Chapter 539 - Didn't Expect That

"Hello, gentlemen." Richard greeted as soon as he approached the circle of businessmen. 

Upon hearing the familiar voice, they turned their heads to Richard's direction. When they recognized him, their expression slowly transitioned to a bright, welcoming smile.

"Young Master Sun!" Someone called cheerfully, welcoming Richard to their circle with open arms. 

"Master He." Richard politely bowed and greeted the middle-aged businessman. "I'm glad that you made it tonight. Good thing I brought a handkerchief with me."

Richard humored which strangely made Master He and the rest of them chuckle. 

"Young Master Sun, don't worry! Everyone brought an extra one." Master He humored back and moved his gaze to the men around them.

As soon as he spat those words, Richard and the rest shared waves of laughter, which Zoey already figured why. 

'Mister He had been living abroad as he focused on the international market. He already succeeded there — heh, I wonder how Madam He is.' Zoey muttered internally because Mister He would be one of Z Image Group's biggest business clients in her previous life.

Mister He and Professor Meng were sworn brothers. Thus, knowing Professor Meng's personality, he would surely tear up since Mister He's attendance was a surprise. 

Zoey had already witnessed this in her previous life. Hence, she was quick to catch up to the conversation. Still, there wasn't an opportunity that she could chime in since Richard seemed he had forgotten her existence. 

Just when she thought Richard already forgot about her or purposely making her feel left out, the latter cleared his throat and disrupted the conversation.

"Anyway, gentlemen, I want to introduce you to someone." Richard grinned as he scanned the faces of everyone who turned their gazes to the woman standing behind him.

"This is Miss Zhou of Z Image Group. She's a very important guest of Professor Meng." Richard placed his hand on Zoey's waist and pushed her forward.

Upon the touch of his hand, Zoey felt a chill run down her spine but chose to ignore it. She sported a smile on her lips and bowed politely to the group of men before her.

"My last name is Zhou, Zhou Zoey. It's a pleasure to meet you." Zoey introduced herself, feeling nostalgic as she had to do it again in this lifetime.

Well, Zoey befriended almost everyone in this circle while she was acquainted with a few of them. The one she got close with as if they were her family was Professor Meng and Master He. Master He even insisted on setting her on a date with his heir so Zoey could be his daughter-in-law.

"Oh! What a lovely lady!" Master He humored as Zoey raised her head. "Is Miss Zhou Professor Meng's important guest or…" 

Master He's words trailed off as he cast Richard a knowing look. As he did so, the men chuckled as they telepathically teased the young Richard.

"Well," Richard chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "Unfortunately, she isn't my date. Miss Zhou is an independent woman and she wouldn't bother with me."

Richard clarified. When Zoey heard Richard's last remarks, her jaw nearly dropped as she turned her wide eyes in his direction.

'Wah… I didn't expect that.' Zoey expressed her awe internally as she already prepared her savage response if Richard misled them about their relationship. 

She didn't expect him to come clean; neither did she consider Richard complimenting her in front of these men. Saying such stuff about her wasn't that bad since it didn't sound malicious or anything of the sort.

"Oh…" Master He nodded in understanding and then darted his gaze from Richard to Zoey. "Haha! No wonder she's Ernest's important guest!" 

He humored which made Richard smile wider. "Hehe…" 

Richard just chuckled, which made Master He chuckle once again. Zoey knitted her brows because she didn't get the grasp of what they were talking about. Not only her but also some of them didn't get it but still laughed along.

"So, Miss Zhou of Z Image Group…" After exchanging not so funny jokes, Master He rubbed his chin lightly as he pondered about something. 

"I think I've heard the name somewhere." Master He muttered. "Oh! Jimmy told me about it!" 

After pondering over it, Master He finally remembered where he heard the name of the company. Upon exclaiming Jimmy Feng's name, everyone awed as they turned their heads towards Zoey.

"The Feng Estate? Right, I heard Mister Feng had changed his supplier. So, it was your company?"

"Really? It was Miss Zhou's company?"

"Yes," Zoey smiled as she nodded. However, inside her mind, she could not help but roll her eyes.

'Damn it! I didn't want recognition because of these people!' Zoey cursed because one way or another, she felt like owing Richard and Jimmy Feng (the puppet CEO of Cecil) if she started mingling with them with those twos help!

'I knew it! It would end like that one way or another.' Zoey sighed internally as her initial approach in her previous life and now was completely different. 

Now, although the result for her seemed like it still hadn't changed, there was surely something that would be affected. She just hoped it wouldn't be a huge change that could affect her.

"Haha! No wonder Professor Meng saw the potential in you. That Jimmy rarely changes business associates and hates the new generation of businessmen and women." Master He laughed aloud as he clapped his hand.

"Say Miss Zhou, how about we set a business meeting some other time? I have a new building project and I think it'll be a good opportunity for the both of us!" Master He suddenly suggested, which took some of them by surprise.

'Ah?' Not just them, but also the out of the blue offer surprised Zoey. Good thing her expression didn't change a lot and retained her smile.

"It'll be an honor to have you as my client, Master He." Zoey expressed calmly. "However, I have to warn you that I prefer quality.. Don't be surprised with my company rates."