Chapter 649: Lose (1)

City Z was a city that never snowed, yet, even so, the winter's cold breeze invaded in waves, and the entire city seemed oddly chilly, especially this early winter morning

The first rays of the morning sun shone down mildly, and after the street cleaner swept the roads, the vast ground was clean. There were only faint signs of the road having been tidied left behind. Many people were walking on the roads too.

She had been leaving early and returning late for quite a few days now. Xi Xiaye's days were quite full. Without Mu Yuchen around, her focus was put on Glory World. Lan Zilang would mostly report from Fuhua, letting her familiarize with work related to Fuhua.

On the stairway beside the South River bridge, Xi Xiaye wore a long and thick windbreaker. She even had a cap as she looked down at the construction happening below.

The vast plot of empty land in front had begun to be developed. In just a sweeping glance, you could see rows and rows of machines running while rows and rows of steel pillars laying the foundation pilfered the ground.

Xi Xiaye held a blueprint in her hand. She opened it to look at in detail. As she compared it to the construction site below, her expression was focused.

She closed the blueprint and looked down at the construction site as she said seriously, "We have to be strict with the quality. Once these sites begin to develop, we will only continue to build it upwards. I think we should invite bids for some of the projects. Get them to find out the bidders. We must work hard to ensure there are zero errors for this project."

The project manager nodded from the side. "Mmm, don't worry, Director Xi. I'll arrange things well."

The South River project was Glory World's mega project. Huge amounts of funds had been invested. In fact, it was related to the government's beneficiaries, that was the public, thus Xi Xiaye dared not treat things lightly at all. Almost every segment was personally examined to ensure there were no errors. Even if Vice President Zhang Lan was supervising it, the main person in charge of this project was still her, so she was still not assured as she carefully surveyed and verified everything again and again.

"The progress of the construction is going alright. We have to ensure quality. The length of time can be extended as needed since the time given by the government is quite sufficient. The time that we've estimated in our planning proposal is quite ample too, so everyone doesn't have to be too stressed about it. I'll personally take charge of procurement for this one. Later on, I'll get them to set up the proposal to invite the bidders. These materials in the early stages were all personally produced by Chairman Mu from his trusted partners. I'll discuss the ones in the later stages with him again."

Xi Xiaye thought about it, then continued, "I remember the last time on that plot for the New Era Plaza when the merchants joined forces for the bid, quite a number of them were agents who won the bid and then sold it away after that. I don't quite like it when this happens. When you are creating the plan, you must be careful. Only let the capable ones compete, and don't let the non-capable ones in."

"Got it, Director Xi."

After that, Xi Xiaye relayed a few more important things to note, and then looked to the hazy warm sun hanging high up in the sky before she wrapped the windbreaker tighter around herself and turned to walk towards the stairs.

She stood in the wind for a long time, feeling cold all over now. It was just in time for noon when Xi Xiaye remembered that it had been quite a while since she had visited the Bamboo Teahouse, so she told Ji Zitong to drive her over.

At that moment, the Bamboo Teahouse was rather quiet inside. Xi Xiaye stepped in and asked for a pot of flower tea and some snacks. When she was finding a place to sit inside, she bumped into someone. It was someone who surprised her...

Han Yifeng?

Why was he here?

He was not too far away in front, in a quiet corner by the window!

Xi Xiaye's exquisite and fair face flashed with shock. Seeing him sit there quietly drink his tea, he looked extremely lonely and was engulfed by a gloomy aura.

Xi Xiaye was bewildered for quite a while. When she saw that he kept his head down and did not notice her, she thought about it and did not walk over in the end. Instead, she turned to sit on the other side where a screen separated them.

Manager Lim quickly brought the tea and snacks over. He even brought the teahouse's accounts book from the past few months. Nodding curtly, Xi Xiaye took them and then waved him away.

The melodious guzheng continued to flow inside the teahouse. In that instant, the entire space seemed even more tranquil than ever.

Xi Xiaye poured herself some tea and drank a sip as she began to casually flip through the accounts book. However, she had just flipped open one page when suddenly, she heard the sound of the beaded curtain in front swaying. Instinctively. Xi Xiaye subconsciously looked up.

Han Yifeng's tall and lean figure instantly greeted her sight.

Xi Xiaye was no longer surprised by his presence. She took one look at him before pointing to the seat across her. "Have a seat."

Then, she took an empty cup and poured some tea for him.

Han Yifeng did not reject her. He quietly sat down and took the tea she handed. Carefully pursing his lips, he stayed silent with his head lowered before looking up at her again. "I'm really surprised to bump into you."

"I heard Manager Lim say that you've been coming over for tea almost every day," spoke Xi Xiaye calmly as she closed the accounts book in her hand.

When he heard that, Han Yifeng's cold face suddenly flashed with a smile. There was no anger to be seen in his dim eyes. "I want to find a quiet place to sit. I suddenly remembered this place. Finishing a pot of tea makes me feel much calmer and relaxed."

"Perhaps I've drunk a lot, so I suddenly think that the taste of tea is even better than coffee. Then, I almost forgot that I've always liked tea, and now, I've unexpectedly fancied this taste."

Han Yifeng's expression was gentle. It was no different from before, but the air that came from him revealed bleak loneliness, making others find him distant.

Xi Xiaye did not answer him. She just poured him another cup when she saw his cup was empty.

After a while, Xi Xiaye lowered her gaze and looked into the cup in her hands as she said quietly, "It's not good to drink too much coffee. I heard that those who truly know how to enjoy tea have a stiller heart than others."

"Suddenly, I regret rejecting all those good tea you sent to me before," Han Yifeng sighed as he said, his voice not revealing much.

"I've forgotten all about the past," Xi Xiaye calmly responded. As she said that, she looked up, her cold and distant gaze meeting Han Yifeng's gaze of mixed emotions.