Chapter 84: The Celebration Banquet

The girl smiled, “My name is Yang Yiwen, and this is my friend Fang Yating.” She gestured to the girl beside her as she introduced them.

At that moment, Fang Yating also greeted Huo Xiuzhi.

Huo Xiuzhi glanced at Lu Ming, who was sitting by the window, and continued, “Are you all together?”

Yang Yiwen looked at the rustic-looking Lu Ming, waved her hand dismissively, and said, “We don’t know him.”

Huo Xiuzhi nodded with a smile.

“Are you two lovely ladies also headed to Xijing?” he continued, attempting to strike up a conversation.

Yang Yiwen seemed lively and responded readily to the handsome man’s questions.

“What a coincidence, we’re also going to Jiamei Group. We’re fresh graduates, and we’re reporting to Jiamei Group this morning for secretarial positions.” Her excitement was palpable.

Jiamei Group had risen unexpectedly, and overnight, their supermarkets spread throughout the country, entirely replacing Meilian Group as the industry leader. In just three days, they achieved a sales miracle, becoming a household name.

For them, as fresh graduates, landing a job at such a prestigious company was indeed something to celebrate.

Huo Xiuzhi’s eyes lit up at their words, “So we’re colleagues—that’s great! My cousin is hosting a luncheon today. Would you two be interested in attending?”

“Your cousin?” Yang Yiwen asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

Huo Xiuzhi cleared his throat and explained, “My cousin is the president of Jiamei Group, Huo Yutong. Jiamei Group’s trial opening lasted three days and brought about remarkable success. There’s a celebratory banquet at noon today. If you’re interested, I can take you along to meet some of the company’s senior executives.”

Yang Yiwen was instantly intrigued—Huo Xiuzhi wasn’t just a senior member of Jiamei Group, but also the cousin of the president. Her enthusiasm was evident as she replied, “Absolutely! We only need to check in today. Work officially starts tomorrow, so we have time.”

Seeing Yang Yiwen’s excitement, Huo Xiuzhi smiled to himself, then addressed Fang Yating, “Why so quiet, beautiful?”

Fang Yating seemed shy, merely smiling at him without saying a word.

Huo Xiuzhi, finding his conversation with the two young women not quite satisfying enough, said, “Excuse me for a moment.”

He stood up, walked over to Lu Ming, and tapped him on the shoulder. “Sir, would you mind switching seats with us?”

Lu Ming had been ruminating over Feng Xifan’s affairs, catching bits of their conversation. But he had just drifted off to sleep, only to be abruptly awakened. Annoyed, he frowned, “What is it?”

Huo Xiuzhi smiled politely, “I feel a great rapport with these two ladies—we’re colleagues, after all. Would you mind swapping seats so we can have a proper conversation?”

Lu Ming, looking at the gentlemanly Huo Xiuzhi, felt his irritation rise. This guy was hitting on women and acting all high and mighty, treating him like some country bumpkin.

Lu Ming turned and said, “No,” then closed his eyes again, intent on going back to sleep.

Huo Xiuzhi was rebuffed, and his expression soured.

Yang Yiwen, looking at Lu Ming with disdain, said, “Sir, it’s just a seat change—it’s not a big deal. Why not?”

Fang Yating tugged at Yang Yiwen’s sleeve and whispered, “Let it go. If he doesn’t want to, just leave it be.”

Yang Yiwen snorted and turned away.

Huo Xiuzhi stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay, caught in an awkward moment.

Just then, his assistant hurried over and said to Yang Yiwen, “Miss, I’ll switch seats with you.”

Yang Yiwen nodded and moved over.

Relieved that his assistant had saved him from embarrassment, Huo Xiuzhi now looked at his assistant with newfound appreciation.

The assistant took Yang Yiwen’s seat and smiled at Fang Yating as a greeting. Fang Yating responded with a smile.

Huo Xiuzhi returned to his own seat, casting a sharp look at Lu Ming as he left.

Seeing Huo Xiuzhi sit down, Yang Yiwen said with a smile, “Ignore him. That kind of person obviously has no manners.”

Huo Xiuzhi smiled faintly in agreement, and the two began chatting warmly.

At 7:30 in the morning, the plane landed at Xijing Airport.

