Chapter 385: Playing Mind Games

With Li Fuzhen around, the group of four got along quite harmoniously.

For Li Fuzhen, who had experienced her share of life's hardships, handling a scene like this was a piece of cake.

Plus, both Zhao Xiao'an and Li Yanxian were emotionally intelligent and wouldn't do anything to make the others feel awkward, so the entire trip was filled with joy and laughter.

Zhao Xiao'an knew of Wang Chenning's ambition, so she didn't throw any tantrums. She even cracked a few jokes now and then, deliberately giving Li Yanxian the impression that she was willing to get along like sisters.

In the morning, the group of four visited Leifeng Pagoda and Jingci Temple. Li Fuzhen, Li Yanxian, and Zhao Xiao'an all offered incense and drew fortune sticks at Jingci Temple.

Li Fuzhen and Zhao Xiao'an both drew the best possible fortunes. Li Yanxian, however, drew the worst possible one. It said she would marry late, would get divorced even if she did marry, and that her children wouldn't want to be with her. This left her quite distressed.

She even took her anger out on Wang Chenning, claiming her luck had turned bad because he was always teasing her.

Of course, she said this away from the other two, pinching Wang Chenning hard a couple of times as she complained.

"How is this my fault?" Wang Chenning didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "And here I thought you were all highly intelligent people, yet you believe in this nonsense."

Li Yanxian didn't accept his explanation and ended with a threat, "If my luck really does turn bad in the future, I'm not letting you off the hook!"

"Fine!" Wang Chenning replied dejectedly. "If your situation ever gets that miserable, I'll definitely take you in. I'll guarantee you food and shelter for the rest of your life!"

He was rewarded with a kick from Li Yanxian.

After a simple lunch near Taiziwan Park, the four of them strolled along the Su Causeway toward Yue's Tomb.

As they reached the first bridge, Zhao Xiao'an received a message from Yang Xiaofei: "I'm waiting at the airport. I'll be in Qiantang this afternoon to discuss a business partnership with the local officials. Want to have dinner together tonight?"

After getting Yang Xiaofei's message, Zhao Xiao'an immediately confronted Wang Chenning. "Did you ask her to come?" she demanded.

"How could I?" Wang Chenning naturally shook his head, refusing to admit it. "I originally planned to come here alone with you. I was even reluctant to have Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian tag along."

"Then you have to make it up to me!" Zhao Xiao'an said, pressing her advantage. "During summer break, you have to take me on a trip to the northwest. No one else allowed, just the two of us!"

"No problem!" Wang Chenning readily agreed. "I'll definitely make time for it, and I won't tell anyone. Just make sure you don't leak the news!"

"It's a deal, then!" Zhao Xiao'an wanted to make a pinky promise with Wang Chenning.

Wang Chenning didn't refuse. He hooked his pinky with hers firmly, then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Go to bed early tonight. I'll come to your room. Don't look at me like that. If I want to come, it won't matter if you lock all the doors and windows."

"What a professional philanderer!" Zhao Xiao'an grabbed the flesh of his upper arm and pinched, saying fiercely, "You do this kind of thing often, don't you?"

Then, as if she'd suddenly understood something, she asked in a low voice, "Have you ever cross-dressed to do bad things?"

Wang Chenning froze for a second before he understood what she meant. He neither confirmed nor denied it, just chuckled. "I'm a man of many talents, with no real weaknesses!"

Zhao Xiao'an didn't press the issue. She just nibbled his ear and demanded, "You can't leave until tomorrow morning!"

Wang Chenning laughed. "Aren't you afraid you won't have any energy for sightseeing tomorrow?"

"I know you dote on me the most!" Zhao Xiao'an giggled. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're still in peak condition to face them tomorrow!"

Wang Chenning smiled, and Zhao Xiao'an smiled back.

"Spring Dawn at the Su Causeway" truly lived up to its reputation as one of West Lake's most famous sights. This season, the causeway was a riot of pink peach blossoms and green willow branches, a scene of breathtaking beauty against the backdrop of the lake and mountains.

The only regrettable thing was the sheer number of tourists. In some places, it was so crowded you could barely move.

Wang Chenning wanted to take a few simple photos of the women from behind without anyone else in the shot, but he couldn't even find an opportunity.

At half-past three in the afternoon, the group arrived at the Yue's Tomb scenic area.

Just as they stepped into the Lord Yue Temple, Wang Chenning received a message from Yang Xiaofei. She said she had landed and was on her way to the city center.

"I'm staying at your hotel too. I'm on my period, and with all the stress, my back is killing me. You have to help me sort it out!"

'No problem!' Since she was on her period—a "red light"—Wang Chenning wasn't as worried. 'I'll make sure you have a relaxing holiday!'

Afterward, Wang Chenning informed Wang Jiangxing that Yang Xiaofei was coming to Qiantang.

"President Yang is also interested in joining the partnership. It seems your charm is truly great, Mr. Wang. Everyone is interested in the places under your influence."

"That's wonderful!" Wang Jiangxing replied a dozen or so minutes later. He told Wang Chenning he would arrange the day's schedule and would bring a few capable subordinates to have dinner with Wang Chenning, Yang Xiaofei, Zhao Xiao'an, and the aunt-and-niece pair, Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian.

After dinner, they could have a proper discussion about the partnership.

Wang Chenning sent back a jesting reply: "I've been in Qiantang for a few days, and I've been freeloading off you the whole time. It's quite embarrassing!"

"You are the ones who provide for us! Now and in the future, we, as public servants, must serve you well, provide the best entrepreneurial environment, and do our part to revitalize the economy of Jiangnan!"

Next, Wang Chenning told Luo Yuqing that both Yang Xiaofei and Zhao Xiao'an had come to Qiantang and were preparing to invest there.

Luo Yuqing was instantly furious. She said Wang Chenning was heartless for not including her in something like this.

"Why don't you come join the fun when we go to Jinling?" Wang Chenning didn't take her temper tantrum seriously. "Jiangdong Province is also a prosperous region. We can compare these two places in Jiangnan and see which is better for investment, and which people are more worth befriending!"

"Then I'll meet you in Gusu!" Luo Yuqing was no ordinary person, after all. She understood the meaning behind his words and stopped throwing a fit. "I'll do my homework."

However, as she ended the chat with Wang Chenning, she couldn't resist one last complaint: "You brat, it's not good to be so calculating. You can be calculating, but you can't use it on me! I've given you everything. My future achievements will be yours too. And you still treat me like this? I'm so mad!"

Wang Chenning ignored Luo Yuqing's complaint, simply sending back a few chuckling emojis.

When Li Fuzhen learned that Yang Xiaofei had arrived in Qiantang and also wanted to join their investment team, the color drained slightly from her beautiful face.

She asked in a low voice, "Little brother, do you still see Yang Xiaofei as your fiancée?"

"She will be my best business partner!" Wang Chenning replied with a grin. "No matter what our relationship is, she will always be one of my most trusted partners. I hope Sister Li can become one, too—and maybe even get rid of the 'one of' part!"

"How can you still not trust me?" Li Fuzhen's eyes held a trace of melancholy. "I've already promised you that I'd treat you as the most important person in my life."

Wang Chenning replied with a single sentence: "After all, you're a woman with a son."

His words made Li Fuzhen's face change in an instant!