Chapter 43 - You Look Like a Friend of Mine (1/2)

Shao Boqing’s words were obviously exaggerated, but Chairman Xue nodded in earnest. “Yes, yes, you bet. I was also saying that I must be too lucky to have President Gu here! Your presence graces the dinner!”

Manager Fang hurriedly went up to welcome Shao Boqing over to the table and said smilingly, “General Manager Shao, your presence graces the dinner as well!”

Shao Boqing blinked his eyes and winked at Manager Fang. “You’re really very polite, Manager Fang. With President Gu being here, I am overshadowed, although my handsome face does grace the dinner.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Chairman Xue said, “General Manager Shao, they all say that you are extremely humorous. Now I know it’s true!”

Gu Nianbin smiled and said slowly, “If there weren’t any beauties here today, General Manager Shao would probably be less humorous.”

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed again. Shao Boqing remained calm and continued, “How can there be no beauties where I go? President Gu, it’s rare to see you’re humorous. Was it also because the presence of beauties?”

Gu Nianbin was never a match for Shao Boqing in arguing. So he did not respond to Shao Boqing anymore.

With Shao Boqing being present, and Manager Fang and Boss Ma were also great jokers, plus the considerate Nina, the private room was filled with laughter soon and the atmosphere was quite lively.

At this time, a clerk came in from outside. The moment the door was opened, a girl appeared at the door and looked inside. When she saw Gu Nianbin, she smiled and waved her hand at him. Apparently, they knew each other. Seeing this, Shao Boqing had a flash of wit in his heart and hurried to the door. He made a gesture of invitation. “You must be President Gu’s friend, right? Come in, come in.”

The girl who stood at the door was Xia Xiaowan. She also had a social engagement in another private room nearby today. Just now, when the door opened, she glanced inside by chance and saw Gu Nianbin. When Shao Boqing came to invite her in, she declined him reservedly, “No, thank you. I just happened to pass by.”

“What a coincidence! That’s why I insist on inviting you in.” Shao Boqing wouldn’t let her go. When did Gu Nianbin get to know such a beautiful girl? He should have no idea at all!

“Come, come, come, let’s cherish this fated meet.” Shao Boqing dragged her to the table and got her to sit down. Without looking at Gu Nianbin, he reached out his hand and introduced himself, “Glad to meet you. I’m Shao Boqing, General Manager of the Gus. You must have heard of me, young miss, may I know your name?”

Xia Xiaowan had never seen such a thick-skinned person. She covered her mouth and laughed happily. Looking at her smile, Shao Boqing shouted, “Ah! Why do I feel you look very familiar? Have we met before?”

Xia Xiaowan shook her head. “I don’t think we’ve met before.”

Shao Boqing examined her up and down and said, “You look like a friend of mine. She…” As he spoke, he suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Gu Nianbin with an expression of disbelief.

“My name is Xia Xiaowan.”

Shao Boqing inhaled a breath of cold air. Sure enough. Shao Boqing then smiled and said, “Miss Xia, nice to meet you.”

Gu Nianbin didn’t say anything in the process. Now he asked Xia Xiaowan, “Why are you here?”

“I was also at a banquet. It’s a few rooms away from yours. I happened to see you when passing by.” Xia Xiaowan smiled gently. “I didn’t scare you, did I?”

“Not at all,” Shao Boqing replied on behalf of Gu Nianbin. He then winked at Boss Ma. Boss Ma got his meaning and quickly stood up to greet Xia Xiaowan. “Come, come, come, Miss Xia. Take a seat here. Have a drink with President Gu.”

Xia Xiaowan declined, “No, thank you. I’m not much of a drinker.”

Seeing that Xia Xiaowan did not drink, Shao Boqing started again, “Miss Xia is in a high position. How is it possible that you do not drink? Come on. Don’t be shy. Have a drink with President Gu.”

Actually, Xia Xiaowan also wanted to sit next to Gu Nianbin. Now that she was dragged by Shao Boqing to the seat next to Gu Nianbin, she did resist any more.

As soon as she sat down, Shao Boqing took his glass and said, “Miss Xia, I’d like to make a toast for our encounter.”

Xia Xiaowan was not shy. She smiled and accepted his toast. Then President Ma and Chairman Xue also toasted. Xia Xiaowan took three toasts in a row. She flushed and her vision got blurry. She threw a casual glance at Gu Nianbin and saw his calm expression. There was a faint smile on his face. It was as if he was watching the fun, or he didn’t care at all.

At this time, Manager Fang also stood up to toast. No one knew the relationship between Xia Xiaowan and Gu Nianbin. But since Shao Boqing had seated her beside Gu Nianbin, then things between them would not be simple. President Gu was not easy to get along with. He sat there, being gentle and refined. But it seemed that there was something that prevented others to get close to him. Xia Xiaowan was different. She was beautiful and easy-going. Her smile was sweet and her words were straightforward. Everyone agreed that it was easier to get along with her than with Gu Nianbin. People began to toast her.

After Manager Fang finished her toast, Nina took up her glass as well at Shao Boqing’s suggestion. Shao Boqing were different from the representatives from Chenguang. He did it on purpose. He only wanted to know figure out the relationship between Gu Nianbin and Xia Xiaowan.