*****
A day before the release of GOLEM, the three of them convened in the study for a final meeting. Pei Yueran had been their on-site manager, checking the details and coordinating with the company to make sure the release went smoothly.
They were able to achieve their goal within the timeframe. Looking at the results of the test run, Pei Yueran had to applaud the two men. They had done an excellent job.
The three of them had been simulating all kinds of scenarios, and GOLEM was able to respond appropriately.
Even Li Yuchen joined in the fun, simulating an intense stomach ache. GOLEM immediately dialed 120, explaining the situation and holding meaningful conversation with the paramedics.
Just before they dispatched personnel however, Li Chuanmo stepped in and explained that it was only a test run, apologizing for the inconvenience.
They had been coordinating with the company, and everything was set. Publicity was ongoing, the press had been contacted. Some were even camping outside the headquarters, not wanting to miss the action.
The anticipation was sky high, and their shares which had been dropping was now stable, and had even appreciated a little.
"Philip, will you be coming for the official unveiling?" Pei Yueran asked. They had become friendly in the course of working together.
"I'll be flying in tomorrow, but I won't attend the unveiling. It's purely yours and Li Chuanmo's show. I'm going straight to City A to catch the criminal."
"Alright. That reminds me, I have a friend who is a police sergeant. She might be of help. Should I tell her to pick you up?"
"Oh, that would be great. By the way, is she pretty?"
Pei Yueran raised a brow. "Shouldn't you also ask if she's single?"
"That's not a problem at all. As long as she's pretty, I'll do anything to make sure she becomes single."
Pei Yueran's mouth gaped. Jiang Philip was really very similar to Su Qianhua. Their ability to make people speechless with one sentence was unparalleled.
"I'll send you her number, but I need to confirm that she would be available tomorrow. She's usually quite busy."
"Great. Yueran, you're such a good friend, looking out for me like this, unlike someone I know."
Li Chuanmo, who had been working on his computer since their conversation started, did not even bother to raise his head, much less respond.
"Tell me Yueran, how do you cope with this ice block? Is he usually this cold all the time? Even in bed?"
Li Chuanmo finally reacted. "Your mouth is filthier than a garbage can."
"Whatever. I'm talking to Yueran, not you. So tell me, is he?"
Pei Yueran had no answer to that. She and Li Chuanmo were still platonic, alright?
At least for now.
"If you're done with your work, get lost and stop constituting a nuisance." It was eventually Li Chuanmo that answered.
"Hmmm, do you want to do something that requires my absence?"
"Jiang Philip, can't you wash your mouth and talk like a normal human? Shame on you." Li Chuanmo was irritated.
"Fine, fine. I'm sorry, Yueran."
"It's fine. And no, he's not cold to me. He's very warm and sweet." Even her daily flower delivery had not stopped despite the fact that she had moved out.
"Ohhhhhhh, so much honey! Anyway, I deserve to be fed with this amount of dog food. I'm off to bed. I need to be well rested for my next adventure."
Li Chuanmo was not listening. His mind was had wandered far away. He shook his head, as if that could dispel the images of her running through his mind.
"Chuan"
"Chuan"
"Li Chuanmo!"
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"What has you so lost in thought?"
"Nothing much. Nevermind." He didn't want it to seem like he was pressuring her with the intensity of his thoughts. Besides, he couldn't just straight up tell her the things he was imagining doing to her, right?
Pei Yueran let it drop. "I was saying that I would be flying out to pick up Yichen the day after our meeting with the Board. He's writing the last exam tomorrow."
"Alright. Will you come back the same day?"
"No, I intend to spend a few days with my Mom."
"Should I go with you? I promised to go see her."
"I don't think you should go just yet. Things would be pretty hectic following the unveiling. And one of us needs to be here to deal with the aftermath of our meeting with the Board. Who knows what those old fellows are planning?"
"You're right. Alright, I'll send you some things to give to Auntie on my behalf. And let's plan a dinner together with Yichen when he settles down."
"Thank you. I'm sure he'd love that."
****"
"Director Fen, we are ready on our end. But it seems Chairman Li is prepared as well. I thought he would be unable to meet up with the deadline, but the date of the unveiling was not changed. Our shares have also appreciated a bit, due to the confidence he's exhibiting. Do you think we will be justified in extending his probation?" Bu Luwei asked worriedly.
Both of them were sitting in Fen Wucai's car, talking.
"You don't worry about that. As long as you have put things in place, it doesn't matter what others think. Besides, the little appreciation of our shares is not enough to prove his competence, and that will be our justification. It's a pity we cannot push for his dismissal, seeing how fast he was able to stabilize the company and maintain a cool head during the crisis."
"Exactly. Even I admire him for that. I'm sure I won't have been able to keep my cool in such a situation, I mean, didn't you see him at the press conference? He was so..."
At Fu Wucai's venomous look, he quickly retracted his statement, "I mean, it was because of him our shares fell in the first place, and he almost destroyed our company's reputation. He doesn't deserve to lead us."
"I hope that's what you said to Director Hui."
"Of course, and he agreed with me. All our supporters know what to do. I tried winning over some neutral directors, but they decided to remain neutral to the end. President Kun was particularly harsh."
"Just leave that pedantic man alone. What do you expect? That Special Assistant Pei or whatever came from his branch company, so of course he would support the orphan boy."
"Ah, I see. No wonder."
"Have you arranged for the reporters?"
"Yes I have, but they were not able to get on the guest list. The PR team told me that all the reporters that would be allowed at the unveiling had to be approved by Special Assistant Pei. I have been trying to contact her but to no avail."
"What nonsense! Are they selecting only their people? Women are really troublemakers. Just tell our people to badge into the venue when it's time."
"Alright."
Both of them discussed for a while more before Bu Luwei took his leave.