CHAPTER 548: CHAPTER 309 HAVEN’T I NOT AGREED YET_2

"Alright!"

Xia Yubing was in charge of transferring funds, and Tong Jialu was responsible for reviewing the transactions.

The sound of keyboards echoed in the office, accompanied, of course, by casual chitchat between the two sisters.

"Sis, are you going back home for the New Year this year?"

"With my situation... let’s talk about it later."

"If you don’t go back, I won’t either. I’ll stay here with you!"

"Okay!"

...

...

Elsewhere, after taking Xia Yubing to the bank, Chen Cheng made his way to the office of Rosebud Consulting, the company that had stirred up this storm, based on the location Chu Qin had sent him.

Upon entering, he was greeted by the sight of a bustling courtyard and it became clear that the revealing reports that stripped away the organizations’ fig leaves were not the work of a single individual.

"Eh? Dude, who are you looking for?" A man approached him.

Chen Cheng, with a smile on his face, said, "I’m looking for Qin Wei."

"And you are...?"

"Chen Cheng."

Announcing himself, he was met with the man’s astonishment.

The man who had just appeared for the first time on the joint statement, and had been listed alongside the other nine firms, had finally arrived.

"Looking for Brother Wei? Right this way, he’s been waiting." The man courteously led the way.

Chen Cheng followed him, taking in the office environment. "This place is quite nice. By the way, what should I call you?"

"Ma Zhongju, just call me Xiao Ma!"

Chen Cheng arrived at the reception room where Ma Zhongju knocked on the door, "Brother Wei, Mr. Chen Cheng is here."

Chen Cheng stood at the door, observing the young figure not much older than himself.

Qin Wei turned around and looked towards Chen Cheng at the door. It was at this moment he realized that the owner of Dili Private Equity, who had turned the tide, was so young.

"Mr. Chen, welcome."

Qin Wei extended his hand and Chen Cheng shook it, "Mr. Qin, I have long admired your reputation."

The two sat down, and Ma Zhongju poured a cup of tea for Chen Cheng before discreetly leaving and gently closing the door.

"I didn’t expect Mr. Chen to be so young." Qin Wei got straight to the point, with a hint of admiration and curiosity, "In less than 24 hours, you solved all the problems."

Chen Cheng humbly smiled, "It was a collective effort. As for you, Mr. Qin, you have a sharp eye and effective methods."

Qin Wei waved his hand modestly: "To the victor go the spoils, it’s always been this way. This time, Mr. Chen, you are the winner."

"It’s not about winning," Chen Cheng sipped his tea lightly, "I simply did what I could."

"And about you, Mr. Qin, I presume you’ve gained something as well?" he inquired.

Qin Wei leaned back in his chair, "Let’s speak plainly; Rosebud Consulting indeed gained a reputation from this disturbance. But it also served as a lesson."

Chen Cheng gestured for him to continue.

"In fact, before you arrived, some officials had already come to talk to me."

Qin Wei spoke with a hint of resignation and compromise, "But all of that is in the past now. Let’s leave it."

Chen Cheng also understood his difficult position, "This business is tough; steady growth is far more prudent than rushing ahead."

Qin Wei nodded, "Everyone has their youthful ambitions, always looking to make a name for themselves."

He looked at Chen Cheng, "Like you, Mr. Chen, your reputation has soared after this incident. I wonder what your plans are for the future?"

Chen Cheng remained noncommittal, "I simply went with the flow. As for what’s next, I’ll take it one step at a time."

He paused, "What about you?"

Qin Wei’s demeanor was also relaxed; he didn’t seem worried about being blocked from future prospects, "Same as you, one step at a time."

"That’s not bad either." Chen Cheng said with a smile, "Actually, before I came here today, I was always curious what kind of person you were."

"And?"

"If I weren’t on the side of the capital, and you weren’t involved in disclosure work, I believe we could become friends," Chen Cheng said frankly.

Qin Wei laughed heartily, "If I were on the side of the capital, I also believe we would cross paths in the future."

The two shared a smile and shook hands again.

After some more polite conversation, Chen Cheng was escorted out by Qin Wei from Rosebud Consulting.

Only then did Ma Zhongju come up to Qin Wei, "Brother Wei, what’s the story with this guy?"

