Chapter 83

"Based on what? We, the Moon in the Water, are planning to open a branch by the West Lake, and it would be convenient to take over this Mountain Beyond the Mountain."

A young woman also stood up, "Uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters, can you give us a chance this time? The Moon in the Water really needs the Mountain Beyond the Mountain!"

"… Everyone knows the situation with the Mountain Beyond the Mountain. Although it's currently in the red, with a bit of reorganization, it can bring in substantial profits every year. So, I suggest everyone go back and prepare the funds!" Another man in his thirties, bald, joined in, but he didn't introduce himself, instead speaking frankly.

"Hmph, no matter who causes trouble, we, the New Source, are determined to get it!" The man who spoke first was clearly unwilling to give up. He knew that ultimately, winning the Mountain Beyond the Mountain would depend on strength and funds, not just loud voices, but the chairman said they couldn't lose in terms of morale.

"Ladies and gentlemen, don't be too confident. Business is endless, and there's no need to quarrel over a restaurant. Today, many of the bigwigs in Qianjiang's catering and hotel industry are here. Let me introduce you to these two gentlemen. This is Mr. Lin from Binhai, a prominent figure in Binhai's business community! This is Mr. Ding from Beijing, who used to live in Qianjiang and has come specially for this occasion…"

An older middle-aged man stood up and introduced two people, both around forty years old. Mr. Lin had a big smile and a slicked-back hairstyle, while Mr. Ding from Beijing was very low-key, nodding to everyone and then quietly sitting down.

"…" The young man recognized the older man speaking; he was Lei Ming, the chairman of Redsun Group, a leader in Qianjiang's catering and hotel industry. Lei Ming's respect for Mr. Lin and Mr. Ding suggested that these two were even more influential, so he didn't dare to say more. The man next to him also smiled and sat down.

The few who had been arguing gradually quieted down. Some of the bosses came over to Lei Ming, "Chairman Lei, if you're really determined, you should have let us know in advance to avoid a bidding war."

"Yes, yes, Chairman Lei, you should have notified us in advance!" Someone quickly chimed in. From the others' change in attitude, Ding Hao could see that the older Chairman Lei held a very high status. However, he didn't care much; he wasn't here to compete but just to observe.

Qiao Yunna had said that the Mountain Beyond the Mountain was his, and Ding Hao believed that it would soon be his, no matter how much these people tried to interfere. So, he continued to sit alone, watching them.

"Young man, are you also here to participate in the auction?" Almost everyone in the meeting room had left, but Ding Hao hadn't moved, just sitting there in a daze. Suddenly, someone gently patted his shoulder from behind.

Ding Hao turned around and saw it was Mr. Ding from Beijing, who had been standing with Chairman Lei earlier. Ding Hao smiled at him, "Do you know me, Mr. Ding?"

The man shook his head with a smile and sat down next to Ding Hao, "What do you think of the Mountain Beyond the Mountain?"

"Business is good, and the standards are high. The losses are definitely due to management issues. Whoever buys it, as long as they have some experience, can turn a profit in the same year!" Ding Hao found it strange that Mr. Ding, a prominent figure, was chatting with him.

Ding Hao asked himself why he was dressed casually today, and the receptionist at the door had mistaken him for a driver or an assistant. What did Mr. Ding want? Did he have some special ability to see through his true identity?

"Good, I believe anyone who has been here can see that. I think the competition will be intense!"

"Not necessarily. If Mr. Ding, Chairman Lei, and Mr. Lin work together, no one will want to compete with you!"

"Oh, you think so too?"

"Not just think, it's clear from everyone's reactions." Ding Hao said calmly.

"I hope so, but life is unpredictable." He patted Ding Hao's shoulder again and then stood up and left.

Clearly, he had achieved his purpose. Lei Ming had already hinted to everyone. In fact, he wasn't planning to collaborate with Mr. Lin or Chairman Lei but to take over the Mountain Beyond the Mountain independently, as the young man had said, with determination. The people present were clearly a bit intimidated by Lei Ming.

He could suppress those people through Lei Ming, but he didn't ignore Ding Hao, who was sitting alone, and wanted to gauge his intentions. Ding Hao quickly revealed a fact: the competition might seem intense, but behind the scenes, they would avoid a bidding war.

From Ding Hao's attitude, it seemed he had no strong feelings about the matter or simply didn't care. So, he concluded that Ding Hao might not be a bidder, or if he was, he wouldn't cause trouble.

When the meeting room was empty, Ding Hao finally stood up. He thought about what those people had said and felt grateful to Qiao Yunna. Clearly, this young lady wasn't just a typical second-generation official or rich kid. She was reliable and steady, not setting him up for failure.

