The old cosmetics factory, office building.
With the largest departments, Reception and Marketing, gone, the already sparsely populated factory felt even more deserted.
The entire office building had very few staff members left, with only a few department heads on duty.
Security post on the first floor.
"Today, the boss is leading the team to receive the raw material suppliers. It's not just causing a stir in the industrial zone in the south of the city; the online buzz is almost breaking 100 million. The boss truly lives up to being a star; even going out makes him a trending topic."
"If I had become a big star like the boss at nineteen and been worth hundreds of millions, I wouldn't just chase trending topics online. I'd drive a convertible everywhere, with reporters and paparazzi following me all the way, and even give every passing dog a photo op."
"I just don't know if our boss can secure the raw materials. If they finalize the deal today, production might start within three days, and then even we security guards will get a raise!"
As the two security guards on duty were whispering amongst themselves.
A woman in her late thirties, wearing a simple black suit and with short hair, walked in from the main entrance.
Upon seeing her, the two guards immediately fell silent and sat up straight on their stools.
"Director Xiao!"
They both shouted in unison.
Xiao Chunli nodded slightly, slung her bag over her shoulder, put on a stern face, and walked into the building in her high heels.
Seeing her aloof demeanor, the two guards exchanged knowing glances behind her backs.
Suddenly, Xiao Chunli turned around, and the two of them froze in place.
The moment the three made eye contact, the atmosphere became very awkward.
Director Xiao frowned slightly and asked the two coldly, "Besides the boss, Ding Yao, Marketing, and Reception, who else from which departments went out to receive them today?"
The older guard avoided her gaze and said awkwardly, "There's also Deputy Factory Director Huang, Deputy Factory Director Wang, and the newly arrived supervisor Yang Zhen from the Procurement Department..."
After the guard listed the leaders present for the reception today, Xiao Chunli shot him a cold glare: "Do your job according to your position. If you dare to make trouble behind your superiors' backs again, as soon as production resumes, you two will be the first ones investigated."
"Sorry, Director!"
The two guards quickly stood in place and shouted with bowed heads.
Xiao Chunli snorted coldly and turned to walk upstairs.
The moment she left, the older guard immediately scoffed and muttered in a low voice, "When production resumes, your workshop director will be the first one I deal with. Everyone who's been here a long time knows you had an affair with that Feng guy before, and you dare to threaten me? Just wait for your doom!"
"Director and Old Feng had an affair? Brother Chen, tell me quickly."
The younger guard eagerly offered a cigarette and pressed for gossip.
While the guards were gossiping about dark histories on the first floor, Xiao Chunli, who had already reached the third floor, felt extremely conflicted and helpless with every step she took.
Fifth floor.
Two-thirds of the staff had been dispatched by Gao Fei to receive the raw material suppliers from the south.
Only the duty personnel from various departments remained on this floor, making the corridor incredibly quiet.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
The sound of high heels on the floor echoed from downstairs.
Xiao Chunli stood at the entrance of the corridor, slightly out of breath, and looked towards the chairman's office on her left, her expression filled with hesitation.
After a moment of internal struggle, she took a deep breath to calm her emotions and finally took a step forward.
Approaching the chairman's office, Xiao Chunli glanced around the deserted corridor, took out a spare key, inserted it into the lock, and turned the cylinder with a hushed voice. She gently pushed the door open and tiptoed inside.
Once inside the office, she carefully closed the door and simultaneously locked it from the inside.
Xiao Chunli walked quickly, glancing at the cluttered desk and the computer in standby mode. She jiggled the mouse, and the black screen quickly lit up.
As soon as the computer desktop appeared, she was surprised to find that no password was needed to enter, and the research and development materials for the new perfume were already laid out on the desktop.
"So easy!"
Xiao Chunli was a little surprised.
But with the R&D materials right in front of her, she quickly took out the prepared USB drive, inserted it into the computer, and copied the files onto the drive.
Half a minute later.
Xiao Chunli unplugged the USB drive, tried to put the mouse back in its original position, then picked up her bag, grabbed her high heels, and exited the office.
She stood inside the doorway and opened it a crack, scanned both sides of the corridor, confirmed no one was around, and then let out a sigh of relief as she exited the office.
Just as she closed the door again and re-locked it, a voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Director Xiao, what are you doing?"
The sudden question made Xiao Chunli's heart leap, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead and back.
...
Xijin Cheng Restaurant, private room 888.
Ding Yao, factory management, and reception, Huo Dongcheng, and his entourage were gathered around the dining table, chatting and laughing.
After the first round of drinks, Huo Dongcheng casually took a bite of food and looked at Ding Yao, who was accompanying him, and asked with a smile, "Vice Factory Director Ding, what's Mr. Gao's situation? Hasn't he arrived at the restaurant yet?"
"Mr. Huo, please don't worry. Our boss has a temporary matter and will be here to meet you as soon as possible!"
Ding Yao smiled and raised her wine glass, then continued, "Boss Gao instructed me to convey his apologies to you. Since Boss Gao cannot be here on time, I will drink this glass on his behalf."
As she finished speaking, she downed the entire glass of baijiu in one gulp.
Huo Dongcheng, who had intended to complain, was silenced by this gesture and could only force a smile and accept it.
After the second round of drinks.
An hour and a half had passed since Huo Dongcheng landed at the hotel and then arrived for the meal.
However, Gao Fei was still nowhere to be seen.
Huo Dongcheng, who was losing patience, his face slightly flushed, spoke again: "Director Ding, tell me the truth, does Mr. Gao really want to meet me? If he can't come, then there's no point in continuing the banquet!"
"Mr. Huo, Boss Gao is already on his way but is currently stuck in traffic. My apologies!"
Ding Yao once again raised her wine glass and said with a steady face, "This glass is from me to Mr. Huo, not on behalf of Boss Gao. Thank you, Mr. Huo, for personally coming to Kyoto for the raw material cooperation. I'll drink this, and you can do as you please!"
After drinking another glass, the deputy factory director's face turned rosy, like a ripe apple, making one want to take a bite.
Huo Dongcheng stared at her appearance, his gaze dazed for a full six or seven seconds, then he shook his head with a helpless smile and stopped bothering her.
After the third round of drinks.
The atmosphere at the dining table had reached its peak.
Huo Dongcheng, who had been urging earlier, was now captivated by Ding Yao and no longer mentioned Gao Fei. He spent the entire time trying to engage Ding Yao in conversation.
The others at the table also noticed the unusual atmosphere between them.
Apart from the receptionists, Huo Dongcheng's entourage, under his hint, repeatedly toasted Ding Yao.
Just as a group of people were drinking and exchanging lewd jokes, a man dressed as a secretary entered the private room.
He quickly went to Huo Dongcheng's side and whispered a few words into his ear.
Mr. Huo, who had been smiling, suddenly changed his expression, and his gaze towards Ding Yao and the others became extremely cold.