Chapter 298: I’ve Always Seen You as a Brother
Xiao Ziqiang hung up as soon as he finished speaking.
Cheng Yuan was speechless. Where was Yan Liming getting this confidence? ’Why does he think he’s getting a promotion?’
Slightly annoyed, Cheng Yuan dialed You Baquan’s number. The call connected quickly, and You Baquan’s fawning voice came through. "Young Master Cheng, the investigation into Yan Liming is already well underway. Do you have any other instructions?"
"Director You, I hear Yan Liming is getting a promotion?"
"Young Master Cheng, where did you hear that? Unless you give the word, who would dare let Yan Liming get a promotion?"
"Then why does Yan Liming think he’s getting promoted?"
You Baquan thought for a moment before grasping the key to the issue.
"I understand now. Yesterday, while investigating Yan Liming, we also uncovered some issues with Huang Bingxin. Huang Bingxin is the deputy director of the sub-division where Yan Liming works, so Yan Liming must think he’s getting a promotion."
"Get it done fast. I need conclusive evidence on Yan Liming within three days."
"Yes, sir!"
Cheng Yuan hung up and snorted in contempt. ’Yan Liming, enjoy your last three days of freedom!’
Cheng Yuan quickly washed up, then hailed a cab and headed straight for the Qingyuan Hotel.
Upon arriving at the Qingyuan Hotel, something dawned on Cheng Yuan. ’This name seems a bit familiar...’
Cheng Yuan took out his phone and dialed Gao Qingyuan’s number. The call connected instantly, and Gao Qingyuan’s enthusiastic voice came through the line.
"Young Master Cheng, I was just thinking about calling you, and here you are! Could I invite you to join the welcome luncheon today?"
"What welcome luncheon?"
"It’s to welcome Dong Long and his crew to our Qingyuan Mining Group. I’m planning to host a lunch for them at the Qingyuan Hotel today, and I was wondering if I might have the honor of your presence, Young Master Cheng?"
Cheng Yuan smiled. "What a coincidence. I happen to be on my way to the Qingyuan Hotel for a meal. Is it one of your properties?"
"It’s not my property. The Qingyuan Hotel is *your* property, Young Master Cheng."
Cheng Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. "Old Gao, you really know how to joke."
"I’m not joking. Starting today, the Qingyuan Hotel will be renamed the Yuanxi Hotel. Please consider it a token of my gratitude to you, Young Master Cheng."
"Old Gao, there’s no need for such formalities."
"It’s only right. A whole hotel in exchange for my life, plus your protection, Young Master Cheng... I’m the one getting the better end of this deal."
Cheng Yuan didn’t argue the point. "In that case," he said calmly, "I’ll accept the hotel. But there’s no need to change the name."
Gao Qingyuan instantly understood. Young Master Cheng didn’t want the woman in his life to be associated with the name Qingyuan.
"Understood! Young Master Cheng, which private room are you in? I’ll swing by later to offer a toast."
"I think it’s the Qingyun High private room."
"Alright, got it."
Cheng Yuan hung up and walked toward the hotel entrance. Coincidentally, Yan Liming and Xiao Yating were just walking over from the parking lot.
Seeing Cheng Yuan, Xiao Yating greeted him warmly, "Brother Yuan."
Cheng Yuan turned around and saw Xiao Yating clinging intimately to Yan Liming’s arm. The smile on his face froze.
"Yating, Liming, you’re here?"
Yan Liming glanced at Cheng Yuan with a reserved air. "Cheng Yuan, about Uncle Xiao mentioning he’d help you find a job last night... there’s been a bit of progress. If my promotion goes through smoothly this time, I can probably arrange an auxiliary police position for you."
’A smooth promotion?’
’Where does this guy get his confidence?’
Cheng Yuan just smiled without replying.
Xiao Yating, standing beside them, thought Cheng Yuan didn’t believe him and quickly added, "Brother Yuan, Liming is telling the truth. He really has a great chance of getting promoted this time! You should have a few drinks with him later."
Cheng Yuan shrugged noncommittally.
Seeing that Cheng Yuan was completely unresponsive, Yan Liming sneered. ’What a hopeless case.’
’If our positions were reversed, I’d be desperately kissing up to him.’
’If Cheng Yuan just sucked up to me a little, what would be the big deal about getting him an official post?’
’Too bad Cheng Yuan is just as stubborn and bull-headed as he was when we were kids.’
"Since Cheng Yuan isn’t interested, then forget it. I’ll arrange jobs for Shao Tao and Jiang Hu instead."
Xiao Yating didn’t press the issue, sighing to herself. ’Brother Yuan’s personality is really something else...’
Soon, the three of them entered the hotel lobby.
Shao Tao, Jiang Hu, Liu Xiaoyun, and the others had arrived early and were waiting in the lounge. When they saw Yan Liming and Xiao Yating approach, they hurried over, laying on the flattery thick and fast.
"Liming, congratulations on the promotion!"
"What do you mean, Liming? You should be calling him Director Yan now!"
"Director Yan, now that you’re getting promoted, you have to help us brothers out! Out of all the kids of our fathers’ army buddies, you’re the one who’s made it!"
Cheng Yuan watched this display with cold indifference. The more these people buttered up Yan Liming now, the harder they would stomp on him when he fell.
’That’s just human nature.’
Yan Liming lifted his chin with a reserved sort of pride.
"Of course. As long as there are openings, I’ll definitely give you guys first consideration."
As he spoke, Yan Liming shot a pointed glance at Cheng Yuan, his expression seeming to say, ’Hurry up and say something nice. If you make me happy, I might just give you a leg up!’
Cheng Yuan looked down at the tips of his shoes, pretending not to see Yan Liming’s hint. This infuriated Yan Liming.
Yan Liming snorted. He had given him a chance, but Cheng Yuan didn’t appreciate it. Well, that was on him!
No longer bothering with Cheng Yuan, Yan Liming strode toward the front desk.
The whole group hurried to follow.
Cheng Yuan ambled along at the very back.
Xiao Yating deliberately slowed her pace, her voice filled with exasperation. "Brother Yuan, we’re all adults now. Don’t be so stubborn, like when you were a kid. It won’t kill you to say a few nice words! It could make your life so much easier! Can’t you just swallow your pride for Liming?"
Cheng Yuan didn’t answer her question directly, instead asking faintly, "Yating, are you really dating Yan Liming?"
Xiao Yating nodded emphatically. "Yes, Brother Yuan. Our marriage is already decided. You have to come to my engagement party. I want to have my brother’s blessing."
She put heavy emphasis on the word "brother," assuming Cheng Yuan had a bit of a crush on her and was acting out of jealousy.
Cheng Yuan frowned. "Yating, as your brother, let me give you some advice. Yan Liming is about to face prison time. I suggest you cut all ties with him immediately, or your family will get dragged down with him."
Xiao Yating stared at Cheng Yuan, speechless. "Brother Yuan, even if you like me, you don’t have to curse Liming like that, do you? He’s about to get a promotion, how could he possibly face prison time? I’ve always thought of you as my actual brother, nothing more. I’m sincerely asking you to see me as your sister and not have any unrealistic ideas! Otherwise, we won’t even be able to be like brother and sister anymore."