We moved to Golden Courtyard

"That's good. Luckily, the professor was debugging some new things and wasn't here. Otherwise, with three people, I probably would have been able to come over at noon today."

Rita giggled, finding it hard to believe that Xu Qi could be in such a disheveled state.

"Who told you to have so many girlfriends?"

"Yes... the fact that my body has lasted this long can only be described as a miracle created by the professor."

Rita spat lightly.

Clearly, she was also thinking about Xu Qi's crazy behavior that night.

That kid... once he gets into that kind of thing, he just never stops.

"I heard from Delta that you're going to meet with Director Yang tonight?"

"Hmm, what? Are you also trying to persuade me not to go?"

After placing the tea in front of Xu Qi, I had a feeling that if Rita continued to pamper him like this, he would really become one of those useless old men who expect everything to be done for him...

“Since the master has made a decision, Rita naturally supports it.”

What do you think?

Standing next to Xu Qi, Rita slightly tidied her bangs and smiled.

"At the handover meeting, Director Yang suffered a major defeat. He must be determined to regain his reputation with the master, otherwise his authority as the third director will be completely destroyed."

Xu Qi thought of Liu Yizhi.

He was a proud person... but yesterday's scene, which was almost like being forced to kneel, really cast a shadow on Xu Qi.

That Liu Yizhi is probably just a pawn that Director Yang used to maintain his authority.

As Sister Ying once said, in a private company, especially a large enterprise, a place that eats people alive without spitting out the bones, you have to learn to be ruthless.

This is also a completely different workplace atmosphere from that of state-owned enterprises.

What do you think he'll say?

"Since it's a treat, it should naturally be a combination of kindness and firmness. We need to show you our strength, sir, while also extending a little olive branch."

"An olive branch?"

"Now everyone in the company knows that you are President Bronya's man, and that you are the most steadfast and sharpest blade in her hands."

If... Director Yang could wield this weapon, it would not only be a demonstration of his authority but also the most powerful counterattack against President Bronya.

“So the old man’s initial target wasn’t me.” Xu Qi’s gaze was deep, his fingers lightly tapping the table. “His purpose was quite clear, wasn’t it…”

“During the Allahato ZZ era, Bronya took over all matters of the company, while Director Yang was still the company’s second director at that time.”

Xu Qi looked curious. As a new employee, he knew very little about the history of ETStudio.

"Originally, Mr. Walter's accident was the best time for him to become chairman, but unexpectedly... Bronya appeared out of nowhere, not only hindering his rise to power, but also squeezing out his original position."

However, later, Mr. Walter privately invited the two to dinner together, and at least for a time, it seemed that they had reconciled, and Director Yang even subtly hinted at lowering his own status.

"In reality, it was just a pretense of yielding to the situation. After all, everyone saw Bronya save the company from dire straits back then."

Rita nodded.

"From a hindsight perspective, this conclusion can indeed be drawn."

"He has been silent for so many years. If the only card he has prepared in his hand is Liu Yizhi, it would be too meager... We may have underestimated this person."

"So, does the master still intend to go?"

Xu Qi pulled Rita into his arms and kissed her affectionately.

"Go...of course I have to go! And it's my choice! We're all in animation, not politics, but someone has to take responsibility for this kind of thing. Who else but me?"

320. It's just Bronya! Get her!

Huangpu River, Riverside Hotel

When Xu Qi got out of the car, he looked at the tall building in front of him, and looked into the lobby from the main entrance. It was glittering and magnificent... indeed high-class.

Delta got out of the car and stood next to Xu Qi, looking somewhat dazed.

"Eating here tonight?"

"What? Is there a problem?"

"There's a problem, a big problem."

Xu Qi glanced sideways at Delta. What? When did ETStudio become a state-owned enterprise? They even have to guard against corruption at the micro-level, right? The problem is, this definitely doesn't qualify as "micro-level" anymore…

"No... this place is obviously for rich people. I've never been here before! I'm a little nervous, is that okay!?"

"What's there to be nervous about? It's just a meal."

Delta glanced at Xu Qi sideways.

"Easy for you to say. What? You've been here before?"

"I've been to similar places."

As he spoke, the staff drove Xu Qi's GTR to the garage. Oh... this guy seems to be quite wealthy, at least he's seen a lot of things.

"What should we be careful about later?"

Xu Qi thought about the things she needed to be careful about when she went out to dinner with Sister Eden that time...

"Some dishes are not very tasty, you'll have to bear with it."

Delta tilted her head—? ??

Isn't there any dining etiquette? Like what to say, what to do, where to put the chopsticks, etc.? Or... should we tip?

Seemingly understanding what Delta was thinking, Xu Qi chuckled.

"It doesn't matter, it's just a meal. No matter where you are, a meal is a meal, why bother with any rules?"

Delta squinted and let out a long sigh.

"...You are quite open-minded and have a good outlook on things."

"There's no such thing as inner peace. Humans always like to give things a lot of additional meaning, but in reality, eating is just eating. No matter where you are, there's nothing special about it."

Hearing Xu Qi's words, Delta relaxed and couldn't help but tease him.

That's because you're not under any pressure.

