Chapter 13: Let Her Wait

The next morning, Jiang Jingchu finished a long, tedious meeting, loosening his tie as he walked to his office. Gao Fei opened the door for him and followed with some documents.

“Mr. Jiang, your lunch meeting with Mr. Liu from Xinda has been postponed to next Monday.”

Jiang Jingchu sat down, raising an eyebrow.

“Why?”

Gao Fei paused.

“He’s taking his wife on vacation to the Yangmingshan Resort Hotel.”

Jiang Jingchu smiled. This wasn’t a lie. Liu Qi was famously devoted to his wife. Other CEOs worried about their wives finding out about business lunches; Liu Qi was different. He and his wife had been married for over ten years, and their relationship remained strong. He couldn’t bear to be away from her for even a minute.

The cooperation with Xinda was crucial. Several executives had discussed it at the meeting.  Many companies wanted to collaborate with Xinda. Liu Qi was shrewd, keeping everyone waiting without committing to anyone. Jiang Corporation had the highest chance of success, but they needed to act quickly.

Jiang Jingchu pondered, standing up and grabbing his jacket.

“Yangmingshan Resort Hotel, is it? Cancel all my appointments for the next two days. I’ll go see him personally.”

Gao Fei replied, “Yes.”  Then he remembered something.

“Mr. Jiang, a Ms. Qin called.”

He carefully observed his boss’s expression.  Recently, only one woman with the surname Qin had been involved with Jiang Jingchu. Qin Huan, he thought.  But he wasn’t sure.

Jiang Jingchu paused, then continued walking.

“What did she say?”

Gao Fei shook his head.

“She said you were in a meeting and would call again later.”

Jiang Jingchu didn’t respond, his expression unreadable.

Qin Huan had carefully prepared her words to call Jiang Jingchu, only to reach his assistant.  Thinking he was busy, she waited until lunchtime.

The phone rang several times before Gao Fei answered.

“Hello, Ms. Qin.”

Qin Huan hesitated.

“Hello, is Mr. Jiang free now?”

Gao Fei glanced at the impassive man in the back seat.

“Not yet.  Is it urgent? I can relay the message.”

Qin Huan thought, An apology can’t be relayed.  She felt Jiang Jingchu was deliberately ignoring her.

She changed her approach.

“Is Mr. Jiang at the company? Can I wait for him?”

“I’m afraid not. Mr. Jiang isn’t at the company.”

Qin Huan persisted.

“Can you tell me where he is?”

Gao Fei smiled.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Qin, I can’t disclose his private schedule.”

Qin Huan understood, hung up, and took a deep breath. She was sure Jiang Jingchu was nearby, watching Gao Fei deal with her. But so what? He was playing games, waiting for her to beg him!

Qin Huan spun her pen anxiously. Fang Yicen had said to hurry, otherwise Jiang Jingchu might find another company. Qin Huan didn’t care about the lost commission, but she couldn’t ignore the company’s interests.

After much deliberation, she decided to go to Jiang Corporation.

She stood at the entrance of Jiang Corporation, looking up at the imposing building. The words “Jiang Corporation” shone brightly under the sun.

This was a place where top talents aspired to work. But for Qin Huan, it was an insurmountable chasm between her and Jiang Jingchu, a place where her self esteem had been crushed.

She took a deep breath, clutched her bag, and walked in.

The receptionist refused to let her in, without expression. They were used to rejecting uninvited visitors.

Qin Huan was prepared.  She sat on the sofa in the lobby. She didn’t need to see Jiang Jingchu; she just needed to show him her sincerity.

She took a photo of the lobby and sent it to Jiang Jingchu with a message:

“Mr. Jiang, I’m waiting for you in the lobby.”

Jiang Jingchu looked at the photo.  He could imagine how reluctant Qin Huan was.

Gao Fei cautiously asked,

“Should I tell Ms. Qin that you won’t be back today?”

Jiang Jingchu frowned, closing his eyes.

“No. She wants to wait. No one forced her.”

Gao Fei put away his phone. He was sure the relationship between his boss and Ms. Qin was unusual. Jiang Jingchu didn’t answer her calls or texts, but he didn’t block her either. He kept glancing at his phone, like a resentful husband waiting for his girlfriend to apologize?

Gao Fei was shocked.  His boss seemed to have forgotten he was engaged!

Jiang Jingchu arrived at the Yangmingshan Resort Hotel at 2:30 PM. It was one of Jiang Corporation’s properties. The manager was waiting.

“Mr. Jiang, Mr. and Mrs. Liu are in the Presidential Suite.”

Jiang Jingchu nodded, checking his watch.

“Where are they now?”

“They had lunch and went to their room. They haven’t come out.”

Jiang Jingchu paused, glancing at the manager.

“Is there a special event today?”

The manager shook his head, then nodded.

“There’s a meteor shower tonight at 9:00 PM. Yangmingshan is an excellent viewing spot. Many couples come to watch.”

A meteor shower?

Jiang Jingchu nodded.  It wouldn’t be good to disturb Liu Qi now. He’d wait until after the meteor shower.

“I’ll rest. Wake me at 8:00 PM.”

Gao Fei followed.

“You haven’t had lunch. Shall I send it to your room?”

Jiang Jingchu entered the elevator.

“No, I’m not hungry.”

He then held out his hand.

Gao Fei: “What?”

Jiang Jingchu clicked his tongue.

“My phone.”