Mr. Lu, dressed in a tailored suit, sat at his desk with a stack of files before him. His fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard as he typed, his expression calm yet resolute.
Lin Ba entered the office, holding an iPad as he approached Mr. Lu.
"Mr. Lu," he called softly.
Without looking up from his work, Mr. Lu responded, "Is there a problem?"
Lin Ba hesitated, reluctant to deliver the news. "Mr. Lu..." he began, taking a deep breath. "What should we do about Lei Company? The board members have sent emails requesting a meeting."
"Why would they request a meeting?" Mr. Lu asked, his tone indifferent.
"I'm afraid they're on the brink of bankruptcy," Lin Ba replied.
Mr. Lu sighed and leaned back in his chair.
Lin Ba sighed seeing Mr. Lu's reaction. Lei company has been on the brink of bankruptcy for 8 years. Mr Lu invested multiple times, but it seemed the company couldn't be revived back to its peak.
"Don't we have Miss Xia?" Mr Lu looked up at Lin Ba.
"Miss Xia? Right!" Lin Ba said enthusiastically, realizing they had one more card to play.
"She's the president of ZGDX Company and also Lei company. If the board members request a meeting, they should go to her, not us," Mr. Lu said.
"That's right, but–," he hesitated looking at Mr. Lu. "Miss Xia just became the president of ZGDX company. She's quite busy and may not respond to the emails." Lin Ba replied.
Mr Lu leaned forward and continued his work. "Have them wait until she responds,"
"If you say so, boss!" Lin Ba sighed.
"How's my schedule for the day?" Mr Lu asked.
Lin Ba glanced at his iPad. "Aside from business meetings, Miss Zhao wants to meet you," he responded.
"Miss Zhao?" Mr. Lu looked up to him.
"Hmm!" He nodded in response. Mr. Lu resumed his work.
"Do you want a reschedule?" Lin Ba asked calmly.
"All business meetings must be done between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. As for the meeting with Miss Zhao, we can meet at our usual spot," Mr. Lu said.
"Yes, Mr. Lu! I'll reschedule it now," Lin Ba said, bowing slightly before walking out of the office.
"What surprises will you bring to me, Miss Xia!" Mr. Lu smiled.
----
In the Lei Company conference room, the atmosphere was tense. Board members, dressed in suits, sat stamping their feet in anxiety while others paced back and forth, sighing heavily.
Lei company is on the brink of bankruptcy. All efforts are about to be wasted if nothing was done.
Mr. Smith, head of the board, placed his hands on his forehead. He has been with Lei company for 12 years and now everything was going down the drain.
"Mr. Smith, what should we do?" The board members panicked.
"If we don't do anything, Lei company will be announced bankrupt in the next few minutes!" The board members said hopefully.
Mr. Smith sighed heavily. What should he do? He can't let everything go down the drain just like that.
"There's hope! Let's wait," Mr. Smith glanced at them hoping for a miracle.
"A miracle won't fall from heaven, will it? This is it! After all these years, this is the final destination for us!" A board member who gave up stood up boldly to say.
"We can't give up! Future Group has yet to reply to our emails, there's still hope for us!" Mr. Smith encouraged the members.
"Instead of waiting here for our downfall, I would rather leave now!" The board member who already gave up, picked up his files and walked away.
A few seconds later, the same board member walked backward into the office. His eyes were locked with Miss Xia's eyes. Still staring at the board member, she smiled calmly.
"And where do think you're going to?" She asked him.
The board member stared at her. "I...I don't want to be here when all these crumbles down," he replied.
Miss Xia glanced at the conference room. She sees Mr. Smith with the other board members. Their faces were anxious and unsettled.
She placed both hands on the conference desk and with a gentle smile, she said. "If you're so sure that Lei company won't be able to make a comeback, please send in your resignation letter!" She stared at them.
Everyone remained silent and each refused to make a glance at Miss Xia. Seeing their reaction, Miss Xia turned to the board member who gave up earlier. She moved closer to him and then slightly arranged his tie.
"You must be Mr Wang?" She gently patted his chest with a smile.
Mr Wang anxiously nodded in response.
"Did you say you were leaving?" Miss Xia asked.
Mr. Wang stuttered. "I–" He continued. "Miss Xia, I have made up my mind to leave Lei company, i hope you won't hold me back!"
"Of course not!" She turns to the others. "You are all free to leave now if you want to, I won't stop you from leaving," she said.
Once again, everyone remained silent. Mr. Wang seeing their reactions let out a deep sigh.
"Do you have a way?" Mr. Wang in a low tone asked Miss Xia.
Miss Xia glanced at him with a calm smile. "Would you stay if I do?" She asked.
