OBS Chapter 1527 Living off a woman?
Chapter 1527 Living off a woman?
Chapter 1527 Living off a woman?
Qin Hao had just sat in the passenger seat and hadn't even had time to fasten his seatbelt when Liu Mengyao stepped on the gas.
"boom--!"
The large-displacement engine emitted a deep and explosive roar, the tires screeched briefly against the ground, and the Audi A8 shot out like an arrow, instantly merging into the traffic on the main road.
"Wuhu—!"
With one hand on the steering wheel and the other casually resting on the car window, Liu Mengyao let out a cheerful cheer as she faced the wind. Her profile looked particularly bright and radiant in the afternoon sunlight.
She glanced at Qin Hao beside her and saw that he was still sitting upright, his hands firmly holding the handrail, his face expressionless, as if he were riding a smooth subway rather than a speeding luxury car.
Liu Mengyao couldn't help but purse her lips: "He doesn't look that old, but he has no vitality at all. He looks like a little old man."
Qin Hao leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping across the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, and said casually, "Someone as boring as me, Miss Liu, you don't need to waste your time on me."
Liu Mengyao smiled, a sly curve appearing at the corner of her lips, and turned to look at him: "Don't you know that a handsome guy who looks young but has a mature personality is twice as attractive to girls?"
Qin Hao was speechless for a moment.
This girl has a sharp tongue; she said both good and bad things all by herself. What could he possibly say? He couldn't very well argue that he wasn't handsome, could he? So he simply shut his mouth and chose silence as the best policy.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Liu Mengyao wasn't annoyed. She continued to control the steering wheel, maintaining a high speed while keeping the car remarkably stable. About twenty minutes later, the car left the bustling main road, winding its way through the streets before finally stopping in a narrow old alley.
The alley was lined with mottled arcade buildings, with power lines crisscrossing overhead. Several fruit stalls were set up along the roadside, and the air was filled with a lively aroma of food.
"We're here, get out of the car." Liu Mengyao turned off the engine and opened the car door: "Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner, we can talk while we eat."
Qin Hao followed her out of the car. He saw Liu Mengyao navigate the alley with practiced ease and stop in front of a small, unassuming restaurant with a faded signboard. The restaurant was small, with a few folding tables set up at the entrance and about a dozen low tables and stools inside, but it was incredibly popular and packed with customers.
Liu Mengyao led Qin Hao to a newly vacated table and greeted the owner in Cantonese. The owner, clearly familiar with her, smiled and responded. A few minutes later, he brought over a glowing red charcoal stove and a clay pot, placing them on the table, steaming hot.
"I've been eating hot pot here since I was a child," Liu Mengyao said casually as she set out the bowls and chopsticks, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "During my years studying in England, this was what I craved the most. You have no idea what it's like to be alone abroad, hungry in the middle of the night, and have to get up and saw frozen bread with a saw blade. It's as hard as a rock. Now, I feel nauseous whenever I see baguettes or croissants."
Upon hearing this, Qin Hao couldn't help but tease, "Is it really that bad? Don't they say that in foreign countries, money talks?"
“Even God can only eat bread in England.” Liu Mengyao picked up her chopsticks, took a few thinly sliced pieces of brisket from the plate next to her, and put them into the boiling soup. “It’s still better to be back in China, where you can eat all sorts of different things.”
She quickly scooped the beef out of the broth after a few seconds, just as it changed color, dipped it in the prepared satay sauce, and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, she comfortably closed her eyes, a look of utter enjoyment on her face, as if she were savoring some rare delicacy.
Qin Hao didn't stand on ceremony and picked up his chopsticks as well. The broth had a rich beef bone flavor, the ingredients were fresh, and the cooking time was just right; it was indeed a rare delicacy.
Neither of them mentioned work again, nor did they bicker. They simply focused on eating the meat, vegetables, and soup. The plates on the table were changed repeatedly, from beef and mutton to various meatballs and green vegetables, and the two of them ate with great relish.
Only when her stomach was completely full did Liu Mengyao put down her chopsticks with satisfaction and wipe her mouth with a tissue.
"I haven't had such a satisfying meal in ages." She leaned back in her chair, patted her stomach, and said with a smile, "It's true that you only have a good appetite when you're eating with someone you like."
Qin Hao paused in wiping his mouth, then rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Here we go again."
