“Come on, Sisi, this glass is my apology for failing to make you be selected for Vi*toria’s Secret,” Hu Chao said while raising his glass. After speaking, he drained the red wine in one swift motion.
Although S*chuan cuisine and red wine were not a typical pairing, Hu Chao’s handsome face still drew the attention of waiters and other diners.
“I told you it doesn’t matter. Now I should be thanking you. Thank you for helping me in the Un*ted States,” Tu Sisi said, taking a sip of her wine.
“We are friends, aren’t we? If we are friends, there’s no need for these words. I did all of that willingly,” Hu Chao said, smiling bitterly.
Tu Sisi didn’t reply. Instead, she picked up the boiled meat slices in front of her and began eating. She had expressed her gratitude before; there was no need to repeat it every time, as it would become monotonous.
“Sisi, if you don’t make it this time, I promise you’ll be on the Vi*toria’s Secret stage next time,” Hu Chao assured her.
“Let’s talk about it next time! I plan to return to Ch*na in a few days. I haven’t seen my family in a long time,” Tu Sisi said with a smile.
“Didn’t you mention a few days ago that Uncle, Aunt, and Sister Fangfang were coming to New Yo*k in the next two days? Why are you going back?” Hu Chao asked, puzzled.
“Oh, I almost forgot about it. I’ve been busy with assessments these past two days…” Tu Sisi said, patting her forehead with a bitter smile.
“Since Uncle and Aunt are coming here, don’t rush back. I can entertain them; it’s been a while since I last saw them, it was around the beginning of last year when I visited your house with my dad. It’s time for some New Year greetings.” Hu Chao said and smiled.
“Well, I’ll go back to Ch*na with my parents then. There’s nothing going on here anyway.” Tu Sisi nodded.
“Here, eat more.” Hu Chao said, picking up a piece of spicy chicken and placing it on Tu Sisi’s plate.
“Thank you, I’ll help myself.”
*****
The Capital.
In Lingyun Technology’s general manager’s office, smoke hung thick in the air.
If someone opened the door, they would choke on the heavy haze.
Xu Fan looked worn out, his brows furrowed, smoking a c*garette. There were traces of white hair mingling with his dark locks.
“Haah, it’s time to face Gu Xia…” Xu Fan sighed.
He had hoped that the political turmoil wouldn’t touch Lingyun. He had been brainstorming solutions, keeping Gu Xia in the dark. Even if he informed him, it wouldn’t make a difference. Not even he, with his family’s backing, could change the situation. And Gu Xia, a common man, would be even more powerless.
Xu Fan took a deep drag from his c*garette, stubbing it out in the overflowing ashtray. The ashtray, brimming with c*garette butts, spilled onto the table.
Amidst office supplies and computer files, only c*garette ashes adorned the surface.
Outside the office, the staff felt demotivated. The pervasive gloom in the company hinted at a major crisis, but the boss remained silent, leaving employees to speculate privately.
Even department managers like Xiong Xiong were kept in the dark. Xu Fan stayed in his office, making calls and attending to matters outside. He hadn’t participated in the company’s meetings for the past few days.
Xu Fan moistened his dry lips, dialing a number, thinking of who else could help him.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave, Mr. Xu,” Dong Xiaowan, the secretary, said tentatively.
“Yeah,” Xu Fan replied absently.
Just as Dong Xiaowan breathed a sigh of relief, she heard Xu Fan’s calm voice, “Come here.”
“Oh, coming, Mr. Xu.” Dong Xiaowan forced herself to approach, holding her breath against the smoke.
Xu Fan continued staring at his phone, not raising his eyes. “Ask the finance department to send me a copy of the company’s general ledger.”
“Okay, Mr. Xu.”
“Anything else?” Dong Xiaowan inquired cautiously.
“It’s fine. Just bring me coffee every half hour,” Xu Fan said, squinting his dry eyes.
“Of course, Mr. Xu.”
Taking a sip of coffee, Xu Fan’s brows remained knitted in worry.
He contemplated for a moment before dialing Gu Xia’s number.
*****
Ji*ngbei University Dormitory
“Boss, I cleared the abyss dungeon today and found an incredible giant sword for you. Tomorrow, I’ll keep clearing the abyss and find another one for myself,” Wang Qun exclaimed excitedly.
“Great, get a few more. Soon, all four of us will be wielding top-notch gear,” Liu Shu chimed in, grinning.
“Hmm, good equipment isn’t usually that easy to obtain. If it were, everyone would be walking around with top-tier gear,” Li Wen retorted, glancing at them.
“Don’t tease our Fourth Bro. He didn’t play games before. Not everyone is as addicted to games as you and unable to escape!” Gu Xia, washing his feet, smiled.
[Who do you think of when you’re lonely…]
Before Wang Qun could finish, a ringing interrupted him.
He sighed, glancing at his phone.
“Fourth Bro, unplug the phone for me,” Gu Xia requested.
Li Wen unplugged his phone and handed it to Gu Xia.
Seeing that it was Xu Fan calling, Gu Xia answered with a smile, “Brother Xu, what’s up?”
“Where are you?” Xu Fan’s deep voice came through the phone.
“I’m in the dormitory, not sleeping yet,” Gu Xia replied cheerfully.
“I need to talk to you. Can you come to the company tomorrow? I’d prefer to discuss it in person,” Xu Fan said, frowning at the company’s accounts.
“I’ll come tomorrow afternoon! I have morning classes,” Gu Xia responded, noticing Xu Fan’s serious tone. “Did something happen? Is there an issue with the app? Or is it related to the app? What went wrong?”
“Oh, let’s discuss it when you arrive. It’s hard to explain over the phone,” Xu Fan sighed.
“Alright, I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Good, I’ll wait for you.”
After hanging up, Gu Xia fell into deep thought. Unexpectedly, another problem had arisen in the company.
Running a business seemed much more challenging than he had imagined!
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