Chapter 142: Chapter 142

"No," Hua Xiaomo said, biting her lip and forcing a laugh, "it’s that I misunderstood. So, President Qi means to choose several companies?"

Qi Longbing glanced at her, a hint of mocking amusement in his eyes as he sipped his coffee. "It seems Miss Hua and I are not quite in sync with our work, are we? Do I, the CEO, really need to personally teach you how to handle such trifles?"

He then leaned back in the Osaka chair, his voice drawing out, tinged with a touch of indifference. "If you have time, you should learn more from Ms. Zhang and Ms. Lin on how to do things. Don’t just run around outside for no reason, understand?"

Hua Xiaomo smiled awkwardly. "Yes, President Qi." Alright, this time it was her mistake; she noted it down and resolved to correct it. She would work even harder at her job; she was determined to do her work excellently, to do it very well.

"Besides this one, choose four more. Then inform the person in charge of this project at each of the five agencies to requote," Qi Longbing said coolly, his deep blue eyes harboring a sly, cold nuance.

"Understood," Hua Xiaomo replied promptly. Then, a thought struck her, and she asked, "President Qi, aside from considering the price, shouldn’t we also take into account the quality of the advertising project itself?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Longbing’s angelic face curved into an exquisitely beautiful smile. "Hua Xiaomo, am I teaching you how to work, or are you teaching me?"

"Of course... it’s you, the CEO, teaching me how to work." Hua Xiaomo felt a bit stifled. Oh well, she had only ventured that audacious remark for the good of the Qi Family.

Qi Longbing’s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke unhurriedly, "How these ad projects ultimately turn out will be managed by a specialized department established by our company. Everything will be decided by the Qi Imperial Court! Do you understand?"

Then why not simply handle the advertising ourselves? Why hire people from external companies? Isn’t that just a waste of money?

Hua Xiaomo felt somewhat unconvinced internally, but on the surface, she still smiled obsequiously. "Yes... Thank you for the guidance, President Qi. I understand."

"If you understand, then get moving and do your job. What are you standing around for, like a statue?" Qi Longbing taunted her again.

For some reason, seeing her wearing those beautiful, crystal-jade frames, he found her increasingly an eyesore.

At that moment, Hua Xiaomo couldn’t even force a smile. The good mood Long Shangxuan had given her at noon, which could have kept her happy all day, was instantly turned to smoke by this man’s put-downs.

Hua Xiaomo returned to her seat and, as instructed, selected proposals from five companies. She then called the project managers at those companies to inform them to requote.

Of course, when she called Mohai Skyride Advertising, she did not call Long Shangxuan directly but passed the message through his secretary instead.

Qi Longbing stood up, coffee cup in hand, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. He looked out, a mysterious glimmer in his eyes.

Suddenly, a pleasing voice echoed in the space. "Hua Xiaomo, come here."

"Oh." Hua Xiaomo stood up from her seat and walked towards him, but she merely stood by his side, maintaining a certain distance without getting too close.

"From here, looking down, what do you see?" The rıghtful source is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⁂𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⁂𝓷𝓮𝓽

"Ah?" Hua Xiaomo paused, then slowly looked out. She saw a forest of tall buildings – truly the busiest district in City A.

"I see a lot of buildings, all beautifully constructed," Hua Xiaomo answered.

A faint smile graced Qi Longbing’s handsome face. "These buildings are like a flock of chickens. Becoming a crane among them is not an easy task."

Hua Xiaomo didn’t say anything; her eyes held a dark glimmer. She really didn’t want to concern herself with the relationship between chickens and cranes. What did that have to do with her, anyway?

Just as Hua Xiaomo was about to return to her seat, Qi Longbing suddenly turned his shoulder to look at her, frowning. "Are you nearsighted?"

"No," Hua Xiaomo answered. She hadn’t expected him to ask that.

In a flash, Qi Longbing’s hand swiftly reached toward her eyes, and he snatched off the pair of glasses she was wearing. "If you’re not nearsighted, why are you wearing these?"

"My glasses! Give them back to me!" Hua Xiaomo’s heart skipped a beat as she watched the object in his hand.

"At noon, you ran out again. Was it just to buy such a cheap pair of glasses?" Qi Longbing looked at her, his handsome face wearing a half-smile, a deep suspicion lurking in the depths of his eyes.

"I..." Hua Xiaomo had barely said a word when a thought struck her. She smiled coyly. "President Qi, are such trivial matters really worth your attention?"

Then, she rapidly reached out to grab the glasses from his hand. Unexpectedly, Qi Longbing lifted them higher, causing her to miss.

"Those are mine, President Qi! How can you do this?" Hua Xiaomo’s face fell.

"Want them back? Then accompany me out to have some fun," Qi Longbing said with a wicked smile, putting the glasses directly into the inner pocket of his suit.

"President Qi, it’s working hours!" Hua Xiaomo reminded him, her expression pained.

"Working hours? That’s for you. As for me, if I’m happy, I work. If I’m not, I can leave at any time. Let’s go!" Qi Longbing smirked devilishly. For some reason, seeing her just made him want to tease her.

"No way, President! I haven’t finished work yet; I can’t just go out and ’have fun.’" Hua Xiaomo emphasized the words "have fun" quite heavily.

Alright then, who was it that said earlier that if there was the slightest negligence or lack of seriousness at work, there would be consequences? And now, this renowned President himself was suggesting they go out to ’play’?

"Stop the nonsense, will you? Your job is to keep me company and serve me well. If you make the President unhappy again, I’ll deduct your entire salary!" Qi Longbing threatened directly.

Deduct it all? Who’s afraid of you deducting it all!

It’s not like I was expecting to get paid anyway!

Hua Xiaomo was dragged out against her will, grumbling inwardly, just as he grabbed her wrist.

"My handbag!" Hua Xiaomo quickly snatched up her bag before Qi Longbing pulled her out of the President’s office.

The two secretaries outside, Ms. Lin and Ms. Zhang, were stunned. The President and his young secretary are certainly carefree! Leaving hand in hand just like that? So brazenly?

The Dongsheng Yue Sakura Clubhouse, located in a suburban area of City A, was the most luxurious and high-end hot spring club in the city, usually serving only VIP customers.

Qi Longbing brought Hua Xiaomo here, and they immediately experienced the exceptionally refined and varied services on offer.

Of course, in addition to enjoying the geishas’ performances and snacks, what made this place truly special were its natural hot springs.

"Mr. Qi, this is the private room you reserved. I wish you and your girlfriend a pleasant time," the beautiful, kimono-clad hostesses greeted him with frequent smiles, bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, and presented him with the key.

Qi Longbing took the key and grabbed Hua Xiaomo’s wrist. "Come on, let’s enjoy the hot spring together."