Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Seeing Zhou Huaichen remain silent for an extended period, Ye Weian felt a pang of confusion.

—"Why isn't he sitting down?"

—"Is he not hungry?"

—"If he's not hungry, that's fine. He can just sit with me. Just looking at his face, I could devour this entire table of food today!"

Hearing his thoughts, Zhou Huaichen chuckled and shook his head. "I happen to be hungry too."

Ye Weian blinked and settled into his seat beside him.

The old butler served the final main course, his gaze affectionate as he addressed Zhou Huaichen, "Please eat more."

It was a rare occasion for the Young Master to bring a friend home for a meal, especially one who was the head of the Zhou family. The old butler was overjoyed.

If the Young Master could foster a closer relationship with the Zhou Family Head and finally stop pursuing that Yan Qing, he would truly be at ease.

Zhou Huaichen offered a quiet thank you.

Ye Weian had already picked up his chopsticks and was digging in.

He took a few bites, then glanced at Zhou Huaichen. Though his face remained impassive, his eyes sparkled, unable to conceal his buoyant happiness.

Zhou Huaichen subtly curved his lips into a smile and served him some food.

Ye Weian could sense that Zhou Huaichen was now radiating a sweet, grape-like scent, completely devoid of the faint bitterness from before.

—"So fragrant. It would be wonderful if I could sleep holding him."

Rubies are lovely, but they don't hold a candle to the fragrance of a grape-flavored Crystal Core.

Zhou Huaichen's hand, holding the chopsticks, paused.

…Sleep holding him?

Did he mean what I think he meant?

But Ye Weian had already ceased his internal monologue, fully engrossed in his meal.

Zhou Huaichen gazed at him intently but said nothing more. He simply placed the garlic pork ribs he had picked up into Ye Weian’s bowl, smiling as he watched Ye Weian eat, though he himself consumed very little.

System: "…"

It silently observed this harmonious scene, feeling a distinct sense of unease.

However, the host was clearly enthralled by Big Boss Zhou’s allure. Knowing it was utterly powerless to banish this captivating Big Boss Zhou, it chose to retreat into self-imposed silence.

And so, Ye Weian contentedly finished his meal.

During this time, he and Zhou Huaichen exchanged few words, as Ye Weian was entirely focused on eating.

He also refrained from asking about Zhou Huaichen’s business trip, as it involved the Zhou Corporation’s trade secrets, and he felt it was inappropriate to pry.

Only after the meal did Ye Weian invite Zhou Huaichen to the study, where he presented a stack of documents. "I had my team compile the information on the African project. Please take a look."

Zhou Huaichen had assumed Ye Weian was merely using an excuse for them to dine together and hadn't anticipated his genuine intention to collaborate with the Zhou Corporation.

Seeing Ye Weian's serious expression, Zhou Huaichen immediately became serious as well, meticulously reviewing the materials.

The African project was government-led, involving infrastructure development across several African nations.

If the Zhou Corporation could participate, it would undoubtedly bring benefits with no discernible drawbacks.

Profitability aside, it would at least allow the Zhou Corporation to establish ties with several African countries, fostering long-term growth.

Zhou Huaichen made a swift decision: "I'll bring my team to Ye Corporation tomorrow to discuss and finalize the partnership as soon as possible."

He already had a plan in mind.

Since Ye Weian was proactively offering opportunities to the Zhou Corporation, he naturally intended to reciprocate by offering favorable terms to Ye Corporation.

Ye Weian replied, "Sounds good."

He trusted Zhou Huaichen’s character—after all, the Big Boss Zhou in the book was not only powerful but also impeccably upright.

Zhou Huaichen lightly tapped the desk with his fingertips. "The two shipping companies recently acquired by Zhou Corporation are preparing to expand into the Asian market. I wonder if Ye Weian would be interested?"

These two shipping companies were once industry titans, boasting substantial annual profits.

Any astute individual would recognize that Zhou Huaichen was essentially handing money to Ye Corporation.

An ordinary person would have been ecstatic to hear this.

But Ye Weian remained silent, feeling a subtle, almost imperceptible resistance within him.

—"No, no. Expanding markets is far too exhausting."

—"My dream is to be a salted fish. I just want to make money lying down."

Zhou Huaichen: "…"

He formed a fist, pressing it to his lips to conceal a smile.

So, Ye Weian’s dream was to be a salted fish.

Ye Weian didn't notice Zhou Huaichen's meaningful gaze, still stroking his chin in contemplation.

—"Is there any way to poach his core team?"

—"Zhou Corporation’s assistant and legal teams are world-class. If I could lure them over, I could truly make money lying down!"

Zhou Huaichen: "…"

So this person not only dreamed of being a salted fish but also wanted to poach his team?

He couldn't help but clear his throat, then said with a smile, "If Ye Weian isn’t interested in shipping, you could also consider film projects."

"Zhou Corporation recently acquired two renowned overseas film production companies and is involved in expanding a movie studio. We're planning to invest in several films. If Ye Corporation is interested, we could discuss a collaboration."

