Chapter 42
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Four days later, Public Relation work floor
Since Naruto had finished his trial period and officially became Yu Lei's PR employee, his paperwork hellish experience finally over and new line of work began.
On the top of Naruto's desk, blue cardboards lined up on top of each other and formed two column beside his computer, one column piled more than the other. These files held information about other companies such as their establishment's date, market's objective, status quo, etc.
Only a few companies have details like company background, worker size, current stockholder, and company strategy.
Some companies already had a connection with Yu Lei so Naruto didn't battling his eyes much when he found them. There also companies that held a record of their transaction with Yu Lei.
Naruto leaned his back against the chair while his eyes ran over a file. Not more than a minute, he closed the file and put it on the left column then he grabbed another from the right. The same process repeated for three times before the fourth file he read making his brow wrinkle.
"Sister Hongyan..." Naruto said before he lifted his face.
"A moment," Zhao Hongyan fingers tapped on the keyboard, then she turned her body by rotating her chair and faced Naruto with a smile, "What's up?"
"Do you know anything about Ice Snow Corporation?"
"Of course I do, they are one of the biggest company in selling jewelry and gemstone," She nodded like pecking bird, "why you asked?"
"There is this partnership proposal submitted last year," Naruto opened wide the file and showed it to her, "but it got suspended..."
Zhao Hongyan stared at the file, "Oh yeah, it was supposed to be put into a hold for a while, but before it finally realized, the one who proposes it got married and resigned from the company."
"Why it was suspended in the first place?"
She shook her head, "Of that, I don't know. You should ask Chief Mo about it."
Naruto glanced at the file, he pondered for a moment.
He faced her and nodded, "Ok, thanks!" He twisted his chair in 180 degrees then rose from it and strode forward.
He passed many desks while greeted some of his coworkers, eventually, he arrived at Mo Qianni's office, and knocked on her door.
"Come in..."
Naruto opened it and his nose picked jasmine scent on the air, "Chief Mo sorry for the intrusion."
Mo Qianni smiled, "It's fine, what can I do for you?"
Naruto closed the door behind him and ambled his way toward her, "Chief Mo, I want to talk about Ice Snow corp's partnership proposal that you put into suspend last year." He stretched his arm and offered the file.
Mo Qianni took the file and flipped it open, she read it for a brief and said without moving her eyes, "Oh yeah, It was left unnoticed after the person who proposes it resigned." She glanced at him, her eyebrows raised, "What about it?"
Naruto scratched his back head, "Hmm, you said before that I have to look for companies that I may have to establish a connection, I was skimming through materials and I found my self-curious upon stumbled into that file. Chief Mo, why you decided to suspend the proposal?"
Mo Qianni sighed and put the file on her desk, "I have to do it."
"It was a good and brilliant idea to be in affiliation with company dabble in jewelry, after all, accessories and jewelry was part of fashion, and Ice Snow corporation has produced a lot of high-quality stuff. No doubt they were one of top choice..." she shook her head, "but they have an internal conflict at that time, their CEO dropped because of a sickness and not soon after that, he passed away. The high stockholder's fight among each other thus their company suffered a power struggle in the past."
Naruto took a seat on the other side of her desk and gaze at her with a solemn look, "What about now?"
"I think it's fine now, in fact, they have become better than before," she put a finger on her cheek, "I heard this is had anything to do with their new CEO."
"So it's ok for me to contact them now?"
"Uh-huh, be my guest, but are you sure? Normally people will be looking for a smaller company for a starter you know?"
"Well, I'm sure I can break the custom," Naruto took the file and gave her a playful smile, "because I'm just that awesome!"
Mo Qianni glared at him but shook her head afterward, she smiled, "Good luck."
Naruto nodded, he turns around and walkout from her office.
Mo Qianni put her elbow on the chair's arm, her hand turned into a knuckle as she leaned her cheeks on it, "Let's see the performance of the man who gains Ruoxi's attention."
Back at Naruto's desk, he grabbed a telephone by its handle and his finger tapped the numerical pads in a certain order.
"So, how is it?" looking at Naruto came back and all serious, Zhao Hongyan couldn't help but get curious.
"The company has an internal issue in the past, thus chief Mo didn't agree with the proposal." Naruto turned his head to her while the phone's handle on his ear beep.
"Ah? So that's why. It must be a tough decision," she frowned, then smirked at him, "the way you look right now, it seems chief Mo gave you a go?"
Naruto grinned but then raised his palm toward her, "Excuse me, I'm Naruto Uzumaki from Yu Lei international headquarter, may I speak with anyone in charge of cooperation or partnership?"
"Ok, I will be waiting."
It took a minute and a half before Naruto heard another voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes, how do you do, Ms. Wanqiu?"
"Yes, I'm glad to talk about it soon."
"At 10:00?" Naruto glanced at Zhao Hongyan while his finger pointed at his wrist, she startled and peep at her watch, she raised four fingers with her right hand and one fingers with her left.
Naruto mumbled thank you to her and responded back at the person on the phone, "Yes, I'll be there on time."
"Yes, see you soon Ms. Wanqiu," Naruto put down the phone's handle.
"Well, how's this Ms. Wanqiu's voice? Is it flirtatious? Smoky maybe?" Zhao Hongyan said with curled lips.
Naruto threw helpless expression, "It just like other women's voice." Then he leered at her, "At least I prefer your voice over her."
"Hoo..." her eyes gaze deeply into his, "and what about my voice that attracts you so much?"
"Your voice was beautiful, it's like thousand of fairy singing on the serene lake when the moon rise high, my restless and weary heart always goes peacefully whenever you talked, " Naruto face filled with adoration and his eyes blurred with joy.
"Really?" Zhao Hongyan eyes lit and her heart skipped a beat.
"Pfft... Hahaha! Of course not, who would say something like that anymore! That is so lame!" He smacked his desk while laughing
"Naruto, I hate you!"
(***)
Ice Snow Corporation's structure consisted of more than 10 story building. A black iron fence built upon the ground on the surrounding area, it's not like the kind of prison's fence but more like elegant wrought one. The building mostly painted in white color with several metalic blacks on a certain side. The rest of the wall replaced by visible windows that shows what was happening inside the building.
Naruto passed through the gate and stopped by someone on the security duty, his fat appearance reminded him a man he met once at Yu Lei's recruitment.
"I'm sorry sir, may I know what matter your visit is?" The fat man politely asked. The blonde in front of him disguised with a dazzling suit that he knew only wear by important people who came with luxurious cars or expensive cabs. It triggered his caution and curiosity upon seeing this man come without any of those.
"I'm here for business, of course, I believe I suppose to meet Ms. Wanqiu Xia?" Naruto said with a light tone.
Wanqiu Xia? The beautiful sales department's director? Is this man one of the suitors in legend?
The fat man narrowed his eyes, based on what he heard from others, back in the past, there were people looked like the same as the blonde in front of him. They asked to meet Snow Ice's female employee with a business excuse. In the end, not only there was no business concluded, few of them even get sexually harassed. This causes major depression among worker and some decided to leave the company.
Although this year there was no longer such problem, and he never met one himself, this fatty still suspected this blondie maybe one of them. Pretty boy and luxury clothes.
"Show me some credible Id!"
Naruto startled by this man attitude but nevertheless fished out his wallet. He flipped it open, took out his domicile card, and handed it over to fatty.
