29 2.12

Feng Mian had to get up extra early today to get to work; from old man Li's house to the office, the drive would take half an hour longer than usual. At some point, it had become a habit that Hao Junlin would pick out what she would wear to work for the day and Feng Mian was more than happy to be relieved from the arduous task of matching her outfit.

The staff at the company even felt that their CEO has been ten points more handsome than usual in the past few weeks.

Today, Hao Junlin's picked out a Valentino navy blue suit with a striped open-collared shirt. Feng Mian turned a few times and admired her dashing enough to blind the eyes self in the mirror.

"Hao Junli, when we get back to our world, I'll be counting on you to pick out my clothes for me every day."

Hao Junli was regaled by the comment, his eyes twinkling. "Every day?"

"Yes ah. I'll work hard to find a good job and pay you for your services."

Hao Junli smiled. "I don't need money."

'That's right, she forgot. This Hao Junlin was also a proper rich second generation.'

"You're right ah, this sister can't afford your godlike hands," Feng Mian lamented.

Hao Junlin fixed her cuffs as he said offhandedly, "You can pay me with something other than money."

"Like what?"

A knock on their door interrupted Hao Junli. It was the steward.

"Young master, Young madame, the Old master is waiting for you both at the dining table for breakfast."

Hao Junlin secured the cufflinks and said to her, "Let's go."

***

Old man Li was sitting at the very end of a long table where several hot Chinese cuisines were served.

"I know you young folks are into Western cuisines nowadays, but this old man's chef is a rare talent in Guizhou cuisines. Try some."

Feng Mian and Hao Junlin took their respective seats. Without needing any incentives, Feng Mian unabashedly filled her bowl with the steaming eight treasure congee - a youtiao was then grabbed and squished inside with the congee to soak.

The fragrant flavours awakened her taste buds at a sip. Old man Li watched his grandson who looked as if he was left to starve for days. His chopsticks clinked against the edge of his bowl as he put them down.

"Is your wife pregnant, or are you the pregnant one? Jun-er has yet to have anything on her plate, why are you already stuffing yourself? A husband should have some propriety."

Feng Mian lifted her hamster-cheeked face from the bowl and saw Hao Junli's amused face staring back at him. She swallowed the food down and licked her lips.

"What do you want to eat Junli? I'll get it for you." It was a bit too late to ask but at least there was an effort.

"It's fine, I don't have much appetite lately. You go on ahead and eat." Hao Junli studiously placed a stuffed bun on Old man Li's plate. "You should eat too grandpa."

Old man Li felt that it was regretful that not one of his children or grandchildren were females. Look at this, females are definitely more lovely and considerate. Unlike those pig, sturdy grandsons of his.

"That's not good Jun-er, you should mind your health and eat more. Here, have some eggs, they are good for the pregnancy."

This harmonious scene of grandfather and granddaughter getting along stung Feng Mian's eyes. Hao Junli really knows how to get brownie points from the elderly.

She spoke up, "Why do you never tell me to mind my health? If my father's name hadn't been on my birth certificate, I'd think that Junli was your real grandchildren."

Old man Li eye-rolled. "A tyrant lives for 500 years. You punks have the vitality of a cockroach, why do I need to worry about you for?"

Old man Li saw that the time was no longer early. "Shoo, shoo, go get to work, I don't feed idle people in this house. Use my driver, he's already got the car prepared."

"Okay, I'll be going now. Take care of Junli for me grandpa. Don't let him see the tubs of ice cream in the fridge."

Her hand dived in for a bun on the table before leaving the dining room speedily. The Li patriarch shook his head at her antics.

"This Li Xiaofeng brat seems to be more lively ever since he met you," the old man said to Hao Junlin.

Hao Junlin laughed softly. "She's always been like that."

The chef came running in panting.

"Has Young Master Li gone out already?"

"He's out," Old man Li replied.

"What bad luck! I just packed lunch for the young master." The chef wiped the trails of sweat from his forehead.

Hao Junlin stood up. "I can send it to him."

Old man Li clapped his hands. "Good idea! You haven't seen Li Xiaofeng's office yet right, Jun-er? Chef Yan, bring the food over to the young madame, she'll send it personally."

There was an old matchmaking soul in his body that wanted this pair of husband and wife to spend more time together and foster feelings. He had to admit, he quite liked his new granddaughter-in-law of his.

Thus, granddaughter-in-law Hao Junlin was ushered to one of the Li family's cars and driven to LXT company.

***

Li Haoran who was entrusted to accompany and drive Hao Junlin to Li Xiaofeng's office parked the car in front of the building. He brought Hao Junlin over to the reception.

