Chapter 693 - 696: Xishi
Chapter 693: Chapter 696: Xishi
Ning Guangyao hurriedly tucked the photo back into his pocket and, with a somewhat rushed smile, said, "Oh, Cuishan, I'm here."
Luo Cuishan gently pushed open the door, carrying a cup of tea. She smiled warmly at Ning Guangyao and said, "As soon as you get home, you lock yourself in the study. Aren't you tired after a whole day at work? Have some American ginseng tea. I've noticed you've been getting heaty these past few days."
Ning Guangyao felt a flash of gratitude in his eyes as he accepted the tea, "You've had a tiring day at work too, yet you still take care of me. It's hard on you."
Luo Cuishan shook her head with a smile, and her gaze fell on the computer screen on Ning Guangyao's desk, making her pause slightly.
Ning Guangyao took a sip of the ginseng tea and, noticing Luo Cuishan's gaze fixed on the computer screen, felt a bit awkward. He quickly changed the subject, "By the way, is Guodong still refusing to come back?"
"Yes," Luo Cuishan replied with a helpless smile, "That child is really stubborn. You're his father, after all. We only have one son. No matter what, you should give him a way out sometimes."
"Hmph, to achieve great things, one must be able to endure. If he can't handle setbacks now, how can he take over the Ning family in the future? When I was his age, I didn't have it nearly as easy as he does. He's a full-fledged official at his age and still isn't satisfied. He's too spoiled, thinking everyone should yield to him! He doesn't even realize the Yang family is not to be trifled with!" Ning Guangyao said angrily.
Luo Cuishan silently nodded, "Indeed, ever since Father passed away, we may hold the highest position, but we still can't confront the Yang and Li families head-on."
Ning Guangyao sighed, "Anyway, try to persuade him. If he still doesn't yield, I might consider sending him to get some training elsewhere!"
Luo Cuishan was taken aback and exclaimed, "Send him out of town? Is that necessary? Those who go out of town are just trying to build a resume, which our Ning family doesn't need. There's no better place than Yanjing to train someone. Guangyao, don't be hasty. Although Guodong may be immature sometimes, his work is fine!"
Ning Guangyao made a noncommittal noise and didn't argue with his wife.
Luo Cuishan's expression changed several times before she suddenly asked softly, "Are you worried about Xue Zijin's daughter?"
Ning Guangyao's hand holding the teacup trembled, almost spilling the tea. He looked at Luo Cuishan in surprise, "How did you—?"
Luo Cuishan smiled bitterly, "It's not like I don't know you had a past with Xue Zijin. There's nothing strange about that. But since she married into the Lin family and had Lin Ruoxi, and we had our child and settled down, I didn't say anything."
Ning Guangyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled guiltily, "After all, she's the daughter of an old friend, and since her parents are both gone, I naturally feel some pity for the child. Besides, Yu Lei International is indeed a critical part of the Huinan region's economic chain. I hope they can get through this crisis."
A flicker of coldness flashed in Luo Cuishan's eyes but quickly disappeared. She raised her head and said softly, "You're busy with work, so put these matters aside for now. I happen to have some business to attend to in Zhonghai in the next few days. I can help Yu Lei smooth things over on your behalf. If no one supervises those people, they'll just go through the motions. It's better if I go and take a look."
"Really?" Ning Guangyao found it hard to believe.
Luo Cuishan rolled her eyes at him, "Do you think I'd hate Xue Zijin's daughter just because you had a past with her mother? Children are innocent. I'm thinking about the national economy too."
Ning Guangyao was deeply moved and stepped forward, tightly holding his wife's hands, "Through all the storms we've weathered over the years, I've always been grateful. I never expected your heart to be even more generous than I imagined. I, as your husband, am not as good as you, Cuishan. Honestly, I was worried you'd be unhappy seeing me care about that child. I've wronged you. I'm really grateful you're willing to help me."
Luo Cuishan shook her head and smiled sincerely, "To me, as long as I can help you, nothing else matters."
Ning Guangyao looked deeply at his wife, his eyes moist with emotion, and finally hugged her tightly.
Meanwhile, in Zhonghai, the Yu Lei International building was brightly lit.
It was already early morning, but no one in the building had left for home.
Many employees on break had voluntarily returned to work, taking turns at their computers, allowing some to get food and water.
Following Lin Ruoxi's instructions, the company accountants purchased small amounts of stocks every few minutes. Other departments worked hard to appease partners and pull in as many organizations as possible.
In the command conference room, Liu Mingyu, who had returned to the company, was closely discussing matters with several other department executives. Meanwhile, Lin Ruoxi remained seated, staring at the data on her monitor, seemingly lost in thought.
At this moment, the door to the conference room opened, and a spicy aroma wafted in. Everyone in the room turned to look at the door.
"Haha, you all have quite the noses," Yang Chen cheerfully walked in, carrying several large bags, and placed them on the conference table, directly pressing down on some documents underneath.
Previously, someone might have been annoyed by Yang Chen's casual and interruptive behavior. However, with his new status as the president's husband, no one dared to question him.
"Director Yang, what's all this?" one executive asked.
Lin Ruoxi turned her cold gaze to Yang Chen as well.
"What else could it be? It's supper," Yang Chen said, pulling out various snacks from the bags: spicy hotpot, stir-fried rice cakes, fried pork, and an assortment of other night market foods, which he placed on the table.
