The bustling vibrancy of Chenghai rivaled that of Beijing. This coastal city, with its unique charm, captivated many, keeping them enchanted and reluctant to leave. Xiao Yufan, however, knew deep down that this place was never meant to be his.
Xingyao Electronics was a highly renowned company in Chenghai, its tangible assets likely reaching an astonishing level. Xiao Yufan understood, though, that this company—owned by Qin Menglu’s father—was already on the verge of being hollowed out by those with ulterior motives.
Standing before the grand building, it was hard for Xiao Yufan to imagine that such a massive company could suffer such a glaring financial mishap. It must have been either a careless oversight or the result of covert manipulation behind the scenes. He knew he still had much to learn about the ruthless world of business.
As he stepped into the company, no one stopped him. It wasn’t surprising, considering his attire now exuded the aura of a successful man, a stark contrast to his previous appearance.
“Can you tell me where the chairman’s office is?”
Xiao Yufan approached the front desk. The two receptionists’ eyes immediately sparkled with admiration. Having met countless people, they could usually judge someone’s status and character just by their demeanor.
“It’s on the 13th floor…”
They both answered simultaneously, and only after their voices faded did they realize how flustered they had sounded. Xiao Yufan simply flashed a cool smile before turning to leave.
“He was so handsome! I wish I could have a husband like him!”
One of them gazed at Xiao Yufan’s retreating figure, sighing dreamily. As receptionists, they had always longed for a beautiful encounter like this.
“Hey, what are you two chatting about?”
Just as they were talking, a light and lively voice interrupted. Had Xiao Yufan not already stepped into the elevator, he would have recognized it instantly—it belonged to none other than Qin Menglu herself.
“Someone came looking for the chairman, and we… were just showing him the way…”
Seeing Qin Menglu’s beautiful face, the two receptionists grew instantly nervous. The person standing before them was the company’s little princess, known for her mischievous and unpredictable nature. Many had suffered her pranks before.
“Looking for Father? Who was it?” Qin Menglu paused, puzzled. She knew perfectly well that at this critical moment for the company, there shouldn’t be any unexpected visitors. After all, when a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when a wall crumbles, everyone pushes it down.
Only after Qin Menglu spoke did the two receptionists realize they had been so caught up in their infatuation that they had completely forgotten to register the visitor or make an appointment.
“We… got a little distracted and forgot to register him. But he seemed like he had something really important to discuss…”
They felt a chill of anxiety run through them, fearing the little princess might fly into a rage. It was clear how deeply feared Qin Menglu was within the company.
“It’s okay, you two go on with your work. But don’t be so careless next time!”
Her fair face lit up with two charming dimples as she spoke. To their surprise, Qin Menglu remained unusually calm. It was as if the little princess had returned from a trip and transformed into a completely different person.
Of course, Xiao Yufan remained unaware of what happened afterward. His goal was clear—he headed straight for the chairman’s office on the 13th floor. He wanted to see for himself what kind of person this somewhat legendary entrepreneur really was.
He hesitated for a long time outside the door before finally knocking gently. Having come this far, he couldn’t afford to back down now. Thinking of Qin Menglu’s delicate, slightly pouting expression, he felt that whatever he was about to do was worth it.
“Come in…” A rough voice came after the third knock. Just two words, yet they carried an unmistakable tone of exhaustion.
Pushing the door open, their eyes met instantly. Xiao Yufan remained composed, but the middle-aged man frowned. He was already burdened with troubles and had no patience for idle chatter with a stranger.
“Is there something you need? Did you get lost?”
The man tapped his pen against the desk, staring directly at Xiao Yufan. Though he had no desire to talk, curiosity prompted him to speak first. There was something unusual about this young man.
“If you’re the chairman, then I must have come to the right place. But I didn’t come for you. If it weren’t for Menglu, I wouldn’t even bother getting involved in this mess…”
Xiao Yufan replied with a faint smile. He hadn’t expected the man’s temperament to be so sharp. Dealing with someone like him wouldn’t be easy, but Xiao Yufan’s own rebellious streak was now fully ignited.
“What’s your relationship with Menglu?” The middle-aged man’s gaze turned colder. Qin Menglu rarely interacted with outsiders, and he couldn’t recall her having any friends. The way Xiao Yufan spoke suggested a deep connection, which unsettled him.
“We’re in a romantic relationship. You want to marry off my girl to someone else, so how can I possibly stand aside?”
Xiao Yufan’s tone carried no respect for this neglectful father. If it weren’t for Menglu, he wouldn’t have hesitated to provoke conflict. Even his current calmness was a stretch for him.
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