Chapter 8
Xian Zhan removed the phone from his ear when his brother, Zhuo Cheng, yelled his name through the phone. "Ah, Zhou Ge, you want to deafen me through the phone?" Xian Zhan replied with a chuckle.
Zhuo Cheng responded, "Huh? Did you want Mr. Wang to arrest me?" "No thanks! Now check your WeChat, I sent you a message."
After finishing the call, Xian Zhan grinned as he checked his phone. He saw that his older brother and Lu Jie were having lunch somewhere around.
Ziyi poked her head from behind him and said, "Aww, they're enjoying themselves."
She tapped his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, me and Hao Xuan got this." Hao shouted, "What? No, I'm taking Yu on a date later!" Ziyi pouted, "For the rest of the day, the studio is all yours."
Xian Zhan hugged Ziyi and said, "Thank you, friend!" with a chuckle before rushing out where Mr. Lee was waiting for him.
Xian Zhan hurried through the corridors of the studio, his mind buzzing with the day's tasks and the interactions with his brother and friends. As he reached the parking area, he spotted Mr. Lee, his driver provided by Wang Yibo, waiting patiently for him.
"Mr. Lee, sorry I'm late," Xian Zhan apologized, slightly out of breath.
Mr. Lee smiled warmly, waving off Xian Zhan's apology. "No worries, Mr. Xian. Ready for your lunch break?"
"Absolutely," Xian Zhan affirmed, straightening his posture with determination. "Where are we heading today?"
Mr. Lee asked. "My sister Lu Jie and brother Zhuo Cheng are waiting for me at a nearby restaurant.
Mr. Lee's curiosity piqued. "A surprise, huh? Sounds intriguing. Let's not keep them waiting."
They headed out of the studio and into Mr. Lee's waiting car. The drive to the restaurant was short but pleasant, with Xian Zhan enjoying the familiar sights of the city rushing past.
Upon arrival, Mr. Lee parked the car, and Xian Zhan stepped out, adjusting his jacket before making his way inside the restaurant. As he entered, he spotted Lu Jie and Zhuo Cheng seated at a corner table, waving enthusiastically at him.
"Zhan!" Lu Jie exclaimed, standing up to greet him with a hug. "We've been waiting for you."
Zhuo Cheng grinned, giving Xian Zhan a friendly pat on the back. "Hey, little bro. Glad you could join us."
Xian Zhan returned their greetings warmly. "Good to see both of you. What's the occasion?"
Lu Jie beamed. "Well, we thought we'd treat you to lunch today. Catch up and celebrate your recent successes."
Xian Zhan chuckled, touched by their thoughtfulness. "That's really kind of you. Thanks, guys."
They settled into their seats, and Xian Zhan engaged in lively conversation with his siblings. Over delicious food and shared memories, they laughed and reminisced about their childhood antics and recent adventures.
As lunch progressed, Zhuo Cheng brought up a topic that sparked Xian Zhan's interest. "By the way, Zhan, have you heard about the upcoming exhibition at the gallery downtown? They're showcasing some incredible pieces."
Xian Zhan's eyes lit up with excitement. "No, I haven't! Tell me more."
Zhuo Cheng filled him in on the details, describing the featured artists and the themes of the exhibition. Xian Zhan listened intently, his mind already racing with ideas and possibilities.
After lunch, as they bid farewell outside the restaurant, Xian Zhan thanked Lu Jie and Zhuo Cheng once again for the wonderful surprise and company.
"Anytime, little bro," Zhuo Cheng grinned. "Let's do this again soon."
With a wave, Xian Zhan headed back towards Mr. Lee's waiting car, feeling grateful for the supportive and loving family he had.
Back in the car with Mr. Lee, Xian Zhan leaned back in his seat, reflecting on the lunch with his siblings. It had been a refreshing break from his busy schedule, filled with warmth and laughter. As they drove back towards the studio, Xian Zhan's thoughts turned to the upcoming exhibition Zhuo Cheng had mentioned.
"Mr. Lee, do you mind if we make a quick stop at the gallery downtown?" Xian Zhan asked, breaking the silence.
Mr. Lee glanced at him through the rearview mirror with a smile. "Not at all, Mr. Xian. I'll take you there right away."
Arriving at the gallery, Xian Zhan stepped out and was immediately greeted by the vibrant atmosphere of the art world. The gallery space buzzed with visitors and the hum of admiration for the displayed artworks.
Xian Zhan wandered through the exhibitions, taking in each piece with a critical eye. He noted the techniques, the use of colors, and the emotions conveyed through the artworks. A few pieces particularly caught his attention, sparking his creative inspiration.
