chapter 31 Anja Fang

"Mr. Ye, let me remind you once more, the New Century City project is on a tight schedule. Don't let these matters delay it. So, you shouldn't allow these issues to hold back the progress," Alan Tao said with a fake smile, looking at Cindy. "Mayor Tao, rest assured, I will resolve this as quickly as possible." Cindy, looking unwell, responded emotionlessly, then bid farewell to Alan Tao and left with Cece Deng. Watching Cindy's retreating figure, Alan Tao's lips twisted into a sinister smile. He immediately took out his phone and dialled a number, saying, "Cindy came to see me; she just left." "Hehe, Mayor Tao, as long as you stay out of this, I assure you, in just a few days, she will come begging to me," a strange laugh came over the phone. Alan Tao nodded, smiling, "Mr. Li, I'm somewhat confused. Why did you initially agree to give her the New Century City project? Without it, she wouldn't be in this mess." "Sigh, at that time, didn't I have no other choice? She had something on me." Luca Li was helpless, obviously too embarrassed to admit that he had been outmanoeuvred by Noah Jiang, unable to raise his 'brother.' "Don't worry, Mayor Tao. If you keep out of this, you won't miss out on the benefits," Luca Li said with a wicked smile. Alan Tao nodded, understanding Luca Li's intentions but still seriously reminded him, "Don't cause too big of a scene. The New Century City project is time-sensitive. If anything goes wrong, neither you nor I can afford the consequences, understand?" "Understood, Mayor Tao. I know what I'm doing. Join me at 'Heaven on Earth' tonight; it's my treat," Luca Li replied with a naughty grin. "No need, the authorities have been strict recently. Maybe next time. Let's leave it at that for now," Alan Tao ended the call after speaking. Although he was unsure about Luca Li's plans, he knew they were now in the same boat. "Ms. Ye, what should we do now? Mayor Tao obviously isn't going to help us," Cece Deng said, following Cindy out of the municipal building and back to the car. "It's Luca Li causing trouble behind the scenes!" Cindy's exquisite eyebrows furrowed. Judging from Alan Tao's attitude, he must have known about this all along. Who else but Luca Li could arrange for thugs to do this kind of thing? No wonder she got the development rights to the Lindong Area of New Century City so smoothly. It seemed Luca Li had been ready for her, waiting. "Let’s return to the company." Cindy's face was grim. Regarding Luca Li's disruption at the construction site, he undoubtedly wanted to delay her schedule. Soon, the driver returned to the Ye Group building. Cindy and Cece Deng got out of the car and headed straight into the building. However, they happened to run into a strangely dressed man in a black robe coming out of the company, catching Cindy's attention. She asked, "Who is that man, and how did he get out of our company?" "I don't know, but I'll go ask the security." Cece Deng was about to inquire with security, but Cindy shook her head, "Never mind, later, notify security not to allow such strange individuals into the company." "Understood, Ms. Ye." Cece nodded, following Cindy into the building and directly to the office via the elevator. Unknowingly, it was already noon. At the entrance of Jiang Clinic on Traditional Chinese Medicine Street, Noah was sitting at a tea stall, eating a fast-food lunch that Ruth Chen had brought for him, deeply engrossed. From setting up the stall in the morning till now, aside from serving Roze and Ruth a beauty tea, no one else had shown any interest. Noah wasn't discouraged, knowing that starting is always the hardest part. To get people to acknowledge the effects of his herbal tea, he needed someone to try it and show visible results, which was why he had Ruth as his test subject. "Noah, can your herbal tea really enhance the body's immunity?" A skinny young man in a white shirt and suit pants, wearing old-fashioned glasses, approached. His pale complexion and frail appearance indicated a history of poor health since childhood. “Brother Evan, are you off work now?” Looking at the young man in front of him, Evan Xu, a resident of the adjacent street to Traditional Chinese Medicine Street, he was famously weak and often ill. Furthermore, working day and night and staying up late had further weakened his body. “No, I was just passing by after discussing a contract with a client.” Evan Xu weakly shook his head. Noah Jiang put down his lunch box, poured a cup of tonic tea for Evan, and smiled, “If you trust me, try this drink for free.” Evan Xu gave a wry smile, took the tonic tea from Noah Jiang, and without saying a word, drank it all. He said, “Everyone on Traditional Chinese Medicine Street knows I’m frail and often sick. Although many doctors have given me various health-boosting remedies, I can't afford the expensive ingredients because of my financial situation.” Noah Jiang picked up his lunch box again and laughed, “Come drink two cups here every day. It's on me.” “Thank you, I should get going now.” Evan Xu nodded. He was well aware of Noah Jiang’s reputation on Traditional Chinese Medicine Street, and he didn’t really believe that this tonic tea would have much effect. Drinking it was more for self-comfort. “Brother Noah, pour me a cup of beauty tea.” After finishing her lunch, Ruth Chen came out and sat on Noah Jiang’s long bench. “Pour it yourself.” Noah Jiang continued eating. “Hehe, aren’t you afraid I’ll drink it all?” Ruth Chen stood up and poured it herself, speaking playfully. “You can only drink three cups a day. Any more than that will ruin your complexion.” Noah Jiang looked up and warned. “Ah, will it really ruin my face?” Ruth Chen paused in alarm, but Noah Jiang chuckled, “Just kidding.” “Hehe, then I’ll drink it and see if the pimples on my face disappear by tomorrow.” Ruth Chen said, holding her tea. At that moment, a woman in a white lace top, light blue hip-hugging skirt, with long dark purple-black curls, delicate makeup, and seductive phoenix eyes that gave her a mature and sultry look, appeared. She didn’t seem like an ordinary woman. Another woman in professional attire, looking like a secretary, followed her. They stood in front of the tea stall, curiously reading the sign about beauty tea. “Hello, would you like some tea?” Ruth Chen asked them with a smile. “Beauty tea? I’ve heard of cooling teas that reduce heat and detoxify, and those for colds and coughs, but never beauty tea. Interesting.” Anja Fang glanced at Ruth Chen with her charming phoenix eyes and chuckled, “Does this tea really have beautifying effects?” “Yes, look, I’m drinking it myself. Why not try a cup?” Ruth Chen held up her cup, smiling at Anja Fang. “Haha, do you think I need it?” Anja Fang flirted, twirling her hair seductively. Ruth Chen was stunned. There was no denying that the woman in front of her was incredibly beautiful and seductive. Why would she need any beauty treatment? “Miss Fang, I think these are just gimmicks created by these boring traditional Chinese doctors. How could a simple tea have beautifying effects?” Wendy, the secretary beside Anja Fang, expressed her skepticism. “Hehe, it seems traditional Chinese medicine really has declined. I thought we could research some beauty and skincare products from it, but it seems I was mistaken. Let's go.” Anja Fang chuckled and turned to leave with Wendy. However, Noah Jiang, having finished his meal, gently put down his lunch box and smiled, “Beautiful lady, you have excessive internal heat, which makes you feel restless and suffocated at night, causing insomnia and dark circles under your eyes. Although your makeup is exquisite, it still affects your expectation towards beauty.” Anja Fang froze and turned to look at Noah Jiang, realizing she hadn’t noticed him earlier when he was eating. Seeing the handsome young man with clear features and fair skin, she was surprised that he could point out her recent troubles.