Li Longwei fixed his piercing gaze on Bai Muzi, eyes dark as obsidian as cold, unreadable, commanding. The air between them thickened, charged with invisible tension. Bai Muzi could almost hear the rhythmic echo of his own heartbeat as that gaze dissected him, layer by layer. In that moment, he felt less like a man and more like prey caught under the scrutiny of a seasoned predator.
"Boss Li," Bai began, forcing a steady tone, though his palms dampened against his trousers. "While I may lack the experience of others in this field, I assure you, I'm the most efficient."
A confident smile flickered across his lips, practiced yet sincere. It was the smile of a man used to surviving on charm and precision.
Longwei didn't respond immediately. He leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table, as though weighing not just Bai's words but his entire worth. His silence carried the weight of a verdict waiting to be delivered. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he cast a brief glance toward his secretary an unspoken command.
Secretary Shen Chi, ever perceptive, stepped forward. "Mr. Bai, you're welcome to join the company tomorrow," he said, voice clipped and professional.
The statement hung in the air for a second before Bai fully processed it. His eyes widened in disbelief, his breath hitching. Then, relief and joy rushed over him like a wave.
"Thank you, President Li! I truly appreciate this opportunity… thank you so much!" he said quickly, bowing slightly, gratitude spilling from his lips.
Li Longwei rose without a word. His presence alone was enough to silence the room as he walked out, every stride deliberate, commanding. The door clicked shut behind him, and the atmosphere immediately eased, though the echo of his authority lingered like the fading scent of smoke.
The governor, who had sat tensely throughout the exchange, forced an uneasy chuckle. "President Li is quite the kind man, isn't he?"
Shen Chi merely gave a small, polite smile. "Indeed, Governor."
Bai Muzi lingered for a moment, his mind racing. He turned to the secretary, his expression softening into something uncertain.
"Secretary Shen," he began, almost hesitant, "it's been a while since I returned to China. I… don't really know my way around. Would it be possible for me to ride back with you? I don't have a place to stay yet."
Shen Chi frowned slightly, surprised by the request. "Mr. Bai," he replied cautiously, "I'll need to relay this to President Li first."
Bai nodded, masking his disappointment with a small, awkward smile. "Of course. I understand."
The governor chuckled lightly, breaking the tension. "Ah, Secretary Shen, seems this young man is a bit lost in our city, eh?"
Shen Chi inclined his head respectfully. "It's no trouble, Governor," he said evenly. His tone carried the calm diplomacy of someone well-versed in navigating President Li's moods.
"I'll inform the President of your request," Shen added, meeting Bai's eyes meaningfully.
"Thank you, Secretary Shen," Bai replied sincerely.
Moments later, Shen excused himself, his footsteps echoing briskly down the marble corridor. By the time he reached the parking area, his mind was already turning over how to phrase this unexpected report.
He spotted the familiar black Bentley gleaming under the afternoon light .a machine as immaculate and intimidating as its owner. Shen opened the driver's door and slid in. A faint, lingering scent of smoke filled the interior, mingling with the clean leather and quiet hum of the car's idle engine.
President Li sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed on the city skyline through tinted glass. The silence was absolute.
"Speak" came the low command, breaking the stillness.
Shen straightened slightly. "President, Mr. Bai has requested to ride back with us. He said he's not familiar with the area and has nowhere to stay."
Longwei's expression remained unreadable. "Is that so?" His tone was calm yet cold.
"Yes, President."
A long silence followed. Shen could hear only the faint tick of the car's dashboard clock. Finally, Longwei's voice cut through the quiet once more, deep and deliberate.
"Pick him up tomorrow."
Shen blinked, momentarily taken aback, but quickly recovered. "Understood, President."
The next morning dawned pale and misty. Bai Muzi stood before the mirror in his hotel room, adjusting his tie with trembling fingers. His reflection smiled back at his calm, composed, yet barely concealing the tremor of anticipation beneath the surface.
He could still hardly believe it. Li Longwei, the man known for his ruthless precision and legendary indifference, had agreed.
"It's 8 o'clock," Bai murmured, glancing at his watch. "They should be here any moment now."
Right on cue, the low purr of an engine echoed outside. Bai stepped toward the window, catching sight of the same sleek black Bentley from yesterday. The car gleamed under the morning sun like a beast poised to move.
As he exited the hotel, Secretary Shen rolled down the window, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Bai, please get in."
"Of course" Bai said, forcing a polite smile. He slid into the passenger seat, disappointment flickering when he realized the President wasn't inside.
The ride was silent at first. Bai tried to start a conversation light remarks about the city, about the weather but Shen Chi's professional responses soon dampened his efforts. The air grew thick with unspoken awkwardness, the hum of the engine their only companion.
After half an hour, they arrived at the private airstrip. The sleek jet waiting on the tarmac gleamed like silver under the rising sun.
Inside, the cabin was an oasis of quiet luxury cream leather seats, polished mahogany surfaces, the faint aroma of coffee and jet fuel mingling in the air. President Li was already aboard, seated in his private section, separated by a glass partition. No one intruded there. Not even Shen Chi.
Bai Muzi settled into his seat, eyes wide as he stared out the window at the cotton clouds drifting past. For a moment, the world outside felt unreal, as though he'd stepped into someone else's life.
Then Shen Chi appeared beside him, a folder in hand. "Mr. Bai," he said, voice level, "these are for you."
Bai accepted the documents, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What are these about?"
"Please review the contracts carefully," Shen replied, his tone professional but faintly cordial. "You'll be granted a flat under the company's housing program."
Bai looked up, surprise softening his features. "A flat? Already?"
"Yes," Shen confirmed. "President Li instructed it himself."
For a fleeting moment, Bai forgot to breathe. Beneath his calm exterior, his thoughts whirled*Was this generosity or calculation?*
As he turned to glance toward the closed partition, the faint reflection of Li Longwei's silhouette came into view motionless, unreadable, and utterly in control.
And Bai Muzi realized then he might have stepped into a golden opportunity, but he was now in the shadow of a man who saw everything and revealed nothing.