Lou Yuming was in a meeting when he received a call from Dai Ze.
He had been raging during the meeting.
"What are you guys doing? If you can't come up with a decent plan by Tuesday, then all of you can get out!"
*Bang!*
He slammed a folder onto the table, and the conference room fell silent.
"Mr. Lou… Mr. Lou."
Yao Yifan, holding his phone, approached cautiously.
Lou Yuming glanced coldly at the caller ID and left the conference room with a frown.
The moment he left, the executives in the conference room felt as if they could finally breathe.
"What is it?"
His tone was sharp and tinged with anger, as he had just lost his temper.
Dai Ze paused, unsure if he should bring up Song Xi's matter at this moment.
However, Lou Yuming didn't give him even a few seconds to hesitate. He said coldly, "If it's nothing, I'm hanging up."
"Mr. Lou…"
"Beep, beep, beep—"
All that remained on the other end was the dial tone.
Dai Ze sighed, a sigh for Song Xi.
Two hours later, the meeting finally concluded.
Lou Yuming tugged at his tie. Back in his office, he asked, "Did Dai Ze call earlier?"
Yao Yifan nodded.
"Call him back."
"Yuming."
Suddenly, the office door was pushed open unexpectedly.
Anna, carrying a rectangular box, walked in gracefully.
"You can go out first," Lou Yuming said, glancing at Yao Yifan. Then he turned his cold face to Anna, his expression displeased. "What are you doing here?"
Anna smiled like a blooming flower and placed the wooden box on the desk. "Grandma sent me. She made you peach blossom crisps herself. Have some."
Lou Yuming refused coldly. "No need."
"Yuming, Grandma is getting old and still cooks for you. If you don't eat them, she'll be sad."
Lou Yuming frowned impatiently and glanced at the peach blossom crisps in the box.
Judging by their shape, they indeed resembled the style Grandma Shao used to make.
To not disappoint the old lady's intentions, he picked one up and took a shallow bite.
It tasted like he remembered. Lou Yuming's stern expression softened slightly. He said, "I've eaten. You can go now."
Anna wasn't about to leave so easily. She had gone to great lengths to ask Grandma to make these pastries, hoping to soften Lou Yuming's heart and get him to forgive her.
"Still not leaving?"
Lou Yuming looked up, saw she was still standing there, and his voice turned cold.
Anna quickly walked over. "Yuming, Grandma misses you. When are you planning to visit her?"
Lou Yuming knew she was using the old lady to her advantage. He replied perfunctorily, "We'll see."
Anna was undeterred. "Then how about this, you call me next time you come, and I'll have Grandma make peach blossom crisps for you!"
A cold smile curled on Lou Yuming's lips. His dark eyes fixed on her, exuding an imposing aura.
Anna nervously swallowed. "Yuming, I know I was wrong. Please take me off the blacklist."
"Anna."
He suddenly called her name. Anna's heart leaped with joy, and she responded obediently, "Mhm, what is it?"
To her surprise, he let out a cold laugh, his tone sarcastic and merciless. "You're a girl. It's best to leave yourself some dignity. Otherwise, if word gets out, finding a boyfriend will be difficult."
Anna's face turned pale. Her fingertips trembled slightly on her legs. "You… What do you mean?"
Lou Yuming leaned back on the sofa, his legs crossed, in a languid posture. "You know my temper. Don't play games with me. My tolerance for you has reached its limit. Don't dig your own grave."
"Yuming!"
"Get out!"
Anna trembled all over, startled.
Her eyes reddened with unwillingness. Finally, she clenched her fists and turned to leave.
After leaving the office, Anna received a call from Fang Ze.
He asked her for help.
Anna was already furious. She blurted out uncontrollably, "You can't even handle one woman, and you expect me to help you get promoted? Dream on!"
Fang Ze whispered in defense, "Don't forget, it was you who told me to harass Song Xi…"
"What did you say!"
Fang Ze immediately apologized. "No, I didn't say anything! Miss Anna, after all, you are a shareholder of the company. If they release the video, it will be all over!"
Anna sneered. "Did you touch her? Did you lay a hand on her? If you didn't do anything, how is it harassment! You're scared by just one video. Don't forget you still have a disability assessment report! Which action is more serious? Use your brain and think about it!"
Fang Ze suddenly understood. "…I understand! Thank you, Miss Anna. Don't worry, I definitely won't disappoint you!"
The next day, Song Xi received a message from Fang Ze.
He wanted to meet her privately and asked her not to tell anyone.
Song Xi replied with a "Okay" and then handed her phone to Dai Ze.
"Brother Dai, what should we do?"
Dai Ze pondered the meaning of Fang Ze's message. After a few seconds, he said disdainfully, "Go ahead. Let's see what this Fang Ze is up to!"
Xiao Mo immediately raised her hand. "I'm going too!"
Ge Bai Tao: "I want to go too!"
Dai Ze rolled his eyes. "I give up on you all. Fine, everyone go."