Chapter 25: Bodyguards and the Banquet

A new day, Lu Chen looked at the Victoria Harbour looming in the distance, seemingly still able to hear the sound of steam whistles.

In the garden, one could vaguely see the staff had already begun their day's work.

Opening the window, the temperature here seemed to be slightly lower than over at the hotel.

But that sense of restlessness seemed even more intense.

"Good morning, BOSS!"

Shen Wanyu appeared to be chatting with Butler Wang in the living room; seeing Lu Chen come downstairs, she hurriedly stood up.

"Morning."

Lu Chen smiled and greeted them, sat in the main seat, and crossed his legs, only then realizing that Shen Wanyu was learning how to preheat a Cigar.

Lu Chen nodded slightly, took the Cigar handed over by Shen Wanyu, took a puff, exhaled the smoke after a few seconds, and picked up the newspaper.

"What is on the schedule for Secretary Shen today?"

Lu Chen asked casually, continuing to flip through the somewhat boring newspaper.

News almost identical to yesterday's...

Hmm?

In the Financial Daily, "Regarding the Crown Financial Reform... suspected tendency toward implementation..."

It made Lu Chen pause slightly, a flash of gravity appearing in his eyes.

Even his hand holding the Cigar trembled imperceptibly.

"You have an interview this morning; he is already waiting in the lounge with Li Ge, and there is a banquet this evening that requires you to prepare in advance."

Shen Wanyu paused slightly and sat up straight.

Butler Wang had already left the living room and headed toward the dining room.

"Alright, have they eaten breakfast? If not, call them over to eat together."

Lu Chen paused, took a puff of the Cigar, and the expression on his face remained composed.

He gently put down the newspaper and spoke directly.

He stood up and walked toward the dining room.

However, during the time it took to eat breakfast, neither Shen Wanyu nor Li Xuanhua came to disturb him.

This made Lu Chen feel somewhat satisfied; they weren't stupid, after all.

Lu Chen didn't keep them waiting long and pushed open the door to the conference room.

Whether it was Shen Wanyu, Li Xuanhua, or even that future assistant, all stood up immediately.

After Lu Chen sat in the main seat, he then spoke.

"Sit, be at ease; you, introduce yourself."

Lu Chen looked at the young man who was as sturdy as an ox, a flash of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

"Liu Xiaofeng, a deserter from over there; I was fortunate enough to study under Professor Li, and hearing that you needed manpower, I came."

Liu Xiaofeng cupped his hands, a solemn expression appearing on his face.

"I came to treat my mother's illness... and to seek refuge..."

Lu Chen waved his hand, interrupting Liu Xiaofeng who wanted to continue speaking, and took 100,000 Hong Kong dollars from his personal space, placing it on the table.

"Li Xuanhua, you go and transfer his mother to the best hospital to receive the best treatment; if the money isn't enough, take it from the company."

Lu Chen paused, placed his hands together on the table, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"I'll give you one day to hire a good caregiver; Secretary Shen, you personally interview the caregivers. Come report at 9 o'clock tomorrow."

Lu Chen waved his hand again, interrupting Liu Xiaofeng, who was teary-eyed and wanted to say something.

He said softly: "You don't have much time, hurry up; once your mother is better, you can bring her to live in the Zhuangyuan. Go get busy."

Liu Xiaofeng cupped his hands, turned, and left with Li Xuanhua and Shen Wanyu.

Not until the door closed and a while had passed did Lu Chen sigh slightly.

He stood up, went downstairs, and basked in the sun.

Not until dusk approached did he change into a suit.

Banshan Jiudian was not a long distance away.

In the familiar Huanghou Ting, Wei Er was still smiling, greeting guests at the entrance.

"Welcome, Director Lu!"

Seeing Lu Chen walk over, Wei Er's eyes lit up; he stepped forward and reached out to shake hands with Lu Chen.

"Director Wei is as radiant as ever; is there anything special about tonight's banquet?"

Lu Chen wore a timely smile on his face, gripped his hand tightly, and shook it slightly.

"That is a secret; you will know later tonight."

Wei Er responded with a smile and turned to look at Wang Jingli.

He straightened his suit and revealed a smiling face once more.

"Mr. Lu has only been in Xianggang for a short time; let Wang Jingli accompany you to look around; you might just meet some unexpected people."

"Director Lu, please follow me."

A flash of surprise appeared in Wang Jingli's eyes, followed by a hint of excitement, but it quickly faded.

With a hint of suppressed excitement in his tone, he bowed slightly and reached out to guide him.

"You obtained the shares of Crown?"

After walking to a distance further away from Wei Er, Wang Jingli asked in a low voice.

Lu Chen nodded slightly, though his brow remained furrowed, but he quickly returned to a smile.

He nodded slightly in acknowledgment to those looking his way.

What did Wei Er mean just now?

That I would meet an unexpected person?

Could it be... Luosha?

Is she coming to the cocktail party too?

"How about I come work by your side?"

Wang Jingli was a bit excited, and his voice grew louder unconsciously.

This earned him a glare from Lu Chen!

Wang Jingli shut his mouth instantly, looked around, and only then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just do your job well, and by the way, introduce me to the owners of the land plots near the Textile Factory."

Lu Chen gave the order directly and raised his glass toward a certain direction.

"There are very few owners related to the Textile Factory land plots tonight; that one surnamed Liu, the one who bought your Rainbow, is the owner behind one of the plots."

After hearing Lu Chen's words, a trace of disappointment flashed in Wang Jingli's eyes, but he adjusted quickly.

After a while, Wang Jingli tugged slightly on Lu Chen and gestured toward a direction.

Only then did he begin to introduce them in a low voice.

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed slightly; he did not walk over directly, but silently found a corner and sat down.

He observed the movements of everyone.

The atmosphere of tonight's cocktail party was a bit strange!

It was completely different from the bustling scene he had expected!

There was a feeling of being out of place.

Moreover, the sweltering heat in the air was clearly even more intense!

Just like when he had passed by a few people earlier, they were clearly guarding against him!

They even used obviously clumsy lies like "the weather is nice today" to cover it up!

Something is wrong!

It is really too wrong!

It was just that Lu Chen couldn't think of what could possibly make them act like this for the moment!

It was simply...

And just at this moment, the figure of Luosha appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall!

Wei Er accompanied her, whispering something...

The already somewhat eerie atmosphere of the entire banquet hall became even more oppressive.

But...

That trace of sweltering heat did not diminish in the slightest!

Luosha's exquisite face swept across the entire banquet hall, and Lu Chen subconsciously avoided her gaze.

As for Wang Jingli on the side, he shrank into the sofa like a quail.

"Step, step, step..."

After Luosha stepped into the banquet hall, it seemed that only her footsteps remained in the entire hall.

And what was even more dire was that she seemed to be walking toward Lu Chen.

This made Lu Chen's entire body tense up instantly.