In the heart of the city, outside a luxurious five-star hotel.
Su Yu's eyes eagerly followed each high-end car approaching, only to feel disappointed time and again when the people stepping out weren't who she hoped to see.
"Director Su, do you think he'll really come?" Fang Yingying, standing beside her, felt indignant on behalf of her boss, seeing her frown in disappointment.
"He'll come!" Su Yu's tone was resolute.
"Ah…" Fang Yingying sighed, speechless.
The two stunning women standing together created an exquisite sight, drawing the casual glances of men coming and going.
Among them, Su Yu was a celebrated figure, and whether acquaintances or strangers, everyone took a moment to exchange pleasantries with her. To share a few words with this goddess of commerce was a privilege; to make a lasting impression in her mind, a prize beyond measure. Rumor had it that this goddess was still single, fueling hopeful thoughts in many a man's heart.
Yet she barely acknowledged their presence, her eyes solely fixed on each arriving car, only to reveal disappointment time and again as the person she awaited did not appear.
By now, it was clear to everyone that she was waiting for someone. They retreated awkwardly, internally cursing whoever dared to keep this goddess waiting; it was simply unforgivable!
Su Yu, not particularly fond of these men who persistently ogled her, tolerated them only for potential business collaboration. Otherwise, she'd have dismissed them with a cold expression instead of maintaining this polite facade. Fortunately, they sensed her impatience and finally dispersed.
Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
In the distance, a taxi approached. While it seemed unlikely her boss would arrive in such a vehicle, she didn't want to miss any opportunity, her gaze focused on the taxi as it pulled up before her.
Suddenly, her heart fluttered. The door hadn't opened yet, but she already recognized that familiar yet distant figure inside. She stepped forward quickly, with Fang Yingying, puzzled, closely following her superior.
Three people stepped out—a slightly slender young man and two lively, beautiful girls.
"Hello!" Xiang Ri casually greeted the waiting Su Yu, briefly glancing at the curvaceous woman behind her, dressed in a business suit that accentuated her impressive figure. He surmised she must be the secretary he had spoken with over the phone, though he hadn't expected her to be quite this… striking.
In a country renowned for balance and restraint, such proportions were rare—excluding those enhanced with dubious substances.
"Boss!" Su Yu's gaze shifted stiffly to the two girls accompanying him.
"It seems you already knew of me?" Xiang Ri noted the lack of surprise in her expression, intrigued. Their last encounter in the elevator should have made her astonished, yet her composure contradicted his expectations.
"Boss came to see me at the company last time, but I was in a meeting. Later on…" Su Yu didn't hide the truth, explaining how she had deduced his identity and even apologized for investigating him without permission.
"No harm done!" Xiang Ri, who hadn't expected to keep this secret for long, reassured her. Noticing her slight tremor, he added, "You've done nothing wrong; why would I hold it against you? Besides—" Suddenly, he felt a sting in his arm, discovering Miss Chu's hand firmly pressing on the source of the pain.
"You're Sister Su, right? I've seen you on TV!" Chu Chu cast Xiang Ri an annoyed glance, clearly upset he had attempted to meet a beautiful woman without telling her. Who knew what could have happened if she hadn't followed?
The mature beauty before her posed a formidable threat. Not only did she possess looks rivaling her own, but an air of grace and charm that inspired a desire to protect and cherish. And behind her stood another breathtaking woman, stunningly endowed. Heaven help her—was that even possible? Feeling a pang of jealousy, Chu Chu fumed silently.
"And you are…?" Su Yu looked at the bold young woman, slightly bewildered.
"I'm Chu Chu… his girlfriend." Blushing, she cast a shy glance at Xiang Ri.
A trace of inexplicable disappointment crossed Su Yu's face, her smile a bit forced. "Oh, so you're the boss's… girlfriend. Nice to meet you. I'm Su Yu, working for the boss."
"Boss?" Chu Chu had overheard this title earlier but dismissed it. Now, with "boss" ringing clearly in her ears, there was no mistaking it. She turned, looking at Xiang Ri with a strange gaze, which sent a chill down his spine. He coughed to shift attention, "Shall we head inside? I haven't eaten since morning, and I'm starving."
"Yes, let's go in." Chu Chu flashed a sweet smile, muttering low enough for only the two of them, "We'll discuss this later." Annoyed by the many secrets Xiang Ri had kept, she managed to hold her composure, saving the storm for a more private moment.
