Chapter 14: The Business Dinner[1]

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Business Dinner[1]

About fifteen minutes later, Xi Yunxui had returned to her seat.

The office had become quiet.

Huo Jingchen was still working behind his desk, while Xi Yunxui sat peacefully on the other side of the room.

She closed her eyes.

It wasn’t meditation.

It was simply a habit she had developed in her previous life.

Every night, after her siblings had gone to sleep, she would mentally review the events of the day.

What had she done well?

What could she have done better?

Had she spoken too harshly?

Had she overlooked something?

That habit had helped her tremendously when raising her three younger siblings.

And even now, without thinking about it, she continued doing it.

I handled the matter at the Huo residence well.

The fish soup could have been slightly thicker.

I probably shouldn’t have screamed when the automatic door opened.

She paused.

Actually... that door was frightening.

She mentally moved on.

The elevator was worse.

Her brows twitched.

Definitely worse.

She continued reviewing everything that had happened.

Fifteen minutes passed.

Huo Jingchen finally finished the last document.

He leaned back and looked up.

His gaze naturally landed on Xi Yunxui.

He was about to call her name.

"Xi—"

He stopped.

Her eyes were closed.

She was sitting upright, her hands resting neatly in her lap.

Huo Jingchen assumed she had fallen asleep.

His voice immediately became softer.

He quietly stood.

Without disturbing her, he walked out of the office.

His assistant, Zhou Rui, was waiting nearby.

"Have the car brought around."

Zhou Rui immediately nodded.

"Yes, President Huo."

But as Huo Jingchen turned back toward his office, Zhou Rui couldn’t help looking confused.

Why did the President come out personally to tell me this?

He could have simply used the intercom.

Still, he didn’t dare ask.

Huo Jingchen returned to the office.

The moment he stepped inside, he stopped.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes were open.

She blinked at him.

"Did I wake you up?"

Xi Yunxui blinked again.

Then she realized.

Oh.

He probably thought I was sleeping.

"No," she answered.

"I wasn’t asleep."

Huo Jingchen looked at her for a moment.

Then nodded.

"I have a dinner meeting tonight, so I can’t return to the residence immediately."

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Oh."

"But I promised to take you back."

He paused.

"I’ll still take you."

Xi Yunxui looked surprised.

"You don’t have to."

"I do."

Huo Jingchen picked up his suit jacket.

"I’ll explain the situation to Auntie Zhang. Your salary won’t be deducted, and no one will think you abandoned your duties."

Xi Yunxui immediately felt relieved.

"Alright."

She hesitated.

"But wouldn’t it be troublesome if I followed you to your business meeting?"

Huo Jingchen looked at her.

"No."

"You’re sure?"

"Yes."

He adjusted his cuff.

"Don’t worry about it."

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Alright, Young Master."

---

A few minutes later, they left the office.

As they walked through the building, the employees who were still working immediately stood.

"Good evening, President Huo."

"Goodbye, President Huo."

"Goodbye, President Huo."

Huo Jingchen merely nodded occasionally.

His expression remained calm.

Xi Yunxui walked beside him.

She secretly glanced around.

So this is the eldest young master of the Huo family.

She had seen the Huo residence.

She had seen his office.

But this was different.

Everyone here seemed to respect him.

She looked at the people greeting him.

Then at Huo Jingchen.

Then back at the employees.

He’s really the big boss of a company this huge.

She sighed internally.

I can’t even imagine how much responsibility that must be.

---

The car was waiting outside.

Zhou Rui immediately stepped forward and opened the door.

Xi Yunxui approached.

She glanced inside.

The front seat was empty.

She immediately pointed toward it.

"I’ll sit there."

She had already learned that the front seat was easier to see from.

Before she could enter, however, Huo Jingchen gently caught her hand.

Xi Yunxui froze.

She looked at their hands.

Then at him.

"Sir?"

"You don’t need to sit in the front."

He released her hand almost immediately.

"Sit in the back."

Xi Yunxui looked at the front seat.

Then at the back.

"But—"

"Get in."

She thought about it.

Then nodded.

"Alright."

She climbed into the backseat.

Huo Jingchen entered after her.

Zhou Rui sat in the driver’s seat.

The car began moving.

---

As they drove, Zhou Rui began reporting.

"President Huo, the contract from the Li Group has been revised according to your instructions."

"Send it to the legal department."

"Yes."

"The overseas branch also sent their latest financial report."

"Have the finance department review it before tomorrow morning."

"Yes, President Huo."

Xi Yunxui quietly listened.

The conversation was filled with things she didn’t understand.

Contracts.

Financial reports.

Overseas branches.

Investments.

She eventually gave up trying to understand.

Instead, she looked out the window.

Her eyes slowly widened.

The previous evening, she hadn’t had the chance to properly admire the city.

Now, everything was illuminated.

Huge buildings towered above the streets.

Neon signs flashed.

Cars moved continuously.

People walked along the sidewalks.

Stores remained open despite the darkness.

Xi Yunxui stared in amazement.

So bright.

She rested her cheek against her hand.

Humans really are amazing.

They had started with simple tools.

They had built houses.

Cities.

Roads.

Then machines.

Now they had buildings that reached the clouds and vehicles that could move without horses.

The ability of human beings to think and evolve really is incredible.

She watched the city disappear behind them as the car continued forward.

---

After some time, the car finally slowed.

Xi Yunxui looked outside.

A magnificent building stood before them.

It wasn’t simply a restaurant.

The complex appeared to contain a luxurious restaurant, an event hall and several other facilities.

Bright lights illuminated the entrance.

Several expensive cars were parked outside.

Zhou Rui stepped out first and opened the door.

Xi Yunxui got down.

She looked around.

Then Huo Jingchen stepped out.

Xi Yunxui turned toward him.

"Young Master."

"Yes?"

"Where should I wait?"

She glanced toward the entrance.

"Should I stay here?"

She pointed toward the vehicle.

"Or should I wait in the car until you’re finished?"

Huo Jingchen stared at her.

For a moment, he was slightly stunned.

She’s really cautious.

She wasn’t trying to intrude.

She was genuinely considering where she should stay.

He shook his head.

"Don’t worry."

Xi Yunxui looked at him.

"Then where should I go?"

"Follow me."

Her eyes widened.

"Follow you?"

Huo Jingchen nodded.

"Yes."

Xi Yunxui remained frozen for a moment.

Follow him?

She looked at the enormous building.

Then at Huo Jingchen.

Then back at the building.

This was supposed to be a business dinner.

Why was she going inside?

Before she could ask—

Ding!

Xi Yunxui’s eyes twitched.

[Hidden Mission detected.]

Her expression became serious.

[Hidden Mission: Ensure the dinner banquet proceeds smoothly.]

[Mission Requirement: Resolve or prevent any situation that may negatively affect the Huo family’s business meeting.]

[Reward will be determined upon completion.]

Xi Yunxui stared at the building.

Then slowly looked at Huo Jingchen.

This system really knows how to find work for me.

She sighed inwardly.

Fine.

She followed him inside.