Chapter 141 — Old Buffon's Origins
Years of Heartflutter · Page 200 of 214
"Relax, I can't be bothered to hold anything against you." Yang Ce waved his hand. "I've got more than enough to keep me busy every day without finding time to make trouble for you."
"Thank you, Brother Yang!" Zheng Zetao said joyfully, over and over.
By rights, Zheng Zetao was being rather too fawning—but anyone who understood the Zheng family's current situation would not say so. The Zheng family had risen on the back of a bathhouse, with no deep background to speak of, only sound management and a stroke of opportunity. Moreover, through the deliberate scheming of the Zheng family's eldest—Zheng Zetao's elder brother—they had come to know many powerful and influential people, and the bathhouse had grown ever larger, until it had become a full-service club.
The Zheng family's club was located in Donghai. But recently there had been trouble: over some trivial matter, a conflict had arisen with a young scion of Donghai—though this scion had considerable backing, one of the so-called Four Young Masters of Donghai.
They had thought it could be settled with money. The Zheng family's eldest had approached many people of influence, but all mediation had failed, because the other side had only one condition: the Zheng family's club must close. When Zheng Zetao learned of Yang Juehuan's background and connections, his heart stirred at once. Perhaps he could start with Yang Cenbin and see whether connections could be found that might persuade that Donghai scion to let the Zheng family off.
In this way, a bad thing might yet turn into a good thing. That was why Zheng Zetao was being so exceptionally fawning.
To be continued.
701. The Company's Composition
"Zhao Sisi, how are things?" Yang Ce walked through the company's front doors and immediately saw Zhao Sisi busy at work.
"Yang Ce, you're here." Zhao Sisi set down the work in her hands and looked up. "We're almost done—just a few more minutes and it'll all be finished."
With that, she turned to the staff busy cleaning and said, "Hurry it up, everyone. This is Mr. Yang, one of the company's general managers. Get to know him."
"Good day, Mr. Yang," the employees chimed in as soon as they heard that the company's other general manager had arrived.
"Don't let me keep you from your work," Yang Ce said, nodding to them.
Seeing the scale of Yang Ce's company, Zheng Zetao no longer harbored any doubts. He was now certain that Yang Ce was a man of deep connections, so he took the initiative to grab a spare rag and pitch in alongside the staff.
Yang Ce frowned slightly. This Zheng Zetao was being a bit too eager to please. If he had been afraid of retaliation before, well, Yang Ce had already told him he would not come after him. For him to carry on like this now was a little hard to explain.
Unbidden zeal betrays a hidden scheme. A moment's thought was enough for Yang Ce to roughly grasp Zheng Zetao's intent. The fellow was surely looking for a chance to attach himself to him—though Yang Ce had not guessed that Zheng Zetao meant to use him to smooth over other connections.
Li Dadong was a blunt, straightforward sort who knew nothing of tact. Zheng Zetao's sudden change left him baffled, and he could not help asking, "Zetao, what's gotten into you?" Zheng Zetao's earlier words with Yang Ce had all been spoken out of Li Dadong's and Yao Yang's hearing.
"Ha, it's nothing. I've got time on my hands anyway, so I thought I'd lend a hand and see if there's anything I can do," Zheng Zetao said with a chuckle.
"By the way, Zhao Sisi, this is Lin Yanhe, the one I mentioned to you. She's from our school too, an economics student, come to help me run the company." Yang Ce paid Zheng Zetao no mind—if the man wanted to make a fuss, let him. Instead he turned and introduced Lin Yanhe to Zhao Sisi.