Chapter 1063: Chapter 292: All Within My Grasp

But now with a reason to accompany overseas clients, it’s all perfectly justified! Who knows, wouldn’t think much of it.

Just as he was considering whether to call Wen Qianyi, or just go directly to the business department to find her, a message came on his phone—she had already sent over the specific flight information for Shinohara Mirai’s arrival, asking him to pick her up.

Li Yan looked at his phone, then at the two movie tickets on the table for tomorrow night, perhaps he would have to disappoint Xueyin’s good intentions.

Looking at the plane’s arrival time, there were still several hours, Li Yan carefully thought about how to arrange it. If it were a company client reception, of course, it would be arranged at a hotel under the group company, keeping the benefits within, so to speak. But now he’s the one receiving them, whether or not the company reimburses these costs, he doesn’t want to arrange for staying at a hotel like Prince Hotel, which is affiliated with Paradise Group. Because for important company clients, the hotel will definitely be more attentive, and he can’t guarantee that the entire stay will be purely professional. If it gets reported to the company, it wouldn’t be a good thing.

After deliberating, he booked another five-star hotel over the phone.

Shinohara Mirai came this time under the guise of a business trip, but he didn’t know whether anyone from Shinohara Corporation was accompanying.

Although Shinohara Mirai’s arrival time is nighttime, it’s only around seven o’clock, not too late, so Li Yan waited until after work to leave the company to the airport to wait.

Upon arriving at the airport, he inexplicably thought of Qiao Huanxuan. That time when he came to pick up Yu Xiaodi with Li Jie, he unexpectedly ran into her at the airport. This time it shouldn’t be so coincidental, right?

Thinking since returning for the New Year, he hadn’t contacted her, he hesitated, pondering whether to call her now or tomorrow.

Before he decided whether to make the call, a call came in instead.

Because of this, when she calls, it usually represents something important!

Seeing who it was, instantly his mind turned—now she’s working at Jie Rui, her position is different than before, and with Li Jie’s care, she won’t encounter the dangers arranged by Ye Jiahong. If she calls him, could it be her mother suddenly is having issues?

Thinking of this, he answered immediately, and first comforted her: "It’s me, don’t worry, don’t be nervous, relax, take your time, I’m listening."

"..."

Even with his prior reassurance, there was no sound from the other side, only hearing rapid breathing, making Li Yan a bit worried again.

"Huang Ying, what’s the matter? Is it your mom...?" The rest wasn’t fit to say; after all, her mom has been seriously ill, if nothing happened, then it would sound bad.

"No, no... My mom is fine, nothing happened." Huang Ying quickly replied to prevent him from worrying, and his words of concern warmed her heart.

"Then I’m relieved." Li Yan smiled: "But for you to actively call me must mean there’s something, right? Speak up! Just boldly say it." Aware of her shyness, he had to ask first.

"Oh... it’s... like this..." Huang Ying stammered, after a while, she finally asked hesitantly: "Have you... finished work? ... Tonight... are you free?"

Li Yan shook his head with a smile, so that was it! It must be her mother wanting him to go to her home for dinner, and she’s afraid of disrupting his schedule, so she’s a bit timid about asking.

This isn’t a difficult matter; on usual days, he would agree directly. But today he really can’t promise, he’s waiting to pick up Shinohara Mirai, and after receiving her, he’ll first settle her at the hotel, then accompany them for dinner. Naturally, he won’t have time to go to Huang Ying’s house for dinner.

But she’s hardly gathered the courage to ask, if he refuses, even if it doesn’t discourage her, it’ll make it harder for her to open up in the future. Li Yan contemplated when might be a better time while saying: "I’ve finished work, tonight... is it dinner at your house? How about another day... tomorrow..."

There’s no time tonight, but he must give a definite time to avoid her feeling like a brush-off. But there’s unlikely to be time tomorrow either; both for personal and business reasons, he has to accompany Shinohara Mirai, indeed he could possibly squeeze a visit to Huang Ying’s house, but wouldn’t be able to stay long. Rushing in and out would seem insincere, better to pick another day. Only the next few days he seems unavailable, not sure when would be convenient, thus he said "another day," momentarily can’t specify which day.

