Shen Siyuan did not reject Jiang Wenxin's kindness and walked into the elevator, receiving the breakfast she handed over.
"It's baozi from Nongxing Hall," said Jiang Wenxin.
Nongxing Hall is a steamed bun shop in Bin Hai that has become quite popular lately. Their marketing slogan boasts about using quality ingredients, handmaking their buns, and capturing the taste of childhood.
Besides having generous fillings, to be honest, their texture isn't as good as Hex Technologies' offerings, but with effective advertising and a growing focus on health nowadays, they've become quite the hit in Bin Hai for the past two years. Long queues form outside their stores every morning, especially with the elderly who quite fancy their baozi.
Since the buns are handmade, probably without the use of yeast, they don't feel overly soft when you bite into them. Instead, the fill is both large and plenty.
The baozi that Jiang Wenxin bought were meat-filled and looked greasily appetizing, sparking one's hunger.
Additionally, there was a cup of soy milk. Baozi paired with soy milk is an impeccable match.
Dou Dou stood to one side, gazing longingly at the baozi her mother had bought. Clearly, she too wanted to eat the baozi from her mother.
Consequently, Shen Siyuan lowered his wrist, allowing Dou Dou to take a bite.
When Jiang Wenxin saw Shen Siyuan's gesture, her eyes brightened, and she looked surprised and happy, her gaze directed toward the spot below her, clearly realizing that Dou Dou was also in the elevator.
However, there were two other outsiders in the elevator, so it wasn't appropriate for her to speak up. Also, the elevator had reached its destination and was opening.
No sooner had the elevator doors opened than Ding Youguang and Zhou Zhengdao hurried out. Shen Siyuan followed, while Jiang Wenxin dawdled, slowing her steps.
Once inside the company, Ding Youguang and Zhou Zhengdao, who initially had things to say to Shen Siyuan, caught each other's eye and then headed to their offices without looking back.
But before entering their offices, they couldn't help but look back and sure enough, they saw Shen Siyuan talking with Jiang Wenxin.
Jiang Wenxin's face was full of smiles, seemingly very pleased.
It was as if the two had discovered a huge secret. Not waiting for Shen Siyuan to invite them to a group, they took the initiative to find each other on the company's WeChat, asking for personal contacts, adding each other, and beginning to gossip discreetly.
"Dou Dou is right beside you..."
"She's fine, you don't have to worry..."
"You want to see her? No, previously I allowed you to see Dou Dou because of a wisp of Netherworld Energy, which is not good for you. Prolonged exposure will erode your bodies and turn you into the living dead; in short, it's a very dangerous thing..."
"Don't be disappointed either, after some time I can make her become visible directly, and then you can see her again. However, humans and spirits differ greatly. You need to move on, always thinking about her actually doesn't do you any good..."
"Now? Now is not the time, because she has gained some abilities and still can't control them well. Becoming visible might hurt you..."
"Just one glance? Alright then..."
Clearly, Jiang Wenxin was not very reassured about her daughter.
Shen Siyuan looked at the time and saw it was still early, so he headed towards the stairwell.
Few people come here; during typical days, some in the company liked to gather here to smoke. Early in the morning like this, there would definitely be nobody around.
Even in the morning, the stairwell smelled faintly of smoke, and there was a makeshift ashtray made from a can next to it, filled with cigarette butts.
"Alright, stand back a bit. I'll make you visible to your mom for a moment; otherwise, she won't be reassured," Shen Siyuan said to Dou Dou.
Upon hearing this, Dou Dou ran up the stairs and then materialized her form.
Jiang Wenxin's eyes widened and her mouth fell open as she gaped at her daughter.
Dou Dou was still the same Dou Dou, but her hair was ablaze, blue flames rising and licking the air, giving her an incredibly supernatural appearance.
"What... What's going on? Is Dou Dou alright?"
