Chapter 31: The True Rogue Arrives

"Sir, may I assist you?" As Xiang Ri stepped into the headquarters of Xiang Ri Company, the strikingly elegant receptionist promptly and politely intercepted him.

"I'm looking for someone," Xiang Ri adjusted his glasses and cast a casual glance at her.

"Whom are you seeking?" the receptionist inquired, maintaining her courteous demeanor.

"Su Yu," Xiang Ri replied succinctly.

"You wish to see the Chairwoman?" The smile on the receptionist's face faded; this man was astonishingly rude. Wasn't it customary for visitors to address her as "Miss Su" or "Chairwoman Su"?

"Indeed!"

"Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist's expression hardened.

"No."

"I'm sorry, but you cannot enter!" Her words left no room for debate.

Xiang Ri furrowed his brow, astonished by this young woman's arrogance—demanding an appointment? Unbeknownst to him, his own demeanor conveyed an even greater sense of entitlement.

"Then I shall make a phone call." Though he initially intended to barge in, the thought that this was his own company made him hesitate.

"That will be futile, sir. Without direct authorization from Chairwoman Su, I cannot grant you access." The receptionist assumed he was merely putting on a show, dialing a random number to feign legitimacy. She had encountered such tactics countless times before and was not easily fooled.

Ignoring her, Xiang Ri stepped aside to dial a number. The receptionist, eyeing him like a hawk, was convinced that he was deliberately moving out of earshot.

"Hello?" A gentle female voice answered promptly.

"Um, is this Su Yu?" Xiang Ri hesitated, as the voice seemed different from what he remembered.

"Are you looking for Chairwoman Su? She is currently in a meeting. I'm her secretary. Is there anything you would like me to convey?"

"A meeting? How long will it last?"

"I'm not entirely sure; it's only just begun, and typically lasts one to two hours. This session might be longer. If you have anything to discuss, you could tell me, and I can relay it to Chairwoman Su."

"No, thank you! I'll leave for now and discuss it later."

"Leave? Are you outside? Shall I go to fetch you…?" Before she could finish, the line went dead with a sharp beep, as he hung up.

Fang Yingying was so frustrated she nearly sputtered with rage. It was her first encounter with such an impolite individual who had audaciously cut off the call. Didn't he realize her voice was akin to a siren? If he hadn't managed to contact Chairwoman Su directly, she would have chased after him to summon security. Yet, considering his familiarity with Su, she thought better of it. It was peculiar, though; she hadn't heard Chairwoman Su mention him before. The voice sounded rather youthful—could he perhaps be her partner?

"Yingying, what's wrong? I've been calling you for ages." Su Yu appeared silently before the pensive beauty.

"Ah, Chairwoman Su? How did you come out so quickly?" Fang Yingying was startled.

"Nothing much to discuss. Everyone believes I can no longer manage the company, and they all treat me with indifference. If I hadn't left early, I would have just been enduring their disdain," Su Yu said with a self-deprecating smile, reflecting on her diligent stewardship of the company for five years. Yet, upon hearing of a powerful force seeking to acquire the firm, those individuals seemed more concerned with currying favor with the new potential owner than with banding together to weather the storm.

"Chairwoman, why not inform them—"

"Fortunately, I didn't. Watching their true, grotesque nature unfold disgusts me. How could I have been so blind as to bring them into the company?" The more Su Yu thought about it, the angrier she became.

"Don't be upset, Chairwoman. This is their loss. Oh, by the way, a man just called for you." Fang Yingying emphasized the word "man."

"A man? Was his voice quite youthful…? Hand me the phone!" Su Yu seized the device, glancing at the call log. Indeed, the boss had called just a few minutes ago.

"Chairwoman, you seem rather excited. Pray tell, who is he? It's amusing to see our usually composed and dignified Chairwoman lose her restraint." Fang Yingying teased.

"Yingying, did he say anything?" Su Yu was unperturbed by the jibe.

"Nothing much. I informed him that you were in a meeting and would take a while to emerge, and then he hung up—seemed rather upset." Fang Yingying tapped her chin, feigning deep thought.

"Ah?" Su Yu exclaimed anxiously.

"Haha, I was just joking." Fang Yingying, observing her distress, was increasingly convinced that the man had an illicitly intimate relationship with her.

"You little brat! Is that how one speaks to their superior? Tell me, was he truly not angry?" Su Yu remained somewhat apprehensive.

"I told you, he wasn't! Although his tone was indeed cold and unfeeling, he neither seemed pleased nor displeased—just as we often say, devoid of joy or sorrow."

