11. Words Not in Sync
Friday's bidding conference indeed ended with the Yan family winning the bid, and the three plots of land in the Imperial City ultimately belonged to the Yan family.
Vicky, who followed Lin Jin out from the venue, still had difficulty accepting this result, while Xia Xiaomu beside her quietly stared at Lin Jin's actions. She was not concerned about the failure of the bid but rather Lin Jin's current mood. After leaving the main gate, the three people happened to meet a group of Yan Yirong. Seeing Lin Jin, Yan Yirong smiled and said, "Nephew, this time it's really hard on my heart." Lin Jin also smiled, "Uncle Rong, please don't say that. The place in the Imperial City belongs to the capable. I am truly convinced by your win." Yan Yirong laughed, "Gin, you don't need to be modest. The younger generation will eventually take over the江山. Please convey my regards to your father." With that, he turned and got into the car. Several men in sunglasses closed the car door for him, and then he got into the car behind. The convoy then drove off.
"Mr. Lin, I'm sorry... It's all my fault..." Vicky was about to apologize, but Lin Jin interrupted her, "The proposal was personally reviewed by me. It's not your talent problem. We'll talk about it when we get back."
Sitting in front of the Ding Tian office desk, Tianming kept refreshing the webpage waiting for the bidding results. However, the news from the bidding venue reached the company faster. Upon hearing several colleagues saying that the Yan family won the bid, Tianming tightly clenched his fists and continued refreshing the page. Soon enough, the news that the Yan family dominated the Imperial City appeared.
At this moment, Qiu Jin was also paying attention to the latest developments of the bidding. After learning the results, she couldn't help but sigh: For this bid, Vicky worked so hard on the proposal, and yet they failed... While Qiu Jin was lost in thought, she suddenly received a call from Bowen, saying that Lin Jin wanted to hold an internal meeting but he wasn't in the company, so Bowen asked Qiu Jin to attend instead. Qiu Jin agreed, prepared some materials, and went to the meeting room.
The attendees were all aware of Ding Tian's failure in the bidding, and they also knew the content of this sudden meeting would be related to this matter.
"For this bidding, everyone here has put in a lot of effort, but the result is beyond my expectation," Lin Jin looked around the room, "Especially the plan mentioned in the proposal where I suggested building a 'three-tower' hotel in the Imperial City. In the Yan family's plan, it is a 'four-nation' hotel. This is information just obtained from the government side."
"What is 'four-nation'?" someone asked.
Xia Xiaomu explained, "As our 'three-tower' plan is to build three interconnected buildings, the Yan family plans for four."
"Tch, this is too coincidental, right? Clearly plagiarism!"
"Exactly! Even if they both thought of building hotels, how could they come up with such similar ideas?"
"Moreover, their extra tower is like knowing our plan beforehand!"
Everyone was greatly enraged.
Someone realized, "Mr. Lin, are you saying someone among us leaked the plan?"
Lin Jin glanced at him and remained silent.
"Yes," Xia Xiaomu replied, "Although there is currently no evidence against the Yan family, we will start investigating within the company. We hope the person involved understands that leaking trade secrets is a crime. If they can deny it in time, the company will not pursue legal responsibility. But if discovered by the company, we will hand them over to the police."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Jin suddenly remembered Tim's actions in Vicky's office that one time, and her heart was startled: Could it be Tim? Looking at Vicky sitting across from her with a worried expression, Qiu Jin guessed she probably had no clue about this matter.
After the meeting, Qiu Jin went straight to the surveillance room. Due to her familiarity with the security personnel, she quickly obtained the video footage from Vicky's office that day. Qiu Jin found the segment where Tim touched the computer, watched it repeatedly, paused and enlarged the frame, confirming that the file dragged away by Tim on Vicky's computer screen was Ding Tian's proposal.
Qiu Jin asked the security guard, "Did anyone check the recording before me?"
"No, is anything wrong?"
"Oh, nothing, just asking casually."
Leaving the surveillance room, Qiu Jin took the elevator back to the fourth floor. Seeing Tim putting on his coat to leave, Qiu Jin patted his shoulder, "Tim, come over for a moment." Tim, suspicious, followed her into the office.
Sitting at the desk, Qiu Jin pointed to the chair in front of him, "Sit down."
Tim sat down without asking questions, waiting for Qiu Jin to speak.
"Tim, I believe you've already known about Ding Tian's failure in the morning's bidding."
Tim nodded.
"How do you feel about it?" Qiu Jin looked at him.
Tim shrugged, "Bidding, either you succeed or fail."
