Meanwhile, in the main office of XCG...
Aoi Xiu was working on her desk in the afternoon when she heard her secretary's knock.
"Come in." she said, not lifting her head.
"Vice President, the President has arrived in his office." declared the secretary.
"And the Finance Director?"
"Director Xiu has yet to return, Madam."
Madam Xiu shot her secretary a look. Then she stood up and went out of her office.
She stepped out of the elevator and walked briskly to the end of the hallway.
Employees noticed her arrival.
"Vice President." some greeted. "Madam Xiu." others bowed.
She arrived at the door to the President's Office.
She shot the secretary a questioning look.
"Madam, the President is waiting for you."
She continued to briskly walk in.
Xiu Jin was standing near the windows when she came in. He turned to her when he heard her clicking heels.
"Have a seat." He motioned towards the sofa. There are two cups of tea on the coffee table.
Aoi Xiu sat down. She took a sip from a teacup, then placed it back gently on the table.
"Where is my son?" She looked at her husband sternly.
Jin Xiu sat beside his wife with a smug face.
He is in his early 50's but he maintains the aura of a young, neat gentleman. He has graying locks and crowfeet near his eyes, but his clear dark eyes, tall nose and chiseled clean face make him remain attractive despite his age.
She is turning 50 this year but even her skin over the extremities does not show any sign of aging at all. She maintains her dark hair at shoulder length, but keeps it in a low bun while in the office. She has delicate features-slim face, angled brows, dark eyes, with a small, petite nose with turned up tip, just like Midori's, and soft hint of cheekbones-with thin pinkish lips which she paints dark nude shades. Her corporate attire complements her slim body.
"Tadaima*." He leaned to kiss her gently.
She moved one of her brows medially. "So, where is Masaichi?"
"With his fiancée..." he casually said while taking his cup to drink tea.
"I take it that the negotiations went well." She placed her elbow on the backrest of the sofa and started playing with his ear.
He placed his cup on the table. "Hmmm...even better. The young ones hit it off immediately. That's why Masaichi is spending more time with her."
He left his son with the daughter of the CEO of the company wherein they had just sign collaboration. Even before the partnership, both parties had discussed their engagement and were just hoping that they would get along.
"Hmmm...yokatta."
"So, how's my OIC?"
"Same old...in the company at least."
He looked at his wife full of interest.
She smiled alluringly. "There is something you need to know."
"You're pregnant?" he teasingly asked.
Aoi chuckled then hit him on the chest. "Grow up, old man!"
He wrapped his arms on her waist. They both giggled like newlyweds.
"Hey, but seriously. What is it?"
Her face turned serious.
"Midori is dating a boy from her class. His name is Verdan Zhou."
She then recalled meeting the boy one weekend night. He was very polite, with impressive manners. With this, she even let her daughter send him off from the doorstep, not caring for possible goodbye kiss or what not. But of course, after getting the name, it is only natural for her to know his roots at least.
"So? That's not peculiar. She's in high school." He tightened his embrace.
"Jin, he's the son of Su Linyu."
Upon hearing the name, Jin Xiu straightened his back, then looked at his wife in bewilderment.