Page 46 of He Is My Bride
Wang Guosheng didn’t appear ‘grandfather’ -age at all, and while he must have been around the same age as Wu Yiheng, he looked more like he was in his late forties. He was taller than Hanjun, and therefore taller than Li Ying was even in his heels. As Wang Guosheng stepped into the elevator, his aura seemed to take over the entire space. But Li Ying had seen his share of big egos in his time and stood unaffected. Unlike Xinyu, who seemed to shrink before his grandfather.
“Then pay more attention,” Wang Guosheng said and Xinyu lowered his gaze.
Wang Guosheng then looked at Li Ying, and Li Ying felt like he was seen through by that piercing gaze. Li Ying ignored the shiver in his spine and smiled politely.
“Grandfather, this is Li Ying,” Xinyu began. “Wu Hanjun’s, um…”
“Hello,” Li Ying offered his hand, meeting Wang Guoshengs eyes, “Li Ying. I’m here as Wu Hanjun’s guest. Your grandson has been very kind to show me around.”
A vein on Wang Guosheng’s temple throbbed, but his mouth smiled. He took Li Ying’s hand into his own: it was large, the obvious strength of his grip politely restrained. The scent of his leathery, masculine cologne surrounded Li Ying. Wang Guosheng’s thumb caressed across Li Ying’s knuckles once, twice. A crooked smile spread on his thin lips.
“Wang Guosheng.” His voice was deep bass like a lazily purring tiger.
Before Li Ying could figure out how to react, it was over.
What was that?Li Ying kept smiling, and he hoped the disgust that had set in his belly hadn’t reached his eyes.
Wang Guosheng stepped back next to his grandson and slapped the newspaper to his chest. Xinyu took the paper—it had been opened onthatpage—and said to him while still looking at Li Ying:
“Remember, you are here to learn to do business, not chaperone Wu Hanjun’s ‘companion.’”
The elevator slowed down. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Missy Li,” Wang Guosheng said.
Li Ying hoped his smile didn’t look as dead as it felt. He didn’t say anything, because if he opened his mouth, nothing pleasant would have come out—he would have spoken his mind.
Wang Guosheng left the elevator, and luckily Xinyu led Li Ying out and to the opposite direction.
“I’m sorry, did I put you in a bad spot there?” Li Ying asked Xinyu once they were out of the man’s earshot.
“No, not at all. I’m sorry, I didn’t know what I should have said.”
“About me and Hanjun? You can say I’m his girlfriend if someone asks.” Li Ying smiled.
Xinyu nodded. “Okay. Sorry.”
“It’s okay! Now, will you show me aroundyour office?”
Chapter 10: An Office Encounter
Meanwhile, one floor higher, Hanjun was on his way to Wu Yiheng’s office when he saw Wang Guosheng enter. Hanjun stood close by the door and could just about hear them:
“Wang Guosheng.” Wu Yiheng’s voice was flat.
“Chairman Wu. As per my last email, I have herein the potential new investors. They have expressed certain expectations as to the direction of the company before they would be willing to get on board. However, we are not talking about small sums, and I would urge the chairman to look at the proposals I have made to address their concerns.”
“Hm. I will familiarize myself with these at a suitable time.”
“I advise the chairman not to wait too long with his decision. I know the investors are actively looking to your competitors as well. Don’t hesitate to contact me, I will gladly arrange a meeting.”
“Noted. Thank you, Wang Guosheng,” Wu Yiheng dismissed him. The entire conversation had been spoken in a cold, overly formal tone, almost as if two bad television actors had been thrown in a scene together.
Hanjun softly stepped back just before Wang Guosheng opened the door. They exchanged a curt nod.
“Come in,” Wu Yiheng called to Hanjun.
Hanjun stepped into the office, closing the door behind him. He saw Wu Yiheng put away a dark folder into his bottom-most desk drawer. Hanjun bowed before Wu Yiheng from the waist, as was customary of the old-fashioned Wus when a senior received a junior in an official setting.
“You wished to see me, uncle?”
