"Mr. Fang, the regular meeting is about to start."
Fang Jiangyi responded.
He turned to look at Yan Xia, his gaze direct.
"Don't overthink it. Go back and get ready for the meeting."
Yan Xia nodded obediently and got up to leave. But just two steps away, Fang Jiangyi called her back.
"Xiaosheng." Seeing her turn around, he suddenly said earnestly, "I hope you can be as open with me as I am with you. Don't keep any secrets."
These words made Yan Xia feel guilty. She quickly slipped out of the office, but her mind remained restless.
She quickly composed herself and headed to the office for the meeting. But before she reached the meeting room, Assistant Sun stopped her.
He led Yan Xia aside and whispered, "Mr. Lu, Mr. Fang's father wants to see you. Right now."
What was bound to come finally did. Without even starting the conversation, Yan Xia could already guess the other party's attitude.
Through the frosted glass, she could see Fang Jiangyi inside the meeting room. Yan Xia obediently left and headed for Fang Jiangyi's office.
It was Yan Xia's first time meeting Fang Jiangyi's father, Fang Xiangyuan. Her first impression of him was different from what she had imagined.
He was a rather young elder. Unlike Fang Jiangyi, who was unapproachable, he had kind eyes and a gentle expression, looking very amiable. There was no trace of the hostility that one would expect from someone in the business world, which instantly made Yan Xia respect him.
When Yan Xia came in front of him, Fang Xiangyuan stood up from the sofa and sized her up.
She behaved properly. "Hello, Uncle Fang. It's nice to meet you for the first time. I'm Lu Sheng."
"Miss Lu, please have a seat." He also seemed a bit formal.
But Yan Xia waited for him to sit down before taking the seat opposite him.
"I've heard a lot about you these days. You're both capable and beautiful. Jiangyi has had a tough journey, and I'm really honored that you've been his right - hand woman." His eyes were kind.
Facing such a gentle elder, Yan Xia really couldn't come up with any schemes.
"I've also read Miss Lu's resume. You're a returnee from a prestigious university. You're not only capable but also down - to - earth. Your achievements at Shengshi are also remarkable. No wonder everyone appreciates you so much."
Yan Xia replied modestly, "I'm just a newbie in the company. There's still a lot for me to learn. I should be the one who's honored that Mr. Fang gave me this opportunity to improve myself."
Fang Xiangyuan poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.
"It's good to be smart. I believe Miss Lu is a smart person who knows what to say and what not to say. I wonder how well you know Jiangyi?"
Yan Xia said, "Mr. Fang is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He's very persistent. He won't stop until he achieves his goal. He has great ambition, which coincides with mine. So I'll use my father's resources to assist him in achieving his goals."
She wasn't sure if this was the right thing to say.
Fang Xiangyuan asked, "Then what's Miss Lu's ambition?"
Yan Xia knew that Fang Xiangyuan was testing her. Just like Fang Jiangyi before, he was suspicious of her. She didn't know if he was also aware of the current chaotic situation of the Lu family and was concerned about it.
She thought carefully before every word she said.
"Before, I wanted to get rid of my father's background and make achievements on my own. I didn't want people to look at me with prejudice. But then I met Mr. Fang. Since he's the one I've chosen, of course I also hope he'll get better and better. So my ambition is what I've just said."
Yan Xia didn't know how long she had to keep up this act. Lu Qianzhou said he was about to finish his part. So she had to be even more careful not to show any flaws.
Fang Xiangyuan crossed his fingers and leaned back on the chair, looking a bit nonchalant. Finally, he said, "I originally wanted to meet you privately, but considering Jiangyi's personality, he would surely overthink if he knew. So I'd better meet you here. To minimize the losses, I must make things clear now."
As soon as he said this, Yan Xia had a bad feeling.
But his attitude wasn't aggressive at all. He even exuded a gentle aura, looking refined and kind.
"Miss Lu may not know that there has been a rift between our family and the Lu family, especially with Lu Qianzhou. In fact, we haven't had any dealings with the Lu family for many years. If Jiangyi were to be with you, the two families would inevitably have interactions. Although it may seem petty, I still don't want any connection with the Lu family."
"Uncle Fang..."
"So my advice to you is to break up with Jiangyi as soon as possible. Miss Lu is so outstanding. I actually think Jiangyi is not good enough for you. Our Fang family is a small family. We're really not a good match."
Yan Xia said with difficulty, "Mr. Fang and I..."
"I heard that Miss Lu has put a lot of effort into being with Jiangyi and has made many contributions to Shengshi. But in my eyes, Jiangyi is not that excellent. He's not worth all your efforts and tricks."
Yan Xia felt embarrassed. No matter how much she denied it, she had used dishonorable means to drive away Peng Shiyi.
And Fang Xiangyuan, without being aggressive at all, just gently pointed it out, which was enough to make her feel ashamed.
"Since things haven't gotten out of hand yet, a peaceful break - up is the best decision. I believe Miss Lu doesn't want to see Jiangyi in a difficult situation, right? If Miss Lu just wants to stay at Shengshi and make great achievements, I'll fully support you."
Yan Xia unconsciously stood up, clenching her fingers.
"If Mr. Fang were to say these things to me, I would turn around and leave without hesitation. I've always believed that love is between two people, and others' opinions don't count. As long as he says so, I won't ask any more questions." Yan Xia looked at him calmly. "I've always thought that both Mr. Fang and you are at a height that ordinary people can never reach. Your hearts and horizons should be broader than those of ordinary people."
Fang Xiangyuan nodded slightly, as if smiling. Only then did Yan Xia notice that he looked a lot like Fang Jiangyi when he smiled. But his smile was gentler, while Fang Jiangyi's smile was like a fleeting breeze on the sea.
She had unconsciously given him a compliment.
"Miss Lu, it seems you're not sincere in dealing with this matter with me?"
Yan Xia said, "If Mr. Fang wants to break up, he should tell me himself, not through you as an intermediary. He's not such a irresponsible person."
"You're really brave." Fang Xiangyuan nodded approvingly. "Well, I'll make him tell you this himself."
Yan Xia stood there all the time, her gaze as straight as an arrow.
"Uncle Fang, although I don't know why you have such a prejudice against me, I'll try my best to clear up your misunderstanding. It was Mr. Fang who proposed to date me. Even if we break up, I believe he'll give me an explanation. You don't have to worry about it."
She even nodded and smiled at him.
"Goodbye."