Chapter 580: Four Cups of Coffee, Five People

After the seventh day of the new year, the festive atmosphere faded.

The elders each returned home, and the brothers gradually resumed their own routines.

Mu Youyu had been idle at home for nearly a week when Jiang Liangjin lured her out with, "There's a meeting today, A Yu—do you want to come along?"

She sat in the back seat, turning her head to look out the window, and only when the car pulled into the Jiang Consortium building's parking lot did she turn back and ask, "What's up at your company today?"

The driver said nothing and parked the car.

"A partner has come to discuss renewing the contract." Jiang Liangjin undid her seatbelt and said, "The other side is a married couple, and the wife specifically asked to meet you."

Mu Youyu blinked. "Why do you want to see me?"

"They say they're your fan and have collected your paintings." Jiang Liangjin lowered his brows, adding, "But they might just want to get closer—we've met them before."

Mu Youyu curled her lips and leaned in, asking, "You brought me here—are you planning to use me as a mascot?"

"Fine—just sit there, and you'll be my trump card."

Jiang Liangjin had already opened the car door, walked to her side, and made a gentlemanly "please" gesture, saying, "Princess, please step out."

From the front desk to the elevator, everyone they passed stared for a moment, then quickly greeted, "Chairman, hello; Miss, hello."

Mu Youyu smiled and nodded, while Jiang Liangjin kept walking and returned the nod.

Only after the private elevator doors closed did the muffled whispers outside break out: "Why is the Miss here today?"

"She hasn't come here since the engagement!"

"Exactly, and she's standing right next to Director Jiang—what a perfect match."

"I wish I could find someone this good‑looking—I'm so jealous of the Chairman, you lucky bastard, with such great fortune."

"I won't say, I won't say."

As the office door was pushed open, the Special Assistant was stacking a pile of documents on the desk.

Mu Youyu was leaning on the sofa, taking in Jiang Liangjin's office.

Compared to her last visit, there were a few more things here—aside from the potted plants, several finely framed portraits, all her sketches from last year.

The Special Assistant looked up, saw Jiang Liangjin with the smiling Mu Youyu behind him, and said as usual, "Miss, hello. Chairman, General Manager Xu and General Manager Pei arrived early; they're in Conference Room One."

Jiang Liangjin hummed, casually adjusted his tie, reached out his hand, and said, "Dear, let's go."

"All right, Director Jiang."

Mu Youyu rose and walked to his side; the two walked out of the office together, heading toward the meeting room.

They pushed the door open to find three people already seated inside.

Two men and one woman; the men were in suits, sitting upright with modest demeanor, looking to be just over twenty.

When Mu Youyu got a clear look at one of the faces, she blinked in surprise—she had thought it was someone she'd met before.

This person was Song Huaixian's friend, who had previously called her "sister‑in‑law"—Xu Shu.

The woman seated beside him was lowering her head to read a document; when she heard the movement she lifted her gaze, her eyes brightening for an instant with a gentle smile, and said, "Miss Mu, long time no see."

"Hello, Sister Pei."

Mu Youyu also hadn't expected Xu Shu and Pei Ci to get married so quickly.

The last time they saw each other they were still an unmarried couple; this time they met as husband and wife.

Xu Shu was actually quite steady on business; he rose and extended his hand to Jiang Liangjin, saying, "Director Jiang, sorry for the wait."

The Vice President sitting beside him also rose, his manner respectful, and said, "Director Jiang, I've long admired you."

Jiang Liangjin shook his hand briefly and replied, "Sorry for the wait, please have a seat."

Both sides took their seats along the long table.

Mrs. Xu Pei Ci didn't rush into the agenda; instead she first chatted with Mu Youyu about the recent art exhibition.

Mu Youyu handled it with ease, smiling and chatting pleasantly.

Xu Shu tried to interject a few times, but his wife smoothly steered the conversation away each time, leaving him to sit there cluelessly pretending to understand.

Jiang Liangjin took the head seat, never urging them on, his gaze fixed on his fiancée with pure indulgence.

After the pleasantries, the meeting moved onto the main track, and only then did Pei Ci turn her attention back to the business at hand.

Xu Shu opened the document before him and asked about several clause details.

Jiang Liangjin answered point by point, his tone steady and flawless; Xu Shu and the other two listened attentively, nodding now and then.

Mu Youyu sat to the side, out of politeness she neither looked at her phone nor spoke up.

After about half an hour, they had finished discussing several key clauses.

Xu Shu messaged the assistant, telling him to bring the follow‑up liaison documents that had been prepared, all the while chatting with the four of them.

Less than a minute later, a knock sounded at the door.

That assistant looked to be just over twenty; his eyes swept the room and then he froze.

He was holding four cups of coffee, prepared in advance according to the original headcount.

But at that moment, there were five people in the meeting room!

He stood in the doorway, his gaze landing for a split second on the excessively beautiful girl opposite, and he recognized her.

After a brief moment of surprise, the assistant's eyes lit up—luckily he'd watched plenty of videos and picked up a few tricks.

The moment to test his emotional intelligence had arrived!

The assistant hurried forward, first laying out the documents properly, then began handing out the coffee.

He placed the three cups slightly off‑center in front of Xu Shu and the other two, and after distributing them he naturally walked a half‑circle.

The spot where he set the last cup was interesting—it rested squarely on the table between Jiang Liangjin and Mu Youyu.

It was neither biased toward Mu Youyu nor toward Jiang Liangjin.

Jiang Liangjin, Mu Youyu: "……"

Everyone: "……"

The assistant finished, stood up straight, nodded in greeting, then turned toward Xu Shu's side, "Manager Xu, I'll head out first."

Having said that, he turned and briskly walked out, the whole thing taking no more than two minutes.

Xu Shu glanced at that closed door, then silently chuckled.

He really knows how to conduct himself.