Chapter 9
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
After being stunned for a few seconds, Lu Chuiqing quickly shakes his head, “How can I trouble you? It is very convenient for me to take a taxi anyway, so there is no need at all!”
“I am staying at the Imperial Garden Hotel (皇城花å›é…’店), it is on the way.” Using his expression to indicate that the other customers are waiting to get down through the elevator, Xiao Zhan says, “Come, get in.”
Seeing that everyone in the elevator is waiting for him, Lu Chuiqing can only pull his luggage along and enters the elevator, following Xiao Zhan to the car park, muddleheaded.
A commercial car is already waiting at the car park. A forty-something years old driver alights the car and greets Xiao Zhan. Feeling awkward, Lu Chuiqing stands at the same spot with his luggage and insists, “CEO Xiao, there really is no need.”
Xiao Zhan gets into the car, “It’s alright, come in.”
Despite Xiao Zhan’s seemingly indifferent demeanour and light speaking tone, there is a subtle and ineffable sense of certainty in his words. Lu Chuiqing’s heart skips a beat, he can only do as he is asked. Lu Chuiqing places his luggage neatly and boards the car, thanking Xiao Zhan gratefully but nervously.
Lu Chuiqing feels as if he is sitting on pins and needles throughout the journey. Even the comfortable leather seats feel like those small stools he was made to sit on as punishment when he was a kid, he cannot relax.
Lu Chuiqing feels extremely awkward. He wants to relax too, but this is not his car after all. On top of that, Lu Chuiqing’s boss’s nephew, who is also a CEO himself, is sitting right beside him. Fearing that any slight relaxation of his posture would seem complacent or undisciplined to the other party, there is not a single moment Lu Chuiqing dares to relax.
Lu Chuiqing cannot help but complain in his heart. Based on their actual age, Xiao Zhan is not that much older than he is. If they are both in school, their age is close enough to be putting their arms around each other, like a pair of close seniors and juniors. But why is it that when it comes to Xiao Zhan here, Lu Chuiqing’s aura falls short by this much in comparison?
But if the car accident did not happen then, what would he be doing at Xiao Zhan’s current age?
He would be waiting for Chen Yuan to come home every day while taking care of their child. Chen Yuan loved kids and he did mention wanting at least two children. Once their first child gets to elementary school and can almost be independent, he would be preparing for their second child.
Lu Chuiqing looks at the passing streets and tall buildings outside the window and lets out a deep sigh.
After half an hour, the car finally arrives at Jin Tai Commercial Hotel. Lu Chuiqing carries his luggage down from the car boot, walks back to the window, bends down and says to Xiao Zhan, “CEO Xiao, thank you very much for giving me a lift. Do you have some free time tonight? I would like to treat you to dinner to show my gratitude.”
Having gotten a lift from your boss, it is only courteous to express your gratitude. Naturally, it is good if Xiao Zhan is to accept Lu Chuiqing’s invitation, but even if not, there is nothing to lose, as his feelings of gratitude would still be conveyed either way.
Xiao Zhan, who was writing something on his tablet, smiles lightly and answers when he hears Lu Chuiqing’s invitation, “Sure.”
Lu Chuiqing thinks that perhaps, Xiao Zhan only looks cold on the outside but is surprisingly a pretty good boss who is not only willing to give Lu Chuiqing a lift on his way but also does the honours of accepting a dinner invitation from a small researcher like himself.
Lu Chuiqing notes down Xiao Zhan’s driver’s contact details and bids Xiao Zhan farewell, “Please take care, CEO Xiao.”
As the commercial car drives away, Xiao Zhan takes out his mobile, finds a contact under the saved name “Run Tian’s Manager Wu” and dials.
The line is picked up very quickly on the other side, a voice filled with enthusiasm and respect can be heard, “Hello, CEO Xiao. How are you?”
“Hello, Manager Wu. There will be a researcher from my uncle’s office who will be visiting your company to do on-site research in the next few days. Please arrange someone to receive him on that day.”
“Of course, that is no problem at all. Mr Lu, is it? I will make the arrangements immediately, please leave it to me.”
Once in the hotel, Lu Chuiqing takes a nap before making his trip to his first destination, Jia Yue Purchase.
The research went extremely smoothly, Lu Chuiqing also got his hands on some important primary data. He stays at Jia Yue Purchase until about five in the evening. Lu Chuiqing even asks the employees there for recommendations of good restaurants near the area before he leaves.