"You're a foreigner?" fatty's eyes widened and shocked filled his tone.
"Yeah, you have a problem with that?" Naruto wrinkled one brow.
Fatty suddenly glowered, "Of course I have, do you know what people like you did to people like me in the past?"
"Wow man, let's not go there OK?" Naruto shook his head, his face turned solemn, "how about you spare me the trouble and just let me pass? I'm here pure for business, not to fight you over something like that."
Who didn't know about the colonial era? Every kid was taught about this in school, and every history book makes a clear point about it. Even so, what could Naruto do? Traveled back in time to save the day? Not to mention he couldn't time travel, there was no point in doing it since he didn't have any desire to do it.
The fatty realized that he almost becomes a racist-ass. His boiled anger cooldown as he hung his head in shame.
"I'm sorry sir, I'm being rude to you, here's your ID, you may pass now."
"It's alright, but better be careful with your word next time," Naruto smiled as he grabbed his Id and strolled forward.
Soon, Naruto reached the building entrance's steps, he climbed it and walked passed the automatic double sliding door to enter the building ground floor's hallway.
An appearance of spacious and elegant lobby greeted his eyes, people moved around the area with papers or a briefcase in their hand, while several of them sat on the leather couch at the corner side of the room, chatting with varied expression. The tile dyed in a brownish color that reflected white upon shined by the lights under the roof. Naruto stayed still for a while with a slightly curved on his lips. Watching the busy scene was not something he rejected, because he knew this, was part of life.
Naruto swept his eyes and found the front desk with a pretty lady behind it.
"Excuse me miss," he said the moment he arrived.
The lady nodded with a cheery smile, "May I help you, sir?"
"I'm Yu Lei's delegate in talking about our soon partnership and I believe I have made an appointment with Ms. Wanqiu Xia."
"Are you possibly Mr. Naruto Uzumaki?"
"Yes."
"Please wait while I contact her to meet you here sir."
She picked up a phone and started calling. Naruto lifted his shoulder and put his arm on the desk while listening to her. half a minute later, she put down the phone and said: "I'm sorry for your inconvenience sir, Chief Wanqiu was soon on her way ."
"No, it's fine, I can wait." Naruto grinned which somehow make her blushed.
"Is there any new appointment for me today?"
While In the middle of his conversation with the lady, a cold feminine voice suddenly came from his behind. The lady abruptly fixed her posture and hurriedly smile, "President, good morning! there is nothing new or change in your schedule..."
President? The CEO Chief Mo mention about? with a great interest urged his desire to know how this person looks like, Naruto twisted his head and dropped his jaw on the spot.
What a woman!
The person appeared behind him has snow-white skin, a face with oval contour, plucked eyebrows, leather black colored eyes, and a set of bright red lips. A black skirt she wore reach up to her ankles but a clean cut on it revealing her long and slender legs till her knee. A buckle on her upper skirt tightly wrapped her thin waist, thus emphasized her perky butt. The white collar suit on her torso seemed fit but still cling desperately to contain her breast. If this is the ancient times, her appearance alone could make emperors brandished their sword among each other.
Naruto sighed, he thought he has seen his fair share of beauty, but it seems he still far from it.
The woman nodded but her eyes lingered on Naruto, despite her high position, she still recognized most people in her company, but this man was unknown existence to her. She assumed this man perhaps one of the customer.
Naruto felt the woman gaze and his eyes met hers. The staring contest brawled less than a quarter of candlestick before the woman nodded her head and walked away.
Naruto watched her figure made way toward the elevator, it took an effort for him to move his gaze and glanced back at the front desk lady, yet he still unable to forget that woman appearance.
With another sigh, he thought, It's true what they say about beauty, it is indeed one of the most dangerous and powerful power.
(***)
"I'm sorry making you wait like that."
In the sort of office room, a woman with apologetic expression poured a hot tea in the cup placed on the desk in front of Naruto.
"Ms. Wanqiu, please, It's fine. Besides, I don't mind waiting for a beauty." Naruto laughed while waving his hand.
"Hehe, Mr. Naruto sure know how to make a woman blush." Wanqiu Xia giggled as she poured the cup for herself.
"If you didn't, I considered my self as a failure man," Naruto took the cup, blew it and sipped the tea.
"You don't have to worry, I believe women will flock around you."
"Wow, I don't know I have that much charm" Naruto put his hand on the back of his head
"Yeah, but if there is no more men aside of you," she covered her mouth and chortled.
Naruto bitterly scratched his cheek and let out a half-hearted smile.
The meeting was indeed a little over the promised time because Wanqiu Xia had to meet with other clients first. With an ashamed face and guilty tone, she picked Naruto from the ground level and headed directly toward her office.
Speaking of Wanqiu Xia, she herself was quite a pretty woman, she's around 23 or 24 years old. She had a charming face, pretty nose, bright eyes, and with the professional outfit she currently wore, it gave her a graceful bearing and exquisite figure.
She reminded him of Mo Qianni, though in term of cuteness, his tsundere supervisor won a lot of points.
"So what can you tell me about this partnership?" Wanqiu Xia sipped her tea. From their interaction on the way here, she has a good impression on the young male sat on the soft couch across from her. Not only he's an easy going person, there is no trace of arrogance inside his tone.
"Oh yeah, you may want to look at this," Naruto opened his own briefcase and brought a document then give it to her, "this is still a rough work simply based on all material I could gather, to sum it all, we want to invite your company in making several garbs like the one in our design. We also accepted any ideas you want to suggest if you have one."
With only such a short time to their meeting, Naruto can only borrow the rejected proposal document and asked for some design from Liu Mingyu, of course, it comes with a price he must treat her a lunch.
"Hmm..." Wanqiu Xia quickly turned over a page after page while tarried on the design part, her eyes revealed a serious countenance as she flipped the garment's outline one after another then back and forth.
10 minute passed
Wanqiu Xia took back her eyes and lifted her smiling face, "These designs are pretty marvelous and grand, I couldn't help but gaze in awe for the entire time."
"Thank you for the compliment," Naruto dryly laughed,
Wanqiu Xia started giving him several questions, and Naruto answered it where he can because truth to be told, he didn't understand any of those, without Liu Mingyu explaining these designs, he pretty much stuck.
"Mr. Naruto, I'm really liking the designs but the problem is that most of the gems used in these are rare and hard to match the size since the cutting technology expenditure will cost us a lot, so it's quite a bargain unless you give us more cut."
Naruto nodded, he knew that producing a smaller gem from their raw will required massive resources and good expertise but he can't just give them an easy deal because the fabric in need also required to be high-class ones.
"How about we change to middle-grade stone instead?"
"It will be cheaper but then there will be a drop in the quality"
"How about reshaping and resizing the required gems?"
"It could be done, but won't change much since we can only give a few inches larger, more than that it will ruin the design instead."
Naruto and Wanqiu Xia started dealing back and forth but they were more like finding the balance in quality of design and cost instead who benefitted the most. Her knowledge in gemstone aspect can be said quite deep as she offered him a lot of options and not forget to explain them. While Naruto mostly can think in practical aspect such as which one more expensive, it's rarity, their hardness, heavyweight, etc.
It took a whole hour and a half before Naruto decided to postpone it till tomorrow, he needed to think this through, perhaps some consultation with others including Ruoxi will help him. Wanqiu Xia didn't bother about it even suggesting Naruto to look for other company which also sell gemstone, so he can have a reference.