Mr. Wang hurried back to his seat. "Do you have a way?" He anxiously asked staring at her, hoping she had a way to revive the company.
Everyone stared at Miss Xia hoping for a good response.
Miss Xia took a seat in the CEO's chair. Crossing her legs and turning to the board members with a calm smile.
"Accept bankruptcy," she said, breaking the silence.
Perhaps accepting fate could lead to greater things.
----
After several meetings, Mr. Lu was finally able to meet Zhao Lisha at their usual café.
Zhao Lisha, dressed in a short white gown, was already there. A bouquet of flowers lay on the table beside her.
"Did I keep you waiting?" Mr. Lu walked in and sat down with her in the reserved area.
"You're finally here!" Zhao Lisha exclaimed.
Mr. Lu smiled at her. "Are you tired?"
"Of course not!" Zhao Lisha replied. "I thought you might stand me up," she added.
Mr. Lu chuckled softly. "Sorry to burst your bubble," he said with a smile.
Zhao Lisha smiled back. "How's work? I've been away for a few weeks, and you already look worn out," she said, scanning him.
Mr. Lu exhaled heavily. "Our stocks keep increasing, but with that, the company is becoming more hectic and exhausting," he sighed.
"Shouldn't that be good news? Future Group is making a big impact," Zhao Lisha said.
"Yeah," he replied, sounding less enthusiastic.
Zhao Lisha smiled and waved at the waiter, who approached with a warm smile.
"Yes, ma'am? What would you like to have?" the young woman asked.
"Just get us champagne," Zhao Lisha said.
"Anything else?" the waiter inquired.
Zhao Lisha turned to Mr. Lu. "Do you need anything?"
"Just champagne," he replied.
Zhao Lisha turned back to the waiter. "Get us your most expensive champagne!"
"Yes, ma'am!" The waiter slightly bowed and walked away.
Zhao Lisha turned to Mr. Lu. "Have you seen the trending news?"
"What news?" Mr. Lu glanced at her, puzzled.
"About the ZGDX Company having a new president," she said.
"Oh!" he smiled.
"Why do you look happy?" Zhao Lisha asked, her smile tinged with confusion.
"It's no big deal," Mr. Lu smirked.
He bowed his head and wondered aloud. "Miss Xia! Wonder what she's doing now?" A hidden smile crept across his face.
The waiter returned with a tray of champagne and two glasses. She placed them on the table. She opened the champagne and gently poured it into the glasses. "Enjoy, please," she said with a warm smile before walking away.
Zhao Lisha glanced at Mr. Lu, who seemed lost in thought. She cleared her throat to bring him back to the present. He turns to her.
"Are you okay?" Mr. Lu asked.
"I'm fine, but you're not," Zhao Lisha picked up a glass of wine and took a sip.
"I'm fine! A few glasses of wine won't hurt," he said, taking a glass and drinking.
Zhao Lisha glanced at the bouquet of flowers beside her, she smiled as she offered them to Mr. Lu. "I got this on my way here!" She said with a warm smile.
"You know I'm not a lover of flowers, but you got me these?" Mr. Lu stared at her.
Zhao Lisha looked momentarily embarrassed. "Oh, I must have forgotten. I wanted to do something nice for you," she said with a sheepish smile.
Mr. Lu sighed and calmly smiled. He accepts the banquet of flowers from her. "It's okay, we all make mistakes,"
Zhao Lisha felt sad about her oversight. "Do you have other plans?" She asked awkwardly.
"None that I know of," He replied.
"If so, we can visit the night tower?" She asked.
Mr. Lu sighed. "That's not possible. I'm exhausted and can't make it," He said.
"Oh, then you should go home for a rest now," she suggested.
"I can leave now?"
"Hmm!" Zhao Lisha nodded.
"I will leave now. If you have any issues, come to the company!" Mr. Lu stood up.
"Don't worry! I'm an independent woman," she smiled at him.
"Good luck then!" He smiled and walked away.
As Mr. Lu left, Zhao Lisha sighed heavily. She felt sad and embarrassed. "No matter what, I will keep trying to win you over, Lu Si Cheng!" she said, giving a faint smile that quickly faded.
-----
Miss Xia and her companions, Chuxi and Mulang, sat at a roadside skewer cart, savoring the hot, spicy skewers alongside cold yogurt.
"Hmm!" Chuxi hummed with pleasure as she took another bite. "Boss, this is so good!"
Miss Xia, her mouth full of fiery skewers, could only nod in agreement.
"Miss Xia, how did you find this place?" Chuxi asked, fanning her mouth to cool the heat.
