Time Through Time We Remain Untamed.

Chapter 6- LOADED

       Lan Zhan rubbed his eyes together in the privacy of his office as he took off his coat and sat down. He had been meeting with the scientists team who were in some sort of disagreement. The formula team were arguing with the procurement team as what to purchase. There was a particular formula required to be installed within the car but the cost of acquiring was quite high something the procurement team had underestimated by 100 million yuan.

On the other hand the procurement were suggesting that their own team replicate the needed formula to save extra costs that had not been overseen and put into the overall production cost.

    Lan Zhan could understand both sides but he didn't want to take the risk of replication, they may not exactly get it right and cause further complications but the further addition of money was also a big bump in progress. His father was the one supplying the cash flow. Telling him to add more,  especially that much of an amount, Lan Zhan knew it would be an opportunity for his father to start with him.

    He took a moment to calm himself before he took any directive measures and time was not on his side. The formula was required by tomorrow night at its latest due to the fixed schedule to have this damn car made. Lan Zhan needed to be very critical and make a decision very soon. He was about 5 minutes into his recollection when the door to his office was barged open and he instantly gazed at his rude intruder who had dared to interrupt his peace only to stand up to his feet immediately.
  
     “Father,” Lan Zhan mentioned as he bowed respectfully.

   “Don't give me that Lan Zhan! Honestly, how could you be resting at this moment when you have authorised the procurement of the CIX7 formula? What have you been doing all this time?”  the elderly man began as he took over Lan Zhan's seat and made Lan Zhan stand next to him.

Lan Qiren was of average height and weight. He had a light lip moustache that was paired with round hawk eyes. He had gained a bit of weight ever since coming back from his vacation trip in Peru and his skin was a bit bronzed due to exposure to the sun. Lan Zhan was sure he wasn't set to arrive until next week, yet here he was and was already beginning his reign of terror.

     “There have been issues with the procurement process which I was about to.....”

    “Enough Lan Zhan! I don't want to hear it. Didn't I tell you already that you aren't allowed to mess up this project no matter what!! And look now! You're telling me that there's an issue with the procurement deal!!! What have you been doing all this while for there to be a problem now? You mean  I can't even enjoy some peace of mind before you start bringing problems. Honestly, it is like I am dealing with a child and you have the audacity to take a break!!! What exactly is the problem? It seems like I must also do your job so that my whole plan doesn't fall apart.....”

       Lan Zhan steadily stood there not saying anything as he took the blows. In all honestly he wasn't even affected by them anymore. His father had always been like that. Harsh, demanding, complainant and one to always blame others if things didn't go his way but prided himself with him or his brother when they did something good and recognizable. Lan Zhan didn't necessarily care at this point. He had emotionally detached from him by the age of 7 and had no feelings towards him, non whatsoever. No hate or anger or despise. Nothing. He just took him as he was and then they parted.

“100 million yuan is what is making your life so difficult? 100 million yuan?! Honestly, I didn't work so hard for all those years and become one of the richest men in East Asia for you to sit  here worrying about 100 million yuan Lan Zhan. Get your act together and start acting like a director of this place. You have an excellent brain so use it sometimes. Here, cash it in before sundown.” his father said as he ripped off a page of his check book and slammed it on his desk.

    “I'm taking my leave now. Make sure everything is in order and let there not be any further delays. Do your job well Lan Zhan. This investment is very important. Do not mess things up.” Lan Qiren instructed before standing up and left the room. Lan Zhan simply bowed in farewell before taking his seat and held the check in his hand. He knew that the next few weeks would be hectic and every single thing he would do will be monitored from now on due to his father's presence. He realigned his thoughts to get himself in check and mentally prepared to overwork to the point that his own body will give up on itself. If his father wanted a hard working man then he would get a hard working man. If there was one thing Lan Zhan was good at it was exceeding people's expectations and making them lost of words with his resilience, sturbboness and out of this world self control.

When he put his mind to something, he did it or not. It was a trait that many envied though frightened others such as Lan Qiren himself. He didn't want to admit it but his younger son  was very mysterious and scary at times with his hard exterior and dead eyes. He never fought back or argued with him which was good but also off setting because he never knew what that boy was thinking. It was the main reason why he was much stricter with him. To keep him in check, make sure they were still headed in the same direction.

Lan Zhan's phone rang approximately 30 minutes later and he wasn't surprised to find that it was Xichen.

“Da Ge,”

“Wangji.. I heard he was there first. How are you doing? Whaaaa, the old man literally broke down my self esteem by 65% and that will take a long time to recover you know. Did you know he was coming today?” Xichen joked as he tried to ease up the tension that was left in his office.
As per usual, his father had complained and pointed out  his flaws before giving 'Words of encouragement' and left. Xichen knew that Lan Zhan had been attacked first so he made sure to call before anything else.

    “No. I  wasn't aware of him coming but everything is fine. He just went over some things,” Lan Zhan replied as he authorised the formula purchase and cashed in the check. He added an additional 50 million yuan to ensure that the formula arrived that day by all means possible.

   “ As for your fragile self esteem, there wasn't much of it to begin with so I do not know what you are soo worried about.” he continued cracking a side smile to himself. He could be  funny when he wanted to. It was an after effect of having hung around Wuxian too much.

“Ohhhhhhh Wangji, that's harsh even for you. But that's ok , it's clear where you stand concerning my self esteem. Anyway, I just wanted to call and see how you were doing. I better hang up and get to work before the old man comes back in and finds me on the phone. I do not need another lecture. See you at your place.”
   
    Lan Zhan let the call cut off before he continued with his work. It was amazing how the Lan brothers had developed a way to deal with their father's behaviour. One used comedy and understanding to deflect while the other was absolutely closed off and did not pay attention to it. Lan Zhan just proceeded with his day, occasionally staring åt his soulmate bracelet which gave him much strength to carry on and finally finished everything at 2am the next day.