As he strolled through the gallery, Xian Zhan's mind raced with ideas for his own upcoming projects. He made mental notes of the styles and themes that resonated with him, eager to incorporate new elements into his art.
After thoroughly exploring the exhibitions, Xian Zhan stopped by the gallery shop to browse through art supplies. He picked up a few sketchbooks and some high-quality pencils, envisioning the sketches he wanted to develop later that evening.
Satisfied with his visit, Xian Zhan returned to the car, feeling rejuvenated and inspired. "Thank you, Mr. Lee," he said gratefully as they drove back towards the studio. "Visiting the gallery was exactly what I needed today."
Mr. Lee nodded with a smile. "I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Xian. It's important to find inspiration in the midst of your busy schedule."
Back at the studio, Xian Zhan headed straight to his workspace, eager to put his newfound inspiration to use. He set up his sketchbooks and pencils, ready to bring his ideas to life on paper.
As he sketched, the afternoon turned into evening, the hours slipping away unnoticed as Xian Zhan immersed himself in his art. He lost track of time, completely absorbed in the creative process.
Eventually, a gentle knock on his studio door interrupted his focus. Xian Zhan looked up to see Hao Xuan, standing at the doorway with a smile.
"Hey, Xian Zhan," Hao Xuan greeted warmly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Just wanted to see if you'd like to join us for dinner later."
Xian Zhan blinked, realizing how late it had gotten. He chuckled softly. "Thanks, Hao Xuan. I got carried away with my sketches. Dinner sounds great though, count me in."
With a nod of agreement, Hao Xuan left Xian Zhan to tidy up his workspace before they headed out together with their colleagues for a relaxing dinner.
After wrapping up his sketches and tidying his workspace, Xian Zhan met up with Hao Xuan and Ziyi, along with a few other colleagues, for dinner at a cozy restaurant nearby.
The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and animated discussions about art, current projects, and upcoming exhibitions.
Xian Zhan enjoyed the camaraderie among his friends and colleagues. They shared stories, exchanged ideas, and supported each other's artistic endeavors. Ziyi, in particular, teased Xian Zhan about his meticulous sketching habits, earning a playful retort and laughter from everyone at the table.
Over the course of dinner, Xian Zhan felt a sense of belonging with his colleagues, grateful for their friendship and the creative environment they shared.
The meal passed pleasantly, accompanied by good food and even better company.
As the evening drew to a close, Xian Zhan bid farewell to Hao Xuan, Ziyi, and the others, thanking them for the enjoyable dinner. With a renewed sense of inspiration from both the gallery visit and the lively discussions, he headed back towards Wang's Mansion.
Arriving at the Mansion, Xian Zhan paused at the door, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before entering.
Taking a deep breath, Xian Zhan entered the Mansion, greeted by the familiar grandeur of the surroundings. He found Mr. Wang in the living room, engrossed in a book, his expression serious yet softened by the warm glow of the lamp beside him.
"Dad," Xian Zhan began softly, drawing his father in law attention. "I'm back."
Mr. Wang looked up from his book, his gaze meeting Xian Zhan's with a mix of emotions. "Welcome back Son," he replied, setting aside the book and standing up to face Xian Zhan.
"Mr. Wang moved over to where Xian Zhan was and hugged him briefly before releasing him, yawning. 'Son, I should go to bed now. I'm waiting for one of you to come back.' When he noticed Xian Zhan looking at him, he smiled. 'Yes, your husband hasn't come back from the company.'
Xian Zhan shyly looked away. 'I'll go upstairs too, Dad. I'm very tired today.' They hugged again and said good night."
Wang Yibo strode into the Office of Wang's Cooperation, his expression a mix of determination and weariness. As the director, he had taken on the responsibility with zeal, but the challenges were proving more daunting than expected.
"Ms. Lingxi, please bring me the latest financial projections for the upcoming quarter," Wang Yibo requested, his voice firm yet tinged with exhaustion.
Ms. Lingxi, his dedicated secretary known for her meticulousness, quickly retrieved the documents and laid them out on the polished mahogany table.
Wang Yibo scanned through the figures, his brow furrowing slightly at the unexpected dip in revenue projections.
"Ms. Lingxi, there seems to be an error here," Wang Yibo pointed out calmly, his eyes fixed on the discrepancy. "This could have serious implications for our upcoming strategies."
Ms. Lingxi, usually composed and precise in her duties, blanched slightly at the realization of her mistake. "I apologize, Mr. Wang. I must have overlooked that detail. I will rectify it immediately."
