Jiang Han stared at Xu Yan with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Miss Xu, there's no need to be overly thrilled. It is Mr. Qian and I who should be thrilled."

Xu Yan leaned against the wall, feeling the urge to scold him, but she still greeted Qian Kun with a smile, "Mr. Qian, it's been a while since we last met!"

"Oh! Xu Yan, it's really you!" Qian Kun held his forehead and turned to Jiang Han, saying, "I'm so excited to see her, it's causing my blood pressure to rise a bit!"

Jiang Han said with a fake smile, "You need to take it easy. Did you bring your blood pressure medication?"

"Mr. Qian, you are still the same as before, always joking around." Xu Yan ignored Jiang Han's presence, "I apologize for intruding and hope you won't blame me!"

Qian Kun waved his hand. "Not at all. It's quite uncommon for you to come to me, a rough guy. You came at the right time today. Mr. Jiang is also here. You haven't seen each other for a long time, have you? Let's have lunch together. It's my treat!"

Xu Yan glared at Jiang Han and said, "Mr. Jiang has been here for the whole morning. I'm afraid he has delayed a lot of official business. Let's not further impede his schedule."

"Never mind." Jiang Han didn't want to join in the mirth. After all, he had spent the entire morning sipping tea with Qian Kun, engaging in industry gossip. However, Xu Yan sounded ironic, he wanted to impede her.

"I need to have lunch, even if I return to the company now. Why don't I benefit from Miss Xu and accept Mr. Qian's invitation? We can also catch up on old times." He said casually, his eyes exuding the same arrogance as always.

Qian Kun said carelessly, "You are right. You can leave after the dinner."

Xu Yan really disliked Jiang Han. However, she came to find Qian Kun today to discuss business, thus she couldn't openly show her displeasure in front of him. She smiled and said, "Mr. Qian, how can I let you treat me? It is my pleasure to treat you."

"It doesn't matter who pays the bill. Let's head to Xiaokunlun Restaurant. The cuisine there is quite good." Qian Kun suggested, taking the lead, "It's near my company. It might be difficult to find a parking space, we can walk there."

Xu Yan caught up with him. "Is it a new restaurant? I've never heard of it before."

Jiang Han stood at the rear. As he caught the click of her high-heeled shoes on the tiled floor, a frown etched across his face, gradually morphed into ire.

At the restaurant, Xu Yan sat down in a private room and took the tablet menu from the waiter's hand, then handed it to Qian Kun, saying, "Mr. Qian, kindly order. You are a seasoned patron, so you must be familiar with the delicious dishes here."

Qian Kun turned to Jiang Han and said, "I defer to Mr. Jiang's choice. I like all the dishes here."

"Mr. Jiang has an average appetite. He isn't particularly selective about food, so I will take charge of placing the order." Xu Yan interjected, not allowing Jiang Han an opportunity to speak, and swiftly made the selections on the tablet.

Jiang Han knew that she must be up to no good. Now Xu Yan had become unscrupulous in front of him.

After ordering the dishes, she picked up the teacup in front of her and took a sip, looking at Jiang Han with a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

Jiang Han caught her gaze, but he didn't care. He took out a cigarette from the cigarette case, lit it, and smoked slowly.

Qian Kun asked Xu Yan, "Are you a sales consultant at Meisi Group? What are you in charge of?"

"I'm in charge of sales, both online and offline." she replied.

"Isn't the Meisi Group's Marketing Department in charge of sales?" Jiang Han interrupted.

"My direct boss is Mr. Cheng." Xu Yan replied coldly.

Qian Kun narrowed his eyes and asked, "How long have you been in Meisi Group?"

"It hasn't been long. It's only been a week."

"Over a week?" Jiang Han looked at her through the smoke, as if he wanted to see through her. "Are you indicating that Meisi Group can triumph over Xinlan Group in the E-commerce Festival with your one-week effort?"

Qian Kun was surprised. "Was it your effort that led to the surge in Meisi Group's sales?"

Xu Yan emphasized again, "I was just a sales consultant before."

Qian Kun gave her a thumbs-up and said, "You are hiding behind skillfully! After knowing about the changes in Meisi Group, I made it a point to inquire about it. I was eager to find out what talents Cheng Ji had recruited, but I didn't get any useful information."

