In the evening, Qiao Qiao received a WeChat message from Zhang Peng, asking if he needed to work late that day. Qiao Qiao glanced at his progress and replied, “I should be done around 6:30.”
Zhang Peng responded, “I’ll pick you up today.”
“OK.”
At 6:30 PM, the Audi A8 was parked punctually across from Chuangwei Microchip, and Qiao Qiao clocked out right on time.
As soon as Qiao Qiao got into the car, Zhang Peng told him that he’d prepared dinner at home, so they didn’t need to order takeout. “How about we go out for dinner over the weekend?” Zhang Peng suggested.
Qiao Qiao agreed, then mentioned, “By the way, I’ll be visiting your company tomorrow.”
Zhang Peng was a bit surprised, “Oh.” He assumed Qiao Qiao was just planning to visit the company for fun, so he said, “We’ve moved to a new location, which you haven’t seen yet. I can pick you up.”
Qiao Qiao replied, “Someone from your company is supposed to pick me up, right?” Seeing the confusion on Zhang Peng’s face, Qiao Qiao added, “I forgot to tell you, I’m leading a project with your company.”
Zhang Peng quickly connected the dots, “The drone aerial photography project?”
“Exactly.” Qiao Qiao confirmed.
Zhang Peng glanced at Qiao Qiao, “You remember Xiao Wang, right? The guy who barged in shouting, ‘Ahhh, boss!’”
“I remember, I remember—” Qiao Qiao immediately recalled the slightly balding young man with dark circles, dressed in a plaid shirt and faded jeans.
“—He’s in charge of the new drone department. When he was looking for a chip supplier, he found out you were at Chuangwei Microchip and asked me about it. I told him to handle it strictly as business.” Zhang Peng paused at a red light, reached over, and gently held Qiao Qiao’s hand. “Your company’s products are great, just a bit pricey. We decided to work with you on the industrial-grade drones. For consumer-grade drones, we’re partnering with Huacheng Chips.”
As Zhang Peng explained why they didn’t fully collaborate with Chuangwei Microchip, Qiao Qiao… Qiao Qiao thought to himself, I’m the largest shareholder of Yiqiao Technology, did Zhang Peng forget that?
In contrast, at Chuangwei Microchip, he was just an employee. Why should he worry about the boss making less money?
Qiao Qiao adopted the expression of a chairman listening to a CEO’s report and nodded, saying, “Got it. Well done. Keep up the good work, and you’ll get a nice year-end bonus.”
The red light turned green, and Zhang Peng eased off the brake and pressed the gas, driving forward.
“Boss, I don’t care about the bonus, but can I get a raise in my allowance?” Zhang Peng said, sighing, “The end of the year is expensive; it’s tough.”
Qiao Qiao waved his hand grandly, “No problem, I’ll give you an extra two hundred.”
Zhang Peng replied, “You might as well give me nothing.”
Qiao Qiao quickly said, “Then forget it.”
“No, no, no.” Zhang Peng babied his request, “Two hundred is still money, I’ll take it.”
The next day, Qiao Qiao led the core members of his project team—seven or eight engineers—to Yiqiao Technology.
The company had upgraded significantly, moving from a rented office to a standalone building.
At the entrance of the building, the four large characters “Yiqiao Technology” gleamed brightly under the sunlight.
“High-end.”
“Grand.”
“Classy.”
Qiao Qiao’s colleagues remarked in a way that sounded like a comedy skit, clearly envious of the work environment.
Qiao Qiao honestly said, “If you all want to work here too, just say the word.”
His colleagues responded with a collective “emmm…”
Colleague A nudged Qiao Qiao, “Boss, Mr. Wang is right over there. You might want to tone it down a bit, don’t overdo it.”
Colleagues B, C, D, E, and F all nodded in agreement.
Qiao Qiao: Why does no one believe me when I’m telling the truth?
Back then, the young man who had burst in shouting “Ahhh, boss.” now referred to by the colleagues as Mr. Wang, kept a straight face but was inwardly stressed.
Working with the boss’s spouse is so nerve-wracking!
The boss’s spouse said they wanted to work here!
That must be arranged!
But since their relationship wasn’t public, should I keep it secret too?
Mr. Wang, a diligent coder and a straightforward techie, was completely at a loss on how to handle the complex situation of “keeping the boss’s spouse’s identity a secret while also fulfilling the boss’s spouse’s requests.”
Fortunately, he had a secretary.
Qiao Qiao’s colleagues were amazed to find out that not only did Yiqiao Technology take good care of its own employees, but they also treated their partners well.
From meals to snacks during breaks, and even small weekend gifts, they were included.
Yiqiao Technology even cleared out a section of the office just for them, saving them from constantly traveling back and forth.
Although Yiqiao Technology claimed this was to improve efficiency, it still felt incredibly thoughtful.
The colleagues were moved to tears, but Qiao Qiao once again told them the truth, “It’s all thanks to my influence.”
Colleague A was emotional, “Big companies are just so generous.”
Colleagues B, C, D, E, F all nodded in agreement.
Qiao Qiao was ignored once more. After all, the colleagues didn’t want to keep arguing against his “big talk.”
He was puzzled, Why does no one believe me when I’m telling the truth?
To be fair, it was strange.
Zhang Peng picked him up and dropped him off every day, and they entered and left the company together, but somehow, they never ran into any of these colleagues.
So, he never got the chance for one of them to ask, “What’s your relationship with Zhang Peng?”
Then he could reveal the truth, “He’s my boyfriend!”
Qiao Qiao felt a twinge of regret: It seems this moment of showing off will never come.
