Chapter 84: An Encounter

"Zhang Wei, let me introduce you—this is Manager Zhang from our 4S dealership," Yang Guang said as he walked to Zhang Wei's side, nudging his arm.

Zhang Wei came back to his senses, glanced at Yang Guang, then turned to look at Zhang Qi. At first, he was surprised, but then a sense of understanding settled in. During a family dinner over the New Year, Zhang Wei had heard Liu Guihua brag that her daughter worked as a manager at an automotive 4S dealership and earned an annual salary of a hundred thousand yuan. Back then, Zhang Wei hadn't pressed for details, unsure if it was true or not; now, unexpectedly, she turned out to be Yang Guang's direct superior.

"Zhang Wei, what are you doing here? Are you buying a car?" Zhang Qi was even more astonished upon seeing Zhang Wei, clearly not expecting the client Yang Guang mentioned to be him.

"Yes, if I had known you were the manager at the BMW 4S dealership, I would have come straight to you," Zhang Wei replied with a polite smile.

After all, Zhang Wei and Zhang Qi were cousins. Though the two families weren't particularly close, they still needed to maintain a harmonious appearance in front of outsiders. Besides, there were no major conflicts between them, so there was no need to create unnecessary tension and become the subject of ridicule.

"You know Yang Guang?" Zhang Qi asked curiously.

"We're neighbors in the same community," Zhang Wei explained.

"Zhang Wei, are you really here to buy a car, or are you just covering for Yang Guang so he won't be penalized for being late?" Zhang Qi frowned upon hearing they were neighbors.

She still doubted that Zhang Wei was genuinely here to purchase a car. She knew his situation well—though he worked in the capital, his monthly salary wasn't high. The fact that he managed to return the ten thousand yuan her family was owed was already surprising enough.

Now, Zhang Wei had come to a BMW dealership, where the cheapest car cost over three hundred thousand yuan. That wasn't something an ordinary person could afford. Zhang Qi couldn't imagine how, in just a few months, Zhang Wei could have come into so much money.

"My time is far too precious for such childish games," Zhang Wei replied with a wave of his hand, a hint of irritation in his voice.

He was still preoccupied with matters at the Zhongtong store, and if it hadn’t been such a hassle to buy a car in the capital, he would have taken a bus back there this morning. He had no interest in playing these little managerial inspection games.

"Hmph..." Zhang Qi was a bit displeased with Zhang Wei calling himself her elder brother, but since it was true, she couldn't refute him.

"How's that case going? Have they caught the culprit?" Zhang Wei asked, referring to Liu Guihua's robbery. He didn't feel responsible, but it was only right to show some concern.

"The police haven't made any progress yet. It'll probably be a while before there's any news," Zhang Qi replied blandly, clearly unwilling to discuss it further.

"How's Auntie doing?" Zhang Wei asked with a smile, seemingly out of concern, though in truth he wanted to know if Liu Guihua had fallen ill from anger.

"She's been a bit down lately, but whenever your name comes up, she seems full of energy again. That reassures us," Zhang Qi replied with a hint of teasing.

Ever since childhood, Liu Guihua had never particularly liked Zhang Wei. After losing the ten thousand yuan in the robbery, she blamed Zhang Wei for it. If he hadn’t paid the money back, she might have forced Zhang Jianguo and his wife to mortgage their house. Even if they refused, if Zhang Wei hadn’t brought the money or drawn those thieves to their door, Liu Guihua wouldn’t have been robbed. Now, she harbored a deep resentment toward Zhang Wei.

Hearing Zhang Qi’s words, Zhang Wei shook his head. The so-called "full of energy when mentioning his name" obviously meant she had plenty to say when cursing him. It seemed that not only Liu Guihua, but Zhang Qi also held him partly responsible for the robbery.

"Zhang Wei, what’s your relationship with Manager Zhang?" Yang Guang, who had been left to the side, asked curiously after noticing their familiarity.

"Your Manager Zhang is my cousin. You’d better get on my good side, or I'll have her make things tough for you," Zhang Wei joked.

"Is she your second uncle’s child?" Yang Guang asked, knowing Zhang Wei had an uncle but unaware Zhang Qi was his cousin.

Zhang Wei nodded. "Since we're all family here, let's not waste any more time. Show me to the showroom."

