115: Keeping the appointment

Hanging up the phone, Yan Zhuohua put down the documents in his hand. For a moment, he didn't know how to tell Yan Qinghe about going out for dinner tonight.

After all, he hadn't forgotten the previous occasions; the man would definitely be jealous and would most likely use the opportunity to demand some benefits for himself.

Better to tell him later; he would stall for as long as he could. Yan Zhuohua returned his focus to the documents, trying to find fault with Yan Qinghe's work. Unfortunately, after a full half hour, he couldn't find a single mistake.

Yan Qinghe's "male virtue" was indeed a perfect score.

Unable to find any leverage to use against Yan Qinghe, Yan Zhuohua disappointedly immersed himself in the stacks of files and focused on his work.

He stayed busy right until noon. If Yan Qinghe hadn't called him after waiting upstairs for so long, he probably would have worked straight through until evening.

By the time he hurried upstairs, Yan Qinghe had already set the table and was just waiting for him to eat.

"It's only your first day as a permanent employee, and you're working this hard?" Yan Qinghe watched him eat heartily with a smile in his eyes.

"There's a lot to do, and..." Yan Zhuohua's hand slowed down as he moved his chopsticks.

"And what?"

"I have a dinner appointment tonight."

Yan Qinghe's smile stiffened, but he quickly recovered.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

"Ha, haha..." Yan Zhuohua bit his chopsticks and looked cautiously at Yan Qinghe, who was serving him soup. "Well, I can just go by myself..."

"..." The smile completely vanished from Yan Qinghe's face. "I'll give you one more chance. What did you just say?"

Yan Zhuohua reached out and pinched Yan Qinghe's face, acting coy. "It's just one meal. I'll be back right after I finish eating."

"You were away from home for over two months, leaving me to sleep alone in an empty room. You've been back for less than three days, and now you're going out to dinner with someone else? And without me?" Yan Qinghe caught the hand making trouble on his face, his smile turning dangerous. "Right, you haven't said yet—who is this 'someone else'?"

"It's..."

"Stop. Let me guess. It wouldn't happen to be that Wen Hengtang, would it?"

"...It's him."

"Fine! It really is him again!" Yan Qinghe's terrifying smile deepened. "We've been married for half a year now. You've had two meals with him, yet I haven't even met him! This isn't right, is it? Don't you want to introduce me to your friend?"

"I didn't say that! I'm very willing to introduce you to my friends! I even sent him a wedding invitation back then so he could meet you. It's just that for various reasons, he couldn't make it."

"Then fine. Today is just the right time. I can go meet him."

"Today really won't work..." Yan Zhuohua put down his chopsticks, stood up, and sat next to Yan Qinghe, wrapping his arms around his neck. "I promise, after I have dinner with him tonight, you'll be able to meet him very soon! And you'll realize he's absolutely no threat to you!"

Yan Qinghe remained silent, his face practically screaming "I don't believe you."

"Don't be like that, I'm not lying to you!" Yan Zhuohua grew anxious. "Everything I said is true. Think about it, when have I ever lied to you?"

"You haven't lied to me, but you have kept things from me." Yan Qinghe remained unmoved.

"Those were special circumstances!" Yan Zhuohua gave a guilty smile. "I'm really not lying. After this dinner tonight, you'll be able to meet him very soon."

Perhaps Yan Zhuohua's repeated assurances finally put Yan Qinghe at ease; his stance gradually softened, and his expression slowly relaxed.

Seeing the change in Yan Qinghe, Yan Zhuohua felt a surge of joy, thinking he had a chance. He took advantage of the way he was hugging Yan Qinghe to lift himself up and plant a kiss on his cheek.

"This is the deposit. I'll pay the balance when I get back."

After being kissed, Yan Qinghe tried to hold back for a while but eventually couldn't help but break into a smile, returning a deep kiss to the person who had thrown himself into his arms.

After a long time, Yan Qinghe finally let him go. "Have the Bodyguards drop you off and pick you up."

Having finally convinced Yan Qinghe, Yan Zhuohua instantly beamed and prepared to go back to his seat to eat.

"Eat right here." Yan Qinghe grabbed the person trying to get up and pressed him back down.

Fine. Since he had just gotten him to agree to the evening plans, it was better to be a bit more submissive for now.

After squeezing together for lunch and sharing a nap in each other's arms, Yan Zhuohua returned to his office just in time.

As soon as he entered, Yan Zhuohua used the intercom to call in Xu Cimin, who had just become his Special Assistant.

"Director Yan, you were looking for me?"

"Yes." Yan Zhuohua put down his pen and looked up at Xu Cimin. "How does my workload look for the coming week?"

"It's not heavy. Aside from daily tasks, there's nothing particularly important for the time being."

"Good," Yan Zhuohua nodded with satisfaction. "Then bring over all the important documents that can be handled in advance. I'll try to get as much done as possible today."

Working this hard right after taking office? Does this mean everyone will have to increase their efficiency from now on? Xu Cimin wondered to himself.

"Don't worry, I just might be busy over the next few days. This is just an occasional thing, it won't happen often." Yan Zhuohua easily guessed what the Special Assistant was thinking. "No need for overtime today either; just do what you can."

"Understood, Director Yan. I'll let everyone know." Xu Cimin felt relieved. No overtime was great!

"Go on then."

Xu Cimin was quite efficient. Throughout the afternoon, Yan Zhuohua was incredibly busy. Fortunately, before the end of the day, he managed to finish many of the important documents for the coming days in advance.

As the end of the workday approached, Yan Zhuohua packed his things and went straight to the 24th floor.

"Oh? Don't you have a dinner appointment? You still have time to come see me?" Seeing Yan Zhuohua enter, Yan Qinghe began to speak sarcastically.

"Of course, I had to come report to you and say goodbye before I left!" Yan Zhuohua sat directly on Yan Qinghe's lap to appease him.

"Fine!" Yan Qinghe gave his wife's waist a couple of satisfied strokes, though he didn't forget to keep grumbling. "I didn't expect you to actually remember to report in."

"Of course I did. I'm very obedient!" Yan Zhuohua let him take liberties. "I would never go anywhere without reporting it to you first!"

"Really?"

"Of course!" Yan Zhuohua nodded. "Dinner today will take two hours at most. I'll head home as soon as it's over. I won't go anywhere else."

"And what if you do go somewhere else?"

"I'll call you." Yan Zhuohua smiled brightly, yet his tone was firm. "Even if I just go to a convenience store, I'll call to report it. Don't we have a Tracking System anyway? I couldn't lie to you even if I wanted to."

Yan Qinghe nodded with great satisfaction.

After coaxing the child-like Chairman Yan a bit more, Yan Zhuohua took the Bodyguards to the restaurant Wen Hengtang had sent him. The place was a bit far, almost reaching the club owned by Sheng Xufeng and the others.

Upon arrival, Yan Zhuohua realized it was a Japanese restaurant, which explained why it was located in a neighborhood popular with foreigners. The atmosphere inside was quite elegant, and the private rooms offered plenty of privacy. Yan Zhuohua arranged for the two Bodyguards to eat in another private room, while he was led by the Waiter to the room Wen Hengtang had reserved.