Johanna was exactly as Sophie had described: a woman who refused to give up. After meeting Wang Cheng that evening and seeing that Old Locke and Emily seemed to accept him, she apparently felt threatened. She tried making excuses to visit again. When she learned everyone was at work, she went directly to Wang Cheng’s office. His assistant told him a woman was asking for him, leaving him puzzled. He had only been in Italy three or four days, and Sophie was the only woman he knew well. But when he entered the reception room, the familiar profile made him fall silent.
Johanna?
He had met her only the evening before last. They had exchanged nothing more than a greeting. He could not imagine what they had to discuss.
“Miss Johanna, what important business brings you all the way here?” Wang Cheng did not bother getting up or exchanging pleasantries. If his guess was right, she had come because of Chu Yifeng. He wondered what right she thought she had to interfere.
Johanna was educated, and maintained a polished exterior despite her jealousy. Though she had no standing in the matter, she was unbearably arrogant. She lifted her finely shaped chin, gesturing for Wang Cheng to sit as though she owned the room.
“Mr. Zhou, surely you know why I’ve come. I’ll be direct. I want you to leave Leo. I’m the only person in this world worthy of him. Nothing good will come of staying with him.” This was the first time since beginning his relationship with Chu Yifeng that Wang Cheng had encountered a woman who spoke to him this way. The novelty did not make it less irritating. He could not tell whether Johanna was extraordinarily confident or simply believed the world revolved around her.
“Miss Johanna, what right do you have to tell me this? Are you Leo’s girlfriend or fiancée? As far as I know, he has neither. If you’re merely a friend, you’re interfering too much. And if you’re an admirer…” Wang Cheng gave her a mocking look and pointed to his temple. “Perhaps you should see a doctor. Being this self-important is a kind of illness.”
“What would it take for you to leave Leo?”
Johanna clenched her fists and stared viciously at him. She knew little about Wang Cheng and had not expected such a forceful response. But she told herself not to get angry, since that would mean falling into his trap. Nor would her upbringing allow her to behave like a shrew.
Wang Cheng shrugged. “I hear you’re half aristocratic and your family has some money?”
“You want money? Name your price.” Johanna smiled contemptuously. She had known her offer would tempt him. She had briefly thought him difficult, but apparently he was no different from anyone else.
“Not much. Just one hundred billion.” Wang Cheng named a figure casually.
Johanna’s expression changed. “One hundred billion? Are you making fun of me?”
“Making fun of you? No, I don’t have time for that. In my eyes, your Leo is worth that much. And I almost forgot, not renminbi. Euros.”
One hundred billion euros equaled more than seven hundred billion yuan. Only enormous corporations possessed assets worth so much, and much of their wealth would not be liquid. Johanna’s family was not worth even one-thousandth of that amount. No wonder she thought Wang Cheng was mocking her.
Wang Cheng was showing her that Chu Yifeng was beyond price in his eyes. Money could not measure his value. Trying to buy him off was exceptionally foolish.
“If you insist on being so unreasonable, there’s nothing left to discuss.” Johanna stood, casting him a dark look. “Mr. Zhou had better be careful in the future. It would be dreadful if something happened to you.”
Sophie’s warning had prepared Wang Cheng for this. He crossed his legs and smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Johanna. I’ve always been lucky. You should worry about yourself. Such a beautiful face and such a dark heart. Perhaps God will punish you one day.”
Johanna snorted and stalked out.
Outside the office tower, a stretch limousine stopped before her. A man in a suit and white gloves emerged from the passenger seat and stood respectfully before her.
“Miss.”
“Stay here and watch him. Report anything unusual.”
“Yes, Miss.” The man bowed.
Johanna departed in the limousine.
At five that afternoon, Chu Yifeng was too busy to collect Wang Cheng on time. Wang Cheng therefore went to Aimer headquarters after work. He had no car of his own and usually traveled with Chu Yifeng. Chu Yifeng had instructed reception that a Mr. Zhou Cheng should be allowed upstairs without delay.
