Chapter Eighteen: Taking Control! Turning the Tables!
On Monday morning, Luo Yan had barely sat down at her workstation, her bottom not even warmed up in the chair, when the internal phone rang like a madman.
"Xiao Luo, come to the small conference room right away for a meeting!" Director Zheng's voice, even through the receiver, conveyed an excitement of "getting something big done."
Luo Yan jumped up, grabbed her notebook and rushed out, almost bumping into Liu Su, who had also rushed over at the same time. The two exchanged a knowing glance and entered the conference room almost simultaneously.
Director Zheng stood in front of the projection screen, his face flushed, his fingers tapping excitedly on the table: "I just received a notice about the new important requirements put forward by the higher authorities regarding the smart tourism project. The plan is to integrate all representative scenic spots in the city's jurisdiction into the same smart tourism network information management platform to achieve one-stop services such as data sharing, visitor flow early warning, and intelligent tour guide."
Liu Su blinked her big eyes: "So tourists can use one app to explore all the attractions? We'll have to make new requests to Feiyang!"
Director Zheng's gaze swept across the area and precisely locked onto Luo Yan. "It's already underway. President Jiang is personally leading a team to conduct on-site inspections of several key scenic spots. Luo Yan, please put in the extra effort and provide strong support!"
Luo Yan's heart skipped a beat. She thought that once she got the documents for Peach Blossom Pool sorted out, she wouldn't have much contact with Jiang Sui anymore. Now look what's happened! All the representative scenic spots—there are at least five 4A-level or higher within Yu'an City, and many more unrated ones... When will this "on-site inspection" ever end? Isn't her ill-fated relationship with Jiang Sui a little too clingy? They're just not compatible!
Seeing that she didn't answer for a long time, Director Zheng raised his voice: "Is there a problem?"
"No!" Luo Yan replied, forcing a smile, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission successfully!"
Director Zheng nodded with great satisfaction: "Hmm, that's the spirit she should have... Liu Su, you cooperate with her."
Liu Su readily agreed, smiling as she looked at Luo Yan, "I've been wanting to get out and about for a while now; I'm getting moldy from staying cooped up in the office all day."
Luo Yan returned a smile.
Director Zheng was afraid that letting her out alone would cause trouble again. Now that Liu Su is here to keep things under control, she doesn't have to face Jiang Sui alone, which is a good thing.
Back at her workstation, Luo Yan began diligently organizing the documents. Her phone chimed with a message from Jiang Sui on WeChat:
-Meet me at the entrance of the Culture and Tourism Bureau at 8:00 AM tomorrow. Bring all documents and materials.
Luo Yan replied with a smiling emoji:
-receive.
He did a good job of managing the client clearly and effectively.
The next morning, Jiang Sui's car arrived on time.
"Good morning, Mr. Jiang."
Luo Yan fastened her seatbelt and tried to make her tone sound like a normal and innocent work colleague, "Why is it just you?"
"They went ahead first, and I took a detour to pick you up."
We drove in silence, with only the mechanical female voice of the navigation system and the low hum of the car's air conditioning.
Liu Su listened to her idol's latest album with Bluetooth headphones, completely absorbed and shutting herself out of the world.
Luo Yan had just swallowed a steamed bun when she looked at Jiang Sui in the front row. "Um... Mr. Jiang, have you had breakfast? I have some steamed buns..."
"I've already eaten, thank you." Jiang Sui interrupted her, adding, "There are many mountain roads over there, so I suggest you eat less, otherwise you might throw up."
"oh oh......"
Luo Yan packed the remaining two buns into a plastic bag and stuffed them into her backpack. She patted her stomach and thought, "I'm not full yet. I'll just have to bear it. It's better than throwing up in his car and having to pay for the car wash."
"Are you alright?" Jiang's attendant glanced at her in the rearview mirror and suddenly asked.
"Uh... what's wrong?" Luo Yan didn't understand why he asked that. Was he alright? Did he eat Liuliumei?
"You seemed to be particularly polite to me today..." Jiang Sui carefully considered the right words.
"Of course, we should have a pleasant working relationship..."
Luo Yan chuckled awkwardly, only to be caught off guard by Jiang Sui's probing gaze in the rearview mirror. Her face flushed, and she quickly looked away from the car window, her heart pounding like a drum.
It's because he didn't eat enough, that must be it!
After nearly two hours of driving, we finally arrived at Yunqi Bamboo Path.
This is the most representative 4A scenic spot in Yu'an, famous for its bamboo forests covering the mountains and its clear streams. Unlike the openness of Taohuatan, Yunqi Bamboo Path is more secluded. The whole way up the mountain is shaded by bamboo forests, with stone paths leading to secluded spots and babbling streams.
Jiang quickly got into work mode, listening to the introduction while checking the terrain, occasionally exchanging whispered conversations with the technicians, and asking various professional questions, such as signal coverage blind spots, fiber optic laying paths, and equipment waterproofing and moisture protection.
Luo Yan was writing furiously in her notebook, occasionally glancing up at Jiang Sui. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on his focused profile.
It has to be admitted that this man's commanding presence when he's working is indeed... quite intimidating.
During the rest stop, the scenic area staff served us bamboo tube tea, a local specialty.
Jiang Sui thanked her and handed a cup to Luo Yan, who was rubbing her wrist.
