The next day.
As soon as Sang Lu returned to the TV station, she handed out VIP cards for Qilan to every colleague in Group D.
“Holy—” Little Duan’s voice cracked in shock, swallowing back an exclamation, his face alight with excitement. “—Sang-jie, is this the Qilan Hot Spring Resort Hotel I’m thinking of?”
Yu Xiaoke flicked the card in Little Duan’s hand and teased, “The gold embossing is right there—you’re not seeing things!” Then, with a proud look toward Sang Lu, she added, “Our Lulu is now the owner of Qilan. So impressive—everyone should call her President Sang~”
Little Duan caught on instantly.
Not wanting to make her sound old, he deliberately added a prefix, grinning as he loudly declared, “Little President Sang!”
The other colleagues quickly joined in the playful chorus.
“Little President Sang—”
“Sang-Sang President—”
Sang Lu waved her hands helplessly, a wry smile on her face. “Please, spare me. My toes are already hard at work digging a castle…”
The group burst into laughter, chattering away.
“Sang, I’ll cover your afternoon tea this month.”
“Then next month’s on me—no one else gets a turn.”
“Hey? You’re already lining up?” Yu Xiaoke shoved a can of nuts into Sang Lu’s arms. “I’ll just feed her directly.”
Somehow, this sparked a trend.
Within minutes, Sang Lu’s arms were piled with three packs of beef jerky and two bags of chips.
Just as Group D was buzzing with energy—
Knock, knock.
Two sharp raps sounded at the door.
“Sorry to interrupt. I’m looking for Sang Lu.”
Everyone turned to see Xie Sinan standing at the doorway, his hand resting on the office door as he smiled politely at the group.
His gaze locked onto Sang Lu in the center of the crowd. “The station director wants to see us in his office.”
Sang Lu blinked, taking a moment to process. “Oh, right. Coming.”
Setting down the snacks and looping her work badge around her neck, she followed Xie Sinan toward the director’s office.
The Jing City TV Station had two buildings connected by an enclosed corridor.
As they passed through, a few people walking by turned to stare.
“Why are Xie Sinan and Sang Lu always together?”
“Weren’t they the ones sent to Qingmang for that exchange program recently?”
“Didn’t Sang Lu marry the president of Feng Corporation? Isn’t this kind of thing inappropriate?”
“The station management is really something, sending a married employee on business trips with a male colleague…”
“Eh, let’s not stick our noses where they don’t belong.”
Sang Lu remained oblivious to the whispers.
During the few-minute walk from Group D’s office to the director’s, she had already mentally reviewed her recent work three times—just in case the director sprung a question and she stumbled over her answers.
It was strange.
After years at the station, she was practically a seasoned veteran. Yet every time she faced the stern, rigid director, she still felt like a nervous intern, flashing back to the days of being grilled by higher-ups.
While the director’s assistant knocked and announced them, Sang Lu quickly adjusted her badge and cleared her throat softly.
Xie Sinan chuckled at the sight.
“No need to be so tense. The director didn’t call us here to quiz you.”
Sang Lu paused, then exhaled in relief.
“You could’ve said that earlier…”
Thanks to their shared business trip and collaborating on the presentation slides, Sang Lu and Xie Sinan had grown fairly close.
Both were career-driven and admired others who took their work seriously, speaking to each other with the ease of friends.
Xie Sinan grinned. “Where’s the fun in spoiling the surprise?”
Surprise?
Sang Lu hesitated.
Before she could ask what he meant, the director’s assistant ushered them inside.
The director sat calmly behind his desk, taking a slow sip of strong tea as they entered.
Then, he spat out three tea leaves.
Finally, he spoke in a leisurely tone:
“Sang, Xie, there’s an international media summit coming up in Jing City. The station has decided to send you two as representatives…”
“It’s not far—Nanfeng District…”
He slid a stack of documents across the desk.
“It’s scheduled for next Friday. Take a look.”
Xie Sinan accepted the files, splitting them with Sang Lu as they exchanged pages.
The director took another sip of tea.
“The media summit isn’t directly related to TV stations—it’s more for media companies and news agencies…”
In other words, they were just sending two people to go through the motions.
But of course, the director wouldn’t phrase it that way.
He spat out two more tea leaves.
“Pah, pah.”
Then, slipping into his practiced leadership tone:
“We’re sending you because the station trusts your capabilities. Plus, considering how well you worked together on your last trip and the excellent presentation afterward… But most importantly, you’ll represent the spirit of Jing City TV—dedication, innovation…”
The director launched into his usual spiel.
Anyone with a functioning brain would struggle to stay focused.
Sang Lu maintained a look of attentiveness while her thoughts drifted.
Something else suddenly crossed her mind.
She had promised her parents she’d take Feng Yan home for dinner.
With work getting busier, if she didn’t schedule it soon, who knew how long it’d get pushed back…
———
Meanwhile.
Feng Corporation Headquarters.
Feng Yan leaned back in his chair, his expression cold as he listened to a subordinate’s project report.
Fang Assistant stood nearby, hands clasped behind his back.
He had noticed something off about the boss all day.
That sharp, unapproachable face held not a trace of warmth, radiating an icy aura.
Like a ticking time bomb no one knew when would explode.
Around the conference table, the executives had all picked up on the tense, dangerous atmosphere.
They treaded carefully, choosing their words with extreme caution.
Originally, they had been excited—after hearing rumors that President Feng had started speaking again, they wondered if today might be the day they finally heard his voice.
Now, they didn’t dare entertain such absurd hopes.
They just prayed they could finish their reports without a single misplaced decimal or poorly phrased point setting him off—because the consequences would be dire.
The room held its breath, every ounce of attention fixed on the cold, intimidating man at the head of the table.
Only the voice of the Investment Division Two manager filled the silence as he delivered his report.
Perhaps from nerves, the manager misread a unit of measurement.
Instantly, the room froze.
Oh no.
A wrong unit might seem minor.
But everyone in the company knew President Feng obsessed over details.
A mistake like this in a contract could spell disaster.
Sure enough.
As the manager’s voice faltered, Feng Yan—who hadn’t spoken a word—slowly lifted his gaze.
His eyes were calm, yet sharp as blades.
The executives collectively held their breath.
Then—
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Five rapid vibrations cut through the tension.
Fang Assistant stiffened.
He had no idea who’d dare spam-text President Feng.
But after witnessing his boss’s recent odd behaviors and reflecting deeply on them, a realization struck him.
A gut feeling told him the anger simmering in Feng Yan might just fizzle out.
Amidst the tense silence and watchful gazes of the executives below,
Feng Yan lowered his lashes and picked up his phone.
[Sang Lu: Me teleporting in.jpg]
[Sang Lu: Busy? ฅ•ᴗ•ฅ]
[Sang Lu: Mom asked when we’d have time to come home for dinner. Are you free this Thursday?]
[Sang Lu: No worries if you’re not! We can reschedule after I finish this busy stretch. (◕‿◕✿)]
[Sang Lu: blinking in anticipation.gif]
The air grew still.
The atmosphere froze.
At the conference table, the executives were stunned to witness the sharp, icy aura around their CEO soften in an instant. His stern features even flickered with something almost… gentle.
Those seated closest even caught—
Was that… the faintest upturn of Feng Yan’s lips?
Just a few pixels’ worth.
As the room buzzed with shock,
their CEO stood and uttered calmly,
"Meeting adjourned."
The crowd erupted internally: !!!!!!
He spoke!
Holy shit!
They actually got to hear Feng Yan’s voice!
And damn, it was mesmerizing.
