Chapter 18: Will Not Give up Even If Hope Was Slim

“Nannan, company matters are complicated. It’s not as simple as dealing with your relationship with your classmates. Mr. Victor was disappointed with us because of you. Do you think he would want to cooperate with you?” Jian Ansheng glanced at Qi Xiuli with dissatisfaction. He then patted Jian Jianan’s shoulder and spoke with his deep voice. “Nannan, Mr. Victor’s matter is none of your fault. Even if we don’t cooperate with Mr. Victor, we, the North-South Pharmaceutical will not falter! You should rest for these few days. Your offer letter from the Imperial College has arrived. You should head there for registration in two weeks. You’re still a student, your most important task is to study!” “That’s very true Nannan, you better not make me and your father worry anymore!” Jian Jianan understood her father’s protection and concern. But, she wanted to contribute more to her father and North-South Pharmaceutical. Jian Jianan gripped Jian Ansheng’s hand with a look of seriousness on her face. “Dad, please, believe me, I will take down Mr. Victor!” “But…” “Dad, I’m already 18, let me go out and gain experience. There won’t be any negative consequences, even if I fail. Furthermore, I might not fail. If I succeed, wouldn’t that be the perfect gift to congratulate myself for getting into college?” Qi Xiuli contemplated this, and there was a sudden sparkle in her eyes. “Ansheng, since Nannan insists, and she’s so confident, you should give her a chance. You never know, Nannan might succeed on this one!” It seemed like Qi Xiuli was trying to help Jian Jianan but in fact, she wanted to make a fool of her. To her, Jian Jianan was an immature and inexperienced child. She knew nothing of the business market, but she wanted to get involved anyway. She would like to see how much she thinks she has on her side. If Jian Jianan disappointed Jian Ansheng again, she believed that Jian Ansheng would not stand by his daughter’s side anymore. Jian Jianan instinctively understood Qi Xiuli’s ‘kind intentions’. ‘She just wants her to make a fool of herself, right?’ ‘All right then, I had better be alert and figure out how I’m going to conquer Mr. Victor!’ she thought to herself. After talking such a big game, Jian Jianan did not rush to meet Mr. Victor. Instead, she sent someone to look into Mr. Victor. As the saying goes: one must know her own and her enemy’s strength to gain every victory. In half a day, the private detective Jian Jianan had hired emailed her all the information regarding Mr. Victor. It took two hours for Jian Jianan to go through all of the information on Mr. Victor. He was a fair-minded person who always separated public interests from private affairs. He was very serious and critical with his work, but more of a fun person when he was not working. However, the fun Mr. Victor enjoyed was not clubbing and messing around with women. He liked to analyze chess. The weather the following day was fine, with a gentle, pleasant breeze. Jian Jianan opened the window and took a deep breath of the fresh air. She was glad to be alive. It was a new day filled with hope and light. As Jian Jianan prepared to meet Mr. Victor, she wore a more formal outfit. However, no matter how maturely Jian Jianan tried to dress up, an aura of childishness still remained because of her cute, babyish face. Jian Ansheng went to his company early this morning, whereas Jian Huaibei had been sent to kindergarten. Qi Xiaorou’s whereabouts were unknown, so Qi Xiuli was alone in the dining room. As Qi Xiuli saw Jian Jianan’s outfit, a sarcastic grin flashed on her face, followed by a look of strong concern. “Nannan, I heard that Mr. Victor is flying back to France the day after tomorrow. So you… Sigh, you don’t have to pressure yourself. North-South Pharmaceutical doesn’t have to cooperate with Mr. Victor!” Qi Xiuli’s words sounded concerned, but in truth, she was mocking Jian Jianan so that Jian Jianan would give up. Jian Jianan’s pretty brows knit together. She never expected Mr. Victor to leave so soon! She must work things out with Mr. Victor in two days and sign a contract with him. This would be harder than ‘reaching the sky’. However, she would not give up, even if hope was slim. Although she felt anxious, Jian Jianan seemed calm on the outside. She took her sweet time, sipping at her porridge and elegantly wiping her lips. “I thank Aunty Qi for your concern. However, I already said that I’m going to make Mr. Victor change his mind and cooperate with North-South Pharmaceutical. I am a woman of her word. Aunt Qi, do you doubt me?” Qi Xiuli’s aged face was flush with confusion. ‘Jiannan used to hate dealing with company matters. Why was she so proactive now?’ Jian Jianan used to be just a hot-headed airhead who never thought her words through,’ she thought As she saw how confident Jian Jianan was, she sneered silently. ‘So what if she’s taking initiative? There’s no way Jian Jianan can convince Mr. Victor to cooperate with them in only two days!’ Qi Xiuli thought. “Aiya, how could I not believe in you? I was just worried that you might be overwhelmed, so I’m just giving you a piece of advice!” “Oh, it’s all right. I have a strong heart!” Jian Jianan ate little and left in a hurry to the five-star hotel where Mr. Victor was staying. She was not surprised when she got halted at the doorstep by Mr. Victor’s secretary. Even when Jian Jianan told the secretary what she was doing here, she did not let her in. “Hello, Mr. Victor is not available to meet any guests today. Please leave!” Jian Jianan bared her typical smile. “It’s alright, I’ll wait until Mr. Victor is willing to meet me. Would you please tell him that I came here to talk about a partnership, full disclosure? He’d surely want to meet!” Whenever Jian Jianan smiled, her eyes sparkled and arced like a crescent. It was hard to decline someone who had no evil, impure intentions. The secretary said nothing, and went into Mr. Victor’s room. As she did not refuse, it gave Jian Jianan a little more hope. One hour. Two hours. Five hours had passed. All the while Jian Jianan had stood there at the hotel entrance. Both her legs were numb, and she was sweating profusely. Passersby judged her with looks of curiosity, but Jian Jianan ignored them. To be honest, Jian Jianan did not have the patience. If it had been her from before, she would have thrown a tantrum and left. She was only able to persist for so long this time because she knew she could not afford to be immature anymore. No matter what, she had to get Mr.Victor’s cooperation. However, she was hungry, thirsty, and she wanted to pee! She would go to the bathroom if she was not worried Mr. Victor might leave while she went to relieve herself. Just when Jian Jianan could not hold herself anymore, the door to the room suddenly opened. Mr. Victor’s secretary walked out. “Ms. Jian, Mr. Victor would like you to come in!” Jian Jianan felt deeply relieved. Her beautiful face brightened. “Thank you!” “You don’t have to thank me. Mr. Victor is willing to meet you because he is touched by your persistence and sincerity. But, this doesn’t mean that he is willing to cooperate!” ”I understand that, but still, thank you!” Jian Jianan walked into the deluxe suite and saw the man sitting on a couch. He was about as old as her father - around 45. He had his head lowered over a chess set, and he examined it while enjoying a cup of tea. He did not raise his eyes to greet Jian Jianan, as if he did not notice her coming in. Jian Jianan could not hold her pee anymore, and started the conversation. “Hi, Mr. Victor. I’m Jian Jianan…” Still, Mr. Victor said nothing. Jian Jianan’s face reddened. She was not frustrated or angry. It was because of all the pee she was holding in! “Mr. Victor, could I borrow your washroom for just a moment?” That caught his attention. His sharp-witted eyes stared directly at Jian Jianan’s. This woman right before him… No... This little girl’s face was all contorted from discomfort. He thought that she would talk about the partnership as soon as she entered the room. It looked like she was beyond his expectations! “As you wish!” “Thank you!” She darted to the washroom. She breathed a sigh of relief after doing her business. She finally felt comfortable! She looked into the mirror and reapplied her makeup. After an internal pep-talk, she went out. She had succeeded in her first step, at least. She had to pull herself together! As Jian Jianan approached Mr. Victor, before she had a chance to voice out her next words, Mr. Victor took the lead. “Do you know how to play chess?”