Chapter 7
The collaboration between Dong Jian and the Xiao family proceeded smoothly. Each time a proposal was submitted, there were hardly any modifications from the other side. This cooperative and hassle-free approach from the client side brought great relief to the entire design team. It was unexpected that a large conglomerate like the Xiao family would be so easy to work with. In contrast, the team responsible for the Hua Ao project was facing numerous difficulties, and they would frequently come to the neighboring office to vent their frustrations.
Fu Yu had met Xiao Yi several times afterward, mostly during routine meetings. Apart from his somewhat mocking gaze, Xiao Yi didn’t exhibit any unusual behavior. The information he had brought during their last meeting had indeed been quite helpful.
Regardless of Xiao Yi’s past actions, from a professional standpoint, Fu Yu felt that he should express his gratitude to him if the opportunity arose.
However, before the next meeting could take place, Fu Yu encountered an unexpected visitor.
One day, while Fu Yu was out on business, he received an urgent call from his secretary, Jiang Xiao Wen. She informed him that Xiao Yi’s older brother, Xiao Yongqing, who was also the heir of the Xiao family, had come to visit Dong Jian.
Fu Yu rushed back to the office, puzzled by the visit. The Hua Ao project had been under Xiao Yi’s complete control, so why would Xiao Yongqing need to come? Moreover, given his current status as the heir to the Xiao family, he didn’t need to personally oversee this project. There had been no prior notice of his visit either.
Upon returning to the office, Fu Yu found Xiao Yongqing and his entourage waiting in the meeting room. Fu Yu hadn’t met any of these individuals before, but he could easily identify Xiao Yongqing.
There was a resemblance between Xiao Yongqing and Xiao Yi, but he appeared older, in his early thirties. He had an elegant and composed demeanor, unexpectedly approachable, devoid of the airs of a wealthy heir. His mild smile, combined with his gold-rimmed glasses, gave him an aura of erudition and competence, a complete departure from Xiao Yi’s personality.
After exchanging greetings, Xiao Yongqing smiled at Fu Yu and said, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
The others in the room thought he was being polite, as someone of Xiao Yongqing’s stature would unlikely have heard of Fu Yu. However, Fu Yu detected something unusual in the thoughtful gaze behind Xiao Yongqing’s glasses.
Xiao Yongqing’s visit was not for anything significant. He had Dong Jian provide an update on the progress of the hotel design project and briefly reviewed the completed design drawings.
“Xiao Yi is handling a large hotel project for the first time, and it’s our group’s first time collaborating with an external team. I had some concerns initially, but it seems I worried too much. I’m very satisfied with your company’s design. Perhaps we can collaborate more in the future if the opportunity arises,” Xiao Yongqing commented.
The Dong Jian team members who heard this were delighted. This was a client that others could only dream of having, and establishing a long-term partnership with such a client would be ideal.
Xiao Yongqing then turned his gaze to Fu Yu. “Mr. Fu, I have some matters to discuss with you. Would it be possible to use your office? Please excuse us for a moment.”
Fu Yu was intrigued by this unexpected turn of events but agreed. “Certainly.”
The two of them entered the office one after the other, closed the door, isolating themselves from the outside noise, and the room fell into silence.
“Xiao President, please have a seat.”
“No need, Mr. Fu. Your office has good soundproofing,” Xiao Yongqing said, glancing around the room while folding his arms.
“Yes, I prefer it quiet,” Fu Yu replied.
Xiao Yongqing pushed his glasses up and asked directly, “I’ll get straight to the point, Mr. Fu. Do you know why our group chose to collaborate with your company this time?”
Fu Yu looked at Xiao Yongqing and could tell that the tone had shifted from gentle to more aggressive. His eyes seemed to convey a sense of determination.
Clearly, things were not as simple as they appeared.
“I heard from Xiao Yi that your design team lost some talent, which is why you had to engage an external team. He also mentioned that it was you who recommended our company,” Fu Yu replied.
Xiao Yongqing chuckled. “Just as I thought. That foolish kid. A few designers left, but they were replaceable. Why would I take the risk of collaborating with a completely unfamiliar company? Besides, he didn’t even inform me.”
Once the door closed, Fu Yu’s office door opened suddenly, and Xiao Yi entered without knocking.
Xiao Yongqing was surprised. “Why are you here?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that, big brother?” Xiao Yi shrugged. “You came without notice.”
Xiao Yongqing smiled gently. “I wanted to make a surprise inspection of your project’s progress. It’s better than I expected. I was about to leave. What about you?”
“I have something to discuss with him,” Xiao Yi pointed at Fu Yu.
Fu Yu was exasperated. He didn’t want to have a private conversation with the two brothers anymore.
“Alright, I’ll leave then,” Xiao Yongqing said, smiling as he bid farewell. He walked toward the door but turned back with a warning look directed at Fu Yu before leaving.
Once the door was closed, Xiao Yi asked, “What did my brother say?”
“He said you’re doing a good job,” Fu Yu replied.
“Oh… anything else?” Xiao Yi’s tone sounded indifferent.
Fu Yu understood what was going through Xiao Yi’s mind at this moment and decided to confront him directly. “He also said that our collaboration was facilitated by you. When I asked you about it earlier, you didn’t mention that. Why lie?”
Xiao Yi’s eyes shifted nervously, and then he adopted a defiant tone. “I can recommend whoever I want. What’s the big deal?”
Fu Yu remained silent, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yi, and the room seemed to grow colder by the second.
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity, but I don’t want to owe you any favors. After this collaboration is over, unless it’s a fair competition for a project, please don’t approach our company again,” Fu Yu stated firmly.
Fu Yu’s willingness to forgo the company’s interests for personal reasons showed how much he wanted to avoid any further involvement with Xiao Yi.
Clearly, Xiao Yi understood the implication of his words, and his face alternated between red, pale, and green. Eventually, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Fu Yu, exhausted, sat back in his office chair, a headache gnawing at him. He closed his eyes to regain his composure.
If he could deter Xiao Yi from pursuing inappropriate feelings for him, then he didn’t mind speaking harshly. He was determined not to fall twice in the same place.
