[When Li Manyu called you a “vixen”, was it really be as I guessed?] S419M said with disbelief, [Lord Host, is it really possible that there’s not a single normal person in this house?]
Li Manyu cast a sidelong glance at Bai Lixin, then walked into the second-floor corridor with her high heels. Bai Lixin watched her departing figure until she entered her room before continuing to the third floor.
Back in his room, Bai Lixin came to the desk and opened the magazine.
The magazine bore evident signs of being flipped through. Judging by the extent of the flipping, one could probably have memorized its content by now.
Father Fei also had a particular fondness for this book. Perhaps there was a report inside that deeply resonated with him.
Bai Lixin stared at the handsome man on the cover for several seconds before opening the first page.
Considering the current timeline, this magazine was issued more than two and a half years ago.
In addition to tracking recent economic trends, the financial magazine featured interviews with the then-prominent figures in the business circle.
Dijia on the cover was the main subject of this issue, but there were several other interviews inside.
Starting from the first page, Bai Lixin went through the standard financial magazine. The first article analyzed the recent global and domestic economic situation.
The second article delved into a series of discussions about the stock market.
When he reached the third article, Bai Lixin slowed down.
On the first half of the third article, a pair of sharp, beast-like eyes instantly captured all his attention.
“Future Father Of Business.”
Father Of Business.
Father Fei said Dijia was only twenty-eight this year, so he was about twenty-six two and a half years ago.
To use the title “Father Of Business” at the age of twenty-six was quite arrogant and ambitious.
The article gave a detailed introduction to Dijia’s life.
Dijia, a business elite who studied overseas, returned to this city after finishing his studies, established a commercial building, and thus embarked on his own business empire.
By the time of this report, Dijia’s business acumen had become apparent. The article mentioned that the Dijia Group had ventured into various fields, including real estate, healthcare, cultural tourism, and electronic information. At a young age, he demonstrated a business acumen that couldn’t be underestimated.
The first half of the article was full of praises, but suddenly, the tone shifted in the latter half.
The second half of the article deconstructed and analyzed Dijia’s achievements from the first half.
If he ventured into real estate, the article began discussing the future crisis of the real estate industry. If he invested in the electronics industry, the article described the downsides of these electronics.
In short, it was a precise attack. The final paragraph wished Dijia well but also warned him, emphasizing the need for both insightful strategies and a steady, long-term vision in business. Short-term success is not genuine success, the business world is volatile, with numerous elites vying for supremacy, and who will have the last laugh remains unknown.
Though seemingly a blessing, each sentence didn’t deviate from crisis. It seemed like they were not hoping for his well-being.
Through this short article, Bai Lixin could probably guess how much envy and criticism Dijia’s appearance stirred in the business circle at that time.
Bai Lixin continued flipping through, found a few more well-written articles and then another interview report on business elites.
As he neared the end, Bai Lixin saw a cooperation report. In this report, he spotted Father Fei’s figure.
This article was reporting that the two companies had signed a strategic partnership.
Almost every article was accompanied by relevant photos, and this one was no exception.
The photo was above the title—a solemn scene of a press conference where several people, dressed in formal black suits, sat in front of a long table, and behind them was a large banner.
“Zhang Group and Fei Group Strategic Cooperation Signing Scene”
The title beneath the photo read: “Zhang Group Joins Forces with Fei Group to Launch a Five-Year Strategic Cooperation Plan.”
In the center of the photo, two men were shaking hands, and Bai Lixin knew one of them—Father Fei.
Father Fei in this photo appeared younger than he was now, with neatly combed hair and exuding a vigor and spirit absent in the present.
Shaking hands with him was a younger man, seemingly in his thirties, whose well-built physique was not concealed by the standard suit.
This man looked somewhat mixed-race, with deep facial features carrying a hint of exotic charm.
In front of him was a three-dimensional nameplate with a few words written on it.
[Chairman Zhang Ao of Zhang Group]
After a glance at the photo, Bai Lixin started reading the content below.
The first paragraph described a cooperation meeting between the top executives of both companies on a certain date.
Subsequently, the article provided a brief introduction to the two companies and details about the partnership.
Whether on the banner behind or the article title, “Zhang Group” was prominently placed at the forefront.
For these kinds of reports in the business circle, the title is meticulously crafted.
Placing the name first signifies either Zhang’s position in the business circle far surpassed Fei’s, or this strategic cooperation was led by Zhang, contributing more money and effort.
After reading the article content, Bai Lixin confirmed it should be the first scenario.
Zhang Group, a century-old long-lived enterprise in City X, was repeatedly referred to as a “business conglomerate” in the article.