A secretary smilingly showed him to the president’s office and told him Chu Yifeng was inside. Wang Cheng opened the door. Chu Yifeng was working with his back to the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. A man absorbed in work was particularly handsome. Without looking up, he knew who had entered. “Give me a little longer. I’m almost done.”
“Take your time. I’m in no hurry.” Wang Cheng had enjoyed afternoon tea provided by his subordinates and was not hungry. The employees abroad took tea breaks seriously. At the appropriate time someone went out to buy refreshments, and they always brought him a portion. He had not known about the custom at first.
Wang Cheng walked to the windows. Aimer’s offices occupied the tallest tower in the district. Cars on the streets below looked like ants.
“Why haven’t I seen Fang He? Doesn’t he work on this floor?”
“Didn’t you pass him on your way up? He and Charlie left early,” Chu Yifeng replied without looking up. Wang Cheng leaned over the desk with a smile. “They left their president working overtime alone? Dock their pay!”
Chu Yifeng nodded gravely. “A sensible suggestion.”
Half an hour later, Chu Yifeng finished. The secretaries who had stayed late with him sighed in relief and began preparing to leave. They watched the two men depart together with surprise. Their president had always come and gone alone.
After their car left the underground parking garage, the suited man who had followed Wang Cheng emerged from behind a pillar. He phoned Johanna to report Wang Cheng’s movements. Learning that Wang Cheng had left work together with Chu Yifeng, she nearly dropped her phone in anger. She ordered the man to continue watching and determine Wang Cheng’s daily schedule.
The moment Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng entered the residence, a bright figure launched herself toward Wang Cheng. She did not reach him, because Chu Yifeng intercepted her.
“Brother Leo, you’re horrible! Why stop me? I only wanted to talk to Brother Cheng!” Sophie struggled, then yielded when he would not let go. What an enormous jealous grouch!
“Then talk. Keep your hands to yourself.” Chu Yifeng did not trust her.
Sophie’s eyes darted. “Fine, fine. I promise.”
But as soon as he released her and the three reached the sitting room, Sophie sat beside Wang Cheng, linked her arm through his and rubbed her cheek against him affectionately.
“Brother Cheng, I heard that nasty Johanna came to see you today. Did she do anything to you?”
Wang Cheng finally understood her enthusiasm. He had not mentioned the visit to Chu Yifeng, yet Sophie already knew. He did not think she had Wang Cheng followed. Judging by her earlier comments, it was Johanna whom Sophie watched.
Chu Yifeng frowned. “Johanna came to see you? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Wang Cheng rolled his eyes. “What was there to say? One of your admirers wanted me to leave you and tried to throw money at me. I kindly named a price, and she flew into a rage. If she can’t afford it, she can’t afford it. She was the one who told me to name any amount. What an idiot.” Sophie giggled behind her hand. “Brother Cheng, what price did you give her?”
Wang Cheng put on a solemn expression. “Hardly anything. Just one hundred billion euros. Imagine being so poor you can’t afford even that, then having the nerve to make such an offer. Isn’t she ridiculous?”
Sophie burst into laughter, abandoning every pretense of ladylike restraint. She could picture Johanna’s expression. What a sight it must have been! She regretted not being there to add a few barbs of her own. That arrogant woman belonged to a noble family slipping further into decline.
“Brother Cheng, you’re amazing! Did you know Johanna’s family has squandered much of its fortune? They supposedly have only two or three hundred million in assets left. They fell out of the top tier years ago and have been living off what remains. If they didn’t still have aristocratic ancestry, plenty of people wouldn’t associate with them at all.”
“So they’re living off the family’s past wealth. No wonder she dreams of marrying your Brother Leo.”
Sophie found a kindred spirit. She pouted. “Exactly! I’ve always suspected she wants Aimer’s money and influence. I don’t believe she truly loves Brother Leo.”
Chu Yifeng discovered there was no way to enter their conversation. He shook his head helplessly.