Li Chuiqing also specially asked Xiao Zhan’s driver about his preference, whether he drinks or smokes and if he does, what types and brands. As a subordinate treating your boss to a meal, these are basic things you need to make inquiries about, it is not appropriate to wait for the boss to tell you himself.
At last, Lu Chuiqing books a table at a restaurant and asks the driver to send Xiao Zhan over during his usual dinner time.
Little did he know, whatever Lu Chuiqing asked the driver was reported back to Xiao Zhan.
This is, however, not specific to Lu Chuiqing. There are indeed people who would try to get information about Xiao Zhan from the driver, including private information. This is the reason why the driver would always report back to Xiao Zhan regarding what others have asked about him, this is one of the responsibilities of Xiao Zhan’s driver.
After listening to the driver’s report, Xiao Zhan merely nods, leans back slightly on his chair, a light and deep laugh escaping his lips.
At about six in the evening, Xiao Zhan arrives at the restaurant booked by Lu Chuiqing. It is a Chinese restaurant with a very traditional but graceful and delicate design. The restaurant is considerably popular in this city, which is, coincidentally, a restaurant Xiao Zhan often patronises whenever he is in City D.
Lu Chuiqing is waiting at the entrance. He has even changed especially for the occasion, the effort to look presentable is evident.
After mentally preparing himself, Lu Chuiqing is no longer overly nervous when spending time alone with Xiao Zhan. After being seated, Lu Chuiqing says, easy-mannered, “CEO Xiao, the employees from Jia Yue Purchase recommended this restaurant, so I took the initiative and booked a table here, I hope you don’t mind.”
Xiao Zhan replies, “It’s pretty good, I have been here before.”
“Really?” Lu Chuiqing smiles, “I am glad you like it.”
Probably because Lu Chuiqing has only just freshly graduated from university, he is surrounded by the scent of youthfulness, especially when he smiles. In addition to his youthful appearance, Lu Chuiqing has bright and clear eyes, making him a very attractive person.
Xiao Zhan’s face remains impassive, but there seems to be a hint of a smile in his eyes, seemingly in a good mood.
Lu Chuiqing is a person who loves to chat with others while having a meal, but he does not dare to behave overly familiar with Xiao Zhan. Instead, Lu Chuiqing takes the meal properly mannered, only asking common but not half-hearted questions.
When the meal is about to finish, Lu Chuiqing receives a phone call. Lu Chuiqing glances at his screen and realises that it is a call from Run Tian Stocks. Fearing that it might be an emergency, Lu Chuiqing apologises and excused himself to receive the call at the restaurant lobby.
Lu Chuiqing answers the call, “Hello, good day. I am Lu Chuiqing from Zhong Ming Funding.”
“Good day to you, Mr Lu.” The voice on the line sounds very enthusiastic, “Sorry to disturb you during dinner time, but is it okay for me to ask where you are staying right now? Also, when is a convenient time for you tomorrow morning? I will arrange for someone to fetch you.”
Lu Chuiqing stuns for a second, feeling both puzzled and surprised at how Run Tian Stocks would bother to arrange for someone to welcome and attend to a small researcher like himself.
Lu Chuiqing replies, “There is no need to trouble you, I am staying very close to your company, it will be very convenient for me to take a taxi.”
“It is no trouble at all! We have always valued your company’s research. For Mr Lu to come all the way here, we have to welcome you properly.”
It is really difficult for Lu Chuiqing to reject such great kindness and hospitality, and so he could only tell him his address and the time he will set off tomorrow morning. Just as he ends the call, Lu Chuiqing feels a light vibration from the electric collar around his neck.
Lu Chuiqing subconsciously covers his neck, only to recall suddenly that he was too busy looking for a restaurant in the afternoon and has forgotten to charge his collar.
His next heat is in May, so his pheromones gradually get thicker in April, which is why Lu Chuiqing must wear his electric collar for this business trip.
Generally, the first low-battery warning from the electric collar indicates that there are about thirty minutes left of usage time. They are finishing their meal soon, and it takes about ten minutes for him to return to his hotel by car. It should be barely enough.
Lu Chuiqing fixes his shirt collar and goes back to his seat in the restaurant.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhan also receives a call not long after Lu Chuiqing returns. It is probably a work-related call, and it took quite a while.
After receiving the bill, Lu Chuiqing glances at the numbers printed on the bill, takes a deep breath while trying to suppress his feelings of sadness towards the fact that he is not wealthy enough.
