225 Lotus Stem, anyone?

Tang hadn't changed one bit!!!

Jia Li gritted her teeth and followed the two men in to the conference room. During the entire interaction, she tried hard to keep her focus on matters on hand and reign in the anger which was threatening to spill out of her.

"I am sure Ms. Lin would be the right person to explain the foundation of it to you," Ying Hui's voice penetrated through the thick haze of resentment which she was feeling currently.

Hui glanced at her with some concern. Unlike her usual attentiveness, she had worn a hostile but distant expression throughout the meeting. He had tried to catch her eye a couple of times but to no avail. It seemed as if she was plotting to launch a nuclear attack on some poor country.

What was the matter with her?

Thankfully, she took the cue and started explaining the rationale behind the company's existence. Ever since she had spoken about it at the press conference, Hui had given her ample opportunities to talk about it whenever the occasion arose. He had discovered that she had a knack of engaging people with her passionate yet rational manner of addressing the room. Today was no different. At least momentarily, she seemed to be the same impassioned woman.

Zheng He was moved by her manner of speech and uttered an involuntary "WOW" when she finished speaking.

Jia Li inclined her head politely and said, "the credit belongs to Mr. Ying. These are his words and beliefs which I presented in front of you."

He shook his head and replied with a smile, "I have been a fan of Mr. Ying's work for some time now and that was the reason why I wanted to collaborate with your company. But this is the first time that I have heard his thoughts being presented so convincingly and eloquently. Of course, it doesn't hurt the ears, when the voice uttering them is so musical."

Two pairs of frowning eyes turned towards him simultaneously. Instantly, it was as if the room's temperature had dropped significantly. He couldn't understand why Mr. Ying, who had been smiling so benignly few seconds ago, was now staring at him. More perplexing was the fact that his own partner was giving him a black look as well. What was wrong with everyone suddenly?

By the time they wrapped up the meeting, it was lunch time. As per protocol, Hui invited them to the upstairs cafeteria for the buffet which had been arranged in their honour. Gesturing to Jia Li for taking the lead here, Hui hung back to speak with Zheng He for a moment.

"I need to speak with you. I'll pick you up from work in the evening," Tang came close and whispered to her.

She gave him a furious look and shook her head in negative.

"Don't you even dare come near me. I don't want to hear anything," she said and walked ahead in anger.

Before he could follow her, Bruce something joined and engaged him in a conversation about the current developments in China on conservation of resources.

Jia Li double checked the food preparations before inviting everyone to take their place at the table.

"Please join us, Ms. Lin. I am afraid you will have to act as the hostess today. You are well aware that my social manners are sorely lacking," Hui spoke to her in low tones as she made a move to pass him by.

He had been standing next to the table when he addressed her. Touching her elbow lightly to gain her attention, his hand had stayed there while he made the request. Tang's frown turned sharp enough to slice someone into pieces.

"What are you so mighty upset about? The scowl on your face makes you look like a surly bear, brother Tang," Zheng He said.

Tang took his eyes off the tableau in front of him and pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to stay calm and not create a scene here.

On the other side of the table, Jia Li reluctantly agreed to join them. She had no solid excuse to say no!

She sat between Hui and Bruce. Tang and his partner were sitting opposite her. The servers started bringing in the soup bowls and various appetisers. Surveying everything critically, it hit her belatedly. There was lotus stem in the soup.

"Oh shit!!!"

She frantically tried to catch Tang's eye but he wasn't looking at her anymore. Engaged in an animated discussion with Bruce and Mr. Zheng, she was out of his line of sight. She reached for her phone and quickly typed out a message to him. His phone was at the table. It buzzed but he didn't look at it.

She was frustrated and agitated. He was going to reach for the soup bowl any minute now.