456: Did I hear that right?

Only by striking New Clothes again, just when hope has been rekindled, is the best way to completely destroy them. At that time, there will be no need to discuss any conditions; taking over Xinyi Company will be as easy as turning a page.

Qin Feixu nodded, picked up her coffee, and walked out of the office.

Although she didn't know what President Xu's next plan was, she was already sighing for Xinyi Company. She had bought clothes from their store before... but now they had brought this situation upon themselves.

Ouyou has walked the righteous path to reach where it is today, unafraid of anyone digging up dirt. Because there isn't any!

The atmosphere in Xinyi Company's chairman's office was stifling. A stack of resignation letters was neatly piled on the desk, and the chairman, with a ashen face, sat alone, his gaze stern.

Ever since Yu Yunqiu resigned, other employees in her department also successively submitted their resignations. Some claimed they were unwell and needed to recuperate, some said they had urgent family matters requiring leave, and others stated they had to go on a business trip out of town. The reasons seemed sufficient, but he knew very well in his heart—these people were all fair-weather friends!

Never mind, they'll regret it sooner or later. The chairman took a few deep breaths, trying to stabilize his emotions.

Just yesterday, he had finalized a collaboration. Although it wouldn't solve all the problems, it was at least a rare opportunity!

He was confident that with his abilities, he could bring Xinyi Company back to its best state within a week!

Knock knock knock!

A knock on the door suddenly sounded.

For some reason, an inexplicable unease surged in the chairman's heart.

During this period, if it wasn't someone he had scheduled to meet showing up uninvited, it was never good news!

Looking at the assistant standing at the door, the chairman even felt like cursing!

The company had just started to show some improvement; he couldn't handle any negative news right now!

Within a week of the stock price plummeting, the chairman had visibly aged a lot.

His originally dark and shiny hair began to turn white, his face was filled with exhaustion, and even the most expensive suit couldn't hide his heavy aura.

"Cha... Chairman..." The assistant stood about a meter away from the desk, his voice trembling.

"Why are you standing so far away!" His tone sank, his impatience no longer hidden.

The assistant glanced at the water glass on the table, sighed inwardly, and still took a few large steps forward.

What was meant to happen would happen eventually; there was no avoiding or escaping it.

After half a minute—

Crash!

Another sound of something smashing, glass shards flew everywhere!

The two secretaries outside exchanged glances, silently mourning for the assistant for thirty seconds.

If it was really bad news, they wouldn't dare go in to report it even for two hundred yuan!

Who could endure such a temper?

If it weren't for their lack of background and education, making it impossible to find new jobs, they would have resigned long ago!

With such a boss, who wouldn't live cautiously and nervously!

...Six o'clock in the afternoon.

Lan Xinju's phone rang, and he immediately began to clear his desk, preparing to leave.

"Oh? Xiao Lan, why are you leaving so early today?" A female Designer next to him asked in surprise.

In fact, it wasn't that everyone deliberately worked overtime; usually, they would finish the day's work or prepare for the next day's tasks, then leave around 6:30 PM.

And Lan Xinju, always shy, used to quietly leave only after everyone else was gone.

This was the first time he had clocked out on time since he started working here!

"Hmm, President Xu has an appointment later," Lan Xinju said while shutting down his computer.

"Really, is that true!"

The head of the Design Department's ears perked up, and as soon as he heard the name "Xu Lian," his full attention was drawn to it!

After tidying up his belongings, Lan Xinju hesitated for a moment, greeted his colleagues, and turned to leave the Design Department.

He didn't realize that his actions had already caused an "earthquake" in the office.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't mishear, did I?"

"You didn't mishear."

"Department Head, when did Xiao Lan and President Xu become so close?"

"Don't ask me, I don't know either."

The Department Head let out a long sigh.

He himself rarely had the chance to meet Xu Lian privately!

Thinking of this, he felt a pang of sadness, rubbing away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes, as if he were the neglected, heartbroken one.

"Department Head, Xiao Lan has already left, you should stop now."

"I didn't expect you to have such a mindset."

"Then next time we apply for a budget... can we ride on his coattails?"

Everyone chattered, making the office atmosphere lively and subtle.

This was a classic scene of "jealousy," wasn't it!

"You've all finished your assignments, right! Hand them in tomorrow!"

The Department Head huffed, clearly embarrassed and angry.

"What are you talking about, Department Head! Isn't it the day after tomorrow!"

"Hahahahaha, I've already finished mine!"

"Shut up! Which team are you on, anyway?"

"Of course, I support President Xu's camp! It's my honor to be able to help President Xu~"

While the Design Department was noisy, Lan Xinju had already descended to the underground parking lot.

This was his first time here.

He usually commuted by subway or bus, or if he was really in a hurry, he'd ride a shared bicycle, so everything here felt unfamiliar.

The massive garage was orderly, each area clearly marked with names.

"Zone C, 102," he murmured to himself.

This was the meeting point Qin Feixu had told him, Xu Lian's exclusive parking space.

Beep beep!

A car horn sounded, interrupting his search.

He turned his head to see Qin Feixu's beautiful face looking at him from inside the car.

"Get in quickly!" She called out, opening the window.

Although the front passenger seat was available, due to the difference in status, she subconsciously wanted Xu Lian to sit in the most comfortable position.

"The back seat is fine," Xu Lian said calmly.

Lan Xinju's fingers, suspended over the car door, paused for a moment, then, after a slight hesitation, he opened the back door.

The closer he got to Xu Lian, the more he felt an invisible pull drawing him towards the other person.

It seemed both active and passive.

He didn't want to clarify this vague emotion.

Just let nature take its course.

"What do you want to eat?" Xu Lian asked first.

Qin Feixu was driving, her lips slightly pressed, yet her hands on the steering wheel smoothly controlled the vehicle.

Actually, she had already decided on a place: Xu Lian's favorite Cantonese restaurant.

Reservations there were not easy to get; without the company's name, it would be difficult to secure a table relying solely on an individual.

"Huh? Are you asking me?" Lan Xinju was stunned.

He had always refrained from expressing opinions during group decisions.

This was the first time someone had seriously asked about his preferences.

That long-lost feeling of tenderness surged in his heart, making his brows unconsciously furrow slightly.

"Yes, anywhere you say is fine," Xu Lian looked out the window, his tone gentle.

Xu Lian could feel Lan Xinju's slight tension as he had just gotten in.

Like before, when he first entered an unfamiliar environment, he would always unconsciously become defensive.