Chapter 8: Business Trip

There was still plenty of time for lunch break, and Shang Zhu felt bored staying in the office, so he decided on a whim to go downstairs and buy a cup of coffee to wake himself up.

Just as he stepped out of the office, his secretary rushed out holding her phone.

Seeing Shang Zhu, she quickly stopped to greet him, “Director Shang.”

Shang Zhu nodded, his gaze falling on the tablet glowing in the secretary’s hand.

The secretary understood immediately and explained quickly, “A new company in New York invited the group to attend their tenth anniversary celebration, but the deputy general manager who was supposed to attend had visa issues. I was just about to coordinate with other departments—”

Shang Zhu interrupted her, “When?”

The secretary took a deep breath, “The day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll go,” Shang Zhu ordered in a deep voice, “Take a leave after it ends, and send an email if there’s anything urgent.”

The secretary choked up.

If she remembered correctly, Director Shang had just returned from a business trip last Friday, and he had always been able to avoid such invitations in the past. Some within the group even thought he disliked attending such events.

“…Then I’ll book your flight, and the invitation will be sent to your inbox shortly,” the secretary opened the booking software, while discreetly observing Shang Zhu’s expression.

With the schedule tight, the secretary booked Shang Zhu on the flight for that evening.

Wen Shuyan was busy, and Shang Zhu didn’t even need an excuse. He simply sent a message saying “having a meeting today” and boarded the plane to New York.

After landing following a layover, Shang Zhu smoothly entered the event venue under the guidance of the contact person.

The anniversary celebration was nothing special, just an excuse to gather various celebrities and wealthy businessmen together, boasting and catering to each other to gain information and benefits, with nothing particularly novel.

Shang Zhu briefly interacted with several clients the group was interested in developing, exchanged business cards over drinks, and then ended today’s socializing, wandering alone to the terrace outside the banquet hall to catch some fresh air.

The night breeze in New York was dry, and the distant downtown area sparkled with neon lights. Shang Zhu leaned against the railing on the terrace and initiated a video call with Wen Shuyan.

Wen Shuyan should be free now, and the video call was quickly answered. Before Shang Zhu could speak, a few exaggerated laughs came from behind the partially closed glass door.

“So lively.” Wen Shuyan supported his chin, smiling as he looked at Shang Zhu.

“I came to attend an event today.” Shang Zhu turned to glance at the door, his expression serious. “I’ll get back to you later. Don’t be angry.”

Wen Shuyan raised an eyebrow. “You go ahead and do your thing. Why would I be angry?”

Shang Zhu pursed his lips, remaining silent.

Helpless, Wen Shuyan could only agree, “Not angry.”

Behind him, the ambient lighting was dim, and there were indistinct voices conversing, making it difficult to identify the location.

Shang Zhu fiddled with his phone for a while, wanting to tell Wen Shuyan that he had arrived in New York. However, someone behind the door called his name in English, a voice he found very familiar.

“Wife, see you in a bit.”

Shang Zhu waved to Wen Shuyan and hung up the video call while he was still distracted.

The glass door behind Shang Zhu opened the next second.

The person who entered was the American tycoon who had invited Shang Zhu to the anniversary celebration. Seeing Shang Zhu alone in this quiet corner, he grumbled, “Why are you hiding here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Shang Zhu put his phone back into his suit pocket casually and said, “Was on a call with my lover.”

“Wow! Did I interrupt anything?” The tycoon exclaimed flamboyantly. “You two have a great relationship.”

Shang Zhu’s lips slightly curled upwards as he replied, “Thank you.”

Accompanying the tycoon back to the main hall after exchanging pleasantries with clients, the banquet entered its final phase.

As guests gradually left the venue, Shang Zhu declined the tycoon’s invitation to stay overnight. He stood in a place where landmark buildings were visible and sent a photo to Wen Shuyan.

After waiting for a while, a new message from Wen Shuyan appeared in the chat.

Wife: [Lounge location]

Wife: Come