Ouyang Duo, who had claimed to be abroad all this while, showed up out of nowhere in Flower City when Nan Chen requested an audience with him.
He told others he had made a trip back to Flower City because of Nan Chen.
Nevertheless, no one seemed to be aware of the trip he mentioned.
Nan Chen and Ouyang Duo had a meeting scheduled at the Nanshi Corporation Headquarter.
Ouyang Duo suggested meeting at the particular venue.
Lately, Nanshi Corporation’s predicament on the project in Vietnam had gotten around amongst those in the corporate world.
Others would definitely figure out the objective of Ouyang Duo’s visit since the session was held at Nanshi Corporation Headquarters
Nan Chen had been waiting for the arrival of Ouyang Duo in the lobby.
He walked over and stretched his arm, initiating a handshake with Ouyang Duo once the latter arrived. “Uncle, thank you so much for your time.”
Ouyang Duo greeted Nan Chen politely in return, “Since both families have been closely acquainted for a long time, I will definitely try my best to resolve the hardship that has befallen the Nan family.”
Nan Chen couldn’t figure out the reason Ouyang Duo considered the failure of a particular project as the hardship of the Nan family.
In spite of being irritated, Nan Chen remained a calm and collected front and showed Ouyang Duo the way to the VIP lounge with a poker face.
In order to welcome Ouyang Duo, Nan Chen had instructed his subordinates to clean the lounge beforehand. Hence, not even a speck of dust could be found on any surface.
After they caught up with one another, Nan Chen finally brought up his request and summarized the timeline of the incident that had occurred in Vietnam.
Ouyang Duo asked, “Are you serious? How may I help you, Chen?”
“Uncle, can you please do me a favor and get in touch with the minister on my behalf? Please get him to reassess the authenticity of the assessment report and do us justice,” Nan Chen requested.
“Hahaha!” Ouyang Duo burst into laughter.
Nan Chen looked at him in the eyes as he was confused.
“Chen, justice doesn’t exist! Frankly, justice is the tool for the wealthy and influential ones to get things done their way!” Ouyang Duo remarked.
Nan Chen remained silent once more.
“Since such a serious incident has occurred, you should have gotten in touch with me earlier! Mr. Huang is a good friend of mine! I’m sure he’ll do me a favor and assist you in reassessing the assessment report.”
“Thank you so much, Uncle,” Nan Chen expressed his gratitude.
“I’ll make a trip to Vietnam and visit Mr. Huang tomorrow. Do you want to tag along with me?” Ouyang Duo offered an olive branch to Nan Chen.
“I-I…” Nan Chen stuttered because he didn’t think Ouyang Duo would bring up such a request unexpectedly.
As he couldn’t figure out the reason Ouyang Duo had brought up such a suggestion, he was at a loss for words all of a sudden.
Usually, the party who had accepted the request from another party would proceed to fulfill the other party’s request on their own.
Nan Chen couldn’t figure out the reason Ouyang Duo want him to tag along when he could easily get in touch with Mr. Huang on his behalf.
Actually, if he could procure Mr. Huang’s aid without Ouyang Duo’s referral, Nan Chen would have done it without him.
Ouyang Duo tried to persuade Nan Chen, “I know you have a lot of things on your plate, but this is equally crucial for Nanshi Corporation and you, right? I think you should tag along with me on this trip, Chen.”
“Are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes. Since we’re talking about the progress of a construction site, we can’t afford to drag this any further. We need to sort the issue out as soon as possible to prevent further losses,” Ouyang Duo explained.
“You’re right, Uncle. I’ll tag along with you to Vietnam.”
“We’ll make the trip using my private jet. I have been there a few times before. I’ll get everything sorted out, including the clearance to enter the border.”
“Thanks, Uncle.”
They chatted for some time before wrapping up the session.
As soon as the session ended, Nan Chen made his way back to Commoner Residence and reported the outcome of their discussion to Nan Zhengde.
His grandfather had requested him to get in touch with him as soon as he had decided on his next best course of action.