Liu Mengyao shrugged, her playful expression fading slightly as she became serious: "Okay, let's not talk about that, let's get down to business."
She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table and propping her chin up, looking at Qin Hao with admiration in her eyes: "I'm planning to start a new company. Come here and be my CEO."
Qin Hao stopped wiping his mouth completely.
Liu Mengyao then dropped a bombshell: "I'll give you 15% of the shares, and your benefits will be double what you're currently receiving."
Qin Hao put down the tissue, looked at her, and asked in a deep voice, "You mean, you're planning to go it alone? Without relying on the Liu Group?"
“It’s so much easier to talk to smart people.” Liu Mengyao snapped her fingers, her eyes gleaming with shrewdness. “I’m grateful if those old guys left behind by my dad don’t hold me back. Rather than hoping they’ll change their ways, I’d rather invest some money myself and start from scratch. A small boat is easier to turn around, and I don’t want to be tied down by their rules and regulations.”
Qin Hao sighed inwardly.
He had initially thought Liu Mengyao was just a spirited rich second-generation heiress trying to make a splash in the family business. He hadn't expected her to be so decisive, knowing how to find a different path and circumvent the resistance of the old guard. It seemed he had truly underestimated this girl.
“15% is not enough.” Qin Hao pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
Liu Mengyao raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a half-smile: "What? Manager Qin still thinks it's not enough? The new company's registered capital is 30 million, and 15% is 4.5 million. Still not enough? You really dare to ask for such an exorbitant amount?"
"35% is more like it," Qin Hao said calmly and unhurriedly.
"35%?" Liu Mengyao was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "That's ten million and five hundred thousand. What makes you think you're worth that price?"
"The other 20% is my personal investment," Qin Hao said calmly.
Liu Mengyao's smile vanished instantly. She sized up Qin Hao, her eyes filled with suspicion: "20% adds up to six million. Do you have that much cash?"
Facing Liu Mengyao's scrutinizing gaze, Qin Hao remained calm, picked up the iced tea on the table, took a sip, and slowly said, "This is my problem."
The air was still for a few seconds.
Liu Mengyao lowered her head in thought, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the table. Her mind raced, calculating: she had already witnessed Qin Hao's abilities; with him at the helm, the new company's chances of success would increase by at least 50%. And his willingness to invest his own money meant he would be on her side, sharing the risks, rather than simply taking a salary.
After a long silence, she slammed her hand on the table, her eyes resolute: "Fine! We'll do it your way!"
She paused, then added, "However, let's make this clear beforehand. If you can't raise the six million within three months, you'll only get 15% of the shares, and you'll have to sign a three-year contract with the company, and you won't be allowed to resign during those three years!"
"No problem." Qin Hao agreed without hesitation.
Seeing his decisiveness, Liu Mengyao became somewhat curious: "Are you so confident?"
Qin Hao didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "You have that much confidence in me?"
“I was only 60% confident at first.” Liu Mengyao spread her hands and said frankly, “But since you dare to invest your own money and risk your life, what do I have to be afraid of? At worst, we’ll both lose money.”
Qin Hao couldn't help but smile at her open and honest demeanor.
He extended his hand: "Then, it's a pleasure to cooperate."
Liu Mengyao immediately reached out and shook his hand tightly, her face beaming with a bright smile: "It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Qin!"
……
The next morning, Qin Hao had already arrived at the company.
Instead of going to his own office first, he went straight to Director Lü's office. He knocked, entered, and found Director Lü leisurely sipping tea while watching the morning news, holding a thermos.
"Xiao Qin? Why are you here so early today?" Director Lü looked at him with some surprise.
Qin Hao walked to the desk and gently placed a printed document in front of Director Lü.
The document's heading prominently displayed two large characters: **Resignation**.
Director Lü's hand, holding the thermos, froze in mid-air. He glanced down at the documents, then looked up at Qin Hao, clearly taken aback: "I don't think today is April Fool's Day, right? Qin Hao, what are you up to? You just signed a big deal with Liu's yesterday, and you're resigning today?"
Qin Hao spread his hands, a half-smile on his face: "Director Lü, I thought about it for a long time last night and I think you're right. Being a kept man is still very appealing, it would be a waste not to take advantage of it."
Director Lü's lips twitched, and he instantly understood. He put down his thermos and asked in a deep voice, "Miss Liu wants to poach you?"
"Yes," Qin Hao admitted frankly, without hiding anything.
