Ch 316: Now, We’re Friends

“Who are you? This is the Qin Family’s shareholder meeting! Who let you in! Security…!”

Before he could finish speaking, Zhong Junjie pressed the shareholder down. He suspiciously sized up Huo Xingye and tentatively asked, “Are you President Huo of the Huo Corporation?”

Huo Xingye raised his eyes, glanced at him, and nodded with noble restraint, “Hello, I’m Huo Xingye.”

Zhong Junjie quickly said, “Hello, I’m Zhong Junjie.”

Huo Xingye tugged at the corners of his lips, “I know. I had the pleasure of meeting your son some time ago; he’s truly a talented individual.”

Zhong Junjie’s face twitched. He suspected Huo Xingye was being sarcastic. He knew his son’s true nature better than anyone; at best, he was presentable, but he couldn’t show it, so he could only smile modestly.

Qin Yuexi tilted her head and raised her hand, blocking her upturned lips to prevent her mockery from being too obvious.

But from her angle, Huo Xingye could clearly see her little expression.

The other shareholders looked at each other in dismay. They hadn’t met Huo Xingye in person, but his name was like thunder in their ears. But… even Huo Xingye couldn’t interfere in their Qin Family’s shareholder meeting! Could it be that Huo Xingye was here to support Qin Yuexi?

“President Qin,” a bolder shareholder couldn’t help but ask, “Did you invite President Huo to come?”

Qin Yuexi instantly composed herself and replied with a smile, “That’s right. Everyone should be aware of the recent changes in the company’s shares. President Huo is already our company’s second-largest shareholder.” She took the lead in applauding, “Let’s welcome President Huo’s joining. With President Huo here, the Qin Family will definitely be able to create new glories!”

Sparse applause rang out, gradually merging into one, echoing throughout the conference room. No matter what they thought in their hearts, they had to give enough respect on the surface.

Huo Xingye amusedly glanced at Qin Yuexi, who winked at him playfully.

Zhong Junjie watched the two flirting in front of him, feeling utterly dejected. The great opportunity to take control of the group had been missed. Huo Xingye was clearly on the Qin Family’s side. After so much effort, he had actually lost to a little girl, but who told her to have such good fortune, to be able to get involved with the Huo Corporation.

Unsurprisingly, after the re-vote, the choice for executive director remained unchanged, still Zhong Junjie, temporarily represented by Qin Yuexi.

Zhong Junjie had a fire burning in his heart, unable to rise or fall, making him extremely uncomfortable. He took three days of sick leave as soon as he got back.

One after another, the shareholders left. Xue Ning, with his keen sense of observation, looked at Qin Yuexi’s assistant. “Excuse me, I have something to ask. Let’s talk in private.”

The assistant glanced at Qin Yuexi, and followed Xue Ning away with some unease.

The conference room door closed, and Qin Yuexi couldn’t help but laugh. “What was that look in your assistant’s eyes? Did he misunderstand something?”

Huo Xingye didn’t answer, but instead asked, “I helped you with such a big favor, shouldn’t President Qin treat me to a meal?”

Qin Yuexi’s heart skipped a beat. She raised her eyebrows noncommittally, “I thought the transaction between us was clearly written in black and white.”

Huo Xingye took a step closer to her and said softly, “Transactions and friendships are two different things.”

The two were standing a little too close, exceeding the normal social distance. But Qin Yuexi stood still, looking up at him slightly, “Then what kind of friendship do we have?”

Huo Xingye lowered his eyes and looked into her eyes, “Now, I guess we’re friends.”

“Friends, huh…” Qin Yuexi curled her lips into a light smile, “Alright, then, is this friend free tonight? I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Huo Xingye lowered his eyes, hooked his lips, turned around, and walked out of the conference room. “I’ll wait for your call.”

In just a few words, Xue Ning had already become familiar with the assistant Miss Yao, and was still reluctant to leave. “Contact me anytime.”

Xue Ning chased Huo Xingye into the elevator. It was during work hours, and there were only the two of them in the elevator.

