Xu Xiuwen saw this and burst into laughter, promising that once the TV drama is released, he would treat everyone to a big al after he finishes this busy period.
Although the employees each claid they didn’t care about the al, their smiles returned when they heard that there would indeed be a big dinner.
The eting was temporarily paused.
Xu Xiuwen called Song Xiaomi over and asked, “Do you know of any nearby restaurants that can prepare boxed als and deliver them?”
Song Xiaomi rarely orders takeout.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Xu, but I don’t usually eat takeout, so I’m not very familiar with it.”
“I see. Well, I’ll ask soone else.”
“Mr. Xu, Sister Xinyao must know which nearby restaurants deliver als.”
“Then have her co over.”
Song Xiaomi then brought Lu Xinyao to Xu Xiuwen’s office.
After so inquiry, Lu Xinyao did not disappoint Xu Xiuwen. She was indeed knowledgeable about the local restaurants.
Xu Xiuwen asked her to tally the number of people and order food accordingly.
Lu Xinyao was very efficient.
After placing the order, Lu Xinyao ca to Xu Xiuwen’s office to report.
Xu Xiuwen nodded in satisfaction.
He suddenly rembered that Lu Xinyao had sothing to say earlier and asked, “Lu Xinyao, what did you want to say this morning?”
Lu Xinyao had thought Xu Xiuwen had forgotten and had almost given up hope.
To her surprise, he still rembered!
She felt a surge of unexpected joy.
“Mr. Xu, you were saying this evening...”
Suddenly, the office door was pushed open.
Hang Fei walked in unexpectedly.
The mont Lu Xinyao saw Hang Fei, she knew she wouldn’t have a chance to speak.
She was perceptive enough to understand that Hang Fei must have sothing to discuss with Xu Xiuwen, so she took the initiative to say, “Mr. Xu, I’ll leave now.”
“Alright.”
As Lu Xinyao left Xu Xiuwen’s office, she sighed in disappointnt.
She had been interrupted repeatedly and had lost all hope.
Xu Xiuwen and Hang Fei talked for quite a while.
It wasn’t until the ordered boxed als arrived that Xu Xiuwen finished his al in the office.
After eating, the eting resud.
The eting lasted until 3 p.m.
After a whole day of etings, Xu Xiuwen was also feeling a bit tired.
He waved for the employees to disperse and then leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.
For the next two hours, Xu Xiuwen stayed in his office.
No one knew what he was doing inside.
By 5 p.m., which was the usual end of the workday, Xu Xiuwen was preparing to leave the company when the door knocked.
…
Lu Xinyao had been struggling with her decision all day.
It was rare to see Xu Xiuwen, and today he was in his office.
Should she approach him or not?
As the end of the workday approached, Lu Xinyao made up her mind.
She decided that regardless of Xu Xiuwen’s response, she would at least make an attempt.
So, Lu Xinyao ca to Xu Xiuwen’s office door and knocked.
Upon hearing Xu’s voice from inside, she placed her hand on the door handle and gently pushed it open.
Seeing Lu Xinyao, Xu Xiuwen was montarily stunned.
Then he smiled and asked, “It’s already after work; why haven’t you left? Is there sothing else?”
On the way over, Lu Xinyao had hesitated. But once she stood in front of Xu Xiuwen, her resolve fird up.
“Mr. Xu, I’d like to invite you to dinner. Are you free this evening?”
Lu Xinyao started directly by asking to treat him to a al.
Xu Xiuwen was sowhat surprised.
He didn’t imdiately refuse or agree but instead smiled and asked, “Is there a special occasion today? Why the sudden dinner invitation?”
Lu Xinyao replied, “Mr. Xu, today is my birthday.”
Xu Xiuwen then realized.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Mr. Xu.”
“Well then,” Xu Xiuwen smiled.
He noticed the hopeful look on Lu Xinyao’s face.
After a mont’s hesitation, he said, “Alright, I’m free tonight. Where are we eating, and what ti?”
Xu Xiuwen then asked with a smile, “Heh... Did you invite anyone else? …It wouldn’t be just the two of us, right?”
Lu Xinyao quickly waved her hand and said, “Boss Xu, don’t misunderstand. There are other people. The dinner will be at the company dormitory, and I’ll be cooking. Is that alright?”
“If you’re cooking yourself, then I’m in for a treat.” Xu Xiuwen sighed with relief.
He had been worried that Lu Xinyao had only invited him, which might make for an awkward birthday atmosphere, but with others present, it would be better.
Lu Xinyao seed a bit nervous. “I hope you don’t mind if the food isn’t great.”
