During the car ride.
"President Liu, don't you have a driver? I saw the vice presidents used to have one."
"I do, but I sent her to deliver some documents, so I'm driving myself."
"Oh..."
The two of them chatted away idly.
A few minutes later.
They arrived near a creative park not far from the company.
Lu Li and President Liu got out in the parking lot.
Then, he followed her into a hotpot restaurant called "Villa Hotpot."
This hotpot restaurant actually had a nice ambiance.
The elegance of Jiangnan style fused with European soft charm in the decor, making it feel particularly romantic.
The dim red lighting gave off a hazy beauty, making it seem like a perfect spot for a date.
Lu Li pondered if he should bring a girlfriend here someday.
Led by the waiter, they sat by the left wall.
"I just got back to the country, so I'm not familiar with good restaurants here."
President Liu took off her glasses and removed her coat, "Just a couple of days ago, I came here with some college friends. I thought it was pretty good, so let's eat here tonight."
If she hadn't taken off her coat, it wouldn't matter.
But when she removed her loose-fitting female suit, wearing only a tight white shirt underneath, Lu Li was stunned!
The prominently raised white shirt.
You just couldn't take your eyes off it.
He never imagined that President Liu not only had a refined face, but also an amazing figure!
Dazed and distracted, Lu Li didn't even notice what she was saying.
"Lu Li?" President Liu's slightly displeased voice reached his ears, "Lu Li!"
Only then did Lu Li snap back, seeing her staring directly at him.
He felt like a thief caught in the act, quickly making up an excuse: "I was just lost in thought about work, President Liu, what did you just say?"
Maybe because she heard he was still thinking about work during dinner.
President Liu's frowned relaxed, she said calmly, "I was saying, abroad, when I eat with others, we usually split the bill..."
Hearing this, Lu Li, who was just mesmerized by her appearance and figure, suddenly felt his masculine side surge, and he exclaimed: "Split what bill, President Liu? You just came back to the country; let me show some hospitality. Tonight, it's on me."
In his mind, having hotpot shouldn't cost much, hence the generosity.
President Liu declined politely: "No need, I was saying that I used to split the bill abroad, but since you haven't gone back to rest till now, I feel a bit sorry, so I'll treat this meal."
As he picked up the menu to look, Lu Li was still trying to be generous and earn some goodwill: "President Liu, no need to be polite with me, I said I'll treat..."
Before he finished, he saw the prices on the menu and immediately changed his tune, "Uh, well, if you'd like to treat, please go ahead, thank you."
President Liu: "..."
She said, slightly irritated, "Not treating because you saw the high prices?"
Alright then.
That was indeed the reason.
Lu Li smiled awkwardly.
He originally thought a hotpot meal wouldn't cost much, but he never imagined that one "Matsutake Bamboo Pith Soup Base" would cost 488 yuan.
And that's just the soup base.
Other things like East Star Spot Fish cost 988 yuan per kilogram, and Coral Shrimp are 198 yuan each.
Looking at the menu's prices, even a normal meal for the two of them would cost one to two thousand yuan.
If they ordered something a bit nicer, it might be impossible to keep it under two or three thousand.
Lu Li had previously earned over eight thousand, but almost five thousand of that was spent on clothes, leaving him with just over three thousand in his pocket.
He was afraid that if he treated, President Liu might only like expensive dishes, leaving him unable to pay!
Feeling a bit awkward, Lu Li quickly changed the subject, "So, President Liu, when you came here to eat a couple of days ago, was it with the arcade owner's wife?"
"Yes, a few years ago she was studying at MIT, in the same department as me."
President Liu was focused on ordering, "We were quite close back then, so I met up with her when I came back. I didn't expect she'd already be married."
Lu Li, while also looking at the menu, chatted aimlessly, "Was that arcade hers? The rent here is very expensive. Opening an arcade requires over a million in initial investment. If she was your classmate, she must be quite young. She's really wealthy."
President Liu casually explained, "The arcade was opened by her husband as a pastime for her, so she doesn't idle around too much. After all, her husband is quite older, and having married such a young and beautiful wife, he naturally wants to keep her in check. For example, the female cashier you saw is, they say, her husband's informant."
Living off a rich spouse is not that simple.
Lu Li finally understood that marrying a rich person didn't mean freedom.
After a while, they both finished ordering their dishes.
During the break while preparing the hot pot and serving the dishes, President Liu started discussing business with Lu Li.
