Capítulo 1006: Chapter 376: Reporting and Seniority
Xia Xiwei’s red lips parted slightly. Despite her considerable experience in the entertainment industry, she was momentarily at a loss for words.
She just stared blankly at her father, who had always been so reserved with his juniors, as he extended his hand and tightly grasped Zhou Wang’s after greeting him.
It was at this moment that Xia Xiwei realized that Zhou Wang was not just “a young man her father might admire.” She had pieced together a truth just from hearing part of Xia Qixian’s phone call…
Clearly, this was how Xia Qixian treated his peers.
Not only Xia Xiwei understood this, but everyone else in the room did too.
So Yan Baiqiu and Yan Siyun were at a loss, while Wang Shang and Xia Yance had increasingly serious expressions, examining Zhou Wang with a different perspective.
No matter what everyone thought, Zhou Wang, whose hand was now firmly clasped with Xia Qixian’s, felt a ripple in his heart.
He had not yet gathered all of the [Memory Fragments], so before coming to Xia Xiwei’s house, he was not entirely sure what his relationship with Xia Qixian was.
One thing he was certain of: he had definitely interacted with Xia Qixian before—
The reason was simple. Xia Qixian’s career history was publicly available online, and two years ago, he and Wang Ruixi had worked in the same department, although Xia Qixian held a much higher position and was Wang Ruixi’s superior.
Combined with Xia Xiwei’s rather peculiar attitude towards him, Zhou Wang had already discerned some of the truth.
Visiting Xia Xiwei’s home today to personally connect with Xia Qixian was one of Zhou Wang’s goals. Now it seemed their bond might have been even closer than he imagined; Xia Qixian’s familiar tone alone demonstrated their good relationship.
Unperturbed, Zhou Wang also showed a natural smile, “Minister Xia, you never lose your charm, no, you seem even younger…”
Xia Qixian was momentarily stunned by this, then shook his head, saying, “Mr. Zhou used to call me ‘Brother’. What’s this? Has half a year without meeting made us distant?”
Did I use to call you ‘Brother’?
Zhou Wang almost lost control of his expression, but his rapid response saved him; he immediately replied with a smile, “Brother, now you’ve reached high places and your authority has grown. Without you speaking first, how could I dare be impudent?”
“Is there anything you, Brother Zhou, wouldn’t dare to do? You used to…”
Xia Qixian chuckled heartily, feeling relieved, pointing at Zhou Wang. But he didn’t finish the sentence, likely due to the others present in the room.
“Come on, Brother, let’s go to the study. There’s still some time before the banquet starts. I’ll let you taste tea from Old Master’s collection, and we can catch up… Yance, Wang Shang, you too. Oh, and don’t forget an ashtray; Brother Zhou has quite the smoking habit!”
Without further ado, Xia Qixian clasped Zhou Wang’s shoulder and led him toward the study, while also beckoning his younger brother and brother-in-law.
Only once the men vanished through the study door did Xia Xiwei retract her stunned gaze.
She glanced at the livelier expression on Yan Baiqiu’s face beside her, both satisfied and suddenly sensing something amiss…
Reflecting for a moment, she finally realized.
No, if Zhou Wang and her dad were buddy-buddy, what should she call Zhou Wang?
Oh no, she forgot to tell Xia Qixian she was “dating” Zhou Wang!
…
Once the men left, they were in the study for over half an hour, until the sky darkened, nearing the scheduled banquet time. Only then did Xia Qixian reluctantly emerge with Zhou Wang, followed by the still astonished Xia Yance and Wang Shang.
The conversation lasting more than half an hour was dense, although most of the time Xia Qixian was inquiring about Zhou Wang’s recent circumstances, including his previous “health issues.”
Occasionally, Xia Qixian would express nostalgia for the past, moments when Zhou Wang couldn’t contribute, but fortunately, these were few, allowing Zhou Wang to breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Zhou Wang also seized the opportunity to achieve his most important goal for visiting Xia Xiwei’s home today—
“Reporting back.”
Helping Xia Xiwei with a small favor, pretending to be her temporary boyfriend was a side task; Zhou Wang’s true aim related more to himself.
He had established the Jingwang Club and founded the Wangyuan Commerce, stirring quite a wave in the Beijing Circle, but honestly, Zhou Wang’s heart wasn’t entirely settled.
Given Huaxia’s unique ecosystem, merely having significant wealth doesn’t grant one free reign.
Reflecting on the past, countless billionaires, even multi-billionaires, have fallen unexpectedly.
Wang Ruixi had already left his previous position, though it’s unknown if he has other secret missions, but currently, Wang Ruixi is only a worker at Cloud Trust.
Thus, Zhou Wang urgently needed a connection to solidify certain issues… Xia Qixian was a very suitable choice.
However, what both pleased and frustrated Zhou Wang was that, when he casually chatted about some of his doings in Beidou with no serious tone, Xia Qixian didn’t take it seriously at all.
“So, this ‘Little Blue Bottle’ you’re developing is actually a kind of medicine that can benefit humanity?”
Xia Qixian only asked out of curiosity.
“Benefiting humanity is an overstatement, given the limitation of production quantity; the finished product’s price might be rather high, making it difficult to promote. But I heard from Dean Chen at the Pharmaceutical Inspection Institute that the discovery of this new anti-aging substance is far more significant than the medicine itself.”