Chapter Sixty-Two: Chen Yang’s Reputation Truly Precedes Him

Chen Yang pondered for a moment, then decided to meet him and see what he was really after. With that in mind, Chen Yang smiled and said to Shen Donghua, "If he wants to come, let him come."

Shen Donghua frowned, nodded, and replied, "Alright." He turned and left the office.

In truth, Shen Donghua felt complicated about Cui Shangkai coming to see Chen Yang. On one hand, he was curious—why had Cui Shangkai traveled such a distance to seek out Chen Yang? What was his purpose? On the other hand, Shen Donghua genuinely disliked the man and wished Chen Yang would just send him away.

However, since Chen Yang was willing to meet him, Shen Donghua would let it happen. After all, it was unnecessary to make Chen Yang upset over someone like Cui Shangkai.

Not long after Shen Donghua left the office, Cui Shangkai arrived with two assistants. His right ear was wrapped in gauze, and he looked anxious as he walked in. He hurried over to Chen Yang's desk, his expression conflicted, and bowed slightly. "Mr. Chen, I’ve come to apologize to you."

Chen Yang gave a faint smile. "Apologize? What have you done wrong?"

Cui Shangkai’s brows were tightly knit, his face grave. "I’ve made many mistakes in the past. I’m here to apologize for everything I’ve done before."

"Is that so?" Chen Yang smiled slightly, not taking the so-called apology seriously, for he could see that Cui Shangkai’s visit was certainly not just about an apology.

Chen Yang narrowed his eyes, smiling but saying nothing, awaiting what Cui Shangkai would say next.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, Cui Shangkai dropped the pretense and looked at Chen Yang earnestly. "Mr. Chen, could we cooperate? I’ve thought it over—if we join forces, it would be a perfect alliance. The North Suburb New City project would undoubtedly be ours."

"So your real purpose in coming here is to seek cooperation, isn’t it?" Chen Yang asked, narrowing his eyes.

Cui Shangkai nodded awkwardly. That was indeed his true purpose—he had come to seek cooperation.

Ever since Liu Xianghui had been subdued by Chen Yang, Cui Shangkai knew he was no longer qualified to challenge him. So if he wanted to be involved in the North Suburb New City project, his only option was to seek cooperation with Chen Yang.

Although Cui Shangkai knew this would be difficult, the North Suburb New City project was a lucrative opportunity—he desperately wanted a piece of it. Even if it meant sacrificing his dignity, he was determined to strike a deal with Chen Yang.

After hearing Cui Shangkai’s words, Chen Yang understood his intentions clearly.

Chen Yang found it rather amusing. He wondered who had given Cui Shangkai the confidence to still dare come here and ask for cooperation.

After a moment’s idle speculation, the corners of Chen Yang’s lips curled up as he replied, "Cooperation? I don’t think so."

Cui Shangkai became agitated. "Previously, the Southwest Chamber tried to compete with you for the land and failed. Now the Southwest Chamber is willing to cooperate. I’d say that in Linhai, when it comes to real estate development, no organization can claim to surpass my Southwest Chamber."

"I know that, but I’ve already chosen the partners for this project. There’s no room for the Southwest Chamber, and even if there were, I wouldn’t cooperate with you. I don’t want future trouble. So don’t bother—please leave." Chen Yang spoke with a calm smile.

His words left no room for negotiation, but Cui Shangkai was not about to give up so easily. He pressed his hands on the desk and argued, "Can those companies compare with the Southwest Chamber? Mr. Chen, you’re still too young. If you cooperate with us, we can help you handle everything outside."

"And? So what?" Chen Yang looked at Cui Shangkai calmly.

Cui Shangkai was stunned, perhaps realizing that Chen Yang would never give him a chance. His face darkened. "Very well, I understand your position, Mr. Chen. I won’t trouble you further. Goodbye."

"Wait!"

Just as Cui Shangkai was about to leave, Chen Yang suddenly called out to him.

Cui Shangkai turned, his expression icy. "Is there something else?"

Chen Yang spoke coolly, "Nothing major. I just want to warn you—since I’m not giving you a chance this time, don’t try any tricks. If you dare, I guarantee you’ll regret it."

Cui Shangkai frowned, said nothing, and left with a cold face.

No sooner had Cui Shangkai left than Shen Donghua walked back into the office. He looked at Chen Yang. "That guy still wants to seek cooperation?"

"Of course. Who doesn’t want to make money? Don’t bother with people like that. Just focus on doing your own work well."

Shen Donghua thought for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

"Good. Go and get busy," said Chen Yang.

Shen Donghua nodded and left.

Once Shen Donghua was gone, Chen Yang resumed his work, having already put Cui Shangkai’s request for cooperation out of his mind. The North Suburb New City project would be under his complete control; who got to cooperate and who didn’t was entirely up to him.

No matter what terms other companies offered, if he didn’t want to work with them, nothing could sway him.

In the blink of an eye, a day passed.

At six-thirty in the evening, Chen Yang returned home as usual. But upon entering, he was surprised to see Qin Muxue sitting on the sofa, holding her stomach, her brow tightly furrowed, and her expression pained.

Su Xiaoling was busy with her piano training class and hadn’t returned yet. Han Qin was in the kitchen preparing dinner, unaware of Qin Muxue’s discomfort.

