The moment the words left his mouth, the air in the conference room froze. Qin Chuan's mouth formed an "O" shape, his gaze darting back and forth between the two of them. Liu Mengran's ears turned red visibly, and the pen in her hand fell to the table with a "thud."
"I meant...talented individuals." Han Feng coughed, unusually embarrassed. "Professional talent."
Liu Mengran quickly regained her composure, but spoke a few decibels faster than usual: "If there are no problems, we can discuss the upcoming work arrangements."
"Wait a minute." Han Feng interrupted her, "What position do you think would be suitable for her?" He asked Qin Chuan.
Without hesitation, Qin Chuan replied, "General Manager! Miss Liu is absolutely qualified for the position, and it's currently vacant."
This time it was Liu Mengran's turn to be surprised: "I'm still a student."
"Intern General Manager." Han Feng made the final decision. "Salary will be calculated as a full-time position, with flexible working hours." He looked directly into Liu Mengran's eyes. "I need your brains."
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting fine shadows on Liu Mengran's long eyelashes on the conference table. She paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You trust me that much?"
Han Feng's answer was unexpected: "Besides you, no one else can make me feel this at ease."
Liu Mengran paused for a moment, then gently shook her head: "That's not necessarily true."
Han Feng snapped his fingers. "If it were someone else, I might have to consider it, but it's you, Liu Mengran." Han Feng leaned forward, their lips almost touching. "I can agree without hesitation."
Qin Chuan tactfully left the meeting room: "I'll go prepare the employment contract... You two can continue your discussion..."
Only the two of them remained in the conference room. Liu Mengran's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she took two steps back. "I know, but don't get so close next time, it's a bit scary."
Han Feng scratched his head: "By the way, I have to go back to Jiang City tonight. You will be in contact with Qin Chuan next, and you should go to China Europe next week to finalize the branch office matters."
"I just started this job and they're already assigning me this kind of business trip?"
"Uh... I'll go too, it just so happens to be around this time."
---
A light drizzle fell over Jiang City's night sky, and the airport runway lights were shrouded in a hazy halo of light through the mist. Han Feng glanced at his watch—8:17 PM, almost an hour later than expected.
"Haozi, can you get back by yourself?" Han Feng put away his phone and turned to ask Wang Hao, who was getting his luggage.
Wang Hao grinned, revealing his signature white teeth: "Don't worry! My mom's definitely made chicken soup for me!" He winked at Su Wanwan, "Sister Wan, come over for dinner sometime!"
Su Wanwan waved dismissively, her short red hair gleaming softly under the airport lights. Unlike usual, she wore a simple beige knit sweater and jeans today, even her earrings were just a pair of small silver hoops, making her look somewhat like a well-behaved girl next door.
"Let's go." Han Feng picked up his only suitcase and headed towards the exit.
Su Wanwan jogged after her: "Hey! Where do I live?"
\"hotel.\"
"No!" Su Wanwan grabbed his arm. "I'm not familiar with Jiang City. What if I run into bad people?"
Han Feng stopped and looked at her helplessly: "What do you want?"
"Isn't your home here?" Su Wanwan's eyes sparkled. "What's wrong with me staying at your place for a few days?"
\"inconvenient.\"
"What's inconvenient about it!" Su Wanwan pouted. "I'm not going to eat you."
Finally, after Su Wanwan's relentless pestering, Han Feng gave in. The rain stopped just as the taxi pulled up in front of an ordinary three-story building. The aroma of food wafted from the courtyard, and the faint sound of a television could be heard.
"Here...?" Su Wanwan was somewhat surprised. In her imagination, Han Feng's home should be a luxury villa, or at least in an upscale neighborhood.
Han Feng didn't explain, he just rang the doorbell. Less than three seconds later, hurried footsteps came from inside.
"Xiao Feng!"
As soon as the door opened, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron rushed out. Han's mother looked to be in her early fifties, and one could still vaguely see Han Feng's features in her eyes and brows, only more gentle. She was about to reach out to hug her son when her gaze suddenly fell on Su Wanwan behind her.
"Who is this...?" Han's mother's voice instantly rose eight octaves.
"Hello, Auntie, I'm Su Wanwan." Su Wanwan bowed politely, her voice sweet enough to drip honey. "Sorry to bother you."
Han's mother's eyes lit up immediately. She walked right past Han Feng and grabbed Su Wanwan's hand: "Oh my! This girl is so pretty!" She looked her up and down, "You're Xiao Feng's girlfriend, right? How old are you? Where do you live?"
"Mom," Han Feng interjected helplessly, "Can we go in first?"
"Go away, I wasn't asking you!" Han's mother waved her hand impatiently, like shooing away a fly, then turned to Su Wanwan with a wide smile, "Wanwan, right? What a lovely name! Were you tired from the flight? Are you hungry? Auntie made braised pork ribs..."
Su Wanwan was enthusiastically pulled into the house by Han's mother, and turned back to make a face at Han Feng. Han Feng shook his head, picked up his luggage, and followed her inside.
In the living room, Mr. Han was sitting on the sofa watching TV. When his son came in, he simply nodded and said, "You're back?" But his gaze quickly turned to Su Wanwan, and his eyes behind his glasses widened slightly.
"Old Han!" Han's mother exclaimed excitedly, "Our son brought his girlfriend home!"
"No..." Han Feng was about to explain when Su Wanwan suddenly took his arm and said sweetly, "Hello, Uncle!"
Han Feng stiffened, looking down at her. Su Wanwan pretended not to see, continuing to play the role of a well-behaved girlfriend: "Auntie, your home is so cozy! Much more comfortable than a hotel!"
"A hotel?" Han's mother immediately felt distressed. "How can we let our daughter stay in a hotel! She should stay at home! I just cleaned Xiaofeng's room!"
"Mom!" Han Feng finally couldn't hold back anymore. "She's not my girlfriend, just... a classmate."
Han's mother gave him a knowing look: "I know, I know, that's what young people call each other these days." She lowered her voice mysteriously, "Don't worry, Mom's very open-minded..."
Su Wanwan was trying so hard not to laugh that her shoulders were shaking. Han Feng took a deep breath and decided to give up explaining.
After the two of them put their things down, they saw a table full of food and couldn't help but drool.
Just as they were about to sit down and enjoy their meal, they heard Mr. Han say, "Don't sit down yet, there are still guests." Mr. Han mysteriously pressed his son's shoulder, and a few wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes as he smiled.
Han Feng's hand hovered above the dining chair as he looked at his mother with a puzzled expression: "A guest?"
Han's mother was setting out the last dish—Braised Pork Ribs, Han Feng's favorite. She wiped her hands, a hint of pride in her smile: "It's someone you know; they'll be here soon."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Go open the door." Mr. Han nudged his son. "Surprise!"
Han Feng walked towards the entrance hall, and when the door opened, he was stunned, which was rare for him.
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