Lu Ming rubbed his sleepy eyes and prepared to disembark.

Huo Xiuzhi stood up and said to Yang Yiwen and Fang Yating, “Ladies, the company has sent a car for me. Shall we go together?”

Yang Yiwen clapped her hands, “Great! We’re headed to the company anyway.”

She pulled Fang Yating from their seats, shooting another disdainful glance at Lu Ming.

Passengers were retrieving their luggage, and Huo Xiuzhi, ever the gentleman, helped Yang Yiwen and Fang Yating with their bags alongside his assistant.

As the slow-moving crowd began to exit the plane, Huo Xiuzhi gave Lu Ming another sharp look before leaving, prompting Lu Ming to shake his head.

Lu Ming left the airport and hailed a cab straight to the People's Hospital.

Arriving at the intensive care ward, he found the special forces soldiers still on duty. However, clearly instructed by Yun Ketian, the captain did not block Lu Ming, but nodded in greeting.

Lu Ming nodded back with a smile.

Inside the ward, Yun Ketian was feeding Qin Lan spoonfuls of eight-treasure porridge.

Yun Ketian looked utterly exhausted after several days of care—his beard was unkempt, his clothes unchanged and stained.

“Quite a good meal,” Lu Ming remarked with a smile.

Yun Ketian, seeing Lu Ming enter, set down the porridge, a bit embarrassed.

“Continue feeding her—what if she starves?” Lu Ming said, puzzled by Yun Ketian’s sudden pause.

Yun Ketian picked up the porridge again and tried to feed Qin Lan.

But Qin Lan turned her head away, refusing to eat.

Lu Ming approached her bedside and asked with a smile, “How are your injuries?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t die. Did you get things done?” Qin Lan seemed to have regained some strength.

Lu Ming frowned, “It’s more complicated than I thought. No clues yet.”

“No rush. Once I’m better, we’ll handle it together,” Qin Lan replied coldly.

Having been assaulted for no reason, her fiery temper demanded revenge—she could not swallow her anger otherwise.

Lu Ming smiled, “That’s fine. This matter is indeed complex and can’t be rushed. I’ll investigate first; you focus on recovering. When you’re healed, we’ll find the culprit together and let you vent your anger.”

This time, Qin Lan merely nodded.

After a moment, Qin Lan suddenly said, “Can you get this guy to leave and find someone else?”

Lu Ming was surprised, “Why? He’s taking good care of you—a son of the provincial governor, feeding you. You should be grateful.”

Qin Lan hesitated, clearly embarrassed.

Lu Ming was puzzled.

Finally, Qin Lan couldn’t hold back, “I am a woman, after all. It’s really inconvenient having him here.”

She had been mortally embarrassed these past days.

Her severe injuries meant her chest and waist were immobilized; she couldn’t move and needed assistance with everything.

Yun Ketian, a man, had to help her with every intimate need. Even with her bold personality, she found it terribly awkward. She had asked several times for a female caregiver, but Yun Ketian always refused.

Helpless in bed, Qin Lan now seized the chance to tell Lu Ming her request again.

Lu Ming was stunned, then burst into an odd laughter.

He turned to Yun Ketian, “I haven’t had breakfast yet, so I’m off to eat. Do as you like.”

He never expected Yun Ketian to be drawn to this fierce woman—it truly surprised him.

But Yun Ketian’s background and character were irreproachable. If he and Qin Lan could be together, Lu Ming would be genuinely pleased.

Qin Lan was his comrade—life and death companions. Her happiness was something he sincerely wished for.

Just as Lu Ming was about to leave, his phone rang. It was Huo Yutong calling. Lu Ming answered—Huo Yutong had been busy with Jiamei Supermarket lately, and they hadn’t seen each other in some time.

“Hello.”

“Mr. Lu, this is Huo Yutong.”

“Come on, President Huo, do we have to be so formal? It makes me uncomfortable.”

“All right, Brother Lu, there’s a luncheon today. Please come.”

“Not interested. I’ll pass.”

“Brother Lu, it’s the Jiamei Group’s celebration banquet. You’re the main contributor to its success—you have to be there,” Huo Yutong pleaded.

Hearing her nearly imploring tone, Lu Ming shook his head helplessly. “Fine, I’ll come by.”

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