Qiu Jin was silent, staring at Tim for a while, "Tim, stop lying. Is this incident related to you?"
Tim was startled, looking at him cautiously, "What do you mean?"
Qiu Jin nodded, "I won't beat around the bush. I've seen the recording in Vicky's office and clearly saw your actions."
Hearing this, Tim lowered his head and said nothing.
"Tim, why?"
Tim glanced at him but remained silent.
"Is it because you're in trouble? Financial difficulties? Or something else? If you consider me a friend, you should tell me. If I can help, I certainly will..."
"You wouldn't understand," Tim interrupted him, "Does Mr. Lin know about this?"
Qiu Jin shook his head, "Currently only I know, but they will find out sooner or later. Tim, this is illegal. Admit it early, and Ding Tian won't pursue your legal responsibility."
Tim looked at him, "Did Mr. Lin say that?"
"Yes," Qiu Jin nodded.
Tim smirked, "It's amazing he can say such childish things. Don't treat people as fools. I merely played a risky game, and besides, aren't there trade spies everywhere?"
"But not as severe as yours."
"Severe? For a super company like Ding Tian, the loss of one city is but a drop in the bucket."
"But this Imperial City plan is crucial for Ding Tian's development in Mainland China. What you did caused considerable damage to Ding Tian."
Qiu Jin's words made Tianming more pleased. The less Ding Tian could afford to lose, the more worth it was for him to have done this. Tianming stood up, "Just now I had a customer appointment to see a house. Now it seems unnecessary. I'll write a resignation letter for you immediately. Also, you can tell this to Mr. Lin. Anyway, I'm leaving. If it can contribute to your promotion, I'd be very willing."
Qiu Jin closed his eyes, "Tim, you've misunderstood me. I'm not representing the company today. These words are purely a warning between friends. I don't need to use this matter to claim credit. I just don't want to see you go to jail when Moon and others uncover the truth."
Tianming saw his sincere attitude and nodded, "Thanks. I've been to jail before, and I don't mind going again." Saying this, he took out his Rise Sun business card from his shirt pocket and handed it to Qiu Jin, "This is my company. Although it's newly established, I have confidence that one day it will rival Ding Tian. If you're willing, I would be delighted to have your help. Maybe the benefits cannot compare to those of Ding Tian now, but I can assure you that what you will receive in Rise Sun in the future will definitely exceed what you get in Ding Tian."
Qiu Jin looked at the card and then at Tianming. In Qiu Jin's view, Tianming's words were unrealistic. Regardless of whether Tianming's business experience was sufficient, even if he had extensive experience, it would be impossible for a newly established company to reach the level of Ding Tian in the real estate industry. Compared to Ding Tian's abundant human and financial resources and its stable position in the business world, Rise Sun was far from comparable. How could he abandon his position as deputy manager of sales at Ding Tian to work at a small company whose boss might end up in jail? Moreover, Qiu Jin was more concerned about whether Tianming could avoid imprisonment. Seeing Tianming's nonchalant attitude, it made him laugh and cry simultaneously. Helplessly, since Tianming said these words, Qiu Jin could only politely respond, "I'll call you back."
Tianming nodded and left the office, quickly drafted a resignation letter, handed it to Qiu Jin, tidied up his belongings, and left Ding Tian.
Getting into the Cherokee, Tianming directly drove back to Rise Sun. After moving his things into his office, he sat on the swivel chair and lit a cigarette.
He originally hoped to act as a mole at Ding Tian, but unexpectedly he was out so quickly. However, this was good; now returning to his original identity, he could focus on working wholeheartedly. Thinking about this, Tianming smiled, tapped the armrest, and examined the decoration of his office, enjoying this brief period of leisure.
At this moment, his mother Xiao Qin called, inviting him to dinner that evening. Just as Tianming agreed and hung up, the phone on the table rang. Tianming picked it up, and a male voice came through, "Is this Qi Tianming?"
"It's me."
"This is Steven. Why didn't anyone answer the phone this morning?"
"I just got back."
"Oh, I believe you wouldn't leave a fake number. Mr. Yan wants me to tell you that he was very satisfied with this bid. He will cooperate with your Rise Sun company in the future. Contact me if there's anything."
"Alright, thanks, Steven." After hanging up, Tianming felt happy. Seeing the photo of himself with Qingqing and Baozi on the table, he realized he hadn't contacted them for a long time and decided to visit their home.
Driving near Baozi's house, Tianming saw Qingqing walking on the roadside carrying large and small packages, with Xiao Rulan tied to her back. Tianming immediately rolled down the window and called her. Qingqing turned around and seeing Tianming, smiled and got into the car.
