Chapter 28: Coordination Point, I Am Your Boyfriend (Tuesday, Please Follow)

Having spent years climbing the ranks in the business world and assisting Tang Tiande with countless affairs, Zhang Chunmin keenly observed the incredibly smooth shift in Xia An’s demeanor just now.

For a split second, he, too, pulled a lukewarm smile onto his face. He accepted the Southeast Asian fruits that Xia An claimed were "carefully prepared" and "a small token of respect," then said flatly:

"Thanks. Sit down. Order whatever you’d like to drink."

Xia An ordered sparkling water, filled with ice.

Zhang Chunmin lit a cigarette and offered the pack to Xia An, asking if he smoked. After the original timeline’s Little Youzi went missing, he had picked up the habit. The current Xia An, however, was not yet addicted to nicotine and had no intention of starting.

Exhaling a cloud of smoke, Zhang Chunmin looked Xia An up and down. "The young man is quite handsome."

Seeming unable to wait for the drinks to arrive—or perhaps it was intentional—Xia An reached out and took a sip from Tang Wan’s glass. Only then did he smile at Zhang Chunmin and say, "Uncle Zhang, you look very young yourself."

From beginning to end, Zhang Chunmin did not detect a shred of the typical awkwardness or flightiness of a teenager in Xia An. He nodded, choosing not to ask anything further. Instead, he turned his gaze to Tang Wan, whose state was completely different from when she had been facing him alone.

Tang Wan had already unwrapped the box. The moment she touched the silk scarf, she knew it wasn't expensive—just a souvenir. Yet, her face blossomed with joy. Seeing the two men fall silent, she asked Xia An with great excitement:

"Did you tell your parents you were coming to see me?"

Xia An nodded. "That's right."

"Was this specifically sent for me?"

Tang Wan shook the scarf in her hands, her eyes full of anticipation.

Xia An carefully recalled the scene at his front door. He nodded firmly. "That's right, they prepared it specifically for you. Oh, and this, too." He pulled out a mosquito repellent balm and placed it on the table.

Tang Wan treasured it like a precious find, holding it in her hands, her eyes nearly misting over. "Perfect, I have Type B blood; I'm a magnet for mosquitoes."

"..."

Xia An smiled and said he was glad she liked it.

Watching this scene, Zhang Chunmin felt a complicated mix of emotions. Before this boy arrived, his niece had carried herself with the elegant, poised demeanor of a refined lady. During their conversation, she had been steady and generous. But looking at her now, she was acting more spoiled than his own eight-year-old daughter. However, from the way Tang Wan’s gaze lingered on Xia An, the experienced Zhang Chunmin was certain of one thing: she truly loved this boy.

"I heard from Xiao Wan that you’ve been taking care of her for the past week. I want to thank you for that." Zhang Chunmin stubbed out his cigarette and blew the ash off the table.

Xia An said it was the least he could do. He thought to himself, *Here it comes; he’s about to bring up Tang Tianxing’s sordid affairs.* He figured Tang Wan must have already told Zhang Chunmin about his wit and his mature, seasoned nature.

To his surprise, Zhang Chunmin’s next words were: "Xiao Wan’s parents had their accident during this month. Every year around this time, she gets a bit down. It’s a good thing you could take her out for a trip. But young man, as a man—regardless of whether she is older or younger than you—you must exercise proper judgment."

He was warning him not to fool around, or at the very least, to use protection. It was the kind of thing an elder should say, certainly. But wait—a trip?

Xia An caught a glimpse of Tang Wan covering her mouth to hide a giggle, kicking his toes under the table. Xia An realized in an instant that Tang Wan still hadn't told Zhang Chunmin about her "being sick."

He had guessed right. After meeting at ten o'clock, Tang Wan had told Zhang Chunmin three things. First, she was seeing someone—a high school graduate, a junior from the same school, several years her junior. Second, their encounter at the Chi Ao graduation banquet yesterday noon was just her picking up Xia An; her outfit was merely a spur-of-the-moment choice, and the girl supporting Xia An was just a common classmate. Finally, she explained why she was distancing herself from the Tang family: she wanted to work and live in another city.

"It’s been ten years, Uncle Zhang. It’s time for me to change how I live, isn't it?"

That sentence had blocked all of Zhang Chunmin’s potential arguments. There was nothing left to say but to offer his blessings. Zhang Chunmin had only asked to meet Xia An to "vet" him. Tang Wan hadn't been very willing at the time, calling Xia An a very ordinary boy, but she had been curious to see how Xia An would handle Zhang Chunmin. Would he make excuses? Would he hesitate or deny it?

The result was quite good; Tang Wan was satisfied with everything Xia An had done since appearing. Zhang Chunmin couldn’t say he was dissatisfied with Xia An, either. He just hadn't expected his first impression of a nineteen-year-old to be that he was "calculating."

Xia An’s mind raced as he grasped Tang Wan’s little scheme. It was harmless, and since he was here, he wasn't about to hand the initiative over to anyone else.

