Chapter 86 of 100

Chapter 86

16 min read3,954 wordsMature

Update time: April 7, 2013

Hong Yaqin had not expected Zhang Yang to bring an outsider. At first glance, she really did not recognize Pan Hui, mainly because Pan Hui's outfit was so striking that it left no trace of her former self, or perhaps this was her true self.

"Who is this beautiful lady?" Hong Yaqin asked.

Zhang Yang, without turning his head, said, "My maid. I brought her to taste your cooking and to see the difference."

"Miss Hong, hello! I'm Pan Hui," Pan Hui introduced herself.

The two had met a few times, but Hong Yaqin had never asked Pan Hui's name. Pan Hui did not want to be known only as a maid, so she introduced herself.

Hong Yaqin looked at Pan Hui in surprise and said, "I didn't expect it!"

It was unclear whether she was surprised by how beautiful Pan Hui looked in her outfit or that Zhang Yang had brought Pan Hui over.

"Sit down, everyone. I just have two more dishes to finish," Hong Yaqin said.

Pan Hui looked at Zhang Yang and said, "Miss Hong, let me help you."

"No need. You're a guest. Sit down and wait a moment; it will be ready soon," Hong Yaqin said with a smile.

In the kitchen, Hong Yaqin's expression was not as pleasant. Why did Zhang Yang bring a maid? Was it because he had not forgiven her? But she had done nothing wrong. Perhaps she had underestimated Zhang Yang's pride. However, it was all a misunderstanding, and as long as she explained clearly, everything would be fine. As for Pan Hui, what did it matter? She was just a maid. Thinking this, Hong Yaqin regained her calm smile.

A few minutes later, Hong Yaqin brought out the prepared dishes, took off her apron, and sat opposite Zhang Yang, smiling. "Zhang Yang, I'm being quite sincere. Eight dishes and one soup. I rarely make so many dishes."

Zhang Yang was fine, having already tasted Hong Yaqin's cooking before, so he was not too surprised. Pan Hui, however, was amazed. She finally understood what it meant for a dish to be visually, aromatically, and tastefully perfect. Each dish was exquisitely prepared and arranged in patterns, looking like pictures that one hesitated to destroy.

"I admit I was a bit agitated yesterday, but I thought we were friends. Your suspicion really hurt me," Zhang Yang said.

Hearing this, Hong Yaqin knew there was a chance to make things right. She explained, "I wasn't doubting you. I was just worried that things were getting out of hand and spoke without thinking. Zhang Yang, I'll drink to this and apologize. You decide what to do."

With that, Hong Yaqin picked up her glass and drank it in one gulp.

Zhang Yang deliberately put on a gloomy face and said, "Miss Hong, is this an apology, or are you trying to get me drunk?"

Hong Yaqin couldn't help but laugh and said, "So you're not angry anymore! What should I call you then?"

"Yaqin, is that okay? Let's just let it go. Actually, from your perspective, you didn't do anything wrong. Maybe I'm just too sensitive. If it were the little chili pepper who misunderstood me, I might not have been angry. I don't know why, but when you said that, it felt like a fire in my heart! I couldn't control my temper. Afterward, I was very regretful and wanted to come and apologize, but I couldn't bring myself to do it!" Zhang Yang said.

Hearing Zhang Yang say this, a light blush rose to Hong Yaqin's cheeks, and she felt a sweet sensation. No matter how smart she was, she was still a woman, and women liked to hear men's compliments. Sometimes, even if they knew the words were false, they couldn't help but believe them. Why? Because it was their nature.

Pan Hui's mouth dropped open, and she couldn't help but shiver, unable to believe what she had just heard. Good heavens, such sappy words, coming from the mouth of this cold-faced tyrant? Had she had too much to drink?

Zhang Yang was satisfied with Hong Yaqin's expression but noticed Pan Hui's disbelieving look out of the corner of his eye. He was annoyed; if he had known, he wouldn't have brought this woman to cause trouble.

