Volume 1 Chapter 14: Choice
“Mr. Li, all the information about the chefs you previously looked for is here.” The assistant placed the documents in front of Li Xuzhou and picked out one of them: “This candidate has the most impressive resume. He previously worked as the head chef at a Michelin three-star restaurant in Italy and has also cooked for many major national events.”
Li Xuzhou carefully reviewed the information of these candidates and pulled out one: “Let’s go with this person, three days a week, with flexible scheduling.” He quickly made the decision and took the opportunity to sign several documents.
Seeing that he had selected the candidate with the best resume, the assistant pointed at that resume and asked: “He is currently working in the new media industry and noted that filming is required during cooking, with the camera only placed in the kitchen.”
Li Xuzhou reviewed the document’s contents and, upon hearing this, didn’t pay much attention, nodding in agreement.
“Please reconfirm the flight tickets to Germany for this Wednesday, upgrade the seats for the six accompanying staff, and keep the hotel as originally arranged.”
The assistant noted it down and, after arranging the schedule, said: “Mr. Li, the situation at the German branch is quite serious. We’ve already arranged for your personal belongings to be shipped over, but only prepared for three months for now.”
Li Xuzhou said calmly: “Hmm, two months will be enough. The German board isn’t very stable, just give them a warning. The rest will require a revote, let them sort it out themselves.”
The assistant understood that he wanted to resolve things quickly. Recalling that Mr. Li had previously asked him to purchase women’s clothing, he seemed to realize something.
In the past, business trips would last at least four months. Once, he visited sixteen countries in four months, and Li Xuzhou was busy the entire time, yet all projects were completed perfectly with a highly professional attitude, making the accompanying staff feel embarrassed to complain about being tired.
Who would have thought that Mr. Li would also have a day when he misses home.
The assistant quietly pushed the door open and left, contacting the chef Li Xuzhou had just decided on—Jin Mu.
Due to the generous compensation, which was three times what Jin Mu had earned at the Michelin restaurant, he quickly agreed to come to the Li Residence every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
After signing a contract of over sixty pages, it was finally settled.
Ruan Yu hadn’t seen Li Xuzhou for many days. He was extremely busy, only returning late at night, and sometimes she could only see the exhaust fumes of the Bentley in the morning.
That evening, everyone in the Li Residence gathered at the dining table. This was the first time the girls had dined together with the three members of the Li family since arriving at the Li Residence.
Ruan Yu kept her head down while eating, occasionally glancing at Li Xuzhou out of the corner of her eye.
During this time, Li Xuzhou’s mother had come to understand Ruan Yu’s actual appetite. Li Xuzhou had also informed her of Doctor Li’s diagnosis and advice, asking her not to be overly enthusiastic and reveal his feelings.
Li Xuzhou’s mother readily agreed to her son’s request, but the moment she saw Ruan Yu, she completely forgot about it.
How could she restrain her affection for such a beautiful daughter-in-law… future daughter-in-law?
She asked kindly: “Xiao Yu, is this enough? I saw the kitchen also prepared sea bass. Should I have them bring you five plates?”
Ruan Yu was focused on eating when the sudden question startled her, causing her to choke on her soup. She quickly turned away to cough, taking a full minute to catch her breath, her small face flushed red from lack of oxygen.
Li Xuzhou frowned, his expression turning colder.
She wiped her mouth: “Thank you, Auntie, three plates will be enough.” She didn’t hold back either, her straightforward manner making her particularly likable.
Li Xuzhou’s mother smiled even more warmly and was about to speak again when Li Xuzhou stopped her: “Mom, your soup is getting cold.”
Mother Li rolled her eyes, ignoring her own son, and deliberately shifted her attention to the other three girls.
Li Xuzhou finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued eating in silence.
Guan Man quietly observed Li Xuzhou’s reaction, and her heart sank at the sight. She had liked him for over a decade and had seen many sides of him.
But Li Xuzhou had never paid such close attention to anyone before.
People often assumed that someone like Li Xuzhou, with endless wealth and supreme status, would be lost in the glamour and temptations of the world.
Yet they didn’t know that the real Li Xuzhou stood apart from worldly affairs.
Guan Man lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes.
It really wasn’t fair… But when it came to feelings, what was truly necessary?
She would just look at him one more time, just one more glance.
Guan Man thought she should probably give up.
But how could she let go of over a decade of feelings so easily?
It was like rubbing a wound with a dull blade—the pain was suffocating.
Guan Man wiped away her tears. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to show vulnerability in front of others. No matter how turbulent her emotions were inside, she remained elegant and composed on the surface.
Li Xuzhou set down his utensils and said to Mother Li and Father Li, “I’m flying to Germany on Wednesday and should be back in about two months.”
His deep voice carried clearly across the dining table.
Ruan Yu paused her meal and glanced at him, feeling somewhat defeated.
Since their last encounter in the garden eating donuts, she hadn’t seen Li Xuzhou much, and they had barely spoken.
Her plan to charm him hadn’t even begun before it was about to end.
The other girls also set down their utensils and looked at Li Xuzhou. Guan Man said gently, “Brother Li… Xuzhou, I wish you a smooth work trip.” She no longer called him “Brother Li” as before; her current address was intimate yet appropriate.
Li Xuzhou nodded.
Yuan Lele simply glanced at Li Xuzhou with a playful smile, unconcerned about where he was going. Silently, she thought to herself, It’s better if he stays away longer. He’s so serious and stern every day—it’s terrifying.
Just as Li Xuzhou was about to leave, Chen Zi called out to him.
“President Li, could we discuss the cooperation for the Xiangshan project?” Chen Zi stood up, her expression equally serious, and took out a prepared project proposal from her side.
Li Xuzhou replied calmly, “The Xiangshan project has been postponed until next year due to conflicts with other projects.”
In truth, he had postponed it while investigating Ruan Yu. The harm Ruan Yu suffered was closely tied to the Ruan family, and the Ruan Group was among the competitors for the Xiangshan project. Delaying it was the best way to uncover the truth.
“If you’re interested, Miss Chen, you can take over the Jinshi Tower project. You can discuss the details with my assistant.” Li Xuzhou’s next words reassured Chen Zi.
She nodded and returned to her room to contact his assistant.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
After Li Xuzhou left, everyone relaxed, and Mother Li became even less restrained.
“Xiao Yu, what else would you like to eat? Let the kitchen prepare some more desserts.”
“Manman, Lele, would you like another serving?”
In the end, Father Li smilingly coaxed his wife upstairs.
Seeing that Guan Man had something to say, Yuan Lele also returned to her room first.
Only Ruan Yu and Guan Man remained in the dining room.
Guan Man placed smoked ham on a slice of baguette and handed it to Ruan Yu, resting her chin on her hand with a gentle smile.
Ruan Yu let out a puzzled “Hmm?”
Guan Man had noticed Li Xuzhou’s restraint toward Ruan Yu but didn’t elaborate. Instead, she hinted meaningfully, “Eat more. Tall men can be quite exhausting.”
Ruan Yu nodded in agreement. Indeed, it was tiring to have to stand on tiptoes to kiss and to wrap her legs around his waist.
“Ding~”
They clinked glasses, reaching a consensus on the matter. The previous unpleasantness vanished like smoke.
Men were just men—how could they compare to the preciousness of beautiful friends?