Yu Shanhe’s expression was stoic as stone. “Why are you here, Fan Fan?”
“I’m here to see Xia Lei for business.” She paused for a second before replying, “Are you here on business too?”
The man only returned a slight nod. He really wasn’t planning to leave. It was just an act to pressure Xia Lei. Yu Shanhe was very clear about their relations.h.i.+p. If it wasn’t for Xia Lei, there was no way Fan Fan could’ve become ZN station’s head as the position was supposed to be Ling Han’s all along. Yu Shanhe’s urge to stay was intensified by her untimely appearance.
Yu Shanhe sent his underling a look, to which Song Baicheng quickly understood and pa.s.sed the freshly-s.n.a.t.c.hed doc.u.ment back beside Xia Lei’s coaster. “Fine, Mister Xia. Officer Yu is gracious enough to provide you extra time given your contributions to the country. Didn’t you mention that you’ll sign after you’re done flipping through it? Here, go ahead, we’ll wait.”
With that, Yu Shanhe plopped himself back onto the couch. He was silent without a hint of emotion.
Xia Lei didn’t spare the doc.u.ment a look. As soon as Yu Shanhe was seated, he stood to approach Fan Fan with a bright smile. “Ah, it’s nice to see you here, Officer Fan. What can I help you with?”
Officer Fan? She rolled her eyes at him. It made her feel like an old hag. Despite that, she was also aware that Xia Lei was belittling Yu Shanhe by doing so.
“Officer Fan, please take a seat, I’ll go get you some tea in the meantime,” offered Xia Lei graciously before running off to make tea.
This was a blow to Yu Shanhe. His tea was made by a secretary but her tea was made personally by Xia Lei. The detail was subtle but the older man felt offended by the gesture.
“Miss Fan, why are you here?” Yu Shanhe tried to probe.
“I was about to ask the same too. Why are you here, Officer Yu?” questioned Fan Fan.
Yu Shanhe responded with scrunched brows.
Taking in his expression, Fan Fan commented, “Ah I see, some confidential matters? It’s fine if you don’t wish to talk about it, I’m not that curious.”
She really wasn’t planning to save Yu Shanhe any face. In other words, there was no need for her to do so. Since when did the head of ZN station needed to please Yu Shanhe?
It didn’t take long for Xia Lei to return with a cup of red tea. “Were you two trying to solve a riddle?” he asked with a smile. “There’s no need to now, I’ll just answer you. Officer Yu came here to have me sign an agreement that would waiver my debt in exchange for an administrative supervisor to govern the Thunder Horse Organization. I was thinking about this the whole afternoon and d.a.m.n, I’m getting a migraine from it.”
“Oh, that’s quite the trouble.” Fan Fan feigned her shock. “Have you made your decision?”
Xia Lei threw his hands in the air. “I said I was in pain, how could I possibly think this through with a headache?”
Yu Shanhe scorned. “You both should probably consider acting careers. Look, I know you’re here for the agreement, Fan Fan. Since you’re here, let’s just get this over with today.”
Fan Fan took a sip out of her cup. “Ah, it’s hot,” she frowned while lamenting the heat from the cup.
Xia Lei quickly explained, “Of course it’s hot, I made it just now. Why don’t you leave it to cool for a bit?”
Yu Shanhe’s anger was at its maximum. He was here for official matters but the other two were talking about the most trivial things. They weren’t taking him seriously at all!
“Fan Fan!” Yu Shanhe snapped. “Are you clear about what’s going on? Don’t commit a political mistake!”
“Huh?” Fan Fan returned her cup to its coaster with a surprised expression. “Officer Yu, I wasn’t aware that tea temperature comments were a political mistake! I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I’m not as well-versed in political etiquettes as you.”
“You…” Yu Shanhe was at a loss for words.
Xia Lei snorted in his mind. “This woman really has a way with words. She didn’t even need to cuss. I guess it was true after all, women are mysterious creatures not to be messed with.”
Song Baicheng couldn’t help but interrupt her. “Fan Fan, that’s not how you should talk to Officer Yu.”
Fan Fan diverted her view toward Song Baicheng. Her eyes became murderously cold instantly. “You don’t get to call me Fan Fan. Don’t you dare think that you’re safe just because you’ve switched over to the equipment department. I’m warning you, I can launch an investigation on that incident that took place in the Thunder Horse Military Factory anytime. When the truth is known, not even your beloved Officer Yu can save you.”
Song Baicheng’s face turned pale. His lips twitched, itching to say something but he ultimately failed to utter a single word.
The current Fan Fan was not someone he could mess with.
“Hahaha.” Yu Shanhe started to laugh all of a sudden.
Xia Lei came closer to Fan Fan and whispered, “Is this it?”
“Mm-hmm,” she answered.
Xia Lei let out a breath he didn’t know he held.
Yu Shanhe’s laugh finally came to an end. “Fan Fan, you’re young and full of potential so I won’t mess with you. I also refuse to comment on how long you’d be able to stay in that position. I know you’re here to help Xia Lei but I feel the need to remind you that this concerns the country’s interest. With orders from above, Thunder Horse Organization would surely perform better in the near future. You joining him would indicate that you’re standing in the way of our country’s benefit. It would be akin to political betrayal.”
It was Fan Fan’s turn to scoff. “In the way of our country’s benefit? Those are big words, Officer Yu. Let me get this straight, I admit I’m here to help Xia Lei and this is an a.s.sistance that I’m determined to deliver.”
“There’s nothing you can do!”
“Just watch me.”