After that, he turned to Jiang Han and said, "Your assistant is truly remarkable. I am wondering why you didn't retain such exceptional talent."

Jiang Han pursed his lips. "Everyone has their own aspirations, and I can't possibly hinder her bright future."

Xu Yan only heard full sarcasm in the words 'bright future'. What kind of a bright future would it be to examine the cadavers with unknown cause of death and decomposition in the morgue?

She snorted in her heart and pretended to be innocent. "I'm not a smart person. I didn't learn much from Mr. Jiang and don't meet the requirements of Xinlan Group."

"Didn't learn much?" Jiang Han narrowed his eyes and looked at her. "Meisi Group reported a sales volume of 170 million yuan during the E-commerce Festival. How can you say that you didn't learn much?"

Qian Kun took a sip of tea, licked his lips, and said, "Don't be so modest, Xu Yan."

Xu Yan still looked innocent. "Mr. Jiang, a few days ago, you mentioned that what I had learned was merely a fraction of the knowledge, unworthy of praise. I kindly request continued guidance from you two in the days to come."

Jiang Han became sullen. Since this woman overcame her timidity, her art of counter-arguing had grown even more formidable.

It turned out that she had been pretending innocent when she was with him?

Qian Kun turned to Jiang Han and said, "Mr. Jiang, that's your fault. You failed to retain such a good talent."

Jiang Han glanced at Xu Yan and tapped his finger on the glass turntable, "Yes, I was wrong."

"I am quite the klutz, which is probably why Mr. Jiang doesn't have a favorable opinion of me. I can only blame myself." Xu Yan chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Jiang Han snorted. It seemed that she was lowering herself, but in fact, she was mocking him for his poor taste.

She really couldn't stand any grievance now, not even a small disadvantage in words.

Qian Kun said with a smile on his face, "It's not your fault at all. The responsibility falls on Xinlan Group. How much did Cheng Ji offer you? I'll double that amount. Join my company."

She pursed her lips and said, "Mr. Qian, you always have a fondness for jesting."

"I'm not joking. I'm serious."

Xu Yan glanced at Jiang Han. "Well, not a joke. But can I answer in front of Mr. Jiang?"

"Haha, absolutely not. It's confidential. Let's discuss this in private," Qian Kun said.

Jiang Han looked at Xu Yan and said, "Let me guess, is your annual salary ten million yuan?"

Xu Yan was stunned. Before she could fight back, Qian Kun widened his eyes and said, "10 million yuan an year? Are you kidding me? My company doesn't make this much gross in a year."

"If I work hard for two more years, perhaps I can acquire Xinlan Group for Meisi Group on my salary." Xu Yan said.

Jiang Han picked up his teacup and said indifferently, "I am looking forward to the arrival of that day."

The waiter knocked on the door and served the dishes. The first dish was two-chili twice-cooked pork, with red chili and green chili on the whole plate.

Qian Kun was from the southwest region who loved spicy food. He said happily, "This dish is very delicious. Its blend of red and green is enticing. It looks appetizing."

After that, he said to Jiang Han, "Have a taste. The dishes of Xiaokunlun Restaurant are exquisite and delicious."

Jiang Han didn't move his chopsticks. He stared at Xu Yan with a disingenuous smile, as if he was saying, "Just this little trick?"

During his previous study abroad experience, he can't adapt to the local cuisine, resulting in several occasions where he went hungry. As a consequence, his stomach endured significant harm, rendering him unable to tolerate spicy food.

Qian Kun asked him strangely, "Mr. Jiang, why don't you eat?"

Jiang Han raised his phone and said, "Let me send a message first."

Xu Yan picked up the food and ate, feeling the pleasure of taking revenge.

The second dish was spicy mantis shrimps. The cooking broth was particularly red. Xu Yan put on gloves, peeled one, and put it in Jiang Han's bowl and said to Qian Kun. "Mr. Jiang used to like eating mantis shrimps, although the peeling process may be a tad burdensome."

Qian Kun gave her a thumbs-up. "Your assistant is qualified. Mr. Jiang, you should appreciate her kindness."

Jiang Han glanced at Xu Yan, who tilted her head mischievously, provoking him. He didn't want to lose in momentum, so he picked up the mantis shrimp and put it into his mouth.

He chewed and swallowed it, feeling the fiery sensation of chili pepper spreading from his mouth down his throat. He nodded. "It tastes palatable."

