Chapter 26 - 26 Director Lan is Looking for Me [Vote for Recommendation]
Zhang Meng snorted: "You only know how to flirt with me, you’re so annoying."
"Meng Meng, do you mean that I should spread the love and flirt with other girls too? That’s tough for me, you know. I’m a man of pure heart; flirting with girls just isn’t something I can do." Li Xiaoyao said playfully while hailing a cab.
"Brother Xiaoyao, you’re really glib. Oh no, you’ve made me forget what I was going to say." Zhang Meng blushed and then said, "Director Lan wants you to stop by her office later when you get to the company."
"Director Lan is looking for me?" Li Xiaoyao felt like this was quite a sudden shift; how did the topic jump straight to Director Lan?
Zhang Meng said: "Hmm, it seems to be about Sister Zhuo’s business."
Li Xiaoyao thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I’ll come by later, but I might be a bit late. I’ve just taken Zhuo Yi home and there’s some traffic on the way."
Li Xiaoyao was telling a bald-faced lie; the main road was smooth and not congested at all.
However, he had a reason for lying, because he needed to make a trip to San Tiao Alley.
Last night, he discussed matters related to San Tiao Alley with Brother Chu, but at the time, Li Xiaoyao did not give an immediate response because he needed to go and check the place out firsthand, and then see what good spots San Tiao Alley had.
After inspecting, Li Xiaoyao would be in a better position to discuss terms with Brother Chu.
Li Xiaoyao quickly arrived at San Tiao Alley, which, despite its name, was actually a broad street that stretched for a kilometer and was flanked by bars, restaurants, shops, and some brand-name stores.
Even though it was just one street, it was fully stocked with goods and especially bustling with people.
Li Xiaoyao could almost imagine the crowded, lively scene here at night, with the music blaring and people swarming.
Li Xiaoyao paid special attention to several bars and restaurants, and among these bars, one called ’Gone with the War’ left the deepest impression on him.
Though it was just a lounge bar, its popularity was incredible. Keep in mind, it was three in the afternoon, yet people were drinking at the bar, and it wasn’t even a regular one at that.
After taking a walk around San Tiao Alley, Li Xiaoyao took a cab back to the company.
On the ride back, Li Xiaoyao pondered all the way and couldn’t think of any reason for Director Lan to call for him out of the blue.
It seemed like he had only met Director Lan once before, and during that one time, he had merely greeted her with no further interaction.
Confused, Li Xiaoyao arrived at Director Lan’s office.
Just as a girl walked out from Director Lan’s office, she saw Li Xiaoyao and whispered to him, "Mr. Li, do you want to change your clothes first?"
Li Xiaoyao was puzzled: "Change clothes? What clothes? Does Director Lan want me to dress sexier or something?"
Upon hearing Li Xiaoyao’s words, the girl rolled her eyes and said helplessly, "Mr. Li, you’re now the General Manager of the Marketing Department. Of course, you need to dress more formally to meet Director Lan."
The girl was undoubtedly kind-hearted; she wouldn’t have offered to help just anyone. She had given Li Xiaoyao the friendly reminder because, on the day of the interview, he had seen off those troublemakers, leaving her with a very good impression of him.
Li Xiaoyao recognized the goodwill in the girl’s voice and smiled at her, saying, "Thank you, miss, but I’ll just stay as I am. These clothes are more comfortable to wear."
"Alright then." The girl pouted, seeming a bit unhappy that she couldn’t be of help to Li Xiaoyao, but her eyes suddenly lit up as she said, "Oh right, when you talk to Director Lan later, make sure not to stare at her. Director Lan doesn’t like being stared at, especially by men."
Li Xiaoyao nodded and said, "Got it, thank you."
"No need to thank me, Mr. Li. I just wanted to ask..." The girl blushed and asked hesitantly, "What’s your phone number? Can you tell me?"
Li Xiaoyao was taken aback and felt a bit embarrassed. Is she... asking for my number?
Li Xiaoyao stared at the girl’s face, taking another look. He realized she was actually quite beautiful and had a nice figure too, petite and delicate.
Li Xiaoyao couldn’t remember his own mobile number. He searched his pockets and then remembered that his phone was charging in the office. He apologized, "Sorry, I’ve just changed my SIM card and can’t remember the number, and my phone is charging in the office."
The girl, seeing that Li Xiaoyao’s expression didn’t seem deceitful, felt disappointed but could only say, "Oh, then I’ll get going. Goodbye, Mr. Li."
"Goodbye." Li Xiaoyao waved his hand at the girl, filled with regret inside. Here he had a girl throwing herself into his arms, and he missed the opportunity because he couldn’t remember his phone number. What a grievous error, a grievous error indeed!
Li Xiaoyao was a normal man; he had physical needs as well. But he was a man of principles; he would never coerce a woman into doing something she didn’t want to do. Affairs between men and women should be consensual, after all, forced melons are never sweet.
If that girl had been willing to engage in a special friendship with Li Xiaoyao, he certainly wouldn’t have minded.
But Li Xiaoyao also saw clearly that such a woman could be a part of his life as a diversion, but she could never be the main course.
Li Xiaoyao knocked on the door.
"Come in." Director Lan’s voice was ethereal and pleasant to hear.
Li Xiaoyao pushed open the door and walked in, his eyes meeting a spacious area.
Director Lan’s office was exceptionally large, spanning over two hundred square meters.
The office’s decor was simple and elegant. Near the door, a set of sofas faced a wall, and above the sofas hung a landscape painting. At first glance, the painting’s grandeur and atmosphere forced out an involuntary exclamation of admiration!
Beside the sofas, there was a dark wood table adorned with the Four Treasures of the Study. Yellow rosewood made up the desk by the window, and behind it sat a woman, beautiful as a picture.
The woman had half her long hair draping over her back, and she was wearing a tailored suit that accentuated her figure. Right now, she was looking down at documents in her hand, not even lifting her head as Li Xiaoyao entered.
Li Xiaoyao walked up to the painting and stood still, with his hands clasped behind him, quietly appreciating the landscape. Since Director Lan was busy, he thought he might as well enjoy the painting for a while.
Lan Cai wasn’t actually reading the documents; she was pretending to while surreptitiously sizing up Li Xiaoyao.
Under normal circumstances, Li Xiaoyao would have noticed right away, but now, he was captivated by the painting, not sparing too much thought for Lan Cai.