Water and Fire~Chapter 138: The Other Boot

 

Chapter 138: The Other Boot

After intensive preparations and the concerted efforts of all parties involved in the project, the acquisition plan was quickly finalized.

The acquisition price was ultimately set at 90% of the average price of Hanhai Home Textiles for the 20 trading days prior to the board's resolution. Hanhai Home Textiles would issue shares to Zhaohuan Education's shareholders at this price and simultaneously provide a portion of the purchase price in cash.

Chu Qianmiao personally led the project team in drafting the relevant materials for the merger and reorganization. With all preparations complete, Hanhai Home Textiles held a shareholders' meeting to discuss the merger and reorganization.

On the day the shareholders' meeting approved the merger and reorganization plan, Chu Qianmiao led a large team to Rongda to begin preparing the application materials. Taking advantage of the fact that Project Department 2 was less busy, Chu Qianmiao also summoned Qin Qianyu to Rongda to help with the review.

While the documents were being prepared, Ren Yan, acting as a representative from the company, went to Rongda.

Coincidentally, the office they met in was the same one that had prepared Hanhai's IPO application a few years prior.

It was the same room, the same people. The difference was that Ren Yan, the gatekeeper back then, had confidently retreated to the back burner, handing the reins of command to Chu Qianmiao.

Ren Yan sat in the office, following Chu Qianmiao's lead, scrolling through the application documents page by page. It was him who had led her and everyone else through the final, rigorous, and high-pressure review of the documents. He would occasionally scold her, making her blush, but it also helped her grow rapidly. Those events seemed like just yesterday.

Back then, he tried his best to shoulder whatever pressure he could, making those under him feel as relaxed as possible. When the pressure got too much, he would go downstairs alone to smoke a cigarette to decompress.

But ever since Chu Qianmiao told him to smoke less and take care of his health, things had changed. From then on, his stress relief became chewing gum, following her habit.

And now, he realized he had trained a truly exceptional apprentice. Chu Qianmiao's meticulousness, sharpness, and commanding demeanor as she led everyone through the final review of documents rivaled her own. Like him, she even managed to shoulder whatever pressure she could.

He leaned over, silently watching her from the side. She was leading everyone through the restructuring report on the projector.

She analyzed problems with a comprehensive perspective and offered solutions without hesitation. Everyone in the room obeyed her command and guidance. She had become a responsible and decisive leader.

The summer afternoon sun streamed in through the window, casting a shadow over her. She wore a white shirt, the collar of her neck gracefully slender. Her chin moved slightly as she spoke. Determination etched across her fair face, and her eyes, beneath her thick lashes, shone with determination.

She was truly a beautiful woman, beautiful and youthful, which led many to assume she was just a pretty face. That's just how it is in the workplace. Pretty women are often underestimated, and their abilities are often overlooked.

But she used her abilities to gradually transform her position in the workplace. She convinced those who thought she was just a pretty face to finally call her "President Chu" wholeheartedly.

He looked at her, and kept looking. The corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously.

So proud of her.

****

Outside, the midsummer heat was scorching. Although the air conditioning was on inside, the sheer number of people caused the carbon dioxide concentration in the air to climb steadily.

"Take a break, everyone, and get some fresh air."

After finishing the afternoon's materials, Chu Qianmiao announced.

As soon as her announcement landed, Hou Lin slumped back in her chair like a piece of playdough.

"I thought I'd been to Rongda once, so I'd feel more relaxed the next time. I didn't expect every time I come, I'd be shedding a new layer of skin!" She stuck out her tongue, stood up, and said to Chu Qianmiao, "Boss, I'm going downstairs to get some ice cream or something. Chocolate cream or strawberry, what flavor would you like?"

Chu Qianmiao replied, "Ask everyone else what flavors they want and buy some for everyone. I don't need any, I'm going downstairs too." As she spoke, Ren Yan had already left the office to get some fresh air.

After she finished talking to Hou Lin, she also stood up and walked downstairs.

No matter how hot it was outside, the air was always fresh. She had to get some fresh air.

After descending the last step, Chu Qianmiao suddenly felt a tightness on her wrist.

Ren Yan, who had come down earlier and was waiting there, took her hand and strode out.

