Chapter 147: Xie Wantang, Come In

Xie Wantang's face was very calm, her inner…… had some ripples, but she could control it.

Lu Chen was still as he remembered, decisive and efficient, neat and measured.

She originally wanted to withdraw her gaze, but that face, she had been longing for it for years, she wanted to look at him.

It was purely to see him more, with no other improper intentions.

Seeing Xie Wantang's appearance, Pei Xiao and Su Nianchu exchanged a glance, then Pei Xiao spoke, "Miss Xie, the boss is just like that, swamped with work, he has too much to attend to."

"Yes, Miss Xie." Su Nianchu echoed.

"He…… is your boss?" Xie Wantang pulled her gaze back from Lu Chen's body and looked at Pei Xiao and Su Nianchu.

The two nodded; at this point, there was indeed nothing left to conceal.

Pei Xiao also knew that Lu Chen had asked Xie Wantang to stay in the Project Team and required her to attend the Project Team's grand gathering first meeting tonight because he had business with Xie Wantang.

If it weren't for having business, Shen Ye had suggested that Xie Wantang was an external hire; for this meeting, she might not have to attend, and the boss would have said it was fine.

He knew the reason, but Shen Ye and Xie Wantang didn't.

The two would misunderstand.

The boss also wouldn't allow an explanation.

"You're all acting experts, I'm just a part of everyone's play, it's an honor, go in." Xie Wantang self-mocked; after understanding some things, she also didn't know what to say.

These people have their reasons for concealing the truth.

As the saying goes, everyone has their own difficulties.

She should understand them, just as she understood Shen Ye.

Some secrets are not for her to know; she shouldn't pry.

Xie Wantang turned and entered the shop; Lao Mao behind her reached out, pointed at Lu Chen, then hurried to catch up with Xie Wantang's steps.

Just as Xie Wantang turned and entered the shop, Lu Chen over there happened to have just ended his call, turned around, and saw her retreating figure as she went in.

That back view that made him yearn day and night.

He also very much wanted, upon reuniting, to tightly embrace the person he liked in his arms and express his longing.

But now, it's not possible.

He took on the Project Team's special mission; he is the team leader of the Project Team, and their team bears a heavy responsibility and a long road ahead.

Romantic entanglements and such must all be set aside.

To be frank, the upcoming mission is of very high danger level; how many will sacrifice, Lu Chen cannot predict.

He himself cannot guarantee whether he will escape disaster again.

So, why bother?

But he never expected Xie Wantang would choose this path.

He thought, perhaps she wanted to be with her senior brothers; he only just learned that Xie Wantang's senior brothers are all heroes, national heroes who forsake personal love for great love.

Their country needs countless such heroes.

Lu Chen walked up the steps; Pei Xiao and Su Nianchu were waiting for him, waiting for him to step up, and the two said, "Boss, that……"

Lu Chen raised his hand to stop them from continuing, "Today's meeting is official; be solemn."

Pei Xiao+Su Nianchu: "……"

Alright, he's the boss and the team leader; we'll listen to him.

The three finally entered the private room.

Lu Chen walked in front; after entering, he saw Xie Wantang sitting beside her three senior brothers, her smiling face like a flower as she communicated with them.

Everyone had arrived, except Shen Ye and Xie Wantang's sixth and ninth senior brothers; plus himself, there were twenty-six warriors, making a total of thirty.

Today, everyone is fully present.

This is a large table that can just accommodate thirty people.

"Rest assured, this private room has the best soundproofing equipment; even if you shout into a microphone, no one outside will hear. Tonight, the guests are just your own people, no outsiders."

Lao Mao told all the warriors about to go fight the villains to rest assured; here, it can be said to be very safe.

"Alright, you hold your meeting; I'll go serve the dishes."

"External hires, sit at the side table." Before sitting down, Lu Chen's first words were to separate Xie Wantang from her three senior brothers.

Xie Wantang: "……"

This targeting is rather too obvious, isn't it?

Forget it, he's the team leader; she doesn't even count as a team member.

Besides taking orders, what else can she do?

External hires, three in total: her, Su Nianchu, and Pei Xiao.

The side table isn't even really a table; it's just a glass coffee table, though the seats are soft sofas.

But the dishes are served on the main table; with the three of them sitting here, how are they supposed to serve themselves?

While Xie Wantang was wondering, Lao Mao brought up their meals, each person a plate, rice and dishes already portioned.

No wonder, after sending the three of them over here, Lu Chen's face showed not a trace of guilt.

With so many people, they seem to have grown accustomed to this separate-meal system.

After all, often when they have a mission, especially when assigned to go out and tail suspects, they frequently get just a bottle of mineral water, a hard bun, a steamed bun, etc.

So, the separate-meal system is already quite good; it counts as a feast.

Lu Chen, expressionless, said, "It's getting late; everyone eat first, after eating we'll discuss the case."

"Yes."

Over the next ten minutes, in the private room with over thirty people, aside from the normal eating sounds, there was no other noise.

Xie Wantang followed suit, quickly finishing the food on her plate; those with larger appetites even had a second serving.

One plate was enough for her.

Fifteen minutes later, Lao Mao came in to clear the plates, placed fruit and tea, and everyone sat properly in their seats.

Shen Ye, Lin Kai, Mao Qing, where are the three comrades?

"Here!" Shen Ye, Lin Kai, and Mao Qing stood up and shouted.

You are the deputy team leaders; I give you twenty minutes to form teams.

Three external staff — Pei Xiao, Su Nianchu, and me — each of your teams, including the team leader, should have seven people; is that enough?

"Enough." The three said in unison.

All right, go.

After Lu Chen handed over the time to them, his gaze dark and heavy fell on Xie Wantang.

"Reporting to the team leader, Xie Wantang is mine." Shen Ye said.

"I know; I have a task for her to do now, and it won't interfere with cooperating with you." Lu Chen said.

Yes.

Xie Wantang, come out with me.

……

As soon as the words were spoken, Lu Chen turned and left first.

Xie Wantang stood up silently, glanced at Pei Xiao and Su Nianchu; they couldn't give her any hints, after all, Lu Chen had some task for her, and they truly didn't know what it was.

Xie Wantang, unable to get any hints from them, followed him out.

But by the time she stepped outside, Lu Chen's silhouette was already gone; she had only been delayed by less than a minute.

At that moment, the door next door opened from inside; Lu Chen stood in the doorway, "Xie Wantang, come in."

……