A rich woman took me to meet a big shot, and it turned out I had saved his life!

"I need to get my hair done and put on makeup, I don't have time to mess around with you."

Chen Ya knew when to stop. She withdrew her hand, took a sip of her lemonade, and turned to sit down at the dining table.

She forked a perfectly cooked piece of chicken breast, put it in her mouth, and chewed it slowly.

"It tastes great, even better than the Michelin-starred private chef I hired."

"That's right. After all, I put my heart into it, while he did it just for the paycheck. How can they be the same?"

Zhou Ran pushed the protein powder in front of her.

Chen Ya took a sip and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

"By the way, make sure to set aside some time today."

Chen Ya put down her fork, elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin, and regained her usual capable demeanor.

"Come with me to meet someone at noon."

"Who?"

"A big shot."

Chen Ya's expression turned serious.

"There are too many people eyeing that piece of land in the south of the city."

Besides Zhao Shijiang, there are several other out-of-town businesses operating outside the region.

"With money alone, Yazhu Real Estate may not be able to guarantee success."

We need some official support, or rather, we need someone with more influence to endorse it.

"The person we're meeting today has a very powerful background; he's well-connected in both the legitimate and underworld circles."

Most importantly, she held the crucial vote that would determine the future development of that land.

Chen Ya looked at Zhou Ran with a mixture of scrutiny and expectation in her eyes.

"I'm taking you there not to be your bodyguard, but so you can learn and see."

"I don't want my man to only stand behind me in the future."

"Since you want revenge and want to trample the Zhao family under your feet, fists alone are not enough."

You need to learn how to kill with your brain in this world of fame and fortune.

Zhou Ran's heart stirred slightly.

He understood what Chen Ya meant.

She was truly paving the way for him, trying to transform him from a fitness coach who only possessed brute strength into a capable leader.

This kind of magnanimity and vision is indeed not something that ordinary women possess.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Zhou Ran nodded in agreement.

He also wanted to see for himself what kind of chaotic battlefield the so-called high society really was.

not to mention.

He was also very curious about who this "important person" was who could make Chen Ya treat him with such seriousness.

At noon, a Maybach pulled up in front of Tingyuxuan, the most private club in Jiangcheng.

This place does not accept walk-in guests; it operates on a strict membership invitation system.

All the vehicles coming in and out were luxury cars worth over a million yuan.

Zhou Ran followed behind Chen Ya, his sharp dark gray suit making his figure appear even more upright.

The confidence he exuded from within made him feel completely at ease standing next to the powerful Chen Ya; on the contrary, they complemented each other perfectly.

The waiter led the two through a winding corridor to a private room overlooking the lake.

As you push open the door, the aroma of tea wafts out.

Zhou Ran looked up and then raised an eyebrow slightly.

The woman sitting in the main seat, preparing tea, was wearing a plain-colored modern Chinese-style cheongsam, her long hair pulled back, exuding a cool and noble air.

It was Xiao Hongli, whom I had just met in Guihe City yesterday.

"Mr. Xiao, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

With a polite smile on her face, Chen Ya quickly stepped forward and extended her hand.

"Mr. Chen, you're too kind. I just arrived too."

Xiao Hongli stood up and gently shook hands with Chen Ya.

Two equally well-maintained hands, each controlling immense wealth, touched together.

This was almost a meeting between the two most powerful women in Jiangcheng.

Xiao Hongli's gaze passed over Chen Ya and landed on Zhou Ran behind her.

For a fleeting moment, a faint smile flickered in her usually calm phoenix eyes.

"Who is this?"

Xiao Hongli asked the question knowing the answer already.

Chen Ya was unaware of the subtle tension between the two.

She naturally took Zhou Ran's arm and introduced them generously.

"This is Zhou Ran, my current... special assistant."

She paused, then added.

"They're mine too."

Zhou Ran nodded slightly, his expression calm.

"Mr. Xiao, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Xiao Hongli gave him a deep look, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"He is indeed a handsome man; Mr. Chen has excellent taste."

The three of them took their seats.

There wasn't much small talk; the conversation quickly got to the point.