“Not at all. By the way, who else did you invite?”
Lu Xinyao answered, “Xiaomi, Sister Yatong, and Qianqian.”
“No one else?”
“That’s all.”
“So, just you girls? You didn’t invite any of the male colleagues?”
“I’m not very familiar with them,” Lu Xinyao explained.
“Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong should be at the distillery, shouldn’t they?”
Before today, so employees hadn’t known that Xu Xiuwen had bought the distillery or that Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong were also part of the company.
However, Song Xiaomi and Lu Xinyao, having joined the company at the sa ti, were aware of the situation.
Lu Xinyao explained, “Qianqian and Sister Yatong will take a cab over after work.”
To avoid any misunderstanding, she added, “Mr. Xu, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not that I insisted they co back for my birthday. They were concerned that it would be too lonely if I celebrated alone, so they insisted on coming back.”
“Why are you so anxious? I’m not a tiger waiting to eat people.” Xu Xiuwen joked lightly.
“It’s fine. Even if they were taking ti off just to celebrate with you, as long as it doesn’t affect work, it’s no big deal.”
Lu Xinyao relaxed a bit at his words.
“What ti will dinner be?”
“Mr. Xu, would 6:30 work for you?”
“That’s fine. Hurry up and get ready, and I’ll co over later.”
“Alright, Mr. Xu. You go ahead and get back to work.”
After Lu Xinyao left, Xu Xiuwen’s smile gradually faded.
At 5:30, Xu Xiuwen left the company.
He went to a nearby mall, bought a gift, and planned to give it to Lu Xinyao as a birthday present.
It wouldn’t be right to know and not prepare a gift. Xu Xiuwen wasn’t a stingy person.
The gift Xu Xiuwen chose wasn’t an extravagant item but rather sothing ordinary people might not think of.
After purchasing the gift, Xu Xiuwen went to the company dormitory.
It was just past 6 o’clock.
As Xu Xiuwen was about to go upstairs, he happened to run into Song Xiaomi.
She was holding an unopened bottle of soy sauce.
“Hello, Mr. Xu.”
“There’s no need to be so formal outside of the office.”
“Oh, okay,” she said, though she still seed a bit nervous.
Xu Xiuwen didn’t point it out and followed her upstairs.
Upon entering, Song Xiaomi didn’t bother changing her shoes but imdiately brought Xu Xiuwen a pair of slippers.
They were the sa n’s slippers as last ti.
Once in the living room, Xu Xiuwen saw Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong, whom he hadn’t seen for a while.
The two won were chatting on the living room sofa.
Xu Xiuwen teased, “Lu Xinyao is busy preparing dinner, and you two are just sitting here chatting. Aren’t you going to help?”
Xu Qian’s eyes lit up when she saw Xu Xiuwen.
Zhao Yatong, on the other hand, remained calm. She even retorted, “The kitchen is small, and it can’t fit four people working in there. Besides, you just arrived, so why didn’t I see you co early to help?”
Xu Xiuwen laughed heartily at her response.
Compared to Song Xiaomi’s nervousness, Zhao Yatong’s nonchalant attitude made him feel more at ease.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, “Zhao Yatong, why do you enjoy teasing people so much?”
Zhao Yatong replied casually, “I’m not really teasing you. I’m exhausted from a full day of work. I sit down to rest, and now I’m being criticized.”
“I can’t argue with you.” Xu Xiuwen raised his hands in surrender.
This action made both Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian laugh.
When Song Xiaomi returned to the living room after handing the soy sauce to Lu Xinyao in the kitchen, she overheard their conversation.
Seeing the easygoing interaction among the three, Song Xiaomi felt a tinge of envy.
With the three girls in the living room, Lu Xinyao was the only one in the kitchen.
Xu Xiuwen walked to the kitchen door.
Upon seeing him, Lu Xinyao greeted him with a smile, “Mr. Xu, you’re here, hehe...”
Xu Xiuwen looked Lu Xinyao up and down.
She had changed out of her work uniform into casual ho clothes and was wearing an apron.
She looked completely different from the polished professional at work, giving off a warm, neighborly vibe instead.
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, “Do you need any help?”
Lu Xinyao shook her head, “No, Mr. Xu, you can sit outside for a while. It’ll be ready soon.”
“Alright then. Call if you need anything.”
“Okay, Mr. Xu.”
Xu Xiuwen’s gaze briefly swept over Lu Xinyao’s black silk-clad legs.
It seed she had been busy preparing dinner at ho and hadn’t had ti to take off her stockings despite changing clothes.
But that didn’t matter.
