Suddenly, someone exclaimed with surprise, "Xiao Xu, is that you? What are you doing here, waiting for someone?"

Someone actually called him Xiao Xu, which was quite an unusual address. Xu Xiangbei looked up to see Shan Mingzhi’s plump face right in front of him.

So close he could even hear his panting breath.

Turns out it was Shan Mingzhi, Xu Xiangbei smiled and said, "I’m waiting for someone, how about you?"

Shan Mingzhi’s small eyes darted around, seemingly reluctant to explain his purpose at the airport, he evasively said, "I, I’m also waiting for someone, well, it’s more like attending a group event."

A group event at the airport? Only then did Xu Xiangbei notice Shan Mingzhi’s brand-new exquisite suit, completely different from his usual casual work attire.

He was obviously not accustomed to such a fine suit, his movements appeared a bit clumsy, the tie was so tight it seemed to be suffocating him, his plump face flushed red due to lack of breath.

Xu Xiangbei gestured in front of his chest to indicate that he should loosen his tie, he accepted Xu Xiangbei’s advice, loosened his tie, and let out a comfortable sigh of relief.

He smiled awkwardly, "I wondered why I felt uncomfortable; turns out my tie was too tight. I thought this new suit was too small."

Curiously, Xu Xiangbei asked, "What group event are you attending?"

Shan Mingzhi’s chubby face turned a shade of red, this time not from breathing difficulties, but from embarrassment. He ran off like a child, "Hehe, just a regular group event."

Xu Xiangbei laughed, Shan Mingzhi really valued his privacy, though his idea of privacy seemed more like quirks.

A plane from Yanjing slowly flew overhead, Xiao Lin’s flight had arrived at the airport.

Screams erupted from the crowd waiting at the arrivals, someone yelled loudly, "Xiao Lin, I love you."

Like a startled raccoon, Xu Xiangbei looked up, indeed someone was shouting "Xiao Lin, I love you," he looked in the direction of the voice and saw a group of young people holding Xiao Lin’s pictures and banners gathered at the airport exit.

They were obviously fans of Xiao Lin, chanting slogans and holding up promotional photos of Xiao Lin wearing the Heart of the Ocean, hoping to get her attention and an autograph.

Among the crowd of fans, Xu Xiangbei spotted Shan Mingzhi’s chubby figure.

Under the illumination at the airport exit, Xiao Lin appeared, wearing ripped jeans and a red rhino leather jacket, her ink-black hair cascading down her chest.

As soon as she appeared at the exit, fans recognized her, and over a dozen young girls shouted in unison, "Xiao Lin, I love you, Xiao Lin, Xiao Lin."

Faced with the fan reception, Xiao Lin was both delighted and flustered; she hadn’t expected her fans to wait for her at the airport. She quickly signed autographs for some of the fans in the front before taking her suitcase and leaving the crowd.

Xu Xiangbei took the suitcase from Xiao Lin and got into the Porsche with her, leaving the airport. From the rearview mirror, he saw Shan Mingzhi standing dejectedly on the plaza, watching the Porsche slowly drive away.

Admiring Xiao Lin’s delicate and alluring face in the rearview mirror, Xu Xiangbei jokingly said, "Hey gorgeous, the journey must have been tiring. Your good friend asked me to tell you, don’t contact her for three days. She’s in a state of crazed frenzy. If she’s still alive after three days, she’ll call you."

Knowing Ouyang Jiahui would be busy, Xiao Lin smiled helplessly, "It’s okay, if she can’t make it, so be it. I’ve been fasting these days trying to lose weight. Let’s go to your restaurant, Emperor’s Pavilion, I want to eat beef and seafood balls. Invite your friends over too; it’s rare for me to treat, seize the opportunity or miss out."

Hearing that Xiao Lin allowed him to invite friends, Xu Xiangbei thought of someone and dialed Shan Mingzhi’s number from the Thunderbird Company’s directory.

Shan Mingzhi was very surprised to receive Xu Xiangbei’s call, his tone was like interrogating a fraudster: "Who are you? How did you get my number? Are you up to something shady?"

Xu Xiangbei laughed, "I’m Xiao Xu from the company, the one you just saw at the airport. How did the evening group activity go?"

Recalling the fan meet-and-greet at the airport, Shan Mingzhi felt frustrated; there were too many fans, his plump figure and slow movements left him blocked by the young girls, barely able to catch a glimpse of Xiao Lin before his idol was whisked away, let alone garner any attention or get an autograph.

He sounded disgruntled, "Tonight’s group event was meaningless."

Xu Xiangbei chuckled, "Come to Emperor’s Pavilion tonight, I’ll give you an autographed photo of your idol."

"Brother, don’t joke with me, do you even know who my idol is?"

"Of course, your computer screensaver has her photo."

Shan Mingzhi was silent for a moment, starting to believe Xu Xiangbei, his mood turning excited.

"Can you really get me her autograph picture? If you can, I’ll let you come to my office tomorrow to hang out."

"Of course I won’t deceive you, see you at Emperor’s Pavilion at 8:30."

Shan Mingzhi arrived at Emperor’s Pavilion as agreed, spotting Xu Xiangbei browsing the menu by the bar from afar.

He bit his lip, mustered his courage, and walked over with a smile, "Xiao Xu, Xiao Xu."

Calling several times before Xu Xiangbei realized it was addressed to him, he laughed, "Shan Mingzhi, you arrived so quickly, let’s go to the second-floor private room together."

Shan Mingzhi couldn’t contain his look of excitement, fiddling with his clothes, his face was flushed with excitement, he asked, "The picture? Can I see it first?"

Xu Xiangbei nonchalantly smiled, "Oh, the picture, it’s not taken yet, we’ll take it after dinner."

A feeling of betrayal washed over, Shan Mingzhi’s smile froze on his face, his plump face turned crimson from excitement, stammering, "You, you don’t have her autograph picture, why call me here, why deceive me?"

Xu Xiangbei hadn’t anticipated Shan Mingzhi’s reaction would be so intense; exceptional programmers often seemed a bit neurotic. He laughed, "What did I lie about, the picture hasn’t been taken yet, we can take it after dinner, alright?"

Tears almost sprang from Shan Mingzhi’s eyes, "No, without the picture, I won’t eat. You, you tricked me, I actually believed you, I’m going home now, don’t come by the office anymore."

Just when Shan Mingzhi was about to leave, feeling deceived, Xiao Lin came out of the bathroom and brushed past him.

Her alluring face was adorned with a charming smile, her eyes as blue as the ocean, and her bright gaze swept over Shan Mingzhi’s chubby face.