Chapter 34: Social Engagement

After casting a final, penetrating glance at her assistant, Lin Xi warned, "You'd best conduct yourself properly."

On the way back, the assistant hesitated several times, wanting to speak. Yet every time he caught sight of Lin Xi's cold expression, the words died on his lips.

He was deeply dissatisfied with her. So what if she’d studied abroad? How much more capable could she really be? He didn’t have much experience, but did she? She criticized his attitude, but had she ever considered her own?

Still, he didn’t want to lose his job over this. Even if he planned to leave, he’d wait until this project ended. By then, his resume would have a brilliant new entry, perhaps even enough to jump ship to Huasheng. For now, he had no choice but to swallow his grievances and apologize.

But judging by Lin Xi’s demeanor, even an apology might be pointless.

Back at the hotel, Lin Xi received a call from Cheng Si.

She turned to close the door, casually setting her laptop bag aside. “It went smoothly, no problems at all,” she reported.

“I can come back tonight,” she added.

Cheng Si replied, “Didn’t I tell you to take a couple of extra days off?”

Lin Xi pursed her lips. “I really don’t need to. I’m not under much pressure. There’s nothing for me to do here.”

She was never fond of wandering around aimlessly.

More often, she preferred to sit quietly by herself—a habit since high school that had never changed.

During her time abroad, her uncle would always try to drag her out when he was free, insisting that staying cooped up reading was bad for her health. But she never had any interest.

Cheng Si seemed genuinely intent on keeping her in Huaicheng a little longer, so he made up an excuse. “Then I won’t hurry over. Tonight, go have dinner with Huasheng’s senior management on my behalf.”

“Hm?” Lin Xi was taken aback. “I already turned them down.”

“You can refuse, but I can’t. Go in my place,” Cheng Si said.

“Is there anything you can’t refuse?” Lin Xi retorted, doubting anyone would dare disrespect his notoriously fiery temper.

There was never any engagement Cheng Si absolutely had to attend.

“Well, they are our major client. A meal together is appropriate. We’re on their turf, and they’ve extended the invitation. Refusing again would be impolite, don’t you think?”

“It’s just dinner. Sleep in tomorrow and go out for a bit before heading back.”

“That’s fine,” Lin Xi conceded. “But is it really appropriate for me to represent you?”

“What’s wrong with that? If Feiyun were a microchip, you’d be its most critical component. Your shares carry real weight, little sister.”

Cheng Si wasn’t exaggerating. Others might not know, but he was well aware—Feiyun didn’t belong to him. From start to finish, inside and out, it was Lin Xi’s alone.

So, for this engagement, Lin Xi was the perfect choice.

“My old man’s just started to recover—I really can’t leave him right now.”

“All right, then I’ll return to Beijing tomorrow night,” Lin Xi finally agreed.

Cheng Si chuckled. “So playing the emotional card still works.”

“You never fail with that trick,” she replied.

“Hey, as long as it works.”

——

That evening, Lin Xi brought her assistant along to the dinner.

President Shen from Huasheng wasn’t present—he was reportedly on a business trip. Instead, several other senior executives attended, none of whom she’d met that afternoon.

As the conversation progressed, they made no difficulties, simply discussing the strengths and weaknesses of popular smartphone brands on the current market.

Three of them sat opposite her. As the meal wore on, someone opened bottles of red wine and champagne.

After all, social dinners always involved drinking. All three men were seasoned drinkers. But tonight, Lin Xi had little desire for alcohol, so she quietly shot her assistant a glance.

“How much can you handle?” she whispered.

He replied softly, “I can manage one of them, but one against three is tough. I can drink plenty of beer—could we do that instead?”

Lin Xi fell silent, taking a slow, deep breath. She pulled her own wine glass closer and raised her hand slightly to signal the nearby sommelier.

He immediately understood and stepped forward to pour her wine.

As she watched the crimson liquid swirl in her glass, Lin Xi stood to offer a toast.

At first, the three demurred, but seeing her so bold, they didn’t protest further. Drinking alone was dull, after all.

One round went by, and Lin Xi’s composure never faltered. Her assistant couldn’t help but marvel, “You can really drink! Will you even make it back to the hotel?”

Lin Xi didn’t answer, instead lowering her head to eat something, hoping to settle her stomach.

Her assistant’s curiosity got the better of him. “Did you build up your tolerance during internships? You’re really good.”

“No,” Lin Xi replied, setting down her fork and wiping her hands with deliberate care. “My tolerance is average.”

“Then why drink so much?”

“Entertaining clients is part of the job. Is there something wrong with showing the proper attitude?”

He fell silent, feeling subtly rebuked.

After eating a little more, Lin Xi felt somewhat better. She turned her palm up, curled her fingers, and tapped the table, signaling the sommelier to refill her glass.

“I’ll do it,” her assistant offered.

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You?”

They were at an impasse when a knock sounded at the door. A waiter entered, smiling apologetically. “Sorry to interrupt.”

His gaze swept the room, pausing at the only woman present. “Are you Miss Lin Xi?”

She lifted her eyes languidly. “That’s me.”

He simply nodded and withdrew. The group exchanged puzzled glances. Moments later, the door opened again—not for a waiter this time, but for Qin Yu.

At the sight of him, Lin Xi’s pupils widened slightly.

Qin Yu’s gaze found her at once. Without hesitation, he strode over and stood behind her chair.

Before Lin Xi could speak, the three Huasheng executives—already a bit tipsy—stood up in unison. “President Qin!”

“When did you arrive in Huaicheng?”

“What a coincidence, President Qin! Dining here as well? Please, have a seat.”

They hurriedly gestured for the sommelier to clear the seat of honor.

Qin Yu inclined his head slightly and stopped them. “No need, I’ll sit here.”

With that, he took the empty seat beside Lin Xi, his rolled-up sleeve resting casually on the back of her chair—a gesture both intimate and proprietorial, as if claiming her as his own.

The three men, old hands at such affairs, immediately understood and chuckled as they sat back down, engaging Qin Yu in conversation.

With their attention diverted, Lin Xi could do little but listen obediently, though her mind was elsewhere, her eyes darting restlessly around the room.

Suddenly, her gaze landed on her assistant, who looked flustered and ill at ease, his head bowed.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xi asked, puzzled by his obvious discomfort. She didn’t much care for him, but as his direct supervisor—and since he’d accompanied her to this dinner—she felt responsible.

He raised his head guiltily, unsure how to respond.

Hearing the commotion on their side, Qin Yu paused his conversation and glanced over.

The moment he clearly saw the young man’s features, his eyes sharpened, black irises narrowing dangerously.