Seeing this, Chen Yang naturally couldn’t ignore it. He hurried over to Qin Muxue, looked at her face, and asked gently, "Is your stomach upset?"

Qin Muxue nodded.

Just then, Han Qin breezed out of the kitchen. Since using the Vitality Pill Chen Yang had acquired for her, not only had her recent ailments been cured, but even her old health issues had been effectively treated—she was now in excellent health.

Han Qin saw Qin Muxue’s furrowed brows and immediately became anxious. "Chen Yang, are you blind? Muxue’s not feeling well—can’t you see?"

Chen Yang glanced at Han Qin, thinking to himself that her temper was as fiery as ever. Muxue is unwell; how could I not notice?

He smiled and said, "Mom, why are you so anxious? Muxue’s just suffering from emotional distress, which caused her stomach discomfort. It’s nothing serious. A single Vitality Pill will cure it. But in the future, Muxue needs to keep her spirits up or the illness might recur."

"Why is Xiaoxue emotionally distressed? Isn’t it because you’re not ambitious enough?" Han Qin grumbled.

Chen Yang felt annoyed by her words, but instead of arguing, he joked, "Mom, those twenty-thousand-yuan handbags and seventy-thousand-yuan cars—weren’t they all purchased by you?"

"Yes, that’s right." Han Qin was momentarily speechless, stammering.

Qin Muxue didn’t want to see Chen Yang and her mother quarreling again. She frowned and said, "Enough, you two. Stop bickering."

"No, Xiaoxue must go to the hospital. Chen Yang, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and take Xiaoxue to the hospital!" Han Qin complained, glaring at Chen Yang.

Chen Yang smiled calmly. "No need, Mom. I already said, Muxue’s illness can be cured with one Vitality Pill."

"You’re a doctor now? Do you know everything?" Han Qin was outraged by his contradiction.

Chen Yang smiled. "Mom, it’s not that I know everything. The Vitality Pill was personally crafted by Master Sun Shengtang. It’s not something just anyone can obtain."

"His medicine can cure anything, can it?" Han Qin retorted.

Chen Yang replied with a smile, "Master Sun’s medicine truly can cure all ailments."

Having said that, Chen Yang didn’t want to waste words with Han Qin. He strode toward Han Qin’s bedroom to fetch the medicine. Han Qin, seeing this, exploded in anger. "Chen Yang, what are you doing?"

"Getting the medicine," Chen Yang replied helplessly.

Ignoring Han Qin’s cold stare, he entered the bedroom and found the box containing the Vitality Pills on the bedside cabinet. He quickly took one out and returned to Qin Muxue, handing her the small, dark pill. "Muxue, take this. You’ll feel better after."

"Alright." Qin Muxue nodded. She trusted the pills made by Master Sun and was willing to take it.

Han Qin, however, was red-faced with anger. "Chen Yang, you don’t respect me!"

Chen Yang replied helplessly, "Mom, which is more important—treating the illness or your temper?"

"You..." Han Qin was on the verge of exploding.

At that moment, Qin Muxue had already chewed and swallowed the pill. Not wanting to hear Chen Yang and her mother argue further, she intervened, "Please, say less, both of you."

Chen Yang glanced at Han Qin, smiled, and ignored her.

After all, it came down to the question: which mattered more, Muxue’s health or Han Qin’s temper? Of course, treating Muxue’s illness was more important.

Master Sun’s prescriptions were indeed extraordinary. Within a minute of taking the pill, Qin Muxue patted her stomach and said, "Hmm, I do feel much better."

Chen Yang looked proudly at Han Qin and smiled. "Mom, didn’t I say Master Sun’s medicine was exceptional?"

Han Qin glared at Chen Yang but said nothing.

Chen Yang smiled, then turned to Qin Muxue. "Muxue, your illness was caused by emotional distress. Have you encountered anything troubling lately?"

Qin Muxue lowered her eyes. "Sigh... I’ve been under a lot of pressure recently. I need good performance, but it’s hard to achieve. Well, it’ll take time. In this industry, to make big money, you have to go slow. No rush."

"Exactly. You can’t expect immediate success," Chen Yang comforted her.

Qin Muxue glanced at him and then said, "I’m fine now. Thank you for the medicine."

"No need to thank me. Just remember to keep your spirits up, or your stomach trouble will return," Chen Yang advised with concern.

However, he understood Qin Muxue’s character and doubted his advice would have much effect.

Qin Muxue was focused and responsible, anxious to create impressive results for her company so Shen Donghua would see the profits. No matter how much he advised her, she was likely to exhaust herself for the sake of performance.

Qin Muxue nodded. "Yes, I understand. You seem to know medicine, don’t you?"

Chen Yang smiled. "Didn’t I tell you? I once read an entire medical text."

"Really?" Qin Muxue’s eyes brightened; she hadn’t expected Chen Yang to know medicine.

Afterwards, Qin Muxue felt much better, and the family gathered for dinner.

In the blink of an eye, morning arrived.

At eight o’clock, Su Xiaoling, having just gotten dressed, stepped out of her bedroom. She heard someone knocking at the door and, puzzled, went to answer it. Pulling the door open, she saw ten refined, middle-aged men, clearly people of status, nervously rubbing their hands as they looked at her. One asked, "Excuse me, does Mr. Chen live here?"