Chapter 101 - Chairman Marshall Qin

Lewis squinted his eyes as he stared at everyone in silence. As usual, his silence caused everyone to break out in sweats. 

"The Chairman is here." Someone announced, breaking the silence as the door opened, revealing an old man who walked in with only his cane supporting him and his iconic fedora hat.

"Don't mind me. Continue." The chairman raised his hand, making Lewis glanced at his grandfather, but didn't stand in his chair.

The chairman's assistant immediately set a chair beside Lewis. He huffed at Lewis' nonchalance as soon as he plopped his butt down.

"I said continue." the chairman ordered, gazing at everyone as they were not saying anything despite his orders. 

"I told them to shut up, for now, sir," Lewis explained with disinterest. "I need to think."

His grandfather didn't argue as he nodded in understanding, sprawling his arm towards the folder to see the proposal of their next project. While the chairman, Marshall Qin, skimmed through their Qin Empire's next biggest project, Lewis's mind was drifting elsewhere.

'I wonder what she's doing?' Lewis wondered, as he couldn't focus on anything as the memory of kissing her passionately last night kept hovering in his head. 'I want to go home right this instance. Can I pass the other meetings to Grandpa?'

Just as Lewis thought about it, Marshall tossed the folder towards the long table. "Trash!" 

Everyone froze upon hearing the chairman's comment. Each and everyone knew that if Lewis was known for being meticulous and doesn't tolerate mistakes, the chairman… in his prime was known as a tyrant. 

"Who is leading this project?!" Chairman Qin grumbled as he slammed the bottom of his fist against the table. "You call this a work of Qin Empire?!" 

Lewis snapped his eyes before shifting them to his grandfather. "Grandpa, do you want to lead this project yourself?" 

It was a harmless and very innocent question on Lewis' part, but they obviously took his words as sarcasm. Marshall frowned, displeased at how arrogant his grandson had become.

"Why are you wasting your time thinking when I can tell this is trash in a glance?" Marshall grumbled as his anger slowly diverted towards him, indirectly saving the rest of the employees.

Lewis glanced at everyone who was looking at him with hope. If he kept silent, these people had to clean their desks today. Thanks to a certain princess, he felt like doing everyone a favor and be 'kind'.

"Grandpa, it's not that bad considering the time given to them preparing for this." He rocked his head as he leaned forward, taking the folder, and opened it. "Do you not trust my judgment anymore? I can send my resignation right this instance."

A loud thud rang in the room as Marshall slammed the bottom of his fist against the table for the second time. Except for Lewis, everyone instinctively leaned back, fusing with their chairs as Lewis was the only person in this world to speak so bluntly towards the chairman. 

"You brat! Are you threatening me? Do you think I can't do that?" Marshall fumed, facing the nonchalant grandson of his that was still single right now.

"I am not threatening you, Grandpa." Lewis cast him an indifferent side-eye. "I'm merely saying, they are my people now. If I can't protect my people, that only means I'm not competent enough to lead."

'Young Master...' 

His brave sentiments moved everyone's heart, but they also understood what it meant. The direct translation of Lewis' words was: 'I am the only one who can bully my people'.

When Lewis received no more complaints from his grandfather while the latter suppressed his anger, he turned his attention to his people. 

"Revise this one, but it's not that bad." Lewis raised his hand and waved lightly. "Meeting adjourned."

Lewis then faced Marshall with his hand on either side of the armrest. "Chairman Qin, I'll escort you to my office."

"Hmph!" Marshall huffed as Lewis assisted himself up and they both left the meeting room. Only when the two left could everyone heave a sigh of relief.

"Wow… what got into CEO Qin?" one employee wondered in surprise as they all noticed that Lewis protected them from the old tyrant of the Qin. 

"I don't know! He is in a good mood today! Have any of you noticed?!"

"Of course! He was even smiling earlier! Goodness is this because he got married?! Is this what they call the power of love?" 

Everyone went silent as soon as that topic was brought up. They looked at each other, wide-eyed. 

****

"Derek, bring the chairman some tea," Lewis ordered, which Derek accepted with a bow before the latter left the two. 

Marshall perched on the one-seater armrest while Lewis sat on the long sofa. He gazed at his indifferent grandson, narrowing his eyes as he inspected Lewis' demeanor.

"Did you cancel all the blind dates I set up?" Marshall inquired without beating around the bush, making Lewis arched his brow.

"Uh." Lewis nodded, propping his jaw on his knuckles while resting his leg over the other.

"Uh? Do you know how I worked hard on setting you up with the best ladies in this country? How can you be so indifferent about it?!" 

Lewis glanced at his grandfather, as Marshall was rather lively than usual. "Grandpa, it's nice to see you so healthy."

"Don't change the subject!"

"I'm not." Lewis averted his gaze away, shrugging his shoulder. "I'm really happy to see you healthy. Although you have to watch your blood pressure. Don't get too excited."

"How can you say I need to watch my blood pressure when you cancel all the blind dates I set you up with?!" Marshall spat out in dismay, huffing and puffing, as Lewis' nonchalance was more infuriating than ever. "Do you really not plan on marrying?! Don't you feel sorry for your brothers?" 

"Then, let them marry first," Lewis argued calmly. "If you're really concerned about their marriage, you should let them marry until my time comes."

"You're getting more ill-mannered the more power and influence you gain!"

Lewis let out a shallow breath as he glanced at Marshall. "Don't get mad, Grandpa. I'll get married soon." 

"Yes, you should get — what?!"