Chapter 23: Visiting My Cold and Elegant Mom
Chapter 23: Visiting My Cold and Elegant Mom
After returning home, I changed into my third outfit of the day to prevent my sharp and clever mother from detecting the scent of perfume on me.
The insulated lunchbox Mom had cast aside sat lonely on the dining table. The food and mung bean porridge inside were still warm; the texture and temperature were just right.
Our home wasn't far from Chiyue Building. Both were located in the heart of Wanghai City, only about a ten-minute drive apart.
I picked up the lunchbox and hailed a ride-sharing car straight for Chiyue Building. Before long, I stood before the headquarters of Chiyue Group.
Looking up at the towering skyscraper that seemed to pierce the heavens, I felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of nerves. Whether I would have the ability to lead this massive vessel that was Chiyue Group through the stormy seas of business in the future remained an unknown.
But my nervousness wasn't just because of that; it was because the most important person in my life was inside this building.
The front of the building was packed with all sorts of luxury cars, though their style was uniformly low-key and restrained, signaling the extraordinary status of their owners. Only the ride-hailing car behind me looked completely out of place.
The driver’s eyes flickered with curiosity, wondering what a green youth like me was doing at the Chiyue Group headquarters. Was I looking for a job? I looked a bit too young for that. He probably couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams that I would one day be the master of this building—and the entire Chiyue Group.
I took a long, deep breath. My desires didn't stop there. I also wanted to pluck the radiant pearl within this building—to become the man of the woman revered as the goddess of the business world, Chi Qinglan.
I walked toward the building. The security guard at the door was sharp; he immediately hurried forward to greet me. "Young Master Lin, you've arrived?"
Looking at the burly guard bowing and scraping before me, I offered a warm, approachable smile. "Don't call me Young Master Lin. If my mom hears that, she'll definitely give me a lecture."
The guard chuckled, his smile still sycophantic. I understood—they weren't humbling themselves before me, but before the son of Madam Chi Qinglan.
I didn't visit Chiyue Building often, yet the guards remembered my face. It goes to show that anyone working for Chiyue Group, even a rough-looking security guard, is quick-witted.
I crossed the magnificent lobby. Receptionists were there to handle guests, but I waved them off. Even after walking quite a distance, I could still hear a newcomer asking the head receptionist about my identity.
I used the access card Mom had specially made for me to move freely through the building. However, before heading upstairs, I called her personal assistant, Zhao Qing.
Once the call connected, I spoke first. "Sister Qing, hello. Are you busy right now?"
"Oh, Xiao Yuan. I'm not busy. Is something the matter?"
"Nothing much, Sister Qing. I just wanted to come see my mom."
"Alright, wait a moment. I'll come down to get you."
"Okay, no rush."
Perhaps because I was easy to get along with, the veteran employees at the headquarters who knew me were all quite friendly. Soon, Zhao Qing came walking toward me, her stilettos clicking rhythmically on the floor.
Though her looks were ordinary, she had become Mom's personal assistant after only three years at the company; her abilities were outstanding.
Zhao Qing waved from a distance. "Xiao Yuan, how did you get here?" As she approached, she reached for the lunchbox in my hand. "Let me carry that for you."
"No, it's fine," I declined. "I took a car."
"You should have told me," she said. "I could have sent a car to pick you up."
"If Mom found out I was wasting company resources, she'd probably scold me again."
Zhao Qing covered her mouth and laughed. "Look at you. President Chi isn't that heartless."
I changed the subject. "Sister Qing, is my mom busy?"
Zhao Qing shook her head. "President Chi just finished a meeting in the conference hall with President Xu from Zhongtai Oil and Gas. She's in the reception lounge having tea now. I just stepped out of the meeting room myself when I got your call." She shook the documents in her hand. "See? I haven't even had time to put these back yet."
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Qing."
"It's my job, how can you call it hard work? Shall I take you straight to President Chi's office?"
I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head. "Take me to the reception lounge. I've never seen Mom discuss business before."
I was curious. I wanted to see how my mom—this cold, beautiful, sophisticated woman who was soft on the outside but iron on the inside—held her own against the wolves and tigers of the business world.
