. He saw her suddenly glance toward his car. Then she ran over.

She knocked on the car window and smiled at him, showing him her neat white teeth.

"Mr. Ren, could you please take a picture?"

He nodded and got out of the car.

She wanted to give him her phone and teach him how to use it. He was too lazy to learn in the scorching heat, so he said, "Use mine. I'll send it to you when you're done."

He stood in front of them, capturing her, Qin Qianyu, and the interviewee in the frame.

The moment he pressed the camera button, she smiled on the screen, her tiny white teeth bared. Her smile was as beautiful as a flower.

He found himself somewhat drawn to her. Such a beautiful and interesting girl, so strong-willed, so stubborn, and so passionate about helping others.

At that moment, this feeling seemed to spiral out of control. His rationality sounded a warning, warning him not to get too involved with her. He thought perhaps he should restrain himself.

After the visit, Ren Yan gathered the heads of various agencies and project team members to discuss the various matters related to preparing for the application for guidance and acceptance.

Chu Qianmiao knew this was a critical timeframe. After the guidance and acceptance, an IPO project would move from the guidance stage to the final application and review phase.

Ren Yan chaired the meeting again, organizing everything in an orderly manner.

"Please ask the accountants and appraisers to quickly complete all previous capital verification reports, audit reports, and appraisal reports. Original copies are required."

"Could you please help coordinate the preparation of Hanhai's draft articles of association effective after its IPO, materials related to Hanhai's "three meetings," materials for the general manager's office meeting, and explanations of relevant litigation and arbitration matters."

"Our brokerage firm will be responsible for preparing all other working documents, as well as the coaching work summary report, the coaching acceptance application, and arranging the on-site meeting with the CSRC."

"The CSRC officials will ask some questions at the meeting. Please prepare in advance and familiarize yourself with the company's situation to avoid making any mistakes when the time comes."

Chu Qianmiao quickly wrote down Ren Yan's every word. He single-handedly arranged the work for all the institutions, ensuring it was clear and organized.

She reasoned that if IPO projects allowed one person to serve as multiple intermediary agencies, then Ren Yan could complete an entire IPO project by himself.

The meeting lasted an intense and efficient morning. At lunch, everyone ate together.

To Chu Qianmiao's left sat Zhang Teng, and to her right was Qin Qianyu. To Zhang Teng's left sat Ren Yan. Other seats were occupied by Tang Yi, Lu Zhonger, and Wang Sian. The table was full of family, and the conversation was relaxed.

While Chu Qianmiao and Zhang Teng were chatting, Qin Qianyu was texting on his phone. Suddenly, she heard him groan.

Then he called out, "Chu Qianmiao."

"Qianmiao, Qianmiao, come on, give Brother Qin some attention!"

Chu Qianmiao turned and replied, "Brother Qin, if you have something to say, just ask! If there's a dish you want that's out of reach, I'll go get it for you!"

Qin Qianyu placed his phone on the table and said to Chu Qianmiao, "I suddenly remembered something! Qianmiao, didn't I say to introduce you to someone? Remember? Oh, I was so distracted by that business trip to Hebei that I completely forgot about it! If my classmate hadn't just texted me to remind me, I wouldn't have remembered! Come on, Qianmiao, let's get back to this important life event. Let me formally introduce you to my classmate."

Qin Qianyu then proceeded to extoll his classmate's excellence in no fewer than 800 words.

Chu Qianmiao was stunned.

"He's so outstanding, I'm not worthy of him!" she said, swallowing her saliva. "How about you arrange for us to meet?"

Sun Yi interjected, "Qian Miao, his classmate is great in every way, except for a little less hair."

Qin Qianyu glared at him, "Shut up!"

Lu Zhonger continued, "Qian Yu, you can't hide this from Qian Miao, or you'll seem so dishonest!"

Chu Qian Miao was a little confused. She glanced at Sun Yi and the others, who were laughing. She glanced at Ren Yan, who was sipping tea with his eyes downcast, looking completely unconcerned.

