"Xi Xi, I have something to tell you. Are you at home now? I'll come pick you up."
"No need. Just tell me where, and I can come meet you."
Yan Xi had thought that these words could be said over the phone, but she hadn't expected He Yun to suggest meeting in person.
After all, they were family. Since Yan Xi had accepted He Yun as her brother, she couldn't keep avoiding him. So, after a moment's thought, Yan Xi decided to meet He Yun.
However, He Yun didn't dare let Yan Xi go out alone. The past events of Yan Xi being confined and kidnapped were still vivid in his mind, and He Yun was afraid to take any risks.
He Yun asked Yan Xi to wait obediently at home. Then, he went to the Fu family's residence. When he arrived, Yan Xi hadn't finished getting ready yet. He Yun wasn't in a hurry and waited outside. He Yun knew that Fu Yan Ting had gone to the company today, and his second uncle was causing trouble there again. With the Fu Corporation's annual meeting approaching, he would be very busy and might not even return home. This was why He Yun dared to wait there so openly.
Before long, Yan Xi finished getting ready and came out. She saw He Yun from afar.
Yan Xi suddenly didn't know how to face He Yun. Maybe she should just go back home.
Just as Yan Xi was in a dilemma, He Yun had already spotted her.
He Yun waved at Yan Xi. With no other choice, Yan Xi had to brace herself and get into He Yun's car.
Once in the car, Yan Xi lowered her head, seemingly unsure how to face He Yun.
He Yun, however, joked, "I'm not going to eat you, so you don't have to be so nervous."
Yan Xi had initially been a bit embarrassed, but upon hearing He Yun's words, she suddenly burst into laughter.
Knowing that Yan Xi liked spicy food, He Yun took her to eat hot pot.
This hot pot restaurant was invested in by He Yun, so when he came to eat, it was basically a private booking.
After Yan Xi sat down, she glanced at the time and then said, "Brother, why don't we change to another place to eat? This place seems to have changed owners, and the taste isn't as good as before. Look, it's peak dining time, and there's not a single person here."
He Yun: ???
Actually, Yan Xi liked hot pot and had eaten here several times. However, the ingredients in this restaurant were all imported. Even the potatoes were Vianian potatoes that cost three thousand yuan per jin.
Therefore, the price was much more expensive than at ordinary hot pot restaurants.
Yan Xi used to like it, but because she had to bear Yan Yi's medical expenses, she rarely ate here. Now that she had money, she had also developed the habit of being thrifty, and she ate here very infrequently.
She would basically only arrange to eat here when discussing collaborations or meeting important people.
He Yun and Yan Xi sat down, and before they could even order, a table full of dishes had already been served.
Yan Xi whispered to herself, "Brother, can the two of us finish all this food we've ordered?"
"It's fine, I have a good appetite. If it's not enough, we can order more. Eat whatever you like, there's plenty."
Yan Xi's mouth twitched. Did he think she was a pig?
However, the shrimp paste at this hot pot restaurant was indeed delicious.
It was made with Oolong shrimp meat and topped with caviar.
Yan Xi had always liked it but had only eaten it once and never again. Hearing He Yun say this, Yan Xi spoke up, "Can you take away these side dishes and bring me ten portions of shrimp paste with caviar?"
He Yun was stunned, thinking he had misheard. Then, he realized and blurted out, "You like shrimp paste with caviar?"
"No, I was just saying it casually, making a joke."
Although Yan Xi said that, He Yun still took her words to heart.
He Yun didn't explicitly say ten portions of shrimp paste with caviar. He wanted to save Yan Xi's face. He instructed the kitchen to bring out all the shrimp paste with caviar for the day and cook it in the pot.
Yan Xi thoroughly enjoyed this meal.
After they finished eating, Yan Xi finally remembered that He Yun had something to tell her.
She put down her chopsticks and asked, "What did you want to meet me for?"
Could it be that the He family was in crisis?
He Yun wanted Yan Xi to provide financial assistance to help the He family overcome the difficulties?
Yan Xi had even already contacted the bank.
But He Yun said with a serious expression, "Xi Xi, although you are a child of the He family, you haven't returned to the He family much over the years. Everyone might have forgotten your relationship with the He family, which is why they targeted you. In a few days, the He Group will hold its annual meeting, and I want you to attend. I'll introduce you to everyone then, how about it?"
Here we go again.
Why were there so many annual meetings lately?
"Xi Xi, I know you don't like attending such banquets. I never thought about making you attend before, but after what happened, I want you to attend. Not for any other reason, but so I can tell those reporters that you are a member of the He family. From now on, if anyone is unfavorable to you or tries to harm you, it will be an act of defiance against the He family. This is a form of protection for you."
Yan Xi had been calm, but upon hearing He Yun's words, she suddenly felt uneasy. Fu Yan Ting had also asked Yan Xi to attend the Fu Corporation's annual meeting. Perhaps he also wanted to protect her in this way?
Suddenly, Yan Xi felt a warmth in her heart.
Yan Xi said, "Brother, I'm very sorry, but I already promised Fu Yan Ting before this."
He Yun seemed to have anticipated this outcome, so he wasn't too disappointed.
After all, whether Yan Xi attended or not, he would still publicly announce Yan Xi's relationship with the He family. He wanted to make it clear to those who harmed Yan Xi that Yan Xi's backing was not just the Fu family, but also the He family.
After filling her stomach, He Yun drove Yan Xi home. On the way, Yan Xi suddenly said, "Take me to the Fu Corporation. It's afternoon now. I'll bring Fu Yan Ting a coffee, and then we can go home together after he finishes work."
Although He Yun felt a pang of emptiness, he also clearly understood that between him and Yan Xi, it could only be a sibling relationship.
He Yun didn't say anything, just nodded, and then took Yan Xi to the Fu Corporation.
After Yan Xi got out of the car, she went to Starbucks to buy a coconut latte for Fu Yan Ting and a piece of cake for herself. Satisfied, she then went to the Fu Corporation.
Even though she had just eaten a full meal of hot pot, it didn't stop Yan Xi from enjoying dessert.
Yan Xi went to Fu Yan Ting's office. The assistant recognized Yan Xi and didn't stop her, asking her to wait in the office.
Then, the assistant went about his work.
Yan Xi lay on the sofa in Fu Yan Ting's office, eating dessert and playing games, looking very relaxed.
Fu Yan Ting returned to his office after a tiring meeting, exhausted. He saw the half-eaten cake and Yan Xi asleep on the sofa.
On his desk was a cup of cold coffee.