"It seems Miss Liu offered you a very high price." Director Lü rubbed his hands together, looking at Qin Hao with a complicated expression, a mixture of regret and envy. "But Qin, I still have to give you a piece of advice. This 'gold digger' lifestyle may smell good, but it's hard to maintain. There are many intricacies in the world of the wealthy. You should think carefully before making a decision."
Qin Hao smiled and said firmly, "Don't worry, President Lü. I may not be good at other things, but I have a good set of teeth. Besides, I'm good at taking advantage of women."
Seeing his confident demeanor, Director Lü knew his mind was made up and further persuasion would be useless. He sighed, picked up a pen, and signed his name on the resignation letter.
“Alright, since that’s the case, then I won’t stop you from making your fortune. Hand over what you’re doing.” Director Lü stood up and extended his hand: “If you become successful in the future, don’t forget your old friend.”
"Of course." Qin Hao reached out and shook hands with him tightly: "Mr. Lü, see you again someday."
After leaving Director Lü's office, Qin Hao returned to his workstation.
The news of his resignation spread like wildfire throughout the business department.
The office erupted in chaos, with all sorts of speculation flying around. Some said he had offended a major client and was fired; others said he received a huge bonus and retired early; but the most widespread and convincing version was that he had been scouted by Liu Mengyao, the heiress of the Liu Group, who offered him a high salary, and he might even be being "kept" by her.
The happiest people were none other than the team leaders under Qin Hao.
With the supervisor's position vacant, their career advancement path instantly opened up, and everyone felt they had a chance to advance further, eager and motivated.
Yao Xiaohui, however, seemed uninterested.
It wasn't that he wasn't interested in the supervisor position, but he knew in his heart that he had only recently been promoted to team leader, and in terms of seniority and connections, he couldn't compare to the other two veteran team leaders. This position wasn't for him.
Qin Hao didn't care about this at all. He started handing over his work and packed up his personal belongings after get off work in the afternoon.
Holding the box, he took one last look at the familiar office area, said goodbye to Yao Xiaohui and a few colleagues he got along well with, and then turned and walked out of the office building.
Just as he arrived at the entrance, the familiar black Audi A8 slowly pulled up in front of him.
The car window rolled down, and Liu Mengyao's pretty face popped out. She waved at him and said, "Qin Hao, get in the car!"
Qin Hao shook his head helplessly, opened the car door, and got in.
"With such a large family business, as the heir, you're just idle all the time?"
In response, Liu Mengyao rolled her eyes at him: "Who told you that bosses have to stay in the office all day approving documents? This is called strategic planning. Besides, a beautiful woman like me drove all the way to take you home, shouldn't you be grateful?"
"How about I kowtow to you?" Qin Hao cooperated by making a bending motion.
"Come on, right now!" Liu Mengyao laughed heartily as she started the car.
As the two chatted and laughed, the Audi A8 drove into the narrow alleys of the urban village.
Looking at the low-rise buildings on both sides, the tangled wires, and the children playing by the roadside, Liu Mengyao couldn't help but frown. The car bumped along the uneven road, and she said with some disdain, "Why do you live here? It's so cramped and noisy. How about I get you a nicer apartment?"
"What?" Qin Hao raised an eyebrow and teased, "Your Liu Group is also involved in the real estate industry?"
Liu Mengyao glared at him angrily and said irritably, "No good deed goes unpunished. You men are so hard to please."
"So, let's not have anyone wait on anyone else, that way everyone will be comfortable." Qin Hao pointed to an empty parking space ahead: "Just park here, I'm home."
Liu Mengyao stopped the car as instructed. Qin Hao picked up the suitcase, opened the car door, and prepared to get out.
I had only taken two steps when a familiar voice came from behind me.
"Qin Hao? You're off work so early today?"
Qin Hao turned around and saw Zhao Mei and Liang Danning walking towards him side by side, seemingly having just returned from get off work. He lifted the suitcase he was carrying and said with a smile, "I resigned."
"Resign?" Zhao Mei looked surprised and quickly stepped forward. "Why would you resign? Isn't the compensation at Xingchen Consulting pretty good?"
"Because he got a better job."
A clear female voice came from the side. Liu Mengyao hadn't originally planned to get out of the car, but when she saw Liang Danning next to Zhao Mei, her eyes flickered slightly, and she immediately pushed open the car door, gracefully stepped out, and naturally stood next to Qin Hao.
