"That sounds great Uncle Xie but I don"t think I will be able to manage setting up four to five inst.i.tutes at a go," Wei replied earnestly."Which is why Dad has asked me to pitch in. Since the one in Shanghai is already approved, you can go ahead and start with the planning. In the meanwhile, we can brainstorm and identify few other cities which may have the potential for the same. I will start visiting them and get permissions, liaison with the ministry and identify the land etc. Once, the groundwork is laid, you can take over," Tang said smoothly.
"I think this is a sound idea. With Tang"s planning skills, the whole process will be a smooth ride. Between the two of you, draw out a detailed road map for the next six months to one year," Mr. w.a.n.g spoke.
Things were moving too fast for Wei to raise any objections. But he was reluctant to get Tang attached in any manner to this project. It belonged solely to Jia Li and him. He decided to have a word with his father in private instead raising objections in front of everyone, though.
"Dad, don"t you think it is unfair to add the burden of this project to Tang"s overflowing bucket of work? I mean, this is my idea and I want to see it reach the heights without inconveniencing anyone," he reasoned sitting in the car, on the way back from the hotel.
"Had it just been opening of some building in various places, it wouldn"t have mattered. But now the politicians are involved and interested in this. Do you think Mr. Xie would let you take the entire limelight? In all these years, those father and son have not brought up your near nil contribution to the business even once. When he suggested that Tang should be a part of this venture, do you think I had any grounds to say no to him? If you are unhappy about sharing your success with him, then make sure that you don"t give them a reason to be able to do in the future," he replied sternly.
He couldn"t refute his father"s argument.
"I will ensure that Jia Li is involved only in the Moganshan and Shanghai projects. She would prefer that as well," he consoled himself.
"You were correct in your a.s.sessment about w.a.n.g Wei. He did seem unhappy about your involvement in his project. I have never known him to care about sharing the limelight or forming political connections. It is better to keep an eye on things for now. I know you will be discreet about your actions, so I don"t need to worry," Mr. Xie told his son.
In actuality, Mr. Xie didn"t care much about the whole project and its impact since it was too insignificant financially to make a difference in their business revenues. But this was first time in many years that his son had sought him to consult on a matter. After the debacle with Jia Li, Tang had shut him out of his life and no matter how hard he tried, he had been able to earn his son"s forgiveness.
Today, if his son wanted to get involved in the project, Mr. Xie would ensure that he made sure it happened. There was nothing bigger in his life than Tang"s happiness, from the beginning till date.
Tang wrapped up the call with his father and told the driver to take him to office. He reached his cabin and dialled his sister on skype. It was late at night in New York and he saw Ethan"s face before his sister"s on the call.
"So the groundwork is set. Now, all you need to do is come down to China to help me with the execution of the next step," Tang addressed Ethan.
Chu s.n.a.t.c.hed the phone from her fiancé and said, "I think your plan is extremely dangerous. I am really worried about something going drastically wrong. Why don"t we look for other alternates? I am not getting a good feeling about this."
Ethan pitched in saying that he agreed with what Chu said.
"You guys don"t understand. At this stage, Wei has proclaimed himself to be madly in love with Jia Li. There is nothing standing in his way of trying to woo her with all his might. On the other hand, I can"t even go and meet her without raising hue and cry at my house. Not that Jia Li is willing to even spend ten minutes alone with me, even if I managed to meet her. Under these circ.u.mstances, how am I supposed to take even one step towards her?" he argued in despair.
"Be that may be, but how do you expect me to accept the possibility of you getting hurt badly? I can"t let you go ahead with this," she said forcefully.
"You come down to Shanghai and we shall talk face-to-face," said Tang in a soothing tone.