After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 28 - Change of Plans

The preparations were suddenly canceled? Han Qian didn’t care about planning proposals; he cared about money. From the way Yan Qingqing looked last night, it didn’t seem like she was about to cancel anything. As he walked into Yan Qingqing’s office, Han Qian plopped down on the sofa, frowning with anger.

“After all the effort and sleepless nights, it’s suddenly canceled? General Manager Yan, even if there’s a change of plans, you owe us an explanation. Are you playing us for fools?”

Yan Qingqing frowned and shot Han Qian a glare, then picked up the teapot and poured tea, placing it in front of him. She then instructed Yang Jia to keep an eye on the activity outside the door.

This gesture made Han Qian pause for a moment, then he lowered his voice and asked, “Is there trouble?”

Yan Qingqing crouched by the coffee table opposite Han Qian, furrowing her brow as she poured two cups of tea, speaking softly.

“It’s not really trouble. Your planning proposal hasn’t been canceled; it’s the chance to leak information that’s been canceled. I’ve been visiting the General Affairs Department frequently these days and worked overtime last night. People have already noticed something is up. There are too many people in this company who want me out. Now we know this land will go to Rongyao. If I fail, I’ll have to pack up and leave; if I succeed, I can stay. Han Qian, do you think a new general manager would benefit you, or would I, Yan Qingqing, be able to offer you more?”

Han Qian scratched his head, and Yan Qingqing continued.

“This morning, I received a call from the government when I got home. Tonight, there will be a banquet with the government and businessmen, and the bidding has been moved up. I didn’t tell the higher-ups about the meeting this morning; they were already prepared with the materials, especially the Project Department and Investment Department. It’s like they were waiting for me. Sun Ya from the Public Relations Department also mentioned they’ve been in contact with the government for a while.”

Han Qian scratched his head again, puzzled.

“That’s odd. Changxiang only recently confirmed it wouldn’t fall to them, and they even used connections… Are you saying it was decided long ago, or that Rongyao took on this hot potato without you knowing, so the government gave Changxiang the green light?”

“Exactly. If they find out about the planning proposal today, Gao Lvxing will surely leak the information. Even if we get the land, we’ll bleed financially. I’m considering your interests; if your proposal is leaked and the land price rises, Rongyao can abandon it, but you won’t get a penny. How will you explain to Yang Lan and Su Liang then? Don’t think I, Yan Qingqing, only know how to scold. You need money, and I need to silence those who doubt me. So, do you understand now?”

“You want to secure the land first and then… You trust me?”

“You’re part of my General Affairs Department. I saw you and Su Liang eating boxed lunches on the ground, and Yang Lan drinking so much baijiu. How could I not trust you? You’re working hard; why would I doubt you? I don’t know if you’re gambling, but I’m betting. I’m betting you, Han Qian, won’t let the sincere Yan Qingqing lose.”

“I feel like you’re confessing to me.”

“Believe me, I’ll smash this teapot over your head, you scoundrel.”

Han Qian leaned back, frowning as he mulled over Yan Qingqing’s words. She did make sense, offering both a timeline and a promise that she would secure the land by tonight. Han Qian still felt like he might be played, but if they didn’t get the land, he wouldn’t earn a dime anyway. It seemed like a fair gamble, considering Yan Qingqing didn’t even know the specifics of the planning proposal.

This was Han Qian’s way of being cautious.

Now, with Yan Qingqing showing sincerity, Han Qian was torn about whether to trust her.

“I need an advance. I promised Su Liang and Yang Lan I’d give them some compensation today. You give me that, and I’ll continue to trust you.”

Yan Qingqing was decisive. She turned back to her desk, retrieved a paper bag from a drawer, and returned to the coffee table, crouching down in front of Han Qian with two stacks of cash. Han Qian watched her movements with envy, thinking how great it would be if he could have such a day.

“Twenty thousand. If the planning succeeds, I’ll owe you another three hundred and eighty thousand. If it fails, consider this your hard-earned money. Han Qian, I’ve said it before, I want to stay in this position. As long as I’m here, I won’t be short of this small change. Do you understand? If you don’t trust me, you can accompany me to the banquet tonight. I happen to need a male companion.”

“No thanks, I’m going home to cook.”

Han Qian took the money and left without making any promises to Yan Qingqing. Yang Jia watched him with a gossiping look. Han Qian told Yang Jia to call Yang Lan and ask her to wait downstairs instead of rushing home, while he dialed Su Liang’s number on his phone.

At the main entrance of Rongyao Group, Han Qian saw the two of them and tossed a stack of cash to Su Liang, who pocketed it with a smile, not caring about the remaining share. Yang Lan, however, frowned and asked Han Qian what was going on. Han Qian told her they might have to wait until tomorrow’s executive meeting.

Yang Lan refused to take the money, gently placing it back into Han Qian’s pocket, saying softly, “It’s part of my job, and you’ve worked hard too. I can’t accept this money.”

Han Qian insisted, “No way. Just for helping me drink all that baijiu yesterday, you have to take it. It’s not much, just consider it a New Year’s gift for Beibei. If you don’t take it, I’ll give it to Yang Jia to hold for you.”

“Alright, I’ll take it if the planning proposal goes through tomorrow, okay?”

Yang Lan’s firm stance made Su Liang feel a bit embarrassed. Just as he was about to pull out his share, Han Qian kicked him in the backside, telling him to scram. After confirming with Yang Lan that she would accept the money tomorrow, Han Qian felt relieved and headed to the fourteenth floor, avoiding General Manager Yan’s office. He sat outside chatting with Yang Jia, genuinely not wanting to return to the General Affairs Department.

Of course, Han Qian had bought the snacks, and they didn’t go downstairs for lunch. Yang Jia knew Han Qian was avoiding Liu Jiulong from the General Affairs Department. She busied herself while Han Qian continued to nap. He slept until past two in the afternoon when his phone woke him up.

“What’s up? Want to order food again?”

“Han Qian… I might have to attend the banquet organized by the government tonight, so I’ll be home late. If you don’t want to cook, I can bring something back.”

Hearing Wen Nuan’s voice, Han Qian sat up abruptly, frowning.

“The banquet at the Wijing Hotel?”

“Yeah, I really don’t want to go. I wanted Mr. Wen to go, but he said I should get some experience. What do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you.”

“Uh, Wen Nuan, I might have to go tonight too…”

There was silence on the other end, followed by a sharp scream from Wen Nuan, “Han Qian, tell me you’re not working at Rongyao! Han Qian! We’re enemies now. Just wait until you get home tonight.”

Wen Nuan hung up, and Han Qian was reminded of the old man’s threats.

Just wait until you get home.

What a mess.