He was thinking long-term—their companies could collaborate in other sectors as well.

The more they collaborated, the more opportunities he would have to see Ye Weian.

Considering Ye Weian had previously invested in film and television, he believed Ye Weian might be interested.

After a moment’s thought, he added, "Zhou Corporation already has a detailed plan. If Ye Weian is interested, you can simply invest."

Ye Weian's eyes lit up.

Wasn't this essentially being paid to do nothing?

He began to seriously consider it.

As far as he knew, the entertainment sector was only a minor part of Zhou Corporation's business, having only gained significant attention in the past couple of years. Last year, Zhou Corporation had acquired two overseas production companies for six hundred million each, bought several domestic cinema chains, and expanded a film studio, preparing to enter the film industry.

Although the market was currently sluggish, producing high-quality works would always yield returns.

Ye Weian immediately decided: "Absolutely!"

—"Later, I can ask Yan Qing to play the lead role."

No pay for Yan Qing, making him work for free? Sweet!

Zhou Huaichen's gaze, however, momentarily froze.

So, he agreed to invest because he still wanted to pave the way for Yan Qing?

Noticing Zhou Huaichen's prolonged silence, Ye Weian looked over in confusion.

Was it his imagination, or did Zhou Huaichen's grape scent now carry a hint of bitterness?

He instinctively tilted his head.

—"Why is he unhappy? Does he not want me to get a piece of the pie?"

Zhou Huaichen lowered his eyes and said, "I'm delighted that you're willing to invest in Zhou Corporation's film projects."

But Ye Weian couldn’t detect any delight in his expression—even his voice lacked its usual sweetness.

Just moments ago, during their meal, he had seemed so utterly sweet.

The system interjected, "Maybe he's unhappy because you have no ambition."

Ignoring the system, Ye Weian looked directly into Zhou Huaichen’s eyes and asked, "Is something bothering you?"

Zhou Huaichen raised his gaze, meeting Ye Weian’s.

Ye Weian’s eyes were clear, revealing an unmistakable and genuine concern, utterly devoid of pretense.

Zhou Huaichen’s heart felt as if it had been gently brushed.

He decided to be frank. "I don’t want you to be with Yan Qing."

Ye Weian made a surprised sound, then it clicked. "Your nephew is Yan Qing’s boyfriend, and you’re worried about Zhou Yongnan getting hurt, right?"

In the book, Zhou Huaichen had indeed targeted the original character out of concern for Zhou Yongnan.

He said, a hint of frustration in his voice, "But I have to be with Yan Qing!"

Zhou Huaichen looked directly at him. "Why?"

Under his intense gaze, Ye Weian felt a sudden nervousness.

There was a small dimple on his left cheek, usually hidden by his impassive expression. But now, due to his nervousness, it began to faintly appear.

—"I don’t want to lie, but I can’t tell him the real reason either. And I don’t want to make him unhappy."

—"Huh, that sounds like something a scumbag would say."

Yan Qing had said something similar before—he didn’t want to break up with Zhou Yongnan but also appreciated how the original host treated him, so he planned for all three of them to get along.

Zhou Huaichen: "..."

The system: "..."

Zhou Huaichen found it amusing and suddenly didn't want to press him further.

He changed the subject. "Director Bai Yuan has publicly accused you online. Are you planning to respond?"

Relieved that Zhou Huaichen had shifted topics, Ye Weian immediately shook his head. "Let him be."

Such baseless accusations couldn't harm him.

Zhou Huaichen mused, "I'm also interested in *The Year the Wind Rose*. Can I increase my investment?"

Ye Weian looked at him in surprise.

An art-house film like that wasn’t exactly a money-maker. Why would Boss Zhou be interested?

He nodded. "Sure."

—"You’re rich, you’re impulsive, you call the shots."

Zhou Huaichen smiled. "I brought you a gift. I hope you like it."

He produced a velvet box.

Ye Weian was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Zhou Huaichen to bring him a gift after his trip abroad.

Zhou Huaichen gestured for him to open it.

Inside the box lay a purple *ping'an kou* (peace talisman), which appeared quite valuable.

Ye Weian paused for a moment, then looked at Zhou Huaichen. "For me?"

Zhou Huaichen affirmed with a soft "Mm."

He knew Ye Weian liked purple items and had specifically arranged for it to be acquired.

But Ye Weian closed the box and pushed it back. "Thank you for your kindness, but I can't accept it."

—"I have plenty of gemstones. My collection room is already overflowing with rubies and sapphires."

He stared intently at Zhou Huaichen.

—"How about giving me a few of your top people instead?"

Zhou Huaichen: "..."

The system: "..."

First treating President Zhou as a source of entertainment, now coveting his key staff—host, you've got some nerve.

Author’s note: Ye Weian: There's nothing I wouldn't consider.

Red envelopes from the previous chapter have been sent out. This chapter’s red envelopes are coming up~ Hearts~

Thank you all for your support! I’ll keep working hard!