Poisonous!
Zhang Liunian was at a loss for words. He wondered what kind of unparalleled beauty Tang Guo was that everyone instinctively assumed he was smitten with her when he mentioned her name.
However, Tang Guo... could she be the Tang from South City?
If so, this department store might not be easy to take over.
"You've all misunderstood. I am married, and this is my wife, Qingqing.
I've come to take over the department store and was inquiring about the supervisor's office.
The reason I say 'take over' is because the department store was recently auctioned, and I was fortunate enough to participate and acquire it.
If anyone knows where the supervisor's office is, please inform me. I would be most grateful.
Or, if anyone sees Supervisor Tang Guo, please tell her that the new owner of the department store is here and ask her to come down and see me.
If I don't see her in half an hour, I'll have her sweeping the streets tomorrow." After speaking, Zhang Liunian, with his wife half-embraced, found a lounge chair and sat down, waiting with placid confidence.
The crowd was taken aback by this sudden turn of events. They had thought he was a suitor of Tang Guo, but it turned out he was the new boss.
"Are you really the new boss of the department store? We haven't heard anything!"
Among the onlookers were many store managers from the department store, mostly men, and only one female store manager. Upon hearing that Zhang Liunian was the new boss, she stepped forward to inquire.
Zhang Liunian didn't hesitate and produced the property deed on the spot.
"Are you really our new boss?" After seeing the property deed, the female store manager finally believed that the department store had truly changed hands.
This department store was essentially built by her. The store itself didn't rent out its spaces to external businesses; instead, it operated on a model of bringing in merchants for goods, recruiting salespeople, and selling products. Strictly speaking, all the employees of the department store were now under the purview of this new boss.
"Impossible! The supervisor never told us about this. How could the boss suddenly change?" The security guard, wiping the blood from his lips, still expressed disbelief. However, when he rushed forward and also saw the property deed, he was instantly silenced.
What this man didn't notice was that behind him, another burly man also saw the deed. Instead of being struck with dismay, he stepped forward, intending to snatch it and tear it up.
But Zhang Liunian knew that taking over the department store relied on this piece of paper, and he was constantly vigilant to prevent such an incident.
So, when the burly man lunged forward, Zhang Liunian immediately retracted his hand, raised his leg, and kicked the man flying.
"Ah!" "Bang!" The burly man crashed into the crowd, injuring several people.
In response, Zhang Liunian could only apologize, "My apologies, everyone. This man intended to destroy my deed, so I had no choice. For those injured, once I take over the department store, I will send each of you a bag of paper."
The injured innocents, upon hearing this, immediately developed a much better impression of Zhang Liunian.
"Tang Guo is here!"
Just then, a man in the crowd shouted in surprise. Everyone turned to look, and saw a beautiful woman, curvaceous and voluptuous, slowly walking from the corridor not far away.
As Zhang Liunian looked, the first thing he noticed was Tang Guo's proud bosom, followed by her raven-black hair, which simply cascaded down her chest. When he saw her face, Zhang Liunian couldn't help but think of a vixen.
Tang Guo was indeed beautiful. Not to mention her figure, her melon-seed face and fox-like eyes were enough to make men lose their senses.
"Is she that beautiful?" Just as Zhang Liunian was somewhat captivated, Jiang Qingqing's voice sounded in his ear.
Zhang Liunian snapped back to attention and, gazing at his wife, smiled and said, "Not even half as beautiful as you."
"Pfft! They say love is blind, and it's true. You compare me to your plain and bland wife, and then say I'm not even half as beautiful as her." Tang Guo, having just approached, overheard Zhang Liunian saying he found her less beautiful than Jiang Qingqing.
It was laughable. How could she, a flower of worldly wealth, be less beautiful than the plain and bland Jiang Qingqing?
However, this Zhang Liunian was undeniably handsome.
"I'm stating a fact. In my eyes, you are indeed less than half as beautiful as Qingqing, because I prefer women like her. Naturally, you can't compare." Seeing his wife's face turn pale and her unease, Zhang Liunian immediately held her hand and retorted.
These words indeed made Jiang Qingqing feel more at ease, and she confidently looked up at Tang Guo. Coincidentally, Tang Guo was also appraising Jiang Qingqing.
As they sized each other up, they were both simultaneously shocked and stunned by each other's beauty.
They were not of the same type. One was ethereal and otherworldly, while the other was alluring and captivating. Both were top-tier beauties of their respective archetypes.
At that moment, it was truly difficult to determine who was superior.
"Are you the supervisor of the department store, Tang Guo? Do you know that this department store now belongs to me?" Zhang Liunian, not wanting to hear Tang Guo say anything more about his handsomeness, got straight to the point.
Tang Guo faltered for a moment, then smiled and said, "I heard there was a new boss, but no one notified us. How can that person be you?"
She was putting on quite an act, claiming not to know who it was. Who was she trying to fool? If she didn't know, then no one in the entire provincial city would know that Zhang Liunian was the new owner of the department store.
Zhang Liunian narrowed his eyes. "Tomorrow, you'll be notified and can scram. I don't need someone disloyal and useless like you."
"Disloyal" and "useless"—with just these two words, Tang Guo felt like she was being placed on a pillar of shame. Tang Guo wanted to get angry, but then she thought of something and, instead of showing her anger, burst into laughter. "How about I leave now? I won't be an eyesore for you."
Seeing her eagerness to leave, Zhang Liunian's mind raced. He had a few guesses. Tang Guo dared to say this for two reasons: either this place couldn't function without her, and now that he was driving her away, Tang Guo believed he would eventually beg her to return.
Or, perhaps the department store had some insurmountable mess that had a significant impact, and she was somehow involved.
Zhang Liunian couldn't pinpoint the exact issue but had some considerations. He looked at Tang Guo and smiled, "After I've inspected the department store, you won't have to stay a moment longer. Let's start now!"
With that, Zhang Liunian stood up, taking his wife with him, intending to head to the office to audit the accounts and handle the takeover of the department store.
However, Tang Guo remained reluctant to move. As Zhang Liunian was about to set off, she suddenly collapsed, unconscious.
"Tang Guo has fainted! Quickly take her to the clinic!" Zhang Liunian took a few steps and realized Tang Guo wasn't following. He turned back to hear someone exclaim, and someone else moved like lightning to take Tang Guo to the clinic.
"..."
Zhang Liunian almost laughed with exasperation. Did she think this would absolve her of all responsibility and consequences?
It wouldn't be that simple. He turned and gave Zhang Qian a look, and Zhang Qian immediately slipped away to follow.
"We'll go to the office. Let Supervisor Tang recover from her faint," Zhang Liunian said, leading his wife forward. They arrived at the office to find a few people still working. He introduced himself, and then they proceeded to Tang Guo's office, only to find it locked and unopenable.
Zhang Liunian delivered a direct kick, sending the luxurious office door flying off its hinges.
"..." The employees behind them silently swallowed. They thought their new boss seemed a bit violent and possessed immense strength. From now on, they would have to serve him with great care.