Xu Xiuwen asked, "Where are you going to sleep tonight?"
Xiao Youran shook her head and said, "I don't know. If you don't take care of me, I'll sleep on the street."
Xu Xiuwen said, "Of course, I'll take care of you. I'll get another room for you, and you can stay at the hotel tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll drive you home."
Xiao Youran immediately brightened up.
She smiled and said, "Thank you, Xiao Xu."
Xu Xiuwen reached out and ruffled her hair, looking at her dotingly, "No need to thank me. It's what I should do."
Xiao Youran responded with a soft "Mm" and then asked, "Xiao Xu, do you have any plans this afternoon?"
Xu Xiuwen asked, "What do you want to do?"
Xiao Youran said, "I want to go out and play. I haven't been to Guangming City before."
Xu Xiuwen didn't respond immediately.
Xiao Youran said, "If you have something to do this afternoon, go ahead. Don't worry about me. I'll wait here for you."
Xu Xiuwen said, "There's nothing important this afternoon. I can skip it."
Xiao Youran asked, "Won't it delay your work? I don't really need to go out and play."
Xu Xiuwen said, "It's fine. It won't delay anything important. I'm busy every day, so I should take a break and relax."
Hearing this, Xiao Youran finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
She suddenly wrapped her arm around Xu Xiuwen's and said, "Then let's go out and play now."
Xu Xiuwen said, "It's still raining outside. Let's wait until it stops."
Xiao Youran pouted, "What if it never stops raining?"
Xu Xiuwen ruffled her hair and smiled, "If it never stops, then we can't go out and play."
"Really? That's disappointing."
Xiao Youran looked very disappointed.
She let go of Xu Xiuwen and walked to the window, pulling back the curtain.
She looked at the fine rain outside, hoping it would stop soon.
Xu Xiuwen said, "If we can't play this time, we'll go next time."
Xiao Youran said, "Next time, we might not have such a good chance to go out together."
Xu Xiuwen said, "I'm a bit tired. I'm going to lie down for a while. Let me know if the rain stops."
Xiao Youran responded with a soft "Mm."
After speaking, Xu Xiuwen took off his clothes and lay down on the bed.
He was wearing only his underwear.
Xu Xiuwen had recently gotten used to taking a nap like this.
After getting into bed, he quickly fell asleep to the sound of the raindrops outside.
He didn't know how long he had been asleep when he suddenly felt his nose tickle.
It seemed like something soft was gently sliding across his nose.
Xu Xiuwen grabbed it.
The cool feeling in his palm made him realize it was a hand.
There were only two people in the room: him and Xiao Youran.
So whose hand it was, was self-evident.
Xiao Youran's fingers were slender and untainted by the world.
Her hands were extremely beautiful, and touching them felt cool and comfortable.
Xu Xiuwen didn't want to let go for a moment.
Xiao Youran gently tried to pull back, but when she couldn't, she stopped struggling.
If Xu Xiuwen opened his eyes, he would see Xiao Youran lying on her side next to him.
Xu Xiuwen intended to sleep a bit longer.
But suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
...
After Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong entered the room, they closed the door.
Xu Qian couldn't help but say, "Didn't she break up with Mr. Xu? Why is she here to see him?"
Zhao Yatong said, "It seems the old flame has rekindled."
Xu Qian asked, "Then what about Mr. Xu's girlfriend?"
Zhao Yatong said, "Who knows, maybe Mr. Xu broke up with his girlfriend."
Xu Qian hesitated and then asked softly, "Sister Yatong, do you think Mr. Xu didn't break up with his girlfriend?"
Zhao Yatong said, "You mean Mr. Xu is still two-timing?"
Xu Qian nodded, "It's possible. After all, he did it once already."
Zhao Yatong laughed, "Why are you so concerned about Mr. Xu's relationships? Be honest, do you have a crush on Mr. Xu?"
Xu Qian, like a startled deer, looked panicked.
"Don't talk nonsense. I... I don't like Mr. Xu."
Zhao Yatong had long noticed that Xu Qian harbored feelings for Mr. Xu.
Hearing her denial now, she naturally didn't believe her.
Without pressing further, she said, "If you don't like Mr. Xu, then why are you so concerned?"
Xu Qian mumbled something.
Zhao Yatong didn't catch it.