"It's close to lunch hour, would you mind having it in our cafeteria? We have a lot of variety of foods," She stood and walked beside Naruto.
"I'm sorry, I took your offer next time, I already have a promise."
"Ah I see, your girlfriend will be mad," she giggled.
"No, no. Not a girlfriend, just a friend and I owe her a treat," Naruto shook his head.
They both stood in front of the elevator gate, waiting for the red indicator to turn into number 2.
"I don't believe someone like you didn't have a girlfriend," Wanqiu Xia curled her lips.
"I'm really don't..." Naruto scratched his cheek, "but I have a wife."
"Yi? You married?" Wanqiu Xia eyes widened and her mouth slightly gaped.
"Yeah."
There was a trace of loss inside her eyes, she mumbled, "I see..."
"How about you Ms. Wanqiu? Sure you already have a suitor right? Fiancee maybe?"
"No, I'm not," her smile went pale, "I don't have any plan like that in short awhile."
"Ah, such a shame," Naruto grinned, "I will gladly pursuit you if the situation was allowed."
Wanqiu Xia pretty face became red, she put one hand on her waist, and another toward Naruto while she pushed out a finger, "Humph! gave up any idea, I don't want to be your fling, only if you willing to divorce your current wife, I might give you a chance."
Naruto laughed and raised both his hand, "then I give up, she definitely dug out my bone and ate my heart if I dare to do that."
"What a cruel husband you are describing your wife like that," Wanqiu Xia covered her mouth.
Naruto just slanted his lips, inside his heart, he prayed: "I hope she sneezed."
Back at Yu lei International Headquarter.
"Choo!"
Ruoxi put both her hands on her mouth and nose while her cheeks burned red.
"President are you alright?" asked one of the member in the meeting.
"Yeah, I'm fine, please continue," she said, while grabbed several tissues from its box and wiped her nose with it.
Strange, did I catch a cold?
She put her hand on her forehead, her eyebrow wrinkled, Not hot...
She shook her head, thinking maybe her nose just tickled.
But why I have an urge to slap someone?
(***)
"I see you the next day, " Naruto said as the lift reached his floor.
Wanqiu Xia nodded, "have a safe journey."
Naruto strolled forward as the gate slid open, but he immediately stopped in his track the moment he saw the person inside.
It was a woman that her appearance was hard for him to erase, despite his best effort to try it.
"President, how are you today?" Wanqiu Xia on the other hand smiled and slightly bend her body.
This woman temperament like an icy statue, she said with an unchanging expression, "I'm fine Wanqiu, thank you. By the way, I need to talk with you about something."
"Sure president, please..." Wanqiu Xia swiped her left hand, suggesting her to move first.
The icy woman nodded and moved forward, her hip swayed left and right in rhythm with her footsteps.
When she passed right beside Naruto, her elegant and fragrant perfume invaded his nose but is not the reason why he suddenly felt like a jolt struck his heart. The feeling he never felt from any women he met, it's unique, he neither like nor hate it. He just confused by it.
Naruto shook his head, he must quickly buy lunch or he gonna be late. He strode forward and punched the ground floor button, Wanqiu Xia already chased after that woman so Naruto just left in a silent manner.
Unknown to him, the icy woman stopped on her track and glanced at the lift direction, her eyes blurred in wavering gaze.
"President, what's wrong?" Wanqiu Xia walked slightly behind her so she'll notice her odd behavior.
"Nothing, let's carry on," The woman stayed for another second before she turned around and minced along with her.
What is that... jolt I just felt?
Time flowed like a river.
It's already evening and sun almost drowned by the moment Naruto exit Yu Lei. He reported what happens at Ice Snow to Mo Qianni, and she approved his decision to think about it further, she also gave few suggestions in a different perspective so Naruto can add another variable into his consideration, other people also gave Naruto their idea so he's not alone in this matter. There is not only competition that exists between coworker, there were also friendship, teamwork, and family. Naruto truly felt grateful for what he has in Yu Lei because not all people could get that feeling from where their work.
Naruto stood beside the bus stop sign while brought out his phone, there a few people besides him which including Yu Lei worker and he managed to get along with them.
"Hi brother, can you please show me where was this area?"
While they were chatting, someone with trench coat suddenly approached them and offered a piece of paper toward Naruto. That person has a height above average and he spoke fluent English. Naruto cannot see this person face because he also wore a large hat but he nevertheless took the paper.
The paper was pretty much only has a single sentence which wrote sort of address.
Dragon Garden Villa unit 89? Huh? Isn't this is my-
*Bam!*
The person in trench coat suddenly lashed out his hand and hit Naruto which causing his body to fly across the street and sprung toward the boutique display.
*Prang!*
Naruto body didn't stop as he broke the display glass, knocked down several mannequins and went deeper the boutique.
"Aaaahhh murder!"
"Run, run!"
"Someone call the cops!"
Everyone besides the trench coat man dispersed with screaming and shouting. They feared this shady looking person will also attack them. The trench coat man didn't even bother with them, he let out a laugh and crossed the street to chase after Naruto.
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Four days later, Public Relation work floor
Since Naruto had finished his trial period and officially became Yu Lei's PR employee, his paperwork hellish experience finally over and new line of work began.
On the top of Naruto's desk, blue cardboards lined up on top of each other and formed two column beside his computer, one column piled more than the other. These files held information about other companies such as their establishment's date, market's objective, status quo, etc.
Only a few companies have details like company background, worker size, current stockholder, and company strategy.
Some companies already had a connection with Yu Lei so Naruto didn't battling his eyes much when he found them. There also companies that held a record of their transaction with Yu Lei.
Naruto leaned his back against the chair while his eyes ran over a file. Not more than a minute, he closed the file and put it on the left column then he grabbed another from the right. The same process repeated for three times before the fourth file he read making his brow wrinkle.
"Sister Hongyan..." Naruto said before he lifted his face.
"A moment," Zhao Hongyan fingers tapped on the keyboard, then she turned her body by rotating her chair and faced Naruto with a smile, "What's up?"
"Do you know anything about Ice Snow Corporation?"
"Of course I do, they are one of the biggest company in selling jewelry and gemstone," She nodded like pecking bird, "why you asked?"
"There is this partnership proposal submitted last year," Naruto opened wide the file and showed it to her, "but it got suspended..."
Zhao Hongyan stared at the file, "Oh yeah, it was supposed to be put into a hold for a while, but before it finally realized, the one who proposes it got married and resigned from the company."
"Why it was suspended in the first place?"
She shook her head, "Of that, I don't know. You should ask Chief Mo about it."
Naruto glanced at the file, he pondered for a moment.
He faced her and nodded, "Ok, thanks!" He twisted his chair in 180 degrees then rose from it and strode forward.
He passed many desks while greeted some of his coworkers, eventually, he arrived at Mo Qianni's office, and knocked on her door.
"Come in..."
Naruto opened it and his nose picked jasmine scent on the air, "Chief Mo sorry for the intrusion."
Mo Qianni smiled, "It's fine, what can I do for you?"
Naruto closed the door behind him and ambled his way toward her, "Chief Mo, I want to talk about Ice Snow corp's partnership proposal that you put into suspend last year." He stretched his arm and offered the file.
