Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 68
Beloved Enemy Chapter 68
FEBRUARY 10, 2019 ~ ROSYSPELL
GuQingPei went to bed very early. But it was not till the middle of the night before he could actually force himself to sleep. He really missed his parents. Had he known ahead of time that he would be facing such a dilemma upon his return, it would have been better to stay and accompany the two elders at home.
The next morning, he was awakened by his phone ringing. Picking it up, he saw that it was WangJin.
“Wang Ge, Happy New Year.”
“QingPei, you’re not up yet? No way, we are at this age, you’re still sleeping in? Or was it because of the few days in the New Years that got you lazy?” WangJin said with a smile on his face, his tone sounding like a close family member.
“Nah, I drank coffee last night so couldn’t fall sleep.”
“Haha, drinking coffee right before bed? Are you back in Beijing? My secretary informed me that I only have time this afternoon. What about you? Let’s go out and chat?”
“This afternoon…” Usually, GuQingPei would habitually agree, but he suddenly remembered that he would be quitting after the year. Would it be appropriate to continue to represent the company and discuss the project with WangJin at this time?
“What’s wrong? You don’t have time?”
“Ahh, I do, what time this afternoon?” GuQingPei thought it’s best to get this project signed. He felt guilty toward YuanLiJiang. Moreover, he’s a person that naturally likes to complete what he started. He had been promoting this cooperation opportunity for so long. It’s such pity to think about it.
“Three o’clock, let’s find a place to have tea. Then, we can go have a meal.” WangJin paused, “This shouldn’t be too awkward, right? It’s for work. If you feel that it’s inconvenient, you can bring YuanYang but I hope that you can come by yourself.”
GuQingPei laughed twice, “It’s not inconvenient. I’ll see you at 3.”
He got out of the bed and splashed his face with ice-cold water a few times; clearing his mind. He changed his clothes planning on heading out early. Staying in a room that is full of YuanYang’s shadow made him a little depressed.
As soon as the door opened, GuQingPei is stunned.
YuanYang, wrapped in his down jacket was standing by the elevator. A pile of cigarettes butts laid on top of the trash can next to it.
Upon hearing the opening of the door, YuanYang lifted his head, his face looking extremely exhausted and his ears were red.
GuQingPei shockingly asked, “You…you didn’t go back home last night?”
“I don’t trust you to be home alone,” YuanYang opened his mouth to say. His throat was dry and his voice had changed.
GuQingPei felt agonizing pain in his heart. He immediately pulled YuanYang into the house.
The surface of YuanYang’s down jacket seemed to have a layer of thin frost. When he touched it, his hand froze. His (YuanYang) face was chillingly paled without any warmth.
GuQingPei said painfully, “Are you fucking stupid, standing in the corridor for a night in the Winter?”
“It’s nothing. I’m inside the building, can’t get that cold.”
GuQingPei brushed YuanYang’s cold lips with his warm lips, while constantly stroking his face; feeling both pained and sad, “Stupid boy… you are really crazy.”
Like a dog who was punished by his owner and kept outside, YuanYang waited for the entire night, so cold that he was frozen like a stone but still persisted in staying outside his door, without any complaints.
YuanYang grabbed onto his waist and used his nose to rub against GuQingPei’s warm neck, “I don’t want to go home. I am afraid that you will run. I know that at this moment, I am very lacking. Compared to WangJin, compared to you, I am far away. Give me some time, I will catch up to you soon. You can’t leave me,” YuanYang furrowed his brows; his eyes full of uneasiness and insecurities. He and GuQingPei have erected several walls between them, one stronger than the other. This kind of defeat is one he had never felt before.
The rim of GuQingPei’s eyes were a little red as he gently caressed YuanYang’s back, his voice trembling, “YuanYang, I really hope that I can be ten years younger. Then, I can be like you, not afraid of anything. YuanYang ah, you can’t understand my difficulties.”
YuanYang’s voice is coarse “I can’t understand it but I know that you also like me. You still call me a coward but you don’t even dare to be a little more assertive in front of my dad.”
GuQingPei depressingly responded, “YuanYang, he is your father, not mine. How can I explain it to you..?.”
YuanYang sniffled his nose, “I don’t accept your many reasons. I only know that if you’re going to break up with me, I will tie you up. I won’t let you leave me. Absolutely won’t.”
