After the event, all the staff involved in the resort project were given a five-day holiday. They could use it whenever they wanted within the same month. Some of them used it instantly, the day after the event, but the others planned to use it on other days.
Hao Ming Yu decided to use it right away to go home and visit his parents. It has been two months since he last saw them. Mr. and Mrs. Hao were so happy to see their son. Usually, Hao Ming Yu would come over once every one or two weeks. So, when Hao Ming Yu didn't visit them for over two months, they were worried, even though Hao Ming Yu kept assuring them he was too busy.
Hao Ming Yu excitedly told them about his experience with the first project. Mr. and Mrs. Hao looked at each other and smiled. It had been so long since they had seen their son so happy like that.
Since the incident, it was hard to see Hao Ming Yu smiling and laughing genuinely. For the first year, he only stayed in the house. Then slowly he started to sit in the garden of their house, staring into the air.
In the third year, Hao Ming Yu agreed to go out with Mu Shilin and Li Weize but not to a crowded place. So, his best friends took him hiking, camping, and hanging around the beach. They would do it once every two weeks.
As another year passed, Hao Ming Yu decided not to give up on himself. He wanted to put the past all behind him and start anew. Hao Ming Yu could go to public places but couldn't get close to other men. Whenever the three of them went out together, he would be sandwiched between Mu Shilin and Li Weizhe.
Entering the fifth year, Hao Ming Yu could already get used to the surroundings with many people around but he still couldn't get close to men. He started to try going out alone without his parents or Mu Shilin and Li Weizhe. Hao Ming Yu's condition has gotten more stabilized and as long as no men stay to him less than two meters, he would be fine.
After the incident, Hao Ming Yu dropped out of college. But he registered for online courses, and even though he graduated two years later than his best friends, he still managed to get a bachelor's in business management. With this qualification, he decided to find a job. He was lucky that Mu Shilin told him about the vacancy in Jin Corporation.
Hao Ming Yu wanted to move out and live nearer to the company. At first, Mr. and Mrs. Hao were reluctant to let him move out and live alone. They were worried that if something happened to their only child, no one would be there for him. But Hao Ming Yu reassured them and told them that Mu Shilin lived not far from him. After days of persuasion, Hao Ming Yu's parents finally agreed, but on one condition: He must visit them once every two weeks.
Today, for the first time in six years, Mr. and Mrs. Hao saw the old Hao Ming Yu, who was a cheerful boy. Mrs. Hao couldn't hold back her tears and quickly excused herself to the kitchen, saying she wanted to prepare Hao Ming Yu's favorite food. Mr. Hao continued listening to his son. He even asked lots of things about his son's work, making Hao Ming Yu more excited to share his experience.
During the whole week he spent in his parents' house, Hao Ming Yu was pampered by his parents. All he did was watch drama, sleep, and eat. When he woke up in the morning, breakfast was already prepared. Hao Ming Yu is a good cook, but nothing compares to a mother's cooking.
After a nice and long holiday, everyone would feel reluctant to start going to work again. The same goes for Hao Ming Yu, especially when they had a meeting first thing in the morning.
"Good morning, everyone!" Jin Zihao greeted all the staff when he entered the meeting room. His smile almost reached his ears. Even Jin Liwei, who was walking beside him, rolled his eyes.
"Hey, shouldn't you guys be more energetic after a week of holidays? Come on. Even I took four days off only and your director here," He points at Jin Liwei, "he didn't even take a day off. See? Still looking handsome as always."
All the women turned to look at Jin Liwei, and it refreshed their eyes. Jin Liwei is already good-looking, as always, but today, he is wearing a three-piece grey suit, his handsomeness increasing to another level.
"But it's okay. Don't be like him. He didn't take a day off because he didn't have anyone to spend the time with. A workaholic loner." He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, pretending to show sympathy. All the women secretly smile, thinking they might stand a chance since their young director is still single.
"Are you done?" Jin Liwei glared at his cousin. Jin Zihao smiles silly and raises his palms, admitting defeat.
Jin Zihao clears his throat and his playful expression instantly changes. "First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank all of you for the success of the resort project. Our suburban resort project has gained a lot of attention. A few companies have contacted us. Some of them wanted to joint venture and the others wanted to invest. We are still considering these propositions. So, feel free to share your opinion regarding this."
A stack of papers was passed around, and the staff read them immediately. A few of them started raising their hands and pointing out their thoughts. Some of them sound beneficial, but some of them are not quite suitable for their company. Jin Liwei and Jin Zihao listen to every one of them without cutting off their speech.
"Is there anyone who wants to add some more? Hao Ming Yu?" Jin Zihao turned to the guy who was still frowning at the paper.
Hao Ming Yu, who was called, flinched and slowly lifted his head. He shakes his head. "No. Nothing else, manager."
