Chapter 474: Win-Win Cooperation

Chapter 474: Win-Win Cooperation

Everyone here is an adult, moving in circles of power and prestige.

Even if there were some past romantic feelings, they can now be kept in check.

Only Li Mingxiang knows what’s truly on her mind. As long as she doesn’t keep her gaze fixed on Lu Hanchuan, the atmosphere naturally eases.

Though it’s framed as a casual get-together, with a group of distinguished individuals seated here, it’s clearly not just about dining and chatting.

They'd barely sat down when Xu Jiarui came in sideways with, “I heard there’s a military-industrial project being planned near Changjing Island.”

Asking so bluntly could only mean he wanted a cut of the action.

Everyone here has business interests to some extent, and whoever lands this big contract stands to make a major payday while also securing a boost for their company’s future development.

Lu Hanchuan replied with nonchalance, “You’re quite well-informed. I’m still waiting for word from higher up.”

Of course, Lu Hanchuan knew the ins and outs of Changjing Island better than anyone. Information could leak, but it couldn’t come from his mouth.

Xu Jiarui, for his part, had some inside knowledge as well. Having already confirmed the project’s existence, he didn’t mind Lu Hanchuan’s evasiveness.

“Bro Lu’s intel is definitely the most reliable. I’ve only heard rumors,” Xu Jiarui said, playing it deferential.

Others, however, weren’t as composed as Xu Jiarui and were already going at it about the Changjing Island project.

Li Mingxiang also had something to say, but with so many people present, she wisely chose to stay silent, planning to arrange a separate meeting with Lu Hanchuan later.

Not only was Lu Hanchuan currently based at Changjing Island, but the influence of the Lu and Yun families also far surpassed that of anyone else present. When it came to military-industrial contracts, clout was everything.

So, for this endeavor to succeed, Lu Hanchuan’s stance would be crucial.

Attending such gatherings was inevitably exhausting, with everyone harboring their own agendas. Fortunately, given Lu Hanchuan’s status, as long as he wasn’t interested, no one would hound him.

As the event wound down, Li Mingxiang caught Lu Hanchuan before the others left.

“Do you have time to meet alone tomorrow?”

Lu Hanchuan knew exactly what she was after—no romantic notions, just plain interest in mutual gain.

If this collaboration succeeded, it would undoubtedly be a win-win.

Lu Hanchuan didn’t refuse. “Tomorrow at noon.”

Li Mingxiang promptly named the meeting spot. “I’ll be there.”

Yun Pohuai was supportive of the idea. “Li Mingxiang is already a vice president at a state-owned enterprise in Jinhai City at such a young age. If she can secure the Changjing Island project, completing it successfully would fast-track her career.”

That was precisely why Li Mingxiang was so eager, with barely concealed ambition.

Backlit by the hotel lights, his shadow stretched long, Lu Hanchuan replied with little patience, “We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

Yun Pohuai cocked an eyebrow. “Since it’s a private meeting, I’ll take a rain check.”

Lu Hanchuan smirked. “This was your idea, wasn’t it?”

Otherwise, Yun Pohuai wouldn’t have invited him here in the first place.

Not bothered by Lu Hanchuan’s attitude, Yun Pohuai simply said, “Win-win—no reason not to.”

Lu Hanchuan fell silent as the two got into the car and drove back to the Yun family home.

Lu Hanchuan's event wrapped up early, and he arrived home right around when Ye Xiaoxiao's group got back.

However, Xiao Xiao was indeed a bit faster, so she entered the house just before Lu Hanchuan and stood at the doorway.

She hadn’t even taken off her hat and scarf when she saw Lu Hanchuan and announced triumphantly, "I got back before you."

She had indeed arrived just a little earlier.

Lu Hanchuan stepped forward, took Xiao Xiao’s hand, and led her inside, cooing, "I know. Why didn’t you wait inside?"

Once inside, he helped her remove her hat and scarf and hung them up. Xiao Xiao’s hair was a bit messy, flying everywhere due to static, like a staticky puffball.

"If I waited inside, how could I catch you coming home later than me?"

Ye Xiaoxiao tried patting down the hair on top of her head, but it had little effect.

"Did you have fun today?"

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head up. "Of course! We watched one heck of a play."

As the two were talking, Yun Pohuai quietly walked past them.

He thought to himself—this guy really has two faces.

He should have realized it sooner—Lu Hanchuan had turned into a total simp for his wife after getting married.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan headed upstairs together. They were walking just fine when they came upon the old man standing in the hallway.

The old man eyed them sharply, like he'd caught them red-handed.

"Where have you two been?"

Lu Hanchuan was startled. "Grandpa, why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing standing here?"

Old Master Yun crossed his arms huffily. "You two were out gallivanting all day and only remembered me now."

Lu Hanchuan was torn between laughter and frustration. "What fooling around? I was still at home with you this morning."

Lu Hanchuan told Xiao Xiao to go back to the room first while he walked his grandfather back to his bedroom.

Even as she entered her room, Xiao Xiao could still hear the old man grousing, "I haven’t seen you two for hours..."

Lu Hanchuan could only agree with him.

"Yes, yes... we were wrong."

Xiao Xiao shook her head and slipped off to her room.

...

The next day, Lu Hanchuan went out for business, while Ye Xiaoxiao stayed at home with time on her hands, so she went to the kitchen to whip up some medicinal dishes for the old man.

She also seized the chance to teach Jiang Shanshan how to brew herbal medicine.

The two spent half the day in the kitchen, and Xiao Xiao shooed away anyone who tried to help.

Even her auntie stood worriedly at the doorway. "I heard from Xiao Chuan that Xiao Xiao isn't much of a cook. You sure you don't want a hand?"

If she got burned or injured, she wouldn't know how to explain it to that young master.

Although Ye Xiaoxiao didn't have much cooking experience, she had specifically learned how to make herbal cuisine, and her family had a secret recipe.

"Auntie, I can handle it. Don't worry."

After stewing mutton soup with angelica and ginger all morning, the aroma wafted through the air as soon as the lid of the clay pot was lifted.

Even Old Master Yun, who never had much appetite, followed the scent to the kitchen door.

The housekeeper helped Xiaoxiao remove the clay pot from the heat and ladled the soup into bowls.

"This weather is perfect for mutton soup," Auntie remarked after taking a sip. "It tastes wonderful. Xiaoxiao, you're far from being a bad cook—I'd say you're pretty good!"

Old Master Yun held his bowl, took a big gulp, and said appreciatively, "Delicious."

Ye Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed by the praise. "I only really know how to make soups."

Auntie didn't hold back her compliments. "Doesn't matter what it is—being good at one thing is enough. Who can master everything?"

Since it was noon, they had the mutton soup for lunch.

The housekeeper made some scallion pancakes to soak in the soup, adding a different dimension to the meal.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Hanchuan had already arrived at the reserved private dining room.

This time, Li Mingxiang didn't waste time with small talk and directly stated her purpose—she hoped to secure the defense project.

While she couldn’t guarantee a 100% success rate, with the Lu family's support, there was an 80% chance.