CH 25.1

Translate by [Hua]rricane

There is not much time left for Ji Youli. He must choose between bowing to the Gu family and cooperating with Shen Boyan.

Obviously, he has not yet reached the point of throwing away his dignity and selling his daughter. Shen Boyan and Ji Youli quickly joined forces, and for a whole week, Shen Boyan followed Ji Youli to visit many government officials.

It wasn’t until Friday that the week stabilized and gradually entered the weekend rhythm.

In the president’s office, after Sheng Songbai reported the latest progress, he suddenly switched off his serious mode and poked fun at Shen Boyan with a sense of closeness: “President Shen, when will you bring Xiao Xia to meet everyone? They’re very curious.”

Shen Boyan raised his eyelids and glanced at him. “So idle?”

“Isn’t it already the weekend? Even if you’re the boss of the company, you have to be lenient.” Sheng Songbai joked with him before returning to the topic: “Really, people are just curious. Who made you so secretive all the time without a romantic partner?”

“Or did Xiao Xia not want to come over? Is it because you and him had a fight and got us involved?”

Shen Boyan snorted and said in a covertly showy tone, “How can that be?”

This week, he and Xia Shu’an can be said to be in a honeymoon phase. As Shen Boyan had more social activities this week and came home late every night, the two were no longer stuck in the after-work dating style.

However, every time he got home, in the house that used to be just a sleeping place for Shen Boyan, there was always a light waiting for him relentlessly. This feeling cannot be described in words.

Once, he drank a lot of wine, and it was already the second day when he got home. Xia Shu’an had already fallen asleep. When he heard the sound, he opened his arms in a daze, pressed his warm cheek against his cold neck, and slipped into his arms. At that moment, he suddenly understood the feelings of those who were obsessed with raising canaries.

Shen Boyan’s haughty and flamboyant face was full of primitive pride after a successful male courtship. Sheng Songbai forced out a smile and said, “Then bring Xiao Xia over to the company for a tour, lest they bother me all day long.”

“I’ll ask him if he’s available after work today. If not, let them get off work early.”

“Don’t worry, I will definitely notify them in advance.”

Sheng Songbai waved his hands and walked out of the office.

The time is now 5 p.m., and it’s almost time for Xia Shu’an to get off work. Shen Boyan leaned back on the seat, sketched the young man’s busy figure in his mind, smiled slightly, and finally took out his mobile phone and dialed a number.

The phone rang for three seconds—

“Hello.”

The young man’s voice is clear and smooth. After a week’s worth of work, he sounds a little tired, but it has an indescribable taste, like a mellow fine wine. Shen Boyan’s chest felt itchy. He restrained his emotions and said in a calm voice, “Are you getting off work soon?”

“Yeah.” Xia Shu’an blinked and put down the pen in his hand.

“It’s time to get off work; what’s the matter?”

“People from the company are clamoring to see you. Do you want to come to the company?”

“Want to see me?”

Xia Shu’an recalled those people in his company. After Shen Boyan took over Huiwen, almost all the management positions were changed, many of whom were Shen Boyan’s own people, and some were elites from various industries who were recruited by headhunters with high salaries.

Although he didn’t get along well with Shen Boyan in his previous life, Xia Shu’an didn’t have a problem with the people in his company. Of course, there wasn’t much of a chance to get along to begin with; after all, Shen Boyan at that time was this close to shackling him with leg irons and forbidding him to leave the room.

Xia Shu’an casually recalled what happened while answering: “Okay, then I’ll go there after getting off work.”

“Come straight up when you arrive.”

Shen Boyan put down his cell phone, but the corners of his mouth were still hooked up slightly. He then dialed the internal number to the general manager’s office: “Xia Shu’an will come over later. If I’m not here, you can ask him to wait in the office for a while.”

After notifying the general manager’s office, he sent another message to Sheng Songbai: “Xiao Shu will come over later, and since they’re going to wait, why don’t we have another meeting? Notify all people above the level of department manager to meet in conference room No. 1 in ten minutes.”

This small decision is naturally outrageous, but on second thought, they can finally meet the “boss’s wife” (who is a great beauty), whom they’ve been longing to meet, so they feel that it is okay again.

Ten minutes later, all the managers and above arrived in the conference room.

Forty-five minutes later, Xia Shu’an stepped into the elevator door leading to the president’s floor.

“Assistant Qi.”

As soon as he entered the door, Assistant Qi stood up and said, “Mr. Xia, President Shen said he would like you to wait in his office for a while. I will inform him now that you have arrived.”