Chu Qianmiao let him lead her, following him, seeing where he wanted to take her, where he could take her. Later, she thought he was quite capable. Even near the densely populated Rong University, he'd actually managed to drag her to a deserted, shady corner.

Standing in the shade, Chu Qianmiao raised her chin and looked at Ren Yan.

He wore a white short-sleeved shirt, buttoned from top to bottom, the hem tucked into his straight-legged trousers. The trousers hugged his slender legs, a look both businesslike and restrained. His Adam's apple rested above the tightly tied collar of his shirt, like a tumbling, invisible l*st surging up and down.

He was staring at her, his eyes blazing, his smile brimming with affection.

Five years. Five years since they'd met again. Yet, as if he'd been treated with preservatives, he remained as handsome, elegant, and outstanding as ever.

Chu Qianmiao folded her arms over her chest, raised her chin, and asked Ren Yan, "Teacher Ren, why did you take me to such a shady place? Are you planning to rob me?"

Calling each other teachers seemed to be their new way of flirting lately. Ren Yan half-lowered his eyes as he looked at her, taking in the height difference between them.

She wore the most conservative business suit, a white shirt and a tight skirt. Yet, this minimalist outfit somehow managed to exude a certain charm and flair.

Her breasts rose high beneath the white shirt, and her waist shrunk to a slender tint where the shirt and skirt met.

The little girl had grown up, her youthful innocence evolving into an intellectual and sensual sensuality.

Ren Yan raised his hand to touch Chu Qianmiao's face. The touch beneath his fingertips was so pleasant that the caress unconsciously turned into a gentle pinch.

He pinched her cheek and answered her question in a hoarse voice, "Yes, robbery. Planning to rape her."

As he finished speaking, one arm wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her toward him and pressing her in. The other hand shifted from pinching her cheek to cupping the back of her head.

His kiss lingered and lingering on her lips.

The kiss he gave her was so intense it made the sweltering heat pale in comparison.

Chu Qianmiao felt like she was about to catch fire from being kissed.

Ren Yan, that devil, was darting his tongue through her mouth one moment, then rubbing her lips with ease, whispering, "You did a great job today. You showed the demeanor of a leader."

Then he began to stir and stir again, and when her head was spinning again, he pecked her lightly and said, "You did a great job coordinating the overall situation."

Another kiss, another.

"It won't be long before you're a leader in investment banking."

...

Chu Qianmiao's mind raced between being dazed by Ren Yan's kiss and, while still dazed, listening to him praise her work performance.

Finally, after the sixth kiss, Chu Qianmiao couldn't take it anymore.

She couldn't handle such a split kiss!

"Could you please stop talking about work while we're kissing!!!"

Ren Yan raised an eyebrow, rubbed her lips, and smiled. "Okay."

He then pretended to kiss her again.

Chu Qianmiao pushed him away, saying fiercely, "Kiss once a day, have you forgotten? You've already used up your allotment for the next six days!"

Ren Yan grabbed her delicate, white hand that was pushing him away, taking away her strength to resist him.

"Then I'll just overdraw my allotment for the next week."

As he finished speaking, he kissed Chu Qianmiao on the lips.

The kiss was passionate and lingering. Chu Qianmiao's heart pounded, thinking, what the hell is this? In broad daylight, two professional men and women, dressed like elites, hiding in the dark?!

Chu Qianmiao consoled herself with the rumbling of her heart.

Never mind, no need to be embarrassed. Just consider it a stress reliever.

***

It was the ringing of a cell phone that separated the two locked in a kiss.

The ringing was Chu Qianmiao's alarm, signaling the end of her breathing time and the time for everyone to gather and continue reviewing the materials.

She and Ren Yan had deliberately gone upstairs separately to avoid anyone's wild speculation.

But Qin Qianyu, the second straightest man in the universe, still figured it out.

As Chu Qianmiao sat down and was checking the connection between her computer and the projector, Qin Qianyu leaned over. After glancing around, he forgot what he had been about to say and asked, "Qianmiao, did you go out for some spicy noodles? Why do your lips look a little swollen?"

Chu Qianmiao's ears suddenly rang with the sound of blood rushing.

She tried to remain calm and whispered to Qin Qianyu, "Yes, I did. It was too spicy. It's swollen."

