Zheng Yu'an felt somewhat awkward, not because he was presumptuous enough to misunderstand that Yan Shuwang intended to do something to him, but because his reaction was excessive, making him appear less than generous.
Drinking doesn't necessarily interfere with business, but drinking too much might.
Zheng Yu'an thought, fortunately Yan Shuwang didn't take it to heart.
Now that they had eaten and drunk, things should be easier moving forward. The branch policy response came quickly, and Zheng Yu'an sent the first draft of the contract to Zhang Jin the next day.
Unexpectedly, he received a call back that afternoon.
After all this time going back and forth, even shouting at a dog would create some affection, let alone with a business partner.
Zheng Yu'an's tone was somewhat affectionate when he answered the phone, calling out "Brother," and asking, "Are you satisfied with what you've seen?"
There was a strange silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a voice as smooth as aged wine: "Hello, this is Yan Shuwang."
Zheng Yu'an: "..." Calling him "brother" didn't seem like a loss, either.
It was understandable for the CFO of the other company to call and inquire during the contract finalisation stage. Yan Shuwang raised several questions about capital repatriation, which Zheng Yu'an answered flawlessly, demonstrating professionalism, rigour, and a business-like approach.
"This is just the first draft of the contract," Zheng Yu'an said, taking a cigarette pack from his suit pocket hanging on the chair. "Director Yan can mark the areas of concern, and we can discuss them later."
Yan Shuwang said, "There aren't many problems."
Zheng Yu'an lit a cigarette and smiled. "Then we'll draft the second version of the contract."
Yan Shuwang said "Mm," He didn't hang up immediately, and Zheng Yu'an naturally couldn't hang up either. He smoked while listening to the sounds on the other end, until Yan Shuwang suddenly asked him, "Does Little Zheng still have a headache?"
Once you drink too much, a hangover is inevitable. Chen Li had even commented this morning that he smelled of alcohol. Now that Yan Shuwang suddenly mentioned it, Zheng Yu'an was reminded of the embarrassing situation from yesterday.
"I slept it off, much better," Zheng Yu'an said, having been immersed in society for so many years, a little embarrassment wouldn't cause his emotions to fluctuate. He said steadily, "Thank you for your concern, Director Yan."
Yan Shuwang seemed to chuckle, lowering his voice like swirling fine wine in a glass: "Little Zheng has a great capacity for alcohol."
Zheng Yu'an felt his ears inexplicably burning. He inhaled a mouthful of smoke into his lungs and slowly exhaled, hearing Yan Shuwang ask for his mobile phone number.
"It's easier to contact you in case of an emergency," Yan Shuwang said. "Please take care of the contract matters, Little Zheng."
Yan Shuwang's WeChat moments were very clean. He hadn't set the "show only three days" option, but there were only a few posts, not even WE GO's promotional advertisements. You could see everything at a glance.
Zheng Yu'an had the illusion of peeking into the private life of a successful upper-class man, but he didn't necessarily want to dig everything out. He looked for a while and then exited.
The new contract was also reviewed by Qin Hanguan.
"Give it to their legal department to look at," Qin Hanguan said.
Zheng Yu'an: "I already gave them a copy. This version is for our own records."
Qin Hanguan nodded: "Finalise it as soon as possible, to avoid complications. Don't let a duck that's already in your mouth fly away."
Zheng Yu'an was helpless with his habit of misusing idioms. He made himself a cup of coffee and asked, "Are you delivering the formal contract, or am I?"
Even though there are electronic scans now, bank contracts still need to be kept in paper form to be considered standard. Signing contracts with large companies is like a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and those with a bit of prestige even hold a formal event.
"You go," Qin Hanguan didn't like joining in on the fun. "They're all familiar with you over there. Did you see them giving me any face when we were drinking last time?"
Zheng Yu'an laughed: "My face is your face, isn't it?"
Qin Hanguan said triumphantly: "Then I must be very handsome."
When he went to WE GO to sign the final contract, they didn't hold any grand events. In addition to Yan Shuwang, Zheng Yu'an also met CEO Xue Chen.
The man had ordinary features, but his eyes were like two peach blossoms. Zheng Yu'an remembered his resume; he was a university classmate of Yan Shuwang and they founded WE GO together.
Xue Chen shook hands with him, being a little shorter. He stamped the contract and turned to Yan Shuwang, saying: "We have to treat Little Zheng to a meal, he came all the way here."
The JZ Park branch building was in Huxi, so it's not far, but this meal couldn't be avoided, so Zheng Yu'an simply didn't object.
After the contract was signed, a routine inspection was scheduled for the afternoon, as a sign of respect for the partner. Zheng Yu'an didn't think he was important enough to require Yan Shuwang's accompaniment, but the other party didn't seem to have any intention of continuing to work, accompanying Zheng Yu'an up and down the two buildings.
Zhang Jin and Luo Yan had already returned to their posts. By the time they reached the second floor, only Yan Shuwang and Zheng Yu'an remained.
"This is the hotel department," Yan Shuwang wasn't wearing a suit; his shirt was also a casual style, with his long hair tied up and two strands of fringe falling beside his temples. When he spoke, his gaze would fix on Zheng Yu'an's face, the temperature of his gaze not scalding, but also impossible to ignore casually.
June was already the start of summer. Even though the building had air conditioning, Zheng Yu'an was still hot and took off his suit, hanging it over his arm. He worked in a bank and was used to wearing a three-piece suit year-round. His upper body was a standard business shirt, light blue, with some fashionable elements embroidered in a subtle pattern.
The "click-clack" sound of his leather shoes on the marble floor was crisp and pleasant, without any hesitation. Zheng Yu'an's posture was straight, and even when he needed to bend over to examine something after hearing Yan Shuwang's introduction, the curve of his back was taut and beautiful.
He looked through the glass at the young employees in the work area who were on the phone, seeming to find it very interesting.
Zheng Yu'an's waistline, viewed from behind, was unexpectedly slender. He had long legs, and his suit trousers encased round, firm buttocks.
"Labour costs are one of the advantages of online services," Zheng Yu'an straightened up again, turning back to look at Yan Shuwang and asking, "Where should we go next?"
Yan Shuwang's eyes met his, and he rarely avoided eye contact first. He lowered his eyes imperceptibly, took out his cigarette case, and said, "Would Little Zheng like one?"
Zheng Yu'an smiled, refusing politely: "No thanks, I'll stick to my own."
Yan Shuwang: "..."