Chapter 76: Another Hot Potato in My Hands

Outside, the air was hot and oppressive; inside the café, cool and refreshing. Gentle symphonic music played in the background as groups of young professionals, fresh from work, entered in twos and threes, quietly choosing their seats and beginning their conversations.

Zhang Tianfeng sat by the window, his head bent over the investment report Alice had provided. The report detailed every investment: the precise time, amount, investor, and rate of return—exactly the kind of work required by their cadre of professional brokers.

“Hmm, not bad. The report is very clear—easy to grasp at a glance.”

“It’s really thanks to your guidance, boss. If you hadn’t insisted on investing in Chinese concept stocks back then, I doubt the returns would’ve been this good.”

“What does that have to do with it?” Zhang Tianfeng retorted.

Alice smiled slightly, took a sip of iced coffee, and said with a laugh, “I have a rather peculiar personality. If I take on a task, I have to do it well. If my employer’s investments encounter problems, I won’t sleep well for days.”

“When I first hosted you, I simply saw it as a business deal.”

“Reality has proven your investment philosophy is spot-on, and your commercial logic is absolutely captivating.”

Alice clasped her hands together, resting her chin atop them. “Boss, why don’t I become your exclusive broker? I don’t want a salary, just your answers to my questions.”

Zhang Tianfeng glanced at the bitten, flattened straw and shook his head. “I hate trouble. I’m not as impressive as you imagine. Let’s leave it at that—no need to bring it up again.”

“All right, let’s talk about the follow-up investment plan.”

She took out her notebook, put on glasses, prepared her ballpoint pen and recorder. Instantly, Alice’s demeanor shifted from lively girl to cool, composed businesswoman.

Zhang Tianfeng couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at how quickly women could change their faces—a gift bestowed by heaven.

“First, continue holding the current stocks. Cash out a small portion to repay Longxin Investment Company’s first-quarter funds.”

“Next…”

One command after another was relayed; Alice entered her workaholic mode, recording every word Zhang Tianfeng spoke.

When he finished, she organized the notes into an article, handed it to him for review, and after his confirmation, photographed it, preserving two copies.

Removing her glasses, Alice reverted to her lively, youthful self. When she smiled, dimples appeared on both cheeks. “Boss, isn’t it time to treat me to a drink?”

“Haven’t you eaten yet?”

“I don’t usually have dinner. A glass of red wine and then I’m ready for bed.”

“All right, you lead the way. I’m not familiar with this area.”

“Sure thing, just give me a moment.”

After a trip to the restroom, Alice transformed completely into a vibrant young woman. She wore a skirt above the knees, a cropped T-shirt, and had her hair tied up, exuding youthful energy from head to toe.

“What’s this…”

“Like your people say: love your work, dress for your trade. This is my outfit for the bar. So, what do you think—pretty?”

Watching Alice spin around, her skirt swirling dangerously high, Zhang Tianfeng’s mouth twitched.

Foreign girls were certainly bold.

But since nobody objected, Zhang Tianfeng kept quiet, not wanting to appear ungracious.

Alice’s chosen bar was just outside the CBD. Upon entering, a riot of perfumes, fine wines, and cigarette smoke assaulted Zhang Tianfeng’s senses.

Explosive music battered his ears, flashing lights cast the writhing dancers on stage into surreal relief.

The dance floor teemed with handsome men and beautiful women, sweating and releasing waves of hormones that made the atmosphere sultry and tantalizing.

Zhang Tianfeng had hoped to let loose for once, but upon arrival, he realized he couldn’t. His mental age had never quite caught up; though he possessed the recklessness of youth, he was mostly steady, calculating, and cautious like a middle-aged man.

He found a booth and sat down as Alice ordered drinks. Zhang Tianfeng surveyed the surroundings.

Suddenly, a flash of white caught his eye, and Alice’s enticing voice sounded.

“Zhang, why are you looking at other girls? Am I not pretty enough?”

Alice leaned forward, her eyes level with his, inching closer. “You’re truly talented. I admire you greatly. Let me be your girlfriend.”

“Miss Alice, don’t you find this progression a little strange?” Zhang Tianfeng turned his head away. “I’ve always thought of us as employer and ordinary friends.”

“Relationships can evolve. Ordinary friends can become lovers.”

Alice grabbed his collar and asked, “Don’t you like me? You’ve stolen glances at me several times today—I saw it all.”

“Everyone appreciates beauty, but you should stop. This could reflect poorly on you.”

After three refusals in succession, Alice’s initiative was extinguished. She returned to her seat and downed the glass of red wine.

