CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 356 YOU KID

The old man suddenly remembered something and was about to speak when the door of the hospital room was pushed open from the outside, and a middle-aged man, who looked to be in his forties, rushed in.

At the sight of the old man, the middle-aged man visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Qu Chaozong, nodded politely, and hurried to the bedside to inquire carefully, "Old man, are you alright? What exactly happened?"

The driver who came to see the old man that day returned all the medical expenses to Qu Chaozong. Qu Chaozong also reminded him of what the doctor had said and bid farewell to the old man with courtesy, intending to leave.

Before leaving, the old man insisted on having him leave a phone number so that he could express gratitude later. Qu Chaozong refused without hesitation and said with a smile, "Lei Feng did good deeds without leaving a name. I’ve told you my name, but if I give you my phone number, what would that make me, right?"

The old man was amused, "You rascal!"

Qu Chaozong waved his hand, "Old man, take care of yourself, even if it’s for your Da Bao, it’s better to quit smoking. Try to live a few more years and give Da Bao a chance to be filial to you."

The old man felt quite comforted by his words and persistently urged the driver to see him off.

Qu Chaozong restrained the driver and ultimately didn’t let him, "I can walk, and I can run, no need to see me off. You stay here and take care of the old man."

After Qu Chaozong left, the old man praised him to the driver, "Chaozi, this young man is really nice."

With some time to spare, Qu Chaozong drove home.

Mrs. Qu pulled him aside to question him for a while. Knowing that the matter was settled, she finally eased her mind and urged him to wash up and eat.

Qu Chaozong asked, "Where’s Tianyu?"

Mrs. Qu replied with a smile, "Went out with his girlfriend last night and didn’t come back all night."

Qu Chaozong was stunned, "Didn’t they just start dating?"

Mrs. Qu glared at him, "Why do you care so much about others! You better hurry up and sort your own affairs!"

Qu Chaozong made a funny face, "You’re just anxious for me to get married and give you a big fat grandson, right? I’ll start arranging it soon."

Mrs. Qu was amused, "That’s more like it."

Qu Chaozong arrived at the company just in time. As soon as he sat down in the office, his secretary knocked on the door and said, "Manager Qu, Mr. Shi just called and asked you to contact him. He said your phone was off."

Qu Chaozong was taken aback and took out his phone to have a look, realizing it was indeed off.

Qu Chaozong picked up the landline and called Shi Yang, and it rang for a while before getting connected.

Qu Chaozong said, "My phone’s out of battery, do you need something?"

Shi Yang was obviously outdoors, as there was some noise on the phone, "Mu Guangping has arranged for a batch of infant nutritional supplements this time. I’ve sent the samples to your computer. When you get a chance, have a look and give me some advice."

Qu Chaozong yawned, "Alright, but I’ve just arrived at the office, haven’t turned on the computer yet, so you’ll have to wait a bit."

Shi Yang asked, "Didn’t sleep well last night?"

Qu Chaozong grumbled, "Didn’t sleep at all!"

Qu Chaozong recounted the story of saving someone last night, and Shi Yang laughed upon hearing it, "Others are heroes saving beauties, but you, for once, acted bravely and saved an old man."

Qu Chaozong cursed him, "Get lost! ... Hey, when are you coming back?"

Shi Yang paused before speaking, "I estimate a few more days and it’ll be done. Why, miss me?"

Qu Chaozong stretched lazily, "Of course I miss you, been working myself to death these days."

Shi Yang teased, "I heard your wife even came to the company to deliver some love-filled lunch."

Qu Chaozong chuckled, "Who told you that? Your sources are pretty updated!"

Shi Yang laughed too, "That’s right, even though I’m far away, I know your every move... Hey! I’m coming over!" Shi Yang shouted towards the distance and said, "Alright, won’t chit-chat with you anymore, take a look at the materials and give me a call. Xiao Xu is calling me!"

Qu Chaozong said, "What’s the hurry! What good do you have to talk about with your rival?"

Shi Yang laughed and cursed, "Damn! You’re the rival!"

Qu Chaozong laughed, "Putting on an act, keep pretending! Others might not know, but I do. You can’t fool me with what happened between you and Zhang Jiahui back then! Xu Hongbin is definitely pretending to be clueless."

Shi Yang responded, "That was ages ago, can’t believe you still remember! I’m warning you, don’t spread these things around!"

Qu Chaozong turned on the computer, "I know, but I can tell Xu Hongbin’s main focus isn’t actually on what it seems. I don’t believe you don’t know that. Signing an alliance with him, if he backs out midway, he’ll just be playing us."

Shi Yang confidently said, "He won’t. On the surface, he seems soft and superficial, but after getting to know him, I find him quite good. He at least has persistence."

Qu Chaozong jokingly said, "Don’t tell me you saw his persistence through his single-minded pursuit of Zhang Jiahui!"

Shi Yang burst out laughing, "How come whatever you say always has a twist? Alright, I’ll stop chatting with you. I’m hanging up!"

Shi Yang put away his phone and smiled as he greeted Xu Hongbin.

Xu Hongbin, a year younger than Shi Yang, had common looks but a keen mind. He was detailed and gentle, though different from Zhao Wendada.

Zhao Wendada still retained some of the straightforwardness and enthusiasm of a Mongolian man at heart. Though his behavior might be reserved, it never felt out of place.

Xu Hongbin, on the other hand, was different. His every action exuded a certain femininity, making him seem awkwardly small-minded.

Shi Yang’s initial impression of him wasn’t great, but after spending time together, it became clear that Xu Hongbin actually had insight and ambition. Shi Yang especially appreciated his determination; once committed, he would pursue it wholeheartedly.

Recognizing this, Shi Yang immediately extended a warm invitation for Xu Hongbin to join as a franchisee under his wing.

After years in business, Shi Yang had become quite adept at understanding others’ psychology. He eloquently gave Xu Hongbin a mental boost and took him on a tour of his three stores, not forgetting to privately ask Zhang Jiahui for assistance in subtly persuading him. It wasn’t long before Xu Hongbin decided to join the maternal-infant store project, eager to make a mark.

Shi Yang had always cared for and supported his business partners, as their interests were intertwined.

Standing beside Xu Hongbin, Shi Yang greeted him with a smile, "Morning."

Xu Hongbin handed him a coffee, "Morning, Mr. Shi. Who were you chatting with? Sounded fun."