Anyone could see that the Mountain Beyond the Mountain was a big piece of meat. With Qiao Yunna helping him, Ding Hao had nothing to worry about. He just needed to follow the accountant's advice. After leaving the Mountain Beyond the Mountain, Ding Hao felt much better. He ate a quick meal at a nearby restaurant and took a taxi home.

When he got home, he found his car there, which was odd since Liu Xia and Chen Fang were supposed to be at the villa. Walking into the living room, he saw both of them, with a lot of food on the coffee table.

Seeing Ding Hao come in, Chen Fang quickly stood up and pulled him upstairs, "Come, I have something to tell you."

"Why can't you say it here?" Ding Hao looked at the two women, puzzled. Chen Fang and Liu Xia were like sisters, so why did Chen Fang need to keep something from Liu Xia?

Liu Xia smiled mysteriously, "Your sister Chen Fang has something important to say!"

Ding Hao had no choice but to follow Chen Fang upstairs.

"Ding Hao, be honest with your sister. Did you go to Beijing to find Xia Lin recently?"

"How did you know?" Ding Hao was surprised. Only Liu Yiding knew about his trip to Beijing. Could these two be working together? That seemed unlikely. Liu Yiding didn't have the time, and Chen Fang didn't have the qualifications.

"I haven't seen you at the villa for a long time, so I knew you must have gone to find that girl! Didn't I tell you that girl isn't right for you? Did you find her?"

"…" Ding Hao smiled helplessly. This sister was really cute, but he could see that Chen Fang genuinely cared about him, not just trying to keep him away from Xia Lin.

"Don't laugh. I'm an experienced person. Qianjiang has always been full of beautiful women. You're about to be a top student at Zhejiang University, you're skilled, and you live in a big villa. What kind of girl can't you find? There are plenty of flowers in the world, why be fixated on one?

Be honest, have you joined some family to get closer to Xia Lin's family and sold yourself out? I've heard that many big families are looking for skilled people to work for them…" Chen Fang looked at Ding Hao with a disappointed expression.

"I haven't…" Faced with Chen Fang's questioning, Ding Hao felt a bit guilty. This experienced woman was sharp; she had guessed the general idea. Was she reading too many novels at night, becoming so suspicious?

"Ding Hao, I'm not saying this to criticize you. You're young and have a bright future. I want to benefit from you, but you can't go down the wrong path for a woman. Have you seen those捆绑火箭 (tied rockets) on TV? No matter who supports you, you're just the outer booster.

No matter how bright you seem, in a crisis, you'll be the first to be sacrificed. When a rocket launches, the first to burn out and be discarded is the booster! Even the entire rocket is a sacrifice; only the satellite reaches the sky.

I don't want to see you go down that path. Do you understand? No one is forcing you, and you shouldn't throw everything away for Xia Lin. I know you're a good person, but you're young and lack social experience, making you easy to deceive!"

"Sister, I won't be anyone's booster!" Ding Hao was moved by Chen Fang's sincerity. This unassuming woman had a deep understanding and could敏锐地 (sharply) sense things. She had guessed that he might be tied to some big families.

Although buying the Mountain Beyond the Mountain wasn't entirely for Xia Lin, Ding Hao couldn't deny that Xia Lin was a factor, including his trip to Beijing and agreeing to Liu Yiding and Qiao Yunna's plans. Whether he admitted it or not, he had already started to intersect with Qiao Yunna and Liu Yiding, and their interests were becoming intertwined.

"Not even the整流罩 (fairing)! It's also discarded in space, leaving no trace!" Chen Fang became more professional as she spoke.

"Sister, don't worry. I promise! I'll be myself, and if I have to be something, I'll be the satellite! I won't let anyone be my rocket." Ding Hao patted Chen Fang's shoulder gratefully.

Ding Hao was sincere. If he were to be a booster, he would have agreed to be Qiao Siping's bodyguard. He wanted to be a satellite, an independent strong person. Even if he found his parents in the future, he would maintain his relative independence. Ding Hao had the determination and the strength!

"Don't be cheeky. Tell me, why are you buying the Mountain Beyond the Mountain? Where did you get the money?"

"… My dear sister, I can't say that right now. I'll listen to you from now on, okay? Don't worry, I don't steal, I don't rob, and I don't sell myself! If I were to sell myself, it would be to you, as no one is as beautiful as my sister…"

"Flatterer!"

"Sister, you're so good to me, let me repay you with my life!"

"Go away, you were complaining about me a few days ago, telling me to get married soon, and now you're saying this."

"Where did I say that?" Ding Hao protested.

"You didn't, but the dowry is already prepared."

"…" Ding Hao was speechless. His offhand comment had become a handle against him.