Chapter 282 - 277: Getting Ready to Handle the Bai Family Father-in-Law

It was Sunday, and Wu Yun was enjoying a rare day at home, planning to relax.

Watching Wen Meng, who had enthusiastically volunteered to make him a special lunch, Wu Yun didn’t refuse. Instead, he lounged on the sofa like a king, playing on his phone.

Just then, Wu Yun received a call from a very unexpected person.

The caller ID showed Li Dongliang.

"Hey, Brother Liang! What’s up!?" This was the first time Li Dongliang had ever called him.

On the other end of the line, Li Dongliang hesitated for a moment before getting straight to the point. "Young Master Wu! It’s like this. My dad found out our project is preparing to go to tender, and he said he’d recommend a construction company to us. It’s a state-owned enterprise, one of those major ones with ’Huaxia’ in the name."

Wu Yun immediately understood this was the power of connections and networking at play. He asked, "Which company is it?"

"Huaxia Machinery Industry Construction Group Co., Ltd. They’re a construction company that got its start in the industrial sector, so they’re very powerful. But you know how fierce the market competition is these days, so my dad thought of his old schoolmate, who he’s very close with!"

As Wu Yun listened to Li Dongliang’s explanation, the company name sounded strangely familiar. After a moment’s thought, he realized—’Isn’t that the company Bai Yue’s parents work for?’

Wu Yun asked, "I’ve heard of this company! Aren’t they huge? Would they really be interested in a job that’s only worth a few tens of millions?"

Li Dongliang laughed. "Back when my dad was working a local post, this alumnus of his was a great supporter of his work. So now that we have an opportunity here, my dad thought he could return the favor and help out his junior. Besides, it’s not like we’re only doing this one phase. There’s a lot more development planned for the future!"

"And you don’t have to worry about their capabilities. Their company has an extensive track record in this area. Plus, they’re a subsidiary of Sinomach Group, which means they have numerous manufacturing plants that can custom-build the equipment we need!"

"I hear you’re from Jingyang. You must have heard of Erzhong, right? That’s also under the Sinomach Group."

Seeing that Wu Yun was silent, Li Dongliang chuckled and asked, "So, what do you think? We aren’t a state-owned enterprise, after all. The bidding process can be just a formality. Once we pick a construction company, we can get the building permit!"

Since Li Dongliang was recommending them so strongly, Wu Yun figured it was an easy favor to grant. He smiled and said, "Fine! I have no problem with it. Let’s see what Brother Gang says."

"I’ll talk to Wang Gang later. I mainly wanted to get your opinion!" Li Dongliang’s tone was calm, but Wu Yun could still hear the pleasure in it.

On a whim, Wu Yun asked, "Brother Liang, can you tell me the name of your dad’s schoolmate?"

Li Dongliang replied in an uncertain tone, "I think his surname is Bai! I’d have to ask my dad for the specifics!"

Wu Yun had no more questions. He laughed, "Ah, no need to trouble your father over it! How about this: as long as their company does good work and there are no quality issues, they can be involved in all our future construction."

Li Dongliang was delighted. "Thanks, Young Master Wu! I owe you one. I’m coming to Rongcheng next weekend for a blind date! We should all get together then!"

Wu Yun hung up the phone with a chuckle, his mind already drifting. He wondered if he should ask Bai Yue about it.

’I’ve been video-chatting with Bai Yue frequently lately, but I rarely ask about her family,’ he thought. ’I should find out more about her father. It would be awkward if I have to deal with him for work and he recognizes me when I eventually visit as his future son-in-law!’

No sooner said than done, Wu Yun picked up his phone and called Bai Yue.

"Ah Yun! What’s with the phone call?" The two of them usually video-chatted.

So, when Wu Yun called, Bai Yue knew something was up. She got up, walked out onto her balcony, and slid the glass door shut.

"Can’t I call just because I miss you?" Wu Yun joked, glancing at Wen Meng bustling in the kitchen from his spot on the sofa.

"Yeah, right! Spit it out!" Bai Yue replied, laughing.

"Does your dad have a friend with the surname Li who works in the public sector?" Wu Yun asked.

Bai Yue was completely baffled. "I have no idea. I’ve never really paid attention to my dad’s circle of friends."

As she said this, she felt a little embarrassed, then asked worriedly, "What happened? I can go ask for you! Do you need help!?"

Wu Yun was taken aback for a second, then understood her concern. He reassured her, "Don’t worry, I’m just asking! Who knows, maybe in a little while, your dad will have to call me President Wu! HAHAHAHA~"

Bai Yue relaxed, but her curiosity was piqued. "What’s really going on!?"

"Haha! It’s a secret for now! I’ll explain everything when I come to the Capital City!" After saying this, Wu Yun murmured a few more sweet nothings before hanging up.

Bai Yue stared at her phone, exasperated. ’That damn Ah Yun! All he does is speak in riddles! What’s there to keep secret! Hmph!’

After silently cursing Wu Yun a few more times, Bai Yue turned around—and jumped in fright.

Clutching her chest, she saw a man and a woman standing behind the glass door—her parents. They both looked like they wanted to pry open the door and press their ears to the phone to see who had made their precious daughter pout and sulk so miserably.

Bai Yue slid the door open and walked from the balcony into the living room, complaining, "Jeez! Mom! Dad! Can you not be so scary!"

Qiu Yue gave her a teasing look. "Kiddo! You’re dating someone? Quick, let your mom see what the young man looks like."

Bai Yang didn’t say anything, but from his conflicted expression, it was clear he wanted to know too!

Bai Yue grinned. "Yep!"

"Who is he? A college classmate?" Qiu Yue was very curious.

"A high school classmate! Oh, just stop asking! Here, I’ll show you a picture!" Bai Yue pulled up a photo of herself and Wu Yun on her phone, accidentally showing Bai Yang and her mother an intimate photo of the two of them.

Bai Yang looked like he wanted to speak but held back, finally just letting out a sigh. "Bring him home to visit when you have time."

Qiu Yue changed the subject. "Alright, everyone go wash your hands! Lunch is ready!"

Once Bai Yang had gone to the washroom, Qiu Yue said, "Kiddo, we won’t meddle in your affairs, but you have to be careful. Make sure you protect yourself!"

Bai Yue nodded, linking her arm through Qiu Yue’s with a smile. "I know, Mom!"

At the dining table, the family of three ate their meal, but Bai Yue felt the atmosphere was a little off.

Just then, Bai Yang spoke up. "I have to go back to Sichuan in a few days. I’m going to see an old buddy. He mentioned on the phone that he wants to introduce me to a project from his son’s friend, so I should take them out for a meal and nurture the connection."

Qiu Yue’s face lit up. For any project Bai Yang personally brought into the company, he only needed to handle the initial development and wasn’t responsible for the subsequent construction. From the first progress payment through to final settlement, he would earn a 3% cut of the project’s net profit as a bonus!

"This Brother Li is such a good person. He connected you with so many projects when he was in his local post, and now he’s bringing them directly to you," Qiu Yue remarked with some emotion.

Bai Yang smiled and shook his head. "He wasn’t too definite on the phone. You know how people in his profession talk. That’s why I’ve decided to make the trip myself."

Hearing her father’s words, Bai Yue recalled the joke Wu Yun had made earlier. Suddenly, everything started to click into place!