Chapter Seventy-Five: Today’s Pancakes Have Both Eggs and Scallions

North City, Huaxia—Menghua Group, twenty-fourth floor. The entire floor contains only two rooms, but their sizes differ dramatically. The larger is Room No. 1, a colossal conference hall. The marble floors gleam with an expensive polish, immaculate and dazzling. At the front, a grand stage crafted of solid wood stretches wide, and to the right stands a lectern of redwood, waiting for a speaker.

Facing the stage, a sea of uniform solid wood desks and chairs is arranged with precision, enough to seat nearly a thousand attendees at once. Hidden speakers are mounted on the walls, blending seamlessly with the decor.

This is the largest conference room in Menghua Group, reserved for annual assemblies, business press conferences, or employee galas. Room No. 1 occupies nearly ninety-five percent of the floor, while next door sits Room No. 2.

Room No. 2 is also a conference room, but compared to the grandeur of No. 1, it is much more modest. At its center lies a large rectangular redwood table with rounded corners, surrounded by matching redwood chairs.

At the head of this table sits Qin Mengxue, distracted and absent-minded. The weekly Friday meeting is soon to begin, but her mind is consumed with thoughts of the scallion egg pancake that Xue Tian’ai made for her that morning.

It was so delicious—eggs wrapped in golden soft pancakes, rolled with hot dog sausages and chicken strips, all paired with a mysterious sauce Tian’ai concocted. One bite was enough to awaken the morning’s vitality. Oh, how she wished she could eat more!

But that scoundrel refused to let her. He made three servings, yet wouldn’t let her have another bite! So cruel! According to Tian’ai, breakfast shouldn’t be overindulgent, or it would ruin one’s figure. And a ruined figure, he said, would make him deeply regretful…

Tian’ai rambled on endlessly, saying little of value, but ultimately, he wouldn’t let Qin Mengxue eat more—not even a single extra bite.

Thinking of this, Qin Mengxue felt a surge of indignation, mentally cursing Tian’ai a thousand times over.

People began streaming into the conference room. Gan Bingning and Su Jiaqi entered, taking seats to Qin Mengxue’s left and right. Though seating was never explicitly assigned, everyone instinctively left these spots open for her most trusted aides.

Qin Mengxue still hung her head, mourning her insufficient breakfast, though her delicate face betrayed no emotion. Meanwhile, Gan Bingning quietly searched for Tian’ai’s figure from the moment she entered, but found no sign of him, leaving her both disappointed and puzzled.

Normally, the weekly meeting was attended only by the company’s upper management, and the president’s assistant was always present. Yet with the meeting about to start, Tian’ai was nowhere to be seen.

After some deliberation, Gan Bingning decided to ask, “President Qin, is Assistant Xue not required for this meeting?”

“Hm?” Gan Bingning’s question snapped Qin Mengxue from her reverie; she gazed at Bingning with a hint of surprise.

Her eyes also showed a trace of guardedness. Why was Bingning asking about Tian’ai? Yesterday, she had even volunteered to help him negotiate with Tianming Group.

But Qin Mengxue betrayed nothing, merely offering a faint smile. “Tian’ai went directly to Tianming Group today to discuss construction prices. He likely won’t make it. Why, Bingning, do you need him for something?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just curious.” Feeling the subtle scrutiny in Qin Mengxue’s gaze, Gan Bingning grew anxious and hurried to explain.

“President Qin, is it true that Assistant Xue went to negotiate?” Su Jiaqi, overhearing, sounded surprised.

“Yes, he told me this morning. Well, let’s not dwell on it—let’s begin the meeting.” Qin Mengxue glanced around; the room was nearly full. She cleared her throat and formally commenced the Friday management meeting.

…

Tianming Group—together with Menghua Group, they are known as the twin giants of North City. The Tianming Group’s headquarters rivals Menghua’s in luxury and grandeur.

At this moment, Xue Tian’ai stood before Tianming Group’s entrance, his expression complicated as he gazed up at the towering building, eyes filled with sorrow and longing. Ten years had passed since he last saw her—was she well?