Mo Qianni took the file and flipped it open, she read it for a brief and said without moving her eyes, "Oh yeah, It was left unnoticed after the person who proposes it resigned." She glanced at him, her eyebrows raised, "What about it?"
Naruto scratched his back head, "Hmm, you said before that I have to look for companies that I may have to establish a connection, I was skimming through materials and I found my self-curious upon stumbled into that file. Chief Mo, why you decided to suspend the proposal?"
Mo Qianni sighed and put the file on her desk, "I have to do it."
"It was a good and brilliant idea to be in affiliation with company dabble in jewelry, after all, accessories and jewelry was part of fashion, and Ice Snow corporation has produced a lot of high-quality stuff. No doubt they were one of top choice..." she shook her head, "but they have an internal conflict at that time, their CEO dropped because of a sickness and not soon after that, he passed away. The high stockholder's fight among each other thus their company suffered a power struggle in the past."
Naruto took a seat on the other side of her desk and gaze at her with a solemn look, "What about now?"
"I think it's fine now, in fact, they have become better than before," she put a finger on her cheek, "I heard this is had anything to do with their new CEO."
"So it's ok for me to contact them now?"
"Uh-huh, be my guest, but are you sure? Normally people will be looking for a smaller company for a starter you know?"
"Well, I'm sure I can break the custom," Naruto took the file and gave her a playful smile, "because I'm just that awesome!"
Mo Qianni glared at him but shook her head afterward, she smiled, "Good luck."
Naruto nodded, he turns around and walkout from her office.
Mo Qianni put her elbow on the chair's arm, her hand turned into a knuckle as she leaned her cheeks on it, "Let's see the performance of the man who gains Ruoxi's attention."
Back at Naruto's desk, he grabbed a telephone by its handle and his finger tapped the numerical pads in a certain order.
"So, how is it?" looking at Naruto came back and all serious, Zhao Hongyan couldn't help but get curious.
"The company has an internal issue in the past, thus chief Mo didn't agree with the proposal." Naruto turned his head to her while the phone's handle on his ear beep.
"Ah? So that's why. It must be a tough decision," she frowned, then smirked at him, "the way you look right now, it seems chief Mo gave you a go?"
Naruto grinned but then raised his palm toward her, "Excuse me, I'm Naruto Uzumaki from Yu Lei international headquarter, may I speak with anyone in charge of cooperation or partnership?"
"Ok, I will be waiting."
It took a minute and a half before Naruto heard another voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes, how do you do, Ms. Wanqiu?"
"Yes, I'm glad to talk about it soon."
"At 10:00?" Naruto glanced at Zhao Hongyan while his finger pointed at his wrist, she startled and peep at her watch, she raised four fingers with her right hand and one fingers with her left.
Naruto mumbled thank you to her and responded back at the person on the phone, "Yes, I'll be there on time."
"Yes, see you soon Ms. Wanqiu," Naruto put down the phone's handle.
"Well, how's this Ms. Wanqiu's voice? Is it flirtatious? Smoky maybe?" Zhao Hongyan said with curled lips.
Naruto threw helpless expression, "It just like other women's voice." Then he leered at her, "At least I prefer your voice over her."
"Hoo..." her eyes gaze deeply into his, "and what about my voice that attracts you so much?"
"Your voice was beautiful, it's like thousand of fairy singing on the serene lake when the moon rise high, my restless and weary heart always goes peacefully whenever you talked, " Naruto face filled with adoration and his eyes blurred with joy.
"Really?" Zhao Hongyan eyes lit and her heart skipped a beat.
"Pfft... Hahaha! Of course not, who would say something like that anymore! That is so lame!" He smacked his desk while laughing
"Naruto, I hate you!"
(***)
Ice Snow Corporation's structure consisted of more than 10 story building. A black iron fence built upon the ground on the surrounding area, it's not like the kind of prison's fence but more like elegant wrought one. The building mostly painted in white color with several metalic blacks on a certain side. The rest of the wall replaced by visible windows that shows what was happening inside the building.
Naruto passed through the gate and stopped by someone on the security duty, his fat appearance reminded him a man he met once at Yu Lei's recruitment.
"I'm sorry sir, may I know what matter your visit is?" The fat man politely asked. The blonde in front of him disguised with a dazzling suit that he knew only wear by important people who came with luxurious cars or expensive cabs. It triggered his caution and curiosity upon seeing this man come without any of those.
"I'm here for business, of course, I believe I suppose to meet Ms. Wanqiu Xia?" Naruto said with a light tone.
Wanqiu Xia? The beautiful sales department's director? Is this man one of the suitors in legend?
The fat man narrowed his eyes, based on what he heard from others, back in the past, there were people looked like the same as the blonde in front of him. They asked to meet Snow Ice's female employee with a business excuse. In the end, not only there was no business concluded, few of them even get sexually harassed. This causes major depression among worker and some decided to leave the company.
Although this year there was no longer such problem, and he never met one himself, this fatty still suspected this blondie maybe one of them. Pretty boy and luxury clothes.
"Show me some credible Id!"
Naruto startled by this man attitude but nevertheless fished out his wallet. He flipped it open, took out his domicile card, and handed it over to fatty.
"You're a foreigner?" fatty's eyes widened and shocked filled his tone.
"Yeah, you have a problem with that?" Naruto wrinkled one brow.
Fatty suddenly glowered, "Of course I have, do you know what people like you did to people like me in the past?"
"Wow man, let's not go there OK?" Naruto shook his head, his face turned solemn, "how about you spare me the trouble and just let me pass? I'm here pure for business, not to fight you over something like that."
Who didn't know about the colonial era? Every kid was taught about this in school, and every history book makes a clear point about it. Even so, what could Naruto do? Traveled back in time to save the day? Not to mention he couldn't time travel, there was no point in doing it since he didn't have any desire to do it.
The fatty realized that he almost becomes a racist-ass. His boiled anger cooldown as he hung his head in shame.
"I'm sorry sir, I'm being rude to you, here's your ID, you may pass now."
"It's alright, but better be careful with your word next time," Naruto smiled as he grabbed his Id and strolled forward.
Soon, Naruto reached the building entrance's steps, he climbed it and walked passed the automatic double sliding door to enter the building ground floor's hallway.
An appearance of spacious and elegant lobby greeted his eyes, people moved around the area with papers or a briefcase in their hand, while several of them sat on the leather couch at the corner side of the room, chatting with varied expression. The tile dyed in a brownish color that reflected white upon shined by the lights under the roof. Naruto stayed still for a while with a slightly curved on his lips. Watching the busy scene was not something he rejected, because he knew this, was part of life.
Naruto swept his eyes and found the front desk with a pretty lady behind it.
"Excuse me miss," he said the moment he arrived.
The lady nodded with a cheery smile, "May I help you, sir?"
"I'm Yu Lei's delegate in talking about our soon partnership and I believe I have made an appointment with Ms. Wanqiu Xia."
"Are you possibly Mr. Naruto Uzumaki?"
"Yes."
"Please wait while I contact her to meet you here sir."
She picked up a phone and started calling. Naruto lifted his shoulder and put his arm on the desk while listening to her. half a minute later, she put down the phone and said: "I'm sorry for your inconvenience sir, Chief Wanqiu was soon on her way ."
"No, it's fine, I can wait." Naruto grinned which somehow make her blushed.
"Is there any new appointment for me today?"