Zhang Yang had considered bringing Pan Hui to divert He Linlin's attention, but he hadn't expected Hong Yaqin to be alone. If he had known, he wouldn't have brought Pan Hui.

"Let's just let it go. We'll pretend it never happened. Come, Zhang Yang, try this boiled cabbage. It's my specialty," Hong Yaqin said.

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded, giving a thumbs up after each dish and praising Hong Yaqin, making her beam with joy. Pan Hui, on the other side, kept her head down and ate silently, afraid to laugh out loud.

The meal was a pleasant one, and as for Pan Hui's thoughts, Zhang Yang paid no attention.

After the meal, Zhang Yang said to Pan Hui, "You go back first. Yaqin and I have some things to talk about."

Hong Yaqin smiled at Pan Hui.

Pan Hui sighed inwardly. She had long felt out of place, as if she belonged to a different world. Perhaps it was because of her status. In their eyes, she was just a maid. Thinking this, she felt very uncomfortable. With a gloomy expression, she picked up her bag and left the private restaurant, heading back to the neighborhood.

After Pan Hui left, the atmosphere between Zhang Yang and Hong Yaqin became even more harmonious.

"Zhang Yang, from what my father said, you plan to invest in the jewelry industry and open a store?" Hong Yaqin asked.

Zhang Yang nodded. "Yes, that's the plan. Not just jewelry, but also antiques. The living standards of the entire country are rising, and low-end material goods can no longer satisfy people's desires. More and more people will focus on high-end consumer goods and luxury items. Jade, in my view, is a high-end consumer good and will become increasingly popular. Antiques, on the other hand, have cultural and collection value and are a new form of investment. The increasing auction prices also show that more and more people are eyeing this market."

"But both of these require huge investments, and if you fail, you will suffer significant losses," Hong Yaqin said with concern.

"I know. If I make a mistake, I could lose everything. But what business doesn't have risks? As long as I take it step by step and work hard, I will succeed," Zhang Yang said.

Hong Yaqin hesitated and asked, "Have you decided where to open the store?"

Zhang Yang nodded. "I did a simple market survey. High-end jewelry stores are concentrated in the Guomao Yintai Center, mid-range ones are on the third floor of the Xidan Wedding Building, and jade and crystal are in Panjiayuan. There are also the Wuhuan Jewelry Wholesale Market and Xiaoying Jewelry City. Since I want to do both jade and antiques, the best location is still Panjiayuan. A few days ago, I met a boss there during a stone gambling session. I plan to visit him again soon to see if there are any suitable shops."

"What about the supply chain and sales channels?" Hong Yaqin asked the key question.

Zhang Yang smiled and said nonchalantly, "For jade, I can gamble on stones. If the supply is insufficient, I can go to the Myanmar jade auctions. For antiques, there are plenty of sellers in Panjiayuan. As long as I have a good eye, I can find good items. As for sales, with good goods, will there be a lack of buyers? Actually, these principles were taught to me by your father yesterday. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have made this decision."

Zhang Yang did not mention asking for Hong Yaqin's help at all, even hinting that his choice of this industry was influenced by Hong's father. This made Hong Yaqin even more convinced that she had wronged Zhang Yang yesterday.

"Zhang Yang, I have some friends who can help," Hong Yaqin said.

"No, no need. We just cleared things up, and I don't want any more misunderstandings. You know, I came to the capital alone and don't have many friends. You are one of them, and I don't want business to affect our relationship," Zhang Yang said.

Hong Yaqin smiled and said, "You said we are friends. How can I not help a friend in need?"

Zhang Yang, of course, needed Hong Yaqin's help, but not right now.

Hearing Hong Yaqin say this, Zhang Yang had a sudden idea and thought of the problem that had troubled him last night. He asked tentatively, "Yaqin, I do have a bit of a difficult matter. Can you help me?"

"Tell me!" Hong Yaqin said.

---