She couldn't help but advise, "Mr. Xu is indeed outstanding, but he's not a committed person. If you don't want to get hurt, it's best not to fall for him. Besides, do you think you can compete with that girl just now? Don't forget, she grew up with Mr. Xu as his first love. And are you prettier than she is?"
Xu Qian had been impressed by Xu Xiuwen's decisiveness and boldness when he bought the distillery.
As the person who spent the most time with Xu Xiuwen during this period, she had witnessed his flawless strategies and actions in reviving the distillery from the brink of collapse.
His courage and methods were admirable.
Added to this was the time he saved her, like a hero.
Xu Qian deeply admired and respected Xu Xiuwen, though she wasn't sure if she actually liked him or just admired him.
She was aware of the gap between them, so she kept her feelings to herself, enjoying the current situation where she could accompany him daily, chat, and occasionally joke around.
Zhao Yatong's words were a wake-up call.
While Xu Xiuwen was indeed excellent, so were the many girls around him, some even more outstanding.
Xu Qian had self-awareness; although she was beautiful, she couldn't compete with any of Xu Xiuwen's girlfriends, especially not the girl in his room now, his first love and childhood sweetheart.
Xu Qian knew that in Xu Xiuwen's heart, she was as insignificant as a feather, while the other girl was as steadfast as Mount Tai.
Feeling a bit dejected, Xu Qian sat on the bed, lost in thought.
Zhao Yatong, seeing no need to continue persuading her, decided to rest, leaving Xu Qian to ponder over her thoughts.
Zhao Yatong took off her coat, lifted the quilt, and went to sleep for a nap.
Xu Qian continued to sit by the bed, deep in thought.
Xu Xiuwen opened the door to find Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian standing outside.
Xu Qian stood slightly behind Zhao Yatong, her head lowered, staring at her toes as if something fascinating was there.
Zhao Yatong got straight to the point, "Mr. Xu, it's time for work. Are you heading to the factory first?"
Xu Xiuwen glanced at the window behind him.
The rain outside was pouring harder.
He turned to Xiao Youran, "Youran, it's raining heavily, not suitable for going out."
Xiao Youran, who had gotten out of bed and smoothed her clothes, pouted, "This weather is annoying, raining now of all times."
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment, "How about this, I'll take you to the distillery for a tour. How does that sound?"
Initially disappointed about not being able to go out, Xiao Youran brightened up instantly at the suggestion, grabbing Xu Xiuwen's arm excitedly, "Yes, yes!"
Seeing Xiao Youran's approval, Xu Xiuwen nodded, then turned to Zhao Yatong, "Wait for me; I'll drive us all to the distillery shortly."
"Okay, Mr. Xu. We'll wait at the hotel entrance."
Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian turned and left.
Xu Xiuwen closed the door and turned to face Xiao Youran.
He was already dressed, so there was nothing more to prepare.
He instructed, "Youran, when we get back to the distillery, don't say anything you shouldn't."
Xiao Youran obediently nodded, "Don't worry, I won't say anything."
"If anyone asks about our relationship, don't tell them either."
Xiao Youran pouted, "Why? Last time you clearly said you were with me. Are you trying to back out? Are you trying to cheat?"
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but laugh, "When did I say I wanted to back out? I'm not trying to cheat."
"Then why won't you let me tell others about our relationship?"
Xu Xiuwen said, "Our relationship is for us to know, there's no need to tell others. And haven't I told you before, until I convince Cheng Lu to accept you, we can't reveal our relationship."
Xiao Youran's eyes widened.
In an instant, her eyes were brimming with tears.
She bit her lip, looking pitifully aggrieved.
Xu Xiuwen couldn't handle this look.
But he was very clear-headed.
Although he had agreed to be with Xiao Youran again, the condition was that he could persuade Cheng Lu.
Xu Xiuwen had to speak seriously, "Youran, this is what we agreed on before. Please listen, okay?"
Xiao Youran sensed the seriousness in Xu Xiuwen's tone.
Though she wanted to act spoiled and angry, she was afraid of making Xu Xiuwen unhappy.
After hesitating, she nodded, "Alright, I'll listen to you."
Xu Xiuwen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He reached out and hugged Xiao Youran, gently patting her back, comforting, "That's the Xiao Youran I like."
Xiao Youran rested her head on Xu Xiuwen's chest without saying anything.
After a few minutes, Xu Xiuwen felt that Xiao Youran's emotions had stabilized, so he said, "Alright, let's go out now. Don't keep them waiting."
