“So, do you have detailed information about Mr. Chen?” I asked.
23.17
Online resources were limited, and to invite the old gentleman out of retirement, I needed to be thoroughly prepared.
Mike’s eyes widened. “Not only are you rejecting my interview, but now you want me to help you connect
with another man?”
“What do you mean ‘another man‘? He’s over seventy!”
“He’s still a man!”
I used my secret weapon–acting cute. “Hubby…”
With just that word, Mike, who had been bristling with anger, instantly calmed down.
Expressionless, staring straight ahead, he said one word at a time: “Say it again.”
“Hubby.”
Mike’s ears turned red again.
“He’s already stepped back from the business world. I can only help you gather as much information as pos-
sible.”
That was all I needed.
A few days later, Mike gave me a file.
“The old man keeps a low profile. This is all I could find.”
I treasured the file like gold, but as I was about to walk away with it, Mike pulled me back.
“Call me ‘hubby‘ and I’ll give you more good news.”
I obliged without hesitation. “Hubby!”
Mike’s lips curled into a smile. “Although the information is incomplete, your husband has pulled some strin- gs and secured an excellent opportunity to have dinner with Mr. Chen. The setting is special so it’s not con- venient to bring you along, but I can help deliver some materials. If he’s interested, he’ll contact you.”
This was like opening the biggest backdoor possible for me.
My heart racing, I couldn’t help but hug Mike and give him a quick kiss.
Mike’s eyes darkened. “If you want to thank me, that’s not enough.”
8
I only had one chance, scheduled for the weekend.
But even until the day before, I couldn’t find a convincing reason for Mr. Chen to agree to my interview.
Chapter 2
23 17
In terms of experience, I’d only been in the industry for three years.
In terms of ability, I hadn’t made any outstanding contributions.
He had rejected Time Magazine back in the day–why would he agree to our magazine?
Seeing my worried face, Mike put his arm around me. “Worst case, your husband will be your backup plan. Just interview me! What’s wrong with me? I’m a handsome young man in my prime–am I really worse than some aging old man?”
In terms of status… he actually was.
That night, I once again took out the materials Mike had given me and studied them carefully.
Suddenly, a name caught my eye.
Mr. Chen’s grandson: Alex Chen.