“Gos.h.!.+ Do you know how ridiculous this is? A private enterprise is dictating the country’s military sector.” Yu Shanhe’s tone was stern. “You’re not powerful enough to help him! There are heaps of military enterprises and many of those involved in it. They’re the true laying stones of the sector. Bold of you to a.s.sume that you both could go against them all!”
Calmly, Xia Lei said, “I don’t agree with you, Officer Yu. Do you know why the western military sector is so strong? Germany’s Rheinmetall AG is private and America’s Lockheed Martin s.p.a.ce Systems Company is private as well. There are more of them but I shall not delve into them today. If their private enterprises could support their national defenses, why can’t we accomplish the same?”
“Our country works differently from theirs. If you’re so fond of them, why don’t you head over to expand your business? Oh wait, I think your organization probably won’t be able to survive over there. You enjoy all the resources our country has to offer but you enjoy it selfishly. Such selfish thoughts are wrong, you need to realign your mindset.”
“Enough.” Xia Lei snorted. “Officer Yu, I can see through you. The only reason there was an agreement to sign is that my very existence is a threat, isn’t it? They fear that Thunder Horse’s development would squeeze them out of the market. It seems like they are the ones putting themselves before the country’s benefit instead of me.”
“You presumptuous fool!” Yu Shanhe slammed the table.
The strong impact had the fragile teacups clattering.
Without waiting for it to calm, Xia Lei sent another hard slam onto the top. The cups levitated off the surface for a bit before toppling down to the floor.
Yu Shanhe was stunned but he wasn’t afraid of Xia Lei’s sudden outburst. This was the first time a private enterprise owner had shown his temper like this!
Song Baicheng pointed his finger at Xia Lei. “You… you! How dare you...”
Xia Lei interrupted him with a glare. “So what? These are mine. Your employer slammed his fist onto my property without my permission and yet I’m getting fingers for doing the same?”
Song Baicheng was at a loss for words. Xia Lei’s sudden change in temperament had him pay no mind to his boss, there was no way Xia Lei would go easy on him.
Xia Lei continued, “Mister Yu, I know you’re here for the sake of their interest. But I have to tell you this, our country is developing and your mindsets are old-fas.h.i.+oned. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. Not all military enterprises are utilizing funds from the government well, producing subpar and old-fas.h.i.+oned weapons despite having enough support for better research. I made the world’s most advanced weapon and yet, you’re here to bother me. The incompetent ones, you keep. The competent ones, you suppress. I just don’t get it, what the h.e.l.l are you thinking? Don’t just yap about the country’s benefit to me when you’re guilty of doing that, it’s disgusting. Fortifying Thunder Horse Organization’s development is in line with the country’s wellbeing. With this point alone, there’s no way you could suppress me. You should just stop already.”
“Good, very nice. You have b.a.l.l.s, kid.” Yu Shanhe rose from his seat to point at Xia Lei’s nose. “Let me tell you something too. The bank will raise your interest rate above the markets soon. Also, don’t even think about taking a breather after returning your loan. As long as I hold this position, you and Thunder Horse Organization will not enjoy peace.”
Xia Lei taunted him further. “It’s alright if you don’t purchase any of my weapons, I can a.s.sure you that it’ll sell out.”
“Alright then, time will tell,” said Yu Shanhe as he proceeded to leave in fury.
“Wait.” Fan Fan stopped Yu Shanhe, “Officer Yu, weren’t you curious about what I was here for?”
She reached into her bag to retrieve a red-header official doc.u.ment, pa.s.sing it to Xia Lei. “I talked to the higher-ups about this. They all found that supporting Thunder Horse’s progress will benefit the country. Thunder Horse is one of the rare competent and internationally renowned military enterprises we have that could match Rheinmetall AG and Lockheed Martin. They bring pride and honor while serving China, we should be proud of them.”
Xia Lei finally smiled. “Rest a.s.sured, Officer Fan. We’ll definitely do our best!”
Fan Fan rolled her eyes at Xia Lei again. “Enough with the Officer Fan. I managed to get some monetary incentives from above. The total should be enough to repay your loan. Go visit the bank soon to end this or your interests will be wasted.” Then, she turned to look at Yu Shanhe. “I bet you understand why I’m here, Officer Yu.”
“Ha! Well done, very well done indeed.” Yu Shanhe was outraged, pointing fingers at Fan Fan before leaving the premise. He was thoroughly humiliated, rendering him with no urge to stay any longer.
Song Baicheng picked up the agreement again, then left silently.
Yelena exited the premises too.
Bewildered, Xia Lei stared long and hard at the new doc.u.ment. “How did you even manage to get the monetary incentive?”
Fan Fan giggled. “I got it because I’m cute. Don’t you find me cute?”
“...”
Of course, he knew that wasn’t the truth. If Yu Shanhe was maybe to suppress him with his powers and even managed to have the bank raise his interest rate, Fan Fan would be able to exercise the same privilege to get him funds. The higher-ups were a broad concept. Some would support while some wouldn’t. This was the same for every level of society, the world works the same after all. Everyone worked for their own best interest.
“Last question, why did you turn off your phone?”
“Oh dear, is it still off? I turned it off when I went to meet the leader. I must’ve totally forgotten to turn it back on when I came over.”
Smack!
Xia Lei sent a hard slap to her a.s.s, causing her thick b.u.m to ripple with the impact.
Nothing pleased him more than the fact that he was able to spank the sacred behind of the ZN station’s head. This feeling was on a whole new level and irreplicable, a feeling spanking a.s.ses of other women would certainly not be able to deliver.