Nan Zhengde lost himself in the process of thought because he couldn’t fathom the reason Ouyang Duo insisted on Nan Chen’s companion for the trip.
“I don’t want you to make the trip,” Nan Zhengde asserted.
“I’m afraid that’s impossible, Grandpa,”
“We can’t possibly allow you to put yourself at stake when we have no idea what Ouyang Duo has hidden up his sleeves. Since you’re going to make the trip using his private jet, he has the upper hand once you reach Vietnam. I’m afraid things will get out of control.”
“I think it’s fine, Grandpa.” Nan Chen was relatively calm.
“Ouyang Duo is a cunning old fox! Throughout the years of dealing with him, we have never once got the better of him!”
“Exactly! That’s the reason he won’t resort to anything reckless and put my wellbeing at stake.”
“What do you mean?”
“Grandpa, have you forgotten my identity as Ouyang Qing’s fiancé? Although I have never acknowledged this identity of mine, those from the Ouyang family have misperceived me as their soon-to-be son-in-law. If he wants to put me at stake, why would he want to propose the engagement?”
“You’re right. What exactly is he up to? Why does he want you to tag along with him to Vietnam?” Nan Zhengde murmured to himself.
“I have no idea, but I don’t think I will encounter any sort of danger.”
“What if the proposal is merely a disguise to catch you off guard? Do you have any countermeasure for that?”
Nan Chen gave it a thought and found his grandfather’s words made sense, but he shook his head and rebuked, “I can’t think of the reason Ouyang Duo wants to drag me down.”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re the mainstay of the Nan family. If you’re no longer around, they can easily challenge the Nan family’s authority. In fact, this is the sole for others to drag you down from your current position. .”
“I’m not as important as you have said, Grandpa.”
“I’m not trying to be courteous or flatter you but it’s the truth. You’re the most important figure of the Nan family!” Nan Zhengde asserted in a serious manner.
“I think he won’t do me the favor if I turn down his request to tag along with him. Therefore, I have to make the trip no matter what. I’ll get Qiao Zhan to tag along with me. I’m sure he can keep me safe.”
Nan Zhengde shook his head and insisted, “That won’t change the outcome of the trip either since Ouyang Duo is the one in charge. Moreover, you’re in a foreign place. If worse comes to worst, I’m afraid Qiao Zhan can’t do anything to turn the tables either.”
Although it would be unnecessary for Ouyang Duo to lure Nan Chen all the way to Vietnam just to bring upon his misfortune, Nan Zhengde’s words made sense.
Nan Chen found himself in a tight spot because even though there might be a possibility Ouyang Duo would expose him to danger, he would have to resolve the issue in Vietnam sooner or later.
All of a sudden, Nan Zhengde suggested, “I’ll have you make the trip, but it won’t be necessary for you to be there physically.”
“What should I do, Grandpa?”
“We’ll get Nan Xing to make the trip on your behalf since he is a replica of you. Usually, an outsider won’t be able to tell both of you apart from one another.”
“No! This isn’t fair for Nan Xing! He’s equally important! I can’t possibly put his life at stake when I’m aware of the possible risk!” Nan Chen rejected without a second thought.
Knitting his eyebrows, Nan Zhengde assured, “I’m not indicating that he’s disposable, neither do I have any plan to forsake him. He’s my beloved grandson too; I love him wholeheartedly as much as I love you.”
“Then you shouldn’t have brought up such a suggestion!” Nan Chen raised his volume to express his frustration.
“I mean, let’s get him to take over your position while you stay in the dark and keep an eye on him. If you detect anything odd, retreat with Nan Xing at once. This is the only viable solution to ensure a win-win situation,” Nan Zhengde spelled out the details of his plan.
Nan Chen remained silent because his grandfather’s suggestion was the only feasible plan they had to ensure the safety of both his brother and him.
However, Nan Chen would spend the rest of his life regretting his decision if anything were to happen to Nan Xing after he had taken over his position.