"That sounds just like him." Su Yu let out a wistful sigh.

"Chairwoman, who exactly is he?" Fang Yingying's curiosity was piqued.

"Mind your own business! Why do you need to know so much? By the way, did he say anything else?" Su Yu shot her an exasperated glance.

"No, that was all—less than three sentences! He mentioned being outside our company. I was just about to go out and give him a piece of my mind when you rushed off, so don't leave so quickly! Wait for me!" Fang Yingying hastily chased after the figure that had already dashed out of the office.

Su Yu, panting, reached the reception desk and urgently asked the receptionist, "Xiao Lei, did someone just come looking for me?"

"Yes, Chairwoman." The receptionist, known as Xiao Lei, felt a sinking sensation in her heart, sensing an ominous premonition. She hastily attempted to rectify her error, "He didn't have an appointment, so I—"

"Where is he now?" Before she could finish, Su Yu interrupted impatiently.

"He's already left."

"Alas!" Su Yu sighed deeply, internally lamenting the timing; they were supposed to meet, yet she had been caught up in a meeting. It was all those troublemakers' fault! If it weren't for them, she wouldn't have had to wonder whether the boss was upset, leaving her too apprehensive to even make a phone call.

"I'm sorry, Chairwoman! I didn't realize he was—" The receptionist stammered, seeing the disappointment etched on Su Yu's face.

"It's all right! This isn't your fault." Su Yu forced a smile, suddenly recalling something. "Xiao Lei, have you seen him? What does he look like? How old is he?"

"Um?" Xiao Lei was puzzled; didn't the Chairwoman know him? Why was she asking for a description? Nevertheless, she strained to recall, "Uh… he isn't very old, probably around twenty. He wore oversized black-framed glasses, quite an outdated style, and both his shirt and trousers were dark gray. His expression was quite indifferent and extremely rude; I didn't pay much attention beyond that."

"Thank you, Xiao Lei, that's very helpful. Next time he comes, just bring him directly to me, no need to inform me first, even if I'm in a meeting."

"Understood, Chairwoman!" Xiao Lei breathed a sigh of relief.

"Carry on with your work. I'll take my leave now; let me know if anything arises." Su Yu nodded, inadvertently catching sight of Fang Yingying still loitering by the entrance, her gaze darting about like a gossiping squirrel. Amused yet exasperated, she called out, "Yingying, let's go."

Fang Yingying followed, her face alight with mischief, reminiscent of a sly little fox that had just snatched a chicken. "Chairwoman, I think I've figured out who he is."

"I knew you wouldn't be able to keep quiet! Stop grinning; it's rather distasteful." Su Yu chided playfully.

"Hey!" Fang Yingying smirked proudly, continuing, "You've never met him, yet you're so concerned—who else could it be but that mysterious backer someone mentioned?"

"Trying to be clever in front of me, you little rascal!" Su Yu mock-threatened, clenching her tiny fist.

"Oh dear, I've learned my lesson! Spare me this time! But honestly, Chairwoman, you seem quite cheerful now. You were just furious with that group, yet upon hearing about him, you're all smiles. He's only twenty, and you're over thirty—are you hoping for a little adventure?" 

Women loathe being called old, and Su Yu was no exception. The moment she heard that, her brows furrowed in indignation as she reached out to tickle Fang Yingying. "It's true what they say: three days without discipline makes a little devil bold! How dare you push your luck with me!"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

"It's unforgivable! I'm barely in my twenties, yet you insist I'm over thirty!" 

"Alright, alright, you're not over thirty; you're merely twenty… no, you're still a sweet sixteen or seventeen, surely that's acceptable?"

"Not at all!"

Having just completed an amusing errand, Xiang Ri leisurely strolled through the streets. By chance, he passed the little restaurant where he had first dined with a girl. Feeling quite hungry, he walked in without hesitation.

"It's you again?" The adorable waitress glared at him, her teeth clenched. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to eat, of course! What else would I be doing?" Xiang Ri reached out to pat her head.

"Don't touch me!" The girl swiftly dodged his hand. "We're no longer open. You need to leave!"

"What! The sign out front doesn't say—"

"That hasn't been taken down yet. Can't you see there's not a single customer in here? We're closed for business; you can go now." She grabbed a broom and made as if to chase him away.

Just as Xiang Ri intended to teach this disrespectful little girl a lesson, a shrill voice suddenly pierced through from outside the restaurant: "Oh, look, we still have a customer! How delightful!"

The girl's expression shifted dramatically as she cast a venomous glare toward the door. "The real rogue has arrived!"