"He must be impressive," Qin Wei said as he watched the tail lights of Chen Cheng’s car fade into the distance, "he single-handedly brought nine institutions together. He’s quite the character."

"Friend or foe?"

Qin Wei spread his hands, "It’s not clear at the moment, we’ll see later..."

"Team leader! What would you like to eat tonight?"

A girl in her early twenties bounced over, holding a bottle of Arctic Ocean, smilingly looking at Qin Wei.

"Xiao Guo student, do you walk without making a sound? You scared me!" Ma Zhongju patted his chest.

"I do make a sound, you just didn’t hear it." She looked at Qin Wei again, "Team leader, quickly say, so I can go get ready!"

Qin Wei looked back at her with affection, "Whatever you see fit, it’s all good."

The girl bit her straw, "Is that so..."

...

...

Xinrongji.

Chen Cheng had just arrived at the private room when Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu followed right behind.

Tong Jialu handed over the organized documents to Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng, everything is sorted out."

Chen Cheng did not look closely, instead turned to Xia Yubing with concern, "How do you feel? Tired?"

Xia Yubing shook her head, feeling the warmth of Chen Cheng’s concern, a sweetness welled up in her heart, "I’m fine, not tired."

Seeing this, Tong Jialu tactfully found an excuse to slip away, "Brother Cheng, sis, you guys talk, I’ll go order the dishes."

After Tong Jialu left the room, Chen Cheng pulled Xia Yubing’s hand, "Have you told Xiao Lu?"

"I have." Xia Yubing nodded with a smile, "She understands."

Chen Cheng’s lips curled up, content with the outcome, "Yu Bing, there’s something I want to discuss with you."

Xia Yubing looked at him tenderly, "Yes, go ahead."

"I want to visit your parents and meet them." Chen Cheng revealed his plan.

Xia Yubing was both surprised and joyous, "Really?"

Chen Cheng nodded, "Your pregnancy surely won’t stay hidden for long, and your reputation as a woman is very important."

He paused a moment, "Although I can’t give you a complete family, we should still follow proper etiquette."

Xia Yubing’s eyes reddened slightly, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.

She understood Chen Cheng’s intent; he was doing his best to compensate her, offering her the utmost respect and protection.

"Thank you, husband," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Chen Cheng pinched her cheek, "But first, we have to address one issue."

"Uh-huh, what issue?"

"What if your parents want us to get married, what then?" Chen Cheng purposely teased.

Xia Yubing laughed through her tears, glaring at him playfully, "Keep dreaming! I wouldn’t marry you!"

Though she said this, her heart fluttered with a sweet anticipation.

Chen Cheng laughed as well, teasing her, "That’s uncertain. What if your parents push for marriage, should I relent or not?"

Xia Yubing pretended to ponder, tapping her chin lightly, "That’s a difficult question. But..."

She grinned slyly, "If my parents knew about all the women you have around, they would never agree to let me marry you."

"Ah? What to do then? I can’t just give up the whole forest for you, can I?"

Xia Yubing punched Chen Cheng’s chest lightly, "Sometimes you’re so serious, and other times you just can’t stop with the jokes."

She gazed into the space between Chen Cheng’s brows, "Husband, I know you’re just trying to cheer me up."

Their hands secretly joined under the table, "You don’t need to go, I’m clear about my own position."

Xia Yubing sniffed, forcing out a smile, "Besides, I don’t plan to go home for the New Year either."

Chen Cheng massaged her delicate hands, "Then I’m sorry you have to go through this."

"You’ve been very kind to me." Xia Yubing led Chen Cheng’s hand to rest on her lower abdomen, "Plus, you’ve already given me the best thing to cherish."

"Sis, the dishes are ordered~including your favorite..."

Entering the room, Tong Jialu saw the intimate gestures between the two and was momentarily stunned.

But soon, a smile appeared on her face, teasing Xia Yubing, "Oh dear, sis, sorry to interrupt~ should I go somewhere else?"

Xia Yubing turned to smile, "Stop teasing, come and sit down."

Tong Jialu naturally sat next to Chen Cheng, pulling the chair closer and leaning half her body against him.

"Brother Cheng, sis and I have already agreed. From now on, she won’t compete with me."

Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow, "Just the two of you decided? I haven’t agreed yet, though."