“Time for mung bean soup!”

Pengcheng’s weather wouldn’t cool down until at least mid-October. It was still scorching hot, and the construction site canteen often prepared mung bean soup and similar drinks for the workers. Though inexpensive, it made the workers feel cared for.

Luo Yaozong wore a security guard uniform with a safety helmet, sweating profusely.

His grandfather’s plan seemed good but had some practical issues.

Xia Xiaolan, the company owner, only visited the site about twice a week – she hadn’t come at all the previous week.

Even when she did come, she only spoke with Mao Kangshan and others, asking Engineer Wang and Ge Jian questions. Even the security team leader didn’t get a chance to speak with her, let alone Luo Yaozong.

Creating opportunities to approach Xia Xiaolan wasn’t easy – she was never alone. Luo Yaozong found his security guard job pointless.

Having idled away his life until his twenties, he’d never done any serious work. His family had always spoiled him, but now he had to report to the construction site daily. Luo Yaozong was utterly miserable.

He couldn’t skip work either. His grandfather had insisted he needed to leave a good impression on Xia Xiaolan, telling him to hide his lazy habits and pretend for a while until he could win her over… But how could someone like Xia Xiaolan be so easily fooled?

At the construction site, Luo Yaozong heard nothing but praise for Xia Xiaolan.

He wondered how a woman had managed to acquire the land.

Given Xia Xiaolan’s beauty, had she used her looks to get ahead?

Or perhaps her family was powerful.

Luo Yaozong’s heart was bitter – the mung bean soup tasted like Chinese goldthread to him.

Holding his bowl, he secretly watched the distant sheds, thinking about telling his grandfather he couldn’t accomplish this task. After all, with the government’s compensation for Chou Zhugou, the Luo family would get a large sum – why should he work as a security guard?

Just then, a heavy hand landed on his safety helmet – it was the security team leader, his immediate superior.

“Stop drinking and put down your bowl. Looks like trouble’s coming.”

When trouble arose, their priority was ensuring Director Xia’s safety, followed by protecting the site’s assets. Whether steel, cement, or workers, everything was considered site “property” that needed protection.

The security team leader rushed to the site entrance with several guards when they noticed Xia Xiaolan’s troubled expression. Luo Yaozong secretly rejoiced.

He wouldn’t rush forward to show off – what if he got hurt?

He hoped someone would teach that fierce woman a lesson.

Peering out, he saw a luxury sports car parked outside.

Far from causing trouble, a young man emerged from the car holding a bouquet – was this fierce woman’s suitor? Luo Yaozong hunched further. This woman, sometimes walking with foreigners, receiving flowers from men in sports cars – he certainly didn’t want to wear a green hat!

Xia Xiaolan paid no attention to a cowardly security guard’s thoughts. Her troubled expression was due to Tang Yuanyue’s arrival.

Tang Yuanyue’s flower-giving had become problematic. Even after she returned to school, someone delivered flowers daily.

They were carefully selected roses, just two or three stems, delivered in sealed long boxes to her dormitory building.

Though not overly showy, it made the dorm supervisor look at her strangely. Only her roommates in 307 knew about the daily flowers – they thought they were from Zhou Cheng and found it romantic, if expensive!

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to accept them, but if she didn’t collect them, the boxes would pile up in the reception room.

To avoid gossip spreading throughout the building, she had to take the flowers back to beautify their dorm room.

Tang Yuanyue’s pursuit truly troubled Xia Xiaolan.

It seemed completely nonsensical. Zhou Cheng was too busy lately for her to bother him with this, though she wanted to bring him to school to establish his position and declare their stable relationship – surely Tang Yuanyue’s flower messenger had noticed this, and she hoped the young master would take the hint.

It hadn’t worked.

These Hong Kong merchant’s sons underestimated her.

“Mr. Tang, I believe I’ve made myself clear.”

Xia Xiaolan stepped forward. Tang Yuanyue shrugged: “Indeed, my people told me Miss Xia brought her boyfriend to Huaqing University. That Mr. Zhou is quite handsome – I know all this.”

Beauty was an advantage for both women and men.

In Hong Kong, or worldwide, many men live off their looks.

Tang Yuanyue didn’t believe Xia Xiaolan chose Zhou Cheng for his appearance.

Such a clever woman wouldn’t focus solely on looks.

It must be because of Zhou Cheng’s family background.

Zhou’s family was indeed powerful. Had they helped Xia Xiaolan’s business?

Perhaps they had even introduced her to Mayor Tang.

If that was all, Tang Yuanyue believed he could offer the same help as Zhou Cheng.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan’s darkening expression, Tang Yuanyue placed the flowers on his car hood. “Miss Xia, could you show me around? To be honest, I’m considering investing in Pengcheng property – maybe buying a building or two if suitable.”

Xia Xiaolan’s expression darkened further.

If Tang Yuanyue was interested, he should buy land and develop it himself. This complex wasn’t built for the wealthy – it would surely be beneath young master Tang’s standards.

Was he using house-hunting as an excuse to tour the site with her?

What was there to see? After one tour with Harold, she learned his golf course layout.

Who knew what Tang Yuanyue’s true intentions were if allowed inside for a closer look?

Xia Xiaolan deflected, “Once our sales office is ready, with unit models and site plans, please come back then, Mr. Tang. I’ll personally show you around. For now, it’s too messy with foundation work ongoing – I’d feel terrible if you stepped on a nail or tripped on a brick.”

Tang Yuanyue didn’t insist. He was just making his presence known – everything needed to progress gradually. He found Xia Xiaolan interesting, making even brief conversations worthwhile.

He was romantic but not crude, enjoying the pursuit itself.

If Xia Xiaolan yielded too easily, Tang Yuanyue would lose interest.

Besides, men liked to compare themselves – Tang Yuanyue could send Xia Xiaolan flowers and talk with her, but could Du Zhaohui manage the same treatment?

Looking at the construction site, Tang Yuanyue said, “Miss Xia seems determined to develop in real estate. Pengcheng and Hong Kong are neighbors. Though Hong Kong is small, eight out of ten notable tycoons are involved in real estate, including our Tang family. I know you look down on people like Du Zhaohui, given the Dus’ questionable business practices, but aside from him, wouldn’t you consider finding a business partner?”