Chapter 37 – It’s Seven O’Clock, She Should Be Eating Dinner

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After receiving Ye Shutong’s definite reply and her agreement to accept the ticket, Ruan Liuzheng couldn’t help but curl her lips in a smile.

The gloomy mood that had hovered over her all afternoon began to lift.

She chatted with Ye Shutong on the phone for a while longer and, seeing that it was about time, hung up and turned to enter her study.

She searched online for the theme and positioning of Mr. Wen’s art exhibition and dealt with a few documents her assistant had sent over.

Some ideas began to take shape in her mind.

Although Suofan had been developing steadily in recent years, compared to other companies, its progress was a bit behind.

At the root of it all, she was the one holding them back.

Especially the design department — it had been a long time since any fresh talent had been brought in, and recent works had become increasingly outdated.

Mr. Wen was a renowned artist both domestically and internationally. His exhibition was sure to attract many professionals in the industry. It would be the best opportunity to boost Suofan’s visibility and to bring in new designers.

It might sound a little opportunistic, but people have to face reality.

Ruan Liuzheng lowered her gaze slightly. The blue light from the computer screen lit her face, partially illuminating her delicate features.

Her cool, elegant eyes exuded a sense of sharp rationality.

Right now, work was the most important thing to her.

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Hanfei Group, 108th Floor, Top Level.

In the luxuriously minimalist conference room, a group of senior executives sat tensely around the conference table.

They stole cautious glances at the man seated at the head of the table, not even daring to breathe loudly.

The vast room was deathly silent.

Today was the group’s monthly report meeting. Originally scheduled for the afternoon, it had been abruptly moved to the evening.

But… something was clearly off about President Xie today.

The head of the Planning Department stood nervously in place, clutching the proposal that his team had worked on day and night for three straight days.

He had already finished presenting and was now staring intently at the document in his hands, eyes scanning every word repeatedly.

From time to time, he stole glances at the man at the head of the table, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Though Xie Qingcen was younger than most of the people in the room by several years, his methods and presence were enough to unnerve even these seasoned workplace veterans.

Especially those deep, ink-black eyes — even the smallest glance from them could silence the entire room in an instant.

His cold, unfeeling demeanor was completely different from how he behaved in front of Ruan Liuzheng.

The Planning Director took a deep breath, waiting anxiously for Xie Qingcen’s feedback.

But even after his legs began to go numb from standing too long, there was still no comment from Xie Qingcen.

The other executives couldn’t help but glance at him with sympathy.

Seeing this, the Planning Director’s hands began to tremble.

Just when he thought he might pass out from the stress, the conference room door opened.

Qi Chong entered with a solemn expression. When his eyes fell on Xie Qingcen at the center of the table, he was momentarily stunned.

In all his years, he never thought he’d see President Xie spacing out during a meeting.

It was rarer than seeing God getting married.

He was certain — whatever Xie Qingcen was thinking about, it had to do with Miss Ruan.

But this wasn’t the time to be shocked.

Qi Chong quickly composed himself and approached Xie Qingcen, leaning down to speak softly, “President Xie…”

Xie Qingcen snapped back to attention. As he listened to Qi Chong’s report, his brows furrowed and his thin lips pressed into a tight line.

He looked up and swept a cold glance across the room. His voice was icy:

“That’s it for today’s reports. You — go prepare a more detailed proposal. I want accurate and feasible data, not long-winded fantasies.”

“You have one night. Dismissed.”

With that, Xie Qingcen stood and left the room first.

Once he was gone, the rest of the executives finally relaxed, their tense nerves easing.

Of course, they were also curious about what Qi Chong had just reported.

“Assistant Qi, what did you just tell President Xie? Did we land a big contract?” one executive asked discreetly.

Qi Chong glanced at the man. Though he was still recovering from the shock himself, he couldn’t help feeling a bit proud in front of the clueless crowd.

He cleared his throat. “It’s even bigger than landing a major deal. If this really goes through, you might all have a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card.”

Based on Xie Qingcen’s reaction, it was clear — Miss Ruan’s place in his heart was beyond important.

From now on, he had to cling tightly to her coattails!

Leaving them with that cryptic remark, Qi Chong turned and exited the room.

