Bzzzz...Bzzzz

"Hello?" The phone was picked up after vibrating four times.

"Hey, sunshine. Wake up. We have a presentation today. Don't be late." The person from the other side said.

"Hmmm... I know..."

Beep! The call was hung up. Hao Ming Yu put the phone back on the bedside table. He stretched his arms and legs before lazily getting off of the bed. He only slept for four hours last night, so he feels sleepy.

He takes a morning shower, makes a simple breakfast for himself, and then quickly leaves his small apartment, which only has one bedroom. He leaves the house at 7:30 a.m., an hour earlier than the working hour starts, as he takes the bus to his office. He hates crowds because he doesn't want to be late or get rushed.

He arrives at the company at 8 a.m. With a slow and steady step, he enters the company building. He walks into the elevator, and because he is early, he doesn't have to huddle together and be crushed by others. He steps out when he reaches the tenth floor.

As soon as he sat at his place, someone approached him from behind. "Yo, sunshine! I thought you're gonna be late," said Mu Shilin.

Hao Ming Yu shows his sheepish smile. "How can I? We have been working on this project for a month. Can't let my sleep ruin our efforts.

He puts a cup of hot coffee on Hao Ming Yu's desk. "Glad you know that. Have you had breakfast?" Hao Ming Yu nods. He thanked him for the coffee.

"Alright. Prepare yourself. I heard someone important will come to the meeting today."

Hao Ming Yu tilts his head. "Who?" Mu Shilin shrugs his shoulders. He waves his hand and then returns to his desk.

Hao Ming Yu takes out his thumb drive and checks his files and all the things he needs for the presentation. This is the first big project he has been involved in since he worked here. Hao Ming Yu is grateful to Mu Shilin for recommending him for this job.

After graduating, he was afraid that he would need to face a new environment and meet new people. Since the dark incident seven years ago, he has never been good at getting close to strangers, men, to be specific. Besides his father, Mu Shilin and Li Weizhe are the only men whom he can get close to. Both of them are his best friends and the ones who stayed with him during those hard times.

A few months after graduating, Mu Shilin told him that the company where he works in is looking for a new hire. Hao Ming Yu immediately applied and was so happy when he was accepted and accepted into the same department as Mu Shilin.

A year has passed, and he finally participated in a major company project.

Around 8:50 am, everyone entered the main meeting room. All the equipment had been set up, but they hadn't started the meeting yet as the most important person hadn't arrived.

Five minutes before 9, the meeting room door was pushed open. The General Manager, Jin Zihao, came into the room with a wide smile on his face. Behind him, there was another person.

"Morning everyone. I want to introduce someone to you guys. Here, our Executive Director, Mr. Jin Li Wei. He is just returning from the States and will be taking over President Jin's work."

Jin Li Wei raises his hand to say hello. "Let's skip the introduction and proceed with the meeting." He walks past the tables and sits in the front row with the General Manager.

The women can't stop looking at him. Suddenly, they feel motivated, and some of them refresh their makeup. A young and handsome boss came, who can ignore it?!

In contrast, Hao Ming Yu, the second person to present his work, has no time to worry about the new Executive Director. He hopes that person won't be too harsh or strict.

Jin Group is a state-owned hospitality company that provides hotels, resorts, travel, transport, and logistics services. Jin Hotel Corp. is the largest group in the country, with more than 380 hotels and affiliates. Recently, Jin Group acquired a French company based in the States, which is why Jin Li Wei has been away for over a year.

Jin Hotel Corp. has decided to build a resort in a suburban area. Thus, today, they are presenting a project plan to attract more customers to their resort despite the lack of attractions compared to urban areas.

And as Hao Ming Yu wished, Jin Li Wei didn't say a word from the beginning until the end of the presentation.

Jin Zihao stands in the middle of the room after everyone has presented their part. "So, our new Director, is there anything you want to comment or say? Maybe any tips for improvement."

Jin Liwei shakes his head. Jin Zihao's mouth twitched.

The General Manager says a few words and then wraps up the meeting. The presentation is well-praised, and the project is nicely done.

Hao Ming Yu breathes a sigh of relief. Mu Shilin on his side, patting his back. "Good job." Hao Ming Yu faintly smiles.

He wants to leave the meeting room, but how can he do that when everyone, including the General Manager and the new Executive Director, has remained seated?

Hao Ming Yu is sitting at the back of the room because he doesn't want to and doesn't intend to join the conversation.

He hugs his files on his chest, shaking his legs, waiting for them to finish chit-chatting. Hao Ming Yu is not unfriendly. He does have a good relationship with his co-workers. Even with men, he can talk with them at ease.

However, he does not like to engage in gossip, especially with people he is not close to. The only people he will talk to about his problem are his parents, Mu Shilin and Li Weizhe.

As soon as the meeting is over, everyone is waiting to meet up or get to know their new director a little bit. The anticipating face of every woman, even some men, can't be ignored.

Jin Zihao sighs. "Alright. Alright. How about this, since you guys have done a good job, tonight let's have dinner together. Don't worry, it's on me."

"Agreed!" All of them shouted.

Jin Liwei still didn't say anything. Agreed or not, he'll be dragged by his cousin.

His eyes suddenly looked up and noticed a stealthy movement at the back of the room. He squinted.

Hao Ming Yu thought no one would notice him and tiptoed, walking out of the room. Mu Shilin shakes his head and chuckles. He knows Hao Ming Yu doesn't want to go to the company dinner. He doesn't drink and doesn't like the noises. Plus, he wanted to repay all his sleepless nights.

"Mu Shilin?" Jin Zihao's voice wakes Shilin from his daze.

"Tonight, you're coming too right?" Mu Shilin nods. He never rejected free meals.

"Then...what about..." Jin Zihao looks around and notices Hao Ming Yu is no longer in the room.

"Sorry, Manager. Hao Ming Yu won't be joining. He said these past few days he couldn't sleep so he wants to get home fast today."

Jin Zihao faintly smiles. Even without Mu Shilin's explanation, all of them knew Hao Ming Yu wouldn't join.

"Well, it's okay. Maybe next time..." Jin Zihao said for the nth time.

The guy who has been talked about happily returns to his desk after getting a cup of coffee from the pantry. He really needs coffee to last the whole day until 5 pm.

A few minutes later, everyone returned from the meeting room. They are excitedly discussing the venue for the company dinner. Hao Ming Yu paid no heed and continued his work.

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