"Let Yang Guang take care of you. The dealership is about to host an event, and I need to set up the display," Zhang Qi said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she excused herself.

"Go ahead," Zhang Wei replied. He hadn’t expected Zhang Qi to accompany him anyway; in fact, he’d feel more uncomfortable if she did.

"Zhang Qi, so this is where you’re hiding! I was looking for you to discuss the event arrangements," a man's voice called from the dealership entrance.

At the sound of that voice, Zhang Wei frowned, recalling some unpleasant memories. He turned his head, and as expected, it was Wu Yong, the man who had accompanied Zhang Qi to the police station.

"Zhang Wei, what are you doing here?" Wu Yong had come to find Zhang Qi. At first, he mistook Zhang Wei for a regular employee, but as he drew closer, he recognized him.

"From your tone, you make it sound like this BMW dealership belongs to your family," Zhang Wei remarked.

"That's right. I am, in fact, the owner of this 4S dealership," Wu Yong replied with a hint of pride. "So, are you here for a job interview?"

"And if I were applying for a job—would you hire me?" Zhang Wei smiled.

Learning Wu Yong was the owner didn’t surprise Zhang Wei; it made sense. Otherwise, how could someone like Zhang Qi, a recent college graduate, become the dealership manager?

"Even though you and Zhang Qi are related, I keep business and personal matters separate. If you want to work here, it will depend on your abilities," Wu Yong said seriously.

Since Wu Yong knew the families weren’t close and that Zhang Wei and Zhang Qi weren't particularly friendly, he naturally put on a businesslike air. Besides, after their falling-out at the police station, he had no reason to be anything but official.

"Wu, Zhang Wei isn’t here to apply for a job—he’s here to buy a car," Zhang Qi interjected, not wanting Wu Yong to be played by Zhang Wei.

"That’s right, I’m here to buy a car. I wonder if you’d be willing to have me as a customer?" Zhang Wei asked.

"Of course, you’re more than welcome," Wu Yong replied, his manner softening. Rather than being annoyed at Zhang Wei’s teasing, he forced a smile and became exceedingly polite.

Zhang Wei was a bit taken aback by how quickly Wu Yong’s demeanor changed. If Wu Yong had tried to slight him or refused to sell him a car out of arrogance, Zhang Wei would have thought less of him. But seeing Wu Yong’s adaptability, Zhang Wei’s opinion of him improved.

Wu Yong was a shrewd man. The day at the police station when he made things difficult for Zhang Wei, he’d appeared every bit the spoiled rich kid. In fact, it was all to ingratiate himself with Liu Guihua, and it cost him nothing to say a few extra words for her sake. The move had the desired effect—Liu Guihua became much warmer toward him. As for offending Zhang Wei, Wu Yong didn’t care in the least.

But now that Zhang Wei was a customer, whatever personal grievances existed, Wu Yong had to greet him with a smile. It wasn’t simply about being money-minded; it was about upholding the company’s image and service standards. If he lacked even this bit of adaptability, he never would have taken over such a large dealership at a young age.

"Yang Guang, take good care of Mr. Zhang. No matter which car he chooses, he gets a ten-thousand-yuan cash discount!" Wu Yong said grandly with a wave of his hand.

"Mr. Zhang, we have to finish setting up for the event, so Zhang Qi and I will excuse ourselves," Wu Yong added.

"Go ahead," Zhang Wei replied, making a gesture of invitation with his right hand.

After Wu Yong and Zhang Qi walked into the dealership, Zhang Wei turned to Yang Guang. "Your boss Wu doesn’t seem like an easy man to deal with."

"Definitely not. He changes his face faster than turning a page! If you underestimate him, you’ll regret it," Yang Guang replied, his expression uneasy.

"But what’s with that guy giving me a ten-thousand-yuan cash discount?" Zhang Wei wondered aloud.

"It’s the Qixi Festival promotion—everyone gets ten thousand off today. You’re not special!" Yang Guang shot him a disdainful look. "Saying something nice costs him nothing and makes a good impression. How valuable is that?"

"Damn, that guy really is slippery. Almost misjudged him," Zhang Wei thought, now more cautious. People often say rich kids are all trouble, but there are certainly some sharp ones among them.