Her approach created an extremely intimate situation with Qin Hao.
Seeing this scene, Liang Danning felt a strange pang of sadness. The feeling surged within her, and almost instinctively, she blurted out, "Qin Hao, you still owe me three meals. When are you going to treat me?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Hao glanced at Liu Mengyao beside him, then at the sulking Liang Danning, and subtly took a step to the right, creating some distance between himself and Liu Mengyao.
"Anytime," he said frankly.
“Now then,” Liang Danning immediately replied, glancing at Liu Mengyao deliberately. “I’m hungry, by the way.”
Liu Mengyao wasn't one to be trifled with either. She immediately glared at Liang Danning, then turned to Qin Hao, grabbed his arm, and pleaded in a soft, sweet voice, "No, Qin Hao, you already promised to have dinner with me tonight. We still need to discuss the new company."
Qin Hao got goosebumps from her sudden display of coquettishness and said irritably, "Liu Mengyao, speak properly."
"Oh." Liu Mengyao immediately stopped acting coquettishly, lowered her head, and looked like she had been neglected and was pitiful.
Her appearance drew the attention of several neighbors passing by, who looked at Qin Hao with condemnation in their eyes, wishing they could rush up and beat him up and take his place.
Seeing that more and more people were gathering to watch the spectacle, Zhao Mei realized that if things continued like this, a dramatic scene of "jealousy and rivalry" would inevitably unfold at the village entrance. So she quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "If Miss Liu doesn't mind, why don't we all join in? It'll be more fun with more people."
Liang Danning was still somewhat unconvinced. She pouted and muttered under her breath, "I'm just afraid that the big boss won't be used to our street food stalls."
“Street food stalls are great!” To everyone’s surprise, Liu Mengyao’s eyes lit up and she immediately replied with a sincere smile: “I love eating at street food stalls the most. They’re delicious and have a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere. They’re much more interesting than those fancy restaurants.”
Seeing this, Zhao Mei quickly gave Liang Danning a wink. Although Liang Danning was still a little awkward, she reluctantly nodded for Zhao Mei's sake.
"Then let's go to the Lao You Ji food stall at the village entrance," Qin Hao said. "You guys go ahead and grab a seat. I'll go home, drop off my things, and be right there."
"Then hurry up!" Liu Mengyao said immediately.
Qin Hao, carrying the box, turned and walked upstairs.
As soon as he left, Liu Mengyao immediately took Zhao Mei's arm and said with a smile, "Your name is Zhao Mei, right?"
Zhao Mei was somewhat flattered and quickly nodded, "Yes. It's such an honor that Miss Liu actually remembers my name."
"Of course I remember." Liu Mengyao smiled, her eyes sincere. "How could I forget a girl as beautiful and capable as you?"
"Not at all," Zhao Mei said modestly, feeling a little embarrassed by the praise. "Miss Liu is not only beautiful and elegant, but also so approachable, without any airs of a rich heiress."
The two chatted animatedly, like best friends who hadn't seen each other for years.
Liang Danning, who was standing to the side, was completely ignored.
She stared at Liu Mengyao, who was intimately linked with her best friend, and her cheeks puffed up with anger. She was certain that Liu Mengyao was doing this on purpose! Stealing Qin Hao was bad enough, but now she was trying to steal her best friend too?
It’s tolerable, it’s unbearable!
Liang Danning stood to the side, her small face filled with resentment, wishing she could drag Zhao Mei away on the spot.
……
A dozen minutes later, Qin Hao finished dealing with his things and arrived at the Laoyouji food stall at the entrance of the village.
It was lunchtime, and the food stalls were bustling with noise and filled with the smoke of cooking. Qin Hao immediately spotted a table in the corner where Liu Mengyao and Zhao Mei were chatting animatedly, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Liang Danning sat alone to the side, holding a bamboo skewer and poking at the edamame on the table, her face as black as the bottom of a pot, full of resentment.
Qin Hao walked over, pulled out a chair and sat down, teasingly saying with a smile, "Look at that dark face, who made our beautiful Liang angry?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Danning's anger flared even more. She abruptly raised her head and glared at him: "You!"
"Me?" Qin Hao feigned surprise: "What did I do to you? I just arrived and haven't even had a sip of water yet."
