Chapter Forty-One: UT!

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At the reception desk of Zhongtian Import and Export Company stood a beautiful young woman, her sweet and friendly smile so captivating that everyone passing by unconsciously slowed their steps, hoping to etch that smile into their hearts.

“Good afternoon, President Lin!” As Wang Zheng and the others exited the elevator, the young woman greeted Lin Xiaolei with a dazzling smile, radiant as the sunlight outside.

Lin Xiaolei halted abruptly, her mind freezing in astonishment as she stared dumbfounded at the girl in the white business suit behind the reception desk. If she remembered correctly, this position had been vacant for two months. Who was this girl? Why was she here?

“G-Good afternoon…” Lin Xiaolei’s voice trembled, but with the bald man and others by her side, she did her best to suppress the confusion and excitement welling up inside.

Just then, she felt something gently pat her on the hip. Turning, she saw Wang Zheng smiling at her, gesturing for her to move forward.

Could it be him?

“Let’s go,” Wang Zheng whispered in her ear, his right hand giving her waist a gentle nudge.

His words snapped Lin Xiaolei out of her shock, and she continued forward, trying to maintain a facade of composure despite the tumult within her. Her tightly clenched fists, however, betrayed her tension.

“Welcome to Zhongtian Import and Export Company, esteemed guests!” At the electronic door, Wang Zheng stopped and, seeing the three visiting bosses’ bewildered faces, smiled warmly.

The three bosses, who had come to “take a look,” were utterly perplexed, especially the bald one, whose few remaining hairs now seemed to form question marks. Why was there such a vast gulf between the intelligence they’d received and this reality? It was as if two different worlds.

Wang Zheng shot Lin Xiaolei a meaningful glance. She immediately took out her electronic card and swiped it through the slot by the door. With a beep, the door opened.

Inside, the immaculate corridor was lined with potted greenery—money trees, elms, asparagus ferns, kumquats—all carefully arranged, breathing life into the hallway.

With each step, Lin Xiaolei’s heart pounded faster and her questions multiplied. But the astonishments did not end there.

Passing through the corridor into the working area, dozens of men and women in professional attire bustled about. Some answered phones, others tapped away on keyboards, still others stood at printers, processing documents. Dressed smartly, their faces shone with energy, filling the office with a sense of vigor and purpose.

Employees passed by, greeting them with, “Good afternoon, President Lin!” “Hello, Assistant Wang!” and similar salutations.

Lin Xiaolei was utterly stunned. Was this truly her company? She vividly remembered that, when she left that morning, the place had been as silent as a morgue, devoid even of wandering souls. She could hardly believe her eyes—was she dreaming? But if so, why did everything feel so real?

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It wasn’t that she failed to understand, but rather that the world had changed so quickly!

Astonishment, confusion, and doubt filled not only Lin Xiaolei’s heart but Bai Bing’s as well. If not for having seen the large plaque reading “Zhongtian Import and Export Company” outside the elevator, she would never have believed this was Lin Xiaolei’s company. She watched the employees busy at work—their actions not a bit contrived. No, they truly were working, every movement, every word, flawless. What was going on?

Bai Bing glanced at Lin Xiaolei, whose eyes mirrored her own surprise and bewilderment, even more so. Then, suddenly, Bai Bing turned her gaze to Wang Zheng.

His expression was perfectly natural, even tinged with a hint of pride, as though none of this was remotely unexpected.

Could it be his doing?

Bai Bing was puzzled. She hadn’t left Wang Zheng’s side for a moment, and apart from their little group, had seen no strangers. So how had he managed all this?

Now, Wang Zheng seemed to have become the master of this place. Not only were the three visiting bosses bewildered, even Lin Xiaolei looked like she’d stepped into a strange company. Wang Zheng led them to the meeting room, and as the three bosses took their seats, he asked with a smile, “Gentlemen, what do you think of Zhongtian Import and Export Company?”

The three middle-aged men exchanged glances and forced smiles, replying in unison, “Very good, very good!”

It was clear they were inwardly frustrated. They had hoped to catch Zhongtian off guard, but reality had upended their plans. They could only play the role of the “good guy” to the end, cursing their useless subordinates for feeding them such misleading information.

“What nonsense intelligence! Not an ounce of accuracy. They take the money and do nothing. I’ll deal with those idiots later!”

Yet, despite their disappointment, the three found themselves trusting Zhongtian more, their resolve to cooperate and earn foreign money now strengthened. The partnership had begun.

The three bosses did not linger long before departing, and Wang Zheng, with great enthusiasm, saw them off, using his magnanimity to reinforce Zhongtian’s positive image and dispel any lingering doubts.

“Miss, how about working here from now on? There’s a great future in it!” Back at the company, Wang Zheng leaned on the reception desk, smiling at the pretty girl.

“Thank you. I’ll consider it,” she replied with a smile.

“Call me when you’ve made up your mind!” Wang Zheng threw her a wink before striding off. Though he said to call him, he hadn’t left his number—making one question how sincere he’d truly been.

As Wang Zheng entered the general manager’s office and had only just opened the door, a hand suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him inside.

“Don’t take advantage of me! Don’t take advantage of me!” Wang Zheng cried out, feigning fear.

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“Shut up!” Bai Bing snapped, grabbing Wang Zheng by the collar and pinning him against the wall, her gaze fierce. “Explain. What on earth is going on?”

“What do you mean?” Wang Zheng asked, wearing an expression of innocence.

“You know exactly what I mean.” Bai Bing tightened her grip, her lips pursed in irritation.

“I have no idea,” Wang Zheng replied, putting on his most guileless, pure-hearted look, as if he had nothing to do with the recent events or the bustling office outside.

But Bai Bing was not about to let him off so easily. After all, they’d known each other for some time, and she was used to his unruly, uninhibited ways—his roguishness, his penchant for deception, and his flair for theatrics worthy of the Golden Rooster, Hundred Flowers, Golden Horse, Golden Globe, and even the Oscars.

“Are you in love with me?” Wang Zheng suddenly asked.

“What?” Bai Bing was taken aback, utterly baffled by his abrupt change of topic.

“Otherwise, why do you keep putting your hands all over me? Are you trying to take advantage of me?”

“You’ve no shame!” Bai Bing released him with a roll of her eyes.

Wang Zheng adjusted his wrinkled collar, amused by how easily she could be provoked. For a grown woman, she still managed to blush so easily.

As he straightened his clothes, he met Lin Xiaolei’s gaze—her eyes filled with confusion and inquiry, her delicate, captivating face and fluttering lashes making his heart defenseless. A woman who evokes such pity can always breach a man’s defenses.

Wang Zheng took out his phone and dialed a number, then looked at Lin Xiaolei. “Go out and see for yourself—you’ll understand.”

Puzzled yet curious, Lin Xiaolei stood up and hurried to the door. As she opened it, she distinctly heard a voice coming from the office area.

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