Something feels off.
Meng Xiyue’s expression remained cool and indifferent, but Xia Yuan could tell that something was different.
Work matters? Personal matters?
After a brief moment of thought, she asked directly, “Meng Xiyue, are you unhappy?”
Meng Xiyue’s serene eyes locked onto Xia Yuan, observing her intently.
With her hair pulled up high and long curls framing her face, Xia Yuan’s bright, round eyes made her look youthful and vibrant.
Meng Xiyue remembered that before they left, Xia Yuan’s hair had been down.
So, did she dress up on purpose?
As she leaned in closer, Meng Xiyue caught a faint scent of food on Xia Yuan.
Had she eaten in advance?
Meng Xiyue lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting shadows, recalling that she had messaged Xia Yuan earlier, and it took nearly ten minutes for her to reply.
The message was simple, just a few words:
“Mm, I’ll come find you in a bit.”
She slightly pursed her lips and said, “I had a meeting this morning and drafted three collaboration proposals…”
Xia Yuan was momentarily taken aback, not understanding why Meng Xiyue was reporting her morning schedule in such detail.
After finishing, Meng Xiyue concluded, “That’s my schedule for the morning.”
Xia Yuan blinked, meeting Meng Xiyue’s serious gaze, and suddenly burst into laughter, “Meng Xiyue, do you actually want to know about my schedule?”
With her intention exposed, Meng Xiyue awkwardly averted her gaze, her eyes downcast, and the tips of her ears, hidden in her hair, turned a faint pink. She honestly replied with a soft “Mm,” then quickly added as if to explain, “Sorry, if it’s inconvenient, you can…”
Before she could finish, Xia Yuan collapsed in laughter, her body softening as she leaned onto Meng Xiyue’s lap, tears of joy glistening in her eyes, the corners of her eyes flushed with a rosy hue.
Meng Xiyue hadn’t expected this reaction from Xia Yuan. She looked down at Xia Yuan, who was laughing so hard she could almost roll off her lap. The initial awkwardness and silence melted away in the sound of laughter, and a smile unconsciously crept into her eyes.
After laughing enough, Xia Yuan propped herself up, her face close to Meng Xiyue’s, their breaths intertwining. Under her gaze, Xia Yuan pouted and gently pecked Meng Xiyue’s lips, soothing her jealous yet reserved lover: “Don’t be unhappy, I was busy with important matters this morning.”
“There are specific reasons I can’t tell you for now, but I swear you’ll know soon.”
Meng Xiyue’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked into Xia Yuan’s loving eyes, “Okay.”
……
Assistant Li noticed that Meng Xiyue’s mood had improved again and thought to himself that Miss Xia really had a way of soothing President Meng so quickly.
“President, here is the acquisition plan for Tianyu.” The shareholders’ meeting for Tianyu is the day after tomorrow, and he had revised this plan several times before finalizing it.
Only a few high-level executives at N.S were aware of Meng Xiyue’s intention to acquire Tianyu.
Although Tianyu is not as strong as it once was, its foundational strength is still comparable to any major company. The saying “a skinny camel is bigger than a horse” applies in the business world as well.
Acquiring Tianyu would greatly assist in the upcoming sale of the second-generation system phones. As an established company, Tianyu has a good reputation among the public, and leveraging this will make the release of the second generation smoother than the first.
Meng Xiyue glanced at the acquisition plan prepared by Assistant Li; the overall direction was fine, but there were some details to address.
After listening to Meng Xiyue’s guidance, Assistant Li acknowledged it and added, “President, the Xia family has a new collaboration with the Li family.”
Initially, when Li Ting was the president, he caused a significant mess at Tianyu, and the Xia family neither helped nor sought to benefit from it, seemingly drawing a line while still leaving a backdoor.
Now that the Xia family has a collaboration with the newly established company of the Li family, Assistant Li felt a bit concerned.
After all, Li Ting harbors deep resentment towards their president.
Once he rises again, he will undoubtedly suppress N.S fiercely.
Meng Xiyue responded calmly, “I understand.”
Seeing her composed demeanor, Assistant Li ultimately swallowed his concerns and left the president’s office with the documents.
After thinking for a moment, he turned into Secretary Gao’s office.
Secretary Gao, who was busy working, looked at Assistant Li and asked, “Are you free?”
Assistant Li replied, “…Not really, I’m just a bit worried.”
Secretary Gao: “Hmm?” Meng Xiyue’s mood improved. Secretary Gao had already known about this when he went to deliver documents earlier. Aside from that, he really couldn’t figure out what Assistant Li was worried about.
Assistant Li repeated what he had just said to Meng Xiyue and then added, “Do you think we should prepare ourselves first?”
Secretary Gao adjusted his glasses: “When the strength is comparable, it’s called a rival. He has just started, and considering N.S’s current strength, you and I should know best. Back then, Li Ting couldn’t suppress N.S even with Tianyu’s help. Just based on his newly established company, the future is uncertain. Even if he has great potential, once the second-generation system is released, for at least the next ten years, no domestic company can shake N.S’s position.”
“We could crush him with just a flick of our fingers.”
“You’re being overly anxious.”
Of course, Assistant Li understood all this. “…What about the Xia family?” He actually just wanted to know the Xia family’s stance.
Xia Yuan and Meng Xiyue were a couple, so in theory, N.S and the Xia family had a marriage-like relationship. Moreover, not long ago, N.S signed a big contract with the Xia family. If the Xia family supported the Li family, it would affect the relationship between both parties.
Secretary Gao remained calm: “Business is business, and personal matters are personal. The president distinguishes them clearly, and we should too.”
“Also, the Xia family only helped Li Ting once; you don’t need to worry so much about it.”
“The president of the Xia family isn’t foolish; how could they possibly go against N.S?”
Assistant Li sighed: “I know all this, but I just don’t feel secure.”
Secretary Gao glanced at him: “Once we acquire Tianyu the day after tomorrow, you’ll feel secure.”
Assistant Li suddenly remembered the plan he needed to revise and hurriedly got to work, not caring about anything else. If he was late, he would have to work overtime.
…
After what happened in the morning, Xia Yuan was more serious when learning cooking skills in the afternoon. Although she wanted to surprise Meng Xiyue, she also didn’t want to keep it from him for too long.
Seeing her so focused, Cui Manman taught her even more meticulously. Zhong Le and Lin Qi learned alongside her, merely serving as background support.
Noticing Xia Yuan’s serious expression, Zhong Le said to Lin Qi, “Don’t you think Sister Xia seems a bit impatient?”
Lin Qi nodded: “Yes, a little.”
Zhong Le didn’t quite understand; cooking required patience and attention to detail. If you rushed, mistakes were likely to happen.
As soon as she thought of it, she saw Xia Yuan’s delicate hand get splashed by the hot oil.
She and Lin Qi hurried over, “Sister Xia, are you okay?”
Xia Yuan blew on the reddened back of her hand, and Cui Manman handed her the prepared ointment, softly saying, “Miss Xia, you were too hasty.”
After applying the ointment on her hand, it felt cool and soothing, and it didn’t hurt. Xia Yuan said, half sweetly and half amused, “I just wanted to hurry, I didn’t want her to be unhappy.”
The “her” she referred to was naturally Meng Xiyue.
Cui Manman was momentarily at a loss for words; she had gone through a similar experience, so she understood Xia Yuan very well. She could only share some kitchen tips to help Xia Yuan and her lover get closer sooner.