"Are you sure? Based on your excellent job in previous work, I know we could trust your opinions, so don't be shy to share your opinions." Hao Ming Yu smiles stiffly after being praised in front of everyone. "If anyone suddenly has some ideas or thoughts on this, feel free to discuss it with me or Director Jin. Understand?"
"Yes, manager." All of the staff replied.
A few days later, the higher-ups announced they had accepted a joint venture with Grand Capital Group to focus on developing and branding assets in the growing hotel market. Under the terms of the agreement, Jin Corporation will hold a fifty-one percent stake in the joint venture while Grand Capital Group will own the remaining forty-nine percent.
Grand Capital Group has invested in over 2000 hotels globally and for this joint venture with Jin Corporation, they will invest in the airport hotel that is still in discussion.
The management department was divided into two groups. The first group would handle the development and progress of the airport hotel, and the second group would work with the Investor Relations Department to deal with the investors. Hao Ming Yu, together with Team Leader Yan, had to deal with the investors. Jin Zihao assigned this task because he wanted Hao Ming Yu to experience new things.
Hao Ming Yu thought Team Leader Yan would be uncomfortable working with him again, but when he stole a glance at the other guy, Team Leader Yan was smiling. But Hao Ming Yu felt there was a meaning behind that smile, and it made him uneasy.
In the next few days, Team Leader Yan brought Hao Ming Yu to meet their investor outside during lunch hour. They went to a restaurant that the investor had booked. Hao Ming Yu had a hunch that this was not as simple as a lunch meeting, and he was right, as he saw Mr. Guo Shan, the one that he met at the launching after party, waiting for them in the private room.
"Hello, Mr. Guo Shan. Sorry for the wait." Team Leader Yan reached out his hand and shook it with the other man.
"No worries. It was me who was early." Mr. Guo Shan said while eyeing Hao Ming Yu with a wide smile on his face.
"Mr. Guo, this is Hao Ming Yu. If there is anything happened or any inquiries regarding our deal in the future, feel free to contact either me or him."
Mr. Guo Shan's eyes still wander over Hao Ming Yu's body. "Sure. I will make sure to contact you." Hao Ming Yu grips the briefcase he is carrying tightly. His body even trembles slightly, but is unnoticeable by the other two men.
Hao Ming Yu is sitting between Mr. Guo Shan and Team Leader Yan. Luckily, they are sitting at a large round table, so Hao Ming Yu could sit a bit further from both of them.
"How about we order first? Couldn't work with an empty stomach, right?" Mr. Guo Shan asked. Team Leader Yan instantly agreed.
Mr. Guo Shan ordered a few dishes for the three of them. It looked delicious and tempting, but Hao Ming Yu had no appetite. He barely touched any of them and only took small bites.
"Mr. Hao, why do you eat so little? Come, eat some more. If you are too skinny, it won't feel nice for your partner to hug you." He and Team Leader Yan laugh at his remarks.
Hao Ming Yu had to pick up his bowl to avoid Mr. Guo Shan's chopsticks, which kept trying to put the food into his bowl, but the latter didn't know how to give up. He kept asking Hao Ming Yu questions that were quite personal. Team Leader Yan turns a blind eye and enjoys the expensive food as if nothing had happened.
"You said you are 26 this year, right? Do you already have a girlfriend? Or maybe...boyfriend?" Hao Ming Yu just shakes his head.
"Really? Someone as pretty as you still don't have a partner? No one approached you or do you have a specific preference? Maybe someone older than you and has a lot of money? Hahaha." Hao Ming Yu grips his chopsticks and shakes his head again.
Hao Ming Yu put down his chopsticks. "Sorry. I'm already full. Can you excuse me for a moment? I'm going to the toilet." He gets up from his seat and leaves the room in haste.
Mr. Guo Shan and Team Leader Yan were stunned when the other person suddenly left. They never thought someone who looked like a scaredy cat and a weakling would dare reject his client's approach.
Team Leader Yan became anxious and instantly apologized, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Guo Shan. I never thought he—" Mr. Guo Shan's laugh cut off his words.
"No worries. I like when he is acting coy like this. It's cute. Don't you know, the harder to get, the better it will taste." Team Leader Yan smirks as he hears the statement.
Both of them had known each other for quite a long time, and Team Leader Yan knew about Mr. Guo Shan's preference: a young man who looks pretty and slender, just like Hao Ming Yu. The mole under his eye is like icing on top of a cake.
Since the suburban resort project, Team Leader Yan had held a grudge against Hao Ming Yu. Hao Ming Yu interrupted Many of his plans and failed to carry on. So, when Mr. Guo Shan suddenly asked about Hao Ming Yu during the after-party, he didn't hesitate to 'introduce' him to the middle-aged man.
Mr. Guo Shan suddenly heaves a heavy sigh and slightly groans. He mumbles, "Haa... I can't wait to have him riding on top of me. The view must be heavenly. Just imagining it already makes me hard."
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