Volume One, Chapter 62: Connections

"Twelve years old, winner of the Golden Color Award in the country; at fifteen, consecutively claimed the Monet International Art Prize, the Paris International Art Salon Award, and Germany's Goslar Kaiserin Prize..."
"At eighteen, he received the Alexander Lucchi Painting Award, becoming the youngest recipient since its inception."

Jiang Wan, upon ending the discussion midway and stepping out of the meeting room, overheard the staff talking.
It was all because of Shen Xinghe's presence.
Everyone was filled with curiosity about this unique 'artist.'

"I never thought, in my lifetime, I'd see such a legendary figure in person."
"But isn't it odd... Isn't he a genius in the painting world? Why is he switching to jewelry?"
"Not exactly switching fields, I'd say. All roads lead to the same destination; it's just a different focus."
"Exactly, at the heart of it, it's still artistic creation."

Hearing the staff's chatter, Jiang Wan, who had just walked out, cleared her throat twice.
"Ah-hem."
She reminded them to be mindful of the company's image.
Although it was lunchtime, Andrew could understand Chinese, so caution was still necessary.

"It's alright, we're quite used to it,"
Andrew laughed nearby. "I'll go wake up Xing. He's got a bad case of morning grumpiness; if he won't get up, he'll miss lunch."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan directed him toward the lounge.
But before they arrived, Shen Xinghe emerged, rubbing his eyes and opening the door.

"What smells so good? I'm starving,"
He wrinkled his nose, his sharp senses reminiscent of some small animal.
"It's the staff's lunch,"
Jiang Wan explained. "I've booked a French restaurant; now's the perfect time to head over."
She had arranged everything to host the two.
Yet Shen Xinghe chose the unconventional path: "What's so good about French cuisine? I want to try your company's lunchboxes."
Jiang Wan was left speechless.
Shen Xinghe's eyes cleared, fixing Jiang Wan with a serious look. "Where do I collect one?"
Jiang Wan hesitated and glanced at Andrew, who shrugged indifferently. "Let him have his way."

Thus, the three stayed at the company.
The secretary promptly canceled the French restaurant reservation and contacted the partnered eatery to send three extra lunchboxes.
"Make it four,"
Shen Xinghe corrected. "I'll have two."
He leaned lazily with one hand on the design department's partition, standing tall at over six feet, his unique bearing and the halo of his artistic accolades drawing all eyes to him.

Shen Xinghe was utterly relaxed, unfazed by the attention he attracted.
Before long, the lunchboxes arrived.

The trio returned to the meeting room.
No sooner had they opened the boxes than Shen Xinghe exclaimed, "Wow, your staff meals are impressive!"
The sturdy square lunchbox contained healthy purple rice, beef ribs, black tiger prawns, layered egg rolls, and grilled eel. The second tier held vegetables: spinach, asparagus lettuce, celery, and matsutake mushrooms.
Accompanied by vegetable soup and a duo of fresh fruit slices.

"You're quite the boss—do all employees eat CEO-level meals?"
Shen Xinghe gave Jiang Wan a thumbs-up, then teased, "Could it be you're putting on a show for the clients?"
Jiang Wan was about to reply when the secretary intervened, "Mr. Shen, you've misunderstood."

"We thought the restaurant delivered the wrong meals a few days ago and even called to check. Turns out, they're running a promotion to reward loyal customers."
"So now we're enjoying three-hundred-yuan meals for thirty yuan every day. No idea how long the campaign will last."

The secretary joked,
"The owner says they've added all sorts of Cantonese dishes. We suspect there's a new boss."
Hearing this, Jiang Wan couldn't help but look at the lunchbox in front of her.
Recently, she had been engrossed in her work.
If not for Shen Xinghe's antics, she might not have noticed the lunch upgrade.

"It looks great, tastes even better,"
Shen Xinghe took a bite and soon dug in heartily.
"I'll be coming here for lunch every day."
He ate, head down and focused.

It seemed he was joking, but Shen Xinghe kept his word.
For the next two days,
He came to Jiang's with Andrew daily, leaving Andrew and Jiang Wan to discuss store design while he spent most of his time napping in the lounge, aside from lunch.
He praised the feng shui of Jiang's, the delicious food, and claimed even his sleep was restful.
Jiang Wan was both amused and helpless; Andrew, too, couldn't do much about him.

Before long, it was nearly the weekend.
On Friday, just before closing, the secretary reminded Jiang Wan, "Ms. Jiang, the design department's team-building is this weekend. I'll send you the time and place. Don't forget!"
"Alright,"
Jiang Wan agreed.
She had been managing Jiang's for over a month and had recently secured several promising orders.
It was time to reward her staff and foster camaraderie.

She had just agreed when Shen Xinghe appeared suddenly.
"Team-building? Where to?"
The secretary was surprised he was still around. "Oh? Mr. Shen, Mr. Andrew left earlier this afternoon. I thought you'd gone with him..."
"He goes his way, what's that got to do with me?"
Shen Xinghe said, leaning on the CEO office doorframe, gazing longingly at them.
"Take me along. Anything's fine."
With things at this point, Jiang Wan couldn't refuse.
She signaled the secretary, "Add two more spots."

"I can handle two lunchboxes, but I can't split myself for team-building,"
Shen Xinghe said, crossing his arms and leaning lazily against the doorframe.
"Don't bring Andrew, so he can't boss me around."
The secretary looked to Jiang Wan for direction, uncertain.
Jiang Wan and she exchanged a silent understanding.
They would reserve two spots, inform Andrew, and let him decide whether to join.
Once briefed, the secretary asked tentatively, "Shall I head off for the day?"
Jiang Wan nodded, indicating she could leave.

Soon, Jiang Wan was the last person in the office.
Shen Xinghe pouted, "Aren't you leaving yet?"
"Mm,"
Jiang Wan tidied up her papers and smiled, "Should I order two more lunchboxes for you?"
"Forget it. I don't even want to work, let alone stay for overtime,"
Shen Xinghe replied, then waved her off as he turned to leave, leaving Jiang Wan with a suave departing silhouette.

*

Saturday dawned.
The Jiang Design Department's team-building was set at Tianmu Lake, on the outskirts of Rong City.
The scenic area was nestled among hills and lakes, boasting splendid natural beauty.
It offered cycling roads, dense bamboo forests, tile-roofed hills, and an island in the heart of the lake.

According to the plan,
A group of over thirty people boarded a bus for the outing.
The reserved spot was by the lakeside on a broad meadow, with an array of large and small tents.
On the grass were numerous activity facilities.

"Mr. Shen, wake up,"
Upon arrival, Jiang Wan roused Shen Xinghe, who had slept through the journey.
Though she had informed Andrew, he had other commitments and couldn't join, so Jiang Wan was asked to keep an extra eye on Shen Xinghe.

As the company's new partner,
Jiang Wan naturally couldn't neglect him, though thankfully Shen Xinghe wasn't difficult.
"It's my first time in Rong City, no other friends here, so I have to stick with you guys. Whenever there's any activity besides work, remember to call me!"
Shen Xinghe joked with Jiang's staff amid the crowd.

After two days of lunchbox banter and this half day together, he quickly blended in with everyone.
After lunch, they organized activities on the meadow.
Just as they were about to choose a project, Shen Xinghe suddenly blurted out, "Lu Wenzhou?"