GuQingPei sighed, not knowing how to answer. The YuanYang who could live his life without restrictions, however he wanted to within his own abilities seem really cool. But that is the kind of luxury life he is born with.
He, GuQingPei, does not have the luxury to do so.
The phone suddenly rang, GuQingPei let go of YuanYang and took out his phone to check. It was a text message from WangJin informing him that there is a car accident and that a street is block so he’ll need to take a detour.
GuQingPei only now remembered that he had to meet WangJin. Looking at his watch, he has less than half an hour to get there. He wiped his face, “YuanYang, I’m meeting WangJin to talk about the project, it’s getting late, I have to go.”
YuanYang instantly grabbed onto him and look at him incredulously, “My dad is firing you, yet you’re still meeting with WangJin to talk about the project? Talk my ass!”
“YuanYang, I am indebted to Chairman Yuan for all his help and encouragement. Not to mention, he had always appreciated me. With your matter, I am sorry to him. If I can settle this cooperation project, my heart will feel much better.”
YuanYang gritted his teeth, “I’ll go with you.”
GuQingPei hesitated for a bit, “Fine, but don’t mess around. Our matters… will talk when we get back.”
YuanYang’s hand gripped onto his arm as he softly muttered, “Our matters are not as important as your business, right?”
YuanYang’s pupils are black and deep, GuQingPei looking directly at him felt like he was going to get sucked into them. He sighed, “YuanYang, you…”
“You want to say that I need to be more thoughtful again, right?”
GuQingPei is speechless.
YuanYang’s face sank, “Let’s go, I’m not going to let you meet WangJin alone.”
The two drove to the meeting location WangJin mentioned. Along the way, no one spoke a word, even the air in the car is abnormally suppressed.
After the two got to the parking lot, before YuanYang’s temper could diminish, his cell phone rang. He took out his phone and saw that it was a text message sent by a strange number with an address in Tangshan.
YuanYang’s heart suddenly sank. He knew that this is LiuQuang’s address sent by LiWenYao.
Found him, finally found him!
YuanYang clenched the phone tightly, wanting to swallow LiuQiang.
GuQingPei sensed that something is wrong with YuanYang, “What happened?”
YuanYang turned to GuQingPei, “Something came up. I need to leave, not going to go in with you.”
GuQingPei is stunned, “Okay.”
YuanYang touched his face, “When this matter is solved, I will go find my dad.”
“You… don’t waste your effort.”
YuanYang’s expression suddenly became a bit fierce, “What is wasted effort? Don’t tell me that whatever my dad says is just going to be like that. You had never intended to be with me long-termed, right? My dad said a few intimidating words and now you want to break up with me.”
GuQingPei looked fixedly at YuanYang and whispered, “YuanYang, I don’t want to break up with you.”
YuanYang stared blankly, the rim of his eyes a little red. He instantly grabbed GuQingPei’s collar and kissed him intensely, “Fuck, hearing this sentence from you is enough.”
After GuQingPei got out the car, he didn’t turn to look back as he walked toward the elevator. He really didn’t dare to look back. He was afraid of seeing YuanYang’s determined feelings, which makes him feel that no matter what decision he makes, it would still be wrong.
He had already passed the age of acting recklessly for a relationship. He obviously knew what he should do to resolve this matter. But facing YuanYang’s overbearing and simple-minded expression, words that he planned to say, he could not say it.
The more it is like this… the more he wanted to stay away from YuanYang. Perhaps if he distant himself from YuanYang, he won’t be confused and continue to hesitate.
WangJin has already arrived and was already drinking tea waiting for him.
After meeting up, WangJin peeked behind GuQingPei’s back and teased, “Your little boyfriend didn’t come along?”
GuQingPei smiled, “No.” He took out some documents from his briefcase and asked WangJin to review it.
WangJin pressed his hand atop the file on the table, “It’s still New Years, isn’t it dampening the good mood to be talking about work as soon as we meet?”
GuQingPei looked at WangJin, “Aren’t we meeting to discuss the intentional contract?”
“Half and half, mainly I wanted to see you.” WangJin took out a small wooden box from his pocket, “I just came back from my hometown yesterday. This present is for you.”
GuQingPei hesitantly looked at the wooden box.
“Open it and look.”
GuQingPei opened it and saw that it was a roughly hand-made craft; looking at the shape, it can barely resemble something like a horn.