The staff, who had not had a proper dinner and had been working until the early morning, couldn't help but feel their mouths water at the sight of these snacks, which they usually wouldn't even glance at.
However, everyone still looked towards Lin Ruoxi first.
Lin Ruoxi lightly nodded, "Don't look at me, go ahead and eat."
The staff cheered and quickly grabbed their share, starting to eat in the conference room.
Yang Chen handed a bowl of beef noodles to Liu Mingyu and then brought a few skewers of lamb to Lin Ruoxi's mouth, "Here, open up!"
Lin Ruoxi frowned slightly and whispered, "Why does Mingyu get beef noodles, and I only get lamb skewers?"
Although she whispered, Liu Mingyu, who was sitting closest, still heard it. She noticed that she was the only one with beef noodles and pretended not to hear anything, lowering her head to eat.
Yang Chen chuckled awkwardly and leaned close to Lin Ruoxi's ear, "Mingyu will have her father to take care of her in the future. Even if she doesn't work at Yu Lei, she'll still live well. You, on the other hand, if you're not the president anymore, you'll have to sell lamb skewers with me. You should get used to the taste now; I specially grilled these myself after borrowing a stall!"
Hearing this, Lin Ruoxi turned her head in embarrassment and glared at him, "Is it funny to make such jokes? I don't need to get used to it!"
Yang Chen shrugged, "Alright, if you don't want to eat, I'll give the lamb skewers to Mingyu. Such a waste of my effort."
Lin Ruoxi immediately retorted, "No! I haven't had dinner either."
"You said you didn't need to get used to it, wife. You can't be so fickle," Yang Chen said innocently.
"Women are naturally fickle. Can't I just fill my stomach?" Lin Ruoxi stopped arguing and took the lamb skewers from Yang Chen's hand, biting into them.
The executives continued eating their supper while whispering among themselves. Despite the company's crisis, seeing Lin Ruoxi eat lamb skewers was indeed a novel sight.
Yang Chen placed the remaining skewers, about twenty in total, in front of Lin Ruoxi and turned to the others, "No one is allowed to steal my wife's lamb skewers! If I find out, I'll kick them off the rooftop!"
"Ah? Yes, sir!"
The executives were amused but agreed, knowing they wouldn't dare to compete with Lin Ruoxi for food anyway.
Lin Ruoxi kicked Yang Chen's shin, her face turning red like an apple. What kind of person is this!
Yang Chen laughed heartily, showing no embarrassment, and started to leave with the remaining bags.
Lin Ruoxi asked, "Are you going to Qian Ni's place?"
Yang Chen paused, turned around with a fawning smile, "Wife, you're so wise and insightful."
"Hmph," Lin Ruoxi snorted disdainfully, "You really won't leave anyone out, will you?"
Yang Chen sighed, "I can't help it. I'm too busy. After delivering to Qian Ni, I still have to take some to Anxin."
"Anxin?" This time, Liu Mingyu was curious. She wiped her mouth and asked, "Anxin is still at the company?"
"Of course!" Yang Chen said proudly, "If Anxin didn't help me hold the fort, how could I be so free to deliver supper?! It's called division of labor!"
"I think you're just finding ways to slack off," Lin Ruoxi said, biting into a lamb skewer, not wanting to look at this shameless man any longer.
At that moment, Yang Chen suddenly moved closer to Lin Ruoxi and planted a loud kiss on her cheek!
The entire conference room was stunned!
Lin Ruoxi was also a bit dazed. She instinctively touched her still-wet cheek and almost screamed. She had been kissed in front of so many people!
Yang Chen blinked and said, "No matter what happens, relax. No matter how big the problem, I'll handle it."
Lin Ruoxi looked at him affectionately, lost in his gaze for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Don't worry about anything! In ancient times, there was Tofu Xishi; worst-case scenario, we'll sell lamb skewers and be the Lamb Skewer Xishi!" Yang Chen said, patting his chest.
Feeling a wave of warmth just moments ago, Lin Ruoxi now gritted her teeth at his words, "Get lost!"
Yang Chen quickly ran out, waving to everyone in the conference room, causing them all to roll their eyes.
Liu Mingyu suppressed her laughter, ate a few more bites of noodles, and then remembered something. She turned to Lin Ruoxi, "President Lin, if I remember correctly, there's a bidding meeting for the development project in Bianzhou tomorrow. We've prepared projects worth billions, but now that our cards are all exposed, should we still go to the bidding?"
Hearing about work, Lin Ruoxi immediately became serious and said without hesitation, "Of course we should go. But I will send others; you stay at the headquarters to oversee the public relations department."
"President Lin, this isn't right," another executive quickly said, "Our stock price has already dropped by more than thirty percent! Going to bid on such a large project now, especially when our competitors are prepared, is asking for trouble!"
"Yes, President Lin, this will only make things worse!"
Lin Ruoxi, displeased, said, "I know that. But if we don't go, outsiders will think we've given up completely, and our employees will lose all confidence."
Everyone, although thinking it was unwise, couldn't deny it made sense. Losing morale was indeed the most terrifying outcome.
At that moment, a temporary assistant rushed into the conference room, panicked, "President Lin, it's not good! Several major shareholders are demanding an emergency meeting to replace the CEO! Otherwise, they'll sell their shares at a low price!"