Wu Pengpeng attached great importance to this exploration project. She was determined to expand it, at least to a scale that could squander billions.
To make good use of this chance to waste money, she put away her cynical attitude and pored over the project proposal every day.
According to the plan of the geographical magazine, a team of a hundred people would be divided into ten groups of ten each, and each group would set out to explore ten uncharted areas of the world.
After a rough study, Wu Pengpeng found that the difficulty of reaching these uncharted areas was comparable to that of an ordinary person reaching the South and North Poles.
The difficulty was extremely high, and it would cost a fortune. Wu Pengpeng was very satisfied.
She often dragged Fang Hao, the chief editor of the geographical magazine, into meetings to discuss how to spend the most money to buy the best equipment and go to the farthest places.
At first, Fang Hao thought she was just joking with him. However, without saying a word, Wu Pengpeng wrote him a check for fifty million.
Fang Hao couldn't understand her behavior. He always felt like he was cooperating with an idiot.
Wu the Idiot waved her hand boldly and said, "Chief Editor Fang, I'm not short of money. The things I want to do must be things that no one else in the world can do. I want the world to remember my name, Wu Pengpeng, forever."
The thoughts of the rich were indeed different from those of ordinary people. It seemed like they had eaten too much.
However, adhering to the principle of "a fool never turns down money", Fang Hao soon got over his confusion and happily joined the discussion. He also promised to make this exploration a grand event that would be known worldwide.
Wu Pengpeng was very satisfied with his attitude. She wished she could communicate with him about new ways to spend money 24 hours a day.
She was so indulged in wasting money that she left He Qianshan on the sidelines.
At first, He Qianshan didn't notice anything wrong. He was busy with the "Promising" project, and several other projects of the company were also at crucial stages, which required his personal follow - up.
By the time he finished dealing with the projects in hand, a week had passed.
Apart from the routine text messages in the morning, evening, and during meals every day, Wu Pengpeng didn't send him text messages every three minutes like before.
Without her constant stream of text messages, He Qianshan only then realized something was wrong.
He called Wu Pengpeng to ask her out for dinner, but he failed to get her out after several tries.
He Qianshan finally panicked. Could it be that she had taken a fancy to another young hunk?
He was startled by his own wild thought. Without caring about the ongoing project discussion meeting, he grabbed his phone and keys and rushed out of the meeting room.
This was the "miracle" he had finally found. He would never let other stinky boys have her!
Everyone in the office looked at each other in dismay as the CEO suddenly left the meeting.
Fu Heng stood up awkwardly to take over the situation. "Well, the CEO suddenly has something urgent to deal with. Please continue."
The meeting continued. Fu Heng secretly sent a text message to He Qianshan under the table. "Boss, where are you going?"
He Qianshan replied, "To find my boss."
His boss was Wu Pengpeng.
Fu Heng was furious and bold enough to say, "Are you crazy? This project has a profit potential of at least one billion. You're leaving Mr. Xue and the others here for a woman. Are you not going to make money?"
Making money? If he got too caught up in making money, his wife would run away with someone else.
He Qianshan squinted his eyes and replied, "Mind your own business!"
He drove his car all the way at high speed. When he arrived at Wu Pengpeng's office, she was chatting with Fang Hao with an excited smile on her face.
He Qianshan glanced at the man opposite her. He was in his fifties, of short stature, overweight, and on the verge of balding.
He heaved a sigh of relief. Wu Pengpeng was a member of the appearance - oriented club. She should not take a fancy to that man.
"What are they talking about?" He walked over with a smile and sat down beside Wu Pengpeng, subtly asserting his sovereignty.
Wu Pengpeng had no defense against He Qianshan and told him everything about the project.
Of course, her real purpose was hidden among a bunch of grand and far - fetched ideas.
He Qianshan listened attentively, with a hint of thought flashing in his eyes from time to time.
The project was progressing smoothly, and soon it was the day of the official signing. He Qianshan had nothing to do, so he accompanied Wu Pengpeng to the signing.
When they arrived at the office area of the geographical magazine, Fang Hao's face lit up when he saw her. "Ms. Wu, great news!"
Wu Pengpeng thought that she was about to waste a large sum of money, so it was indeed great news.
She curled the corner of her mouth and pretended to be calm. "What other great news do you have, Chief Editor Fang?"
"All the equipment and air tickets for our team have been sponsored." Fang Hao took out a contract and spread it out in front of Wu Pengpeng. "We can save a lot of money this time."
Wu Pengpeng was stunned. "What?"
Fang Hao repeated happily, "Someone is providing our team with equipment and round - trip air tickets for free."
Wu Pengpeng stood up angrily with a whoosh. "Mr. Fang, how can you be so untrustworthy? We agreed that I would cooperate with you on this project."
Fang Hao was a bit confused by her sudden outburst. "We are still cooperating. They're just sponsoring, and they don't even need an acknowledgment."
The most money - consuming part of this project was the equipment. Cutting out such a large expense was like cutting off Wu Pengpeng's limbs.
Her head buzzed for a while before she started to think again. "What's in it for him? Is he crazy?"
He Qianshan, the "crazy one", awkwardly touched his nose. He observed Wu Pengpeng's expression and found that she didn't seem very appreciative.
"What's wrong?" He asked cautiously. "Aren't you happy that someone is sponsoring?"
Only then did Wu Pengpeng remember that He Qianshan was beside her. If she insisted on rejecting the sponsorship, she would surely reveal her true purpose. So she forced a pained smile. "Of course not. I'm just too happy."
The contract was signed in a muddle. On the way back, Wu Pengpeng thought for a long time but couldn't figure out who wanted to harm her.
She had been very careful to disguise her real purpose. Logically, no one should have noticed!
She had wasted half a month but only managed to squander a few tens of millions.
Looking at the energy meter turn dark orange, Wu Pengpeng rubbed her head irritably.
If maliciously destroying banknotes didn't violate the trading rules, she really would have bought a shredder to turn all her money into powder.
He Qianshan saw her actions in the rear - view mirror and asked with concern, "Are you worried that the person who helped you will make some excessive demands in the future?"
If only he would make excessive demands!
Wu Pengpeng replied listlessly with a "hmm". She was so melancholy that even Yan Shen couldn't lift her spirits.
He Qianshan comforted her softly, "Don't worry. He definitely won't."
He had prepared a lot of explanations, but seeing that Wu Pengpeng wasn't interested, he swallowed them back.
The two of them returned home in silence. When they got out of the car, Wu Pengpeng suddenly asked, "What is the most expensive thing to raise?"
He Qianshan was taken aback for a moment and said, "Raising a child, maybe."
Wu Pengpeng didn't understand. "Why?"
He Qianshan locked the car and followed her towards the castle. "Isn't it said that children are money - gobbling four - legged beasts? Raising them should cost a fortune."
Wu Pengpeng was quite tempted. She subconsciously glanced at He Qianshan beside her.
But then she dismissed the idea. It was too late to have a child now, and she would have to take care of herself during pregnancy, which would delay her time for wasting money.
She sighed melancholy. Why didn't God send a money - gobbling beast to her?
As if struck by inspiration, just as this thought flashed through her mind, Wu Pengpeng saw a chubby toddler running towards her. The toddler hugged her leg and let out a whimper.
Wu Pengpeng: "..."
What was going on?
The little one clung to her leg and looked up with a round face. His big round eyes were filled with tears. He looked so pitiful.
Wu Pengpeng suddenly felt soft - hearted. Just as she was about to squat down to comfort him, the little one sobbed and said, "Mommy, I finally found you."