Chapter 866: Little Manager Ying Blushes

February 1st, Thursday.

Since Li Luo had spent the entire previous day with Yan Zhusheng, today it was Ying Chanxi's turn.

After the usual morning run and returning home for breakfast, Ying Chanxi eagerly dragged Li Luo down to her building's negative first floor, walking straight into the underground garage.

As Li Luo settled into the passenger seat of her Audi A8 and was just about to fasten his seatbelt, Ying Chanxi, already in the driver's seat, leaned over impatiently to buckle it for him herself.

"Where do you want to go today?" Li Luo asked, watching Ying Chanxi lean over; once she had secured his belt, he couldn't resist lifting her snow-white chin and planting a kiss on her lips.

Ying Chanxi let out two soft moans, instantly losing herself in the moment; after they parted and she returned to the driver's seat, hearing Li Luo repeat his earlier question, she rolled her eyes at him and said, "Who said anything about going out to play? I'm heading to work."

"Huh?"

Li Luo paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Didn't I promise to spend the whole day with you? Why are we going to the company?"

"There are many matters that require my handling," Ying Chanxi said, looking at Li Luo with some exasperation. "You don't actually think running a company is that easy, do you?"

"What difference could skipping just one day make?"

"If I can go, I should go," Ying Chanxi replied, starting the car and driving toward the company. "First, there's the issue of your film and television rights, which are still under negotiation."

"We've held several online meetings and conducted further communications, so there has been some slight progress."

"We've now scheduled a time with Tencent Video to meet offline before the New Year and finalize specific details."

"Mm." Li Luo nodded after listening. "This matter is indeed important, but does it really require you to be stuck in the company all day?"

Ying Chanxi glanced at him and continued, "Then there's the matter of the seminar on 'Gu Dao Changqing' that you just dumped on me these past two days."

"I've already contacted Secretary Wang, and we are currently coordinating the selection of teachers to attend the seminar, as well as the time and location."

"Since holding a seminar requires the teachers to have sufficient time to read and understand the relevant content of the work, the specific date can only be set for after the New Year; otherwise, there won't be enough time, especially since 'Gu Dao Changqing' runs to two or three million words."

"On my end, I've also contacted Uncle Xu and asked him to recommend a few suitable teachers, one of whom both you and Senior Sister should be quite familiar with."

"Huh?" Li Luo raised an eyebrow, then instantly realized. "Teacher Si?"

"Mm-hmm." Ying Chanxi nodded gently. "Rumor has it she's your online novel elective teacher; with her present, we'll have better control over the direction of the work's discussion."

"That's true." Li Luo nodded in agreement. "Having Teacher Si there would be quite good."

Li Luo was quite satisfied with this arrangement, and seeing him nod, Ying Chanxi smiled as well.

Driving the car into the underground parking lot of Times Tianjie, Ying Chanxi got out while continuing, "And then there's... um... matters concerning Mom."

"Since we plan to take over Mom's studio next year, I discussed it with her and we decided to start taking over some of the studio's operations in advance."

"This includes temporarily swapping positions between our company's business department members and the staff from their business department to familiarize everyone with each other's work content."

"Mom's original businesses—variety shows, advertisements, magazines, endorsements, and the like—will still remain under the studio's responsibility."

"However, all contacts and collaborations regarding Douyin have been fully handed over to us, including managing both your and Zhusheng's accounts to maintain liaison with Douyin."

"Isn't Mom scheduled to perform an adapted version of your new song at this year's Spring Festival Gala?"

"At that time, Douyin will also coordinate with the corresponding Spring Festival activities of the Gala, providing a massive tilt in traffic promotion."

"You and Zhusheng, especially Zhusheng's account, will need to prepare plans to handle part of that traffic conversion."

Ying Chanxi spoke with great eloquence and clear logic, her business planning for Douyin being extremely detailed and clear, perfectly demonstrating her rapid progress over the past few months.

But that wasn't all.

"Of course, there's more than just these things," Ying Chanxi said, holding Li Luo's hand as they walked into the elevator and headed up to the tenth floor. "There's also the progress regarding the 'Reset' film crew."

"The crew itself is under the control of Director Wang and the others, so I don't need to worry too much about that, but regarding the actors, I've asked Xiaowen to keep a closer watch on the set."

"Besides taking good care of our own two artists, she's dug up two passers-by actors who feel quite promising; we're currently considering them, but ultimately you'll need to review them."

