"Little White Flower?"
Ding Xiang was slightly startled before bashfully lowering her eyes. "Why randomly give people nicknas?"
Brother Lie ignored her coyness and continued his praise.
"You look stunning today; your aura is maxed out!"
"Really?"
She imdiately lifted her head again, her big eyes sparkling with joy.
"Mhm!"
Brother Lie extended his hand to her. "Let’s go, we’re heading up."
Ding Xiang, in high spirits, was just about to place her hand in his when her fingers suddenly retracted and trembled slightly. Then, she raised her hand higher and looped her arm through Han Lie’s.
She was still too shy for direct handholding.
Her yielding nature and her shyness weren’t contradictory. She was the type of girl who had little initiative; n had to take the first step. Of course, once a man took initiative, her resistance would be equally weak.
It wasn’t until then that the observant lobby manager stepped forward two paces and asked respectfully, "Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?"
Han Lie nodded. "Reserved under President Xu."
"This way, please follow ," the manager said.
The two of them followed the manager into the elevator. Inside, Ding Xiang stealthily admired her reflection in the tallic, mirror-like elevator walls, smiling delightfully.
Today, she wore an ivory-colored tailored coat with knee-high cream-colored boots, accentuating her tall, slender physique and exuding a fashionable yet pure, youthful aura from the inside out.
Her hairstyle was the cutest part—blunt bangs with dium-length hair that reached her collarbones, framing her petite, palm-sized face and making her look even more adorable.
She hadn’t put on much makeup, just a touch of lipstick.
It was Armani’s red tube 311. Lightly applied, it gave the impression of a very shy, energizing rouge, outlining her thin, upturned lips. Combined with her extrely fair skin, which lacked any flush, it was the perfect finishing touch.
She proudly pouted her lips at the mirror-like wall.
Han Lie noticed and couldn’t help but take a few more glances, finding her extrely enticing.
Tsk tsk, the epito of pure desire...
It was obvious that Ding Xiang, being alone with Han Lie, was in a fantastic mood. Beyond her usual shyness, there was an added touch of a little girl’s innocent charm.
"You look very pretty."
Brother Lie suddenly complinted her. Little White imdiately withdrew her gaze, hiding her head behind Han Lie’s shoulder.
Brother Lie couldn’t help but clench his fists, nearly losing his composure.
"DING!"
The elevator stopped on the third floor. Just as they stepped out, a young man who looked like an assistant was waiting by the door.
This "young" man appeared to be around thirty years old.
The assistant’s eyes flashed with astonishnt when he saw Han Lie.
"Excuse , are you President Han Lie?"
"Yes, hello," Han Lie nodded without offering his hand.
"I’m President Xu’s assistant, Xiao Zhang. A pleasure to et you!"
Xiao Zhang didn’t offer his hand either but gestured with open arms. "Please, follow . President Xu is waiting for you."
「Twenty seconds later.」
Han Lie finally laid eyes on this titan of private equity, a stock market legend who had once conquered his era only to be ultimately forsaken by it.
"President Han, hello."
"President Xu, hello, hello! I’ve long admired your reputation. Today is truly an honor!"
As they shook hands, they sized each other up simultaneously.
Compared to Han Lie’s warmth, Xu Xiang was very cold... no, not cold, but introverted.
The difference lay in their eyes.
Being cold is putting on airs; being introverted is holding back.
Han Lie noticed that, face-to-face, Mr. Xu didn’t carry the freewheeling air of a top-tier magnate, nor could he discern any overwhelming presence.
On the contrary, he was so reserved it bordered on introversion, so low-key he almost seed to lack presence.
Han Lie glanced at him and quickly concluded: This man isn’t socially phobic, but he definitely isn’t soone who loves or excels at socializing.
Just looking at his attire—a long LV trench coat over a loose-fitting large sweater, its round collar revealing the shirt underneath—made him look unflatteringly bulky.
And, given his height and build, long trench coats didn’t suit him at all; a cotton jacket would have been better.
Yet he wore it comfortably, and even now, his left hand remained tucked into his coat pocket.
Psychology expert Lie quickly sketched a ntal profile for President Xu: Focused, introverted, a tech enthusiast, strong-minded, inarticulate, dislikes the spotlight. This is a complex, multifaceted person. For such an individual to actively seek a eting with is truly rare.
Han Lie introduced Ding Xiang. Surprisingly, Little White behaved with remarkable restraint and propriety.
"President Xu, hello. My mother and I are both your fans. You’re the pride of Ning City. I’m very honored to have the opportunity to listen to your insights."
"Ah? You’re a fellow local? Good, good!"
Mr. Xu was pleased, but facing the stunning Ding Xiang, he didn’t betray any of the lecherous desire typical of greasy middle-aged n; he rely beca a bit more cordial and enthusiastic.
"Little Ding, please sit, sit. I’ve arranged for hotown dishes today; eat plenty."
"Thank you, I will."
Han Lie chid in at the right mont, "President Xu, please, you sit first. Today, the guests will follow the host’s lead."
Mr. Xu understood and smiled pleasantly.
Only four people sat at the round table: Han Lie, Ding Xiang, Mr. Xu, and Assistant Xiao Zhang.
The cuisine was Zhejiang style, and the drink was yellow wine, perfect for slow sipping and idle conversation.
Mr. Xu began straightforwardly, his opening very simple. "I first heard of you when you won your third weekly championship. At that ti, an old buddy of mine told , ’Hey, there’s an impressive young man in this year’s stock trading competition! Much better than you were back in the day!’"
Han Lie listened quietly, his attitude attentive, but he did not interrupt.
So, Mr. Xu continued with satisfaction, "Then, from that mont on, I started wondering: Can you consistently maintain stable results? And when I checked... interesting, you even traded my stocks!"
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