Mature, steady, neither servile nor overbearing.
Zheng Ting's first impression of Lu Li was a desire to poach him, but she quickly dismissed the idea.
As Lingjing's leading game designer, he was involved in almost every game, giving him considerable influence within Lingjing.
If he could be easily poached, he wouldn't be himself.
However.
Zheng Ting, her mind whirring, glanced at Bai Zhiyuan, whose cheeks were still flushed, and Lu Li, whose eyes kept darting away. She curved her lips into a smile. "Director Bai is Penguin's youngest art director, her artistic achievements are beyond doubt, and her work experience and attitude are well-regarded throughout the company. She's just a bit reserved. It's wonderful that she's found a friend she can talk to today. Truly wonderful."
"Huh? A friend she can talk to?"
Gao Yuxin's eyes widened, her thoughts struggling to keep up. "Who?"
"Someone who can catch Miss Bai's eye must be an unparalleled, peerless beauty... no, no, one in a hundred million... not even, one in billions."
This woman is hopeless.
Zheng Ting wanted to flick her forehead. Couldn't she see that Bai Zhiyuan next to her was practically burying her head in her ample bosom?
And she's still asking questions.
Doesn't she even look at the men in the company that Bai Zhiyuan has ever given a second glance?
This is the woman who even refused the direct offer of advancement from "Little Pony" himself, a cold plum blossom that cannot be conquered by wealth alone.
Lu Li took in this scene. This Gao Yuxin was rather interesting, so carefree and oblivious, it was a wonder how she even got her position.
However, one thing she said was not wrong.
He was indeed one in billions, and even adding two zeroes after that would still be true.
He was a traverser who appeared every minute on Terra!
While Terra was common, on Blue Star, he was one of a kind.
"Oh dear, was I that obvious?"
Bai Zhiyuan couldn't even lift her head, her heart pounding.
Although she had prepared herself to be discovered when she decided to attend this meeting,
When that moment actually arrived, being in the thick of it, she still found it somewhat difficult to adapt.
A strange feeling, as if people from all directions were scrutinizing her with an 'I know what you're thinking' expression, amplifying her social anxiety.
It was a tingling sensation, more stimulating than being abused in a game.
"Cough cough..."
Lu Li cleared his throat lightly, flicked his bangs, revealing his sharp, chiseled features. It was him.
"Is your throat uncomfortable?"
Gao Yuxin looked up at Lu Li, who was shaking his head and bobbing. Did this guy have mental issues?
Constantly dealing with trending topics related to Lingjing games, she naturally heard a lot of news about the lead designers, good, bad, strange, even bizarre.
Combined with him being a subject of her work, Lu Li had been filtered through countless layers in her eyes.
Furthermore, as a middle-aged office worker, she was more interested in older men, and a young man like Lu Li, who had only entered society a few years ago, didn't appeal to her.
Therefore, at first, Gao Yuxin didn't associate this role with Lu Li.
"Cough cough cough!!"
Unable to catch his breath, Lu Li choked and coughed a few times.
"Are you alright?"
Bai Zhiyuan, forgetting her shyness, quickly patted Lu Li's back.
"Do you want a drink of water to moisten it?"
Lu Li caught his breath and found a pink thermos cup with Peppa Pig printed on it placed before him, steam rising from the rim. The cup's owner looked at him with concern.
*Swish!*
A warm current surged into his heart, filling his entire chest.
At that moment, Bai Zhiyuan's image in his heart became three-dimensional.
Before, she was just a vague concept, and even seeing her was only a stunning display of beauty. But there were many beautiful people in the world, and fleeting impressions were common.
Is this what it feels like to be cared for?
Lu Li was a little stunned. Having been single for two lifetimes, he had never experienced this. He was simply frozen there.
Fortunately, he quickly recovered. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Your colleague is quite interesting."
Lu Li chuckled and glanced at Gao Yuxin, the "instigator."
She had already turned to stone the moment Bai Zhiyuan offered the water cup.
Even Zheng Ting beside them was shocked. She had considered the possibility of them developing a deeper relationship, but... this development was too rapid. Had these two really just met?
What did they talk about privately online?
Feeling the intense gazes from in front and behind her, Bai Zhiyuan didn't feel uncomfortable. Instead, she shook the thermos cup in her hand. "Are you sure you don't need to drink?"
Her personality always carried a sense of fearless determination; once she decided on something, she would resolutely pursue it.
Whether it was their online communication or their first meeting offline, her heart had unswervingly chosen Lu Li.
So, if she liked him, she would express it openly. Hiding and being coy was not her style.
Although, for them, who had met less than five hours ago, this pace was indeed rocket-fast.
"Uh... yes, I'm fine, thank you."
Lu Li pursed his lips. "She seems to have something."
"Minister Gao?"
Bai Zhiyuan waved her hand in front of Gao Yuxin. The latter snapped back to attention, her gaze gradually focusing. First, she looked at the beautiful Bai Zhiyuan, who filled her with admiration, and then at the handsome, chiseled Lu Li.
Finally, she lowered her head.
"Alright, I approve of this marriage."
"I object!"
*Tap, tap, tap—*
A group of people in suits and ties emerged from the corner of the municipal hall. It was the research personnel from the other three major companies participating in the seminar.
They rushed forward, first subtly or overtly glancing at Bai Zhiyuan.
Then, they glared at Lu Li with hostility.
"They are a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman. It's not your place, you monster, to object."
Gao Yuxin spread her long legs, stood up, and blocked them. "Go away, stop crowding here. The meeting is over, everyone go home and find your own mothers."
"That's not how it should be said."
A man with glasses, his hair slicked back and exuding an air of self-importance, stepped out of the crowd. "As the saying goes..."
"Don't bother. We don't want to hear it."
Bai Zhiyuan gave the man a cold glance, took Lu Li's arm, and prepared to leave. "Let's find a quieter place to talk."
"Alright."
Lu Li nodded and stood up to leave.
"Lu Li, right! Just a coward hiding behind a woman!"
The indignant man with glasses, angered by being rebuffed, dared not vent his anger on Bai Zhiyuan due to Penguin's status. He could only shift his target to the young man she was protecting... no, the dark-skinned young man who had clearly been working out.
Everyone present considered themselves business elites. Only Lingjing, due to its rapid development in the past two years, had not gained recognition from these established domestic game giants, so they naturally wouldn't show much respect to Lu Li.
"You are...?"
Lu Li stopped, turned, and walked up to the man.
"I have no shame, no false name. I am Wanwei Game's Chief..."
"Forget it."