Chapter 47 Space Parking

Chapter 47 Space Parking

It was nearly midnight when Shen Zongnian concluded his business with Old Ghost Luo.

Years ago, while working in the financial district, Zhao Shengge had won an antitrust case, securing a substantial debt claim against the Luo family. This claim could now be transferred to Shen Zongnian.

The Luo family had always been a unique presence in Haishi.

While the main island of Haishi was largely divided among Minglong, Huantu, and Pinghai, the scattered islands in the western and southern districts remained firmly under the Luo family's control.

Old Ghost Luo, around fifty, had a rather menacing appearance.

"Mr. Shen, apologies for the wait."

"Not at all, I just arrived," Shen Zongnian gestured for him to sit.

"I trust Mr. Zhao has already informed you of my terms, Mr. Shen?"

Shen Zongnian nodded. Old Ghost Luo had expressed interest in participating in a bio-genetic engineering project under Huantu's medical institutions—an exclusive collaboration between Huantu and a government research institute.

Recalling the various rumors circulating, Shen Zongnian looked directly at him, laying his cards on the table as both a statement and a reminder: "Huantu does not engage in illegal business."

"Neither does the Luo family. If you don't trust me, Mr. Shen, you can surely trust Mr. Zhao."

Shen Zongnian wasted no words and immediately began negotiating the transaction details. Old Ghost Luo was a cunning old fox, and after more than an hour of back-and-forth, they still hadn't finalized all the specifics.

Shen Zongnian was patient but firm: "If we waive the interest—"

"One moment, Mr. Shen," Old Ghost Luo said unapologetically, picking up his phone. "I need to take this call."

Shen Zongnian leaned back in his chair and nodded, signaling for him to proceed.

Whatever was said on the other end, Old Ghost Luo's voice took on a note of urgency.

Shen Zongnian wasn't one for gossip, but he had heard that Old Ghost Luo's wife suffered from a rare illness, and that Luo had done many things, some publicly criticized, to save her. This had been Shen Zongnian's initial concern about allowing the Luo family to join the genetic engineering project.

However, since Zhao Shengge was willing to introduce him, it seemed the rumors were merely exaggerations.

Old Ghost Luo hung up, apologized, and explained that he had to rush home due to a family emergency. He then made concessions to Shen Zongnian's terms.

Shen Zongnian, having secured a favorable deal, shook hands with him and promised to have his assistant promptly follow up on the genetic engineering project.

After Old Ghost Luo left, Shen Zongnian didn't call for the house manager. Instead, he took the elevator down to the parking lot alone.

The underground performance had long concluded, leaving many parking spaces vacant. Yet, the Cayenne he had personally selected was still there.

It stood out conspicuously even among the rows of luxury cars with vanity plates.

Shen Zongnian merely glanced at it before opening the door of his Bentley. He got in but didn't start the engine. The car was dark and silent. It was unclear what he was thinking, or what he was waiting for.

He had no standing or reason to stay, yet he couldn't bring himself to leave. He just wanted to see for himself.

The parking lot at midnight was as vast and silent as outer space. Scattered car lights resembled stars in orbit or spaceships navigating the void. From within his enclosed cabin, Shen Zongnian watched them blast off one by one.

1:26 AM, the Audi in the first row departed.

2:12 AM, the Rolls-Royce to the left drove away.

3:05 AM, the Shining on the right departed.

Each departing spaceship carried away a sliver of hope. The parking lot grew emptier and quieter, until only the Bentley and the Cayenne remained, watching each other from their respective orbits.

3:40 AM… Shen Zongnian knew the Cayenne wasn’t going anywhere.

The Bentley, too, was forgotten in outer space. Shen Zongnian stopped counting and sat in silence through the night.

6:10 AM, the evening lights in the parking lot extinguished one by one, signaling the arrival of a new day.

The six hours and fifty-six minutes spent in that space-like parking lot were left behind, replaced by a gloomy, sunless dawn.

Tan Youming woke up on the sofa. The clock had just struck seven. He kicked aside the haphazardly scattered bottles around his feet and, despite a brutal hangover, immediately dialed the internal line.

The house manager greeted him: "Mr. Tan, you’re awake."

"Shen—" Tan Youming’s voice broke into a cough, his throat hoarse.

"Mr. Tan, are you alright? We called your internal line just past six o'clock to inform you that the system showed Mr. Shen’s car had left the club."

Since Shen Zongnian hadn’t called for the house manager after entering the suite last night, the house manager couldn’t initiate contact. They could only determine the guest’s departure time through vehicle exit notifications.

"But you probably hadn’t woken up when he left. Neither internal line was answered, so we didn’t disturb you further."

Tan Youming’s head swam, unable to process the information. His throat felt like it was filled with sand: "When? Say it again."

The house manager paused: "This morning at six—"

The phone slammed onto the floor. Tan Youming rushed to the bathroom and threw up violently. The hard liquor he’d drunk to drown his sorrows and the acid in his stomach all came up, leaving only one thought echoing in his mind.

Shen Zongnian had really stayed overnight at Yingchi. How had he become like this?

"Mr. Tan! Mr. Tan!" The house manager’s anxious voice continued from the fallen receiver.

Tan Youming had no time to respond. He vomited again until nothing was left in his stomach, then raised his head. The face in the mirror was barely human—a twisted mix of shock, anger, jealousy, resentment, and unwillingness.

