Chapter 245 - Engagement

A week quickly passed.

There were no classes until the school trip, so Xiong Zhi spent her days helping Fang Dien manage IHZHI. 

In IHZHI, there were a lot of good news.

Resto received many good feedbacks and was ready to expand all the way to the capital. Resto's target was the commoners and middle-class people. Once it step in the capital, Resto's first branch for higher class people would be established. A more grandiose Resto would be standing in the capital in a few months.

ArtWorld finally initiated the construction stage. With sufficient resources and lots of manpower, they could complete ArtWorld in two to three years with around-the-clock construction and smooth management over the logistics. In case they encounter minor problems with manpower and resources, then it could possibly extend to five years.

Xiong Zhi had given all the money and resources that the ArtWorld needed. She intended to see a new ArtWorld in mere two years later.

The agency that Xiao Mei was managing grew steadily. Right now, King Yan had already entered the music industry and was fully supported by IHZHI. With this, his career became smooth sailing with him having a small but loyal fan base following him. Xiong Zhi knew that with King Yan's talent, this fan base would only grow bigger and bigger with enough resources and exposure. Right now, Xiao Mei was working on ensuring that all support needed would be given to King Yan.

Xiong Gaiyu had also finally signed a contract with IHZHI. Aside from King Yan, she was the next heavily prioritized talent of IHZHI. 

Xiong Zhi instructed Xiao Mei on her plans for Xiong Gaiyu. Since Xiong Gaiyu would be the face of IHZHI in the future, Xiao Mei and Xiong Zhi had many plans for her to boost her popularity more.

These two were both very talented and have high potential. With proper handling, good PR support, and right resources, they would soon be the company's biggest cash cows in the future.

Gu Zhen's project was also already underway with the Tanaka Group.

Tanaka Shinichi, the CEO, was pleasantly surprised when he received the details of the project. The man was not only a businessman, he first started his business due to his love and passion for technology. So when he first saw Gu Zhen's projects, he was so exhilarated that he invited Gu Zhen to come to Japan immediately. Gu Zhen just flew back, with Song Xuantin in tow, this week.

So far, IHZHI was growing steadily, in an amazing speed.

Xiong Zhi could see that IHZHI was finally shedding its infancy stage, and now heading to maturity. She was not worried anymore that her company would go bankrupt as an effect in case someone targeted her.

Her company would not easily fall in just a single blow. Their accounts were clean, their management stellar, their projects strongly tied with golden thighs, and their worth steadily shooting up in the market.

Especially if she was given two more years. Two years later, IHZHI would have its name known all over the country.

While she busied herself, she kept waiting for the weekend to arrive.

She told a few maids to notify her immediately once Linfeng arrived.

She was so excited the whole day that she stayed in the East Wing Garden after breakfast. She also ate her lunch there.

Yet, it was already afternoon, and Linfeng was still nowhere to be seen.

When her afternoon tea arrived, she asked the maid serving the tea set and delicacies.

"Is Linfeng already in the mansion?"

The maid was taken aback but then shook her head.

"Pardon me, Young Miss. I have not seen Butler Linfeng today."

Xiong Zhi looked at the sky.

Since the day had not ended yet, she still had hope that he would come.

"Did anyone visit the mansion today?" 

Maybe Linfeng went unnoticed.

"Oh. Now that Young Miss mentioned it, I did see a few attendants from the second mansion arrive here," the maid recalled. She had seen one of the butlers from the second branch having his break while chatting with the butlers from the main mansion.

Xiong Zhi's hand holding the teacup to her lips paused. She furrowed her brow.

The people who usually visited the main mansion to cook up another scheme was often the hateful father and daughter pair of Xiong De and Xiong Wuyue. 

Was it them?

Xiong Zhi thought that perhaps, that pair came here to make trouble for her for what she had done in Wuyue's birthday.

She put down the teacup and stood up. She wanted to see just what kind of play they were cooking up now. She would gladly play with them, at least it could alleviate boredom.

She thanked the maid and went to the central mansion. After asking some attendants where the visitors were, she was surprised to learn that they were invited to her grandfather's office.

However, there were two butlers standing in the doorway. The two stopped her.

"Young Miss, Master Xiong is currently having a private discussion."

Xiong Zhi's eyebrow moved subtly.

Her grandfather was actually listening to them? Maybe he wanted to test her.

Knowing her grandfather, he would certainly not intervene with the younger's matters. What was more likely, he would even look over it and test her if she was really worthy of her newly acquired title.

Xiong Zhi stepped back graciously. She leaned on the wall and waited for the people inside to come out.

The butlers looked at each other and let her wait. They had received orders to not let anyone come in, especially, the Young Miss.

*****

Inside the room.

Linfeng glanced at his father, then sat down on the chair that Old Xiong had prepared for him. He looked at the other pair inside the office who wore pale faces.

It was early in the afternoon when his father, Zhou Min called him and said that he was summoned to the Master's study room. In fact, Linfeng came early. He planned to visit the East Wing before the appointed time, but his father had probably considered that. The moment he stepped down the car, he saw his father waiting for him by the gate. 

He was being watched. 

Having no choice, he headed to the central mansion and saw the father and daughter pair. 

They, too, had been summoned. 

After a while, Xiong Cai was called in first. 

Butler Zhou Min looked at his son.

"Why don't you take Young Miss Gaiyu for a walk?" His father's suggestion made the two glance at him in surprise.

Linfeng knew his responsibility that came with his status. He nodded and went to Xiong Gaiyu.

"Would the Young Miss like to take a walk?"

Xiong Gaiyu glanced at Linfeng then to Butler Zhou Min. Taking a walk sounded better than randomly waiting outside the study room, so Xiong Gaiyu accepted the offer.

They walked around in the Central Garden. This garden was the biggest in the Xiong Mansion.

As a butler, Linfeng was a couple of steps behind Xiong Gaiyu.

While walking, his mind ran quickly. Why was he summoned by the master? And why were Xiong Cai and his daughter summoned as well? For sure it was arranged by Master Xiong. Linfeng was more worried why his father suddenly gave him some time alone together with Xiong Gaiyu.

Linfeng threw an indifferent glance at the woman walking in front of him. His mind heavily weighed various thoughts.

...He did not like what his speculation ended up with.