Zhan Bei Jue extended his hand to shake his, remaining silent.
The man bowed respectfully, "We sincerely apologize for any distress caused due to our outdated and provincial customs."
"Did anyone get hurt? If so, I will immediately arrange for everyone to go to the hospital free of charge."
"We are extremely sorry. The director was also very angry upon learning of this and has personally arranged a banquet to appease you."
"We hope Mr. Zhan will be magnanimous and show us some favor."
Zhan Bei Jue scanned the astonished villagers with a poker face, and said to the man in a cold tone.
"No need. Thank you for making the trip. Go back and tell Director Wang that I acknowledge this favor."
"Not at all. Mr. Zhan is too kind. It was our fault..."
"No need for further pleasantries. I will call Director Wang myself another day. You may leave now."
"My friend needs to rest. Just leave a car to take us to the city."
And so, Jiang Nan Fang once again got into a special vehicle.
The difference this time was that it wasn't to settle accounts with her, but to protect her.
She didn't want to leave. The matter with the village was not yet resolved, and Engineer Zhang and the others might still face trouble.
"Zhan Bei Jue..."
"I know what you're worried about," Zhan Bei Jue interrupted her.
"Don't worry, I've handled everything."
"We traveled thousands of miles to support their construction. For them to dare to make things difficult for us, the beneficiaries, is simply outrageous."
"The Construction Department has been informed. No one will obstruct Engineer Zhang from now on."
"Otherwise, even if they offered money, Zhan Corporation would not participate in any investment promotion."
"Not only me, but no one in the Nan Cheng Industry Association would dare to come."
"Let them be a poor city for the rest of their lives."
So he knew everything, and had even arranged the solutions.
Jiang Nan Fang breathed a sigh of relief.
But then she felt quite embarrassed.
She had thought that if her professional skills were strong enough, she could snatch his business and take everything he had.
But now, looking at the foundation, connections, and widespread influence of Zhan Corporation, she wondered how many years it would take her to catch up.
The thought alone made her feel defeated.
She was not as good as Zhan Bei Jue; she was inferior to him in every aspect.
For her first project, she needed his help, and he even had to travel thousands of miles to save her life.
With her current self, how could she contend with him?
She had even thought of making his life worse than death?
A pipe dream.
After Zhan Bei Jue finished speaking, he saw her looking dejected and assumed she was still scared. He gently raised his arm, intending to pull her into his embrace.
"Don't be afraid, it's over now..."
Jiang Nan Fang dodged his arm and moved aside, "There are people in front. Be mindful of appearances."
"..."
"Who's afraid? At worst, I'll die. I've died before, they should be the ones afraid of me."
"..."
Zhan Bei Jue was amused by her puffed-up demeanor, "Alright, alright. You're not afraid, others are afraid of you."
To appease Zhan Bei Jue, the director's secretary had pre-booked the city's most luxurious hotel for him.
The car took them to the hotel. Upon entering, Jiang Nan Fang turned hostile.
"Alright, your mother tried to scheme against me once and failed. Now that you've saved me, it's even."
"Don't expect me to thank you. I'm tired and want to sleep. You should go back."
Zhan Bei Jue stood outside the door, looking at her unfeeling expression. Thinking of his own anxiety throughout the journey, he felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.
"Jiang Nan Fang..."
"Yes, I'm a heartless, ungrateful wretch who burns bridges. I admit it. Can you leave now?"
As she tried to close the door, Zhan Bei Jue placed his hand on the doorframe.
"Wait."
Jiang Nan Fang looked at his face and taunted him.
"What? Do you need me to say a few words of gratitude? If you don't get back what you put in today, you'll be too angry to go home?"
Zhan Bei Jue sighed and lifted his shoe to show her.
From his calf to his shoe, it was covered in fine yellow dirt, looking utterly filthy.
"Look how dirty I am. How can I see anyone?"
"..."
"You can leave, but can you go in, take a bath, and change your clothes before you go?"
It was indeed a good excuse to stay.
Too bad Jiang Nan Fang didn't fall for it.
With their current relationship, sharing a room to bathe and change clothes was too much of a compromise for her!
"Get a room yourself. You can wash as long as you want."
"...Engineer Zhang called me with great urgency. I came out on a private jet and didn't bring my ID."
*Then you can stay and I'll switch rooms,* Jiang Nan Fang thought of saying.
But then she considered, it was a sudden incident, she had left without luggage or her ID.
"Then, leave after you're done!"
"Okay."
Finally, he was inside.
Zhan Bei Jue stood at the door, taking off his shoes, and couldn't help but lament how pathetic his current situation had become.
After almost an hour in the shower, ensuring he was completely free of dust, Zhan Bei Jue emerged wrapped in a towel.
Jiang Nan Fang was also dirty, so she stood on the balcony, not sitting down.
It was already past eight in the evening, and the lights of the not-so-bustling city began to twinkle.
She looked at the scattered city lights, and for no reason, suddenly thought of her child again.
Her hair had come undone during the escape. The strong evening wind on the rooftop made her frail figure seem as though she might blow away.
Zhan Bei Jue silently walked behind her, wanting to embrace her in her quiet, lonely state.
"What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Nan Fang quickly wiped her eyes, "Nothing."
"What's wrong? Are you crying?"
Zhan Bei Jue instinctively lowered his head to cup her face, but she slapped his hand away.
"Get away from me!"
"Why aren't you wearing clothes?"
Zhan Bei Jue was speechless again, "My clothes were too dirty, so I put them in the washing machine."
"Go in and stay there. What are you doing wandering around dressed like that?"
She turned her head away from him, "Leave after the clothes are washed."
The sound of water from the bathroom indicated Jiang Nan Fang was going to wash. Zhan Bei Jue took out his phone, continuing to handle the work he had abandoned earlier in the day.
He was very hungry, having not eaten since noon. He figured Jiang Nan Fang must be hungry too, so he ordered dinner.
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Nan Fang finally came out.
She was wearing a bathrobe, the same style as his.
Zhan Bei Jue put down his phone and called out to her, "You must be hungry. I've ordered dinner. Come and eat."
Jiang Nan Fang's clothes had also been washed, and she could now somewhat understand his attire.
She was indeed hungry, and they sat down facing each other.
Watching her eat ravenously, it was clear she was starving. Recalling the day's events, Zhan Bei Jue couldn't help but reprimand her.
"You know, sometimes you seem smart, and sometimes you're incredibly foolish."
"??"
"You've suffered so many setbacks, yet you still don't consider the consequences before acting. Relying on a few flashy moves, you constantly expose yourself to danger. Today's incident..."
*Saving my life makes you so great?*
He was lecturing her incessantly.
Jiang Nan Fang glared at him, "My safety has nothing to do with you. Weren't all the past insecurities brought about by you?"
"Don't think you have the right to lecture me just because you saved me once. Shut up."
"...Jiang Nan Fang..."
"If you say one more word, get out!"