Back home, to avoid my perceptive and intelligent mother noticing the fragrance on me, I changed into my third outfit of the day.

The insulated food container that Mom threw away sat forlornly on the dining table, the food and mung bean porridge inside still warm, the taste and temperature just right.

My home is not far from Chiyue Building. Both are located in the city center of Wanghai City, and it’s only about a ten-minute drive between them.

I picked up the insulated box, hailed a ride-hailing service, and headed straight for the Chiyue Building. Before long, I arrived at the headquarters of the Chiyue Group.

Looking at the imposing and towering skyscraper in front of me, I felt inexplicably nervous.

Whether I have the ability to lead the Chiyue Group, this giant ship, to navigate the turbulent waters of the business world smoothly remains to be seen.

My nervousness stemmed not only from this, but also from the fact that the most important person in my life was inside this building.

The area in front of the building was filled with all kinds of luxury cars, but the cars all had a low-key and understated style, which proclaimed the extraordinary status and position of their owners.

Only the ride-hailing car behind me seemed out of place here.

The ride-hailing driver’s eyes darted around, wondering what this inexperienced young man was doing at the headquarters of Chiyue Group.

Is he looking for a job? But his appearance and demeanor are a bit too immature.

He probably couldn’t have imagined, no matter how hard he tried, that I would be the future owner of this Chiyue Building, and even the entire Chiyue Group.

I let out a long breath. My desires didn’t stop there. I also wanted to seize that dazzling jewel in the Chiyue Building and become the man revered as the goddess of the business world, Chi Qinglan.

I stepped towards the building in front of me, and the security guard at the entrance quickly came forward to greet me: “Young Master Lin, you’ve arrived?” Looking at the burly security guard in front of me, who was bowing and scraping, I put on a gentle and friendly smile and replied: “Don’t call me Young Master Lin, or my mother will give me a good scolding if she hears it.” The security guard chuckled, his smile still obsequious.

I understand that they are not bowing down to me, but to their mother, Ms. Chi Qinglan’s son.

I haven’t been to Chiyue Building many times, but the security guards here remember what I look like. I have to say that anyone who can work for Chiyue Group, even a burly security guard, is a shrewd and clever person.

After passing through the magnificent lobby, there is a reception desk dedicated to helping you get in touch.

I waved to the receptionists to stay put, and even after walking a long way, I could still hear new people asking the front desk supervisor about my identity.

With the access card my mother had specially arranged for me, I could move freely inside the building. However, before going upstairs, I still dialed the phone number of my mother’s personal assistant, Zhao Qing.

After the call connected, I spoke first: “Hello, Sister Qing, are you busy right now?” “Oh, Xiao Yuan, I’m not busy right now. Is there anything I can help you with?” “Sister Qing, I don’t have anything to do, I just wanted to come and see my mother.” “Okay, please wait a moment, I’ll come down to get you now.”

“Okay, no need to rush.”

Perhaps it’s because I’m approachable, but the long-time employees at Chiyue Group headquarters who know me are all quite friendly with me.

Before long, Zhao Qing walked quickly toward me in her high heels.

Although Zhao Qing has an ordinary appearance, she became her mother’s personal assistant within three years of joining the company, demonstrating outstanding abilities and excellence.

Zhao Qing greeted me from afar, “Xiao Yuan, how did you get here?” As she approached, she reached out to take the insulated food container from my hand, “Let me carry it.” “No need, no need,” I refused, “I took a taxi.” Zhao Qing said, “Just let me know, and I’ll send a car to pick you up.” “If my mom knew I was wasting company resources, she’d probably scold me again.” Zhao Qing covered her mouth and chuckled, “Look at you, President Chi isn’t that heartless.” I changed the subject, “Sister Qing, is my mom busy?”

Zhao Qing shook her head and said, “President Chi just finished talking with President Xu of Zhongtai Oil & Gas in the conference hall, and he’s having tea in the reception hall now.” “I just came out of the conference room and received your call.” As she spoke, she shook the documents in her hand at me: “Look, I haven’t even had time to put the documents back.” “Thank you for your hard work, Sister Qing.”

“This is my job, how can you call it hard work? Shall I take you directly to President Chi’s office?” I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head and refused: “Take me to the reception hall. I’ve never seen my mother discuss cooperation with anyone before.” I was a little curious, wanting to see how my mother, this gentle yet strong, intelligent and elegant young woman, would deal with the fierce tigers and wolves of the business world.

