'Yi Lan has day off and Fu Heng having a nightmare with Mr Zhen and Mrs Zhen. It's just you,me and Er Xie today, Xiao Wei. He takes his comb out of his inside pocket and runs it through his silver mop. I've got a midday appointment at The Old Mansion, ' I remind him. He can't forgotten. 'Are you sure I'm the one you want on this Xufeng?
I've worked for Deng Tai for four years and it was clear that I was employed to expand the business into modern sector with luxury apartments flying up all over Beijing. Xu Feng and Fu Heng with their speciality of traditional design were a bit missing out. When it took off and the workload got too much for me, then Xu Feng hired Yi Lan.
They ask for you, Xiao Wei. He pushes himself to his feet and my desks creaks in protest. Xu Feng ignores it but I wince. He has to lose some weight or stop sitting on my desks because it won't take the strain for much longer.
"So they asked for me? But,why? My portfolio holds nothing that will effect the traditional style design, it's nothing at all. I can't help but think that this is complete waste of my time.
It's Xu Feng and Fu Heng that should be going. Why me, grhhhh.
'Oh, Yizhi lunch.' Xu Feng tucks his comb away.
"Anyway the developer is really pushing the boat out with this party in the penthouse. You have done amazing jobs Xiao Wei Wei. " Xu feng eyes brows nod with his head.
I blush with his words;
'Thank you.Xu Feng Brother." I'm dead proud of myself and my work at Yizhi Corp, my greatest achievement in my short career. Based on Shanghai Docks and with prices ranging from five million for a basic apartment to eighty million for penthouse, we're in super rich realm. The design specification is as the name suggested, English Vintage Luxury. I sourced all the materials, furniture and art from London and enjoyed a week there organising the shipping schedule. Next Monday is the launch banquet but I know they've already sold the penthouse and six other apartments, so it's more of showing off banquet.
"Good girl, and I've told Yi Lan to be there at six. It's her first launch so you need to give her a heads up. I will be there at eight with Fu Heng." Infrom Xu Feng Brother.
'Sure.' I nodded.
Xu Feng return to his office and I open my email,sifting through to delete or respond any necessary mail.
At six o'clock I pack up my laptop and poke my head around Xu Feng door. He's engrossed with something on his computer. I'm off now, I said but he just waves his hand in the mean acknowledgment. I walk through the office and see Er Xie battling with the photocopier.
'See you later Er Xie.'
"Yeah, bye Wei Lin Jie.'She replies, but she was too busy removing the jam paper to look at me.
The girl calamity.
I walk out into the sun ray and head up to my car. Friday mid morning traffic is a mess but once I'm out of the city, the drive will be pretty smooth and straight line. The roof is down and A-Lin is keeping me company. A little drive to countryside is lovely way to end my week day.
I pull of the main road and onto a little lane,where I find myself of the biggest pair of gates that so luxurious. A gold plaque on a pillar states The Old Mansion.
Bloody Hell!
I took my sunglasses off, looking at the gates and down the tree line gravel road that seems I need to go for another miles, the image of a stuffy, cigar smoking Lord Of The Mansion springing to my mind immediately. I get out from my car and walk up to the gates, looking for an intercom.
'It's behind you.'
I nearly jump out of my skin when the rough rumble of a voice come nowhere, stabbing at the silent of the air. I look around to find it,
'Hello?' I call.
'Over here.'
I turn and see the intercom farther down the lane. I drove straight past it. I run over, pressing the button to announce myself.
' Bei Wei Lin, from Deng Tai." I announced.
'I know,'he replies.
I look around and spot a camera installed on the gate.
'So well are not you going to let me in?' I ask, just as the shift of metal breaks the countryside peace around me. The gates start opening.
'Oh God.Give me a chance,' I mutter as I run back to my car. I jump in my beetle and creep forward as the gates swing opening, all the time I wondering how I will remove the glass of port and cigar that are quite clearly, wedged up that miserable sod's arse. I'm looking less forward to this meeting by the minute. Posh Country folk and their posh country mansions are not in my area of expertise. Once the gates fully opened, I drive through and after a mile, I pull into a perfectly countryard. I take my sunglasses off and gape at the huge, looming house.
Wow! It's massive.
I turn off the engine and fumble with door release to get out of my car. Standing and holding on the top of my car door, I look up at the magnificent building and immediately think that this has to be mistake. The place is in amazing condition, even the lawn are greener than green. The house look like it receives a daily Hoover. If the interior is anything to go by,then I can't imagine the inside needing any work. I'm tempted to call Xu Feng to check that I've got the right address or not but they did say here was The Old Mansion on the gates and that miserable sod on the other end of the intercom is obvious expecting me. While I am pondering my next move, the door opening,revealing the tough tall man I've ever seen.He saunter out of the top of the steps and I physically flinch at the sight of him,stepping back slightly. He has on a black tie specially made for sure because that's no regular size, a black shirt and tie. If I could build a mental image of who I would have expected to walk out of the doors,he most definitely would not be it. The man is a mountain and everything about his presence screams bodyguard. I'm suddenly slightly concerned that I've turned up at some mafia or tycoon control centre and I search on my brain trying to remember if I was transferred my panic alarm to my new handbag.
"Miss Bei We Lin?" he drawls. I wilt at his massive presence and putting my hand up in nervous wave gesture.
"Hi," I whisper as I try to calm down.
"This way please Miss," he rumbles deeply, giving a sharp nod of his head and turning to walk back into the Mansion.
Grabbing my bags, I shut my car door and climb the steps,crossing the threshold into huge entrance hall. I gaze around the vast area and I immediately impressed by the grand curved staircase that leads up to the first floor.
Everything of this Mansion was incredible, if I shud8to think how much the nightly rate is. It has to be five stars probably more.
Once we pass through the summer room, I'm led down a corridor until the tall guy stop outside a wood paneled door.
'Mr.Feng office,' he rumbles, and knocking on the door, surprisingly gently given his mammoth size. 'The manager?' I ask.
'Nope. The owner,' the big guy replies, while opening the door and we striding through after heard 'Come in,' sound from inside.