Normally, with Huang Ying’s sensitivity, hearing such words she would immediately say no need. But today she seemed a bit disordered in mind, didn’t feel it was inappropriate, instead explained: "It’s not for dinner... another day... tomorrow... tomorrow isn’t good."

"Then what is it?" Li Yan was slightly intrigued; if it wasn’t her mother asking him for dinner, what would make her so hesitant?

"It’s... it’s... tonight... can... can I invite you to dinner?" Huang Ying finally spoke more smoothly after hesitatingly revealing, "I’ve only ever asked you to come to my house for dinner, my cooking skills are average, only able to make some home-cooked dishes. Wanted to invite you out for a meal this time..."

Li Yan is certainly not dense; hearing this, how could he not understand what’s going on?

Just like last Christmas, Hai Fu and Wen Qianyi said they left room for him to be with his girlfriend for Christmas, so a day earlier they asked him to treat them to dinner. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, Huang Ying also lacked experience celebrating it, wanting to spend it with him, but knowing he’s otherwise married, he’ll surely be with his wife tomorrow, unable to be with her. Yet if she doesn’t express anything, it seems like she doesn’t care enough about their relationship, hence she proactively asked him today.

Her shy, passive nature made it impossible to naturally invite someone as others would, she’d hardly gathered the courage to ask him for dinner.

Understanding this, Li Yan felt relieved, but also realized he must carefully handle this to avoid hurting her.

However, with just Huang Ying, without going to her home to see her mother, it’s much easier to manage. Li Yan quickly made a decision—tonight while receiving Shinohara Mirai, he’d bring Huang Ying along!

"Sure, but..."

Hearing Li Yan agree, Huang Ying, in her trepidation, finally breathed a sigh of relief, yet at his "but," she quickly asked: "But what?"

"But you must let me arrange it."

Huang Ying laughed; what did that mean? She hardly eats out, only familiar with restaurants near home, isn’t aware of notable or delicious places. Besides, as a man it’s natural for him to arrange things. As for picking up the tab, she won’t insist, knowing he won’t let her pay. "Alright, anyway you know better, I know nothing."

"Okay, then you head to a place first, I still have something to handle, will come pick you up after I’m done." Li Yan gave her the address near the hotel he reserved, asking Huang Ying to go there after work. But it’s not appropriate to let her directly wait at the hotel, being inexperienced, she’d certainly feel awkward.

Huang Ying happily agreed.

...

Bringing Huang Ying to meet Shinohara Mirai, Li Yan didn’t feel inappropriate. Anyway, whether it’s Future or Matsushima Kui, they know their relationship is just a fleeting encounter; since Shiroyama Gou tried recruiting him as a son-in-law and was refused, they should be aware of that, Li Yan won’t go to Beihai Country, nor would they leave everything to come to Yun Country easily. Even if they do come, it’s not certain they can be with him, so they all cherish the present, not worrying about the future.

Regarding Li Yan having a girlfriend, they were mentally prepared, also hinting at mutual affection between Wen Qianyi and him. Therefore, even if he brings a girlfriend to meet them, they might have a bit of awkwardness, but with their personalities, it wouldn’t invoke major reactions.

Conversely, for Huang Ying, accompanying him as a companion to meet other friends, even if just foreign client-style friends, it gives her a sense of acknowledged status, which is something she never obtained.

Plus, with them present, Huang Ying won’t show any intention of advancing their relationship, understanding the timing isn’t right, to look for another opportunity later.

Everything is well within control!

Li Yan glanced at the time, pleasantly heading to the airport’s arrival hall. After a quick survey of the area, he didn’t see any familiar faces from the company’s business department or other departments, and naturally, Wen Qianyi wasn’t there either. Seemed Shinohara Mirai wasn’t on the same flight with others, just for him to receive. Perfect, no awkwardness needed. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

As time ticked away, the flight from D City didn’t get delayed, approaching seven o’clock, it arrived right on time.

But when the final wave came out, Li Yan realized someone unexpected, slightly beyond his management was coming over! (to be continued, for more updates please visit www.qidian.com, more Chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)