Chapter 859: Chapter 859: Who’s the Target of These Veiled Insults?
"Just for this, you’re dropping work? Isn’t that a bit much?" Ye Fei felt like she was becoming a femme fatale.
Zhao Gushen looked like he was ready to give up the world for her!
Zhao Gushen laughed, "It’s only the first day back to work, there won’t be any engagements."
It’s everyone’s first day, and they have to deal with the backlog from the holidays.
"Then I’ll take the morning to experiment with some dishes and bring them to you for lunch," Ye Fei said.
She was using the CEO of Changping Group as her test subject.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Gushen was more than happy about it.
After all, even if it was an experimental dish from Ye Fei, it would still be delicious.
After agreeing with Ye Fei, Zhao Gushen reluctantly left for work and drove to the office.
Ye Fei stayed home to ponder her cooking plans.
At 10 a.m., Xiao Ruofeng’s internal call came through.
Zhao Gushen pressed the speaker button on the desk phone.
He heard Xiao Ruofeng say, "Mr. Shen, representatives from the International Cooking Competition have arrived."
"Without an appointment?" Zhao Gushen frowned.
Early in the morning, Xiao Ruofeng had reported the schedule for the day.
There was no record of an appointment.
"Correct." Xiao Ruofeng nodded.
Since it was a representative from the International Cooking Competition, Xiao Ruofeng thought he’d ask.
After all, Zhao Gushen had no other appointments this morning.
But Zhao Gushen frowned again.
Coming without an appointment?
Did the representative from the International Cooking Competition not know even this basic protocol?
Zhao Gushen had a hunch that their purpose wasn’t that simple.
No appointment and just showing up.
Now Zhao Gushen wanted to see them, to find out what they were really after.
"What’s the name of the person?" Zhao Gushen asked.
Xiao Ruofeng looked down at the business card handed over: "Zhuang Mingyan."
Zhao Gushen was momentarily startled; the name sounded familiar.
But he couldn’t recall much about it.
It took him a while to remember who Zhuang Mingyan was.
Wasn’t it the person who had gone to the family residence with Zhao Dingye during the New Year?
He’d even forgotten what she looked like.
This time she came as a representative of the International Cooking Competition?
With a blink of an eye, Zhao Gushen changed his mind: "Don’t meet her."
Xiao Ruofeng couldn’t help but twitch his mouth. Just from hearing Zhao Gushen’s question, he knew Zhao Gushen was planning to meet her.
But unexpectedly, upon hearing the name, he directly changed his mind.
Evidently, Zhao Gushen knew who this Zhuang Mingyan was.
After a quick analysis, Xiao Ruofeng replied to Zhao Gushen: "Yes."
After hanging up, Xiao Ruofeng told Zhuang Mingyan, "Sorry, Miss Zhuang, without an appointment, the CEO really can’t find time to meet you."
Having dealt with people who come without appointments before, Xiao Ruofeng was experienced.
When they insist on meeting Zhao Gushen, he would first tell them that without an appointment, it wasn’t possible.
If they persisted, Xiao Ruofeng would ask for their identity.
If it was important, he’d pretend to reluctantly contact Zhao Gushen to see if he could make time.
If Zhao Gushen agreed, it wouldn’t offend them.
If not, it aligned with what he initially said: no appointment, no meeting.
Before consulting Zhao Gushen, this was how he handled Zhuang Mingyan.
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Mingyan pursed her lips and said, "Not even five minutes?"
"I’m sorry, without an appointment, it’s really hard to arrange," said Xiao Ruofeng. "How about scheduling a time to come back, Miss Zhuang?"
Zhuang Mingyan was a bit unwilling.
Last time, she got turned away at the old residence without being allowed in, making the trip for nothing.
This time, she refused to waste another trip.
Additionally, even though she couldn’t hear what Zhao Gushen was saying on the other end of the phone,
Zhuang Mingyan could guess from Xiao Ruofeng’s conversation.
It was likely that Zhao Gushen asked who she was.
And after hearing her name, Zhao Gushen decided not to see her.
Zhuang Mingyan pursed her lips, letting out a heavy breath.
If she’d known, she wouldn’t have used her real name.
So, Zhuang Mingyan thought, even if she did make an appointment.
There’s no guarantee Zhao Gushen would see her.
He might just stall her, using the excuse of being too busy, holding off indefinitely.
Zhuang Mingyan realized this, so she decided not to leave so easily.
She thought about it and noticed a sofa and coffee table nearby.
Then she said, "May I sit here for a bit?"
Xiao Ruofeng didn’t have a reason to chase her away, so he said, "Suit yourself."
But he didn’t go out of his way to offer refreshments or drinks.
At this moment, the phone on Xiao Ruofeng’s desk rang again.
He picked it up; it was a call from the front desk.
"Assistant Xiao, I’m really sorry, I let that guest through earlier," said the nervous receptionist.
Originally, with the front desk as a checkpoint, Zhuang Mingyan wouldn’t have gotten past.
But her business card was quite intimidating.
Especially since it involved the International Cooking Competition.
The receptionist decided to let Zhuang Mingyan go through after registration.
But later, the more the receptionist thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt, prompting another call.
Xiao Ruofeng said sternly, "I’ll remember this time, but next time, I won’t cover for you."
He glanced at Zhuang Mingyan, then continued on the phone, "No matter who it is, without an appointment, it’s not allowed."
"Last time Liu Pingyuan’s family came, even as a big company CEO, you stopped them," said Xiao Ruofeng. "You did well that time."
"So remember, stick to that standard," he added.
"Got it, it won’t happen again," the receptionist quickly said, "I’m sorry, Assistant Xiao."
"And thank you," the receptionist added pitifully.
Zhao Gushen wasn’t making things difficult for her either.
He hung up the phone.
But Zhuang Mingyan clearly heard everything from Xiao Ruofeng’s conversation.
Sitting on the sofa, Zhuang Mingyan gave a sharp side-eye to Xiao Ruofeng.
His words were clearly meant for her!
Just an assistant, yet so arrogant.
What a veiled insult!
Zhuang Mingyan thought, as the representative for the International Cooking Competition’s domestic communications, she had significant authority.
If Changping wanted an advantage in this event, they’d have to rely on her.
Changping couldn’t directly communicate with the International Cooking Competition.
Even if they could connect, building a good relationship would take time.
Many wanted to build good relations with the International Cooking Competition.
It wasn’t just Changping.
Being an international event, there were competitors from various countries.
