Book 4 Chapter 14 – Li Ping Consulting Co.

　　Li Huaibei stepped out of the taxi and looked at the office building towering on him. It was a well-known site in Beijing that housed numerous multinational companies from various background.

　　Hesitation flashed on Li Huaibei's face before his gaze zeroed in on a window on the seventeenth floor. The silvery one-way gla.s.s pane stopped Li Huaibei's gaze from reaching interior of the building, but it did not block his senses. Li Huabei could feel the presence of a woman leaning on the gla.s.s plane, twirling a fountain pen in her hands as she smiled. She seemed like she was expecting Li Huaibei, but was a little shocked when he actually did show up.

　　With a long sigh, Li Huaibei made his way toward the main entrance.

　　As the elevator opened on the seventeenth floor, Li Huaibei was welcomed by a lobby with minimalistic decors. Behind the counter, a framed sign with " Li Ping Consulting Co" written in traditional calligraphy was put to prominent display, which was quite unfit for design theme of the room. Despite a name that evoked the countryside, this was the most prestigious marketing company in Beijing. ¹

　　"Good morning sir! Welcome to Li Ping Consulting Co. Do you have an appointment?" The lady at the counter bowed down with a gracious smile.

　　Li Huaibei smiled back at the young girl's good manners. He shook his head and looked at the telephone on the counter instead.

　　Just as the receptionist was growing confused, the office phone rang. She gave him an apologetic smile and picked up the phone swiftly.

　　"Alright. Please wait a moment." The young lady hung up the phone after a brief exchange. She seemed even more baffled. 'That was a priority line callfrom the CEO. I've never even seen her before. Who is this handsome man? What's his relations.h.i.+p with the boss?' The fire of curiosity was burning fiercely in her heart.

　　"This way, sir." The young lady gestured, inviting Li Huaibei inside.

　　Li Huaibei was led through a wooden door that concealed a completely different world from the lobby. Stepping into the door felt like a trip back in time. The floor was covered by dark ceramic tiles while the walls were lined with a crimson wood. Carvings of birds and mythical beasts decorated every corner and nook. On the office desk, there was no computer, only a set of stationary for calligraphy. Next to the set of brushes was a little incense burner which held all of the smoke inside of it, but diffused a soothing aroma throughout the office. At the window, the gla.s.s panes were concealed by a mural of the hundred bird and the phoenix. The disjointed rays of morning sunlight that penetrated into the room almost made it seem like an ethereal realm that did not belong to the mortal plane.

　　Behind the desk stood a wooden chair whose build and design hinted at its history and value.

　　On the chair sat a beautiful woman dressed in a gray robe. She did wear have any accessories except for a singular black wooden hairpin that pierced through the ball of hair on her back. Instead of standing up and greeting Li Huaibei, she contemplated him with her chin still resting on her left hand.

　　Li Huaibei did not seem to care and sat down right in front of her. He picked up one of the iridescent white jade teacup, filled it up, and graciously took a sip.

　　'Wuyi Guanmi?' Li Huaibei asked, a little surprised by what he was tasting.

　　"Impressive, few can discern it with a single mouthful." The lady raised her cup at Li Huaibei.

　　"Should I call you Supervisor w.a.n.g or Stargaze?" Li Huaibei asked with a smile as he once again sipped the high-grade red tea.

　　"Why the pretentiousness after becoming a sage?" The woman chuckled and played around with her teacup.

　　"You can tell?" Li Huaibei was a little shocked. 'News should not have spread so fast, and she can tell with a single glance?'