Volume One, Chapter 17: Everything Is Possible

“Achoo—”

Bai Ruoxi sat in front of her computer and sneezed forcefully.

She touched her nose and looked into the webcam. “Could we switch all meetings to video calls for the next few days? I’m not feeling well and it’s inconvenient for me to go out.”

If she directly told Lu Ming that Jiang Jinglan had locked her inside Nanyue Elegant Residence, Lu Ming would surely report it to Qiao Jinbo.

But she hadn’t yet decided to leave Jiang Jinglan, so she had to maintain Jiang Jinglan’s image as much as possible in front of Qiao Jinbo.

Lu Ming nodded, his expression growing more serious.

“President Qiao, I want to confirm again: Is it decided that Jiang Group will take on the Annian Nursing Home construction project?”

Annian Nursing Home was a high-end care facility project that Dingsheng Group wanted to invest in within Jiang City, with a total investment exceeding 2.5 billion yuan.

This sum wasn’t particularly large for the Qiao Group, but it was currently Dingsheng’s biggest project in Jiang City.

Giving the project to Jiang Group… Lu Ming and a few other senior executives who knew Bai Ruoxi’s true identity felt uncomfortable about it.

“Should we reconsider? I mean, something just happened yesterday, and yet we’re still giving the project to Jiang Group?” Lu Ming tactfully reminded her.

Bai Ruoxi shook her head.

“Let’s give it to Jiang Group. Besides, all previous projects they completed were done well, weren’t they?”

Setting other matters aside, Jiang Jinglan truly was capable.

Projects given to Jiang Group were basically completed ahead of schedule under the premise of ensuring quality.

Even Lu Ming couldn’t deny that.

“Understood. I’ll arrange it later today.”

The murderer who caused the death of Bai Ruoxi’s parents was still at large in Jiang City.

Qiao Jinbo was concerned about Bai Ruoxi’s safety and had not revealed her identity for the time being.

Even Lu Ming and others only learned about the existence of an heir in the Qiao family after receiving their appointments.

Bai Ruoxi managed Dingsheng’s investments in Jiang City and matters related to Jiade Plaza behind the scenes, but her identity remained strictly confidential.

Most affairs were handled by trusted aides carefully selected by Qiao Jinbo, with Bai Ruoxi only participating in decision-making from behind the scenes.

Lu Ming paused, then suddenly recalled the call from Chairman Qiao last night and couldn’t help but gossip, “President Qiao, do you know Fu Mingshen?”

“Fu Mingshen?”

Bai Ruoxi thought for a few seconds, uncertain. “Is he that star architect who appeared on the cover of an international architecture magazine four years ago?”

“I’ve heard Grandpa mention him. He should now be heading the branch in Country A.”

Qiao Jinbo rarely praised anyone, but he never held back praise for Fu Mingshen, saying he was good-looking, came from a good background, had excellent education, and was highly capable.

After a moment’s thought, Bai Ruoxi sincerely admired, “Although I haven’t met him, Fu Mingshen must be quite impressive. Why did you suddenly bring him up?”

“Nothing much, just heard there was a personnel change involving Fu Mingshen recently.”

Lu Ming smiled, realizing that President Qiao truly didn’t know Fu Mingshen, which made things more interesting.

Bai Ruoxi took a sip of the hot black tea beside her and replied casually, “Jiang City is a peripheral area. Grandpa is reluctant to transfer Fu Mingshen here.”

“Is that so? I feel like anything is possible,” Lu Ming said meaningfully. “Maybe President Fu likes Jiang City.”

“Anything’s possible in dreams…”

Bai Ruoxi raised an eyebrow, thinking Lu Ming hoped a capable person would be transferred here to help handle business.

But Fu Mingshen wasn’t stupid; he would naturally choose to develop more promising and challenging overseas projects.

How could he possibly come to Jiang City?

Lu Ming’s mouth opened to say more, but his phone beside the computer rang.

“Sorry, I need to take this call.”

Bai Ruoxi nodded.

“We’ve covered most of the matters. Let’s end it here for today.”

She reached for the mouse, about to close the video call, but Lu Ming stopped her.

“Wait, this call… it’s from Jiang Jinglan’s assistant.”

Surprise and confusion mixed in Lu Ming’s tone as he frowned at his phone.

Bai Ruoxi also froze.

Sun Yu? What does he want from Lu Ming?

She gave Lu Ming a look.

Lu Ming understood, nodded, and put the call on speaker.

“Hello, am I speaking to Manager Lu of Jin Zhi Coffee?”

A clear, steady voice sounded.

Bai Ruoxi’s heart tightened as she held her white porcelain cup filled with red tea, her eyes fixed intently on the computer screen.

That voice was indeed Jiang Jinglan’s assistant.

Seeing Bai Ruoxi’s expression on the video, Lu Ming said gravely into the phone, “This is Lu Ming. What can I do for you?”

“Hello, Mr. Lu. I’m Sun Yu, assistant to Jiang Jinglan, president of Jiang Group. This afternoon, President Jiang would like to meet with you.”

Why would Jiang Jinglan want to meet Lu Ming?

Bai Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat. Her grip on the cup tightened slightly, and her nerves heightened.

Could Jiang Jinglan really think there’s something improper between her and Lu Ming?

A hint of confusion appeared on Lu Ming’s face, but he still maintained a calm demeanor and exchanged polite words with the caller.

“Jin Zhi Coffee has no business dealings with Jiang Group. Why does President Jiang want to meet me?”

“President Jiang said it’s a personal matter. Would it be convenient for you?”

Lu Ming was silent for a few seconds, then said coldly, “What if I say it’s not convenient?”

During last night’s call, Jiang Jinglan’s tone had been aggressive.

Lu Ming had no desire to meet Jiang Jinglan at all.

“In that case, we will wait at Jin Zhi Coffee until it’s convenient for you…”

Lu Ming choked on his words.

The other party seemed determined to meet him and wouldn’t give up easily, but their attitude was overly forceful.

“Although I personally dislike such coercive meeting requests, President Jiang seems insistent on seeing me.”

Lu Ming glanced at his watch and said coldly, “I’m available before 5 p.m.”

“We will arrive at Jin Zhi in half an hour.”

Lu Ming replied with a simple “Okay” and hung up.

The Jiang Group building was separated from Jiade Plaza by just one bridge.

It took about twenty to thirty minutes to get from the President’s office to Jin Zhi.

Jiang Jinglan had to leave as soon as he received Lu Ming’s response to arrive on time.

Bai Ruoxi sighed deeply, her tone somewhat awkward.

“Jiang Jinglan probably thinks there’s something improper between you and me.”

Lu Ming understood and nodded knowingly, exuding confidence as he said, “Don’t worry, I know my limits and will handle this well.”

She trusted Lu Ming, of course, but…

Bai Ruoxi lowered her gaze to the reddish-brown tea in her cup. After a few moments of silence, she said, “I want to listen…”

“Huh?”

Bai Ruoxi took a slight breath.

“When the time comes, put on your Bluetooth earpiece and stay connected with me. I want to hear what he has to say to you.”

Under the sunlight, the woman’s black eyes were deep and unfathomable.

Bai Ruoxi closed the video, leaned back in her chair, and exhaled heavily.

Jiang Jinglan, are you so eager to meet Lu Ming just to confirm my relationship with him?

Is the Jiang family’s reputation really that important to you?

Am I such a fickle woman in your heart?

All the kindness I’ve shown you over the past three years isn’t enough to earn your trust?