She first handed over a document, then brushed her hair aside and said, "Regarding the live-streaming team, since we're just starting, I personally think we should do a trial run on a specific platform. Finding seven or eight people for now should suffice. A host, operator, field control, assistant host, and traffic driver are essential, and the live stream should have some 'gimmicks.' Therefore, the quality of the script editor is very important. Originally, you could take on this role, but since you'll be managing the whole live-streaming team, let's bring in another script editor, or perhaps you can select one from your office."
Lu Li glanced at the document, then looked up and said, "President Liu, from the information in your document, it seems like you're planning to sign with a live-stream sales company to find an experienced host for sales?"
President Liu nodded, "Yes."
Lu Li expressed his thoughts, "Signing with a live-stream sales company for a host is not a problem, but personally, I think it's safer for our company to train our own. Firstly, hired hosts can be quite expensive, and secondly, if there comes a day when opinions differ and the hired host quits, having our own would be more reliable."
President Liu pondered briefly, "Hmm, you make a valid point. Later, you should look for someone within the company who's articulate and young, with good looks, of course not necessarily as handsome as you, but close enough."
Originally engrossed in the business discussion, Lu Li was quite focused.
Who would've thought the other person would compliment his looks?
This made Lu Li a bit smug, so he blinked and said, "Thank you for the compliment."
President Liu, whether out of politeness or sincerity, replied, "Previously, your hip-hop style wasn't to my liking. Although it looked stylish, frankly, I found it quite off-putting. Now, switching to a normal T-shirt definitely looks more agreeable."
Just more agreeable?
Lu Li thought to himself how several female colleagues had praised him for looking dashing when he swapped to a normal T-shirt that day at the office.
Of course, he wouldn't voice those thoughts, and continued discussing work-related matters.
"Since the host part is settled, the next step is to decide on the main products..."
"Yes, the live-stream room must be decorated with the company logo and various equipment. Personally, I hope for a higher grade, so you don't have to worry about the funds. I've already made arrangements..."
"Thank you, President Liu. I have some queries regarding traffic placement..."
As they were chatting, the hot pot and dishes were served one by one.
Soon, Lu Li and President Liu were eating while discussing.
They roughly sorted out their work matters.
Given the other party's indication, the staff is expected to be in place by next week.
Certainly, because the staff will be ready by next week, negotiations for the live-stream room equipment must be completed this week.
All of this requires Lu Li, the project leader for live-stream sales, to personally oversee.
This includes negotiating with manufacturers for setting up the live-stream equipment and interviewing required team members.
Being too caught up in work, Lu Li ate quite a bit but didn't pay much attention to the taste.
Finally, an hour and a half later, as they were almost done eating, the work discussion was also nearing its end.
President Liu glanced at the Patek Philippe watch on her left wrist, "Time is almost up, let's pay and head back for an early rest."
Lu Li replied, "Okay, President Liu."
President Liu called over the server and scanned the code for payment.
Lu Li took a glance and saw that she had paid over two thousand, thinking to himself, it's a good thing he didn't try to show off, otherwise his wallet would be empty again.
After the payment was made,
Just about to get up and leave,
President Liu picked up her suit and asked, "By the way, you don't have my contact information yet, do you?"
Lu Li replied, "No."
President Liu had just put on her suit, not having had the chance to button it.
She picked up her phone and said, "Perfect, take down my number, and also add me on WeChat. It'll make it easier to contact you when needed."
After that, Lu Li noted her phone number and used WeChat to scan and add her as a friend.
As they walked out, President Liu reminded, "This is my private WeChat, so unless it's urgent, please don't message me. Of course, if something urgent comes up at work, feel free to contact me directly."
Ah?
This is your private WeChat?
Lu Li never thought that not only did he get to enjoy an expensive hot pot meal at President Liu's expense, but he also obtained her private WeChat.
Although she mentioned not to message unless it's urgent, Lu Li pondered over what constitutes urgency—could there be opportunities to contact President Liu privately more often?
He was lost in thought as he prepared to get into a car.
Unexpectedly, President Liu leaned against the car door and asked, "Do you live far from here?"
Lu Li stammered, "Not too far, why?"
President Liu said, "I live over on Labor Road, which is quite far. Since you live nearby, you can walk back."
After saying that, she drove off.
Lu Li: "..."
Alright then, I'll walk back.
Lu Li considered it as an after-meal walk, which aids digestion.
Although President Liu telling him to walk back left him speechless and delayed his search for a new lottery shop to earn extra cash, overall, obtaining President Liu's private contact left Lu Li pretty satisfied.
The only thing he found regrettable was that despite having both her phone number and private WeChat, he still didn't know President Liu's real name or whether her name sounds nice.