Xu Yan sneered in her heart, "May you forever find it palatable."

The third dish was spicy boiled beef, which left Jiang Han with a fiery sensation. Qian Kun enthusiastically introduced, "Spicy boiled beef is also this restaurant's specialty. The beef is very tender and velvety, and the cooking broth is fresh and spicy, especially appetizing."

Xu Yan stared at Jiang Han, her expression almost challenging him, saying, "Let's see if you dare to eat it." Without even drinking any water, he effortlessly consumed a few pieces.

She didn't believe that his stomach disease had been cured. He was probably forcing himself.

When the fish head with chopped chili was served, Jiang Han's forehead was already sweating a little. He began to experience gastric discomfort, and excruciating waves of burning agony surged through his stomach.

He said to Qian Kun, "Mr. Qian, your wife mentioned during the last time we spoke that your physical examination results were not up to par. Therefore, I suggest consuming light meals."

Qian Kun waved his chopsticks and said indifferently, "Hey, don't listen to her. She likes to make a fuss. Why do we make money? Isn't it just to live a good life? Can't we eat delectable meals? What's the essence of money if not for our own contentment?"

After that, Qian Kun realized, "You don't like these dishes?"

Xu Yan shot him a mocking look as he denied it. "I like these dishes. I'm simply reminding you to be mindful of your dietary choices."

"We have soup and a fried egg with bitter gourd later." Xu Yan said, almost unable to suppress the joy in her heart.

…

After drinking two bowls of soup, Jiang Han felt a little better.

Qian Kun received a call from his wife, informing him of an urgent matter at home that required his immediate attention.

He said to Xu Yan apologetically, "It's my first time treating you to a meal, but I have to go back now. Please wait for me at the company's office, and we can talk when I return."

Xu Yan graciously replied, "No problem, please proceed with your tasks."

After Qian Kun left, she looked at Jiang Han and said with a cold face, "No need for pretense. If you're truly in pain, feel free to shed some tears. Anyway, I don't have any medicine."

Jiang Han wouldn't show weakness in front of her. He called Kang Cheng and said in a deep voice, "Go pick me up at Xiaokunlun Restaurant near Qian Kun's Company."

After hanging up the phone, he asked Xu Yan, "How is your family lately?"

Hearing his question, Xu Yan was angry. "Mr. Jiang is really a generous capitalist. Despite the unbearable pain in your stomach, you still find it fitting to inquire about my family?"

She stood up and pointed at him, saying sternly, "Thanks to you, my family has been living in such a miserable condition! Don't pretend to be a good person in front of me!"

After that, she slammed the door and left, utterly disregarding the beads of perspiration glistening on Jiang Han's forehead.

Xu Yan had no intention of waiting at Qian Kun's company. On the way back to Meisi Group, she called Qian Kun and said directly, " Mr. Qian, Meisi Group's sales performance has been very good recently. I assume that your offline sales are doing well. I suggest taking advantage to buy more merchandise."

Qian Kun had not returned home yet. He said on the phone, "Do you know why Jiang Han came to me?"

"I understand. He approached you with the same objective as me - to boost offline sales through your procurement." she remarked.

Qian Kun shifted his posture and said, "Xu Yan, it is important to differentiate between business affairs and personal connections. Xinlan Group has granted me credit terms alongside discount policies. Whoever helps me make more money, I will work for them."

"What discount policies did Xinlan Group give you?"

"An additional 2% rebate." Qian Kun said straightforwardly.

"I need to discuss this with Mr. Cheng." Xu Yan said.

…

When Kang Cheng entered the private room and saw the pale face of Jiang Han, he knew that he had a stomachache. He quickly helped him back to the car, took out the stomach medicine, and let him eat it. He muttered, "Couldn't you opt for a non-spicy dish?"

Jiang Han leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and said, "I ate with Xu Yan."

"She knows you can't eat spicy food, yet she still orders so many spicy dishes. Her intentions seem malicious." Kang Cheng condemned Xu Yan for his boss.

"Go and gather information on Xu Yan and her family's recent activities," Jiang Han commanded.

"Shall I begin from the very moment today?"

"Yes!" Jiang Han covered his stomach. "She's now on the front line of Meisi Group and is fighting against with us openly. I want to know about her and her family's situation in recent years."