"That old man Li really thinks I'm a jobless person," he muttered under his breath.

The receptionist having recognised the Li family's insignia on the hood of the car greeted the two guests with professional cordiality.

"Are you looking for CEO Li, Second Young Master Li?" she asked.

Li Haoran nodded. "This is the CEO's wife, Young Madame Wan. In the future, if she comes, make sure to recognise her and treat her well."

The receptionist bowed slightly at Hao Junli. If Second Young Master Li had personally come to escort the young madame, it means that this new wife is approved by the Li family's head. The receptionist made a mental note in her head to treat this honourable personage courteously.

"Young Madame Wan is here to deliver something for her husband."

The receptionist took the cue. "Of course. The CEO's office is on the highest floor. Madame Wan, I'll show you to the elevator."

Li Haoran had finished the task given and was ready to leave. He said to Hao Junli, "Cousin-in-law, I'll be going now~"

Hao Junli thanked him and was guided to the CEO's personal elevator. She clicked President Li's floor button for him before going back to her own desk to inform Secretary Hong of the president's wife's visit shortly after.

Secretary Hong put down the receiver. 'Eh? The legendary Mrs Li is coming to visit her husband?'

***

In her office, Feng Mian who was bogged down with work had received an unwanted guest.

'Female lead-sama, don't you have other jobs to do?'

She had not done anything to warrant the female lead's interest, but here Yu Yan was continuing the involve herself with her. Or perhaps the attraction force between the male and female lead was too strong of a pull.

Yu Yan gripped onto her skirt. She had gathered a lot of courage to come here and meet Li Xiaocheng.

System 555: "What a stud-horse you are Xiao Mian, in the last world you attracted minors. In this world, you won't even let the same sex go. Tsk, tsk, tsk, I've really looked down on you."

Feng Mian ignored 555's nonsense.

"Do you need something from me, Ms Yu?" Feng Mian's hands locked together as she place them on the table.

Yu Yan unconsciously stammered, "That--that… I… I saw that…"

Feng Mian didn't have time to entertain this sort of indecisive behaviour. Her time was money.

"If you don't have anything to say, do you mind escorting yourself out of my office? This is not the tea break room."

"The other day, I saw you with another woman," Yu Yan spat the words out like launching a bullet train.

Feng Mian raised a disinterested eyebrow. "So?" She was interested to see where this was going.

Yu Yan thought that Li Xiaocheng must be feigning indifference. "She said that you were together, that you were each other's first love. B-but... you're married, Mr Li."

She had asked around the office and found out that the woman from the other day was Ms Chun Hua, who was often seen coming in and out of Mr Li's office. Yu Yan was sure there was an illicit affair going on between them.

"And you're here to lecture me?" Feng Mian looked at this scatterbrained female lead with intrigue.

Yu Yan's heart skipped a bit with the look. Mr Li's eyes are really attractive; fatally so.

"No," she answered doubtfully.

"Then what do you want? Money?... Promotion?"

Yu Yan bit her lips. "No"

"Then... you want to be my mistress?" Feng Mian chuckled in detest.

Feng Mian's conjecture was too bold and Yu Yan was immediately taken aback, her face reddening like cooked shrimp.

Feng Mian's gaze turned sharp and she snickered. 'I see how it is.'

"Even my last mistress, who's rich, beautiful, with a good background, and every bit your superior can't hold my interest for long. What makes you think I will settle down for you, a Walmart, cheap, copy version of her?

The onslaught of insult injured Yu Yan's self-esteem greatly. She looked at the man who she had always admired greatly in her heart with disbelief, "I--I didn't say that."

She took the plunge and immediately kneeled in front of Feng Mian.

From what Feng Mian could remember, the last time someone kneeled to her was when she was Zhou's head maid. How nostalgic.

"Please help me, President Li! My father has leukaemia and our family needs money for the bone transplant surgery. I'm willing to do anything if you'll lend me one and a half million yuan!"

'So this is maiden in distress route the female lead is going for.'

"You've talked so long, but it turns out you just want to borrow money. I'm not an evil person, if I can help then I will. You don't have to sell yourself to borrow, I'll lend it to you. Plus interest of course. In fact, why don't I just cut from your monthly wages?"

Yu Yan was left stumped on the floor. 'The CEO will really lend money just like that? Why was she so conflicted in the first place?'

The office door opened just in time. Hao Junlin strutted in, his Fendi purse swinging aggressively in motion.

"Husband, did someone mistake you for a loan shark business? Why is it so rowdy?"