032 Whet your appetite

"If you have money, but still can't do it? Mr. Zhang, that's quite interesting. Is it some kind of trade secret? Something not easy to talk about?"

The more Zhang Ziwen acted like this, the more Liu Zhan wanted to know. If there really was some business secret, he wouldn't be able to figure out Zhang Ziwen's bottom line. Liu Zhan's appetite was thoroughly whetted.

"If you really want to know, there's no secret that can't be told, but there's a little something."

Zhang Ziwen gestured to Liu Zhan to come closer, his expression carrying a hint of significance.

So mysterious? Liu Zhan wondered. His strong curiosity led him to approach Zhang Ziwen.

The others, although curious about their discussion on business secrets, consciously kept to themselves. Only two people were leaning in to eavesdrop: Yang Qian and He Li, who had earlier twisted Zhang Ziwen's waist.

Zhang Ziwen leaned closer to Liu Zhan and whispered, "This matter might sound interesting to you. If you're really interested, let's discuss it in private. If not, consider it as if I never mentioned it. But..." Zhang Ziwen paused intentionally.

Liu Zhan was fully focused on listening. Seeing Zhang Ziwen pause, he became anxious. Throwing in a few million could turn into over ten billion in profit. He couldn't help taking it seriously. In business, according to his view, this was the epitome of making a killing. But what kind of business was Zhang Ziwen talking about? How did it relate to political unrest? Could it involve smuggling? Drug trafficking? Could Zhang Ziwen be a major drug lord? Thinking of this, Liu Zhan broke out in a cold sweat.

"Liu, are you still interested in hearing more?" Zhang Ziwen noticed a hint of fear in his eyes and found it amusing.

"Well..." Liu Zhan hesitated a bit. Although he wanted to stop, his curiosity and reluctance were overwhelming. He gritted his teeth and said, "If Mr. Zhang is willing, you can disclose a little."

Zhang Ziwen pretended to contemplate. "In terms of profit, this business is quite lucrative. It mainly involves overseas trade. As you know, some countries have been experiencing political turmoil lately. Currently, there's a huge demand in the overseas market. Putting in a few million can easily yield over ten billion. However..." Zhang Ziwen paused intentionally again.

Liu Zhan listened intently, hanging on every word. He saw Zhang Ziwen stop and felt anxious. Throwing in a few million could turn into over ten billion in profit. He couldn't help but take it seriously. In business, according to his view, this was the epitome of making a killing. But what kind of business was Zhang Ziwen talking about? How did it relate to political unrest? Could it involve smuggling? Drug trafficking? Could Zhang Ziwen be a major drug lord? Thinking of this, Liu Zhan broke out in a cold sweat.

"Liu, are you still interested in hearing more?" Zhang Ziwen noticed a hint of fear in his eyes and found it amusing.

"Well..." Liu Zhan hesitated a bit. Although he wanted to stop, his curiosity and reluctance were overwhelming. He gritted his teeth and said, "If Mr. Zhang is willing, you can disclose a little."

Zhang Ziwen pretended to contemplate. "In terms of profit, this business is quite lucrative. It mainly involves overseas trade. As you know, some countries have been experiencing political turmoil lately. Currently, there's a huge demand in the overseas market. Putting in a few million can easily yield over ten billion. However..." Zhang Ziwen paused intentionally again.

Liu Zhan listened intently, hanging on every word. He saw Zhang Ziwen stop and felt anxious.

Liu Zhan became more and more excited as he listened. Russia and the Middle East were major oil-producing regions, and African countries had increasingly close energy cooperation with China. It seemed that Zhang Ziwen wasn't just making things up, especially considering the watch worth over 800,000 euros on his wrist. He should know a thing or two.

"Mr. Zhang, let's agree then. After the reception ends, we'll find a quiet place to talk more. Since our first stop is Russia, our group has several projects there. I'll make a call now to have them prepare."

Liu Zhan was getting impatient now. The allure of energy projects was too great; he wasn't willing to let go of any opportunity.

"Absolutely not," Zhang Ziwen hurriedly stopped him. "We can't let unrelated people catch wind of this. Otherwise, our business partnership will be ruined." Zhang Ziwen looked around and saw only Yang Qian and He Li were still around. The other old classmates had discreetly moved elsewhere. When he confirmed that no one nearby seemed to be paying attention to their conversation, Zhang Ziwen breathed a sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest.

Liu Zhan didn't understand why Zhang Ziwen reacted so strangely. He whispered, "Is this about a business secret?"

Zhang Ziwen nodded and said, "These deals are crucial. I've already placed orders totaling 200 million US dollars. If something goes wrong, the goods I ordered in Russia will be ruined, and there will be no point in going to the Middle East and Africa. To be honest, this is the largest deal I've undertaken in my career. To make it happen entirely, there's indeed a funding gap. If Mr. Liu and the Liu Group weren't so interested and if your funds weren't so substantial, I wouldn't have partnered with you. However, once these deals are done, I plan to retire after this trip." With that, Zhang Ziwen pulled He Li closer and kissed her on her pretty face, saying with a smile, "If the deal goes through, I'll settle down in England with Li Li and live a stable life." Zhang Ziwen finished, gazing affectionately at He Li in his arms.

He Li had been listening attentively to their conversation, but it had made little sense to her. Overseas trade, orders worth over 200 million US dollars, sometimes Russia, sometimes the Middle East and Africa—she was utterly confused. Suddenly, Zhang Ziwen unexpectedly pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the cheek. Despite knowing he was acting, her heart couldn't help racing, her face blushing. His masculine scent made her dizzy.

Liu Zhan watched as Zhang Ziwen embraced He Li. Although he felt extremely uncomfortable, now wasn't the time for jealousy.

Zhang Ziwen had said a lot of inexplicable things earlier, and He Li hadn't understood a thing. Liu Zhan felt equally confused, but now, before the banquet ended, he had to ask. A 200 million US dollar order, if mishandled, could be a total loss. Not getting to the bottom of it now wasn't an option.

Zhang Ziwen signaled for He Li to take Yang Qian aside, indicating a confidential conversation with Liu Zhan. Though curious, He Li sensed that if she didn't walk away, Zhang Ziwen wouldn't say anything. Helpless, she gave him an annoyed glance and, surreptitiously, gave his waist a hard pinch, enough to make Zhang Ziwen suck in a few sharp breaths from the pain. And just as she left, she planted a kiss on his cheek and whispered in his ear, "You'll pay for this later."

Watching He Li's graceful departure, Zhang Ziwen was overwhelmed with mixed feelings— the tingling sensation in his ear from her breath, the fragrance in his nostrils, the softness against his body, the emotional threat, the physical pain, and the stirring fire below his abdomen. These sensations were something only Zhang Ziwen could understand— complex, too complex.

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Once a woman becomes interested in a certain part of your body, she'll never forget it. Some prefer using their hands, others their mouth— they'll do anything to tease, scratch, twist, pull, bite, or nibble on that spot. Take Zhang Ziwen's waist, for example. So, never let a woman become too interested in your most sensitive areas, like the three inches below your navel. Otherwise, you're done for.