Chapter 36
Before Yu Congyan could confidently list the reasons why Xia Wansheng would choose him, Assistant Zhong returned.
And he wore a triumphant expression, as if he had secured a promotion and a raise.
Yu Congyan was puzzled but respectful.
Assistant Zhong, having arranged everything, felt like a matchmaker, pushing the plot forward by at least ten chapters.
The others were still waiting for Yu Congyan’s decision. The representative asked again: “CEO Yu, this is a rare opportunity, should we act now or stick to the original plan and start next year?”
Although the opportunity was indeed rare, the investment decision ultimately rested with Yu Congyan.
“Move forward, act quickly and aim to finish by the end of the year.” Yu Congyan made a decisive decision.
The original plan was just a rough outline based on the plot. Now, with his intervention, the plot had deviated, it was better to separate and end things sooner.
He could also get his answer sooner.
The meeting concluded, and the others filed out. Yu Congyan turned his head and looked towards the building not far away.
“CEO Yu, Mr. Xia came to deliver homemade desserts for you, he’s currently in the lounge.” Assistant Zhong hurriedly reported, emphasizing “homemade.”
“！！！” Yu Congyan wondered if he had misheard.
Based on his recent understanding of Xia Wansheng, he wasn’t the type to personally deliver things to his company.
Having it delivered would already be considered thoughtful.
Why the sudden change now?
And last time, it was store-bought cookies. This similar situation made Yu Congyan have a strange premonition.
He immediately stood up, he needed to confirm whether things were still under his control.
Xia Wansheng was in the comfortable lounge, sipping hot tea and scrolling through his phone. The weather forecast predicted heavy rain in City A later.
He didn’t like rainy days. He would often forget his umbrella and get drenched on his way back to his rented apartment, sometimes catching a cold, which usually meant working while sick, enduring his boss’s insincere concern.
Now, feeling the comfortable air conditioning and sipping hot tea, anticipating a warm dinner later, Xia Wansheng felt incredibly content.
Just as he was wondering if he could sneak a bite of the pudding without being noticed, he saw Yu Congyan enter.
He almost spilled his tea in surprise.
“Ah, I came to deliver something, I’ll be going now.” Xia Wansheng stood up, preparing to leave.
Although he failed to escape downstairs, he hadn’t given up on steering the plot back on track.
But Yu Congyan seemed to ignore his words, scanning the room, his gaze finally landing on his slightly damp hair.
“It’s raining, why didn’t you bring an umbrella?” Yu Congyan asked.
Then he went out and spoke to Assistant Zhong, returning shortly after with a fresh towel.
“It’s fine, it’s not raining heavily, I won’t catch a cold.” Xia Wansheng was confident in his immune system.
But he still took the towel, feeling its soft texture.
The soufflé looked quite good. Xia Wansheng explained: “I’ve made a few before, but they weren’t as presentable.”
He used to bake for his roommates, making desserts wasn’t a big deal for him.
But this was a first for Yu Congyan.
Yu Congyan didn’t want to ruin the soufflé’s perfect form, but under Xia Wansheng’s expectant gaze, he took a small bite. It had a rich, milky flavor.
Unlike the previous store-bought cookies, this was freshly baked.
“You don’t have to force yourself if it doesn’t taste good, I was just experimenting, I’m not sure if I added too much sugar…”
Xia Wansheng was waiting for his feedback, worried he had created a culinary disaster when Yu Congyan didn’t respond.
“Just the right sweetness.” Yu Congyan shook his head.
The office gossip hub was buzzing with new developments.
“Oh my god, I finally succeeded in playing Cupid! You know, the boss has never been this nice to anyone!” Qin Sui exclaimed.
She returned to her post after seeing Xia Wansheng off, thinking she had to add a bold stroke to his name in her relationship network.
“I don’t know if it’s just me, but CEO Yu seems to be in a much better mood today, even the atmosphere feels warmer.” A newcomer in the CEO’s office commented.
“That’s because he just increased the AC temperature by one degree.” A colleague shattered the illusion with a blunt explanation.
Everyone wanted to eavesdrop but didn’t dare. After all, it was gossip about the CEO, risky regardless of its truthfulness. But it was almost closing time, and everyone took the opportunity to listen in.
Although they couldn’t see what was happening inside, judging by the few details they had, there must be a hidden story.
Assistant Zhong looked at the department manager who had come upstairs specifically and teased: “I thought your office was downstairs, why did the elevator bring you up?”
“What are you talking about? I heard them discussing it before I left, is our CEO finally achieving a work-life balance?”
“That would be wonderful, if he continues working like this, he’ll be the most diligent employee of the year.” the department manager sighed.
He had just heard from the office gossip king that the CEO, upon hearing the visitor’s name, immediately went to his office, seemingly in a good mood.
The department manager was naturally curious; understanding the boss’s actions was the first step to understanding his thoughts.
“Don’t get ahead of yourselves, maybe our CEO is the type who becomes even more motivated after starting a family.” Assistant Zhong pushed his glasses up mysteriously.
He was the first to observe the CEO’s relationship development, this could determine his status in the office gossip hierarchy for months.
Qin Sui was describing the scene in the office gossip group:
The young man, running through the drizzling rain, his hair slightly damp, eager to have his beloved be the first to taste his homemade dessert, but not wanting to disturb him, only intending to drop it off downstairs.
“So sweet, you always run to see the one you love!”
“Just a small dose of wishful thinking, I hope the boss shifts some of his attention to his family, I’m afraid of being laid off if he continues working like this.”
Most people didn’t know who Xia Wansheng was, but a few employees happened to see him, You Li was one of them.
“I was there!! The meeting rooms were full, so our department had to hold our regular meeting downstairs. I was staring out the window,” You Li replied excitedly in the group,
“Then I suddenly saw a very handsome young man walk in. I didn’t recognize him at first, but now I remember, it was Xia Wansheng from that music variety show! The one our company invested in!”
Everyone’s memories clicked into place. So the rumors were true, the boss had taken action to address the gossip, to assert his claim!
Inside the lounge, the two were still sipping tea, but Xia Wansheng was eager to leave.
“Is there anything else? I’ll be going then?” Xia Wansheng asked politely.
He was eager to get off work.
“I have a friend, he…” Yu Congyan, hearing this, looked at him intently, then finally asked,
“If he went bankrupt because of a bad decision, would you leave him?”
Xia Wansheng: ???
What did his friend’s bankruptcy have to do with him?
But Yu Congyan seemed to be serious, the atmosphere becoming tense, as if the answer to this question was truly important to him.
Xia Wansheng considered it seriously, then shook his head:
“As long as he doesn’t abandon me, I won’t leave.”
He hadn’t come to this world for anyone else, and besides, the protagonist’s halo wasn’t just for show. “A just cause enjoys abundant support” was the motto of every Long Aotian protagonist.
“And if things really get that bad, I can teach you how to survive on twenty yuan a week.” Xia Wansheng said proudly, lifting his chin.
