"Did you make the coffee, Xiaoxiao?"
Yan Xiao turned away from the counter to face the intruder standing in front of the door. She gestured with the spoon she was using to stir the milk into the coffee, and replied, "I just finished. Sister Lin, you go ahead, I'll be following you in a minute."
"Alright, please hurry. Brother Lu has sent me to fetch you."
Yan Xiao nodded her head to indicate she understood. The other girl smiled faintly and left, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Yan Xiao took the hot mug into one of her hands, and the file she set aside in the counter beforehand into the other hand and followed the lady.
She walked through the long corridor and then into the brightly lit office space filled with people quietly working in front of computers or reviewing files. Yan Xiao increased her pace worrying the coffee might turn cold, then it would be useless and she will have to make a new cup of coffee again. When she reached in front of the cabin, she adjusted the file in her hand and knocked twice on the door.
A muffled 'come in' could be heard from inside. Before she could open the door, it swung open from the inside, revealing Lu Yating standing there.
"Miss Yan, quickly come in."
Yan Xiao offered a slight smile and entered the cabin. As soon as she stepped into the cabin, a refreshing scent enveloped her. Her gaze then shifted to the owner of the cabin, who was engrossed in his work on the desk, seemingly oblivious to the presence of the two people.
The charming boy from her first meeting has long faded into the background and in his place stood a magnificent man who has weathered winds and rain to become the person he was today.
Noiselessly approaching his desk, she placed the coffee on it, softly uttering, "Your coffee."
Upon hearing her voice, the man raised his head and looked at her. Yan Xiao could not read his eyes because the spectacles put an invisible veil in it. But then he took off his spectacles, revealing his brilliant eyes and took the coffee.
Yan Xiao marvelled bitterly in her heart that, despite seeing those eyes for so many years, she still felt so startled every time they made eye contact.
Seeing the man moving his eyes to Lu Yating, Yan Xiao discreetly stepped back and stood without making any sound.
"Anything else, Lu Yating?"
"Yes, Director, one more thing," began Lu Yating, closing his tablet, "Matriarch Gu has asked you to have dinner with her tonight."
The man sitting put his coffee down and rubbed his temple with closed eyes.
"Please inform the old mansion that I will be joining her this evening," he instructed.
"Yes, Director. Then that will be all."
The man nodded but noticing Yan Xiao still standing nearby he asked, "Do you have something to say, Yan Xiao?"
Yan Xiao's little heart skipped a beat hearing him directly address her. His voice was smooth, low and the cultured accent flowed through. She lowered her eyes and walked in front of him, presenting the file in her hand.
"Young Master, you had asked for it to be delivered. The old mansion has sent it."
Taking the file from her hand, he furrowed his eyebrows as he went through the pages. After closing it and setting it aside, he looked back at her again.
"Understood. Thank you for the work, Yan Xiao."
Seeing him thanking her so politely, Yan Xiao was secretly delighted in her heart. She responded cautiously, afraid to stammer, "It is my duty, young master."
A faint smile appeared on his face as he focused on his work again. Seeing this, both her and Lu Yating bowed and silently left the cabin.
Yan Xiao gently glanced back at the nameplate on the closed door.
"Gu Shaoyuan, Director."
The man in her heart.