After all, if he kept the president waiting too long, someone might get dragged down as collateral.

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President’s Office.

Xie Qingcen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window that spanned an entire wall of the office, his deep, dark eyes staring into the distance, brows furrowed in thought.

The office lights were off; the only illumination came from the neon lights streaming in through the glass.

The dim glow fell across his face, highlighting his sharp, defined features. Though he stood still, a powerful aura radiated from him, enough to intimidate anyone who entered.

Qi Chong immediately felt the pressure when he entered the room. His breath caught, and his body tensed instinctively.

“President Xie, do we need to intervene in the online situation?” Qi Chong asked respectfully, his voice low.

Xie Qingcen lowered his eyes to the phone in his hand. The cold light from the screen reflected on his face — it was displaying the Fu Group’s official statement.

Fu Yanci, the heir who had clawed his way through the chaos of the Fu family, had indeed lived up to his reputation. With just a few words, he had managed to throw mud on both Ruan Liuzheng and Xie Qingcen.

Xie Qingcen chuckled softly, the corner of his lips curving into a faint smirk.

The light caught his features, making him look even more cold and aloof.

“There’s no need,” he said flatly. “He’s just a clown.”

The real lesson was yet to come — let them jump around for a couple more days.

Qi Chong blinked, confused. “Then… why did you interrupt the meeting, sir?”

Hanfei Group’s monthly report was a major event — a rule set by President Xie himself when he took office. Unless something extraordinary occurred, it was never to be canceled.

Xie Qingcen looked at Qi Chong, his tone indifferent as he replied:

“It’s seven o’clock. She should be eating dinner.”

Qi Chong froze.

“She”…? Who should be eating dinner?

Was someone’s dinner more important than the Hanfei Group’s monthly report?

He frowned, clearly still processing the meaning — and thus failed to respond quickly.

Xie Qingcen’s eyes narrowed, his displeasure evident.

He glanced at Qi Chong with cold sharpness.

Qi Chong’s body stiffened. His brain kicked into overdrive, and finally, it clicked.

His eyes widened. “President Xie, I’ll order the food right away!”

How could he have forgotten Miss Ruan!

He just said he’d cling to her coattails — what an idiot.

God, was this the end of his career?

Qi Chong looked up at Xie Qingcen with a pained expression, caught between guilt and fear.

Xie Qingcen snorted coldly, too lazy to deal with his overdramatic assistant.

He turned his gaze away and said, “Order dinner from ‘Chao Shi Ji’ and personally deliver it to Yuelan Huafu.”

“If she doesn’t eat it — you don’t need to show up at the company tomorrow.”

Qi Chong’s heart sank. He took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

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7 PM, Hospital.

After managing a PR emergency, Fu Yanci returned to the hospital to have dinner with Bai Wanqing.

“You’re back, Yanci. How did it go?”

Bai Wanqing was leaning gently against the bed. Hearing the door open, she looked up and asked warmly.

Fu Yanci paused, then smiled softly. “All taken care of. No need to worry. Where’s Zhiqing?”

“I sent her home. She was quite shaken earlier. She needs to rest. I don’t need anyone with me.”

Bai Wanqing smiled kindly.

Looking at her serene face, Fu Yanci’s hand clenched slightly.

It made what he was about to say even harder.

Since she was hospitalized, he had promised to accompany her every night — she wouldn’t be left alone.

But now…

He lowered his gaze and sighed lightly before walking over and sitting by her bed.

With a casual glance, he saw the neatly arranged dishes on the bedside table — all his favorites.

Wanqing was always so considerate, unlike Ruan Liuzheng — either timid or full of thorns.

Just the thought of returning to the Beishan Villa later filled him with irritation, though his expression softened when he looked back at Bai Wanqing.

“If I’m late again next time, don’t wait for me. Your health is what matters most.”

He gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, eyes tender and voice soft.

Bai Wanqing shook her head. “No, you work so hard every day. I can’t help you much, so at least I can wait for you.”

She paused, then added with a smile, “I had the nurse bring in an extra bed today — no more squeezing on that little sofa tonight.”

Fu Yanci froze. Looking at her delicate profile, his brow furrowed and his eyes revealed a flicker of hesitation.

After a long pause, he finally said, voice hoarse, “Wanqing…”