The next day, at noon.
A luxurious hotel named Hegao, about twenty stories tall, stood by the roadside.
Even in the sweltering summer, the hotel's elegant quality was unmistakable. The various cars parked out front further highlighted its high-end status.
Passersby hurried past, rarely stopping.
Inside the hotel.
A professionally dressed woman carried a briefcase, listening to the hotel manager's report.
The manager, anxious, forced a smile. "Director Zhang, yesterday's issue has been resolved. I'm sorry to trouble you to come in person—it was truly our fault."
He had no choice but to keep smiling.
The woman before him was Rose Zhang, board secretary to the chairman—a high-level executive. She looked ordinary, but her work ability was exceptional.
"Hmph."
Rose Zhang frowned and reprimanded, "The hotel just launched its unique dining service. Guests can dine on the twentieth floor and enjoy views of the Su River. Don't make excuses—this is a serious matter. Expired food has caused a terrible impact, and I must report to the chairman."
The manager's face was bitter; he wanted to speak but held back.
As the board secretary, Rose Zhang was decisive and answered only to the chairman. She had no reason to listen to a mere manager's explanation.
At that moment—
"Hmm?"
Rose Zhang's frosty expression suddenly melted away. Her eyes locked onto a taxi outside the hotel, where a young man in a light blue short-sleeved shirt greeted a middle-aged man with laughter and conversation.
"Is that Andrew Han?"
Rose Zhang's eyes widened. "Chairman Gao often says this is a man of extraordinary status—far beyond our reach. Unfortunately, we've never had the chance to meet him. Trying to approach him rashly would be the worst strategy."
A few days ago, she and the chairman had visited Hongshi Martial Arts School to discuss a potential partnership, and happened to run into Andrew Han.
Because of this—
She had seen Andrew Han in person, and had also compiled a brief profile on him.
The manager didn't notice Rose Zhang's unusual reaction and whispered, "Director Zhang."
Shh!
Rose Zhang, excited, quickly scolded, "Don't make a sound!"
Peering through the hotel glass, she observed closely and was instantly overjoyed. She recognized the friendly middle-aged man with his arm around Andrew Han's shoulder—it was the owner of a renovation company, George Han.
Even luckier—
Among the three women beside George Han, one of them was Mindy Han—she recognized her!
After all, Mindy Han had tried every possible way to offer her money, and although Rose Zhang never accepted such kickbacks, the impression was deep.
Rose Zhang had become board secretary not because of her looks or figure, but because of her ability.
Anyone she had interacted with at work more than twice, Rose Zhang could clearly remember. Her memory was strong.
"Opportunity!"
"This is a perfect opportunity!"
Rose Zhang felt her heart racing. If she could help the chairman meet this distinguished person, she might advance even further.
......
Outside the hotel.
George Han put his arm around his nephew Andrew Han, smiling sincerely. "Kid, you got into the academy and didn't tell your uncle right away."
"Let's go into the hotel first."
"The top floor dining area just opened, with a great view. Your aunt and your two cousins are all here to congratulate you in person."
As he spoke,
He patted Andrew Han on the shoulder, then turned and gave his eldest daughter Mindy Han a warning look before heading into the hotel with Andrew.
"Hmph."
Mindy Han clenched her teeth, looking sullen as she followed behind her mother.
Helen Han pursed her lips and walked beside her, quietly reminding, "Sis, don't be upset, or Dad will get angry again."
Mindy Han glanced at her younger sister and snorted, "You're just a student, what do you know?"
She was worried.
If her father, George Han, went crazy and transferred the company to Andrew Han, how could she and her boyfriend ever get married? Without financial security, the chances of a happy life would drop drastically.
Lost in thought, she sighed.
Rose Zhang was always cold to her; that big contract was probably hopeless.
But just as George Han and Andrew Han entered the hotel, Rose Zhang, dressed in professional attire, happened to greet them warmly. "Mr. Han, dining at our hotel? What a rare honor!"
George Han was taken aback. "Director Zhang?"
Rose Zhang quickly added, "Mr. Han, you have a great memory. You visited our company last week to discuss business with Chairman Gao. He still wants to work with you—finding a reliable renovation company these days is tough."
George Han was stunned, sizing up Rose Zhang from head to toe.
He wanted to make sure he wasn't mistaken. As the board secretary of a real estate company, Rose Zhang had no reason to flatter him—basic courtesy would have been enough, so why this enthusiasm?
He was confused, but his eldest daughter Mindy Han's eyes lit up.
"Director Zhang, Director Zhang."
Mindy Han let go of her mother's arm and greeted her with a smile. "You're here too... Our Shengxing Renovation has top quality. All our crews are in-house, never outsourced."
Rose Zhang dropped her cold demeanor. "Yes, yes, things have been hectic these days—no time for a proper discussion."
With that,
Rose Zhang shifted the topic, looking at Andrew Han with surprise. She called out softly, "Mr. Han, I never expected to have the honor of meeting you again."
With that one sentence, it was as if a whirlwind swept through the room.
Whether it was George Han, Mindy Han, or their aunt, all were frozen in place, their shock crashing like endless waves in their minds.
