Chapter 77: Are you looking for me?

After parking the car, Lin Xiao made his way into the Brilliant Tower.

“Brother Lin, you’ve arrived.” As he entered, he was greeted by Luo Xiaofeng, his face marked with two pronounced dark circles, his voice filled with respect and gratitude.

The excitement of the previous night had kept him awake, worrying that he might wake up to find it all a dream. Not until this morning, when he completed his appointment formalities at the HR department, did he realize that it wasn’t a dream, but reality.

“Mm-hmm,” Lin Xiao responded with a nod, advising, “Do your best.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Lin. I won’t let you down,” assured Luo Xiaofeng, exuding confidence.

Lin Xiao just nodded at Luo Xiaofeng’s assurance.

Despite some factors contributing to his positive impression of Luo Xiaofeng, it was primarily Luo Xiaofeng’s attitude that Lin Xiao appreciated. There was no doubt that he was fit to serve as the head of the security department.

“Good morning, Director Lin.”

“Director Lin.”

This morning was unlike the others. Upon entering the building, Lin Xiao received greetings not just from Luo Xiaofeng but also from a number of employees in the logistics department.

This change of attitude was due to Lin Xiao’s position as their superior and the stern lesson he had dealt Yang Tao, a story which had circulated throughout the logistics department the previous day.

The new boss was undeniably tough. After all, Yang Tao was still lying in the hospital.

Of course, this was all their interpretation.

Little did they know, or could even imagine, that Lin Xiao had no particular interest in his position. Had Yang Tao not pushed his luck, Lin Xiao wouldn’t have been so severe.

However, even though it was a misunderstanding, a series of coincidences had them treating Lin Xiao with due respect, at least superficially. As for their thoughts, Lin Xiao didn’t pay them any mind.

For Lin Xiao, the matters of the logistics department were nothing more than a hassle, and he was simply holding a nominal position.

Given that Wan Caixuan had no plans to leave the Brilliant Tower today, and Lin Xiao didn’t have much on his plate, he was aimlessly wandering around the building out of sheer boredom.

It was soon noon.

The cafeteria was exceptionally luxurious, offering four distinct cuisines. The selection ranged from comforting home-style dishes to rare delicacies and specialty snacks. Despite the upscale presentation, the prices were remarkably affordable—generous discounts didn’t come at the cost of variety.

Take the vegetarian options, for instance: two dishes cost only four yuan, far cheaper than dining out. Alongside a wide array of main courses, there were also desserts, cakes, coffee, and more.

Lin Xiao entered the cafeteria on the third floor of the building. It was his first time dining here.

To everyone’s surprise, he ordered an amount of food enough for three adults and started eating at his table.

“Wow, Lin Xiao, you really have a large appetite, ordering so much again,” soft laughter echoed in Lin Xiao’s ears.

Looking up, Lin Xiao saw Ning Xi holding her tray of food, smiling at him.

Caught off guard, Lin Xiao didn’t know how to respond, so he changed the subject, “Where’s the president?”

“She’s still busy in her office. I’m going to bring her some food later,” Ning Xi said, sitting down next to Lin Xiao.

After Ning Xi sat down, Lin Xiao could clearly feel the envious—and nearly murderous—gazes from all around.

At Brilliant Aya Limited, Ning Xi, as the president’s assistant, was regarded as a goddess by many male employees. Her beauty and poise were unmatched, and though not as icy as the president, she was still known for being distant and reserved. She rarely smiled, let alone laughed.

So watching the woman of their dreams casually chatting and laughing with another man sent waves of jealousy crashing through the cafeteria. To them, Lin Xiao was Public Enemy No. 1.

But Lin Xiao paid them no mind. He focused on his meal, talking with Ning Xi as if none of it mattered. In no time, they were done eating.

“Watching you enjoy your meal so much totally ruined my diet,” Ning Xi teased, shooting Lin Xiao a playful glare. “I ended up eating an extra bowl of rice. This is all your fault.”

Lin Xiao could only respond with a helpless, wry smile.

After Ning Xi packed some food for Wan Caixuan, Lin Xiao left the cafeteria as well. Wanting to walk off his meal, he decided to take a stroll around.

But just as he neared the company’s parking lot, a sharp voice scolding someone caught his attention—and made him stop in his tracks.

“What’s the matter with you? Do you realize who’s in that car? That’s President Lu. You dare to flag him down without reason. If you cause any delay to the president’s affairs, do you think you, a lowly security guard, can bear the consequences?”

A man wearing gold-rimmed glasses was irately berating a young security guard, pointing at him with heated anger.

His attitude was extremely overbearing, his finger almost jabbing the young guard’s face, and his spit indiscriminately splashing onto the guard’s face.

The young man fell silent for a moment, then spoke up with a hint of defiance, “I was simply adhering to the company’s policies. The car required inspection, and you—”

However, before he could finish his sentence, a middle-aged security guard in uniform cut him off.

“I apologize, Secretary Wang. He’s new here and wasn’t aware of President Lu’s vehicle. I’m truly sorry for this,” the middle-aged guard said, hastily bowing his head and apologizing to the spectacled Secretary Wang.

Then he turned to the young security guard and admonished, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Secretary Wang!”

The young security guard glanced at his middle-aged colleague and fell silent, not uttering a word.

“Oh, it seems you’re still disgruntled. Let me tell you, you need to swallow your pride whether you like it or not. A mere security guard daring to be so audacious!” Secretary Wang sneered, looking down on the young security guard with disdain.

The middle-aged security guard at his side was startled by this and hastily tugged at the young security guard’s uniform, shouting, “Apologize at once. Do you even want to keep your job?”

A flicker of humiliation crossed the young security guard’s eyes. Nonetheless, he bowed and said to Secretary Wang, “I’m sorry, Secretary Wang, I was wrong.”

“Heh, apologizing now is too late. You might as well prepare to leave the company,” Secretary Wang proclaimed with a smirk.

“What?”

The young security guard looked up in disbelief, his heart filled with anger as he stared at Secretary Wang’s self-satisfied expression. It was unimaginable to him that he was about to be fired for someone else’s mistake.

The middle-aged security guard beside him froze momentarily before quickly interceding, “Secretary Wang, I deeply apologize. He is new here. Please show some leniency.”

“Leniency? If you dare to speak out of turn again, believe it or not, I’ll have you dismissed as well. Go call your manager immediately,” Secretary Wang retorted dismissively. He then addressed the young security guard with a sneer, “Next time, learn to recognize who you can and cannot offend.”

The young security guard was filled with indignation, but he was forced to suppress it. He realized that if he didn’t bear the humiliation, he might lose this hard-earned job.

The middle-aged security guard appeared rather helpless. After glancing at the young guard, he shook his head and sighed, understanding the situation was likely beyond salvage.

Secretary Wang was Lu Pengbo’s secretary, the company’s second-in-command. Even though the young security guard wasn’t at fault, who would dare to offend Secretary Wang for the sake of a security guard?

“Why are you still standing there? Aren’t you going to fetch your manager?” Secretary Wang snapped at the motionless middle-aged guard.

“Oh? Why are you looking for me?”

At that moment, a voice resonated from nearby, reaching the ears of the group.