While In the middle of his conversation with the lady, a cold feminine voice suddenly came from his behind. The lady abruptly fixed her posture and hurriedly smile, "President, good morning! there is nothing new or change in your schedule..."
President? The CEO Chief Mo mention about? with a great interest urged his desire to know how this person looks like, Naruto twisted his head and dropped his jaw on the spot.
What a woman!
The person appeared behind him has snow-white skin, a face with oval contour, plucked eyebrows, leather black colored eyes, and a set of bright red lips. A black skirt she wore reach up to her ankles but a clean cut on it revealing her long and slender legs till her knee. A buckle on her upper skirt tightly wrapped her thin waist, thus emphasized her perky butt. The white collar suit on her torso seemed fit but still cling desperately to contain her breast. If this is the ancient times, her appearance alone could make emperors brandished their sword among each other.
Naruto sighed, he thought he has seen his fair share of beauty, but it seems he still far from it.
The woman nodded but her eyes lingered on Naruto, despite her high position, she still recognized most people in her company, but this man was unknown existence to her. She assumed this man perhaps one of the customer.
Naruto felt the woman gaze and his eyes met hers. The staring contest brawled less than a quarter of candlestick before the woman nodded her head and walked away.
Naruto watched her figure made way toward the elevator, it took an effort for him to move his gaze and glanced back at the front desk lady, yet he still unable to forget that woman appearance.
With another sigh, he thought, It's true what they say about beauty, it is indeed one of the most dangerous and powerful power.
(***)
"I'm sorry making you wait like that."
In the sort of office room, a woman with apologetic expression poured a hot tea in the cup placed on the desk in front of Naruto.
"Ms. Wanqiu, please, It's fine. Besides, I don't mind waiting for a beauty." Naruto laughed while waving his hand.
"Hehe, Mr. Naruto sure know how to make a woman blush." Wanqiu Xia giggled as she poured the cup for herself.
"If you didn't, I considered my self as a failure man," Naruto took the cup, blew it and sipped the tea.
"You don't have to worry, I believe women will flock around you."
"Wow, I don't know I have that much charm" Naruto put his hand on the back of his head
"Yeah, but if there is no more men aside of you," she covered her mouth and chortled.
Naruto bitterly scratched his cheek and let out a half-hearted smile.
The meeting was indeed a little over the promised time because Wanqiu Xia had to meet with other clients first. With an ashamed face and guilty tone, she picked Naruto from the ground level and headed directly toward her office.
Speaking of Wanqiu Xia, she herself was quite a pretty woman, she's around 23 or 24 years old. She had a charming face, pretty nose, bright eyes, and with the professional outfit she currently wore, it gave her a graceful bearing and exquisite figure.
She reminded him of Mo Qianni, though in term of cuteness, his tsundere supervisor won a lot of points.
"So what can you tell me about this partnership?" Wanqiu Xia sipped her tea. From their interaction on the way here, she has a good impression on the young male sat on the soft couch across from her. Not only he's an easy going person, there is no trace of arrogance inside his tone.
"Oh yeah, you may want to look at this," Naruto opened his own briefcase and brought a document then give it to her, "this is still a rough work simply based on all material I could gather, to sum it all, we want to invite your company in making several garbs like the one in our design. We also accepted any ideas you want to suggest if you have one."
With only such a short time to their meeting, Naruto can only borrow the rejected proposal document and asked for some design from Liu Mingyu, of course, it comes with a price he must treat her a lunch.
"Hmm..." Wanqiu Xia quickly turned over a page after page while tarried on the design part, her eyes revealed a serious countenance as she flipped the garment's outline one after another then back and forth.
10 minute passed
Wanqiu Xia took back her eyes and lifted her smiling face, "These designs are pretty marvelous and grand, I couldn't help but gaze in awe for the entire time."
"Thank you for the compliment," Naruto dryly laughed,
Wanqiu Xia started giving him several questions, and Naruto answered it where he can because truth to be told, he didn't understand any of those, without Liu Mingyu explaining these designs, he pretty much stuck.
"Mr. Naruto, I'm really liking the designs but the problem is that most of the gems used in these are rare and hard to match the size since the cutting technology expenditure will cost us a lot, so it's quite a bargain unless you give us more cut."
Naruto nodded, he knew that producing a smaller gem from their raw will required massive resources and good expertise but he can't just give them an easy deal because the fabric in need also required to be high-class ones.
"How about we change to middle-grade stone instead?"
"It will be cheaper but then there will be a drop in the quality"
"How about reshaping and resizing the required gems?"
"It could be done, but won't change much since we can only give a few inches larger, more than that it will ruin the design instead."
Naruto and Wanqiu Xia started dealing back and forth but they were more like finding the balance in quality of design and cost instead who benefitted the most. Her knowledge in gemstone aspect can be said quite deep as she offered him a lot of options and not forget to explain them. While Naruto mostly can think in practical aspect such as which one more expensive, it's rarity, their hardness, heavyweight, etc.
It took a whole hour and a half before Naruto decided to postpone it till tomorrow, he needed to think this through, perhaps some consultation with others including Ruoxi will help him. Wanqiu Xia didn't bother about it even suggesting Naruto to look for other company which also sell gemstone, so he can have a reference.
"It's close to lunch hour, would you mind having it in our cafeteria? We have a lot of variety of foods," She stood and walked beside Naruto.
"I'm sorry, I took your offer next time, I already have a promise."
"Ah I see, your girlfriend will be mad," she giggled.
"No, no. Not a girlfriend, just a friend and I owe her a treat," Naruto shook his head.
They both stood in front of the elevator gate, waiting for the red indicator to turn into number 2.
"I don't believe someone like you didn't have a girlfriend," Wanqiu Xia curled her lips.
"I'm really don't..." Naruto scratched his cheek, "but I have a wife."
"Yi? You married?" Wanqiu Xia eyes widened and her mouth slightly gaped.
"Yeah."
There was a trace of loss inside her eyes, she mumbled, "I see..."
"How about you Ms. Wanqiu? Sure you already have a suitor right? Fiancee maybe?"
"No, I'm not," her smile went pale, "I don't have any plan like that in short awhile."
"Ah, such a shame," Naruto grinned, "I will gladly pursuit you if the situation was allowed."
Wanqiu Xia pretty face became red, she put one hand on her waist, and another toward Naruto while she pushed out a finger, "Humph! gave up any idea, I don't want to be your fling, only if you willing to divorce your current wife, I might give you a chance."
Naruto laughed and raised both his hand, "then I give up, she definitely dug out my bone and ate my heart if I dare to do that."
"What a cruel husband you are describing your wife like that," Wanqiu Xia covered her mouth.
Naruto just slanted his lips, inside his heart, he prayed: "I hope she sneezed."
Back at Yu lei International Headquarter.
"Choo!"
Ruoxi put both her hands on her mouth and nose while her cheeks burned red.
"President are you alright?" asked one of the member in the meeting.
"Yeah, I'm fine, please continue," she said, while grabbed several tissues from its box and wiped her nose with it.
Strange, did I catch a cold?
She put her hand on her forehead, her eyebrow wrinkled, Not hot...
She shook her head, thinking maybe her nose just tickled.
But why I have an urge to slap someone?
(***)
"I see you the next day, " Naruto said as the lift reached his floor.
Wanqiu Xia nodded, "have a safe journey."