He sighed softly, tightened his grip on the bag containing a scallion egg pancake, and strode toward the entrance.

Just as he reached the door, an exaggerated roar of engines echoed from across the street, catching Tian’ai’s attention. He paused, curious, and looked toward the source.

A blazing red Ferrari F458 sped across the road, trailed by a Dodge pickup. The F458 raced to the entrance, slowed, and stopped, the modified engine silencing its roar.

The pickup halted as well. Two burly men in black suits and sunglasses jumped out, jogged up to the Ferrari, carefully opened the door, and stood respectfully aside.

From the Ferrari emerged a man cradling a bouquet of vivid red roses. Handsome enough, his hair slicked back, dressed in a red suit, a large cigar clamped between his lips. He held the roses aloft, striding confidently toward Tianming Group’s entrance.

Tian’ai was momentarily bewildered by this spectacle. What kind of entrance was this? What kind of style? But whatever the man’s intentions, they had little to do with Tian’ai. Shaking his head, he walked into the lobby.

Like Menghua Group, Tianming Group’s reception area was lavishly appointed. Several stylish and elegant female receptionists stood behind the desk.

“Good morning, sir. Welcome to Tianming Group. May I ask the purpose of your visit?” One receptionist greeted Tian’ai with a sweet smile.

“I’d like to…”

“I wish to see your female president—Miss Ye Hairuo! Is Miss Ye available?” Tian’ai’s words were abruptly cut off as the man in the red suit joined him at the desk.

The red-suited man acted as if Tian’ai were invisible, pushing ahead, one hand holding the roses, the other resting on the counter, addressing the receptionist, “Could you please connect me with Miss Ye?”

At that moment, the burly men who had opened the car door entered, shoving Tian’ai aside and positioning themselves behind the red-suited man like bodyguards.

“Excuse me, sir, what is your name? Do you have an appointment?” The receptionist’s tone grew cold, clearly annoyed by the man’s behavior.

“How dare you speak that way! Don’t you recognize my young master? He doesn’t need an appointment!” one of the burly men barked.

“I’m sorry, sir, but it’s company policy. Please provide your name,” the receptionist replied, her voice icier than before, her sweet tone gone.

“You…” The man clenched his fists.

“Enough! Haven’t I told you to be refined and polite? Especially to such a lovely lady!” The red-suited man waved his hand dismissively, his eyes leering at the receptionist.

“My name is Lu Buyu. I’m here to invite Miss Ye to lunch. Please inform her—tell her Lu Buyu has brought her the most beautiful roses in North City.” He inhaled the scent of the roses, visibly intoxicated.

“Very well, Mr. Lu. Please wait while I notify President Ye.” After speaking, the receptionist turned to Tian’ai, her tone reverting to its earlier sweetness. “Sir, may I ask how I can assist you?”

Tian’ai replied calmly, “I’d also like to see Miss Ye Hairuo…”

“What? You too? You think you can? Ha ha ha ha!” Lu Buyu interrupted, eyeing Tian’ai’s attire with contempt.

Tian’ai’s face darkened at the repeated interruption, but he drew a deep breath, suppressing the surge of anger within.

Ignoring Lu Buyu, Tian’ai flashed a radiant smile at the receptionist. “My surname is Xue. Please tell Miss Ye that a man named Xue is here to see her.”

“Oh, and please relay this message: ‘Today’s pancake has both egg and scallion.’”

“Ha ha ha! Scallion! Did I hear that right? You’re wooing a woman with scallion?” Lu Buyu burst out laughing.

“Hey, did you hear that? Scallion! Scallion, of all things! Ha ha, what a joke!” He turned to his bodyguards, who snickered in agreement.

“Thank you very much!” Tian’ai said, ignoring the mockery, addressing the receptionist.

“Certainly, sir. Please wait in the lounge area—Mr. Lu as well.” The receptionist’s tone was markedly colder when addressing Lu Buyu.

Tian’ai smiled, nodded, and headed to the lounge, dropping heavily into a seat.

“Hmph! Sitting with a pauper will only lower my status. I’ll wait right here!” Lu Buyu shot Tian’ai a disdainful glance, his face full of contempt.