"Thanks."
Luo Yan was a little surprised and flattered, so she accepted it.
Jiang Sui looked at her notes for a long time before slowly saying, "Your handwriting is very neat."
Luo Yan: "..."
Was he praising her or insulting her? After looking at it for so long, all he said was 'neat handwriting'?!
I knew I couldn't have any illusions about this man; what kind of ivory could possibly come out of his mouth!
The last pre-set equipment point was halfway up the mountain. The stone steps were slippery after the rain, and Luo Yan stumbled and almost fell when she stepped on them.
"careful......"
Jiang Sui quickly grabbed her arm, and released her once she regained her footing, his tone still indifferent, "Watch where you're going."
Luo Yan lowered her head, feeling the spot where he had touched her was slightly hot.
That's strange. I didn't feel this way when he argued with me so fiercely before. Could there be something wrong with the oxygen concentration in these mountains?
It was already evening when we returned.
Perhaps they were too tired, because soon after getting in the car, Luo Yan and Liu Su both began to doze off.
The phone rang abruptly, startling Luo Yan awake. She grabbed the phone and saw Wu Yuzhou? He still had the nerve to call her? She'd like to see what kind of nonsense he had to spout.
"Xiao Yan, are you off work?" Wu Yuzhou's voice was so gentle that it was as if none of what had happened before had occurred.
"Get to the point."
"Then I'll be frank. The legal counsel contract with Feiyang is really important to our firm. It seems that President Luo has some misunderstanding about me. You see..."
Wu Yuzhou didn't say what he was going to say next, but Luo Yan instantly guessed his purpose. She calmly hummed in agreement and waited for him to continue.
"Xin'er is just a child at heart. She doesn't mean any harm. She was upset after meeting you last time, and her stomach problems flared up. She's still in the hospital these past few days. Please consider..."
Yang Xin was so angry that she was hospitalized? This was unexpected for Luo Yan. Aren't villains supposed to be hard to kill? Yang Xin's mental fortitude is really lacking.
"Oh? She's hospitalized? Is it that serious? Which hospital is she in? Sigh... I'm not that petty... Okay, I got it. I'll go see her when I have time. As for what you said... I'll try my best, but I can't guarantee Lao Luo will change his mind. People get more stubborn as they get older..."
In college, Yang Xin loved mango mille-feuille cake the most. So, shouldn't her "longtime friend" also make a gesture?
A brilliant (and flawed) idea instantly formed in my mind.
Luo Yan couldn't help but smile.
Some people should learn a lesson.
The next day, as soon as she got off work, Luo Yan went straight to the city's most famous dessert shop, bought a signature mango mille-feuille cake, and then carried this "gift" into the hospital ward.
Yang Xin was leaning against the headboard scrolling through her phone when Luo Yan came in. Her eyes immediately filled with wariness: "What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me?"
"Am I such a petty person?" Luo Yan's face was full of sincerity. She put the cake on the bedside table and sat down with a thud. "I heard you were sick, so I came to see you. Look, I remember you used to love mango cake the most."
Yang Xin stared at the cake, her eyes filled with mixed emotions, from suspicion to surprise, but she quickly straightened her face and said, "It's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken. Who knows what you're up to!"
"I meant it purely out of kindness and concern for my old classmate."
Luo Yan opened the cake box, and a rich mango aroma wafted out. "Look how fresh these mangoes are, they were just cut!"
"I have a stomach problem! You did this on purpose, didn't you?!"
"Oh dear, I'm sorry, I forgot you have dietary restrictions..." Luo Yan shook her head with feigned regret. "If you can't eat it, I'll eat it. I'm starving after get off work, don't waste it." As she spoke, she actually picked up a fork, scooped out a large piece, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed it with a look of enjoyment: "Mmm... sweet but not cloying, melts in your mouth, no wonder you love it!"
Yang Xin watched as a corner of the cake quickly disappeared, swallowed hard, and felt a surge of craving and anger rising in her stomach: "Luo Yan, that's enough! You stole the spotlight from the wedding, and you even found a boyfriend like Jiang Sui. Is the whole of Yu'an City not enough for you to show off?!"
"In a free society, if you can show off, so can I..." Luo Yan scooped up another spoonful, "Yesterday I went to Yunqi Bamboo Path with Jiang Sui for an inspection. Climbing the mountain was tiring, but the scenery was really beautiful. He's quite considerate..."
"Ha! What makes Jiang Sui so attractive to you? What do you have on him?"
"Laughable. Who is Jiang Sui? I went through all that trouble to find something on him just to annoy you? You're too confident..."
Luo Yan licked the cream off her fingers. "That's just how the world is. There are many things you can't understand... Hey, doesn't this mean that you don't get to decide the 'correct order of the world'?"
"you……"
Yang Xin was so angry that her face contorted. She gripped the blanket, glared, and couldn't utter a single word. She watched helplessly as Luo Yan devoured the rest of the cake in a flash, wiped her mouth with satisfaction, and said, "Most stomach problems are caused by emotions, so you need to calm down... I'm leaving. You get some rest, no need to see me off!"
As soon as Luo Yan left the hospital, she felt the air was fresher. The more she had been holding it in, the more arrogant she laughed now.
Cool!
The cake cost 25 yuan, it was totally worth it!
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