Arriving at the entrance of Zhuo Sheng's underground facility, the security guard recognized the license plate and immediately opened the barrier, granting her passage.
Assistant Zhao had specifically instructed them not to ask any questions upon seeing this license plate, only to allow entry. As for who was inside the car, it was not a concern for a mere security guard.
Taking the elevator upwards, they passed several groups of people getting on and off. They all appeared tense and hurried, as if something major had happened at Zhuo Sheng. Yin Xi vaguely overheard snippets of their conversations.
"Did you see him just now? The president's face was as cold as ice."
"Yes. The air in the entire room felt thin. I was trembling with fear."
"Who was audacious enough to provoke our president?"
"Don't you know? It's that international star, Meng Qi. She was notified to come for the advertisement shoot today, but she's been late."
"This Meng Qi really puts on airs. Even if she's an international star, so what? How dare she keep our president waiting? No wonder the president is so furious."
...
Yin Xi, wearing a black mask, only removed it upon reaching the top floor. The secretary, Yan Yun, greeted her with a smile as soon as she saw her, "Miss Yin, you're here."
"Mmm," Yin Xi replied with a smile, looking at her. "Are all the company employees not going home for lunch today?"
"The company has urgent matters today, so everyone is working overtime," Yan Yun said, a grin spreading across her lips. "The president is in the advertising department. Please wait in the office for a moment, and I'll call him."
Yin Xi paused. "He's so busy, perhaps I should take it directly to him."
"That would be fine too," Yan Yun said after a moment's thought, her voice gentle. "I'll take you there now, please follow me."
Upon arriving at the advertising department, Qin Si Ye's tall and imposing figure was seen standing with a stern expression in the middle of a group, giving instructions. His eyes met Yin Xi's when he looked up, and he was momentarily surprised. He then gestured to Yan Yun to escort her to a room on the east side.
A few minutes later, Qin Si Ye pushed open the door and walked in. "Why did you bring the meal here?"
Yin Xi stood up from the sofa, looking at him with a smile. "I saw you were very busy with work, and I was afraid it would waste your time if you had to go back and forth, so I brought it over. Hurry up and wash your hands, then come eat."
"Mmm," Qin Si Ye's expression visibly softened compared to when he was outside. He washed his hands and came out. Yin Xi had already served the food and placed it in front of him.
"Does your stomach really not hurt anymore?" Qin Si Ye asked, picking up a piece of food and taking a bite.
"Do I look like I have a stomachache?" Yin Xi replied with a laugh. "I was fine this morning. It's usually worse on the first day."
Qin Si Ye asked, "Is it like this every time?"
Taken aback, Yin Xi looked up at him. Was this the right topic to discuss during a meal? Nevertheless, she replied, "I'm also constantly using traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning, and it's much better now than before." She then quickly changed the subject, "Hasn't Meng Qi arrived yet?"
"You know?" Qin Si Ye looked up, meeting her gaze.
Yin Xi lowered her head and took a bite of food. "I heard your employees discussing it when I was taking the elevator up."
Qin Si Ye's gaze deepened. "She's still on her way. The photography crew has been waiting here for her for hours."
"Oh," Yin Xi blinked her eyes and analyzed, "Did you notify her too late?"
"No, the company staff called her first thing this morning," Qin Si Ye said, his expression grim and his voice icy. "I've already asked Zhao Ze to contact a domestic artist. If she's still not here in half an hour, we'll replace her."
Replace her? Yin Xi's heart fluttered slightly, but then she felt it was a good thing. Firstly, if the contract couldn't proceed due to Meng Qi's own reasons, Qin Xiuzhi wouldn't blame Si Ye. Secondly, it would completely sever her ties with Zhuo Sheng. Most importantly, it would prevent any further interaction with Qin Si Ye.
Half an hour later, after the two of them had finished eating, Yin Xi was tidying up the lunchboxes when Zhao Ze knocked and entered. "President, Miss Meng Qi has arrived."
"Oh? Have her come to see me first," Qin Si Ye said, his eyebrows slightly raised and his voice low. Yin Xi, however, felt inexplicably a little unhappy. Did that woman arrive exactly on time?
"Brother Si Ye, I'm sorry. There was some traffic on the way, which made you wait for so long," Meng Qi's sweet and娇滴滴 voice was heard from the doorway in the next moment.