“Uh…” Zhao Qing was slightly taken aback. Although she felt it was inappropriate, she didn’t want to offend me, so she didn’t refuse: “Well… okay, but President Chi and President Xu of Zhongtai Oil & Gas have already finished discussing their cooperation. I guess they’re just chatting now.” Her words implied that I shouldn’t go.

How could I not understand? But I pretended not to understand.

In the elevator, I asked, “Sister Qing, has my mother had lunch?” Zhao Qing gently shook her head, “No, the meeting started at ten in the morning and just ended now.” I secretly thought to myself, “Isn’t this my chance?”

The Chiyue Building has dozens of reception halls of various sizes. The elevator stopped on a certain floor, and Zhao Qing led me deeper into the building.

After walking through a long corridor, I saw my mother’s figure.

I said, “Sister Qing, this is fine. I’ll just take a look from afar.” Zhao Qing breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, since bringing an “outsider” or “idle” like me into the reception hall would definitely displease President Chi.

I looked up and, through the clear glass, saw my mother sitting upright in her office chair, smiling as she talked with a middle-aged man across the table.

Below them sat many men and women dressed in business attire, all of whom looked tense and reserved, their bodies ramrod straight.

My mother and I weren’t very far apart, but the soundproofing in the reception area was so good that I could only see their mouths opening and closing, but I couldn’t hear a single sound.

Even so, the way Mom nodded and nodded revealed how composed, elegant, and dignified she was.

Suddenly, Mom stood up and gestured for them to leave. The group, led by Mom, headed towards the corridor outside the reception hall.

As they approached the door, a person quickly stepped forward and pushed open the conference room door.

As the door opened, I immediately heard Mr. Xu’s hearty laughter: “Without Mr. Chi’s personal reception, I think it would be difficult for our two companies to reach a cooperation agreement today. Mr. Chi, you must do me the honor of having lunch together today.” “Mr. Xu, our company’s Chairman Chi has already prepared a banquet downstairs, and Mr. Su from Chiyue Heavy Industry, a subsidiary of our Chiyue Group, will also be there to accompany us. I won’t attend and disturb you any longer.” My mother’s voice was clear and melodious, like musical beats gently striking my heart.

That’s just how it is. Sometimes, a single voice or a few words from a loved one can cause your heart to tremble and your soul to flutter.

The “Chi Dong” that my mother mentioned is her older brother, my uncle, Chi Hao.

“No, no, no, Mr. Chi must do me the honor.”

Mr. Xu, the middle-aged man, repeatedly invited, “I have long heard of Mr. Chi’s great reputation. It would be a great pity if we could not have a drink together today.” My mother still smiled and dealt with Mr. Xu. Looking at my mother’s charming figure, I realized how smooth and watertight my gentle and intellectual mother was when she spoke to outsiders.

“Xiao Yuan”.

Suddenly, a slightly hoarse voice sounded behind me. I turned around and saw a tall, rugged middle-aged man standing behind me. His eyes were slightly bloodshot, and he looked a little tired.

“Hello, Chairman Chi.”

Zhao Qing hurriedly bent down and bowed.

“uncle.”

I called out to my uncle, who scratched his head. “I brought Mom lunch. Have you eaten?” My uncle patted my shoulder. “Good job, you’re very sensible! Your mother has a sensitive stomach, and she works so hard. Your father is also…” My uncle trailed off, “You need to shoulder the responsibilities of a man and take good care of your mother for your father.” “I’ve always been very sensible, haven’t I?”

I smiled and said, “I know what my dad is like. Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of my mom.” My uncle glanced at my mom and Mr. Xu in front of the reception hall: “I’m going to have lunch with Mr. Xu later. Would you like to come and sit down? After all, the Chiyue Group will eventually be handed over to you, so it’s good for you to get used to this kind of occasion in advance.” “Uh, never mind, I’ll just bring my mom lunch.” My uncle didn’t insist. He nodded slightly and said, “It’s fine if you don’t come. It’s too early for you to get involved in these things. Your uncle can still support you for a few more decades.” He added, “Wait here for your mom. I’ll go and help her out.” After saying that, my uncle strode forward with his two assistants.

The commotion we made also caught my mother’s attention. I don’t know if it was just my imagination, but I noticed that her phoenix eyes lit up when she saw me.

Then, to my disbelief, my mother gently waved to me.

Huh? Didn’t Mom give me a hard time this morning because of Song Yu? Why is she greeting me so readily now?

My heart started pounding. Facing my mother, with whom I’ve lived for over a decade, I always felt as nervous and uneasy as a naive young man meeting his beloved.

Perhaps it’s because I love my mother so much?

I calmed myself down and quickly stepped forward.