He gasped for air, struggling to breathe.

The room’s internal line was still open, and his phone began to vibrate.

Tan Youming thought it was Yang Shiyan looking for him since he hadn’t gone to work, but it was Zhuang Wei, his voice excited: "Mr. Tan! There’s progress on the Guangxun case!"

"Mr. Shen’s representative has formally agreed to accept a triple premium today!!"

"If this deal goes through, it will be the stuff of legends on Central Avenue!" Zhuang Wei was confident. "They must have finally raised a large amount of liquid funds. If you’re considering increasing—"

"Zhuang Wei," Tan Youming interrupted, his voice still hoarse but now composed. "Has the letter of intent been signed?"

"Not yet, but Mr. Tan, I’m confident—"

"Don’t sign it," Tan Youming said, feeling weary and disgusted. "Sell it to them at the normal market price."

Zhuang Wei was stunned, unwilling to let such a lucrative opportunity slip away. He tried to persuade him: "Mr. Tan, may I ask why? This chance is incredibly rare!"

No buyer would relent so unconditionally, and no one had such ample cash on hand. Tan Youming’s terms were too harsh, and Zhuang Wei had almost given up on the deal.

"If this goes through, your assets and influence will reach new heights!"

"It’s for personal reasons, Zhuang Wei. Thank you for the reminder," Tan Youming placed his phone on the counter and splashed cold water on his face. "I’m clear about my decision. Also, please proceed quickly with the division of all my jointly held assets and partnerships with him. Sell them at the original price. If he doesn’t want them, sell them to others."

The game is over.

He stopped being stubborn.

This time it was real.

Shen Zongnian created a new myth on Central Avenue just to leave, demonstrating his iron will.

He let Shen Zongnian go.

"The sooner, the better."

Tan Youming hung up the phone, took a quick shower, got a new suit from the butler, and went straight to Pinghai. He attended meetings until the afternoon with a hoarse voice, with no visible signs of last night's revelry.

His throat was parched, as if on fire. After the meeting, he stopped by the secretary's office to ask for some herbal tea. Yang Shiyan was there having afternoon tea with her subordinates.

"Boss," Yang Shiyan held up a pastry bitten beyond recognition, "Want some?"

Tan Youming leaned against the doorframe, looking completely drained. "From Yuxinju again?"

"Sheraton."

"Go ahead and enjoy," Tan Youming rubbed his throat. "Just make me some tea, thanks."

Yang Shiyan could tell from his voice that he had drunk too much. She made him a tea with monk fruit to soothe his throat, *pang da hai* to ease the hoarseness, and half a spoon of pear syrup to relieve the cough. After drinking most of it, Tan Youming came back to life.

Seeing he wasn’t looking well, Yang Shiyan asked with concern, "Boss, should I make a doctor's appointment?"

"No need," Tan Youming replied, his throat feeling slightly better as he immediately switched into work mode. "Get me the meeting minutes."

Yang Shiyan handed him the folder and, recalling the recent handover of Guangxun matters with Zhuang Wei, guessed there was something unusual between him and Shen Zongnian. She wasn’t sure if she should be cautious. "Boss, the Sheraton order was placed by Huantu—"

"It’s fine. If they ordered it, just enjoy it."

Personal matters were personal, business was business. Whatever was between him and Shen Zongnian shouldn’t affect Huantu and Pinghai. He didn’t want to harm the relationship between the two companies or the camaraderie among their employees. He added, "Just remember to return the gesture when appropriate."

Reassured, Yang Shiyan pulled out a meeting agenda for him to review. "There’s a progress meeting the day after tomorrow at Jianxin. Both Huantu and Pinghai will attend. Will you go, or should I assign someone?"

Tan Youming, strict about keeping personal and professional matters separate, signed the attendee list. "I’ll go."

The same meeting agenda was presented to Shen Zongnian by Zhong Manqing. Shen Zongnian replied, "Assign someone else."

He was going to the Western Peninsula the next day to inspect the small fishing village where he had visited underprivileged children sixteen years ago.

After Shen Zongnian took leadership, Huantu built a small dock there and ensured basic postal services. With the growing population, expansion became necessary.

The place held special meaning. Since accidents had occurred during previous dock renovations, Shen Zongnian decided to go in person.

The next morning at 9:10, the driver dropped Tan Youming off at Jianxin.

He arrived twenty minutes early on purpose, had a chat with the CMO for a while, and with about five minutes left before the meeting, attendees were gradually seated.

Qiao Rui rarely visited Jianxin and almost went to the wrong conference room.

"Mr. Tan," he greeted with a smile, taking the seat second to the head.

"Mr. Qiao," Tan Youming wasn’t surprised. If the chief operating officer at headquarters changed after Shen Zongnian left, he’d likely be dealing with Qiao Rui at Jianxin.

Qiao Rui looked at him and said, "Mr. Shen has other matters today. I’m attending on his behalf."

Tan Youming gave a casual smile. "Good to get acquainted early."

He took the main seat. The technical manager led the meeting, and Tan Youming, as usual, started by encouraging open discussion. The atmosphere was relaxed. After two rounds of discussion, he finally weighed in.

Qiao Rui watched his focused side profile, his gaze unintentionally drifting to the silk tie with a subtle pattern around his neck. He had seen a different design from the same collection in Shen Zongnian’s office.