WangJin smiled lightly, “I made it myself. The craftsmanship carved from ox horns is abundant in my hometown. Some places allow guests to grind some small things by themselves. This is what I made. Can you tell? It is a bugle horn. It’s a bit ugly but consider it as my first gift to you. I hope you won’t dislike it.” WangJin’s attitude is very sincere, making it impossible for people to refuse such kindness.
GuQingPei smiled, “It’s very interesting, thank you Wang Ge.” He generously accepted the gift.
WangJin is full of smiles, “You probably won’t believe it when I say this, but I really like little things personally made by myself. I remember carving a rooster out of a piece of wood when I was a child and putting it on my bed’s headboard in the middle of night. It scared my mom out of her wits.”
GuQingPei couldn’t help but laugh.
WangJin is beaming with smiles as he looked at him “QingPei, you look really good when you laugh.”
GuQingPei looked at WangJin, without any hesitation, “Wang Ge, thank you for your kindness. Since you consider me to be your friend, there are some words that I want to get off my chest.”
WangJin raised his eyebrow, “Say it.”
“Wang Ge, you are a very charming man but I already have someone. Things in this world is just like this. Earlier or later, it’s just not fated. With the exception of not being able to develop our relationship into that of lovers, we have many common hobbies. It is far more beneficial for us to be friends than to be lovers, don’t you think so?”
“Everything you say is reasonable. I really want to go along with it.” WangJin sighed softly and stared at GuQingPei, “But I like you, how can this problem be solved?”
GuQingPei slightly lowered his head, feeling a little tired.
“QingPei, am I making this hard for you?”
“What do you think?”
WangJin’s finger gently touched the table, “QingPei, I’m reluctant to accept this. YuanYang is just an immature little boy, can you really be with him?”
“We get along very well. He is not as immature as you think,” It was only after saying this that GuQingPei come to realize that even though he had always criticized YuanYang for his immaturity, he still didn’t to want hear these criticisms coming from other people’s mouths.
No matter what, this is the little wolf dog he raised.
WangJin smiled and laughed at himself, “All along, this has been my own one-sided love, isn’t it?
GuQingPei pursed his lips and didn’t speak.
WangJin’s expression appeared to be somewhat hurt. But looking at the emotions in GuQingPei’s eyes, instead, he felt an increased desire for conquest. Smiling lightly, “QingPei, I didn’t mean to make this hard on you. Maybe it’s just that I can’t control my emotions, can you understand?”
GuQingPei smiled calmly, “Wang Ge is too modest. I’m really flattered that you like me. But indeed, we are bit lacking in fate, why bother?”
WangJin laughed, “You are right, why bother. Come. Check out the second gift I have for you.” He put a paper bag on the table, “Take a look.”
GuQingPei joked, “What? I can refuse a bad check.” He already guessed what it probably is.
Sure enough, it was an intentional contract that was re-drafted by WangJin. GuQingPei quickly browsed through it. WangJin had made substantial concessions. The revised conditions are basically in line with the minimum bottom line established by him and YuanLiJiang. In the current condition, the contract can be signed.
Sure enough, WangJin responded, “I think you should have no objection this time. As long as you are willing, you can sign it now.”
GuQingPei carefully took the contract and said with a smile, “Thank you Wang Ge. This is really a good sign for this year. I’m very happy. I will go back and report to Chairman Yuan.”
WangJin furrowed his brows, “Could it be that you still have further comments with the terms of the contract? QingPei, I feel that I have a tendency to be an incompetent Chairman. If this is not because of you, I will not sacrifice my interests. You understand that I am doing this so I can please you, right?”
GuQingPei smiled, “Wang Ge, I have no objections at all to the terms of the contract.”
“Then is it because you don’t trust me? Without signing this intentional contract, there would be no real legal significance. You’re the Director, you can’t make this decision?”
GuQingPei quickly thought about it. Should he tell WangJin, at this time, that he would be leaving this job? In the end, he decided to tell him. Since WangJin expressed it to this degree, if he hid this from WangJin, he’s afraid that the cooperation between WangJin and the company will only go to the extent of this intentional contract. There is no benefit to offend WangJin.
The expression on GuQingPei face was a bit difficult to conceal, “Wang Ge, I can’t sign the contract on behalf of the company. I plan on leaving this job after the year ends.”
WangJin is shocked, “What? You’re leaving the job?”
GuQingPei nodded.
“Why? You haven’t even been with Chairman Yuan’s company for more than a year.”
