Chapter 7: Being Slapped in the Face

he assistant said, she immediately became proud as punch.It's the same double standard. If someone she doesn't like does this to her, she distances herself in minutes. But if someone she likes does it...Her impromptu suggestion at the meeting was bound to backfire. Thankfully, Director Xiao and several lawyers didn't take her seriously. The next day at work, no one asked about her progress in contacting Zhuo Yunan, sparing her embarrassment. However, during the project meeting, Jiajia, an associate lawyer who had joined the firm at the same time as her, suddenly asked:

"Tinglan said yesterday that she was a high school classmate of Zhuo, did they get in touch"

Jia Jia's question brought back memories for everyone, and they all turned to look at Shu Tinglan.

Under the gaze of all, Shu Tinglan felt uneasy and could only answer truthfully.

“He and I were in the same graduating class but different classes. Yesterday, I asked a few high school classmates, none of them have been in touch with him. I’m sorry, Director Xiao.” Zhuo Yu'an gave her a profound lesson: don't overestimate yourself, don't take yourself too seriously.

"Hmm!" Director Xiao nodded without responding, likely not believing she could get in touch with Zhuo Yu'an.

“No wonder he hasn't been in touch. Looking at Zhuo Zong's resume, he went abroad for studies right after high school. Different circles, you know.” Jiajia is the same age as Shu Tinglan and graduated from the Law School of a certain Political Science and Law University with a master's degree. One-third of the partners at Hongzheng Law Firm are her seniors from the same university. Compared to Shu Tinglan, she has some innate advantages. Besides, she has a lively personality and is articulate, so she's very popular.”

Both of them joined at the same time and are currently assistant lawyers in the M&A department. It's inevitable that they would compete with each other. She deliberately brought up contacting Zhuo YUAN this time, appearing to be concerned about the project progress, but actually wanting to embarrass Shu Tinglan.

Shu Tinglan quietly watched the personal information of Zhu Yu'an projected on the screen. He graduated from an Ivy League school and won multiple world-class robotics competition championships during his studies. In his junior year, he founded Zhu Yuan Technology. Zhu Yuan Technology specializes in smart home products, with many products integrating beauty, multifunctionality, practicality, and innovation, which are deeply loved by consumers. For several years, it has consistently ranked first on major sales charts. Two years ago, he returned to China to develop the domestic market.

Mr. Xiao continued the discussion from the previous meeting.

"The acquisition of Zhuoyu Technology can be put on hold for now. The concept product they were scheduled to release this weekend has been preempted by a rival, the up-and-coming company Jiezu Qian. Zhu Yunan is currently abroad and likely has no time to attend to the acquisition."

"I saw him at the airport parking lot the other night when I returned from a business trip. I didn't dare to say hello because he was on the phone at the time, and I missed the opportunity to meet him. I think he went abroad for the conceptual product." said Zhou Mingzhou, the lawyer.

That night, he truly did have company business. Remembering how he bid her farewell outside the bathroom, his voice calm and collected, she thought it shouldn't be a major issue for him to handle.

As the meeting was about to end, Director Xiao suddenly glanced at Shu Tinglan and asked a question.

"Did you graduate from Qining High School Are you from Qining"

"Yes." Hearing the name of this city from someone else, Shu Tinglan almost instinctively wanted to deny it.

"Get ready, tomorrow you and Jiajia will accompany me to Qining on a business trip for due diligence work on a project. I will send you the relevant materials to your email later."

When Director Xiao finished speaking, he strode out of the meeting room.

This was Director Xiao's first time leading them on a project, Jiajia happily replied and chased after Director Xiao.

Shutinglan was also happy, if not for going to Qining City, it would be even better.

Director Xiao's email was concise and to the point, briefly introducing the project in Qining. It was a wholly-owned acquisition of Qining Food Crafts by Senzhou Chunyuan Food Company. Their main task this time was due diligence. Perhaps because the deal wasn't large enough, Director Xiao took them there for some hands-on experience.'s nerves, which had been tense all day, relaxed at this moment. She felt a little lazy and just watched the lonely snowflakes drifting outside the window, a gray and gloomy scene.Gu Ruandong looked a...