C13 Seeing Parents

Qu Ningyuan sensed his chance had arrived to finally meet Yang Liguo. If he could just get a meeting, he was confident he could identify his weaknesses and devise a targeted approach. He was aware that Yang Liguo was a deeply suspicious person, which meant earning his trust would be no small feat.

"Ningyuan, why don't you come home with me? My father would like to meet you," Yang Xue suggested.

"Of course, no problem at all. I should have paid a visit to your father much sooner. My apologies for the oversight," Qu Ningyuan replied.

"Great, then let's be on our way," she said.

The driver ushered Qu Ningyuan and Yang Xue into the car and headed straight for the villa. Nestled halfway up the mountain, the villa was not easily accessible on foot, making Qu Ningyuan grateful for the convenience of a car. The location boasted stunning views, with a panorama of Nan An City spread out below, particularly breathtaking at night from the comfort of a floor-to-ceiling window.

The villa's architecture was decidedly Western, reminiscent of European elegance with a palatial grandeur. Inside, the opulence was even more apparent, with brilliant lighting that seemed to make the entire house glow. The inhabitants appeared to be bathed in a warm light.

Yang Liguo sat on the sofa, exuding an air of authority even in casual home attire. His presence alone, without a word or gesture, imposed a silent but palpable pressure that made others tread lightly in conversation.

"You're back. Come over here, is this your friend? Introduce us," Yang Liguo said, his voice softening. Even the most formidable individuals have their vulnerabilities, and for Yang Liguo, it was his beloved daughter. It was a rare sight to witness the tenderness on his face, visible only in the presence of his daughter.

"Do I really need to introduce him? Surely you already know who he is," Yang Xue retorted, not one to be easily manipulated. She recalled how her father had thoroughly investigated a young man she had been seen with, digging into his family history as far back as he could. Yang Xue understood her father's protective instincts, but at times she resented his intrusive methods. She yearned for more freedom, which was partly why she had chosen to move out on her own.

"Hello, Uncle. My name is Qu Ningyuan, and I'm a friend of Yang Xue," Qu Ningyuan greeted Yang Liguo.

Yang Liguo, however, remained silent, offering only a smile and a nod in response. As a businessman driven by profit, he was aware that Qu Ningyuan's company was in the running to bid on his company's project in Hainan. He was cautious not to appear overly friendly, lest the young man expect favors or shortcuts.

Yang Xue noticed her father's cool demeanor toward Qu Ningyuan and felt somewhat displeased. Qu Ningyuan then took a seat on the sofa across from Yang Liguo.

"Dad, why did you call me back so late? And why did Uncle Wang have to follow me?" she inquired.

"Don't blame me," Yang Liguo replied with a conciliatory smile. "It was Uncle Wang who found you near the mall. I mentioned you haven't been home in a while, and I just wanted to see you. I'm always busy with work outside the company, and we hardly see each other these days."

"Hmph, you say you want to see me, but I think you have someone else in mind," Yang Xue retorted, not holding back. She was tired of her father's habit of bringing home any boy she dined with for a barrage of questions.

Children grow up and out of their parents' control, Yang Liguo thought, feeling a pang of sadness as he realized Yang Xue was now siding with an outsider.

Qu Ningyuan wondered if his own daughter, Ning Jing, would one day bring home a boyfriend to face a similar interrogation from him.

Out of the blue, Yang Liguo addressed Qu Ningyuan, "Xiao Qu, it just occurred to me that your company is bidding on our Hainan project, isn't that right?"

"Yes, Uncle Yang, I'm leading the project. I've prepared thoroughly to compete. We are determined to secure this Hainan project," Qu Ningyuan confidently stated.

"I recall something about your company. Why did you submit two proposals that are nearly identical?" Yang Liguo asked deliberately, testing Qu Ningyuan's response. If Qu Ningyuan attempted to take all the credit or shift the blame to Zhang Zhiwen, Yang Liguo would have no choice but to intervene. He needed to ensure that Yang Xue wouldn't end up with a son-in-law who lacked intelligence and ambition, even if he wasn't wealthy.

When he was building his business from scratch, who did he have to lean on? He built it brick by brick through his own hard work, never once relying on nepotism. That's why he's so highly regarded in the business community.

"We initially drafted a plan, but felt that some details weren't quite right, so we submitted a revised version. The two are similar, but the latter is more refined."

"Oh, I see."

"Now that you're here today, why not walk me through your plan?"

"Sure, I'll give you an overview. We definitely need to beef up the early publicity efforts to facilitate later stages. We've considered hiring models and celebrities for promotion, but the costs would be prohibitive, and it might not be the wisest move.

We've heard about a government initiative supporting orphanage children, and we thought we could host activities for them here. The apartments we've built are not yet occupied, so we could use them for promotional purposes.

The landscaping in the community is top-notch, almost on par with a park, and adding a few more facilities shouldn't pose much of a problem. This approach would not only promote our company but also save a considerable amount of funds."

"Your plan has merit, but it lacks polish."

"Really? I'd appreciate your guidance."

"Well, for starters, if the event is held outside, people can only appreciate the greenery and not see inside the buildings. They won't know what the apartments are like. I suggest setting up a show unit so visitors can take a break there and also view the homes. It's beneficial in two ways and certainly a good move."

"Of course, how could I have missed that? Uncle, you're still sharper than I am."

"I'm getting on in years. The future belongs to the younger generation. In a few years, I'll be retiring, and it'll be time for someone else to take over."

"Dad, you're not old. Uncle Qin is a decade your senior and he's still out there competing."

"But I'm not in the same league as him. He's much more robust than I am. Just last month, he climbed Mount Everest."

"Is that so? Uncle Qin is quite impressive. I've never even made it to the summit."

Tonight was unexpectedly smooth. Yang Liguo treated Qu Ningyuan with courtesy, without any undue difficulty. I had imagined him to be more formidable, but I see now that Yang Liguo's actions are driven by his deep love for his daughter, which is something I can understand.