“I have other plans.”
WangJin furrowed his eyes at him, “QingPei, do you think these kinds of words can fool me? If it wasn’t for some disagreement between you and Chairman Yuan, why would you quit before a year is up?”
GuQingPei sighed, “I really can’t hide this from Wang Ge. We have some differences with work so I plan on changing the environment.”
WangJin still looked at him with probing eyes, shaking his head, “QingPei, I still don’t believe this. With your IQ and emotional intelligence, you couldn’t have made your own boss dissatisfied. If Chairman Yuan is not a not a suitable employer, you wouldn’t have started to work for him in the beginning. Moreover, I can’t imagine any irreconcilable disagreements between the two of you. It’s not your way of doing things. Again, as a professional executive, if you didn’t do a sufficient job in understanding your boss, how can you quit so easily? You mentioned last time that it would be after you had gotten to know Chairman Yuan for three to four years before you would consider quitting. What happened this time? You’ve decided to leave after the year end? Or, have you not found your next suitable employer?”
GuQingPei felt exhausted talking to someone who is too smart like WangJin.
WangJin crossed his arms on his chest, looking at him for a long while. Suddenly, he smiled mysteriously, “I’m going to boldly guess that this is because the matter between you and YuanYang has been discovered by Chairman Yuan.”
GuQingPei’s expression slightly changed. He has the urge to cover WangJin’s mouth.
Although his expression was so subtle that could barely be detected, it still could not escape from WangJin’s gaze. He lowly laughed twice, “Sure enough, that’s what it is. Sorry, QingPei, I shouldn’t be laughing.”
GuQingPei is too lazy to continue hiding this, “Wang Ge, you only need to know that I can’t sign this contract on behalf of the company. But I have worked hard on this project, from land replacement, project evaluation, project planning, construction, and then to discuss with you on this cooperation. All this effort took a few months. So for me to let go and not care about this, I don’t feel is right. Of course, my efforts can only end here, but I sincerely hope that Wang Ge can continue to cooperate with our company. After all, this is a win-win cooperation. As for whether I’m still the Director of the company, in the face of interests and success, that is secondary. You say, isn’t that true?”
WangJin smiled, “QingPei, you really know how to talk. Don’t worry. I’m not going to give up on this project just because you leave. I have also put in a lot for this cooperation. If I don’t continue with it, then all my efforts in actively promoting this to the Board of Directors would become a joke, but…” WangJin took the contract back from GuQingPei, “If you can’t benefit from it, why should I make such a clause?”
GuQingPei helplessly responded, “This, Wang Ge can decide.”
WangJin smiled at GuQingPei, “QingPei, after you quit, what are your plans?”
“I’m going to go home first to spend time with my parents. I’ve been in Beijing for so many years. Every year, I’ve only returned three to four times and every time it was rushed, having no time to take care of them.”
“Oh okay, good dutiful son, what about after?”
“After, I’ll have to see, I won’t starve even if I don’t work for a while.”
WangJin leaned forward and seriously look at GuQingPei, “Then come to work for me? What I’m willing to pay for you is absolutely something that YuanLiJiang won’t even be able to compare with.”
GuQingPei was slightly stunned; his body stiffened and he was silent.
WangJin smiled, “You don’t have to decide now. You have a lot of time to think about this. You’re a smart person; you will make a wise decision. Your conditions are very good but domestic economic situation is not well at this time. Whichever company that hires you will need to pay an additional millions in extra costs. Your chances of finding an ideal job in the short term are very slim. You understand…that I am giving you the best choice.”
GuQingPei certainly understands this but he is not going to join WangJin’s company. Both WangJin and YuanLiJiang are involved in the real estate industry. Both have cooperated; but at the same time, they are also competitors. For him to jump ship to WangJin, it would be unreasonable. Besides, with YuanYang present it is also not right at an emotional level.
The conditions are tempting but he still can’t go.
WangJin seems to have great confidence, “QingPei, I know that you have many concerns, but you will find out in the end that what you really have in your hands is more important than anything else. I have a lot of patience. I’ll await for exemplary talents like yourself to join my company.”
GuQingPei smiled politely, “Thank you, Wang Ge, I will consider it.”
WangJin approached him and whispered, “QingPei, you and YuanYang can finally end it?”
GuQingPei’s heart tightened. This question is much sharper than what WangJin had said about YuanYang being immature.
