Chapter 218: How Did I Suddenly Reach the Age for Arranged Marriage?
It was a rare paid business trip, and Sang Zhe had a great time playing in Lingzhou City with Gu Yingmian before reluctantly returning to the Demon Cult.
Of course, the first thing upon returning to the Demon Cult was to discuss collaboration with Tang Yubbing and Hua Jianglian.
After all.
Collaborating with a colossal entity like Floating Splendor Commerce was no small matter.
A tiny misstep could potentially wipe out the Demon Cult’s entire treasury.
“…So, what you’re saying is.”
In Tang Yubbing’s office, Hua Jianglian, candy in her mouth, recited, “The biggest hidden danger right now is that we have no idea what trouble the other side is in, right?”
“Exactly.”
Sang Zhe explained, “Floating Splendor Commerce is now so eager to recruit a force with a Major Ascension cultivator, it’s likely they’re in deep trouble.”
“What I’m most worried about is if we collaborate with them, and their trouble is too big for us to handle, we’d end up losing our entire fortune.”
“So, I think it’s essential to investigate the current situation of Floating Splendor Commerce before making a decision.”
Of course, Sang Zhe could just ask Nian Nian for help.
But right now, that little rascal had turned into a sly merchant—asking for any news meant she’d extract some of your points one way or another.
As an ultimate penny-pincher, Sang Zhe couldn’t bear to spend points on this.
Anyway, since most of the new employees at the Demon Cult branch had just joined and had nothing to do, it’d be perfect to train them up with Shi Qingyan and send a few scouts to gather intelligence.
“Sounds good.”
Hua Jianglian sat on the desk, swinging her slender legs in the air, “The main company can’t spare many people right now, it’s best if you can handle it yourself.”
“If it’s really urgent for manpower… I can temporarily transfer Meng Qiyan over.”
Before Sang Zhe could say anything, Tang Yubbing exclaimed in delight, “Really?”
“Sect Leader! You better not back out!”
“Joking! When have I ever treated my people poorly?”
Hua Jianglian huffed proudly, “Anyway, I’m handing this matter completely over to you. Don’t make me lose face!”
“When the deal goes through, you’ll get a bonus!”
“Wooo~ Long live the Sect Leader!”
“But!” Hua Jianglian suddenly changed her tone and fixed her gaze on Sang Zhe.
“If there’s a chance during negotiations, try to get me a VIP membership card for Fusa Pavilion. Or the signed editions from that manga author I like.”
Sang Zhe: “…”
——
——
After sending Hua Jianglian off, Tang Yubbing cheerfully started calling people to tidy up the empty office in preparation for Meng Qiyan’s arrival.
Seeing her in such high spirits made Sang Zhe curious, “Sister Yubbing, you and Meng Qiyan are pretty close, huh?”
“Not really.”
Tang Yubbing blinked, “But I’ve been eyeing Meng Qiyan’s business skills for a long time. Wanted to bring her to the branch but was worried the Sect Leader wouldn’t let her go.”
“Is she really that amazing?”
“She is the performance champion of our Heavenly Punishment Department. Just like you at the Punishment Department,” Tang Yubbing explained. “These past two years, she and her girls have practically supported seventy percent of our Demon Cult’s revenue.”
“…Speaking of which, Meng Qiyan and her girls, aren’t they all your Demon Cult’s fairies?”
“Have a little more interest in them occasionally, will you?” She poked Sang Zhe’s nose reproachfully.
Sang Zhe could only awkwardly touch the tip of his nose.
Not that he didn’t want to care.
It’s just that Meng Qiyan and her crew were genuinely too busy.
As the mainstay of the Heavenly Punishment Department, she was often working twenty-eight days a month, and wherever her fairies went, not even a blade of grass would grow, sending neighboring sects into panic.
Plus, Meng Qiyan herself was a workaholic.
She seemed to truly enjoy the feeling of being immersed in her work.
So usually, Sang Zhe didn’t dare to disturb her and just waited for her to find him when she had free time.
But now that the Sect Leader had given the green light, he actually had a rare chance to work with Meng Qiyan for a while.
“I’m trusting this to you, okay?”
Tang Yubbing said softly, “When Meng Qiyan arrives, you and Yan Rouwan should train our new branch employees and send them out for intelligence gathering.”
“They’re both your ladies after all. You can handle it well, right, Sang Zhe?”
Seeing the teasing look in Tang Yubbing’s eyes, Sang Zhe cleared his throat, “What do you mean my ladies… they are colleagues, all colleagues.”
Tang Yubbing rolled her eyes.
Suddenly, the communication device beside her buzzed.
Tang Yubbing picked it up, saw the caller ID, and her expression changed. Moments later, she was nervously stuttering:
“Uh, I, I need to step out for a call. You go ahead with your work.”
Saying this, she grabbed the communication device and dashed out like she was escaping.
Leaving Sang Zhe looking confused as he watched her flee.
Why did Sister Yubbing look so flustered?
What was going on?
But since it was someone’s personal privacy, Sang Zhe didn’t pry and left Tang Yubbing’s office to get back to work.
——
——
“…Aiya, mom, how many times do I have to say this?”
In the quiet corridor, Tang Yubbing helplessly addressed the communication device: “Let’s put this off for now; I’m in a career peak, can’t go back home.”
“Not happening!”
On the other end of the line, a fierce voice replied, “Have you even considered how old you are this year? Huh? Always pushing it back.”
“If you wait two more years, your father and I might be gone and never see our grandchild. Is that what you want?”
“But…”
“There’s no ‘buts’!”
“Tang Yubbing, listen to me.” The woman barked, “Your father and I finally managed to snag a date with Cao Sima’s son. You’ve got to go meet him!”
“In a month, if I don’t see you back home, I’ll grab a blanket and cry at your sect’s entrance every day!”
“Mom!”
Before Tang Yubbing could say anything more, the call was already disconnected.
Staring at the communication device, she fell into silence for a long moment and finally sighed wearily.
“Ai.”
“Why does it feel like I’ve unwittingly reached the age to be pushed into marriage?” she gazed out the window, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
Outside, the branch’s square still looked a bit desolate, with only one or two employees lazily strolling by.
Leaning against the window, Tang Yubbing’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and the mere idea of going home left her anxious.
Clearly, her relationship with her family wasn’t even that great.
And they used to look down on her as their daughter.
Now, they were talking about emotions and wanting her to come back for an arranged marriage…
“I wonder if I’ll even have time to deal with Floating Splendor Commerce in a month,” she muttered to herself.
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