"Second, I personally need one stalk of Three Immortals Grass. As for everything else required for the treatment, you'll have to provide it yourself."
Three Immortals Grass!
This was the very herb Zhou Fan had determined could help restore his strength after countless experiments. It wasn't particularly valuable, but obtaining it without revealing his identity and abilities would be rather difficult.
"No problem. I can get you one tomorrow. In fact, to show my sincerity, I'll do everything in my power to get you a hundred-year-old Three Immortals Grass!"
Zhang Long didn't hesitate for a second. He knew where to find Three Immortals Grass. The price would be steep, but given his status, he was confident the other party would do him the favor.
After all, when compared to his life, face and money were truly insignificant.
Zhou Fan picked up a pen and paper from the table and quickly wrote down what was needed for the treatment. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Younger Brother Zhou, I won't see you out. I suddenly have a lot to take care of. By the time you arrive tomorrow, I'll have everything ready!" After their short conversation, Zhang Long spoke with utmost sincerity to Zhou Fan, who was getting up to leave. At that moment, Zhou Fan was without a doubt his savior.
"Oh, and President Zhang," Zhou Fan said, turning back as he stepped out the door, "remember not to rush. There might be a bigger fish to fry."
By the time they got back to the car, both Chen Yi and Gu Feifei were still in a daze.
They had come so many times, returning empty-handed on every occasion. And Zhou Fan had managed to seal the deal in such a short time?
Furthermore, they clearly recalled Zhang Long promising Zhou Fan a prime, first-floor location for Fenghua International in every single mall under the Yunlong Group.
The expenses might be high, but the profits would surely be several, or even tens of times greater.
"Brother Fan, you're so amazing! You not only landed a huge deal, but you can even diagnose people!" Gu Feifei threw her arms around Zhou Fan, her cloyingly sweet voice sounding like it could be pulled into threads.
"Easy now. I've always been this dazzling. When we have some time, you and I can have a nice, long 'chat,' and you'll discover I have many other talents you don't know about."
Zhou Fan waggled his eyebrows, looking smug. He quite enjoyed the hug from this little minx, Gu Feifei. If Chen Yi hadn't been right there, he might have already climbed into the back seat to "study" with Gu Feifei.
"A 'chat'? Sure, I'm just afraid you don't have the guts!" Gu Feifei was no innocent little girl; how could she miss the meaning behind Zhou Fan's words? Instead of pulling away, she leaned in and planted a loud SMOOCH on his cheek.
"You two, stop messing around. And if you're going to, could you at least be a little more discreet? Or do you want me to watch a live show?" Chen Yi rolled her eyes at them, exasperated. As she spoke, she started the car, stealing a glance at Zhou Fan from the corner of her eye.
'This man really hasn't disappointed me. Not only is he handsome, but he's also incredibly capable.' Then, she asked, seemingly offhandedly, "By the way, how did you know there was something wrong with President Zhang?"
"Yeah, yeah, how did you know?" Gu Feifei was also overcome with curiosity.
"What if I told you these eyes of mine can see through anything? Would you believe me?" Zhou Fan said with a faint smile, rolling down the window and lighting a cigarette.
"I don't believe you!"
Chen Yi's answer was simple. She wasn't a child. How could she believe something like that?
"I won't believe you unless you can tell us what color underwear Sister Chen is wearing today!" Gu Feifei, ever the troublemaker, chimed in.
"Sister Chen, you say? Let me take a look... White. Pure white. A matching set." Zhou Fan's eyes narrowed as he stared at Chen Yi, making her feel increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Sister Chen, is he right?" Gu Feifei asked doubtfully.
"Zhou Fan, when did you peep on me?" Chen Yi's delicate brows knitted together. She pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to glare angrily at him.
'I may have a good impression of Zhou Fan—he's handsome and capable, after all—but that doesn't give him the right to peep on me!'
"Ooh, Brother Fan, I didn't think you were that kind of person!" Though Gu Feifei sounded disgusted, her eyes were sparkling with the fire of gossip. 'There's definitely something going on between those two!' she thought.
"Sister Chen, I can't believe you think of me that way. I'm so disappointed. I thought we—the three of us—were the closest at the company. That's why I trusted you both with my secret, that my eyes can see through anything. But it seems I was just being sentimental."
Facing Chen Yi's anger, Zhou Fan remained unruffled. He heaved a heavy sigh, clutched his heart with one hand, and stared directly at her, his expression grief-stricken. In a flash, a look of disappointment, hurt, bitterness, and self-mockery flickered across his eyes.
Seeing his expression, Chen Yi felt a sudden pang of heartache. 'Did I really wrong him?'
'Am I really that important to him?'
"Then... then can you tell me what color Feifei is wearing? If you can, I'll believe you, and I'll apologize. If you can't, I won't let you stay in the sales department, no matter how outstanding you are!"
Chen Yi bit her lip, hesitating for a moment. Then, she pointed a delicate hand at Gu Feifei and spoke softly.
"Huh?"
Hearing Chen Yi's words, Gu Feifei instinctively crossed her arms over her chest.
"As for Feifei... she's not wearing any." Zhou Fan didn't even glance at Gu Feifei. His eyes remained locked on Chen Yi, the profound emotion within them threatening to melt her on the spot.
Chen Yi didn't dare to meet Zhou Fan's gaze any longer and quickly turned to look at Gu Feifei. When she saw Gu Feifei's face flushed crimson, looking as if she wanted the earth to swallow her whole, Chen Yi instantly knew the answer.
"I'm sorry, Zhou Fan!"
"There's no need, Sister Chen. I just hope... you won't doubt me again, okay? The one thing I can't stand is being doubted by the people I trust the most."
In response to Chen Yi's apology, Zhou Fan waved his hand magnanimously. A flicker of loneliness crossed his eyes as he slowly turned his head to look out the window. But the instant he turned away, the corner of his mouth curved into a smug smile.
'Heh, you think I can't win you over?'
'From the first moment he laid eyes on Chen Yi, who exuded a mature aura and seemed like a perfectly ripe peach, Zhou Fan had been plotting how to conquer her.'
"I promise, it will never happen again!" Seeing Zhou Fan's desolate silhouette, the heart that Chen Yi had long kept sealed away began to show the slightest crack. Heedless of Feifei sitting right there, she reached out, wrapped her arms around Zhou Fan's strong waist from behind, and pressed her delicate face against his firm back, her voice impossibly gentle.