After about twenty minutes of waiting, Lu Xinyao finished cooking the last dish.
The dining table was already set with eight or nine dishes, including fish and pork ribs, with a good balance of at and vegetables.
Xu Xiuwen was quite impressed with Lu Xinyao’s cooking skills.
Although he hadn’t tasted the food yet, it slled great and looked appetizing.
The taste should be good as well, though this was just Xu Xiuwen’s guess.
As the last dish was ready, it was almost 6:30—exactly the ti Lu Xinyao had ntioned for dinner.
Xu Xiuwen and the three won were already seated at the dining table. Lu Xinyao quickly removed her apron and sat down under the girls’ urging.
Once seated, Lu Xinyao suddenly asked, “Mr. Xu, would you like so wine?”
Xu Xiuwen was about to decline, thinking about having driven there, when Zhao Yatong intervened.
Zhao Yatong said, “Mr. Xu, you have a good tolerance for alcohol, and it’s your birthday today, so you definitely should have a bit.”
Her statent almost put Xu Xiuwen in a difficult spot.
He gave a wry smile and nodded, “Alright, I’ll have a bit.”
Lu Xinyao smiled and said, “I’ll go get the wine.”
She got up and returned to the dining table in less than a minute, holding a newly opened bottle of wine.
Xu Xiuwen was amused.
Isn’t that a vintage from the Guangming Distillery?
Lu Xinyao explained, “Mr. Xu, this is the wine Qianqian and the others brought with them.”
Xu Xiuwen had guessed it was brought by the two won.
He joked, “I was wondering if this wine was purchased or if you two managed to ‘borrow’ it from the distillery. If it was stolen, I might have caught you red-handed!”
His comnt earned him so eye rolls.
Zhao Yatong said, “Of course it was bought. Do we look like the kind of people who steal wine?”
Xu Qian, looking displeased, added, “Mr. Xu, we bought it from a shop. We support new wine, and you’re questioning whether we stole it? That’s a bit much.”
“Ha ha...” Xu Xiuwen laughed heartily.
Lu Xinyao added, “Mr. Xu, I’ve heard Qianqian talk about this wine a lot, but I haven’t had a chance to try it. Now I can taste it tonight.”
“Great, let’s see if this wine suits your taste.”
Lu Xinyao opened the bottle and began pouring.
Everyone got a glass of wine, including the less experienced Song Xiaomi.
Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong, who had already tasted the new wine, weren’t in a hurry to try it.
Lu Xinyao and Song Xiaomi were curious, so they took the first sips.
Soon, Song Xiaomi’s face turned as red as if she’d been hit with red dye.
She squinted and gasped for air.
This made everyone else laugh.
Lu Xinyao, on the other hand, impressed Xu Xiuwen.
She drank a small sip of the liquor without changing expression and even comnted, “The wine is a bit spicy, but it slls really good.”
Among the five at the table, Song Xiaomi had the weakest tolerance for alcohol.
After just a few sips, she beca quite drunk and eventually collapsed on the table, falling fast asleep.
This sight amused everyone else.
Lu Xinyao impressed Xu Xiuwen not just with her cooking skills but also with her impressive alcohol tolerance.
After talking, laughing, eating, and drinking, the atmosphere was warm and lively.
An hour had passed in no ti.
The dinner was nearing its end when the doorbell rang suddenly.
The girls were all taken aback, wondering who it could be.
Xu Xiuwen, however, smiled and said, “It should be the cake I ordered.”
Lu Xinyao was both surprised and delighted, “Mr. Xu, you ordered a cake?”
Xu Xiuwen nodded, “Yes, I noticed you girls hadn’t ordered a cake, so I went ahead and got one. You can’t have a birthday without a cake!”
Lu Xinyao was deeply touched and her eyes reddened.
However, Xu Xiuwen didn’t see this mont as he went to answer the door for the cake.
When the door opened, the person with the cake was none other than Wu Yong from room 502 upstairs.
Seeing there was no cake, Xu Xiuwen had contacted Wu Yong to buy a cake from a nearby bakery and deliver it.
Wu Yong didn’t know why Xu Xiuwen had ordered a cake or why he was at the female employees’ dormitory.
But he was perceptive enough to understand these weren’t questions he should ask.
After receiving the cake, Xu Xiuwen didn’t invite Wu Yong inside.
Since Lu Xinyao hadn’t invited Wu Yong, Xu Xiuwen didn’t feel it was appropriate to invite him on her behalf, and since the evening was winding down, there was no need for Wu Yong to join.
Xu Xiuwen thanked him briefly and carried the cake back to the living room...
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