Deputy Director Liu was somewhat confused. He knew his comrade well; the man had no friends.
Could it be that he recognized someone among those people just now?
Not likely.
They were all captains of industry; they shouldn't have any connections!
Meanwhile, Long Aotian was incredibly emotional, his eyes unconsciously moistening, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of tears.
After returning from the US, he had planned to find time to visit Xia Feng in Shanghai, but he was constantly belittled by Old Li and the others.
He eventually abandoned the idea.
But they were right; his personality would indeed be off-putting if he went.
From that day on, Long Aotian tried to make himself more amiable, forcing himself to smile more often.
That was why, when Deputy Director Liu asked him to smile earlier, he actually did.
Even though his smile looked worse than crying.
But he had taken the first step.
Long Aotian, walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned to Deputy Director Liu, asking, "What does it take to be thick-skinned?"
Deputy Director Liu almost bumped into Long Aotian, who had stopped so suddenly. Before he could speak, he was stunned by Long Aotian's profound question.
What does it take to be thick-skinned?
Why ask me? Who should I ask?
Just be shameless, right?
"Old comrade, are you alright? Why do you ask?" Deputy Director Liu was completely bewildered.
"I'm fine, quickly tell me, what makes someone thick-skinned?" Long Aotian wanted to change himself before seeing Xia Feng again.
"Uh… Secretary Wang, you tell him. You're the thickest-skinned." Deputy Director Liu found himself unable to answer Long Aotian's question and turned to ask Secretary Wang.
Secretary Wang: ...
Since when did being thick-skinned become a compliment?
"Greetings, sir," Secretary Wang said, first greeting Long Aotian.
Then he continued, "Being thick-skinned is nothing more than being shameless. It's like pursuing a girl; the three essentials for chasing a girl are: first, persistence; second, shamelessness; and third, persistent shamelessness."
When a person is shameless, they naturally become thick-skinned. Sir, would you say that's correct?
After speaking, Secretary Wang glanced cautiously at Long Aotian.
"Being thick-skinned is just being shameless, isn't it? You just have to be willing to let go of your ego."
"Then how should I do it?" Long Aotian asked, appearing to understand yet not quite.
"Uh… this…" Secretary Wang stammered, unsure how to explain.
"Don't stammer, just say it quickly," Deputy Director Liu urged.
"Sir, let me give you an example. See that supervisor sitting over there? You just walk over and ask her out for a meal."
Secretary Wang didn't know how else to explain, so he used an analogy to clarify for Long Aotian.
"If you don't even dare to invite a girl for a meal, how can you talk about being shameless?"
"Okay." Long Aotian walked over without another word.
Deputy Director Liu and Secretary Wang stared at each other, watching Long Aotian.
He's actually going.
Secretary Wang was just giving an example.
"Hello, young lady," Long Aotian approached, managing a slight smile.
"Sir, how can I help you?" the supervisor quickly stood up and asked.
"I'll treat you to a meal tomorrow noon," Long Aotian said expressionlessly, like a robot.
Deputy Director Liu: ...
Secretary Wang: ...
"Sir, I'm sorry, I have a boyfriend, and I'm working. I don't discuss personal matters." The supervisor smiled politely.
If she weren't at work, she would have already started scolding him. "You old cow trying to eat young grass?"
"Thank you," Long Aotian said and turned away.
Leaving the supervisor looking bewildered.
"Is that how it is?" Long Aotian walked back and looked at Secretary Wang.
"Uh… sort of. In short, just do what you want to do. Persist in being shameless." Secretary Wang was on the verge of tears; this was the first time he had encountered such a superior.
"Okay." Long Aotian nodded and began walking towards Xia Feng's private room.
Deputy Director Liu hurried after him.
"Young Master Xia, these dishes today are all your favorites," Jiang Quanshui said, pointing to the home-style dishes on the table.
"Mm, they look good," Xia Feng nodded.
Xia Feng sat in the head seat, with Jiang Quanshui and Penguin Ma on either side. Just as everyone was about to start eating, there was a knock on the private room door.
"Come in," Jiang Quanshui called out.
After receiving a positive reply, Long Aotian gently pushed open the door and walked in, his face filled with excitement.
The moment Long Aotian entered the private room, Dulapid's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Long Aotian with a vigilant gaze.
Long Aotian was the leader of China's Sky Group. At Dulapid's level, he naturally recognized him.
"Long Aotian, what are you doing here?" Dulapid was the first to stand up and question him.
"Old Peter, sit down," Xia Feng beckoned to Dulapid.
*Plop...*
"Master!" Long Aotian directly knelt on the ground and shouted, "Master!"
A voice in his heart had been telling him: persist, be shameless, persist in being shameless.
Kneel first and shout "Master," you must be thick-skinned and shameless.
Deputy Director Liu was dumbfounded.
Secretary Wang was also dumbfounded.
Everyone else looked at Long Aotian with curiosity.
Only Dulapid was thoughtful. Was Long Aotian really Master's disciple?
"I am not your master; get up," Xia Feng said.
Dulapid froze for a moment after hearing this. So this guy also wanted to shamelessly latch onto relationships.
When did this blockhead learn this trick?
Truly shameless.
"A master for a day, a father for a lifetime. Master, you guided Aotian, and in Aotian's heart, you will forever be his master." Long Aotian began his shameless act.
Dulapid's teeth chattered; those words were so familiar.
Jiang Quanshui finally noticed Deputy Director Liu. Seeing his shocked expression, he could guess that the person kneeling on the ground was extraordinary.
The person Deputy Director Liu invited to eat must have a special identity.
Curiosity piqued, Jiang Quanshui quietly took out his phone and took a picture.
When faced with something, don't panic, take a photo first.
"I told you to get up and talk," Xia Feng said sternly.
"Yes, Master," Long Aotian seized the opportunity and quickly got up.
Dulapid: ...
"Since you're here, stay for dinner," Xia Feng said to Long Aotian.
Xia Feng had saved Long Aotian before, and Long Aotian had knelt outside his door for three days and three nights wanting to become his disciple. Xia Feng, seeing that he was too old and had missed the best opportunity for cultivation, did not agree.
In the end, he only gave Long Aotian some guidance. Who knew Long Aotian took it so seriously.
"Okay," Long Aotian quickly pulled over a chair and sat down, afraid Xia Feng might change his mind.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director Liu was still in shock. He knew Long Aotian's identity better than anyone. Who was that young man?
Never mind that he was accompanied by these influential figures; Long Aotian had shamelessly called him Master.
This was truly shocking.
Was the shamelessness Long Aotian had just learned outside temporarily meant for this moment?
Damn it!
His worldview was shattered.