The door opened, and a hearty voice rang out.
"Hello everyone, I'm your new colleague. I look forward to working with you all!"
Huo Rou, who had been deep in thought, looked up at the familiar voice with a smile.
The professor stood up to introduce everyone. "This is Zhao Chenyi... He will be taking over Xiao Wei's work. I won't elaborate on his capabilities; you'll soon see for yourselves."
Zhao Chenyi's eyes were slightly lowered, a suppressed smile playing on his lips, making him appear even more harmless and docile.
In fact, as soon as the professor mentioned Zhao Chenyi's university, the people present were already in an uproar. Was this a university they were supposed to encounter?
The crucial point was that he attended that prestigious institution and wasn't detained by that country, yet he was allowed to return to China for his career!
Under the admiring gazes of the crowd, after introducing Zhao Chenyi, the professor began to introduce him to his colleagues one by one.
Zhao Chenyi's gaze never truly landed on anyone, yet he politely greeted everyone with a smile, leaving a very good impression on all of them.
Young, radiant, yet also proper and steady.
Who wouldn't like someone like that?
"This is our technical consultant, Huo Rou." The professor's tone clearly rose when introducing Huo Rou. "Xiao Huo, come and meet..."
"Master!" Zhao Chenyi greeted her first, a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn from his previous demeanor. "Surprised? Unexpected? You didn't expect me to be here, did you?"
Everyone: ...
The professor: It was indeed very surprising.
We were surprised by your selective treatment...
"Mm," Huo Rou graciously nodded.
Zhao Chenyi's star-like eyes were almost illuminating the entire conference room. "Master, now you can finally teach me hands-on, right? Ah, my technical skills are not good enough. I couldn't even pinpoint the signal I sent you a few days ago..."
Huo Rou, hearing him about to chatter away, quickly stopped him. "Enough."
"Oh." The boisterous young man instantly reverted to the polite and proper demeanor they had first seen.
"Xiao Zhao, who is this?" The professor was still a bit confused about this address.
"You know Huo Rou?"
Zhao Chenyi nodded. "Yes, we've known each other for many years. This is my master."
He then lifted his lips again. "My purpose for coming here this time is also to supervise Master on behalf of my old friends. A personal bodyguard..."
He was speaking happily and was about to continue when he glanced at Huo Rou's expression and promptly shut his mouth.
The professor then finished introducing everyone.
The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed to their respective tasks.
Zhao Chenyi trailed closely behind Huo Rou. Despite being much taller than her, he acted like a humble assistant.
Zou Xiaoxiao watched from afar, finding it all a bit odd. She sidled up to Huo Rou, stepping between them under Zhao Chenyi's gaze. "Zhao Chenyi, your workstation is over there."
Zhao Chenyi glanced in the direction she pointed and nodded, indicating he understood.
"It's time to work," Zou Xiaoxiao said, glaring slightly. "I have some questions for Huo Rou. You should go and get acquainted with your colleagues first."
Zhao Chenyi looked at Huo Rou, then at the workstation. "I'm just checking where my master's seat is. It won't delay my work."
He sensed Zou Xiaoxiao's hostility and emphasized the words "my master" with particular clarity.
Zou Xiaoxiao felt a pang of irritation and blinked, searching for a retort.
"Professor, may I sit next to A Rou?" Qin Ningyi's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
Those speaking also turned to look at the entrance.
With so many people in the room, Qin Ningyi's gaze fell upon Huo Rou the moment he entered.
He gave her a little smile, a smug and lingering expression.
He had thought about it all morning and couldn't rest easy with Huo Rou alone in the project team. After much deliberation, he decided it was best to keep a close watch on her.
He had delegated most of his company duties, freeing up a good part of his day to be here.
"Why are you here?" Huo Rou asked, taking two steps forward.
He hadn't mentioned this at lunch.
And how did he get in? Even as the main investor, it wasn't appropriate for him to just walk in for a tour, was it?
Qin Ningyi met her confused gaze. Her dazed look was so much like a little cat tilting its head, making him want to pull her into his arms and nuzzle her.
The professor, amidst everyone's astonishment, dropped a "bombshell."
"This is the other new colleague I told you about."