The lunch hour was generally pleasant. Even Professor Tang, who usually had a stern expression, praised the restaurant's good taste and decent tea.
However, Professor Tang's presence made many of the Master Z students who were also dining feel a bit nervous.
This elderly professor gave face to no one and was known to argue with the university president.
Years ago, it was rumored that the school had arranged a meal for Professor Tang, some financial magnates, and a secretary from the authorities to discuss project funding and early compliance. The specifics were unknown, but it was said that Professor Tang gave them no face at all, flipped the table on the spot, and declared he would no longer attend any banquets.
Despite this, no one dared to trouble him. Funding was still provided, and projects proceeded as usual.
They were all afraid that Professor Tang might flip the table halfway through their meal.
So, should they stay or should they go?
"I'll pay the bill," Xia Qingtian said, taking out her phone to settle the payment.
"Nonsense, I'm not short of money. Do I need you to pay?" Professor Tang frowned. He was here, did he need these youngsters to pay?
"I'll let you pay next time. I have a new customer coupon that gives me a 30% discount." Xia Qingtian had grabbed the coupon when scanning to order, and the amount for payment met the discount threshold.
"Hiss..." Hearing Xia Qingtian's words, everyone gasped.
You want to dine with Professor Tang multiple times? Even principals and deans don't get this treatment!
You, you, you... Is it great that you're good-looking!
"Then I want to eat something expensive next time!" Er Ya immediately said, "Let's eat seafood, I want king crab!"
"Hiss..." Everyone gasped again.
King crab! Are you out of your mind? How dare you ask for that? Who are you?
"Tch, you sure know how to order," Professor Tang said with a chuckle, amused by Er Ya, but he still snorted, "Then it's this Saturday afternoon. Don't get in the way of my work."
"Okay~" Er Ya made a gesture and then looked at Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao, "You both have to be there, to eat king crab~"
"Okay," Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.
After paying, the four of them walked out, chatting and laughing.
They left behind a restaurant full of stunned people. Were they dreaming?
"Do you have classes this afternoon?" Er Ya asked, "Want to hang out at the research lab?"
"Hang out? Is the research lab a place to hang out!" Professor Tang was very serious about his work.
"I have to go back to the company this afternoon. There's too much work in the department now, so I'll go help out," Li Xiaoxiao said helplessly, pursing her lips. She was already a qualified corporate slave before graduation.
"I have things to do this afternoon too. Let's get together again on Saturday," Xia Qingtian patted Er Ya's shoulder and said apologetically to Professor Tang, "Professor Tang, please take good care of Er Ya."
"Hmph," Professor Tang snorted, "As long as she stops contradicting me."
"Your calculation methods and practices are too outdated! I didn't use them when I was little!" Er Ya protested, "Using my methods is faster and more effective, and it also avoids wasting herbs!"
"You only know how to do those shortcuts! Are you allowed to ruin our ancestors' legacy?" Professor Tang said displeasedly.
"If you're so obsessed with our ancestors, why don't you go find him... Mmph!" Er Ya was gagged by Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao before she could finish her sentence.
"You should say less!" Li Xiaoxiao was exasperated. She was already not good at conversation, and Er Ya was even worse.
"Be polite!" Xia Qingtian was on the verge of tears. This Er Ya was really infuriating.
"Mmph!" Er Ya was still struggling to protest, so Li Xiaoxiao and Xia Qingtian had to use their trump card.
"For king crab, can't you just say less?" Li Xiaoxiao said.
"For Big Sister, can't you set a good example?" Xia Qingtian said.
Hearing these two sentences, Er Ya finally calmed down. For king crab and for Big Sister, she would endure!
Watching Er Ya walk away with Professor Tang, hands behind her back, Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao sighed together. Then they looked at each other and managed a reluctant smile.
"I'm going back to the company," Li Xiaoxiao shrugged and said, "I need to learn to be a qualified corporate slave."
"Then get in my car. It's on the way, and I can give you a ride." Xia Qingtian also needed to go to the business district to pick someone up.
"Got it," Li Xiaoxiao didn't stand on ceremony and rode in Xia Qingtian's car directly to the Gu Corporation's entertainment building. "See you at school tomorrow~"
"Okay, see you tomorrow," Xia Qingtian waved, then closed the car window and instructed the driver to head to their destination.
"Bye bye~" Li Xiaoxiao waved. As she turned, she saw her boss. "Huh? Mr. Gu?"
"Xia Qingtian drove you here?" Gu Yaoyang watched the car drive away, his expression somewhat complicated.
"Yes, she... she still has work to do, so..." Li Xiaoxiao didn't understand why Mr. Gu had that expression. Was Xia Qingtian's work progress really lagging far behind?
No way...
Qingtian is very capable!
"It's nothing, you can go and get busy," Gu Yaoyang interrupted Li Xiaoxiao's stammering.
"Oh," Li Xiaoxiao responded and then lowered her head, quickly entering the company.
The boss's affairs were not something she, a mere contract intern, could manage. It was better to focus on her own job.
As Li Xiaoxiao left, Wen Yao pulled her car out and stopped by the roadside. "What are you thinking about? Get in."
Gu Yaoyang finally came to his senses and got into the car. He had a cooperation to discuss in person that afternoon.
The other party was a difficult and cantankerous character, and today's matters were unlikely to be easy.
Work comes first; other matters can be set aside for now.
He tried to console himself this way, but Gu Yaoyang's expression was anything but calm. His low mood and cold face made Wen Yao dare not joke with him.
The cantankerous boss he was meeting that afternoon didn't even dare to raise an objection once. In the end, he had to admit that the rumored Mr. Gu had a truly terrifying aura.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingtian arrived at the entrance of the Creative Park and made a phone call. "Auntie? Are you busy?"
"Not busy now," Yu Zixuan answered Xia Qingtian's call, a little confused. "What's wrong?"
Could it be about the Tang family leader? Or perhaps...
"I'm at the entrance of the Creative Park. Can you come out? I need to take you somewhere this afternoon," Xia Qingtian said, holding her phone. "I hope it won't disturb your work."
"Now?" Yu Zixuan's gaze shifted. She increasingly felt that this matter might be related to the Tang family leader and immediately became extremely alert. "Okay, I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Yu Zixuan immediately instructed someone to start making arrangements to capture the Tang family leader.