Beauty is a powerful weapon.

Regardless of gender, it can sometimes even become a means to transcend social classes.

But when significant interests are involved, a person’s looks become less important.

Just like now.

No matter how beautiful Xia Xiaolan was, others were only enthusiastic about Du Zhaohui, treating her as just his female companion—though exceptionally beautiful, still an insignificant woman.

“Manager Xia, aren’t you angry at all?”

Little You was furious. These people were treating Manager Xia as a mere ornament.

They were busy flattering Du Zhaohui, not knowing that most of ‘Cheng Rong Plaza’s success was thanks to Manager Xia!

“Why should I be angry? Staying quiet is the way to real wealth. If others treat me as an ornament, that’s their ignorance. Why should I be angered by others’ ignorance?”

In such situations, Xia Xiaolan preferred being invisible.

What benefit would she get from everyone knowing she was Du Zhaohui’s helper?

Little You felt she had learned something new.

If Manager Xia could be so calm, why should she be anxious?

Those people looked down on Manager Xia because they didn’t know her abilities… There wouldn’t be just one or two such people—if you took offense at each one, you’d have no time for anything else!

Little You tried to learn from Xia Xiaolan’s composure, working to stay calm.

Following Du Zhaohui upstairs, witnessing his current popularity in Cheng Rong Group, Little You felt proud—when these people praised Du Zhaohui, she changed her mindset and felt they were actually praising her Manager Xia.

This year’s Spring Banquet was also held at a hotel in Central.

Du Zhaohui first returned to the company, summoned by Du Chengrong.

Since Xia Xiaolan was already here, she went up too, expecting to see Du Zhaoqi soon.

Just as Du Zhaohui always had Ah Hua by his side, if Ye Xiaoqiong wasn’t in trouble, she should be beside Du Zhaoqi.

If Ye Xiaoqiong wasn’t seen with Du Zhaoqi, it would confirm something was wrong.

At Du Chengrong’s office door, Du Zhauhui suddenly stopped and said to Xia Xiaolan:

“Would you like to look around the company?”

He had been enjoying all the flattery along the way, but at the door, he suddenly remembered that the old man inside was a lecherous beast. Though the old man had seen Xia Xiaolan before during the Zhang Jiadong incident and seemed normal—that was because he hadn’t had the opportunity. What if after meeting her a few more times, the old bastard developed inappropriate thoughts?

Better to minimize opportunities for the old bastard to see Xia Xiaolan.

Du Zhaohui was now beating his chest in regret.

Back then, having Xia Ziyu undergo plastic surgery to look like Xia Xiaolan to seduce his father, he didn’t feel anything wrong with it.

It was precisely because Xia Xiaolan’s beauty left such a deep impression that making Xia Ziyu look like her would increase the chances of success.

Later, when the Japanese plastic surgeon only achieved a 30% resemblance, Du Zhaohui felt disappointed.

But thinking about it now, he found it disgusting himself.

Fortunately, it was only 30% similar. If it had been 70-80% similar and then sent to the old man’s bed, Du Zhaohui himself would have been the first to find it unbearable.

He had to admit Xia Xiaolan was right to scold him—this scheme was incredibly stupid!

“Alright, you go ahead. Little You and I will wait outside.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded. Du Zhaohui instructed Ah Hua to take care of them both, then knocked and entered the office.

When Du Zhaohui entered, Du Zhaoqi wasn’t waiting in the office.

Du family women weren’t allowed to handle company matters, whether it was Du Zhaoqi’s birth mother the Second Concubine or Du Chengrong’s recently favored Xia Ziyu—none could appear in the office. At this moment, only Du Zhaohui and Du Chengrong were in the office.

“Father, here are the materials you asked me to prepare.”

Du Zhaohui placed the documents on Du Chengrong’s desk.

Du Zhaoqi didn’t dare show up, probably lacking confidence.

Heh, such an opponent wasn’t worth Du Zhaohui’s concern anymore.

“Wait here first. Your brother called to say he needs to add some materials, so he’ll be here shortly.”

Du Chengrong was already well aware of every figure in the materials Du Zhaohui submitted; looking at them was optional.

As soon as Du Zhaohui crossed the border, someone called to inform Du Chengrong. Now he seemed to ask casually:

“I heard you brought a female companion back to Hong Kong?”

Du Zhauhui immediately became alert, “Not really a companion. It’s Miss Xia from Pengcheng Qihang Real Estate. She’s here on business and just happened to travel with me.”

Du Chengrong couldn’t be bothered to expose him.

“Oh, that Miss Xia we met on the cruise ship. It seems you are interested in her?”

Du Zhaohui didn’t know how to answer.

By normal logic, he should have admitted it and deliberately implied an ambiguous relationship with Xia Xiaolan, so Du Chengrong wouldn’t have any improper thoughts.

But his old man had never been normal.

When Du Zhaohui was young and his mother had just passed away, he was very dependent on his tutor Liu Keying, who always called her sister, but that didn’t stop Du Chengrong from sleeping with Liu Keying.

It takes two to tango—while Liu Keying must have been willing, it also showed what an unprincipled man Du Chengrong was.

If he had any consideration for Du Zhaohui’s feelings, he wouldn’t have gotten involved with Liu Keying.

If Du Zhaohui claimed she was his companion, wouldn’t that make it more exciting for the old man?

He was very cautious.

Du Chengrong sneered:

“Zhaohui, everyone wants to pluck a blooming flower. If you’re interested, make your move early. I remember you’ve had quite a few girlfriends—do I need to personally teach you how to pursue women?”

This was bizarre, the old bastard showing such concern for his private life.

Du Zhaohui smiled outwardly while inwardly shuddering.

“You’re right, I’ll try hard!”

…

Ah Hua was ordered to show Xia Xiaolan around the company, but she wasn’t very interested.

“Does your Young Master have an office here? I can just sit there for a while.”

Ah Hua nodded, “Originally he didn’t, but after Second Young Master returned and started working at the group, Young Master demanded an office too. Miss Xia, I’ll take you there right away.”

This was exactly the kind of thing Du Zhaohui would do.

In fact, after getting this office, Du Zhaohui had never used it—typically occupying a space without using it. If Du Zhaoqi had something, he must have it too, whether he needed it immediately was another matter.

Since the purpose was to irritate Du Zhaoqi, naturally the office was on the same floor as Du Zhaoqi’s.

As Ah Hua took Xia Xiaolan and Little You down in the elevator, the doors opened to reveal Du Zhaoqi.

Xia Xiaolan was somewhat surprised.

She had seen Du Zhaoqi at the private auction and in America, remembering him as a young elite.

It seemed the Du brothers had swapped personalities—the formerly sinister Du Zhaohui was becoming increasingly foolish, while the elite Du Zhaoqi now appeared somewhat gloomy.

Du Zhaoqi was also looking at her, and after a moment, smiled politely:

“Miss Xia, I remember we’ve met twice before, but never had a formal introduction, right?”