Chapter 110: Can’t I Visit You Without a Reason?

The next day, as usual, Lin Xiao woke up at five in the morning and headed to the park for his daily training.

“The bottleneck seems to be easing.”

Beneath a secluded tree, a spark of joy appeared in Lin Xiao’s eyes as he sat cross-legged.

After his insight from the phrase ‘Understand the Mind, See the Nature’ at Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, Lin Xiao attempted a breakthrough. He tried to advance to the second layer of the Qi Initiation stage.

He felt the bottleneck that had long hindered him was starting to give way.

Though he didn’t achieve a complete breakthrough, the easing of the bottleneck signaled that success wasn’t far off.

Feeling slightly satisfied, Lin Xiao brought breakfast back to Yuan Yu’s home.

After finishing their meal and considering he had his car, Lin Xiao decided to drop Yuan Yu at school so she wouldn’t have to wait for the bus. Then, he made his way to the Brilliant Tower.

Two security guards quickly approached him. They attentively opened his car door and greeted him with genuine respect, “Brother Lin!”

Unlike the prior courtesy that was merely due to Lin Xiao’s status, he sensed their genuine admiration now. Word had spread about Lin Xiao defending an ordinary security guard and not granting face to the company’s deputy head and Lu Pengbo’s secretary.

Most people have simple desires. Just a smidgen of respect could earn their loyalty and gratitude in return.

At Brilliant Aya Limited, security guards were typically at the lowest rung, often bullied and overlooked. Yet, Lin Xiao had taken a stand for them, challenging a top executive. This act of respect was unparalleled in their eyes.

Not mulling over it too much, Lin Xiao nodded and asked, “Have President Wan and Assistant Ning arrived yet?

“Yes, both of them have started their work,” said one of the security guards promptly. “Assistant Ning asked us to direct you immediately to the CEO’s office when you arrive.”

“Understood.” Lin Xiao gave a subtle smile, walked past the two guards, and made his way into the building.

Watching Lin Xiao’s receding silhouette, one guard remarked, “I had Brother Lin all wrong before. I used to think he was purely ruthless, but who knew he held such respect for us?”

“I agree. We did misunderstand him,” the other chimed in. “Someone visited Yang Tao in the hospital yesterday. Apparently, Yang Tao’s injuries were self-inflicted. He struck first, and only then did Brother Lin fight back.”

Unaware of the guards’ conversation, Lin Xiao took the elevator to Wan Caixuan’s office and knocked.

“Enter,” came Wan Caixuan’s crisp, cool voice.

Pushing the door open, Lin Xiao saw Wan Caixuan behind her desk, piled with stacks of documents. Beside her stood Ning Xi, holding a folder, seemingly briefing her on something.

Seeing Lin Xiao, a hint of delight crossed Ning Xi’s face. She teased, “Enjoyed your day off yesterday? What were you up to?”

“Just relaxed at home,” Lin Xiao said, shaking his head. He wasn’t about to divulge details about the car race.

Not pressing further, Ning Xi said, “I heard you stood up to Lu Pengbo’s secretary at the company the other day. Good job! Lu Pengbo’s a backstabber, and his secretary’s no better.”

Lin Xiao looked surprised, not expecting Ning Xi to be in the loop.

“You might not know, but word of that incident spread company-wide while you were off. That secretary is one of Lu Pengbo’s closest allies, basically his right-hand man. Everyone’s curious about who dared defy Lu Pengbo,” Ning Xi elaborated, sensing Lin Xiao’s astonishment.

“Okay, that’s enough,” interrupted Wan Caixuan softly.

“Why hold back?” Ning Xi retorted. “You don’t know how sleazy Lu Pengbo’s secretary is. He’s always ogling me. If not for the bigger picture, I’d have had him out on his ear ages ago.”

While they spoke, Ning Xi had subtly moved closer to Lin Xiao, her body leaning into his as she wrapped her arm around his.

“Lin Xiao, you truly avenged me.”

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Wan Caixuan found the sight in front of her slightly unsettling. Shifting her gaze, she remarked coolly, “Ning Xi, it seems you have an abundance of free time. If you’re unoccupied, would you like me to assign you more tasks? There are two urgent contracts here awaiting completion. Perhaps you should get to them rather than idling here.”

Caught off guard, Ning Xi reluctantly released Lin Xiao’s arm and stood upright. “Understood.”

She made her way toward the exit. Midway, she paused, shooting a playful glance back at Lin Xiao, “Lin Xiao, I have work waiting for me for now. I’ll look for you later.”

“There’s no need for you to seek him out today,” Wan Caixuan interjected with a hint of annoyance. “I have a job for him.”

“All right, all right. I’ll concede Lin Xiao to you for today. I won’t fight with you,” Ning Xi said, throwing Lin Xiao an enchanting look, her demeanor both teasing and captivating. “Lin Xiao, make sure you tend to our president diligently. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“Understood.”

Lin Xiao, sensing the odd tension between Wan Caixuan and Ning Xi, chose to reply succinctly, not wanting to add to the already thickening plot.

Ning Xi let out a cheeky laugh, sent Lin Xiao a flying kiss, and gracefully exited the office.

Once she stepped out of the president’s office, the charming smile that graced Ning Xi’s features vanished. Her gaze sharpened, returning to the resolute career woman revered by numerous professionals in the company.

She paused momentarily, collecting her thoughts, which had been aflutter, took a deep breath, and then briskly walked away.

Back inside the office, after Ning Xi’s departure, Lin Xiao turned to Wan Caixuan.

“President, what can I help you with?”

Even though Wan Caixuan had previously suggested that Lin Xiao address her by her first name, he still felt more comfortable referring to her as ‘President.’

Without looking up from her papers, Wan Caixuan remarked, “Can’t I seek you out without a specific reason?”

From her tone, Lin Xiao detected an underlying reprimand and a hint of suppressed anger. He felt a touch of exasperation, uncertain about what had displeased the ever-demanding president now.

Just a couple of days ago, she had given him the cold shoulder, acting mysteriously aloof. Why the sudden shift now?

Adhering to the belief that saying less is often better, Lin Xiao chose to remain silent, sitting still on the sofa.

About ten minutes later, Wan Caixuan finally raised her gaze from the documents, her face returning to its customary cold demeanor.

She fixed her eyes on Lin Xiao, who hadn’t moved an inch and said, “Tomorrow, you’re accompanying me to a banquet. Head to a nearby mall and purchase a fitting, high-quality suit.”

She retrieved a bank card from her bag and set it on the desk. “Use this for the attire.”

“President, I can handle the suit’s cost. I’d rather not accept the money,” Lin Xiao demurred.

He was already receiving a salary from Wan Caixuan, and she even allowed him the use of her car. Accepting money for clothes on top of that made him feel somewhat like he was sponging off her.

“When I offer, you should accept. Don’t forget, I’m still your employer,” Wan Caixuan’s expression hardened as she shot Lin Xiao a cold glance.

“… Alright then.” Seeing Wan Caixuan’s unyielding stance, Lin Xiao reluctantly picked up the bank card with a hint of resignation. “I’ll take my leave now.”

Wan Caixuan’s features relaxed slightly as Lin Xiao took the card. “Go ahead, purchase the suit. You have nothing else pressing.”