‘Wait for me,’ Quan Zheng Hao said.
Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t turn around, and walked to the platform.
Gu Jiao Wu glared at Quan Zheng Hao chasing after Qiao Tan Yuan. He took out his phone, gave instructions to his a.s.sistant and walked to the VIP seating area.
The reporters and cameramen thought they were interviewing and filming three stars, two handsome men and a beautiful starlet.
‘CEO Quan are you married?’ a reporter asked.
‘No,’ Quan Zheng Hao said. He looked at Qiao Tan Yuan, and smiled. ‘But I have someone I like.’
The reporters and cameramen looked in Qiao Tan Yuan’s direction. Qiao Tan Yuan was embarra.s.sed, Quan Zheng Hao’s declaration wasn’t scripted. But she quickly composed herself and smiled at the audience.
‘Executive Qiao are you married?’ a reporter asked.
‘I’m…’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
‘She’s single,’ Quan Zheng Hao interrupted. ‘I’m pursuing Executive Qiao.’
‘Oh…’ the audience said together.
‘Doesn’t CEO Quan and Executive Qiao look like an attractive husband and wife?’ a reporter asked.
‘Yes, yes…’ the audience said.
Qiao Tan Yuan picked up the microphone, and looked at the audience.
‘Today I have good news to announce,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘I hope everyone here can spread the good news. Bai Hua Qiao’s stores are proud to announce they are collaborating with Zheng Quan’s company to develop a new product line. After the press conference, I organised a buffet for everyone to say thank you for coming here today.’
‘Oh…’ the audience said together and clapped.
Gu Jiao Wu sat in his seat, and silently watched Qiao Tan Yuan confidently introduce Zheng Quan company’s product samples. She was only momentarily fl.u.s.tered when a reporter asked her if she was married before composing herself, and directing the audience to the purpose she held the press conference. He didn’t see that side of her before. Lately he realised there were many sides to her that he didn’t see in the past. The woman on the platform was different to the woman in his distorted memories. Her confidence made her look more beautiful in his eyes.
Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t glance at Gu Jiao Wu once from the start to the end of the press conference. It wasn’t important if she purposely ignored him, because soon he would make her take the initiative to seek him.
Qiao Tan Yuan returned to her office after the press conference. She was about to close the door, but Quan Zheng Hao walked into her office.
‘Mr Quan, how could you joke insensitively during the press conference?’ Qiao Tan Yuan asked.
‘Joke?’ Quan Zheng Hao asked. ‘What did I joke about?’
‘You said I’m single and you’re pursuing me,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t need to be experienced with men to see Quan Zheng Hao was a player.
‘Aren’t you single?’ Quan Zheng Hao asked. ‘Aren’t I pursuing you?’
‘I’m…’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
Quan Zheng Hao stepped closer to Qiao Tan Yuan.
‘I like you and I want to pursue you,’ Quan Zheng Hao said.
‘A pity, I hate you and I’ll never accept being with you,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
Qiao Tan Yuan hated c.o.c.ky players like Quan Zheng Hao the most.
‘I’m not going to give up on you,’ Quan Zheng Hao said. ‘Do you know how much I’m attracted to you?’
‘I’m sure Qiao Jie would have told you I’m a divorced woman,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
‘So what?’ Quan Zheng Hao asked. ‘As long as I like a woman, I don’t care if she’s divorced or married. I’ll find a way to be with her.’
‘I’m also a single mum,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘And you’re not worthy to be my daughter’s father.’
Quan Zheng Hao was surprised then he smiled brightly.
‘How can you be sure if you don’t give me a chance to prove I can be a good father?’ Quan Zheng Hao asked.
‘What’s important right now is I have work to do,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘I won’t escort you out.’
Qiao Tan Yuan would never forget Quan Zheng Hao dared to setup a trap for Qiao Jie to fall into.
Quan Zheng Hao received a call, and reluctantly left Qiao Tan Yuan’s office. Immediately after, Qiao Jie ran into Qiao Tan Yuan’s office.
‘Big sister, you were right,’ Qiao Jie said. ‘Qiao’s company’s share price increased by two percent, and it’s still increasing.’
‘Um, it’s within my expectations,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘Qiao Jie, go visit Zheng Quan’s company and check up on their progress.’
‘Yes, yes,’ Qiao Jie said. ‘I believe Zheng Quan’s company’s products will be ready for the market soon.’
Qiao Tan Yuan doubted she misjudged Quan Zheng Hao, she didn’t believe he was a reliable person.
‘Big sister, do you believe Quan Zheng Hao really likes you and wants to pursue you?’ Qiao Jie asked.
‘No, but it’s not important,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
‘Big sister doesn’t think it’s important but mum will think it’s important,’ Qiao Jie said. He pointed at Qiao Tan Yuan’s phone. ‘I bet it’s mum calling you know.’
‘Get back to work,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said and answered her phone.
‘Executive Qiao, the bank’s representative, Mr Zhang called and said the bank cancelled the loan,’ Miss Chen said. ‘How is Qiao’s company going to pay Zheng Quan’s company the outstanding amount?’
Qiao Tan Yuan gripped the phone.
‘What happened?’ Qiao Tan Yuan asked.
‘Mr Zhang didn’t say why,’ Miss Chen said.
‘Um, I understand,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said and hung up the phone.
Qiao Tan Yuan was suspicious why Zhang Hang approved the bank loan a day ago, but suddenly cancelled the loan.
Qiao Tan Yuan called Zhang Hang’s work number, and asked him why the loan was cancelled.
‘I’m sorry Executive Qiao,’ Zhang Hang said. ‘You’ll need to find another bank for the loan.’
‘Why?’ Qiao Tan Yuan asked.
‘I’m sorry it’s a problem I can’t resolve,’ Zhang Hang said.
Zhang Hang hung up the phone before Qiao Tan Yuan could ask him what the problem was.
Qiao Tan Yuan called other reputable banks, and she even offered twenty percent of Qiao’s company’s shares as a guarantee, but all the banks she called apologised and wouldn’t tell her who pressured them to decline the loan.
Qiao Tan Yuan wasn’t going to give up, she picked up her car key and drove to Zhang Hang’s office.
End of Chapter Sixty