"Mm."
When they left the room, Xiao Youran had already adjusted her emotions.
From the outside, it was impossible to tell she had almost cried a moment ago.
At the hotel entrance, Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian were chatting together. Seeing them appear, they immediately stopped talking.
Xu Xiuwen opened the umbrella.
The next second, Xiao Youran naturally slipped under his umbrella and took his arm.
Their posture was very intimate.
Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong pretended not to see this.
The four of them walked to the car with umbrellas.
Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian sensibly went straight to the back door, without any intention of competing for the front passenger seat with Xiao Youran.
Xu Xiuwen held the umbrella and escorted Xiao Youran to the front passenger door, opened the door, and shielded her from the rain as she got into the car.
To avoid Xiao Youran getting wet, Xu Xiuwen got wet himself.
After Xiao Youran got into the car, Xu Xiuwen went around to the driver's seat, opened the door, and got in.
In the car, Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian initially planned to stay silent.
But Xu Xiuwen didn't give them the chance.
As soon as the car started, Xu Xiuwen said to the two women, "She's my childhood friend. You met her last time."
Then Xu Xiuwen said to Xiao Youran, "These two, one is the company's accountant, the other is my assistant. They are now with me at the distillery, responsible for the work there."
Xu Xiuwen paused and then continued, "You should get to know each other, as you'll be interacting more in the future."
Not wanting to seem impolite, as soon as Xu Xiuwen finished speaking, Xiao Youran turned around, extended her hand to the two women, and introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Xiao Youran, Xu Xiuwen's childhood friend. Nice to meet you."
Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian exchanged a glance, then each shook hands with Xiao Youran and introduced themselves.
After the introductions, the atmosphere in the car quietly became silent.
Since there were others in the car, Xiao Youran couldn't be too obvious, so she sat upright and didn't lean over.
However, if one paid attention, it wasn't hard to notice that Xiao Youran's legs were together and angled towards the driver's seat.
They soon arrived at the distillery.
Xu Xiuwen parked the car.
Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian got out and quickly walked into the office building.
Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran lagged behind.
As they entered the office building, they encountered many distillery employees.
Xu Xiuwen had been at the distillery almost every day recently, frequently coming and going, and he had even been on a local TV interview.
None of the distillery employees failed to recognize him.
Walking through the office building, every passing employee greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Mr. Xu!"
Xiao Youran's eyes sparkled.
Xu Xiuwen led Xiao Youran to the office.
Once inside, Xiao Youran couldn't help but say, "Xiao Xu~"
Xu Xiuwen said seriously, "This is a workplace. Please call me Mr. Xu."
Xiao Youran was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Xu Xiuwen to say that.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she composed herself and said earnestly, "Alright, Mr. Xu."
"Find a place to sit," Xu Xiuwen said as he walked to his desk and started looking through the files on it.
After going through the files, Xu Xiuwen, curious about the silence from Xiao Youran, looked up.
Xiao Youran was sitting on the sofa, staring at him intently.
Their eyes met.
A rare expression appeared on Xiao Youran's face, one Xu Xiuwen had seldom seen.
Her expression was a mix of slight frown and a faint smile, making it unclear whether she was happy or worried.
It was an unusual expression for her.
Xu Xiuwen put down the files and asked curiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xiao Youran said, "Just now..."
She stopped halfway.
"Just now what? Why stop halfway?"
"Just now, you really looked like a CEO."
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "What do you mean looked like? I am one."
Xiao Youran shook her head, "No, you used to be very approachable, but just now you were so stern and serious. I didn't dare to speak."
Xu Xiuwen was puzzled, "Really?"
"Yes, are you always this stern with the employees or subordinates at the distillery?" Xiao Youran asked curiously.
Xu Xiuwen nodded, "Maybe. If I don't, it would be hard to establish my authority."
Xiao Youran asked, "Are you like that with Xu Qian too?"
Xu Xiuwen was taken aback but then answered, "With her, I'm a bit kinder in tone and expression."
"Then why were you so stern with me just now?"
Xu Xiuwen realized he was getting caught in her questioning.
He thought for a moment and decided to play dumb.
He said, "Was I really stern with you? I don't think so. Maybe you misunderstood. I was very gentle."
"Gentle, my foot. You were very stern. I almost felt like a lowly employee under you," Xiao Youran pouted, slightly displeased.