Chapter 372 - 137: Hang Yishao’s Investigation
The project budget of the "Golden Coast" had consumed over two months of Pello’s time to organize before he could finally detach himself from it.
Fortunately, during these couple of months, Su Ziceng, with the help of Sister Mu, got to know more about the fashion industry, including how to manage a store, the ins and outs of stock procurement, and the selection and hiring of staff among various matters.
Initially, Sister Mu did not support Su Ziceng’s decision to buy ZARA’s exclusive franchise rights in Asia. In her impression, the designs of ZARA, famous for plagiarism, were not worthy of the spotlight. Su Ziceng’s approach to introduce these designs was not something to be advocated.
But Su Ziceng had her own theories, and what she said did hold some merit. We now live in a fast-paced era, and fashion follows a fast-paced model too; rather than meticulously choosing a classic style to wear for ten years, it’s better to have ten trendy pieces to wear over one year.
The two held different understandings of clothing and fashion. However, Sister Mu eventually chose to cooperate with Su Ziceng’s approach, as it was Su Ziceng’s personal choice and the hardest she has ever tried up to that point. Watching this girl, who stepped out from "Admiration," grow distant and successful, Sister Mu opted to offer as much support as possible.
Meanwhile, Hang Yishao had asked Su Ziceng out several times during this period, but she declined each time. After that night’s reception, Su Ziceng understood her heart; she felt that she was no longer suitable to be with Hang Yishao.
Hang Yishao had sensed the change in Su Ziceng’s heart, but he didn’t pay much attention to it; after all, he had made a prior agreement with Su Qingzhang. He planned to propose to Su Ziceng officially after completing his studies at Daoquan University next year, fulfilling the promise their families had made many years ago.
For the time being, he regarded this period as a cooling-off time for Su Ziceng; concurrently, Hang Yishao also kept a close watch on the collaborative project between the Su and the Wen families. He knew that Pello was the biggest obstacle between him and Su Ziceng. Thus, Hang Yishao dispatched a special investigator to Europe to gather information about Pello.
The early results of the investigation were now laid out on Hang Yishao’s desk. He found Pello’s background somewhat mysterious. There was virtually no record of him before the age of twenty, with no clues concerning his family or past experiences.
At twenty, Pello entered London University, and Wen Maixue’s name was conspicuously on the same school roster. Data revealed that Wen Maixue had funded Pello’s tuition for a considerable time during their university years, and they were very close, commonly presumed to be a couple.
No wonder, at that age, both Wen Maixue and Pello were exceptionally good-looking and talented individuals; it was only natural for them to have mutual admiration. The question is, why did Pello, once he came to Mo City, assume just an employer-employee relationship with Wen Maixue? Could it be the cliché scenario of the Wen family opposing their relationship?
"No, that’s not right," Hang Yishao felt something was off. He had little personal interaction with Wen Maixue, but from public opinion, she was not one to easily compromise with her family. And Pello, he seemed not as harmless as he appeared.
After the resale of Kelly Women’s College, the Wen family joined forces with the Su family, who usually did not play by the rules. It seemed, on the surface, this cooperation arose from Su Qingzhang’s helpless gesture after his rift with the Fei Family, but everything was too coincidental. It was at this time Pello was hired by the Su Family to handle financial affairs.
The ribs on Hang Yishao’s left flank began to ache again. He remembered that night on the shaking yacht, when Pello, with agility greater than a cheetah, took him down with a single punch.
And then there was that night, the way he looked at Su Ziceng when he asked her to go inside. Those complex eyes, like she was both prey and a forbidden delicacy.
"Damn it," Hang Yishao hastily dialed Su Ziceng’s number; he needed to tell her that Pello’s approach must have some ulterior motives.
Seeing the incoming call from Hang Yishao, Su Ziceng hesitated a bit. Tomorrow, she would be departing for Spain, and this solo business trip with Pello left her feeling both anticipation and fear. At this moment, Hang Yishao called again. After a moment’s hesitation, Su Ziceng answered the call.
"Ziceng, listen to me, stay away from that guy Pello," Hang Yishao urged anxiously; he wished he could fly to Su Ziceng’s side right that instant.
"Yishao," Su Ziceng complained, "We’re at this critical juncture, and you suddenly intervene."
"I’m serious, did you know that Pello and Wen Maixue used to be lovers?" Hang Yishao organized his thoughts, trying to figure out how to persuade Su Ziceng.
"I know," Su Ziceng had also noticed that there was nothing simple about Pello and Wen Maixue’s relationship, "Pello and I are just work partners," Su Ziceng tried to persuade Hang Yishao, and at the same time, to convince herself.
"I won’t allow you to be with him, even for work, it’s not okay," Hang Yishao thought about how to dig up everything about Pello’s past before he was twenty, including his family background, and what his purpose was in coming to Mo City and joining the Su Family.
"Don’t be unreasonable. This trip is to discuss a cooperation project with ZARA, and it’s going to be me and Pello going together, and we’re leaving tomorrow." Su Ziceng knew that Hang Yishao had long-held grievances against Pello, probably going back to their equestrian classes.
"You’re going with him? What was Uncle Su thinking? He promised me... No, I’m going with you," Hang Yishao flipped through his curriculum for the fourth academic year that he had just received; there wasn’t much coursework left anyway.
"I heard that the seaside project will officially start operating mid-month, and as the young master of the Hang Family, you shouldn’t be leaving at this time," Su Ziceng declined his offer.
"That guy is dangerous," Hang Yishao couldn’t help but curse, "That time I got hurt on the yacht wasn’t because I drank too much. It was because he... ambushed me." This disgraceful incident was something that Hang Yishao had always refused to discuss with others, even Fei Qing thought he had just slipped because he was drunk.
"Don’t talk nonsense, why would Pello hit you for no reason?" Su Ziceng didn’t believe that the always courteous and polite Pello would do such a thing.
"That’s because he’s good at hiding it. He’s skilled in combat; I find him disagreeable, and the feeling is mutual. His punches are both fierce and accurate," Hang Yishao huffed.
Fierce and accurate, Su Ziceng couldn’t imagine the elegant Pello with such an expression. Her mind flashed; Pello had mentioned that he had spent three years as a hunter in the Alps. Could everything Hang Yishao said be true? Then what about tomorrow’s business trip—could she still go with Pello? (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)