Chen Ya got straight to the point, took out a project plan that she had prepared in advance, and pushed it in front of Xiao Hongli.

"Mr. Xiao, Yazhu is determined to acquire that piece of land in the south of the city."

I know many are eyeing this opportunity, but I believe that in Jiangcheng, there is no more suitable partner than Yazhu.

"This is our bottom line price, as well as the complete plan for subsequent development."

Furthermore, if Mr. Xiao is willing to lend a hand with the planning bureau, I can reduce the profit margin of this project by three percent.

Three points.

For a project approaching 10 billion, that's hundreds of millions of real money.

Chen Ya really went all out this time.

Xiao Hongli did not rush to look at the plan.

She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and her gaze shifted between Chen Ya and Zhou Ran.

"I see Mr. Chen's sincerity."

"However, business is business."

The project in the south of the city involves many complexities; it's not something you can acquire simply by having money.

Chen Ya's heart sank slightly.

She knew Xiao Hongli was difficult to deal with, but she didn't expect that the other party would start making excuses without even reading the plan.

Just as she was about to add more chips, Xiao Hongli suddenly changed the subject.

"but……"

Xiao Hongli put down her teacup and looked directly at Zhou Ran.

"If Mr. Zhou were to bring it up, this matter is not impossible to discuss."

Chen Ya was stunned.

She glanced at Zhou Ran instinctively, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Zhou Ran?

How did he, a newly-minted fitness instructor, get involved with the eldest daughter of the Xiao family?

Moreover, judging from Xiao Hongli's tone, it was clearly...

Are they giving Zhou Ran face?

Zhou Ran smiled helplessly.

He knew that Xiao Hongli was repaying a favor, and in the most respectful and authoritative way to establish his authority in front of Chen Ya.

This woman's emotional intelligence is indeed frighteningly high.

"Mr. Xiao, you flatter me."

Zhou Ran spoke, his voice steady and calm.

"In business, the key is mutual benefit and win-win results."

Yazhu's strength is undeniable, and cooperating with Yazhu is the best choice for the Xiao family.

As for me…”

He glanced at Chen Ya.

Start providing emotional value...

"I just hope that everything Ya-jie wants to do will go smoothly."

The admiration in Xiao Hongli's eyes deepened.

He doesn't take credit, isn't arrogant, and can even conveniently pass the buck and give Chen Ya a shout-out.

This man is indeed interesting.

"What a perfect phrase, 'smooth sailing'!"

Xiao Hongli clapped her hands.

The female secretary behind him came up carrying two exquisite brocade boxes.

Xiao Hongli pushed the brocade box in front of Zhou Ran.

"Mr. Zhou, here are the things you asked for yesterday."

"I had the craftsman rush it out overnight, let's see if I'm satisfied."

Chen Ya was even more confused.

She watched as Zhou Ran opened the brocade box.

Two lustrous, translucent, and vibrant green jadeite safety buckles lay quietly on black velvet.

The color and clarity of that piece clearly indicate it's a top-grade glass-type jadeite, and it's quite valuable.

"This is?"

Chen Ya couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Hongli smiled, her eyes becoming meaningful.

"Yesterday in Guihe City, my old ailment flared up again, and I was fortunate to be saved by Mr. Zhou."

These two safety buckles were made from top-quality jade that Mr. Zhou cut himself, and he said he wanted to give them to important elders in his family.

"I was wondering at the time, what kind of elder could make Mr. Zhou care so much?"

Xiao Hongli looked at Chen Ya with a playful tone.

"Now it seems that the word 'elder' is quite interesting."

Chen Ya's face flushed red instantly.

She understood everything.

Zhou Ran not only saved Xiao Hongli yesterday, but also used this method to make connections with the Xiao family.

And those two safety buckles...

She looked at Zhou Ran, her heart pounding.

How many other things did this little man do behind her back?

"Since Mr. Zhou has already spoken up..."

Xiao Hongli stood up and extended her hand to Chen Ya.

"I'll put in a good word for that piece of land in the south of the city."

As long as Yazhu's qualifications are sound, no one can take it away.