She quickly asked Sun Yi, "Brother Sun, what's going on?"

Sun Yi told her, "Qian Yu's classmates have come to the company to see him a few times, and we've all met. He's fine in every way, except... a little less hair."

"What kind of less hair?" Chu Qian Miao asked.

"...Maybe not more than that, but two or three hundred is enough."

Chu Qianmiao was convinced of his classmate's brilliance. "It's obvious he's overworking his brain. It's not easy." She turned to look at Qin Qianyu, whose face was filled with indignation, as if someone had exposed his shortcomings.

Chu Qianmiao couldn't bear it. "Brother Qin, why don't you arrange a meeting for us? The hair issue..." she chose her words, "Actually, I can overcome it by wearing a hat. It's not a big deal!"

Qin Qianyu breathed, "Forget it. From the word 'or', I already know you prefer more hair! There's no need to meet. My classmate doesn't need sympathy!"

"..." Chu Qianmiao didn't know what to say next. If she tried to flatter him by saying that having less hair wasn't necessarily a bad thing, or that she really didn't care, it would seem a bit tacky.

Zhang Teng, who was chatting casually with Ren Yan, suddenly turned and interrupted, "Hey, Qianmiao, don't you have a boyfriend abroad?"

Chu Qianmiao nearly choked. Qin Qianyu, Sun Yi, and the others' nostrils instantly widened, straining to smell the gossip.

Chu Qianmiao coughed twice, her face flushed. She asked Zhang Teng, "Lawyer Zhang, who told you this false information?"

Zhang Teng pondered for a moment and said, "It seems that Cheng Xiaodong asked you about it during our last dinner together, playing Truth or Dare. Yes, you told me yourself!"

Chu Qianmiao quickly recalled, "Your memory of that night isn't accurate enough."

Zhang Teng: "Impossible. I didn't drink that day. I remember Xiaodong and you very clearly. If you don't believe me, Qianmiao, let me recount your conversation that night. Xiaodong first asked you, 'Do you have a boyfriend?'"

Chu Qianmiao: "I said no."

Zhang Teng thought for a moment. "Ah, yes, you said no. But then you lost again, and Xiaodong asked you, 'Have you ever had a boyfriend?'"

Chu Qianmiao: "I said I did."

As she finished speaking, Qin Qianyu and Tang Yi let out a soft hiss. It was as if the fact that she had a boyfriend was a surprise to them.

Emboldened by the boos, Zhang Teng, in a playful mood, continued to ask with a smile, "Then you lost again. Xiaodong seemed to ask you when you got it."

Chu Qianmiao: "I said I had a boyfriend in college, but we broke up. Later, he went abroad to study."

Zhang Teng: "Hmm, now that I think about it, it seems I remembered it wrong. When you get to middle age, your memory doesn't work!"

Qin Qianyu jokingly said, "Lawyer Zhang, you still have a bad memory? You're like a crime scene reconstruction! You remember every word and every conversation between Lawyer Cheng Xiaodong and Qianmiao so clearly!"

He turned to Chu Qianmiao and asked, "Qianmiao, was your ex-boyfriend any good? Did he have a lot of hair? If he was exceptional, it would be hard to find a boyfriend later."

Chu Qianmiao smiled dryly: "He was quite outstanding... and he had a lot of hair..."

Qin Qianyu snorted.

"How old is he this year?" Qin Qianyu asked casually.

"25," Chu Qianmiao said.

"In the prime of his life!" Qin Qianyu began to fuss. "If he's so young and talented, can you two still get back together? Qianmiao, let me tell you, these days, talented young men are hard to come by. Take me, for example. Look, I was snatched up long ago! So you'd better seize the opportunity, or you'll regret it later."

Chu Qianmiao really didn't want to continue this topic. She nodded perfunctorily.

As she nodded, she raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. It was a small gesture she used to cover up and calm herself when she felt embarrassed.

She lowered her hand and looked up, her eyes meeting Ren Yan's.

He was looking at her, his face expressionless.