167 Gathering

"Whatever compensation you want, just name it."

Shao Minghan patted Lu Yichen on the shoulder inside the office, flashing a triumphant smile.

*Why is this bad boy smiling so mysteriously?* Lu Yichen thought. Shao Minghan and his gang were always people who played by their own rules. Despite these thoughts, he still replied, "Let's hear it first. If it's something that can be done, naturally I'll handle it."

"I want—the receptionist at the front desk of your building," Shao Minghan said, taking a sip of his coffee. That woman matched his current mood, but she didn't seem particularly interested in him.

"What?" Lu Yichen frowned slightly. Which front desk receptionist? He had zero recollection of her. As for Shao Minghan's request, he found it utterly absurd.

"Don't tell me you're reluctant to part with her?" Shao Minghan laughed playfully, perching himself on the edge of Lu Yichen's desk. "I want your receptionist," he repeated quite seriously.

Seeing that he wasn't joking, Lu Yichen leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and gazed at Shao Minghan.

"It's not about being reluctant, but don't you find this ridiculous? You swim in a sea of women—do you really need to ask me for one? Besides, this isn't ancient times. Even though I'm the boss, nobody signed an indenture of servitude to me. I don't feel I have the authority to decide whether or not I can hand her over to you. If you want her, go pursue her yourself."

This guy's playfulness ran far too deep. At thirty years old, he still played games like this and didn't even feel tired. As for himself—merely twenty-five—he felt as though he had already sold himself to someone. It was a fate fixed since childhood, one that no amount of pulling could ever drag him away from...

"But I'm afraid that later on, you'll accuse me of poaching from your turf. I know this woman isn't someone easily messed with, so when I can't handle her, you, as the CEO, will have to step in and help me out... How about it? This deal is practically a steal for you!" Shao Minghan laughed heartily as he spoke to Lu Yichen.

"Infatuated to the point of losing your mind." That was Lu Yichen's evaluation of him.

"And you? You're not infatuated, you're entirely clueless..."

***

"Tonight, Gathering Fresh Pavilion? Sounds good. My brother is back already? He might just be missing you. Mm-hmm, me too, I miss Yufan as well. I'll head right over as soon as work is finished."

Lin Jinxi held her phone to her ear. It was a call from Xia Yuwei. Lin Chenxi and Yufan were back, and everyone was going out for a meal together.

After hanging up, she noticed someone leaning over the front desk to look at her, which gave her a sudden start.

"During working hours, hmm? Making personal calls..." Shao Minghan smiled at her with his slender eyes. "And here I thought you were such a stickler for company rules..."

Lin Jinxi had a profound impression of this scoundrel. Seeing him suddenly appear before her again and uttering such uninhibited nonsense, she couldn't help feeling annoyed. If she weren't currently on duty, she would have long since... Therefore, she chose to ignore him. Was being handsome such a big deal? Was being wealthy such a big deal? Her ex-husband was also handsome and wealthy, but... he didn't love her.

"How about you invite me to dinner too, and I won't report you? Not a bad idea, right?" Shao Minghan continued to chat her up.

"Get lost!" Lin Jinxi said, pushed beyond her limit, delivering a heavy blow to Shao Minghan's well-satisfied ego. Since it happened to be quitting time, she could finally escape this suffocating annoyance. Packing up her belongings, she ignored him and simply walked away.

Watching Lin Jinxi's receding figure, Shao Minghan pouted and called Lu Yichen.

"Hey, you, get down here and accompany me to... what is it called? Gathering Fresh Pavilion."

***

Gathering Fresh Pavilion, located not far from Xia Yuwei's residence.

Gathering Fresh Pavilion was a popular, casual-style seafood buffet restaurant renowned for its freshness, delicious flavors, and reasonable prices. Supplemented by a wide variety of delicacies and soft drinks, the choices were abundant. By nightfall, it was bustling with lively noise, doing an incredible amount of business. On one side was the sizzling, live-cooking station for seafood; on the other was a relatively quiet dining space. Customers could freely help themselves to food and take it back to the seating area to enjoy.

Xia Yufan loved seafood. Therefore, for many years, Xia Yuwei and Lin Chenxi had enjoyed bringing him to such a vibrant atmosphere for meals.

When Lin Jinxi arrived, she saw the other three already seated at a four-person table waiting for her. Only the seat next to Lin Chenxi remained empty.

"You guys got here so early!" Lin Jinxi said as she walked past Xia Yufan, gently touching his little cheek, before walking over to sit beside her brother.

"We were all idlers today; you're the only busy one," Xia Yuwei smiled. Thanks to her day off, she actually had time to rest a bit. Otherwise, after tossing and turning all night, having to go straight to work the next day would have made for a truly frantic schedule.

"Really? You have the day off today?" Lin Jinxi put her things aside and asked Xia Yuwei casually.

Listening to their conversation, Lin Chenxi frowned slightly and asked Xia Yuwei across the table, "Yuwei, you're working?" Upon hearing this, Xia Yufan also turned his head, looking at his mommy with curious eyes.

"Yeah. Sister Yuwei works as a sales representative at the G.P counter. The pay is quite good, and Sister Yuwei's performance is stellar," Lin Jinxi chimed in eagerly.

"G.P? Is that alcohol?" Lin Chenxi, usually unflappable, looked somewhat surprised. He couldn't understand why, in the half month he had been away, Xia Yuwei had chosen to go into liquor sales. That was worlds away from her major! Had she really just abandoned the two years of jewelry design she had studied?

"Yeah. I don't write novels anymore either. After writing for so many years, I got tired of it," Xia Yuwei said, feigning nonchalance. "It was pure coincidence. I'm very satisfied with my current job. No need to worry about me."

Lin Chenxi smiled faintly.