Just as she was about to say she wanted to leave, she noticed Zhang Tianfeng’s gaze fixed on the entrance.

Looking over, Alice saw a stunning Eastern girl glaring and gritting her teeth. She didn’t need confirmation; her feminine intuition told her the girl had an ambiguous connection to Zhang Tianfeng.

Yes—Gao Ran had tracked them down.

Back when they were still in the café, Gao Ran had been watching from downstairs, able to observe Zhang Tianfeng’s actions, see him reviewing reports, and hear her father say the woman was an investment advisor from a financial company. She guessed Zhang Tianfeng was making money.

But after Alice changed outfits and the pair stepped into the bar, Gao Ran could no longer sit still.

She’d intended to sneak in and see what they were up to, but as soon as she entered, Zhang Tianfeng caught sight of her.

Recalling how Alice had sat on Zhang Tianfeng’s lap moments before, Gao Ran was furious, glaring twice before turning and bolting.

“Damn, there’s nothing between us, so why do I feel like a cheating husband caught by his wife?” Zhang Tianfeng muttered, chuckling to himself before looking up and saying, “Miss Alice, I’m sorry—I have to leave. Stay and enjoy your drinks; it’s on me, no matter how much you have.”

“One glass is enough. I need to go home and rest—work tomorrow.”

“All right, I’ll see you to your car.”

That’s exactly what she was waiting for!

Seeing Gao Ran, Alice’s possessiveness, which had only just faded, surged back. After several encounters, she was certain Zhang Tianfeng was the type of Eastern man she wanted: talented, wealthy, connected, witty, humorous, and, crucially, possessed of extraordinary self-control.

Despite her temptations, he remained unmoved—far superior to those who were easily swayed by money or women.

Such men were rare; miss one, and the odds of happiness diminished significantly.

Alice decided to make her move and claim this desirable man.

Leaving the bar and descending the steps, the clichéd drama unfolded: Alice twisted her ankle, unable to walk.

Zhang Tianfeng had no choice but to carry her into a taxi, then to her home, and finally into her room.

He sensed something might happen that night, so he refused both the water and food Alice offered, but ultimately couldn’t avoid her.

Just before leaving, Alice launched a surprise attack, kissing him on the cheek. The emotions Zhang Tianfeng had suppressed for so long finally erupted.

A volcanic explosion!

Countless words omitted...

The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the windows, Zhang Tianfeng awoke, guided by his biological clock.

Opening his eyes, he found himself in a strange room, a faint fragrance lingering nearby.

Turning, he saw Alice still asleep. The two had been up till four or five in the morning, changed the sheets, showered, and were thoroughly exhausted.

He gently touched Alice’s cheek and quietly got out of bed, heading to the kitchen.

As soon as he left, Alice’s eyelids twitched—she was pretending to sleep.

Though Alice seemed bold, when it came to real passion, she was no match for the experienced Zhang Tianfeng, completely at his mercy.

After a while, she slowly got up, dressed, and limped to the living room, where milk, toast, and fried eggs were already laid out.

“You’re up already? Don’t move, sit down—vegetable soup will be ready soon,” Zhang Tianfeng said.

“Zhang, do you cook breakfast yourself?” Alice asked, a little shocked.

“Why would you think I don’t? Is it because I’m wealthy?” Zhang Tianfeng replied with a smile.

“Yes, these tasks should be done by servants,” Alice said.

“In my view, cooking is a pleasure.”

With that, Zhang Tianfeng brought over the vegetable soup. “Breakfast is ready. It’s simple—hope you don’t mind.”

“No, not at all, really.”

Alice was flattered; this was the first time in her life a man had made breakfast for her.

No wonder Western women wanted Eastern husbands—they were just so gentlemanly.

“Mmm, delicious! Zhang, your vegetable soup rivals that of a Michelin chef.”

“Far from it, don’t flatter me, I…”

He hadn’t finished when the phone on the sofa rang. Alice walked over to answer it.

The voice on the other end was loud—Zhang Tianfeng could hear it clearly, even from his seat.

It seemed to be a call from Alice’s family. The male voice was stern, criticizing Alice for bringing an Eastern man home overnight.

Alice’s tone was equally spirited, insisting she was an adult and could make her own decisions.

It was the familiar quarrel between father and daughter; the father sounded as though his precious cabbage had been stolen.

At last, a new voice came through.

“Mr. Rothschild, your guest has arrived.” The call ended there.

Rothschild… the great Western financial dynasty!

Suddenly, Zhang Tianfeng realized he was holding yet another hot potato in his hands.