9 AM the next morning, Ou Teng Group conference room.
“Ou Teng Group’s food sector achieved satisfactory revenue in the first half of the year, though it still fell 0.2 percentage points short of expectations. Recently, Howay Food Company has developed a new industry chain specializing in nutritional meals, repeatedly extending olive branches to Ou Teng Group in hopes of project collaboration for mutual benefit in this sector…”
After the professional finished reporting the relevant information, Liang Xu glanced at the man in the main seat and concluded the meeting.
The man’s expression was cold. Liang Xu tapped the table with his slender fingers, his Danfeng eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re distracted during the meeting. What are you thinking about?”
Lu Xiyan didn’t respond, instead pushing the documents beside him aside and lifting his gaze. “A small company like Howay is insignificant compared to Ou Teng. They want to collaborate because they seek shelter under a big tree, but for Ou Teng to partner with such a small company would be no different from charity.”
His words were merciless, but Liang Xu disagreed. “Howay isn’t exactly a small company anymore. They’ve been deeply involved in the food industry for many years and now have innovative ideas. I actually think it’s worth discussing.”
Lu Xiyan looked at him, his indifferent eyes carrying a hint of disdain. “Last year, the company you thought was ‘worth discussing’ cost Ou Teng over 17 million in losses.”
“That was just a minor loss. Times have changed.” Liang Xu chuckled, opening his computer and clicking through several folders. “Besides, they’re making significant moves now—recruiting extensively and hiring excellent senior nutritionists for the project.”
“Just flashy gestures. Ou Teng doesn’t have the time or energy for such trivial pursuits with small companies.” Lu Xiyan’s words conveyed utter contempt for the other company.
“But their project manager, Sun Liangying, is already on her way to Ou Teng with several senior nutritionists and project proposals.”
Unable to withstand Sun Liangying’s persistent and sincere appeals, Liang Xu tentatively asked Lu Xiyan, “How about we take a look at their proposals before deciding? I’ve heard the people she’s bringing are highly skilled professionals in the country. Have a look.”
With that, he casually clicked the mouse a few times and prepared to hand the computer to Lu Xiyan.
The next moment, he frowned, leaned closer to the screen, and then shut the computer. “Never mind, you’re right. Howay is just playing around—let’s not collaborate for now. I’ll have someone notify Sun Liangying and her team to turn back.”
The person who had just been strongly recommending Howay suddenly vetoed the collaboration.
Where there’s abnormality, there must be a reason.
Lu Xiyan raised his hand, extending his slender fingers. “Hand it over.”
“Nothing worth seeing. They’re not talents—just some newcomers.”
Lu Xiyan didn’t speak, but his gaze at Liang Xu was unwavering and unyielding.
“Fine, fine, here you go.” Liang Xu reluctantly pushed the computer toward Lu Xiyan. “Look, look, look!”
As the file opened, a white-background ID photo appeared before him.
Lu Xiyan’s face instantly turned stern, and he fell silent.
The woman in the photo had fair skin, delicate features, and large, round eyes. The corners of her lips curved perfectly into a proper smile.
Lu Xiyan had once adored that smile of hers.
To make her smile, he would have even been willing to give her his heart.
But now, he only felt it was ironic.
The document clearly stated her personal information.
[An Ning, 28 years old, Senior Nutritionist]
His gaze subconsciously drifted to the marital status column.
[Divorced—Unmarried]
His deep pupils suddenly contracted.
Divorced and unmarried?
“Do you know why I didn’t want you to see this?” Liang Xu snapped the laptop shut. “The moment you see her, you lose your soul.”
“Xiyan,” Liang Xu said with a serious expression, “I’m asking you very seriously—now that An Ning is back, you’re not thinking of rekindling things with her, are you?”
Hearing this, Lu Xiyan let out a short, cold laugh from his chest, his icy gaze fixed on the closed laptop.
“Do you think there’s anything left between us?” He looked up at Liang Xu, a faint, mocking smile at the corner of his eyes.
Liang Xu was momentarily stunned by his expression but quickly composed himself. “As long as you understand.”
He reached out and patted Lu Xiyan’s shoulder. “Xiyan, don’t forget—you’re about to get engaged.”
Lu Xiyan stood up and casually asked, “When are the people from Haowei arriving?”
“You want to meet Sun Liangying and the others?”
“It’s an investment collaboration. Let’s see if they’re qualified.” With that, Lu Xiyan strode out of the conference room.
……
“Let me make this clear—today’s project presentation is crucial.”
Sun Liangying, dressed in a sharp professional suit, addressed the few people she had brought with her in the empty meeting room. “The project proposals I asked you to prepare yesterday are your ticket into Haowei Company.”
Her neatly trimmed bob was impeccably styled, and her bright red lips moved as she spoke. “Whose proposal wins the favor of the Ou Teng Group’s representative will pass this final interview and officially stay at Haowei.”
An Ning sat below, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the documents she had brought.
Before coming, she hadn’t known that Haowei was collaborating with Ou Teng Group.
Nor had she known that the project manager would bring five or six of them to Ou Teng Group.
After being humiliated by him just yesterday, how was she supposed to face him today?
Given how much Lu Xiyan despised her, her project proposal might not even pass.
Was she going to lose the job she had just found?
Sun Liangying scanned the five or six people seated before her. “Before coming, I heard that President Lu of Ou Teng has extremely high standards. You must bring your best attitude and most polished proposals. Understood?”
“Yes!” everyone replied in unison.
The woman below kept her eyes downcast. Dressed simply in a white top and black pants, her hair tied back loosely, she seemed distracted, lost in thought.
The female colleague beside her whispered, “An Ning, are you okay? You don’t look too well.”
The colleague, Li Hui, was a young woman who had graduated just a year ago.
They had met earlier that morning on the way over.
“I’m fine.” An Ning shook her head gently, pushing away the chaotic thoughts in her mind.
“Don’t be too nervous. I’m sure you’ll do great,” Li Hui reassured her. “I saw on your resume this morning that you’ve won several prestigious awards in Jining City. I have the highest hopes for your project presentation today.”
“Thank you,” An Ning replied with a soft smile. “You’re doing great too.”
“You have such a lovely smile—you should smile more often.” Li Hui gazed at her gentle smile, then noticed her lips. “But your lip color is too pale, making you look a bit washed out. Here, I’ll lend you my lipstick. Go to the restroom and touch up.”
Li Hui generously handed her lipstick to An Ning. “We still have some time—hurry, go on.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon,” An Ning said gratefully before quickly heading to the restroom.
……
An Ning had fair skin and had only applied light makeup that morning. Now, the faint color on her lips had faded, making her appear even paler.
She twisted open the lipstick Li Hui had lent her, stood before the restroom mirror, dabbed a bit onto her finger, and carefully applied it to her lips.
With color on her lips, her complexion instantly brightened, giving her a more vibrant look.
She took a deep breath, reassuring herself that even though she was at O’Tang, it didn’t necessarily mean she would run into Lu Xiyan.
He was far too busy—how would he have time to attend their small meeting?
She prayed inwardly not to see Lu Xiyan.
At the very least, not now.
She couldn’t afford to lose this job because of him.
Just as she stepped out of the restroom and was about to head to the meeting room—
“Ding—” The elevator doors in the hallway slid open.
She glanced over and saw a tall, slender figure emerge from the elevator, walking in her direction.
An Ning froze on the spot.
As the saying goes, what you fear most is exactly what comes to pass.