Tianming helped Qingqing untie Rulan and asked, "Where's Baozi?"
"He's busy today and will be back tonight."
Tianming saw the packages filled with daily necessities and scolded her, "Why didn't you let him bring these things? Why did you bother coming out yourself, carrying Rulan? It's so inconvenient."
"The diapers are used up. How could I wait for him to return? It's the same for me to buy them."
Tianming sighed, laughing, "You, after becoming a mother, don't know how to take care of yourself anymore. If you collapse, who will take care of Rulan?"
Qingqing also laughed, "Isn't there still you, godfather?"
Tianming laughed heartily, "Would you dare give your treasure to me to take care of?"
"How could I not dare? Here!" Qingqing deliberately handed Rulan to Tianming, "This guy is too annoying, I don't want him anymore. Give him to you, take him away~"
Tianming took Rulan and exaggeratedly rocked her, saying, "Rulan, look, your mom doesn't want you anymore. From now on, you'll live with your godfather. Your godfather loves you~" But as soon as he finished speaking, Rulan started crying loudly. Tianming had no choice but to hand her back to Qingqing, "No way, she cries when she sees me. She's closer to her mom."
Qingqing laughed, taking her back, and complained, "You, godfather, only comes once in a hundred years. She would be closer to you if that were true."
Tianming laughed, "How did you have time today?"
Qingqing didn't want her to worry, smilingly replied, "I'm resting today." With that, he started the car.
Back at home, Qingqing placed Rulan in the crib and began preparing dinner.
"Do you have time tonight? Stay for dinner, I've stewed soup," Qingqing tied on an apron.
Tianming shook his head, smiling, "Next time. My mom specially told me to eat dinner with her tonight. By the way, why don't the two of you come along? You and Baozi haven't visited my mom yet."
Qingqing thought for a moment and sighed, "Let's skip it. Before, I would definitely go over to freeload on meals, but now with this little burden, it's inconvenient wherever we go."
"Why not bring Rulan along?"
"Ah, you haven't raised children, so you don't know the hardship. Let's do it another time."
Tianming didn't want to tire her, nodding without further insistence.
When dinner time arrived, Tianming returned to Xiao Qin's house. Unexpectedly, apart from Gu Haitao and Xiao Qin, there was also a man in his thirties and a girl around twenty sitting on the sofa.
"Finally back, you must be hungry," Xiao Qin smiled and stood up, "Come and eat quickly. I'll bring the dishes."
"I'll help too~" the girl followed Xiao Qin into the kitchen.
Tianming walked up close and looked at the man, asking, "Dad, who is this?"
"Oh, this is your cousin Jin Hua, and that's your cousin Ke Ke. They had time today, so they came over for a meal."
"Tian Ming, I've heard a lot about you from Uncle Four for a long time, but I never had the chance to come see you. Today, upon meeting you, you really are quite different from Shi Yang," Jin Hua scrutinized Tian Ming, seemingly trying to find differences between him and Shi Yang.
"Brother." Tian Ming nodded at him and also observed this well-dressed man in front of him.
"Come, let's eat~" Xiao Qin carried the soup out of the kitchen, and Ke Ke placed the dishes on the dining table. The family then gathered around the table.
"Eat more, you're too thin," Xiao Qin put some food on Tian Ming's bowl and also served some to Ke Ke, "You, girl, are thinner than before. Where did your little round face go?"
"Ah, Aunt, I'm losing weight~" Ke Ke replied in a coquettish tone.
"Nonsense, why lose weight? Chubby is cute! Come, eat more." Xiao Qin said, adding more food to her bowl, making Ke Ke almost cry.
Tian Ming was smiling at them when Jin Hua asked, "Tian Ming, I heard you work at Ding Tian?"
Tian Ming nodded.
"Great, working in Hong Kong's top company has a bright future," Jin Hua encouraged, "Work hard~"
"Okay, I will." Tian Ming thought for a moment and asked, "What does Brother do?"
"I?" Jin Hua smiled, "Huashang Company, mainly selling 3C products."
"Your brother is the boss, which is a completely different level from you," Gu Haitao laughed, "In the future, learn more from your brother, understand?"
Hearing this, Tian Ming became interested: Boss of Huashang Company? So he has decision-making power? Can he cooperate with Rise Sun? Thinking about this, Tian Ming started considering how electronic product sellers could cooperate with real estate sellers, but after pondering for a while, he had no idea. Suddenly, he felt a pair of eyes staring at him constantly, turning to see it was Ke Ke.
