The vehicle pulled over in front of the entrance.
Quan Lian alighted from the vehicle before tossing the car keys to the attendant. Then, he walked around the vehicle to the passenger's seat.
A pair of long legs stepped out.
Quan Lian stretched his hand and watched as Tang Shi Yi placed her hand into his palm. The look on his face turned gentler as he looked at his partner. Quan Luan linked Tang Shi Yi's arms with his before leading her into the building.
The waiter greeted them at the entrance and ushered them to the hall where the gathering was held.
Quan Lian glanced at Tang Shi Yi again and chuckled when he saw the look on her face. He patted her hand and spoke, "Don't be nervous."
Tang Shi Yi only replied to him with a smile. She was trying her best not to be anxious.
A helpless smile appeared on Quan Lian's face. "I'm sorry for making you come with me tonight." Quan Lian knew that Tang Shi Yi would prefer to spend her time with her son. However, he made her accompany him to this business meeting instead.
"It's alright. I already arranged for someone to look after my son." Tang Shi Yi chuckled. She looked at Quan Lian and flashed him an assuring smile. "Besides, I am now A-Link partner. Sooner or later, I should attend a business meeting like this and get to know people. Quan Lian, I can't always rely on you to do everything."
Quan Lian pursed his lips as if pondering over the words that Tang Shi Yi had said. "I don't mind if you want to rely on me for everything."
Her red lips parted. Tang Shi Yi seemed as if she had something she wanted to say. In the end, she lowered her gaze and closed her mouth.
It was not as if Tang Shi Yi did not know what was going on in Quan Lian's mind.
After working together for a while, Tang Shi Yi could feel that there was something in the way Quan Lian looking at her.
But then, Tang Shi Yi quickly drew the line between them.
She did not have a plan to be in a relationship with her twins around. The kids were still young and they both needed her attention. Especially Xiao Xiao.
The two of them had almost reached the hall when Quan Lian spoke again. "Shi Yi, you are my partner and good friend. It's not wrong to ask you to rely a little more on me, right?"
The look on Tang Shi Yi's face froze. A while later, she finally broke into a smile. "Mhm..."
She was relieved that Quan Lian had changed the subject. She would not know how to respond to Quan Lian if he said something else.
The waiter helped to swing the door for them and Quan Lian entered the hall with Tang Shi Yi beside him. The sound of the door made a few heads turn to look at them.
Tang Shi Yi inhaled a deep breath as she looked at the people around her.
This was not the first time that she had attended such a gathering, but she was still nervous.
Fortunately, she had Quan Lian with her.
Tang Shi Yi swept her gaze around the area and saw that a lot of them were the people that she had met not too long ago when Quan Lian introduced her as A-Link partner.
Quan Lian took her around the hall and introduced her to a few people.
Although a lot of people were looking up at the company, A-Link was quite new and they will need to gain a few business partners to spread.
Tang Shi Yi understood that she and Quan Lian would have to work hard to attract investors and clients.
A few of them proposed a toast to Tang Shi Yi, but Quan Lian was quick to drink in her stead by telling the others that she was his designated driver.
Fortunately, Quan Lian's alcohol tolerance was quite high.
With Quan Lian around, Tang Shi Yi was able to avoid drinking.
She did not know how long have she been talking to the people in the hall, but Tang Shi Yi felt that she would need to sit down for a while. Standing too long in her high heels was too much.
After talking with another potential business partner, Tang Shi Yi turned to Quan Lian and excused herself.
She headed to the bathroom briefly. Then, instead of returning to the hall, Tang Shi Yi sat in the lounge and took out her phone.
Yin Yi Bo was looking after her son and she needed to check on the little boy.
As for Xiao Xiao, Tang Shi Yi did not have to worry about her too much as her mother was around to look after the girl.
Tang Shi Yi was chatting with Yin Yi Bo about her son's day when she noticed a few men staggered out of one of the halls.
There were a few halls and private rooms in the building. The event that Quan Lian had taken her to was not the only business dinner in the building.
The scent of alcohol coming from those men made her nose crinkle.
Tang Shi Yi lowered her head and continued to play with her phone.
A breath of relief escaped her once she saw that those men had walked passed her. She realized that she was alone and the situation would not be favorable to her if those men stopped in front of her.
They were intoxicated.
It would be difficult for her to talk to them.
With that thought in mind, Tang Shi Yi reminded herself to return to the hall and return to Quan Lian's side.
She stood up, wanting to leave. However, after a step, Tang Shi Yi felt someone holding her shoulder, making her turn around.
Her brow furrowed when she saw the group of drunk men looking at her.