It was already a week since Xiao Rufeng moved to the Yan Mansion and started working as Yan Xiuchen's assistant. Yan Xiuchen had to admit that she was capable and surely knew what she was doing. It was just too bad that time was running out, and she would eventually leave a week later.
In the mornings, Xiao Rufeng would brief him on his schedule for the day and prepare the materials he would need for his long meetings. These tedious meetings tend to be boring for him, but with Xiao Rufeng near him, Yan Xiuchen found himself preoccupied and less attentive.
"Sir?" His subordinate asked, curious if Yan Xiuchen heard what he just reported.
"Still here. Continue." Yan Xiuchen said and mentally berated himself for not paying attention to their report. He supposed he should re-read the report later, just in case he actually missed something today.
Occasionally, he would glance at Xiao Rufeng and see her working on her laptop while taking notes. Sometimes, he would also find her having a short talk with some members of the staff of his household during their breaks.
Initially, Xiao Rufeng struggled to keep up with his hectic schedule and Yan Xiuchen had felt guilty for allowing her to fill his assistant's shoes. At one point, he found her panicked over the double booked schedule his assistant made, so she had to immediately rectify the mistake and reschedule some of his appointments to make time.
Thankfully, there weren't any serious matters he needed to attend to outside, and he wasn't keen on breaking his agreement with Su Xiaofei. Regardless if she was the wife of Lu Qingfeng or not, Yan Xiuchen would rather not get on her bad side. It was obvious that Xiao Rufeng held high regards for her and would believe any words she said.
"Are you sure you don't want to attend this meeting, Mr. Yan?" He heard Xiao Rufeng say, pulling him out of his deep thoughts.
"And break the agreement I have with your manager? I'd rather not." He responded.
He rarely met his business acquaintances anyway and despite being scarred for years, Yan Xiuchen disliked being stared at by other people because of his appearance. It was really a wonder how Xiao Rufeng could look at him with a smile on her face and not be repulsed by his look.
"But the condition didn't imply that you need to bring me anywhere you go, right? You can leave and attend your commitments without me. I wouldn't want you to ruin your relationship with your business partners because of me." Xiao Rufeng reasoned out.
Which was true, Yan Xiuchen thought. Su Xiaofei only insisted not to bring Xiao Rufeng anywhere, but that didn't mean he couldn't leave his own estate on his own will. It was just that he would rather stay at home and spend more time with Xiao Rufeng rather than attend a boring dinner with his colleagues.
Between his appointments, she also needed to juggle various requests for his attendance and official meetings with Yan Xiuchen. Because she was unfamiliar with his relationship with these people, Xiao Rufeng had to confirm it with Yan Xiuchen first and ask for his go-signal.
'They probably insisted I should meet them.' Yan Xiuchen removed his spectacles and ran a hand over his face. He was already tired after their long day and thought that he didn't have enough energy left to meet strangers outside of his working hours.
The grueling day was over and he just wanted to disappear into his room for the rest of the evening.
"Do I really have to?"
Xiao Rufeng shrugged.
"Shouldn't you know the answer already?"
"But I rather be here to accompany you than go outside." He said with a blank face.
Xiao Rufeng's face flushed a little, making Yan Xiuchen wonder if he was seeing things. He stilled, hardly daring to breathe, as he waited for her answer.
"You don't have to. It seems like an important meeting you shouldn't miss."
"I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I don't attend the party. I wouldn't want to spoil their fun." Yan Xiuchen replied.
He rarely went outside and did most of his work at home. There was a reason why he hired people to do his bidding anyway. If he was meeting his brothers, then he wouldn't mind leaving his house, but knowing Xiao Rufeng was under the same roof as him, how could he leave her on her own?
Usually after their working hours, he would give Xiao Rufeng an hour or two to herself and would invite her to join him for dinner. He thought that she would decline his invitation, but also assumed that she agreed because she was his guest and didn't have a reason to decline him.
Their dinners were filled with her chatterings, which Yan Xiuchen didn't mind. He loved hearing her stories about her work colleagues and how much drama she encountered during her time as a trainee.
"So why did you decide to become an actor then?" He couldn't help but ask one evening.
Xiao Rufeng lowered her gaze and stared at her drink.
"Because when the camera is rolling, I am able to let go of myself and embrace the persona of another. No Xiao Rufeng, just the character I'm portraying." She said in a low voice that Yan Xiuchen almost missed.
He titled his head to one side, frowning as he sensed her distress.
"How so?" He continued to probe.
Xiao Rufeng lifted her head and stared at him for a moment, as if she was pondering whether she should answer him or not. In the end, she chose to be honest with him.
"I'm not sure." She shrugged. "I suppose that getting into character allows me to forget my worries, my problems as Xiao Rufeng."
"My apologies. I shouldn't have asked such a personal question." He said.
"No worries, Mr. Yan. I'm not offended at all." She smiled reassuringly.
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