The use of these two words indicated its prominent status.
Fei’s introduction was evidently more mediocre. Clearly, this strategic cooperation resembled a form of assistance.
Zhang Group was offering Fei Group a piece of the pie.
The strategic focus was on real estate. According to their plan, they intended to spend five years spreading an entertainment empire across the country that integrates tourism, business, and transportation.
The first stop of this plan was City X, where they were currently located.
This was a report from two and a half years ago, but looking at the present, this grandiose strategic cooperation seemed to have been interrupted.
Because so far, based on the information available, he didn’t know of any commercial district built around this strategy in City X.
These pages are the most worn in this magazine.
The collaboration with Zhang might be Father Fei’s most glorious moment back then.
Could this man named “Zhang Ao” be the one who appeared in Father Fei’s dreams?
Could he be the “mysterious big shot” who supported Father Fei” that Sister Wang mentioned?
…
As the sky darkened, Bai Lixin changed into the pure white suit Li Manyu gave him.
After facing the mirror and adjusting the pure white bow tie into the perfect position, Bai Lixin came down to the third floor to the hall.
It was already half-past five in the afternoon, approximately the agreed time to go to the banquet with Father Fei.
In the hall, Li Manyu was flirting with Big Zhuang. They weren’t this blatant yesterday, but today, Li Manyu completely ignored Father Fei sitting on the sofa nearby and openly stuck to Big Zhuang.
If one didn’t know that Li Manyu and Father Fei are legally married, an onlooker might think Li Manyu and Big Zhuang were a loving couple.
Big Zhuang and Li Manyu flirted beside the dining table, while Father Fei sat on the sofa not far away.
Bai Lixin’s arrival disrupted the harmonious yet awkward trio.
If possible, Bai Lixin would prefer not to get involved.
The moment he appeared in the hall, everyone’s gaze immediately focused on him, showing astonished expressions.
The first to recover was Li Manyu. After regaining composure, she furrowed her brows and fiercely stomped on Big Zhuang’s foot.
Big Zhuang, who was in a daze, let out a painful cry and snapped out of his infatuation, staring blankly at Li Manyu.
Li Manyu looked was angry. She took large strides towards the stairs and as she passed by Bai Lixin, she shot him a disdainful glance and muttered in a low voice: “Vixen!”
After the insult, she went upstairs without looking back.
Just before reaching the second floor, Li Manyu turned around and shouted at the still-confused Big Zhuang, “What are you waiting for? Why don’t you come up quickly!”
Big Zhuang quickly said “Oh,” in an obedient tone, and followed the path Li Manyu had taken.
As he approached the staircase, Big Zhuang and Bai Lixin locked eyes.
The moment their eyes met, Big Zhuang’s face suddenly turned crimson. He glanced at Bai Lixin and quickly averted his gaze, whispering, “You look really good in this outfit, Bai Lixin.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
It’s just a set of clothes. He usually looks good, so he shouldn’t have changed much, right?
Soon, the footsteps of the two disappeared, and Bai Lixin then looked at Father Fei.
Father Fei remained in his original position, looking at Bai Lixin with a look that Bai Lixin couldn’t describe.
Nostalgia, astonishment, infatuation, they all seemed to be there.
Only when Bai Lixin walked to Father Fei’s side and greeted him did Father Fei return to his senses. “Xiao Xin, this outfit really suits you. It matches you very well.”
Bai Lixin said “Oh” perfunctorily. “When do we leave?”
Father Fei cleared his throat. “We can leave now; the car is waiting outside.”
Bai Lixin immediately headed towards the door. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
‘Hurry up, don’t waste time, I can’t wait to see the old gong.
I advise you to be sensible.’
Bai Lixin’s hand had just touched the door handle, and before he could open it, the door swung open from the outside.
A chilly breeze rushed in through the opening. Fei Yino, wrapped in a chill, stood in front of Bai Lixin without any warning.
Fei Yino probably didn’t expect someone to be there when he opened the door, and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. He scanned Bai Lixin with a gloomy expression, and his gaze, and finally looked past Bai Lixin at Father Fei behind him.
No one said a word, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.
After about fifteen seconds, Fei Yino suddenly raised an eyebrow, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
His smile carried a thorn, and Bai Lixin seemed to see a wild beast emerging from the other man’s smile.
Fei Yino looked down at him with a predatory gaze.
His sharp gaze slowly swept over Bai Lixin’s face, finally settling on Bai Lixin’s neck.
Bai Lixin: “…”
His outfit had probably provoked Fei Yino. At this moment, Fei Yino exuded a brutal ferocity, and had already regarded him as a prey for hunting.