Naruto strolled forward as the gate slid open, but he immediately stopped in his track the moment he saw the person inside.
It was a woman that her appearance was hard for him to erase, despite his best effort to try it.
"President, how are you today?" Wanqiu Xia on the other hand smiled and slightly bend her body.
This woman temperament like an icy statue, she said with an unchanging expression, "I'm fine Wanqiu, thank you. By the way, I need to talk with you about something."
"Sure president, please..." Wanqiu Xia swiped her left hand, suggesting her to move first.
The icy woman nodded and moved forward, her hip swayed left and right in rhythm with her footsteps.
When she passed right beside Naruto, her elegant and fragrant perfume invaded his nose but is not the reason why he suddenly felt like a jolt struck his heart. The feeling he never felt from any women he met, it's unique, he neither like nor hate it. He just confused by it.
Naruto shook his head, he must quickly buy lunch or he gonna be late. He strode forward and punched the ground floor button, Wanqiu Xia already chased after that woman so Naruto just left in a silent manner.
Unknown to him, the icy woman stopped on her track and glanced at the lift direction, her eyes blurred in wavering gaze.
"President, what's wrong?" Wanqiu Xia walked slightly behind her so she'll notice her odd behavior.
"Nothing, let's carry on," The woman stayed for another second before she turned around and minced along with her.
What is that... jolt I just felt?
Time flowed like a river.
It's already evening and sun almost drowned by the moment Naruto exit Yu Lei. He reported what happens at Ice Snow to Mo Qianni, and she approved his decision to think about it further, she also gave few suggestions in a different perspective so Naruto can add another variable into his consideration, other people also gave Naruto their idea so he's not alone in this matter. There is not only competition that exists between coworker, there were also friendship, teamwork, and family. Naruto truly felt grateful for what he has in Yu Lei because not all people could get that feeling from where their work.
Naruto stood beside the bus stop sign while brought out his phone, there a few people besides him which including Yu Lei worker and he managed to get along with them.
"Hi brother, can you please show me where was this area?"
While they were chatting, someone with trench coat suddenly approached them and offered a piece of paper toward Naruto. That person has a height above average and he spoke fluent English. Naruto cannot see this person face because he also wore a large hat but he nevertheless took the paper.
The paper was pretty much only has a single sentence which wrote sort of address.
Dragon Garden Villa unit 89? Huh? Isn't this is my-
*Bam!*
The person in trench coat suddenly lashed out his hand and hit Naruto which causing his body to fly across the street and sprung toward the boutique display.
*Prang!*
Naruto body didn't stop as he broke the display glass, knocked down several mannequins and went deeper the boutique.
"Aaaahhh murder!"
"Run, run!"
"Someone call the cops!"
Everyone besides the trench coat man dispersed with screaming and shouting. They feared this shady looking person will also attack them. The trench coat man didn't even bother with them, he let out a laugh and crossed the street to chase after Naruto.
Four days later, Public Relation work floorSince Naruto had finished his trial period and officially became Yu Lei's PR employee, his paperwork hellish experience finally over and new line of work began.On the top of Naruto's desk, blue cardboards lined up on top of each other and formed two column beside his computer, one column piled more than the other. These files held information about other companies such as their establishment's date, market's objective, status quo, etc.Only a few companies have details like company background, worker size, current stockholder, and company strategy.Some companies already had a connection with Yu Lei so Naruto didn't battling his eyes much when he found them. There also companies that held a record of their transaction with Yu Lei.Naruto leaned his back against the chair while his eyes ran over a file. Not more than a minute, he closed the file and put it on the left column then he grabbed another from the right. The same process repeated for three times before the fourth file he read making his brow wrinkle."Sister Hongyan..." Naruto said before he lifted his face."A moment," Zhao Hongyan fingers tapped on the keyboard, then she turned her body by rotating her chair and faced Naruto with a smile, "What's up?""Do you know anything about Ice Snow Corporation?""Of course I do, they are one of the biggest company in selling jewelry and gemstone," She nodded like pecking bird, "why you asked?""There is this partnership proposal submitted last year," Naruto opened wide the file and showed it to her, "but it got suspended..."Zhao Hongyan stared at the file, "Oh yeah, it was supposed to be put into a hold for a while, but before it finally realized, the one who proposes it got married and resigned from the company.""Why it was suspended in the first place?"She shook her head, "Of that, I don't know. You should ask Chief Mo about it."Naruto glanced at the file, he pondered for a moment.He faced her and nodded, "Ok, thanks!" He twisted his chair in 180 degrees then rose from it and strode forward.He passed many desks while greeted some of his coworkers, eventually, he arrived at Mo Qianni's office, and knocked on her door."Come in..."Naruto opened it and his nose picked jasmine scent on the air, "Chief Mo sorry for the intrusion."Mo Qianni smiled, "It's fine, what can I do for you?"Naruto closed the door behind him and ambled his way toward her, "Chief Mo, I want to talk about Ice Snow corp's partnership proposal that you put into suspend last year." He stretched his arm and offered the file.Mo Qianni took the file and flipped it open, she read it for a brief and said without moving her eyes, "Oh yeah, It was left unnoticed after the person who proposes it resigned." She glanced at him, her eyebrows raised, "What about it?"Naruto scratched his back head, "Hmm, you said before that I have to look for companies that I may have to establish a connection, I was skimming through materials and I found my self-curious upon stumbled into that file. Chief Mo, why you decided to suspend the proposal?"Mo Qianni sighed and put the file on her desk, "I have to do it.""It was a good and brilliant idea to be in affiliation with company dabble in jewelry, after all, accessories and jewelry was part of fashion, and Ice Snow corporation has produced a lot of high-quality stuff. No doubt they were one of top choice..." she shook her head, "but they have an internal conflict at that time, their CEO dropped because of a sickness and not soon after that, he passed away. The high stockholder's fight among each other thus their company suffered a power struggle in the past."Naruto took a seat on the other side of her desk and gaze at her with a solemn look, "What about now?""I think it's fine now, in fact, they have become better than before," she put a finger on her cheek, "I heard this is had anything to do with their new CEO.""So it's ok for me to contact them now?""Uh-huh, be my guest, but are you sure? Normally people will be looking for a smaller company for a starter you know?""Well, I'm sure I can break the custom," Naruto took the file and gave her a playful smile, "because I'm just that awesome!"Mo Qianni glared at him but shook her head afterward, she smiled, "Good luck."Naruto nodded, he turns around and walkout from her office.Mo Qianni put her elbow on the chair's arm, her hand turned into a knuckle as she leaned her cheeks on it, "Let's see the performance of the man who gains Ruoxi's attention."Back at Naruto's desk, he grabbed a telephone by its handle and his finger tapped the numerical pads in a certain order."So, how is it?" looking at Naruto came back and all serious, Zhao Hongyan couldn't help but get curious."The company has an internal issue in the past, thus chief Mo didn't agree with the proposal." Naruto turned his head to her while the phone's handle on his ear beep."Ah? So that's why. It must be a tough decision," she frowned, then smirked at him, "the way you look right now, it seems chief Mo gave you a go?"Naruto grinned but then raised his palm toward her, "Excuse me, I'm Naruto Uzumaki from Yu Lei international headquarter, may I speak with anyone in charge of cooperation or partnership?""Ok, I will be waiting."It took a minute and a half before Naruto heard another voice on the other end of the line."Yes, how do you do, Ms. Wanqiu?""Yes, I'm glad to talk about it soon.""At 10:00?" Naruto glanced at Zhao Hongyan while his finger pointed at his wrist, she startled and peep at her watch, she raised four fingers with her right hand and one fingers with her left.Naruto mumbled thank you to her and responded back at the person on the phone, "Yes, I'll be there on time.""Yes, see you soon Ms. Wanqiu," Naruto put down the phone's handle."Well, how's this Ms. Wanqiu's voice? Is it flirtatious? Smoky maybe?" Zhao Hongyan said with curled lips.Naruto threw helpless expression, "It just like other women's voice." Then he leered at her, "At least I prefer your voice over her.""Hoo..." her eyes gaze deeply into his, "and what about my voice that attracts you so much?""Your voice was beautiful, it's like thousand of fairy singing on the serene lake when the moon rise high, my restless and weary heart always goes peacefully whenever you talked, " Naruto face filled with adoration and his eyes blurred with joy."Really?" Zhao Hongyan eyes lit and her heart skipped a beat."Pfft... Hahaha! Of course not, who would say something like that anymore! That is so lame!" He smacked his desk while laughing"Naruto, I hate you!"