Xiao Zhan’s driver, Uncle Wang, is already waiting outside the restaurant, intending to give Lu Chuiqing a lift back to the hotel. Since he has already received a ride once, it feels a bit pretentious if he is to decline the offer now. Lu Chuiqing boards the car, praying that his electric collar will be able to last through the journey back to his hotel.
Lu Chuiqing’s collar vibrated a second time not long after the car left the restaurant, indicating that the collar will automatically shut down in ten minutes.
Lu Chuiqing is starting to get anxious. The pheromones blocking function gets weaker when the collar is low on battery. In such a confined space of a car, Lu Chuiqing is worried about his pheromones leaking out, which is considered impolite if Xiao Zhan or Uncle Wang can smell it.
Omegas have lived with their pheromones all their lives, it is not surprising that they become insensitive towards their own pheromones. Even if it does leak, it will be very difficult for Lu Chuiqing to smell it himself. However, it is a different story when it comes to others.
Lu Chuiqing carefully and nervously observes Xiao Zhan’s and Uncle Wang’s reaction. One has been on his tablet throughout the ride, while the other has been concentrating on the road. Judging from their expressions, it does not seem like they can smell his pheromones.
Seeing that Jin Tai Hotel is just a corner away, Lu Chuiqing slowly lets out a sigh of relief.
Xiao Zhan’s finger lightly brushes his tablet screen, his eyes turning, his gaze landing lightly on Lu Chuiqing.
In reality, he can smell it from the beginning.
It is a dense smell in the confined space of a car, especially that fresh and clean, and the sweet aroma wafting from beside him.
The fragrance represents the smell of a juicy honey peach, slowly wafting towards your nostrils, alluring, making the small confined space warm and moist.
As a beta that cannot smell pheromones, Driver Wang, naturally, has no reaction. Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, is an alpha who is naturally sensitive towards an omega’s pheromones.
The car finally arrives at the entrance of Jin Tai Hotel. As if a heavy responsibility is finally off his shoulders, Lu Chuiqing lets out a long sigh, alights the car and brisk walks back to his room after bidding his farewell to Xiao Zhan.
Just as he enters the room, Lu Chuiqing’s collar beeps one last time and shuts down. Lu Chuiqing removes his collar and connects it to the charger, sprays the back of his neck with a relief spray, and finally lies comfortably in bed.
The thought of a relaxing weekend after his research at Run Tian Stocks tomorrow puts Lu Chuiqing in such a good mood that he cannot help but roll around in bed.
The next day, the research went strangely smooth. The employees from Run Tian Stocks were especially enthusiastic towards Lu Chuiqing. Other than being welcomed by three people and an eight-seater car at his hotel, those that welcomed him were department managers, even the general manager came. As long as it is not related to the company’s classified information, they gladly answered any questions going their way, treating Lu Chuiqing with ample sincerity.
The overly warm hospitality and enthusiasm have Lu Chuiqing feeling astonished. The manager even offered to treat Lu Chuiqing to a meal and show him around the area. Unable to bear such overly warm hospitality and kindness, he quickly declined, saying that he already has plans after this.
After sending Lu Chuiqing off, Run Tian Stocks’ Manager Wu finally relaxes his face and returns to his office, exhausted. He lets out a long sigh as he sits down on his office chair.
His assistant pours him a cup of tea and asks curiously, “Manager, has Zhong Ming Funding confirmed their decision to invest in our company’s stock?”
“Not even close.” Manager Wu takes a mouthful of tea, “He was just a small researcher of the company, he doesn’t have the authority to decide whether or not we’d be chosen.”
The assistant asks, confused, “Then why are we…”
Although the assistant did not finish his question, Manager Wu continues without skipping a beat, “CEO Xiao called in before just to tell me to welcome him, how can I not attend to him properly? Even our boss has to be mindful of CEO Xiao. That researcher… you can tell that he is one of those. There are so many of those next to CEO Xiao anyway, can you not tell? A researcher though, now that’s a first.”
Lu Chuiqing has no idea what Manager Wu thinks of him. He has just returned to the hotel after this dinner, intending to organise his data while it is still early. Lu Chuiqing is currently in a pretty good mood, thinking that he can sleep before eleven tonight.
However, an abrupt message ruined his plan to have a good night’s sleep.
The message is from Uncle Wang, which only includes a few short sentences, “Good day, Mr Lu. CEO Xiao has asked me to inform you to get ready to go out at nine o’clock tonight, I will be driving you to the Imperial Garden Hotel.”
Yipee!!❣️
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