…
That evening at home, Zhang Peng set the dinner on the table. While they were eating, Zhang Peng said, “I’m planning to visit your family for New Year. You’ll have to give me some pointers on what to buy.”
Qiao Qiao nearly spat out his soup, “You really are a man of action.”
Zhang Peng nodded seriously, “What do your parents like? I need to start preparing now.”
Seeing Zhang Peng treating this like a serious challenge, Qiao Qiao couldn’t stay relaxed either. Last year, Su Ya had told him not to come home for New Year unless he broke up with Zhang Peng!
Qiao Qiao said, “My dad’s easy. Bring him a cat or dog, and he’ll be over the moon. Last year, we already had three cats and two dogs at home! When my mom kicked me out, she almost threw my dad out too, saying she’d been sick of seeing those animals for ages. But that was when she was in a bad mood. When she’s in a good mood, she’s the one playing with the cats and walking the dogs.”
Zhang Peng hesitated, “If I bring your dad another pet, won’t that make your mom like me even less?”
“Good point…” Qiao Qiao frowned, “But it’s mostly about my mom… My mom… Ugh, that woman. I can’t figure out what her weakness is.”
Zhang Peng asked, “Has your mom called you this year?”
Qiao Qiao shook his head and showed him their WeChat conversation history.
—Mom, how’s your health lately?
—Did you break up yet?
—Old Su, has your menopause passed?
—Did you break up yet?
—Ms. Su, don’t ignore your health.
—Did you break up yet?
Zhang Peng: “…”
Qiao Qiao reiterated, “I have the household registration booklet. Maybe we should just forget about her.”
But Zhang Peng was more determined, saying firmly, “I’m going to win over Ms. Su.”
Qiao Qiao thought for a moment, “Zhang Peng, if she won’t agree, just hit her with a check! Raise your chin, squint your eyes, and say like a domineering CEO, ‘One million for your son, how about that?’ And if she still refuses, you can say, ‘Woman, don’t push your luck.’”
Zhang Peng pondered, “Is this a scam you two are pulling on me?”
Qiao Qiao handed him a bowl of chicken soup, “Drink your medicine, Brother Lang.”
“Pan Jinlian was a virtuous woman.” Zhang Peng said as he took the bowl and drank it in one go.
Savoring the aroma of the chicken soup, Zhang Peng asked, “What if I really offered a million or eight as a bride price?”
“Ugh, no way!” Qiao Qiao quickly dismissed the idea. “Ms. Su considers herself an intellectual. Giving her money? I think she’d appreciate a painting more.”
Zhang Peng’s eyes lit up, “Got it, I’ll handle it.”
Qiao Qiao reminded him, “It’s not about the price; she likes Impressionism.”
Zhang Peng nodded, “No problem.”
Soon, news spread that Zhang Peng, a rising star in the business world, was frequently attending art exhibitions and auctions. Some thought he had developed a taste for art and brought him famous paintings at great expense, only to be politely declined. Zhang Peng explained that he was merely buying an Impressionist painting for his beloved, fulfilling his duty as a partner.
Everyone knew how much he loved his spouse, and seeing him go to such lengths to buy a painting only made them more enthusiastic. Many even offered advice on which painting to choose.
Finally, just before the New Year, Zhang Peng successfully acquired an Impressionist painting. The day he won the painting, he made headlines again—
Zhang Peng Spends 20 Million USD for Love【Explosive】
Zhang Peng called Wei Ning to vent, “Are you sure the PR team you found for me isn’t holding back? I’m just an ordinary person; I don’t want to be in the spotlight.”
Wei Ning coldly replied, “If you don’t want attention, then stop doing attention-grabbing things.” Can’t I afford 20 million USD? Why am I not in the headlines?
Of course, Wei Ning would never admit that he had money but nowhere to spend it since his wife didn’t care for his gestures.
Zhang Peng sighed, “To tell you the truth, this painting was a must-buy. My partner doesn’t mind, but my mother-in-law loves it. I bought it to give to her.”
Wei Ning perked up, “The Zhu family likes me too.” Except for Zhu Yu, who didn’t pay him much attention.
Zhang Peng sighed again, “Even if my partner loves me to death, it doesn’t matter if I can’t win over the mother-in-law. I envy you, getting married early.”
Wei Ning sneered, “I suggest you read Fortress Besieged.” Then he hung up the phone.
Zhang Peng put away his phone and looked at Qiao Qiao, who was happily choosing a wedding outfit, despite his mother’s disapproval and the fact that they’d have to marry in secret. Zhang Peng thought to himself, I don’t need to study that book.
However, he did resolve to stop doing attention-grabbing things. Zhang Peng made up his mind.
After all, too many people were trying to take advantage of him.
He needed to keep a low profile, and then lower it even more.
As he was pondering this, Qiao Qiao suddenly called out to him, “Zhang Peng, come here for a second!”
Zhang Peng walked over.
Qiao Qiao was sprawled on the sofa, reaching out for Zhang Peng to sit beside him and hold him close.
Qiao Qiao tossed aside the wedding outfit catalog and hugged Zhang Peng’s waist, saying, “I just had an idea. Since fireworks are banned now, how about we use some drones for our wedding? Wouldn’t that be cool?”
Zhang Peng agreed, “You’re right.” and after thinking for a moment, added, “Since it’s a wedding, let’s go all out and use 999 drones. It’s a good omen.”
Qiao Qiao was surprised, “That many?” He had only meant to do it as a gesture.
Zhang Peng considered whether it would be too showy, but finally decided, “It’s not too much, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
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