As the waiter brought the drinks, Xia An picked up Tang Wan’s glass and handed it over, asking the waiter to replace it with a hot beverage. He said to Tang Wan, "I noticed it was a bit cold when I tasted it; you shouldn't drink it."

Tang Wan’s eyes sparkled with affection. When the waiter asked what to swap it with, Xia An asked what they had. Hot coffee wasn't great, and Tang Wan was lactose intolerant, so hot milk was out. Tang Wan looked as happy as could be. Then, she heard Xia An say to the waiter, "Bring a bowl of wontons."

The waiter and Tang Wan: "..."

Zhang Chunmin smiled, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Here’s the thing, Xiao Xia. I have to accompany some leaders in the city at noon, and I expect I’ll be drinking quite late. I’ll treat you and Xiao Wan to a meal another day—at my home."

Xia An gave an innocent smile. He had indeed been hinting to Zhang Chunmin that it was noon, so why not talk while eating? Since that was the case, he’d be direct. Xia An told the waiter to bring two bowls, then said to Zhang Chunmin, "You can't avoid drinking when accompanying leaders, so you should line your stomach first to keep it warm, or you'll hurt yourself."

Zhang Chunmin’s first thought was that this kid was either a heavy drinker himself or was very accustomed to those who were. This café, named "Shangdao," was quite popular at the moment. It served not just wontons, but rice bowls as well.

With hot broth and generous fillings, topped with seaweed and dried shrimp, the wontons were served. Xia An cracked melon seeds while watching the uncle and niece eat, chatting idly from time to time. When he heard that Xia An had been admitted to Donghai University, Zhang Chunmin gave Tang Wan a meaningful look. Tang Wan glared back secretly.

After finishing a handful of seeds, Xia An, who hadn't noticed their silent exchange, asked:

"I heard you work at Jintang Real Estate, Uncle Zhang?"

Zhang Chunmin slurped some hot broth and said he was just fated to work for Xiao Wan’s family. He said it with a smile, but Xia An clearly saw the helplessness hidden within.

Xia An asked again, "Cuihu Villas was Jintang’s first project, right? I remember it was incredibly popular when it opened. Was that your handiwork, Uncle Zhang?"

Cuihu Villas was Tang Wan’s former home; it wasn't anymore. Zhang Chunmin didn't find it strange that he knew this, so he waved his hand and said no. He told Xia An he had only been transferred to the real estate company for management duties this February.

Xia An poured hot tea for Zhang Chunmin and nodded. "Are there any new projects this year?"

Zhang Chunmin glanced at him. "No, we’re planning to develop one next year on the outskirts of the city. Is your family planning to move, Xiao Xia?"

Xia An shook his head with a smile.

Tang Wan interjected, "Uncle Zhang will be promoted to General Manager in a while."

Zhang Chunmin sighed, unable to voice his grievances, and ate his wontons in silence.

Xia An kept smiling. He knew what Tang Wan was talking about, of course. Jintang Real Estate would likely be spun off from the Tang Group sometime next year. In 2018, Jintang owed Xia An 8.6 million that it never repaid. Although it was a debt from his previous life, Xia An remembered it very clearly. The legal representative was Zhang Chunmin, who was sentenced to thirteen years.

Xia An stretched, stood up, walked to the self-service station, and returned with a glass of iced lemonade. As he sipped, he said out of the blue, "Are you aware that Cuihu Villas doesn't have all five required construction permits?"

Tang Wan froze. Zhang Chunmin spat out half a shrimp.

Xia An smiled calmly and handed him a napkin. Then he added: "And you must certainly know that in order to secure that land, Jintang Real Estate paid 4.6 million in bribes?"

This time, Zhang Chunmin was stunned.

Xia An continued: "You don't know that either? Tsk, Uncle Zhang, the business model of real estate seems simple, but the ins and outs are incredibly complex. If you don't even understand the industry, how dare you step into it blindly?"

Zhang Chunmin pulled his gaze away from Xia An’s face and turned to look blankly at Tang Wan. He inexplicably recalled the expression Tang Wan had worn an hour ago when she said, "He’s just an ordinary boy."

Could it be that the shy, bashful expression actually meant "it’s not convenient to talk about it"?

A child from an official’s family? *Hmm, very likely.* That would explain why his demeanor and way of speaking were so mature.

*Ordinary?* Remembering how Tang Wan had used that word to describe Xia An, Zhang Chunmin suddenly felt it was somewhat ridiculous. He straightened his back, sat upright, and wiped the corners of his mouth.

He asked Xia An in a probing tone: "May I ask what your father..."

Xia An cut him off with a casual "Ha," saying, "My father is just a regular low-level leader."

Section Chief of the Fifth Lathe Management Section at the Dongshan Third Machinery Factory in Donghai Province. It would come out sooner or later. It was better to get everything clear today.

As Xia An said this, he tapped the top of Tang Wan’s foot under the table, meaning: *Cooperate, I’m your boyfriend.*