Tian Ming smiled at her.
"My goodness, it's too similar... It's basically Brother Shi Yang..." Ke Ke bit her chopsticks and stared blankly.
"Don't confuse things," Tian Ming joked, "I'm not as good as Brother Shi Yang."
"I think so too," Ke Ke pouted, "Brother Shi Yang didn't wear ear piercings..."
"So he is him and I am me, stop comparing." Tian Ming added a mouthful of food.
"Ming Ming, Ke Ke is right," Xiao Qin said, "There are some aspects you really should learn from your brother. Brother Yang Yang never made me worry."
"Mom, I know~" Tian Ming smiled and patted her shoulder.
After dinner, Jin Hua pulled Tian Ming to the balcony to talk.
"Tian Ming, are you doing well at Ding Tian?"
Tian Ming thought for a moment, "Not bad, why?"
"Oh, I've told Shi Yang long ago to come help me at Huashang after graduation. I lack manpower here, and I need someone to relieve my burden. Since Shi Yang isn't here, I think you could come too." Seeing Tian Ming didn't reply, Jin Hua continued, "Of course, I'm not forcing you. You have your own direction, but if you don't want to stay at Ding Tian, you can come to Huashang."
After a moment of silence, Tian Ming said, "Brother, actually I've started a company."
"Oh?" Jin Hua was surprised.
"It's a real estate trading company, Rise Sun."
"Rise Sun? Never heard of it, is it newly established?"
Tian Ming nodded, "It's still a small company now, but it will become famous in no time."
Jin Hua smiled and patted his shoulder, "Tian Ming, it's good for young people to have ambition, but you must think carefully before acting. Doing real estate in this city isn't easy. Putting aside super companies like Ding Tian, there are always larger local companies compared to yours. It's difficult to survive in such an environment."
"I know that, but our Rise Sun has successfully cooperated with Yan Group, and I believe it will expand quickly. At that point, standing firm in this city won't be difficult."
"What? Yan Group?" Jin Hua was shocked, "Are you talking about Yan Group in Hong Kong?"
Tian Ming nodded.
"Tian Ming, how can you cooperate with them?!"
Tian Ming was startled, "What's wrong?"
"Yan Yi Rong is that old fox who does despicable things, and are you following his evil ways?"
Hearing this, Tian Ming was displeased, "I neither kill nor set fires. How is that being evil?"
"Yan Yi Rong is vile and shameful. Cooperating with him means you're sworn enemies!"
Tian Ming shook his head, "I don't know what kind of person Yan Yi Rong is, but everything I do is with a clear conscience. I'm just doing business with him. The rest I can't control and don't want to."
"Then why do you insist on cooperating with Yan Group? What benefits has Yan Yi Rong given you?"
"As long as it benefits Rise Sun, who I choose makes no difference. On the contrary, big brother, why are you so against Yan Yi Rong? He has done a lot of good deeds."
"I'm not targeting him, he has never been a good person. His empire is built on deception, and he climbed to the top stepping on others' bones. No amount of good deeds can make up for this!"
Jin Hua's words gave Tian Ming a new understanding of Yan Yi Rong, but what Tian Ming cared about wasn't these details. Moreover, Rise Sun needed Yan Group's strength to develop, and Tian Ming was counting on Yan Group to protect him. After thinking for a moment, Tian Ming opened his mouth, "Brother, I feel..."
"Abandon the cooperation." Jin Hua interrupted him, "I want you to abandon the cooperation with Yan Group. Can you do it?"
Tian Ming looked at him, and the two brothers stared at each other for a long time. Tian Ming slightly shook his head.
Jin Hua was extremely angry, nodding, "If you stumble, don't come to me. Be careful!" With that, he turned and entered the living room, patting Ke Ke, who was watching TV, on the head, "Ke Ke, let's go."
"So early..." Ke Ke reluctantly stood up, and the two bid farewell to Gu Haitao and Xiao Qin and left.
Tian Ming watched them leave, but his expression remained unchanged.
Gu Haitao walked to the balcony and asked, "What were you two arguing about earlier? Did you have a quarrel?"
Tian Ming smiled, "How could we, Dad? It's windy on the balcony. You should go inside and sit."
Gu Haitao nodded, "You shouldn't stay out there either. Come inside."
"Okay, I'll come right away." Tian Ming looked downstairs, watching Jin Hua's car drive away. He firmly believed his decision was correct and trusted that when Rise Sun truly grew strong, such disputes would no longer exist.
(To be continued...)