Huo Xingye casually asked, “Have you taken a fancy to her?”

“You mean Assistant Yao?” Xue Ning chuckled, “Just normal work communication, but what about you? You wouldn’t have really taken a fancy to President Qin, would you?”

Xue Ning swore that he was just making a casual joke. After all, he knew that the two had signed a cooperation agreement. The moment he said those words, he had already begun to imagine how Huo Xingye would retort, but the elevator remained completely silent.

Xue Ning’s eyes widened involuntarily. “You can’t be serious, you really have taken a fancy to her? Then why didn’t you agree to the last arranged marriage? What kind of route are you taking?”

The elevator doors opened.

Huo Xingye strode out. “Take care of yourself first.” Someone who doesn’t even have a romantic interest, meddling so much.

Xue Ning was even more shocked. Huo Xingye actually didn’t deny it! Was the Huo Family really about to welcome a new generation of the Head Mother?!

On the other side, Assistant Yao was also a little flustered. “President Qin, are you sure you want to extend an invitation to President Huo? Barbecue… isn’t that a little too informal?”

Qin Yuexi was unhappy. “What’s not formal about it? I’m treating him to dinner, shouldn’t I choose what I like to eat? I’ve been worried sick these past few days, unable to eat or sleep well. Now that things have finally settled down, can’t I reward myself properly?”

Assistant Yao nodded. “I understand your feelings, but it’s better to be a little more formal with President Huo. If you offend him, the consequences could be quite serious.”

“What consequences?” Qin Yuexi said, “The contract has already been signed, he wouldn’t want to break it, would he? At worst…” she would just return to the position of business partner. Anyway, she would never wrong herself for a man!

Assistant Yao nervously booked a table at the barbecue restaurant.

Of course, the barbecue restaurant that Miss Qin wanted to eat at wasn’t an ordinary one. Membership was required, and phone reservations were a prerequisite. The restaurant would also explain the ingredients available in the store today to customers on the phone and reserve the main course.

Because the ingredients in this restaurant are all air-freighted in fixed quantities every day, especially the main course, first come first served.

After finalizing the evening’s date, Qin Yuexi entered work mode in a second.

The first thing she did was find someone to investigate Zhong Zihao and Zhong Junjie’s accounts. This father and son had never been very clean, but her father had been mindful of their old friendship and didn’t want to pursue the matter. Over time, the ambitions of this father and son had grown, and now they even dared to dream of controlling the entire Qin Family.

Qin Yuexi’s eyebrows were cold and stern. The first cut in rectifying the company would begin with removing the poisonous tumors.

She forgot about the time when she got busy. When Qin Yuexi came back to her senses, it was already dark outside the window. She was startled and quickly took out her phone, realizing with annoyance that the reservation time had already passed.

Qin Yuexi grabbed her bag and walked out. She saw Assistant Yao working at her desk and asked with a bit of complaint, “Why didn’t you remind me to check the time?”

Assistant Yao stood up and replied softly, “President Huo’s assistant told me not to rush you. It was probably President Huo’s intention.”

Qin Yuexi frowned. “Go off work.” She strode to the elevator door, dialed Huo Xingye’s number, and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, the restaurant reservation time has already passed. I’ll treat you another day.”

“Are you done with work?” Huo Xingye’s voice was low and calm. “If you’re done, just come over. It takes about fifteen minutes from the Qin Family to here. I’ll have them prepare the main course first.”

Qin Yuexi paused for two seconds, then suddenly smiled. “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay.” Huo Xingye instructed, “Be careful.”

Qin Yuexi hung up the phone, a little lost in thought. How could she have forgotten that in Yuncity, Huo Xingye was the uncrowned king.

Those influential figures on the outside, every single one of them, who could say no to him? And who would dare to say no to him? A mere restaurant was nothing. To put it arrogantly, it was their honor to have Huo Xingye linger in the store for a little longer.

Qin Yuexi smiled. “This Miss’s taste is as high as ever.”