A Fruit Basket and a Familiar Face

The Li Group Tower, situated in the city center, was not particularly far from Fate Apartments, a distance of only a little over ten kilometers.

The car drove into the underground parking lot.

“Miss Fire, and this lady, the Chairman has been expecting you for quite some time. Please follow me.”

As the two of them entered the lobby, a man dressed as a secretary approached them. Although he was somewhat puzzled as to why the lady accompanying Miss Fire had her face completely obscured by her hat brim, looking as if she couldn’t bear to be seen, he refrained from asking further questions, maintaining his professional composure. As the Chairman’s secretary, years of experience in the workplace had taught him what to say and, more importantly, what not to.

As the elevator started to ascend, Aya Tone, clutching the fruit basket, felt a strange flicker of nervousness. To suddenly arrive at such a massive company, and to meet its Chairman at that…

Hiss…

Thinking about it now, the fruit basket she held hardly seemed presentable.

Just now, in the ground floor lobby, the floor was gleaming marble, and dazzling crystal chandeliers hung overhead. The revolving doors spun ceaselessly, as impeccably dressed people entered and exited, moving with brisk purpose, their faces radiating confidence and efficiency. In all their comings and goings, one impression stood out:

‘High-class!’

She leaned closer to Fire Finch, whispering, “Should we perhaps go back and choose a different gift?”

“Heh heh, we can talk about that when we go back next time.” Fire Finch rolled her eyes. To suggest it now, when they were practically there!

The next moment, the elevator doors slowly parted.

“You two, this way, please.”

Aya Tone: “…”

‘What a fast elevator!’

The arrival of the three individuals did not disrupt the employees’ work. After all, company executives from other firms often visited for business discussions; they were quite used to it. However, the hat Aya Tone wore and her attire, clutching a fruit basket, occasionally drew surprised glances from others.

“Hey, hey, who are they?”

Inside the pantry, a few women huddled together, gossiping about recent happenings. Hearing their colleague’s surprised voice, the others also turned their heads to look.

“I don’t know. They don’t look like anyone from our company, but to be personally escorted by the boss’s secretary, their status must be quite high.”

Fire Finch typically presided over the guild, making few public appearances, and was not widely recognized. In their eyes, though Fire Finch appeared young, her demeanor was capable and professional. They assumed she must be a high-ranking official from some company. But… that short one, though. She looked like she was visiting someone sick… After all, which executive brings a fruit basket when coming to discuss business?

Aya Tone pursed her lips and quietly pulled down the brim of her hat. “…”

‘Oh dear, this seems a bit different from what I imagined.’

The office door was knocked upon. Li Huan’s voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

The secretary skillfully pushed open the door, then stepped aside, making way for the two women.

“Please enter, ladies.”

Fire Finch nodded slightly, unaffected by the surprised gazes. She led Aya Tone inside.

Once they were inside, the secretary conscientiously closed the door and returned to their post.

The chairman’s office was located on the top floor of the company. Its expansive space exuded luxury and gravitas. Upon entering, one stepped onto a soft, thick carpet that muffled footsteps. On the right wall hung a large abstract artwork, where unique colors and lines collided, as if narrating an extraordinary tale. Directly ahead was a massive solid wood desk with clear grains, exuding a profound texture. Adjacent bookshelves were filled with a diverse array of books, including business management, economics, and finance, as well as classic literary works, seemingly showcasing the chairman’s vast knowledge and refined taste.

“What brings Little Finch to visit her uncle today?”

Li Huan set down the documents in his hand and rose to invite the two women to the tea table.

“Sit, don’t be shy with your uncle.”

Then his gaze fell upon Aya Tone. “And this is…?”

Anyone brought by his niece couldn’t be an ordinary person. But this attire… was rather inscrutable.

“Un… Uncle, hello!” Aya Tone, still immersed in the office’s opulent decor, felt her heart tighten when Li Huan mentioned her.

“Uncle, this is something I brought! I hope you like it!”

With that, she stiffly handed over the fruit basket she held. Li Huan, holding a teapot, paused for a moment, then burst into a surprised laugh.

‘A fruit basket? That’s quite unusual.’

From Aya Tone’s voice just now, it wasn’t hard to tell she was a rather young girl. Could it be an old friend who wanted to send their daughter to his company for an internship but felt too embarrassed to ask directly? Imagining his old friends too proud to ask outright, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Oh, come now, to visit me and bring a gift? Really, honestly.”

He took the fruit basket, a smile he couldn’t hide twinkling in his eyes. “Little niece, why are you still wearing your hat? Are you not giving your uncle face?”

Seeing that Aya Tone was still unwilling to reveal her true face, Li Huan feigned annoyance. He was curious to see which old friend’s daughter she was.

“No, my…” In her haste, Aya Tone instinctively blurted out a phrase from her gaming habits. Still, Li Jia’s father hadn’t scorned the gift she brought, so that was a hurdle cleared.

She pulled down her hood, and her silver hair instantly burst free, cascading down like spilled moonlight. Her fair skin, like translucent jade porcelain, gleamed with a faint luster, and her long eyelashes fluttered. Li Huan’s hand, which had been cleaning a teacup, involuntarily paused.

‘So familiar, but for the life of him, he couldn’t recall where he’d seen this young woman.’

He then said, half-jokingly, “Ah, I wonder which old friend saved the universe in their past life to be blessed with such a lovely daughter as you. Your uncle here is quite envious.”

Fire Finch, beside them, subtly turned her head and covered her mouth, to conceal her stifled laughter from Li Huan. Aya Tone shot her a glance. ‘She didn’t need to guess; Fire Finch had clearly not mentioned her visit to Li Huan.’

“Um, I’m not…”

Aya Tone was about to introduce herself, but the words caught in her throat.

‘Oh no!’

‘The Li couple have seen me before; if I use my real name, will it cause unnecessary misunderstandings!?’

‘She still remembered. That’s how Li Jia had tracked her down, following the clues.’

“Hello, Uncle, I’m Li Jia’s partner. My surname is Ling.” Aya Tone finished speaking and politely extended her small hand.

‘Can’t say my full name, just the surname will do. As for a fake name… Heh heh, forgive her, she didn’t have much creativity, and couldn’t think of a good name on short notice.’

Hearing she was his daughter’s friend, Li Huan smiled and extended his hand, shaking her small hand. “So you’re Jia’er’s partner, then!!!”

Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, he abruptly widened his eyes.

‘He remembered! Jia’er’s partner!! He had wondered why this young woman seemed so familiar. So it was her.’

Li Huan, without changing his expression, withdrew his hand, but the initial ease in his eyes had vanished. In that moment, their positions had completely reversed! Only the white-haired one remained blissfully unaware. To have built a company into a leading listed brand in Yan’an City and to command a significant presence across the vast nation of Z-Nation, beyond the support of the state, his discernment and capabilities were naturally formidable.