***Ice Snow Corporation's structure consisted of more than 10 story building. A black iron fence built upon the ground on the surrounding area, it's not like the kind of prison's fence but more like elegant wrought one. The building mostly painted in white color with several metalic blacks on a certain side. The rest of the wall replaced by visible windows that shows what was happening inside the building.Naruto passed through the gate and stopped by someone on the security duty, his fat appearance reminded him a man he met once at Yu Lei's recruitment."I'm sorry sir, may I know what matter your visit is?" The fat man politely asked. The blonde in front of him disguised with a dazzling suit that he knew only wear by important people who came with luxurious cars or expensive cabs. It triggered his caution and curiosity upon seeing this man come without any of those."I'm here for business, of course, I believe I suppose to meet Ms. Wanqiu Xia?" Naruto said with a light tone.Wanqiu Xia? The beautiful sales department's director? Is this man one of the suitors in legend?The fat man narrowed his eyes, based on what he heard from others, back in the past, there were people looked like the same as the blonde in front of him. They asked to meet Snow Ice's female employee with a business excuse. In the end, not only there was no business concluded, few of them even get sexually harassed. This causes major depression among worker and some decided to leave the company.Although this year there was no longer such problem, and he never met one himself, this fatty still suspected this blondie maybe one of them. Pretty boy and luxury clothes."Show me some credible Id!"Naruto startled by this man attitude but nevertheless fished out his wallet. He flipped it open, took out his domicile card, and handed it over to fatty."You're a foreigner?" fatty's eyes widened and shocked filled his tone."Yeah, you have a problem with that?" Naruto wrinkled one brow.Fatty suddenly glowered, "Of course I have, do you know what people like you did to people like me in the past?""Wow man, let's not go there OK?" Naruto shook his head, his face turned solemn, "how about you spare me the trouble and just let me pass? I'm here pure for business, not to fight you over something like that."Who didn't know about the colonial era? Every kid was taught about this in school, and every history book makes a clear point about it. Even so, what could Naruto do? Traveled back in time to save the day? Not to mention he couldn't time travel, there was no point in doing it since he didn't have any desire to do it.The fatty realized that he almost becomes a racist-ass. His boiled anger cooldown as he hung his head in shame."I'm sorry sir, I'm being rude to you, here's your ID, you may pass now.""It's alright, but better be careful with your word next time," Naruto smiled as he grabbed his Id and strolled forward.Soon, Naruto reached the building entrance's steps, he climbed it and walked passed the automatic double sliding door to enter the building ground floor's hallway.An appearance of spacious and elegant lobby greeted his eyes, people moved around the area with papers or a briefcase in their hand, while several of them sat on the leather couch at the corner side of the room, chatting with varied expression. The tile dyed in a brownish color that reflected white upon shined by the lights under the roof. Naruto stayed still for a while with a slightly curved on his lips. Watching the busy scene was not something he rejected, because he knew this, was part of life.Naruto swept his eyes and found the front desk with a pretty lady behind it."Excuse me miss," he said the moment he arrived.The lady nodded with a cheery smile, "May I help you, sir?""I'm Yu Lei's delegate in talking about our soon partnership and I believe I have made an appointment with Ms. Wanqiu Xia.""Are you possibly Mr. Naruto Uzumaki?""Yes.""Please wait while I contact her to meet you here sir."She picked up a phone and started calling. Naruto lifted his shoulder and put his arm on the desk while listening to her. half a minute later, she put down the phone and said: "I'm sorry for your inconvenience sir, Chief Wanqiu was soon on her way .""No, it's fine, I can wait." Naruto grinned which somehow make her blushed."Is there any new appointment for me today?"While In the middle of his conversation with the lady, a cold feminine voice suddenly came from his behind. The lady abruptly fixed her posture and hurriedly smile, "President, good morning! there is nothing new or change in your schedule..."President? The CEO Chief Mo mention about? with a great interest urged his desire to know how this person looks like, Naruto twisted his head and dropped his jaw on the spot.What a woman!The person appeared behind him has snow-white skin, a face with oval contour, plucked eyebrows, leather black colored eyes, and a set of bright red lips. A black skirt she wore reach up to her ankles but a clean cut on it revealing her long and slender legs till her knee. A buckle on her upper skirt tightly wrapped her thin waist, thus emphasized her perky butt. The white collar suit on her torso seemed fit but still cling desperately to contain her breast. If this is the ancient times, her appearance alone could make emperors brandished their sword among each other.Naruto sighed, he thought he has seen his fair share of beauty, but it seems he still far from it.The woman nodded but her eyes lingered on Naruto, despite her high position, she still recognized most people in her company, but this man was unknown existence to her. She assumed this man perhaps one of the customer.Naruto felt the woman gaze and his eyes met hers. The staring contest brawled less than a quarter of candlestick before the woman nodded her head and walked away.Naruto watched her figure made way toward the elevator, it took an effort for him to move his gaze and glanced back at the front desk lady, yet he still unable to forget that woman appearance.With another sigh, he thought, It's true what they say about beauty, it is indeed one of the most dangerous and powerful power.