"I...passed by the other day," Miss Xia managed to mumble through a mouthful of skewers.
Mulang, noticing her struggle, gently patted her back. "Take it easy," he advised.
Chuxi, having finished a skewer, blew on her mouth. "Boss, I wouldn't recommend these to someone who can't handle spice," she puffed, still trying to cool the burning sensation.
Miss Xia leaned in with a playful whisper, "You'll get used to it. We might come here more often—just the two of us."
Chuxi's eyes widened in mock horror. "Boss, please have mercy!"
Mulang chuckled at their exchange. "It's getting late, we should probably hurry up."
Miss Xia looked at him, noticing his untouched skewer. "Why haven't you eaten anything?"
"I'm not hungry," Mulang replied simply.
"Oh?" Miss Xia raised her hand, signaling the skewer vendor. "Two bottles of cold beer, please!"
Mulang quickly lowered her hand. "I can't drink, Miss Xia. I'm driving, remember?"
"Oh! That's right," Miss Xia turned to Chuxi leaning closer. "His responsibility is my curiosity," she smiled.
"Boss, you brought us here, what are you celebrating?" Chuxi asked as she gently blew her mouth.
"Must we have something to celebrate before enjoying ourselves?" She asked.
"I just don't want to come here again,"
Miss Xia smiled and picked up a skewer. "Life feels good!" She enjoyed the skewer.
"The President of ZGDX Company found by a roadside skewer cart!" A voice said from behind.
They turned to Mr. Lu who stood there with both hands placed in his pockets.
"Mr. Lu, it's you?" Miss Xia asked with skewers on both hands.
"Hm! It's me," he smiled at her.
"What are you doing here?" Miss Xia stood up and approached him.
"Would you believe me if I told you I was on my way home, but then I saw someone who looked exactly like you, so I had to stop and check?" He gazed at her intently.
"Why does that sound like a made-up story?" Miss Xia smiled at him.
"Or maybe it's not," Mr. Lu's smile was warm, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
"That's your car, right?" She pointed at a black G-wagon across the road.
"Hmm!" He nodded.
"Why don't you get going? You look exhausted, " Miss Xia said.
"I'm fine, besides why are you here? A roadside skewer cart at night?"
She moved closer to him, "Enjoying life," she smiled moving away from him.
Mr. Lu chuckled softly, "like you said I should get going, so have a great time,"
"You needed not to worry, I'm the best at spending life," Miss Xia playfully winked at him.
"Oh!" He smiled. He waved at her and walked back to his car.
"Mr. Lu, was it her?" Lin Ba asked as he entered the car and sat down.
He nodded.
"Oh! That's good!" Lin Ba smiled and drove away.
On the way, Mr. Lu, lost in thought as he gazed at the city's light, smiled continuously. "What are these feelings?" He wondered, smiling calmly.
----
At night, the garden is a tranquil, mysterious haven. Moonlight softly illuminates the leaves, casting gentle shadows that dance among the trees. The air is cool, filled with the subtle scent of flowers and the quiet hum of crickets. Stars twinkle above, while occasional fireflies add a touch of magic, making the garden feel like a peaceful, hidden retreat.
Shanggue stood there with his hand placed in his pocket and the other held a single flower.
"Alone out here," Yuayua approached him.
Shanggue turned to her, "Why are you here? Don't you have exams tomorrow?" He asked.
Yuayua smiled standing beside him. "It doesn't matter, I have Mom, so the exam isn't a problem,"
Shanggue took in a deep breath. "I wonder if that's good or bad news?"
"Of course, it's good news!" Yuayua stares at him. "By the way, you weren't at the company today, why? Does Mom know about your absence?" She questioned him.
"Does it matter?" He looked up to the sky. "All we persevered to this moment has been taken away in less than a few months," he exhaled.
"Why worry when we have Mom!" Yuayua also looked up to the sky. "Who dare take what belongs to us, when Mom hasn't made the final say!" She said boldly.
Shanggue chuckled softly, " you seem confident that Mom can take down Mei Xia,"
Yuayua turns to her brother taking the single flower from him. "Everything has a foundation, but unfortunately for her, she has none!" She crumbled the single flower.
Shanggue seeing what Yuayua did, shook his head slightly. "It was an innocent flower," he said.
Yuayua smiled and turned to him. "If it had stayed with the other flowers, it wouldn't have ended this way,"
Shanggue sighed. "Don't try to be Mom!" He playfully pushes her off.
Yuayua placed her hand around his neck. "Don't worry about the company, Mom has everything under control," she encouraged him.
Shanggue didn't feel relieved. He sighed heavily. There were more than what the eye sees. "What is she planning?" He wondered as the thoughts aroused.