Chapter 259
After comforting Lin Mengyao, Xu Ke took her on a tour of the greenhouse before they went out for a rest.
The two didn’t tell anyone about their return, so Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao took some time to relax in the estate. On the third day, Xu Ke dressed in a business suit.
“Why are you dressed like that?” Lin Mengyao lay on the bed, half-squinting at Xu Ke, lazily asking.
“Of course, I’m going to the company to have a look.” Xu Ke said while adjusting his tie in front of the mirror.
“Didn’t I tell you about this yesterday? How did you forget?” Xu Ke tidied himself up, walked over to Lin Mengyao, and affectionately pinched her nose as he spoke.
“Ah! I forgot.” Lin Mengyao first slapped her forehead in annoyance, then immediately showed Xu Ke a pleading expression.
Seeing Lin Mengyao’s pitiful expression, Xu Ke couldn’t help but feel a pang of tenderness. How could he be angry over such a small matter?
“It’s okay. You can sleep a bit more. I’m off to work.” Xu Ke gave Lin Mengyao a gentle kiss on the forehead, tucked her in, and then turned to leave.
In the premium area of Shangjing, the Xu family owned an entire commercial building. The golden letters gleamed in the sun, almost dazzling anyone who dared to look up at them. This was the pride and glory of the Xu family, symbolizing their unshakeable status in Shangjing, as if declaring that mere mortals didn’t even have the right to gaze upon it.
After an hour-long drive, Xu Ke arrived beneath the Xu Building, raising his head and half-squinting at the golden letters. His eyes showed a hint of nostalgia.
“You can go back now. Come pick me up at five in the afternoon,” Xu Ke instructed the driver.
Watching the driver leave, Xu Ke finally strode into the Xu Building.
Since it was the transition between spring and summer, the temperature inside the building was just right. The place was spotlessly clean, and the white ceramic floor tiles reflected people’s faces clearly. The fresh flowers scattered around filled the air with the scent of spring and summer, as if one were in a sea of flowers, brightening one’s mood.
Working in such a place was what every newly graduated university student dreamed of.
Xu Ke paused to take in this familiar yet unfamiliar place, then purposefully headed toward the elevator.
“The gentleman in the gray suit by the elevator, please stop and come to register at the front desk.”
Just as Xu Ke was about to step into the elevator, a spirited female voice, with penetrating clarity, caused everyone in the lobby to focus on him.
Xu Ke raised an eyebrow, turned, and walked towards the front desk.
“Are you a new employee?” Xu Ke looked at the unfamiliar face across from him, raising an eyebrow as he spoke.
“I’ve been here for over a year. I’m an excellent employee. If you’re trying to sneak past using such an old and crude method to get inside the building, you’d better give up.” The woman who had stopped Xu Ke wore a mocking smile as she looked at him.
“Name, gender, purpose of visit, who you’re meeting, phone number—all to be written here.” Although the woman’s expression was discomforting, her actions were swift as she tossed the visitor registration book and pen to Xu Ke, assuming he wasn’t there to see anyone important or perhaps didn’t have any appointment at all.
The woman held the pager in her hand, tilted her head at Xu Ke, her actions carrying a blatant warning, with an air reminiscent of a school dean.
“I’m a shareholder in the company. I’m here to attend the shareholders’ meeting.” Xu Ke looked at the items thrown his way but didn’t move.
“Ha, I’ve seen plenty of people lying to get upstairs, thinking they can instantly succeed once they’re up there. But I have to say, you’re the boldest, daring to claim to be a shareholder. But since you’re saying it, show me your share authorization letter, eh? Let me see if you hold any shares in our company? How many? Do you have five percent?” The woman extended her hand, her ridicule even more pronounced than before.
The smile on Xu Ke’s face slowly became nuanced. Granted, he could show his share authorization letter to prove he wasn’t lying, but the repercussions of doing so would be negative. Imagine if the top executive of a conglomerate had to show a share authorization letter to verify his identity at the front desk — if that got out, he would become the laughingstock of the entire Shangjing.
“If you’ve been with the company for over a year, are you unaware of the change in leadership? Don’t you have my photo? As the receptionist at Headquarters, it is your duty to recognize every company employee, let alone someone like me in upper management. Who put you up to this? Chairman Hu?” Xu Ke asked gently, looking at her face.
The receptionist’s eye twitched slightly, but she quickly controlled that tiny expression. She raised her head and stiffened her neck as she said, “I honestly don’t understand what you’re saying. Either you show me your ID to prove your identity, or you leave now.”
As the two were at an impasse, Chairman Hu, who Xu Ke had just mentioned, walked in with his graying temples yet to be dyed. It was as if they had a mutual sense; the moment Chairman Hu stepped into the building, Xu Ke turned his head, and their gazes quickly met in the air.
Chairman Hu glanced at the receptionist and flashed a cold smile at Xu Ke, with no intention of exchanging greetings.
But just because Chairman Hu didn’t wish to speak with Xu Ke didn’t mean Xu Ke wouldn’t initiate the conversation.
Seeing Chairman Hu heading to the elevator with his assistant, Xu Ke called out loudly, “Chairman Hu, I’ve been away from Shangjing for less than a month, and you’ve already forgotten me?”
Xu Ke’s words successfully halted Chairman Hu’s steps, causing him to look at Xu Ke.
At this moment, Xu Ke’s elbow rested on the marble counter of the front desk, his head tilted, as he provocatively looked at Chairman Hu.
“You brat, shouldn’t you be at home drinking milk instead of coming here? This isn’t a place for kids.” Xu Ke’s expression and attitude reminded Chairman Hu of the hardships of his own recent life. Seeing Xu Ke looking so spirited only made Chairman Hu feel like his whole being was burning with anger.