“Okay, I’ve troubled you.”

Assistant Qi left the office and took the elevator to meeting room No. 1 on the 28th floor. In the meeting room, several department managers were scolding each other again. Although they had been arguing for a week, it seemed that they would always have endless topics to quarrel with.

When Assistant Qi pushed open the door and walked in, it happened that the director of the financial department and the manager of the marketing department were slapping the table with red necks and rough voices. He walked up to the indifferent Shen Boyan, bent down, and whispered something in his ear.

Shen Boyan nodded, and Assistant Qi quickly went out.

The eyes of one of the youngest youths below lit up and shouted, “Boss, is the lady boss here?”

Everyone paused and looked at Shen Boyan in unison.

Shen Boyan’s face was as calm as before. He tapped the table with his fingers and said, “The meeting is still in progress.”

Everyone: Got it.

Next, matters that had gone undiscussed for over forty minutes, and arguably a week, were agreed upon in just five minutes. Everyone nodded in acknowledgement, and then five minutes later, the meeting was adjourned.

“Ahem.” The director of the finance department stood up.

“President Shen, I still have a report; I will go to your office later.”

“Oh, so do I.”

“I also……”

In an instant, there were voices vying to report to the office, one after another. Those who didn’t know better would have thought they loved their work so much.

“Alright.”

Shen Boyan’s cold gaze swept around, and everyone immediately fell silent.

“If you want to stay and work overtime at night, come to the cafeteria upstairs for a meal together. If you want to leave, you can leave now.”

“…Ahem, then I’ll work overtime for half an hour.”

“Me too.”

“I also……”

…

Xia Shu’an waited in the office for about ten minutes. He vaguely heard movement outside and got up, but the door was pushed open from the outside. Shen Boyan’s figure appeared at the door. Behind him were a man and a woman. The man was Sheng Songbai, and the woman, according to Xia Shu’an’s memory, should be the director of the finance department.

“Xiao Xia, you’re here.” Sheng Songbai greeted him warmly as soon as he saw him, as if the two had a close relationship. The director of the financial department looked at him for two seconds and nodded politely.

Shen Boyan walked to the seat, put down the notebook, and turned to Xia Shu’an: “Have dinner with everyone tonight?”

“Okay.” Xia Shu’an smiled and looked at the finance department director. “Hello, I’m Xia Shu’an.”

A business-like smile appeared on the woman’s face with exquisite make-up: “Hello, Mr. Xia, I’m Li Ling.”

After a brief exchange of greetings, the group walked towards the cafeteria. Slowly, a few more people came up from different departments and greeted Shen Boyan and Xia Shu’an in a natural manner. If their eyes weren’t secretly looking at Xia Shu’an, Xia Shu’an would have believed that this was a simple staff dinner.

On Friday night, the staff cafeterias on both floors were still open. Assistant Lin had made an appointment in advance, and the food could be served immediately. Outside the cafeteria lobby, the lights were shining brightly, and a dozen or so people were walking inside, talking and laughing. Suddenly, from the other side of the corridor, came another small group of about six or seven people. Xia Shu’an inadvertently looked up and saw a familiar face in front of him.

It seems to be the star that Shen Boyan brought with him when he met Shen Boyan for the first time in this life.

Xia Shu’an’s footstep paused slightly as his brain quickly processed the known information. A few seconds later, he turned his head to look at Sheng Songbai, who was chatting and laughing with a manager. A vague guess flashed in his mind.

The director of the Marketing Department who brought Luo Nian over immediately stopped, then ran up in small steps when he saw Shen Boyan bringing so many high-level executives over: “President Shen, President Sheng.”

With a smile on his face, Sheng Songbai said casually, “Are you here for dinner?”

“Yeah, I was shooting the company’s promotional video in the studio today and came over to have dinner with everyone.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Is this the final model? He looks really good.”

“Yes, his name is Luo Nian, and he’s been quite popular recently.”

“Luo Nian?” Sheng Songbai glanced at Shen Boyan thoughtfully but did not start the topic.

It was Luo Nian’s agent who led him forward and said with a flattering smile, “Hello, President Shen, President Sheng, this time our Luo Nian is very fortunate to be able to participate in Wenhui’s publicity work. Our Xiao Luo is very clever and can endure hardships. I hope that President Shen can always provide more support in the future.”

“Come on, Xiao Luo, hurry up and thank President Shen.”

