The Beijing Chinese Chamber of Commerce is a community organization led by the association for returned overseas Chinese.
Unlike the horse club that Wen Shulin took Chen Cheng to last time, this small group is composed of overseas Chinese,
the relatives of overseas Chinese, as well as business representatives from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan who are based in Beijing.
And the industries involved by this association include law, consultancy, education, real estate development, tourism, catering, commerce, and dozens of other fields.
Wen Shulin’s operation this time has unconditionally introduced the resources she knows to Chen Cheng.
Chen Cheng flips through the contacts, every page teeming with heavyweight figures from various industries.
His eyes scan rapidly through page after page of information, searching for potential partners.
Feng Biao watches from the side, can’t help but exclaim, "Dacheng, this is even more valuable than enrolling in a business school class!"
Chen Cheng understands that what lays in front of him is a gold mine of networking resources, and the key to mining this gold mine is not who he chooses, but the introduction from Wen Shulin.
"This Nodorf, they supply tea beverage equipment, are you familiar with them?" Chen Cheng points to the contact information on the paper and asks Wen Shulin.
Wen Shulin glances at it, "Not very, but I can try to set up a meeting for you."
"And there are these few," Chen Cheng continues: "Quanwo, Yikuaide."
"On the digital side, Lichu Business Services, Hui Operation, materials supply, Shuangqi Packaging, Saishang Dairy, Nantian Technology..."
Chen Cheng lists a string of names, a faint smile hangs on Wen Shulin’s lips after she listens.
She teases: "Mr. Chen, when did I become your secretary?"
Hearing Wen Shulin’s teasing, Chen Cheng meets her gaze with a playful smile.
"Chairman Wen, if you were really my secretary, then that would be far beyond my reach," Chen Cheng jests half-seriously.
Wen Shulin raises her eyebrows, looking at Chen Cheng with interest.
She leans back elegantly in her chair, crossing her hands on her knees, her posture unfazed.
"Oh? Then, Mr. Chen, what do you think I should be?"
"You are the guide on my road to success."
Wen Shulin says softly, "Mr. Chen, I might take your word for it."
Chen Cheng doesn’t avoid those direct gazes, he also locks his eyes on Wen Shulin’s, "I have never deceived you, have I?"
"That’s the foundation of our ongoing cooperation, right?" He adds.
Hearing Chen Cheng’s words, a complex emotion flickers in Wen Shulin’s eyes.
She nods slightly, stands up, and walks slowly to the window, turning her back to Chen Cheng and Feng Biao.
The sunlight pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto her, sketching an elegant silhouette.
"Dacheng, what’s going on?" Feng Biao mutters quietly.
Chen Cheng doesn’t know why Wen Shulin is remaining silent.
"Mr. Chen, I really have something I need your help with." Wen Shulin breaks the silence after a moment, turning her head towards Chen Cheng.
Seeing her serious expression, Chen Cheng counters, "What’s wrong?"
Wen Shulin does not answer directly but glances at Feng Biao.
Feng Biao gets the hint, he immediately says, "Well then, Dacheng, I’ll wait outside for you. You and Chairman Wen talk."
Wen Shulin presses the call button on the desk, "Xiao Zhou, come and take Director Feng to the lounge."
She releases her hand, "Sorry for the trouble, Director Feng."
"Hey! If you say that, Chairman Wen, it’s like we’re strangers! My relationship with Dacheng? Just call me Xiao Biao!"
The secretary walks in at this time, leading Feng Biao away, and then, in the vast office, only Chen Cheng and Wen Shulin are left.
Wen Shulin leans against the edge of the desk, looking serious, "I’ve really encountered an issue."
"That’s what I thought since last night; you seemed off." Chen Cheng extends his hand, "Tell me, what’s the problem?"
Wen Shulin places her hand in Chen Cheng’s, speaking slowly, "Didn’t I rush back yesterday afternoon to meet a client?"
"Yes." Chen Cheng asks, "Who is it? What made you so urgent?"
A hint of hesitation crosses Wen Shulin’s eyes, but Chen Cheng’s reassuring hand soon helps her find her composure again.
She speaks slowly: "I lied to you; it wasn’t to meet a client."
"Then whom were you going to meet?"
"Husband, don’t be angry."
Wen Shulin quickly cups Chen Cheng’s stiff face, "I had no choice at the time. Li Ya was present, I had to use that excuse."
Chen Cheng tightens his lips, "What exactly happened? Take your time and talk."
"Alina came to Beijing."
Wen Shulin seems to struggle to speak, her gaze locked onto Chen Cheng’s eyes, unable to reveal the person’s identity for a long while.
Seeing Wen Shulin’s hesitant demeanor, Chen Cheng says softly, "Shulin, don’t worry. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together. You can tell me everything."
Wen Shulin takes a few deep breaths before she finally starts speaking, "Alina, she’s the lawful wife of Piert."
Her hands and voice tremble as she continues, "Piert is Li Ya’s father."
Chen Cheng recalls the ’prop’ he had once spent 300,000 to acquire—the Sponsorship Agreement signed between Wen Shulin and this Piert.
He’s briefly startled and asks, "Her coming to Beijing, is it?"
"She arrived yesterday and said there was something important she needed to discuss with me. When... when I saw the phone number, I was completely flustered. It’s been nearly ten years since the last time I saw her."
"Then I didn’t know what to do, so I made up that excuse." Wen Shulin lowers her head.
Chen Cheng pulls Wen Shulin closer, enfolding her in his arms, "It’s okay, I understand your situation."
Wen Shulin leans on Chen Cheng, feeling his warmth and strength.
She looks up at the man she truly cares for, "I really don’t know how to face this situation."