She hurried to ask Shen Siyuan and wanted to move forward to embrace her daughter, but Shen Siyuan held her back.
"Don't get near her; the flames on her are dangerous. It's fine when she's not visible, but once she is, it can hurt people..."
"Why... why did she become like this?"
Dou Dou, on the other hand, was not worried at all. She placed her little fists on her chest and proudly declared, "Mommy, I'm really powerful now..."
Shen Siyuan thought for a moment, then explained to her: "For now, I've taken her as my protector and imparted some Divine Skills to her, but she's not yet adept at using them. Give her some time, and she'll be fine..."
Jiang Wenxin's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this, and she gave Shen Siyuan a deep look. What an esoteric thing to say.
However, she quickly regained her composure and said: "Dou Dou is still so young."
What she implied was that Dou Dou was too young to be of any help to him and that she shouldn't be involved in dangerous matters.
Shen Siyuan laughed upon hearing this and said: "Don't worry, I'm just keeping her by my side temporarily. Appointing her as my protector is only beneficial for her, with no downsides..."
"Thank you, Mr. Shen, for looking after Dou Dou," Jiang Wenxin thanked Shen Siyuan again.
Previously, she had been addressing Shen Siyuan by his name, which was prearranged between them. Now that they were alone, she reverted to calling him Mr. Shen.
At this moment, Dou Dou seemed to feel that her mother didn't believe her and emphasized again: "Mom, I'm really powerful now..."
As she said this, she rode a gust of Yin Wind, zooming toward the upper floor of the stairwell.
"Get down here..." Shen Siyuan said.
This little one seemed obedient, but after all, she was a child and naturally somewhat fickle.
Dou Dou's actions startled Jiang Wenxin, but seeing her daughter managing to control the Wind and becoming visible, she was both shocked and delighted.
"After becoming my protector, not only can the fire on her protect her, but she can also control the Wind and become visible."
"Thank you~, thank you, Mr. Shen..."
Jiang Wenxin also realized that her daughter had encountered a fortuitous opportunity, gaining mystical abilities, and while shocked, she thanked Shen Siyuan profusely once more.
"Don't thank me yet; this is just temporary," Shen Siyuan said, waving his hand.
Dou Dou had already landed back in her original spot, proudly looking at her mother, seemingly waiting for her praise.
Jiang Wenxin knew her daughter very well, so she immediately said: "Dou Dou is amazing~, you really gave Mom a big scare."
"Hehe..."
Dou Dou stood with her hands on her hips and her little belly protruding, looking smug and irresistibly cute.
"All right, now continue to hide your form. Without my command, do not make yourself visible, understood?"
"Okay."
Dou Dou responded and her figure gradually faded away until she disappeared from Jiang Wenxin's sight.
"If you ever miss Dou Dou, just call out, and if a gust of Yin Wind stirs by your side, that means Dou Dou is near you..."
"Thank you~"
Jiang Wenxin gave Shen Siyuan a deep bow.
"We are colleagues, after all. I met Dou Dou by chance. Please, no more thanks from now on..."
After finishing his sentence, Shen Siyuan headed towards the exit of the stairwell, weary of the endless expressions of gratitude.
Jiang Wenxin hurried to catch up. She heard his words and subconsciously almost thanked him again but quickly held back.
"Oh, I've already spoken to my cousin, just let me know when you're free, and I'll arrange for you to meet..."
"Let's say next Wednesday," Shen Siyuan thought for a bit and then said.
Even though he had been introduced to potential partners before, it had not been like now, one after another.
He was meeting one tonight, probably another one upon returning home tomorrow, so he decided to rest for a couple of days before meeting the last one.
Once out of the stairwell, Jiang Wenxin resumed her supportive elder sister demeanor.
Just then, the elevator opened, and a number of company employees came out, including the general manager of the online gaming department, Zheng Can.
Seeing the two of them emerge from the stairwell, his eyes lingered on them with a hint of surprise.