Wang Yibo sighed, his disappointment palpable. "Ms. Lingxi, attention to detail is crucial in this position. We cannot afford such oversights, especially at this critical juncture."
Turning to Yu Bin, his loyal and efficient personal assistant, Wang Yibo continued, "Yu Bin, please handle this matter swiftly. We need accurate projections by the end of the day."
Yu Bin nodded, his expression betraying no emotion as he took charge of the situation.
"Ms. Lingxi, I'm afraid your mistake has compromised our confidence in your ability to handle this level of responsibility," Wang Yibo said, his tone regretful yet resolute. "I have to let you go."
Ms. Lingxi's eyes widened in shock, a mix of disbelief and dismay crossing her face. "Mr. Wang, please, I can do better. It won't happen again."
Wang Yibo hesitated for a moment, his decision weighing heavily on his conscience. "I appreciate your dedication, Ms. Lingxi. However, for the integrity of Wang's Cooperation, I have to insist."
With a heavy heart, Wang Yibo watched as Ms. Lingxi gathered her belongings and left the Office, her departure marking a somber reminder of the challenges of leadership.
As the door closed behind her, Wang Yibo turned back to the task at hand, steeling himself for the responsibilities that lay ahead.
Wang Yibo reluctantly boarded the shuttle that would take him and a select group of executives to the secluded retreat venue nestled in the mountains. His decision to attend had been met with mixed feelings—on one hand, he recognized the importance of team-building; on the other, he preferred the solitude of his office where he could focus on the company's challenges without distractions.
As they arrived at the picturesque retreat center, Wang Yibo was greeted by the organizer—a cheerful woman in her early thirties named Mrs. Han, who exuded warmth and enthusiasm. She led Wang Yibo and the executives through a series of ice-breaking activities and team-building exercises, much to Wang Yibo's initial reluctance.
During a break between sessions, Mrs. Han approached Wang Yibo with a bright smile. "Director Wang, I hope you're finding the retreat beneficial so far."
Wang Yibo nodded curtly, his demeanor still guarded despite Mrs. Han's attempts to engage him in conversation. He glanced over at his new secretary, a young woman named Zhang Wei, who had recently joined Wang's Cooperation after Ms. Lingxi's departure.
Zhang Wei, in her mid-twenties, possessed a calm and efficient demeanor that contrasted sharply with Ms. Lingxi's meticulous but sometimes overly cautious approach. She had quickly adapted to Wang Yibo's preferences and proved herself capable in handling his schedule and correspondence.
As the retreat activities resumed, Wang Yibo found himself reluctantly participating in a team-building exercise that required each participant to share a personal challenge they had overcome.
When it was his turn, Wang Yibo hesitated briefly before recounting a recent decision he had made as Director—a decision that had tested his leadership and convictions.
To his surprise, Mrs. Han and the other executives listened intently, offering nods of understanding and respect. Wang Yibo glanced at Zhang Wei, who watched him with a hint of admiration in her eyes—a subtle acknowledgment that she understood the weight of his responsibilities and the challenges he faced.
As the retreat progressed, Wang Yibo found himself gradually opening up to the idea of camaraderie and mutual support among the executives. Mrs. Han's inclusive approach and Zhang Wei's efficient assistance helped him see the potential benefits of teamwork and collaboration in achieving the company's goals.
By the end of the retreat, Wang Yibo had forged new connections with his colleagues and gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of fostering a positive work environment.
As they prepared to depart, he privately thanked Zhang Wei for her support during the retreat, silently acknowledging the role she played in easing his transition after Ms. Lingxi's departure.
Wang Yibo gazed at the door to Xian Zhan's room as he ascended to the second floor, returning from the company at 11:15 PM. He knew Xian Zhan had been sleeping for a long time, but he couldn't resist the urge to see him. It had been two days since they last met, and almost a year since their marriage, with nearly seven months of friendship.
Wang Yibo slowly pushed the door open and entered the room, where he saw Xian Zhan sleeping peacefully. He placed the suit he was holding on the bed and sat quietly beside Xian Zhan, not wanting to disturb him. For two minutes, he gazed at Xian Zhan's face, took a deep breath, and whispered, "You're so beautiful, Zhan. I feel like devouring you whole."
Wang Yibo's eyes lingered on Xian Zhan's pink, glossy lips, and he murmured, "One stolen kiss won't harm you, right?" He leaned in, his lips brushing against Xian Zhan's, and stole another kiss before leaving the room smiling to himself like a lunatic.
Xian Zhan heard the door lock and opened his eyes, his heart pounding. He raised his hand, touched his lips, and smiled as he recalled the gentle kisses.