***"I'm sorry making you wait like that."In the sort of office room, a woman with apologetic expression poured a hot tea in the cup placed on the desk in front of Naruto."Ms. Wanqiu, please, It's fine. Besides, I don't mind waiting for a beauty." Naruto laughed while waving his hand."Hehe, Mr. Naruto sure know how to make a woman blush." Wanqiu Xia giggled as she poured the cup for herself."If you didn't, I considered my self as a failure man," Naruto took the cup, blew it and sipped the tea."You don't have to worry, I believe women will flock around you.""Wow, I don't know I have that much charm" Naruto put his hand on the back of his head"Yeah, but if there is no more men aside of you," she covered her mouth and chortled.Naruto bitterly scratched his cheek and let out a half-hearted smile.The meeting was indeed a little over the promised time because Wanqiu Xia had to meet with other clients first. With an ashamed face and guilty tone, she picked Naruto from the ground level and headed directly toward her office.Speaking of Wanqiu Xia, she herself was quite a pretty woman, she's around 23 or 24 years old. She had a charming face, pretty nose, bright eyes, and with the professional outfit she currently wore, it gave her a graceful bearing and exquisite figure.She reminded him of Mo Qianni, though in term of cuteness, his tsundere supervisor won a lot of points."So what can you tell me about this partnership?" Wanqiu Xia sipped her tea. From their interaction on the way here, she has a good impression on the young male sat on the soft couch across from her. Not only he's an easy going person, there is no trace of arrogance inside his tone."Oh yeah, you may want to look at this," Naruto opened his own briefcase and brought a document then give it to her, "this is still a rough work simply based on all material I could gather, to sum it all, we want to invite your company in making several garbs like the one in our design. We also accepted any ideas you want to suggest if you have one."With only such a short time to their meeting, Naruto can only borrow the rejected proposal document and asked for some design from Liu Mingyu, of course, it comes with a price he must treat her a lunch."Hmm..." Wanqiu Xia quickly turned over a page after page while tarried on the design part, her eyes revealed a serious countenance as she flipped the garment's outline one after another then back and forth.10 minute passedWanqiu Xia took back her eyes and lifted her smiling face, "These designs are pretty marvelous and grand, I couldn't help but gaze in awe for the entire time.""Thank you for the compliment," Naruto dryly laughed,Wanqiu Xia started giving him several questions, and Naruto answered it where he can because truth to be told, he didn't understand any of those, without Liu Mingyu explaining these designs, he pretty much stuck."Mr. Naruto, I'm really liking the designs but the problem is that most of the gems used in these are rare and hard to match the size since the cutting technology expenditure will cost us a lot, so it's quite a bargain unless you give us more cut."Naruto nodded, he knew that producing a smaller gem from their raw will required massive resources and good expertise but he can't just give them an easy deal because the fabric in need also required to be high-class ones."How about we change to middle-grade stone instead?""It will be cheaper but then there will be a drop in the quality""How about reshaping and resizing the required gems?""It could be done, but won't change much since we can only give a few inches larger, more than that it will ruin the design instead."Naruto and Wanqiu Xia started dealing back and forth but they were more like finding the balance in quality of design and cost instead who benefitted the most. Her knowledge in gemstone aspect can be said quite deep as she offered him a lot of options and not forget to explain them. While Naruto mostly can think in practical aspect such as which one more expensive, it's rarity, their hardness, heavyweight, etc.It took a whole hour and a half before Naruto decided to postpone it till tomorrow, he needed to think this through, perhaps some consultation with others including Ruoxi will help him. Wanqiu Xia didn't bother about it even suggesting Naruto to look for other company which also sell gemstone, so he can have a reference."It's close to lunch hour, would you mind having it in our cafeteria? We have a lot of variety of foods," She stood and walked beside Naruto."I'm sorry, I took your offer next time, I already have a promise.""Ah I see, your girlfriend will be mad," she giggled."No, no. Not a girlfriend, just a friend and I owe her a treat," Naruto shook his head.They both stood in front of the elevator gate, waiting for the red indicator to turn into number 2."I don't believe someone like you didn't have a girlfriend," Wanqiu Xia curled her lips."I'm really don't..." Naruto scratched his cheek, "but I have a wife.""Yi? You married?" Wanqiu Xia eyes widened and her mouth slightly gaped."Yeah."There was a trace of loss inside her eyes, she mumbled, "I see...""How about you Ms. Wanqiu? Sure you already have a suitor right? Fiancee maybe?""No, I'm not," her smile went pale, "I don't have any plan like that in short awhile.""Ah, such a shame," Naruto grinned, "I will gladly pursuit you if the situation was allowed."Wanqiu Xia pretty face became red, she put one hand on her waist, and another toward Naruto while she pushed out a finger, "Humph! gave up any idea, I don't want to be your fling, only if you willing to divorce your current wife, I might give you a chance."Naruto laughed and raised both his hand, "then I give up, she definitely dug out my bone and ate my heart if I dare to do that.""What a cruel husband you are describing your wife like that," Wanqiu Xia covered her mouth.Naruto just slanted his lips, inside his heart, he prayed: "I hope she sneezed."Back at Yu lei International Headquarter."Choo!"Ruoxi put both her hands on her mouth and nose while her cheeks burned red."President are you alright?" asked one of the member in the meeting."Yeah, I'm fine, please continue," she said, while grabbed several tissues from its box and wiped her nose with it.Strange, did I catch a cold?She put her hand on her forehead, her eyebrow wrinkled, Not hot...She shook her head, thinking maybe her nose just tickled.But why I have an urge to slap someone?***"I see you the next day, " Naruto said as the lift reached his floor.Wanqiu Xia nodded, "have a safe journey."Naruto strolled forward as the gate slid open, but he immediately stopped in his track the moment he saw the person inside.It was a woman that her appearance was hard for him to erase, despite his best effort to try it."President, how are you today?" Wanqiu Xia on the other hand smiled and slightly bend her body.This woman temperament like an icy statue, she said with an unchanging expression, "I'm fine Wanqiu, thank you. By the way, I need to talk with you about something.""Sure president, please..." Wanqiu Xia swiped her left hand, suggesting her to move first.The icy woman nodded and moved forward, her hip swayed left and right in rhythm with her footsteps.When she passed right beside Naruto, her elegant and fragrant perfume invaded his nose but is not the reason why he suddenly felt like a jolt struck his heart. The feeling he never felt from any women he met, it's unique, he neither like nor hate it. He just confused by it.Naruto shook his head, he must quickly buy lunch or he gonna be late. He strode forward and punched the ground floor button, Wanqiu Xia already chased after that woman so Naruto just left in a silent manner.Unknown to him, the icy woman stopped on her track and glanced at the lift direction, her eyes blurred in wavering gaze."President, what's wrong?" Wanqiu Xia walked slightly behind her so she'll notice her odd behavior."Nothing, let's carry on," The woman stayed for another second before she turned around and minced along with her.What is that... jolt I just felt?Time flowed like a river.It's already evening and sun almost drowned by the moment Naruto exit Yu Lei. He reported what happens at Ice Snow to Mo Qianni, and she approved his decision to think about it further, she also gave few suggestions in a different perspective so Naruto can add another variable into his consideration, other people also gave Naruto their idea so he's not alone in this matter. There is not only competition that exists between coworker, there were also friendship, teamwork, and family. Naruto truly felt grateful for what he has in Yu Lei because not all people could get that feeling from where their work.Naruto stood beside the bus stop sign while brought out his phone, there a few people besides him which including Yu Lei worker and he managed to get along with them."Hi brother, can you please show me where was this area?"While they were chatting, someone with trench coat suddenly approached them and offered a piece of paper toward Naruto. That person has a height above average and he spoke fluent English. Naruto cannot see this person face because he also wore a large hat but he nevertheless took the paper.The paper was pretty much only has a single sentence which wrote sort of address.Dragon Garden Villa unit 89? Huh? Isn't this is my-*Bam!*The person in trench coat suddenly lashed out his hand and hit Naruto which causing his body to fly across the street and sprung toward the boutique display.*Prang!*Naruto body didn't stop as he broke the display glass, knocked down several mannequins and went deeper the boutique."Aaaahhh murder!""Run, run!""Someone call the cops!"Everyone besides the trench coat man dispersed with screaming and shouting. They feared this shady looking person will also attack them. The trench coat man didn't even bother with them, he let out a laugh and crossed the street to chase after Naruto.