"Uh..." Zhao Qing paused. Though she felt it was inappropriate, she didn't want to offend me. "Well... alright. But President Chi has already finished the negotiations with President Xu. They're likely just making small talk now." Her words were a subtle hint for me not to go.
How could I not understand? I simply chose to play dumb.
In the elevator, I asked, "Sister Qing, has my mom eaten lunch yet?"
Zhao Qing shook her head. "Not yet. The meeting started at ten this morning and only just ended."
My heart stirred. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?
There were dozens of reception lounges in Chiyue Building. The elevator stopped, and Zhao Qing led me deep into the floor. After passing through a long corridor, I saw Mom's silhouette.
"Sister Qing, this is fine. I'll just watch from a distance."
Zhao Qing breathed a sigh of relief. Bringing an "outsider" or a "guest" into the reception lounge would surely draw President Chi's ire.
I looked through the transparent glass. Mom was seated in an executive chair, a faint smile on her face as she spoke with a middle-aged man across the table. Below them sat several men and women in professional attire, all looking tense and sitting bolt upright.
I wasn't far from her, but the soundproofing was too good. I could only see their lips moving without hearing a sound. Even so, every nod and gesture from Mom exuded grace, elegance, and poise.
Mom suddenly stood up and made a gesture inviting them out. The group, led by Mom, headed toward the corridor. Someone hurried forward to open the doors.
As they swung open, I immediately heard President Xu’s hearty laughter. "Without President Chi's personal touch, I doubt our two companies could have reached an agreement today. You must do me the honor of joining me for lunch, President Chi."
"President Xu, our Chairman has already arranged a banquet downstairs. General Manager Su from Chiyue Heavy Industry will be there to accompany you. I won't intrude further."
Mom's voice was cold yet melodious, like musical notes gently striking my heartstrings. It was a simple truth: sometimes the voice of the one you love can make your heart tremble and race.
The "Chairman" she mentioned was her brother, my uncle, Chi Hao.
"No, no, President Chi, you must come," the middle-aged man insisted. "I've long heard of your reputation. Now that we've met, it would be a great regret if we couldn't share a drink."
Mom continued to navigate the conversation with a polite smile. Watching her graceful figure, I realized just how smooth and tactful my gentle, intellectual mother could be when dealing with outsiders.
"Xiao Yuan."
A slightly raspy voice sounded behind me. I turned to see a tall, rugged middle-aged man. His eyes were slightly bloodshot, and he looked a bit tired.
"Hello, Chairman," Zhao Qing said, bowing hurriedly.
"Uncle," I greeted him, scratching my head. "I came to bring Mom lunch. Have you eaten?"
Uncle patted my shoulder. "Good, you're a thoughtful boy! Your mother has a weak stomach and her work is exhausting, and your father is just..." He trailed off. "You need to step up and take on a man's responsibility. Look after your mother in your father's stead."
"I've always been thoughtful, haven't I?" I smiled. "I know what my father is like. Don't worry, Uncle, I'll definitely take good care of her."
Uncle glanced at Mom and President Xu by the lounge door. "I have to accompany President Xu for lunch in a bit. Do you want to join us? Chiyue Group will be in your hands eventually; it's good to get used to these occasions early."
"Uh, I'll pass. I'd rather give Mom her lunch."
Uncle didn't push. He nodded. "That's fine. It's a bit early for this anyway. Your uncle can hold the fort for another few decades." He added, "Wait here for your mother. I'll go bail her out."
With that, he strode forward with his two assistants.
The commotion on our side caught Mom's attention. I wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but I noticed her phoenix eyes brighten visibly when she saw me. Then, to my disbelief, she gently beckoned me over.
Hmm? Hadn't she been giving me the cold shoulder this morning because of Song Yu? Why was she taking the initiative to greet me now?
My heart began to race. Even after living with her for over a decade, I still felt the nervous agitation of a green youth seeing the girl he loved whenever I was around her.
Perhaps it was because I loved her so deeply. I calmed my nerves and walked toward her.