The weekend seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, Monday had arrived.
Guo Min hurried downstairs, already dressed in a fitted cream business suit, her handbag hanging from one shoulder as she checked the time on her wristwatch. "I'm leaving!" she called.
Zihan had just finished buttoning the cuffs of his white shirt. Seeing her rush toward the entrance, he walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into a brief hug.
"I have so much to do today," Guo Min said, returning the embrace for only a second before pulling away. "I can't be late."
"I won't be late either," Zihan replied. "I have a few important meetings that can't be postponed."
She nodded before pointing a finger at him. "Whatever you do..."
"Hm?".
"...Don't miss the evening banquet." Her eyes narrowed playfully. "If you do..." She smiled sweetly. "...watch me sign the divorce papers."
The words were clearly meant as a joke but the moment they left her mouth she regretted them.
Zihan, who had been following closely behind her, stopped in his tracks before gently pulling her back by the wrist.
His expression had turned unusually serious. "...Don't joke about divorce." Guo Min blinked. "You shouldn't say things like that." His voice was calm, but there was unmistakable concern hidden beneath it. "Don't jinx us."
For a second, Guo Min simply stared at him, then the corners of her lips curled upward. "Oh?". She bit into a piece of buttered toast before grinning. "When did President Zhu become so superstitious?"
"...Tsk. Whatever." Adjusting the buttons of his suit jacket, he picked up his blazer from the sofa. "Let's go, I'll drop you off."
Outside the Zhu Villa.
As always, the black luxury sedan was already waiting near the entrance.
Mr. He, the driver, stood beside the rear door while Secretary Lin waited nearby with today's work tablet in hand.
The moment the couple stepped outside, both men bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, President."
"Madam."
Mr. He opened the rear door, and the two got in before the engine came quietly to life.
Nearly forty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a newly completed luxury resort.
The massive property stretched across acres of beautifully landscaped land, with elegant architecture, glass fronted buildings, fountains, gardens, and several structures still undergoing their final touches.
A large golden sign stood proudly at the entrance.
GRANDEUR SERENE
Workers, designers, engineers, and hotel executives moved busily around the grounds.
Guo Min looked at the resort with satisfaction before turning back toward the car. "I'll see you later."
"Mm."
"Don't forget the banquet."
"I definitely won't."
She leaned through the open door and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Good." Then she stepped out.
Several executives immediately hurried over to greet her as she walked confidently toward the main building, disappearing inside while already discussing the day's agenda.
The car slowly pulled away.
Inside the moving car...
Zihan finished the last sip of his coffee before placing the empty cup into the holder.
Without looking up, he spoke. "My schedule."
Secretary Lin immediately opened the digital planner on his tablet. "You have three meetings that require your personal attendance this morning, sir."
Secretary Lin scrolled through the day's itinerary.
"First, a conference with the financial consortium."
"Second, the election strategy meeting with the senior council."
"And finally, at noon, a one on one meeting with minister Bai."
"The remaining documents and appointments can be handled by me."
"Mm." Zihan nodded absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on the passing city outside the window. After a brief silence, he spoke. "Whatever happens... clear my schedule by noon."
Secretary Lin blinked.
"...Sir?"
"I said, clear it."
Lin looked down at his tablet again before looking back at his president.
"...But, President, your meeting with minister Bai is scheduled for noon."
"I know."
Lin swallowed nervously. "He isn't someone we can simply ignore."
"Postpone it."
"...Sir...".
"We're going shopping."
Secretary Lin's mouth fell open. "...Shopping?"
For a few seconds, the only sound inside the car was the hum of the engine. He stared at Zihan as though the man had suddenly become someone else. "...President, with all due respect, he isn't an ordinary man. He specifically requested to meet with you."
Zihan finally turned his head, his expression as calm as ever. "Then inform him that something came up."
"If he refuses?"
"Postpone it."
"And if he insists on meeting today?"
Zihan's tone remained indifferent. "Then go in my stead."
Secretary Lin nearly dropped his tablet. "...Me?"
"Take whoever you think is suitable."
"B...But, President..."
Zihan raised a brow. "Didn't you say you could handle the remaining appointments?"
Secretary Lin instantly regretted every confident word he had spoken a few minutes ago. "...I did..."
"Good."
Lin silently lowered his head. "...Understood." but deep inside, however, he couldn't stop screaming.
Zhu Empire... Executive Conference Hall
The double doors opened. One after another, influential figures from the country's largest financial institutions entered the conference room, each accompanied by assistants carrying thick folders and digital tablets.
At the head of the twelve meter conference table was Zhu Zihan. His posture was relaxed, one hand resting against the armrest while the other lazily flipped through a report Secretary Lin had prepared.
Secretary Lin glanced at the clock then he announced. "The meeting will now begin."
A middle aged man in a navy suit was the first to stand. "President Zhu, ladies and gentlemen." He adjusted his glasses. "The first quarter has ended with stable profits across most sectors. However, due to the upcoming presidential transition, investors confidence has become... cautious."
He pressed a button on the remote which graphs and financial data appeared on the large screen.
"Our recommendation is to temporarily reduce long term investments until the political climate becomes more predictable."
Several executives nodded in agreement.
Another representative stood. "I concur. Markets dislike uncertainty. The safest option is to preserve liquidity until the new administration is confirmed."
A few voices echoed in support.
Secretary Lin quietly observed his president. Zihan hadn't looked at the screen once. He simply tapped his fingers lightly against the table, observing before acting.
Then finally the room went quiet after everyone poured out when they had to say, only then did Zihan slowly raise his eyes.
He looked at the screen for a long moment before speaking. "The economy has never rewarded people who move after certainty."
Zihan picked up the presentation remote. With a click, the graph on the screen changed. Another chart appeared.
"The Zhu Empire expanded during the recession."
"Li International Airlines acquired two competitors during a market downturn."
"Wu Entertainment doubled its market share during an industry wide strike."
He set the remote down and closed the folder in front of him.
His calm gaze swept across the conference room. "Several companies seated in this room today became industry leaders during periods of financial crisis." A brief pause. "You built your fortunes by investing while everyone else was afraid."
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And now you're asking me to become afraid with you."
Silence settled over the room.
None of them could deny his words but still markets were unpredictable.
After a moment, one of the elderly chairmen cleared his throat. "President Zhu, with all due respect, the upcoming presidential transition carries risks that extend far beyond economics."
"It does." Zihan nodded in agreement. "And nothing in business is ever one hundred percent certain."
He folded his hands behind his back. "But this opportunity carries nearly a seventy percent probability of success."
His gaze moved from one executive to another. "Businessmen and women are, by nature, gamblers."
A faint smile appeared on his lips. "...Not reckless gamblers, they calculate and evaluate risk."
Another executive leaned forward. "...And if things take a turn for the worse?"
Before anyone else could speak, Zihan answered. "Then we solve the problem." His tone remained calm, as though discussing the weather.
"There has never been a business that came without risk." He glanced briefly at his wristwatch, mentally calculating the time remaining before his next engagement.
Then he looked back at the room. "This is precisely when investment yields the greatest return."
A younger CEO, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, slowly smiled. "Would you care to elaborate, President Zhu?"
Zihan inclined his head slightly. "Assets become cheaper and opportunities multiply when fear dominates the market".
Then the younger CEO gave a slow nod. "...As expected of President Zhu... I support increasing our investments."
"So do I."
"Agreed."
"I second the proposal."
One by one, voices of approval echoed around the conference table.
Within moments, the cautious atmosphere had completely shifted.
Secretary Lin quietly updated the meeting record, unable to suppress a small smile.