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Yan Man didn’t stay long at Tan Qishen’s house. She returned to her own place the next day, just in time for the performance training course to begin. During the day, she focused on her lessons, and occasionally she would meet Tan Qishen in the evening—but only at the Park Hyatt Hotel.
As for Tan Qishen’s private residence, she didn’t think she would be going there again.
Tan Group Headquarters.
In the CBD district, skyscrapers loomed overhead, a few clouds drifting across their mirrored glass surfaces.
Tan Qishen had just finished a three-hour-long board meeting. Wen Bo followed behind him, reporting on upcoming plans.
“President Tan, President Fang of Fang Tech is currently waiting in your office.”
Tan Qishen wore a dark gray flannel suit, his black trousers impeccably pressed. He removed the blue-light blocking glasses he wore during the meeting and handed them casually to Wen Bo.
He looked up and asked, “Fang Shengnian or Fang Hexun?”
Fang Shengnian was the head of the Fang Group, over fifty years old.
Fang Hexun, his eldest son, was the heir to the Fang Group. Most of the family’s enterprises were now under his management.
Wen Bo respectfully replied, “It’s the young Mr. Fang.”
Fang Tech, based in the Jiangnan region, is one of the most powerful publicly listed companies in the Yangtze River Delta.
The Fang Group started out in the 1980s in the fashion industry and remains a leading force in the domestic and global clothing markets.
Meanwhile, the Tan Group’s “Senya” brand specializes in jewelry. A collaboration between the two giants would benefit both sides immensely.
The idea for a partnership had been floated a year ago, but for various reasons, it hadn’t moved forward. Recently, however, the two families’ businesses had reached a consensus and were pushing a major joint project. Now, all that remained was for the two CEOs to meet and sign the papers.
Tan Qishen’s executive office was nearly 300 square meters—very spacious. Fang Hexun, dressed in an all-white suit and looking about thirty years old, sat on the sofa sending a message on his phone.
[Fang Hexun]: Keep your evening free—let’s have dinner.
It seemed the other person was busy, because it took a while to reply.
[Reply]: You’re in Beijing???
[Fang Hexun]: Yeah.
[Reply]: Bad timing. I can only have dinner with you tonight—I’m joining a production tomorrow.
Fang Hexun frowned slightly, puzzled. Wasn’t she a model? Why was she joining a film crew?
[Fang Hexun]: Joining a production?
[Reply]: Shooting a film. Don’t tell Mom—I want to surprise her.
Fang Hexun chuckled softly, feeling helpless. All he wanted now was for his little sister to be happy. Whatever she wanted to do, the whole family would support her.
He was just about to reply when he heard the office door open.
Fang Hexun looked up, putting his phone away. He stood politely and turned toward the door.
Tan Qishen entered with steady, composed steps—his whole aura exuding calm confidence and power. He stopped about a meter away from Fang Hexun and offered his hand.
“President Fang, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“President Tan, a pleasur—”
As soon as he saw Tan Qishen’s face clearly, Fang Hexun’s expression stiffened. For a few seconds, his expression faltered—but years of aristocratic upbringing quickly kicked in, and he steadied himself.
Suppressing the shock and a thousand questions in his mind, Fang Hexun nodded politely and shook Tan Qishen’s hand.
“An honor to finally meet you.”
Though his tone was casual, he was already sweating down his back.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
How could two people in the world look so alike?
What if his sister saw him?
Tan Qishen had always refused commercial interviews. He didn’t appear on magazine covers or on social media. A dedicated PR team scrubbed any unauthorized photos or videos of him online—leaving no trace. To the outside world, his appearance was a mystery.
“Please have a seat, President Fang,” Tan Qishen said.
He sat on a sofa to the side, crossing one leg over the other. He signaled to Wen Bo to hand over the proposal and contract.
“This is the collaborative project between ‘Senya’ and ‘Senlai.’ Please review it, President Fang.”
Fang Hexun couldn’t help but stare at his face, his mind going blank.
Tan Qishen rested an elbow on the armrest, his long fingers interlaced casually. After a few seconds with no response from Fang Hexun, he looked up and prompted him again,
“President Fang?”
Snapped back to reality by the call, Fang Hexun quickly averted his gaze and instructed his assistant,
“Chen Xin, give President Tan the contract.”
The contract was in duplicate, with both parties listed as primary partners.
After both men reviewed and signed the documents, the collaboration between the Tan and Fang Groups was officially established.
They shook hands again. Tan Qishen spoke first,
“A few days ago, ‘Senlai’ completed an initial integration of our jewelry with Fang’s fashion line. We plan to feature it in major fashion shows and gala events. I missed your wedding, so how about I help you pick out some jewelry today as a gift for your wife—as a gesture of goodwill?”
His words were polite and flawless.
Before seeing Tan Qishen, Fang Hexun had planned to skip the evening events to have dinner with his sister. But after seeing Tan Qishen’s face, he suddenly couldn’t bring himself to say no.
“Then I’ll take you up on your kind offer. Next time, dinner’s on me—don’t say no.”
Tan Qishen nodded, “Wen Bo, inform Luo Xi to bring her team here.”
“A private showcase by the big boss?”
Chu Yiling, weak and lying in a hospital bed, shot upright as soon as she saw the message—only to collapse back down due to the pain.
“Sister Qin, I’m really not feeling well. Can I please take a leave of absence?”
“No way. This is President Tan’s private show. Nothing can go wrong. We need twenty-two models exactly, and you make the count. Not one more, not one less.”
Qin Jie’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
‘Senlai’ had prepared 22 sets of clothing and jewelry—requiring 22 models.
“Of course, if you can find someone to take your place, that’s fine. Otherwise, get over here. The company’s waiting.”
Click. The call ended.
Chu Yiling nearly cried. Being a working girl really felt like being a workhorse.
But she was seriously unwell today—her appendicitis had likely flared up again. She’d been too busy with work to get surgery before, but she couldn’t put it off any longer.
In desperation, Chu Yiling thought of Yan Man.
“Babe, are you free tonight?”
She asked carefully.
“What’s going on?”
Yan Man was in acting class. She had just gotten a break when she saw Chu Yiling’s call.
“The big boss is holding a private fashion show. Sister Qin assigned me to go, but I’m hospitalized now… I really can’t make it…”
“The big boss? President Tan?”
Yan Man instantly picked up on the key point.
“Yeah, who else could mobilize all of ‘Senlai’s’ artists?”
Yan Man understood. Over the past two years, she and Chu Yiling had grown close. Chu Yiling had helped her a lot, so this was something she couldn’t refuse.
“Don’t worry—I’ll ask the teacher if I can leave class early.”
“Thank you, babe! I owe you one! Just say the word next time you need anything!” Chu Yiling sounded emotional.
Today was the final day of the training course. Technically, Yan Man still had one last session, but when she explained the situation to the teacher, they allowed her to leave.
Yan Man picked up her phone to message Fang Hexun that she’d be late.
Just as she opened the chat, she saw a message from him sent two minutes ago.
[Brother]: Something came up—I’ll be late.
Yan Man raised her eyebrows. How convenient.
[Yan Man]: Okay.