Qin Qianyu continued, his voice slurring, "What kind of meal is that, late in the afternoon?"

Chu Qianmiao replied, "Afternoon tea."

Afraid Qin Qianyu would continue to probe, she quickly announced, "Continue reviewing the materials."

She caught a glimpse of Hou Lin tugging at Qin Qianyu's sleeve, signaling him to shut up. Hou Lin seemed to say something. His phone clattered to the table.

After that, Qin Qianyu turned to look at Ren Yan, then back at her. His expression sent a shudder through her.

In his intense gaze, two large, gilded characters gleamed brightly: "Sister-in-law."

The entire time Chu Qianmiao was dealing with Qin Qianyu, she stole glances at Ren Yan. The culprit, "Spicy Noodle," remained gravely poring over the materials.

Chu Qianmiao gritted her teeth and thought, "Great! He's mastered this worldly trick so quickly, even pretending nothing happened."

***

Hou Lin tugged at Qin Qianyu's sleeve, hushing him.

She messaged Qin Qianyu on WeChat.

Hou Lin: Mr. Qin, I suggest you stop asking questions.

Qin Qianyu replied: "Huh?"

Hou Lin: "It's like this... When I went downstairs just now, I saw Mr. Ren dragging Ms. Chu away... So, do you understand?"

Qin Qianyu: "?"

Qin Qianyu: "What do you mean?"

Hou Lin raised her hand to support her forehead and sighed. Then she replied: "What I mean is, a swollen mouth isn't necessarily from eating spicy food; it can also be from kissing, Mr. Qin..."

A thud echoed through the room. Qin Qianyu's hands shook, and his phone dropped onto the table.

After picking up his phone, he turned to look at Chu Qianmiao and Ren Yan, almost bursting into tears of relief.

His sister-in-law is back!

***

After several days of hard work, he finally finished the application materials. The next day, Chu Qianmiao submitted them to the CSRC.

After a preliminary review of the materials, the initial reviewers from the Listing Department determined that there were no issues and completed the acceptance procedures for Hanhai Home Textiles.

Next came the pre-examination phase and waiting for feedback. During this time, Chu Qianmiao heard that Henong Shares' acquisition materials for Xingfei Education and Yisi Education had also been submitted and accepted.

Out of curiosity, Chu Qianmiao looked for the materials for Henong Shares' acquisitions of the other two educational institutions. To her surprise, Henong Shares' acquisition materials were surprisingly well-written, well-organized, and well-thought-out.

Soon after, the written feedback regarding the Hanhai Home Textiles merger and reorganization project came in, and Chu Qianmiao rushed to the General Affairs Office of the CSRC to collect the documents.

She then convened a coordination meeting with intermediaries, dividing the feedback according to the scope of work of each agency, assigning responses to lawyers, accountants, and appraisers. She also convened the management of the listed company, Hanhai Home Textiles, and the major shareholders and management of the acquired company, Zhaohuan Education, to collectively resolve the issues.

Chu Qianmiao mastered the entire process. She led everyone to respond to the feedback with the utmost speed and quality, submitting the materials to the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Two weeks later, the response successfully passed the preliminary review.

Next, the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee conducted a final review and vote on the application documents. If approved, the merger and acquisition restructuring would be finalized.

While waiting, Chu Qianmiao reviewed the project.

It had been smooth sailing from start to finish, with no major hiccups that bothered her.

But perhaps it was because it was too smooth, but during the days waiting for the meeting, she often felt a sense of suspense.

It felt like one shoe had dropped, and she was waiting for the next.

—She had a feeling that someone wouldn't let a project involving Ren Yan go so easily.

But since nothing had happened, she assumed everything was going in the right direction. She kept a close eye on the CSRC, calculating the date the Hanhai project would be listed based on the disclosed materials.

Finally, that day, as she'd calculated, was almost here.

But just then, Chu Qianmiao suddenly received an inquiry from the CSRC—her project had been reported, and there were issues with Zhaohuan Education's qualifications. The project review was suspended until the issues were identified and resolved.

*

Many people were a little flustered upon receiving this notice. But Chu Qianmiao didn't panic. Instead, she felt like the other shoe had finally dropped.