“Yes…” Xu Qi looked at the old man who was slowly approaching, “because he is the one who should feel the pressure.”

"Manager Xu, please forgive us for not greeting our distinguished guest properly."

"Director Yang is joking. I am just the head of an animation project, while you are the third director of the company. You are hardly a distinguished guest."

The two exchanged a glance, their faces smiling, but their eyes flashing with coldness.

Delta looked left and right, and suddenly realized that she really didn't need to be nervous, because the main characters today weren't hers, but these two...

As for myself?

According to Xu Qi, it means he saved money on dinner.

"I invited Manager Xu here today not for any other reason than to apologize for some mistakes that my subordinates made previously. If there is anything I have done inappropriately, please feel free to point it out."

Director Yang slowly turned around and reached out his hand.

"Please, Manager Xu."

"please."

······

The cold dishes were already served at the table, and Director Yang, Xu Qi, and Delta took their seats. As for the others... even Director Yang's secretary, who was also his son, had stepped aside.

"Chairman Yang invited me to dinner today, so I'll be frank: I got this supervisor position through negotiation. Having obtained this position, I naturally have to take responsibility."

Everyone is in their position and should fulfill their responsibilities. Personally, I have no complaints about Director Yang or your subordinate, Supervisor Liu; on the contrary, I think they did the right thing.

Delta looked left and right, but didn't say anything.

Director Yang laughed and said, "In that case, we are the ones who have run into the line of fire."

"Thanks to President Bronya's favor, I've become her subordinate, which means I've become her weapon. A good weapon is naturally used to deal with ruthless people."

"So, Manager Xu, who do you think is the most ruthless in the company?"

"You're the most ruthless."

Xu Qi and Director Yang exchanged a glance and burst into laughter simultaneously.

"Hahaha! No problem. Since Manager Xu said that I, Yang, am the most ruthless, we can be friends from now on and keep to ourselves. You don't need to worry about me."

Xu Qi waved his hand.

"If you become someone else's weapon, you have to be prepared for the consequences. I can't just give it up for no reason, can I? There has to be a proper and legitimate reason."

"Manager Xu is right. I've heard that Manager Xu has a great fondness for beautiful women. Putting aside his personal secretary, he also has several girlfriends outside, isn't that right?"

A cold glint flashed in Xu Qi's eyes, but he smiled and said, "That's right."

"Then how about I think of a reason for you to be friends?"

……

Xu Qi didn't respond. At this moment, Delta suddenly stood up, poured a glass of wine for each of them, and said, "Since Director Yang has an idea, why don't we... listen to it?"

Xu Qi smiled, raised his glass and said, "Come on! Let's have a drink. After we finish, Director Yang will have a good chat with me."

With glasses clinking and toasts flowing, it now has a bit of the feel of a formal dinner party.

Director Yang put down his wine glass, looked at the silent Xu Qi and Delta, and uttered a name in the most authentic Russian pronunciation.

“Bronya”

……

Xu Qi seemed to be holding his breath as he let out a few laughs, saying cheerfully, "Director Yang shouldn't have forgotten that President Bronya is my boss, right?"

"It's also a disgrace to you."

……

"Right now, rumors are circulating in the company that you, Xu Qi, got to where you are today only because you became the president's lover. But what about your methods and efforts, Manager Xu? Nobody can see them... Can you see them?"

Director Yang asked Delta a question, but the petite senior colleague simply shook her head.

"I can't see it."

"Besides, given Manager Xu's ambition, being a woman's gigolo... wouldn't he be unwilling? But if the roles were reversed, and this proud and arrogant president were to fall into an abyss one day... wouldn't he beg you, Manager Xu, to help pull her out?"

Delta glanced at Xu Qi, then at Director Yang, and suddenly poured Director Yang a glass of wine, smiling.

"Does that mean... by the time that day comes, my direct supervisor, Manager Xu, will have already established himself in the company?"

Delta emphasized the words "boss" a little too much.

Director Yang smiled.

"If you have many friends, you can naturally do it, but I just don't know if you... have the guts?"

Delta glanced at Xu Qi, who remained silent, and continued with a smile, "Of course we don't have the guts to deal with the president, but... if some information is accidentally leaked, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Then don't blame me." Director Yang leaned back listlessly. "You can only blame yourselves for being so useless. But I'm still willing to lend you a hand."

I'll provide 18 million. All you need to do is stand by and watch when it's crucial. Once it's done, your positions will remain unchanged, and I'll naturally hand over this money.

"boom!"

Xu Qi suddenly slammed his hand on the table! Director Yang remained calmly seated, but the people around the table were startled and took a step forward, staring intently at Xu Qi.

"No need to pay 18 million! It's just dealing with the CEO, right? Let's do it! We'll get both the man and the money, and I'll also gain a friend like Director Yang in our crowdfunding group (456127940). Why not?"

Xu Qi spread his arms out as if to embrace the entire dining table.

"Once this is done, I will enjoy my beauty, and Director Yang will become the chairman of the board. In the future, she will be my backer in the company! At that time, this 18 million will be nothing more than a hair on a cow. Will we still care?"

"It's just a little Bronya..."

Xu Qi made a chopping motion and said fiercely, "Take care of her!"