After Shen Boyan “broke up” with Luo Nian, he gave him some resources, so the agent thought that the two of them were over. He didn’t expect that they would find Luo Nian for Huiwen’s promotional video this time. He naturally thought it was Shen Boyan’s favor, and he couldn’t help but have expectations for their relationship.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Xia Shu’an roughly understood it.

Well, Sheng Songbai, as expected of you.

But he didn’t have the slightest idea of helping Shen Boyan out. According to a normal and mature adult algorithm, who Shen Boyan dated before him is none of his business. But as a person who was “pursued” by Shen Boyan with a little bit of brutal means in two lifetimes…

For him to apply the “normal” and “mature” male standard to Shen Boyan is simply impossible!

Sheng Songbai cast a glance at Xia Shu’an who was at the side, but saw that he had a light smile hanging from the corner of his lips, looking at the handsome boy opposite him with a smile. After the agent finished speaking, seeing that Luo Nian didn’t chime in, he pushed him anxiously. Luo Nian slowly went up and was about to open his mouth when Shen Boyan took a step ahead of him and coldly said: “No need, we’re all here for a meal, and we have work later, so just keep it simple.”

“Yes, yes, then please go ahead, President Shen.”

Shen Boyan ignored the agent’s eagerness and stepped into the cafeteria, followed by others.

During the meal, Xia Shu’an sat next to Shen Boyan. He was not an employee of the company, and his posture also exuded a sense of aloofness. Others didn’t dare to tease him. At this table full of people, there is only politeness and flattery. Pleasant words were wrapped in layers of exquisite language, making people feel particularly comfortable listening to them. Overall, Xia Shu’an’s meal was quite relaxed.

After drinking for three rounds, suddenly, the door of the room was pushed open, and that agent led Luo Nian in. The two men were each holding a tall glass with about one-third of white wine in it, and the agent was also holding a freshly opened bottle of white wine.

The agent’s face was full of smiles, and he took the initiative to walk in front of Shen Boyan. “President Shen, we usually don’t see you very often. It’s a privilege to meet you today. Xiao Luo, and I would like to propose a toast to you and hope that you will take care of our Xiao Luo more in the future.”

After he finished speaking, he raised his head and drank the wine in the glass in one go. Luo Nian also smiled obediently with his makeup on and followed him to finish the wine in the glass.

President Shen picked up the glass and took a meaningful sip.

The agent heaved a sigh of relief and then turned to Sheng Songbai: “President Sheng, please take care of us in the future as well. I’ll make a toast to you.”

Sheng Songbai’s gaze contained a smile. He was nice enough to accept the toast and to finish all the wine in the glass.

Immediately afterwards, the agent’s eyes turned to the marketing department director next to him. He poured wine into both of their glasses and raised them, “Mr. Gao….”

“Alright, alright, I’ll accept this toast.”

All three of them finished off the liquid in their glasses.

After three glasses of white wine, Luo Nian’s face was slightly flushed. Although he was smiling, his expression was very stiff. The agent picked up the glass and was about to toast again when a voice suddenly interjected: “Drink less.”

Luo Nian’s hand gesture paused, and he looked at the position beside Shen Boyan.

Xia Shu’an raised the teacup in his hand, and said, “There’s no need to be so formal since we’re all familiar with each other and it’s not an important occasion. Let’s drink less. You still have work later, right?”

He looked through Luo Nian to the marketing department director behind him. Although the director didn’t know who he was, he didn’t dare neglect him when he saw him sitting next to Shen Boyan. He nodded repeatedly and said, “Yes, yes, there are still a few shots to be redone later.”

“So, well, we’ve had three drinks, so let’s get on with it. Come on, I’ll toast you.”

Xia Shu’an raised the cup. The agent obviously had the same idea as the supervisor and immediately raised the glass in a flattered manner.

Xia Shu’an didn’t look at him but smiled slightly at Luo Nian: “Just do whatever you want.”

After Xia Shu’an said that, the agent didn’t dare let Luo Nian drink more. Luo Nian took a sip with a bit of anxiety on his face. Then he saw that Xia Shu’an had put down the cup, which still had half of the tea left in it. He was relieved.

“Okay.” Shen Boyan said: “Since you still have to work, don’t drink too much, you too, Old Chen, save it for the weekend.”

“Yes Yes.”

Only then did the director take Luo Nian and his agent out.

The people at this dinner table are all elites with sharp eyesight. With just a few words, they already know how important Xia Shu’an is in Shen’s heart. Everyone is laughing and joking, and they no longer urge him to drink, treating Xia Shu’an as a gentle and friendly version of Shen Boyan.