"Moreover, 'Reset' should wrap up filming in about one or two weeks, and you'll need to attend the related wrap party."

"After all, we funded a significant portion of this project, and both the male and female leads are artists under our roster."

"So, after discussing with Director Wang, we agreed to let Chongran Culture arrange the wrap party, which means we need to book the hotel in advance over the next couple of days."

"In addition, there are the physical books for your '100,000 Average Subscribers' event for 'Grand Patrol Night Watchman'; this is a peripheral project jointly undertaken by our Chongran Culture, Qidian, and the publishing house."

"Therefore, I also need to follow up on the progress of this aspect in real time."

"I'm even considering whether we could develop these work peripherals ourselves in the future, either by contacting manufacturers directly or by collaborating with Qidian?"

"I recall your eldest uncle's factory used to do things like takeout packaging; I wonder if they'd be interested in this area."

"And also, aside from company matters, isn't Auntie going to return home with Uncle this year? Shouldn't we prepare a gift or something?"

"Um... and..."

Ying Chanxi rambled on endlessly about a huge list of things, making Li Luo's head spin.

If not for his Memory Palace, he felt he would have already exploded.

Besides all the aforementioned topics, after Ying Chanxi entered her office, she continued chatting with Li Luo about the advertising business for Xu Yinghuan, Cheng Xin, and others while handling daily affairs.

Subsequently, they discussed whether Chongran Culture might have an opportunity to get involved if Xu Rongsheng wished to establish a research center related to employment at Qian University in the future.

After all, many university research centers maintain certain collaborations with enterprises in society, which is beneficial for both parties.

Sitting nearby, Li Luo watched the capable and sharp Ying Chanxi at her desk; as she handled various trivial matters, she still managed to explain these issues to him in an orderly fashion, leaving him somewhat dazed.

In his previous life, Ying Chanxi, whom he hadn't seen for many years, under Ying Zhicheng's cultivation, must have grown to be just as outstanding as she was at this very moment, surely?

It was just a pity that in his past life he never got to see Ying Chanxi's mature and excellent appearance after growing up, but now, his wish had finally been fulfilled.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Ying Chanxi noticed that after she had spoken so much, Li Luo beside her remained silent.

Turning her head, she discovered the fellow was wearing a smile on his lips, looking at her with an expression of deep comfort mixed with a faint joy.

This made Ying Chanxi's cheeks turn slightly red; feeling too shy to continue meeting Li Luo's gaze, she lowered her head and murmured, "Why do you keep staring at me?"

"Obviously because you're too beautiful," Li Luo said with a smile. "And it's a different kind of beauty from your usual self."

"W-what do you mean?" Ying Chanxi subconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, blinking her eyes unsure of where to look; whenever Li Luo praised her like this, her heart filled with joy, yet she felt too embarrassed to show it on her face.

Thus, she became quite shy and bashful. "There's a saying that goes, 'A man working seriously is at his most handsome,'" Li Luo said, leaning in close to Ying Chanxi, walking behind her, bending down to embrace her, and using one hand to lift her chin so she wouldn't look down.

Then he continued, "But conversely, when a girl works seriously, she also possesses a unique kind of beauty."

"When you were discussing those work contents with me just now, you were truly beautiful."

"I'm almost stunned. I didn't expect my Chanxi to be so amazing."

"W-what are you saying..." Ying Chanxi's cheeks grew redder with shyness, but with Li Luo lifting her chin, she couldn't lower her head, forcing the flush on her face to climb steadily toward her ears until they burned hot.

Li Luo couldn't quite hold back; he leaned down and kissed her, covering her soft lips.

It had to be said, there was indeed a unique flavor and thrill in the office.

Especially since Ying Chanxi had deliberately changed into a neat gray suit before leaving home to maintain some authority at work.

Worn by Ying Chanxi, a girl who was still only a freshman, this suit carried a mature charm yet couldn't fully conceal her slightly youthful aura.

This blend of flavors, presented in the solemn setting of an office, was now all tasted by Li Luo in a single kiss, truly a unique experience.

Especially when a knock sounded at the office door, Ying Chanxi hurriedly pushed Li Luo away, blushed as she patted her cheeks to make the flush fade quickly, then called out, "Come in."

Her personal secretary walked in, handed the documents in her hand to Ying Chanxi, reported a bit, and was then waved away by Ying Chanxi.