Xiang Ri, helpless, touched his nose and inadvertently caught the resentful gaze of his silent disciple. Feeling a chill, he took the lead into the hotel. The remaining women exchanged glances, each discerning subtle messages in the others' eyes, and followed him inside.
Su Yu had already reserved a table. Although there were two more people than expected, the five-star hotel had no trouble accommodating them all comfortably.
The women modestly deferred the ordering, naturally leaving it to the only man present. After a brief polite exchange, Xiang Ri dutifully began selecting dishes.
Once the order was placed, the women engaged in light, trivial conversation. Xiang Ri noticed a trend: most of the chatting came from Miss Chu and the lovely Su Yu, while his typically silent disciple kept to her usual reserve. However, the pretty secretary—whom Chu Chu repeatedly asked about her dietary preferences—responded with little more than terse "Hmm" and "Ah" sounds, which intrigued Xiang Ri.
From their previous phone call, he'd thought she was more outgoing. Now, however, her demeanor seemed the opposite. What's more, her gaze held a hint of animosity toward Chu Chu; whenever Chu Chu addressed her, she responded with a blank expression and half-hearted replies.
Shortly thereafter, their food arrived. Given that this was more of a breakfast, Xiang Ri had ordered light dishes, which suited the women, who ate delicately and unhurriedly.
Xiang Ri, despite his large appetite, ate quickly. When he'd finished, the women were still nibbling at their meals.
"Su Yu, how's that matter progressing?" he asked idly, referring to the acquisition deal.
"It's all resolved, thanks largely to Yingying's assistance," Su Yu replied, casting a glance at her secretary, who was intent on finishing her meal.
"It was nothing, just my duty," Fang Yingying replied, her face impassive—even when speaking to the man behind the scenes. To her, Xiang Ri fit the mold of a spoiled heir. Su Yu often spoke highly of him, so Fang Yingying had expected a capable man; instead, meeting him had been a disappointment.
Not only had he arrived by taxi, striking her as insincere and pretentious, but the presence of two beautiful women by his side marked him as a playboy. Although only one was introduced as his girlfriend, even a blind man could see the unspoken understanding in the eyes of the other.
Such philandering types were Fang Yingying's pet peeve. His gaze, lingering on her more prominent features, was bolder than that of most men she'd met, further affirming her judgment of him as a wealthy cad who toyed with women's feelings.
She suspected he'd invested in Su Yu's company only because he found her attractive, while his avoidance of a meeting over the years was nothing but a calculated ruse. In her mind, his plan had worked—Su Yu, smitten, was already falling into his trap. Fang Yingying steeled herself, determined to keep her kind-hearted superior from succumbing to his charm.
"Miss Fang, you're too modest." Knowing Su Yu wasn't one for empty praise, Xiang Ri assumed Fang Yingying's contribution must indeed have been crucial. With a meaningful look at the icy secretary, he mused that it wasn't just her figure that was exceptional—she clearly had a sharp mind as well.
Whoever said that beautiful women lack intelligence? There's not a shred of truth in it. The evidence was right before him. And besides, Miss Su was no less well-endowed; if she were unintelligent, her company would've closed long ago.
Pondering whether to pen an essay debunking the "beauty without brains" stereotype—perhaps even attracting the admiration of many well-endowed women—Xiang Ri chuckled, oblivious to the fact that his gaze had lingered far too long on the secretary's chest. Her expression turned steely, though she refrained from reacting.
Chu Chu's patience was at its limit, her hand poised to deal a fierce blow.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from nearby: "Miss Su, we meet again."
Xiang Ri turned to see a sharply dressed young man, arm wrapped possessively around a subtly made-up woman, approaching. Though the woman seemed to struggle, the young man held her firmly, indifferent to her discomfort.
Xiang Ri's mood soured—why did every meal seem to invite some unpleasant incident, invariably starring a brainless rich heir?
"It's that guy," Fang Yingying muttered, her tone thick with disdain.
"You know him?" Xiang Ri assumed he was one of Fang Yingying's admirers—or perhaps a suitor?
"He's the one who tried to acquire the company last time," she said coolly, turning her head away, unwilling to entertain the attention of either man.
Pushing up his glasses, Xiang Ri watched the approaching young man, an amused gleam flashing in his eyes.