Chapter 36: Getting Better

Forty minutes later, at a cafe near the hospital.

Wu Bei and Su Qing sat facing each other. Watching Su Qing, still dressed in her nurse’s uniform, Wu Bei felt awkward and could only grin foolishly.

"You can't rush the refund process; the hospital needs to verify it," Su Qing said, gently stirring her coffee, her tone tinged with cold detachment.

Seeing that she had misunderstood, Wu Bei quickly explained, "No, that’s not why I asked to see you. I’m not here about the refund; I want to talk about a collaboration."

"A collaboration?" Su Qing looked visibly confused.

"It’s like this: I’m planning to open a professional loading and unloading company..."

Before Wu Bei could finish, Su Qing sneered, "So, President Wu only pays a visit when he needs something. I’m sorry, but you’ve asked the wrong person. I never get involved in my father’s business."

"Qingqing, I know this is difficult for you, but..."

Wu Bei had anticipated her reaction. After all, they were not related, and Su Qing had no reason to help him. Furthermore, he didn't even know how he might have offended her in the past. Bringing this up now certainly left a bad impression. However, he had no choice. With the company’s opening imminent, if he couldn't secure a major client soon, his brothers’ morale would take a heavy blow.

"I’m sorry, I can’t help you. Is there anything else?" Su Qing set down her coffee cup, her beautiful face devoid of any expression.

"No... nothing else," Wu Bei replied. He had expected Su Qing to be reluctant, but he hadn't anticipated such a hostile reaction.

"Thank you for the coffee, President Wu. Goodbye." Su Qing stood up abruptly and walked toward the door.

Wu Bei stared at her, stunned. He wanted to call out to her but couldn't find a reason to do so. Behind her, Su Qing’s brows furrowed in anger, her small hands clutching her clothes so tightly she nearly tore them, waiting for Wu Bei to stop her—but he never did.

Once outside the cafe, Su Qing quickened her pace, furious and frustrated. *Idiot,* she thought to herself, *don't you know that girls need to be coaxed?*

A few seconds later, she disappeared from his sight.

"Sigh..." Wu Bei let out a long, weary breath and drained his coffee in one go. "Damn, that’s bitter!" he grumbled indignantly.

Seeing that Su Qing had only taken a small sip, he hesitated for a few seconds before grabbing her cup and downing the rest. He smacked his lips like a cow grazing and muttered, "Actually, it’s a bit sweet."

He didn't realize then that unspoken feelings are much like that coffee: a bitterness that hides a lingering sweetness. Despite the rejection, Wu Bei didn't lose heart; he continued to ponder where he might find a breakthrough.

Meanwhile, the warehouse Wu Bei had rented was bustling with activity. Wang Shun had set up a table on the sidewalk with a crooked recruitment notice—in truth, just a few lines of messy handwriting on a sheet of bright red paper. The response was unexpectedly good; a long line of men, tall and short, thin and stout, had gathered.

Wang Shun shouted at the top of his lungs, "Don't crowd! Register your details one by one. We provide unlimited meals, and we never shortchange you on your wages!"

Luo Hou was busy painting the walls with Eleven and Grandma Ma. It was a waste of the artistic, dreadlocked young man’s rebellious appearance.

"Sister Eleven, pass me the paint roller!" Luo Hou called down from the ladder with a grin.

"Get lost! Who’s your sister? You should be calling me 'Big Sister'!" Eleven, wearing a makeshift hat fashioned from newspaper, waved her small hands in annoyance.

Not far from the market, a small restaurant was also packed, filled almost entirely with owners and managers from the wholesale market.

"Ugh..." Qi Jinlong crouched beside the toilet, retching violently, his face covered in tears and snot. He had lost count of how many times he had vomited. Only one thought remained in his mind: he had to drink with these owners and managers until they were satisfied, or they would never consider using his company’s services.

After emptying his stomach, Qi Jinlong wiped his face, put on a relaxed smile, and stumbled out of the restroom. "President Guo, President Li, let's keep drinking until we drop! After this, we’re going to karaoke!"

Everything seemed to be moving in the best possible direction.

What Wu Bei didn't know was that in the orthopedics ward of the People’s Hospital, Han Wei, whom he had beaten up, was throwing a tantrum. His henchmen stood in a trembling row by his bed.

Han Wei gnashed his teeth and roared, "Damn it! Are you sure it was that little brat who hit me?!"

"Yes, Brother Wei. I saw it with my own eyes on the bank’s security footage," one of the men replied hurriedly.

"That fatherless, motherless bastard!" Han Wei grabbed a pillow and hurled it at the man. After a few seconds of silence, he dialed Luo Xue’s number.

"What is it?" Luo Xue answered, her voice impatient.

Han Wei’s ferocious expression vanished instantly. He whimpered like a puppy, "Baby, I found out who ambushed me. It was that jerk Wu Bei. You have to stand up for me..."