What was going on?
George Han sensed something and glanced at his nephew, Andrew Han.
Andrew Han looked at Rose Zhang, nodded slightly, then turned to explain to his uncle, "Uncle, we met last week at the martial arts school."
Rose Zhang was secretly excited. "Yes, yes, I didn't expect you to remember me, sir."
Andrew Han frowned, not hiding his directness. "We only met once. Let me ask you—how do you know my surname? What do you want? Who are you?"
With that, Andrew Han's assertive confidence was clear.
He wasn't arrogant or rude, but with a clear sense of self, he could directly voice his doubts and question a stranger's intentions.
In that instant—
Rose Zhang was startled, her pupils contracting sharply.
Chairman Gao had emphasized: only basic information could be compiled, no investigation of Andrew Han by any means. So she assumed Andrew Han was just a high school student, albeit with a prominent family.
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But at this moment, she realized her mistake.
A freshly graduated high school student wouldn't ask such direct questions, getting straight to the point... She shouldn't judge Andrew Han by normal standards, nor should she have approached him so rashly. But now, how to fix it was another problem.
At that moment, Mindy Han stepped forward anxiously. "Director Zhang, this is my cousin—he's a bit immature, please don't mind him. If you have time, why not discuss that contract with us here?"
In truth, she wasn't stupid.
Under normal circumstances, Mindy Han would have noticed Rose Zhang's respectful attitude toward her cousin, Andrew Han. But with a big contract at stake—worth tens of millions, with at least two million in profit—her judgment was clouded.
Her anxious and uneasy mood affected her rational thinking.
Before she finished speaking, Rose Zhang's expression changed, her heart sinking... Crap! Mindy Han, you idiot! Utterly foolish—fatally so!
"Ahem."
George Han coughed twice, still feeling shocked and uncertain. He pondered, "Director Zhang, I'm treating my nephew to a meal today to congratulate him on getting into the academy. If you have business, perhaps we can discuss it later?"
Rose Zhang forced a smile and nodded quickly.
Andrew Han glanced at Rose Zhang, then looked at George Han. "Uncle, there's no rush for our meal. Why don't you take care of your business first?"
"No, business can wait. Let's eat first." George Han waved his hand and turned to Rose Zhang. "Director Zhang, we'll head upstairs now."
Mindy Han clenched her teeth, extremely anxious.
But since her father had made the decision, she couldn't interrupt. Still, losing such a good opportunity for discussion was painful.
"Mr. Han is right."
Rose Zhang's face turned a bit pale, but she kept smiling. "Chairman Gao still hopes to work with you. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, so I wouldn't dare interrupt your meal. Actually, I'm here waiting for Chairman Gao to inspect the work. When he arrives, he might disturb you, Mr. Han."
Chairman Gao?
Gao Liang'an?
George Han looked surprised.
Rose Zhang quickly added, "The top-floor restaurant just opened, and Chairman Gao wants to understand the guests' dining experience. If he happens to disturb you, Mr. Han, please accept my apologies in advance."
"Thank you, Director Zhang. You're too kind."
George Han grew even more astonished. He nodded and led Andrew Han toward the nearby elevator, thinking it was just a polite remark.
"Director Zhang, we'll head up now." Mindy Han exchanged a few polite words with Rose Zhang before following them into the elevator.
Helen Han, who had just finished a phone call, was the last to enter the elevator. She hadn't seen what happened earlier and assumed her father and sister had simply bumped into an acquaintance.
The elevator doors closed and began to ascend.
Only then did Rose Zhang let out a long breath, feeling uneasy.
"Damn."
"Such a perfect situation, and I messed it all up! Especially that Mindy Han—how could someone with such low intelligence and emotional quotient be in charge of Shengxing Renovation's business?"
Rose Zhang's face turned deathly pale, lips pressed tight.
Luckily, she managed to handle things on the spot, creating an opportunity for Chairman Gao.
On the other side, the hotel manager was full of confusion and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Director Zhang, is Chairman Gao really coming to inspect the work?"
This hotel was one of Gao Liang'an's properties.
But usually, inspections were handled by Rose Zhang. As chairman, Gao Liang'an would never personally check hotel operations, let alone guest experiences.
Rose Zhang glanced at the manager and pulled out her phone. "Yes, today is an inspection... if I can reach Chairman Gao."
The manager looked baffled, not understanding what Rose Zhang meant.
A moment later—
Rose Zhang quickly walked to a corner of the hotel lobby and dialed Gao Liang'an's number.
The first call went through, but no one answered.
The second call was connected, but then hung up.
Rose Zhang guessed he was in a meeting, but she gritted her teeth and kept calling—finally, she got through.
Gao Liang'an's deep voice came through: "Xiao Zhang, what is it?"
"Chairman Gao."
Rose Zhang quickly summarized: "Mr. Han Dong is at He Gao Hotel. His uncle is George Han, owner of Shengxing Renovation. George Han is congratulating Mr. Han Dong for getting into the academy, and they're dining here."
As soon as she finished speaking—
Urgent orders came through the phone: "This meeting is over!"