The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Chapter 181 People Can Change

Zhou Yanruo put down her chopsticks and was about to explain when her phone on the table suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen and said to Shang Yibo with a hint of surprise, "It's Xie Can."

"Go ahead and answer it," Shang Yibo replied.

Zhou Yanruo answered the phone and pressed the speakerphone button: "Hello, President Can."

On the phone, Jie Can's voice came through: "President Zhou, I can't get through to Yibo. Jiajia said that you accompanied him to the recording studio today."

Zhou Yanruo confirmed, "Yes, he's with me now. Are you looking for him? I've put the phone on speakerphone, just say so."

Jie Can asked with concern, "Yibo, does your arm still hurt? I also heard you sprained your ankle. How is it now?"

Shang Yibo replied casually, "It's alright, after all, it's only been a day, how can it get better so quickly?"

Jie Can comforted him, "Then focus on recovering. I've already spoken with the production team, and they've agreed to adjust the filming schedule. This way, you won't have to go to the location in Huizhou the day after tomorrow, and you can rest for an extra week to fully recover."

Shang Yibo said calmly, "That's for the best, Brother Can, thanks."

Jie Can concluded by saying, "Qi Qingnan is in the capital these days. If you need any help, just ask her. Also, I'm taking Shen Qing to Huizhou tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yanruo said with emotion, "Jie Can is really experienced. I didn't even think to coordinate with the crew and adjust the shooting schedule so that you would have more time to recover from your injury."

Shang Yibo didn't take the matter to heart. He was more concerned about the unease Zhou Yanruo had shown earlier, so he asked, "Let's not talk about this. What time are you going to the company meeting? Don't be late. Do you need to prepare anything?"

Zhou Yanruo shook her head and said, "No need, I'm just attending the meeting. My colleagues from the investment department will be in charge. Their flight is tonight, so they won't arrive too early. We're supposed to meet at the group headquarters around five o'clock."

Shang Yibo suggested, "Then I'll go upstairs with you. You can find me an empty meeting room. You go to your meeting, and I'll wait for you there."

Zhou Yanruo smiled and said, "Actually, you don't need to go to so much trouble. You can just wait for me in your office."

"My office?" Shang Yibo asked, slightly surprised.

“Yes, the group specially prepared an office for you. I heard from my colleagues in the secretariat that although they haven’t seen you come here, Chairman Chu has always insisted on keeping it, and the office’s specifications are comparable to Chairman Chu’s office,” Zhou Yanruo explained.

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo was somewhat surprised, then gave a wry smile, "He really is as persistent as ever, why bother?"

Realizing that she might have touched on Shang Yibo's family matters that he was unwilling to discuss, Zhou Yanruo wisely changed the subject and continued their previous discussion, "I have looked into Rongchang Capital. In the past two years, they have developed very rapidly, especially after expanding their presence in China."

Shang Yibo asked in confusion, "When two companies of similar strength cooperate, it should be mutually beneficial and win-win. Why do you have any concerns?"

Zhou Yanruo sighed and said seriously, "To be honest, Rongchang Capital's investment history is not honorable; you could say it's 'full of bad deeds.' As an insider, although this is sensitive information, it's okay to reveal some to you. Our investment project in Bangkok is currently in trouble. The investment funds have been delayed, causing both projects to stagnate, and the group's cash flow is also strained as a result. Under these circumstances, Rongchang Capital's involvement makes me worry that they don't genuinely want to help us through this difficult time."

Shang Yibo shook his head slightly: "Your concerns are valid, but that's just how the business world is; profit-seeking is human nature. We can't expect every company to be as selfless as a philanthropist."

Zhou Yanruo looked at Shang Yibo and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Your attitude is like you're detached from this. Don't forget, this is your company."

Shang Yibo responded with a smile: "That's not my company, but the principle is the same. I don't know Rongchang Capital, but Jian Zheng doesn't seem like someone who acts recklessly."

“I’ve known Jian Zheng for many years, and I wouldn’t dare say I understand him. How can you be so sure after knowing him for only a short time?” Zhou Yanruo retorted.

Shang Yibo chuckled lightly, trying to cover it up: "I just thought he seemed easy to get along with, so I assumed he was a reliable person." Zhou Yanruo looked at the table, her expression turning serious, and said incoherently, "People change."

Shang Yibo murmured in agreement, "Really? Have you changed?" Sensing the awkward atmosphere, he quickly changed the subject: "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Have you finished eating?"

Zhou Yanruo paused for a moment, then said, "Let's go."

Since the Rusheng Building rose majestically into the bustling business district two years ago, becoming a striking landmark on the city skyline, this skyscraper, which combines modern technology with green ecological concepts, has become the focus of attention in the industry. However, for Shang Yibo, this building, which symbolizes the family's glory and the group's new starting point for the future, has left an almost blank memory in his life.

Throughout Rushang Group's thriving development, Shang Yibo maintained a subtle distance from it all in his own unique way, making Rushang Group seem both close at hand and unattainable to him.

Recently, Fang Xichen had repeatedly mentioned that he hoped Rushang Group would pay more attention to Chu Fanqing and the group's affairs, implying that he should take on more responsibility. These words made him vaguely aware that Rushang Group might be facing some challenges. Out of a sense of responsibility, he should also learn more about the group's affairs.

So when Zhou Yanruo said she needed to go back to the group for a meeting and hoped he would go with her, Shang Yibo agreed.

Stepping into the building and taking the elevator directly to the thirty-seventh floor, the floor where Rushang Group is located, he felt as if he had traveled through a time tunnel. Everything in front of him was unfamiliar, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

When I think back to my childhood, my favorite thing was going to work with my dad. Back then, Rushang Company was a five-story red brick building, and my father's office was on the fifth floor. I was often carried to the fifth-floor office by my father.

The father and son were together in the office, one working diligently, the other sitting quietly reading. Occasionally, the son would be held on his father's lap, listening to the company's colleagues report on their work. He spent many summer and winter vacations in his father's office; his father was his idol, and he dreamed of one day becoming like him.

Today, the spacious and bright lobby, the well-organized office area, and the intelligent facilities throughout all silently tell the story of Rushang Group's rapid development over the past two years.

However, it was during that conversation between father and son in the study two years ago that he learned about his origins. The pain of being deceived for many years turned into anger and disappointment, causing him to lose his mind. The subsequent series of events completely changed the trajectory of his life.