Watching the office door close again, Ying Chanxi immediately turned to look at Li Luo, glaring at him indignantly: "It's all your fault. I felt her look at me strangely just now."

"That's just your imagination." Li Luo sat back in his seat, crossed his arms and legs, watching Ying Chanxi's cute, shy, and reproachful expression with interest, savoring the freshness of just now, and couldn't help but laugh.

Pity he hadn't managed to eat Chanxi yet.

Otherwise, he really would have wanted to try it in the office...

Thinking of this, Li Luo felt he was becoming a bit perverted.

It was all Xu Youyu's fault for corrupting him; he clearly wasn't like this before.

"Are you working here all morning?" Li Luo leaned close to Ying Chanxi again and asked.

"If you're bored, just help me stamp these." Ying Chanxi pulled out a stack of documents, slapped them onto the desk in front of Li Luo with a thud, took out the company seal, and placed it in his palm, "You can take a look while you're at it."

"Alright then." Li Luo took the seal and began helping Ying Chanxi, working busily together.

He hadn't expected his date with Chanxi to involve reviewing memorials in the company office...

But this was probably exactly what Li Luo loved about Ying Chanxi.

This girl was always exceptionally serious and hardworking in both life and work, never slacking off just because her family conditions were so good.

Especially when the matter concerned him, that seriousness and resilience seemed particularly obvious...

Thinking of this, Li Luo felt moved, pressed his lips together, recalled many things in his mind, and then let his imagination run wild again.

He wondered how Ying Chanxi of the previous life turned out later?

At least, according to what his mother said, she seemed to have never married, not even dated.

Had she also grown into the strong woman she is now?

Li Luo's thoughts drifted, handing the task of stamping the documents over to the Memory Palace to handle automatically, and soon he snapped back to reality.

It had to be said, Ying Chanxi's abilities were indeed very strong.

Although she had never touched company management matters before, she had rapidly grown into a qualified CEO in just a little over half a year, managing the entire company in an orderly fashion.

Chongran Culture nowadays was far from the empty shell company it once was; internal operations had branched into multiple lines, and every field required Ying Chanxi's careful oversight.

If Li Luo had to handle this himself, with the Memory Palace, he could manage it, but he certainly wouldn't be able to relax as he did now.

But...

"Chanxi."

"Hmm?" Ying Chanxi heard Li Luo call her name, continued busily approving documents, and replied casually, "What is it?"

"Working so busy every day, plus dealing with your studies, isn't it too tiring?" Li Luo suddenly said, "Maybe we should find a suitable candidate to let him..."

"What do you mean?" Ying Chanxi suddenly interrupted him, staring seriously and tensely at Li Luo's face, a strange hint of panic deep in her eyes, "D-did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, no, of course not." Seeing her expression, Li Luo hurriedly explained, "You are certainly doing very well; I don't mean to reject you."

"It's just that seeing you so busy every day makes me feel a bit heartbroken."

"Look at my winter break; I've been staying home eating and drinking every day, so relaxed. Thinking of how hard you work every day makes me feel a bit guilty."

"So..."

"No need." Ying Chanxi's eyes were firm, her attitude serious, "I really like my current state."

"Li Luo, please don't always treat me like a little girl, okay?"

"If I'm not allowed to come to the company, does that mean I should just stay home every day during winter break?"

"I never thought that kind of life was beautiful."

"One must always find something valuable and meaningful to pursue in life."

"Zhusheng loves music, and Senior Sister likes writing Online Novels; I think I'm very happy just like this."

Li Luo looked at Ying Chanxi, hearing her finish these words, and couldn't help but pinch her cheeks to tell her not to be so serious: "I'm just afraid you're doing all this purely for me. If that's the case..."

"Don't think so much." Ying Chanxi threw herself into Li Luo's arms, hugging him tightly, "Of course I'm working so hard for you, but aren't we one? Doing it for you is doing it for me; what's the difference?"

"Instead of feeling heartbroken for me, why not come accompany me to work sometimes? I think having you by my side like now makes work quite interesting."

"So please don't say anything about replacing me again, okay?"

"Hmm... I'll listen to you." Li Luo sighed, gently patting her back, "I won't say it again."

"Then come shopping with me this afternoon." Ying Chanxi leaned against Li Luo's chest and said softly, "I've managed to handle all the things I need to deal with today in the morning; you have to accompany me properly this afternoon."

"Okay."