Chapter Thirty-Seven: I Am Your Master—Do You Understand?

In order to help the company quickly get on track, to strengthen unity among its staff, and to ensure a brighter future, Wang Zheng gave Bai Bing a stern criticism and correction for her poor interpersonal and work attitudes.

“If you’re a dragon, you’ll coil for me; if you’re a tiger, you’ll crouch for me; if you’re a man, you’ll kneel; if you’re a woman, you’ll lie down!” Wang Zheng declared, though whether Bai Bing actually listened was anyone’s guess. Her face was so thick that it seemed to cover her ears, but Wang Zheng was already satisfied that she could at least sit quietly.

Wang Zheng had countless ways to make Bai Bing disappear, but he knew that if one Bai Bing vanished, the higher-ups would send thousands more just like her to test him. If that were the case, he would rather have Bai Bing stay by his side. Wang Zheng had unwavering confidence in his own resolve; not only could he see through Bai Bing’s tricks, but even if lightning struck, he wouldn’t budge an inch.

“Are you saying that business is tough for all tea merchants in the Jinghua region?” After “teaching” Bai Bing, Wang Zheng turned to Lin Xiaolei, who stood beside him.

“Yes. A bumper harvest of tea ought to be a good thing, but outside of East and South Asian countries like Japan and Korea, the global demand isn’t high. Western countries still prefer coffee over tea. Though tea-drinking is becoming more popular among Westerners, this year’s tea yield has far exceeded demand. That’s the main problem facing tea merchants in Jinghua. When quality is equal, only lower prices can make a merchant stand out, but that leads to vicious competition, which will undoubtedly impact the entire tea market in Jinghua,” Lin Xiaolei explained, her voice detailing the current situation.

“How many export companies in Jinghua have import-export licenses, and how many focus mainly on tea exports?” Wang Zheng asked, knowing that only by understanding both sides could he hope to win.

“I don’t know the exact number of export companies, but aside from mine, there are three others that primarily deal in tea,” Lin Xiaolei replied.

Wang Zheng nodded; three was fewer than he’d expected. Including Lin Xiaolei’s company, there were only four exporting tea in Jinghua.

“Last year, the four of us controlled all the tea exports from Jinghua. Four companies may not seem like much, but the competition is intense. I think this year, foreign buyers have noticed this, which is why they haven’t signed any contracts yet—making us all the more anxious. In a few months, the autumn tea will be ready, and prices will drop even further…” Lin Xiaolei spoke with a look of worry, her face dim with anxiety that stirred pity and concern.

“Are you familiar with the owners of the other three companies?” Wang Zheng inquired.

“I’ve only met them a few times at last year’s tea exhibition,” she answered.

Leaning back against the sofa, Wang Zheng’s gaze was deep and focused, as if he were brewing some scheme. Lin Xiaolei watched him, and without realizing it, she seemed to pin all her hopes on this man she had just met. Even she herself hadn’t noticed this subtle shift.

After a while, Wang Zheng appeared to come to a decision. He straightened up and looked at Lin Xiaolei. “Can you give me the names and addresses of the other three companies?”

“What are you planning?” Lin Xiaolei asked, puzzled.

“Secret,” Wang Zheng replied with a smile, keeping her in suspense. It might not be much for him, but for Lin Xiaolei, it was of utmost importance. The more he kept her guessing, the more anxious she became, her eyes filled with longing, wishing she could pry open Wang Zheng’s mind to see what was inside.

Standing behind Wang Zheng, Bai Bing said nothing, watching his “infuriating” smile. She was certain he was exploiting women’s curiosity to lure them in. As an observer, Bai Bing saw through it all—Wang Zheng was helping Lin Xiaolei only to win her over.

There are no free lunches, and certainly no free help!

But she seemed to forget that Wang Zheng was very different from most people; he could give away a ten-carat diamond without expecting anything in return. Trying to win this woman? That idea was far too naive. Would Wang Zheng really stoop to something so tasteless?

Though Lin Xiaolei was full of confusion, she could see Wang Zheng had no intention of explaining, so she could only give up and fetch the information on the other three companies as he requested.

Wang Zheng took the documents without so much as a glance, handing them directly to Bai Bing. She glanced at them and didn’t take them at first, but after Wang Zheng shot her a look, she reluctantly accepted.

“I only wanted to follow you—do you really take me for your secretary?” Bai Bing thought indignantly.

Seeing Bai Bing take the documents, Wang Zheng withdrew his sharp gaze, then rose from the sofa and smiled at Lin Xiaolei. “When I arrived, I saw the office next door was empty. I’ll use that one, so if you need anything, just come find me.” Wang Zheng spoke as though he were the company’s owner, with no trace of employee humility.

His contrasting attitudes toward Bai Bing and Lin Xiaolei were stark: cold as winter to Bai Bing, warm as spring to Lin Xiaolei. This difference left Bai Bing deeply dissatisfied, but given the circumstances, she was powerless to protest.

Turn against Wang Zheng? Bai Bing would never be so foolish; after all, she had come to him by her own choice. If she left in a huff, Wang Zheng would have the last laugh.

Watching Wang Zheng and Bai Bing leave, Lin Xiaolei could only smile bitterly. It seemed neither could really help her; now wasn’t the time for office work—finding buyers outside was the most urgent task.

“Look into those three companies and their owners’ reputations,” Wang Zheng ordered Bai Bing as they entered the next room.

“Isn’t that what these are?” Bai Bing retorted, tossing the information Wang Zheng had handed her onto his lap.

“These are no better than garbage. I need the most detailed information—you know what I mean,” Wang Zheng replied.

Bai Bing frowned, puzzled by his words. “I should know? What exactly should I know?” She stared at Wang Zheng, and after a moment, seemed to understand.

“You…!” Bai Bing looked at him in shock, surprised that he wanted to use her to have the organization investigate these people. What use could such information be to him?

Though her mind was full of questions, she understood one thing: Wang Zheng had something for her to do.

“Are you asking me for help?” Bai Bing asked, her surprise quickly replaced by a sly, smiling expression. Her voice and eyes brimmed with seductive charm.

“You seem to misunderstand our relationship,” Wang Zheng chuckled, easily seeing through her implication. He never liked being passive around women. Bai Bing’s flirtatious smile was matched by an even more charming one from Wang Zheng; her skin prickled with goosebumps, but she had to pretend nothing was amiss and keep smiling.

“I’m all ears!” Bai Bing seized the opportunity, determined not to bow her head before Wang Zheng. Their eyes met, and the air was thick with flirtation—goosebumps everywhere. Bai Bing was disgusted, yet Wang Zheng was just as repulsed.

“Your task is to persuade me to return to the organization. If I don’t go back, your mission won’t be accomplished, and your status there will suffer. So you must make me happy—maybe one day, if I’m in a good mood, I’ll agree to follow you back. In other words, your job is to please me, to make me happy. If I’m not happy, do you think I’d ever agree to return?” Wang Zheng said smugly, looking at Bai Bing. “I wasn’t asking you for help—I was giving you a chance to please me. If you refuse, that’s fine; I have more diamonds than you have brains. Do you really think there’s anything money can solve that I can’t handle?”

Before Wang Zheng, Bai Bing was a woman, but also a servant—she should be dressed in a black-and-white maid’s outfit, scheming to delight her master.

Oppose him? A maid who goes against her master rarely meets a good end.