Liang Danning glared at Liu Mengyao, who was chatting and laughing with Zhao Mei, and said angrily, "If it weren't for you, how would this woman be here? My best friend wouldn't have been stolen away by her!"
Looking at her flustered appearance, Qin Hao thought she resembled a pufferfish in a defensive posture, round and plump, and couldn't help but want to tease her.
"So," Qin Hao drawled, looking at her with a half-smile, "are you jealous of me, or jealous of Zhao Mei?"
These words struck a chord with Liang Danning.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she instantly lost her composure. Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and she quickly retorted, "Who's jealous of you! Stop being so self-righteous! I don't care!"
"So you're jealous of Zhao Mei." Qin Hao continued, feigning sudden realization, "Oh dear, Daning, you wouldn't...?"
"You're the one with the abnormal orientation!" Liang Danning was furious and stood up abruptly from her chair, glaring at Qin Hao with a mixture of shame and anger.
Zhao Mei, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't stand it anymore. She slapped Qin Hao and said irritably, "Qin Hao, stop bullying her."
“Exactly, exactly.” Liu Mengyao chimed in at the right moment, adding in a coquettish tone, “He’s the kind of person who loves to bully girls, he’s so annoying.”
In an instant, Qin Hao became the target of public criticism.
Faced with the barrage of criticism from the three women, Qin Hao helplessly raised his hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, I was wrong. Let's order food and eat, alright?"
As he spoke, he immediately called over the owner, picked up the menu, and began ordering, successfully changing the subject.
During the meal, Liu Mengyao maintained her usual gluttonous manner. She ate skewers, gnawed on chicken feet, and drank beer, showing absolutely no airs of a rich girl.
This did cause Liang Danning's perception of her to change slightly.
As they ate and chatted, the atmosphere gradually eased. Liu Mengyao would occasionally chat with Qin Hao about the new company, while Zhao Mei listened from the side, interjecting now and then. Although Liang Danning didn't talk much, she was no longer as hostile towards Liu Mengyao as she had been at the beginning.
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Qin Hao took the initiative to pay the bill.
Liu Mengyao, however, insisted on being escorted to the village entrance by Qin Hao, claiming that "the alley is too narrow, there are too many cars, I don't know the way, and I'm afraid I'll get lost."
Qin Hao was both amused and exasperated. He knew she was doing it on purpose, but he had no choice but to accompany her to the parking area.
After Liu Mengyao drove away, Qin Hao turned around and went back to the food stall.
But she found that Liang Danning had already gotten up and, without saying a word, walked straight towards home, showing no intention of waiting for Zhao Mei.
Seeing this, Zhao Mei quickly grabbed her bag and chased after him.
"Denim! Wait for me."
Liang Danning kept walking, her puffed-up cheeks puffing out. Zhao Mei jogged all the way and finally caught up with her at the alley entrance, grabbing her arm.
"What? Are you really angry?" Zhao Mei asked with a smile.
Liang Danning pouted, turned her head away, and ignored her: "Hmph, you only met her once, and you were already pouring your heart out to her, chatting so happily. You're already together with her, so why are you still looking for me?"
Seeing that the girl was genuinely jealous, Zhao Mei quickly stopped smiling and patiently comforted her, "Oh, my dear Danning, I was trying to get close to her to help you, wasn't I?"
"Help me?" Liang Danning stopped, her face full of grievance and a hint of doubt. "Help me with what?"
"I'll help you gather intelligence!" Zhao Mei leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
Liang Danning snorted, looking indifferent: "I'm not fighting with her, so what's there to pry into?"
"Love is like a battlefield!" Zhao Mei said with exasperation, "Think about it, a girl like Liu Mengyao is rich, beautiful, and down-to-earth. Her charm with men is off the charts. Aren't you afraid she'll really steal Qin Hao away?"
Liang Danning's lips twitched, and she retorted stubbornly, "Tch, I didn't mean to compete with her. Last time at the bar, I just couldn't stand her arrogant attitude, so I deliberately tried to annoy her..."
"Really?" Zhao Mei pressed.
"Hmph, it has nothing to do with me anyway." Liang Danning turned her head away: "Don't pay any attention to her anymore."
“That won’t do.” Zhao Mei’s words were a blow to Liang Danning: “She just agreed to buy two cases of high-end wine from me for the opening of her new company, and she’ll get a commission of several thousand yuan.”
Liang Danning: "..."