It’s a pity there aren’t so many coincidences. Liu Yuyang might have gone to Lan Country already, and even if he stayed home for the New Year, he wouldn’t necessarily be at the same place, on the same night, having dinner. Li Yan’s preparations didn’t come in handy; the three had a calm dinner together.

Chapter 259 MM, Killing Intent

Li Yan realized that the first time you push through something like this, you really need to talk about the atmosphere. After returning home, Yurong immediately reverted back to her strong woman persona, and because she had relaxed for a holiday, she felt a huge sense of crisis. Not only did she have many things to prepare and perfect for work that was about to begin; there was also a wealth of information she needed to understand and analyze during this period. Being a boss at her level, she couldn’t just focus on the specifics of small things.

Undoubtedly, she started occupying the office again for long hours, in front of the computer. Although the two moved in together, it was still like most of the time back home, just sharing a bed and sleeping side by side.

Fortunately, Li Yan isn’t in a hurry; haste makes waste. A stable foundation like this will be more solid when things progress. Just like his relationship with Yue Yao was natural, while with Wen Qianyi, it was a bit shaky.

With two days left until returning to work, in the morning, breakfast was prepared. After Zhang Yurong finished eating, she was busy with her work in the office. Li Yan accompanied Yue Yao for a while, originally thinking of going out to play, like watching a movie, but both felt it was too ostentatious.

Approaching noon, Li Yan went out, planning to visit Huang Ying.

Since S City is a young immigrant city, many people, even if they work long-term here or have settled down, as long as they aren’t second-generation immigrants with local household registration and a good family background, generally don’t have a significant sense of belonging. They still have an "old home," even if they rarely return, but with deep affection. Throughout the year, it’s only during the New Year that everyone has time to return home. Every year at this time, bringing family members for the New Year, as guests, can’t make up for the departure of more than 70% of people. The whole city becomes cold and desolate, which is unique nationwide.

Besides returning home for the New Year, there are visiting relatives and friends. As a result, when Li Yan called, Yue Yao wasn’t present, and Hai Fu, Wen Qianyi, and Li Jie all said they hadn’t returned yet.

As for Huang Ying, from her mother’s illness, you can see that there aren’t many relatives in her old home. She had mentioned spending the New Year here with her brother. Li Yan knew she’d be home, so he didn’t call her first, wanting to visit her directly and give her a surprise.

Just entering the city, driving towards the company, Li Yan received a call from Sun Hui.

"Old Li, are you back?"

Hearing Sun Hui’s call, Li Yan felt a bit embarrassed. After returning, he only thought about contacting his favorite MMs, and hadn’t contacted friends like Sun Hui, Xu Ping, nor Duan Haibo, Zheng Yixuan, and Guan Ziyi, truly heavy on romance and light on friendship!

"I just returned yesterday. Did you come back? Any plans?" Li Yan asked warmly.

"Hehe... I’m heading out now, come to the company entrance." Sun Hui’s sinister smile came through, undoubtedly related to MMs as well.

Li Yan couldn’t help but chuckle and curse, "Starting the new year, you’re already after office romances? Or did you hit on some gal who doesn’t believe you’re from Paradise Group, and you need to find a security guard for proof?"

"Is that necessary! You know I never go for office romances, just admire the company’s beauties. But just before the year ended, we hired an MM who’s very grateful to me, even seems interested, and she’s my type, making me tempted. During the New Year, she voluntarily called to offer New Year’s greetings, and we’ve chatted quite a bit since. Now everyone’s back, so I invited her for dinner. She’s still too shy and suggested meeting at the company entrance. I bet such a shy girl wouldn’t come alone for the first date, likely called a hometown friend or classmate as a companion. Hehe, there’s a benefit, and I thought of you first, am I considerate or what?" Sun Hui spoke excitedly.

Li Yan was a bit speechless, knowing Sun Hui’s one-night stands, and he absolutely avoids company female colleagues. But it’s not like he hasn’t had feelings for company female colleagues, like Wen Qianyi, for instance; he had feelings but quickly realized the gap and didn’t pursue further.

"Old Sun, don’t forget many new MMs seem interested in you; you playfully shepherd them. Once they’re familiar, you ignore them."

Sun Hui knew this was true. Several times, he thought they were interested, prepared to pursue, only for them to start drawing lines after some interactions. His relationships in Human Resources were extensive, knowing people from every department, including supervisors, managers, even directors. He’s not a big deal, but his position is sensitive. Many want to join Paradise Group; when arranging relatives and friends to join the company, HR is crucial. Not saying letting things slide, when eliminating and screening candidates of similar level, power lies in their hands.

No one can be sure when they might need his help, so usually, people are quite polite with HR. Newcomers often see him around, others notice his relationships and offer more care. And indeed, he’s been taken advantage of quite a few times.

"This time, it shouldn’t be. I can feel she’s different with me. Besides... I’m not into anything serious, just dinner. Already going to eat, just us two guys, rather dull, a couple MMs would certainly be more pleasing to the eyes. Coming?" Sun Hui remained enthusiastic. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"I’m coming. I’ll be there soon."

Li Yan considered Huang Ying eats simply, though visiting her puts her through much to prepare abundantly. He contemplated inviting her out for dinner. Sun Hui, even knowing Li Yan’s relationship with Wen Qianyi, would help keep it confidential if Huang Ying joined them, only to dine. Should anything arise, he’d help maintain secrecy, the camaraderie among men.

But he also feared Huang Ying might feel uncomfortable, knowing Sun Hui’s reputation, and her natural shyness. Perhaps see her after the meal instead! This way, Sun Hui gets space, and whatever happens, Li Yan is willing.

...

When he arrived at the company entrance, he saw Sun Hui talking with two MMs. Even though they often hung out, Sun Hui didn’t know Li Yan’s residence, so seeing him arrive quickly wasn’t surprising; they tacitly assumed the allure of MMs brought him swiftly.

"President Li! Happy New Year! Give me a red envelope!" Sun Hui exaggeratedly greeted Li Yan as he got out of the car.

"President your head!" Li Yan cursed with a laugh, glancing at the two women; he had no impression of them. "Not going to introduce these beauties to me?"

"Haha, let me introduce you, this is Li Yan, manager of the new company Heavenly Film under Paradise Group. Though a new company, it has great prospects, already having many big stars film a movie, soon to be released." Sun Hui, masterful in social interactions, instantly accentuated Li Yan’s status, didn’t realize he was known as the idle guy in the business department before, seemed like a company elite now. "This colleague is Liu Yunyun, and this is Yunyun’s friend Ye Xin."

The three exchanged pleasantries. Ye Xin, previously bored, reacted differently upon knowing Li Yan’s identity. These days, young women with star dreams are mere few, encountering a film company manager moves even fewer.

"President Li, so impressive. Could you take us to the premiere?"

Li Yan chuckled and brushed it off, internally thinking, this is the company’s first, my first time, how crucial! First meeting, take you to a premiere?

At that moment, Li Yan suddenly sensed a faint hint of killing intent! He immediately turned!

(Special thanks to the brothers who tipped recently: Yagami Light Second, Little Qi ╮, New World of Me, Reader 110109152345912, dongmin8061, Cp Pampas, Top Friend, Gold and Silver are Perfect, No Name, South Crossing Chill Tone, Taste Mood, Fame, Poison is Sweet, Aj Xuan Yan, jK Liang) (To be continued, for more Chapters, please log in to www.qidian.com, support the author, support legitimate reading!)