Huabao's Quirky Taste

"Explain this project again. I zoned out earlier," Su Hua said once more.

"Yes, yes."

Before diving into the project details, Shen Mao shot Lin Xuan a fierce glare.

Lin Xuan had better not pull any stunts, or he wouldn’t let him off easily!

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

A warning?

As long as he was here, Shen Mao could forget about securing a deal with Su Corporation.

Jiang Qing stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching the drama unfold.

This couple had quite the understanding—keeping their relationship a secret from Shen Mao.

Little did Shen Mao know he’d become part of Su Hua and Young Master Lin’s little game.

As Shen Mao continued his presentation, Su Hua appeared to listen attentively, but beneath the table, her fingers traced a slow path along Lin Xuan’s thigh before finally reaching his hand, where she lightly scratched his palm.

Lin Xuan: "!!!"

What kind of mischief was Hua Bao up to now?

Jiang Qing caught the scene and shook her head.

Just as she’d guessed—Shen Mao had indeed become an unwitting participant in their little charade.

Shen Mao spoke passionately about his project.

Under the table, Su Hua guided Lin Xuan’s hand to her lap, just above her knee.

She was wearing a pencil skirt today, leaving the space above her knees exposed when seated.

The moment Lin Xuan’s fingers brushed against her smooth skin, it felt like his hand had been scorched.

Inappropriate images flashed through his mind.

Was Hua Bao planning to…?

Jiang Qing had already tilted her head up, studying the ceiling as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.

Just as Lin Xuan thought Su Hua might lead him further, she suddenly leaned in and whispered in his ear, "What’s A-Xuan thinking about?"

Lin Xuan cleared his throat. "Nothing."

Su Hua chuckled softly. "I know exactly what A-Xuan is thinking. Be good—I’ll satisfy you later when we get home."

Lin Xuan: "..."

Damn it!

Wasn’t this all her doing? Now she was making him out to be the perverted one.

With a playful glint in her eyes, Su Hua straightened up just before Shen Mao glanced their way.

"President Su, that’s everything. Let me know if there’s anything unclear or unsatisfactory. Feel free to point it out," Shen Mao said with a smile.

"And what do you think, sir?" Su Hua arched a brow at Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan had caught bits of Shen Mao’s proposal and knew the project had investment potential—but he didn’t want Su Corporation backing Shen Mao.

He wanted Shen Corporation to go bankrupt sooner rather than later. That way, Shen Qianqian wouldn’t have the energy to pester him anymore.

Besides, if Shen Corporation managed to bounce back with Su Corporation’s help, they’d inevitably come after his own company, Skyline Group. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with that.

"I think you’d be better off not investing in him," Lin Xuan said, leaning back in his chair. "There are countless promising projects out there. Shen Corporation is on the verge of collapse—why not invest in my company instead?"

"President Su, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lin Xuan, CEO of Skyline Group."

Su Hua’s delicate brows lifted slightly.

Investing in A-Xuan’s company? Now that was an interesting idea.

Shen Mao’s face darkened. Was Lin Xuan seriously trying to steal the deal right in front of him?

"Lin Xuan, you’ve got some nerve," Shen Mao sneered. "President Su is here to discuss a partnership with me. What business is it of yours?"

"You’re really trying to poach her right under my nose?"

Su Hua smirked. "I think he makes a fair point. Skyline Group has shown impressive growth since its founding. CEO Lin must be quite the business prodigy."

Shen Mao’s heart lurched.

Was President Su actually considering Lin Xuan’s company?

No—this couldn’t happen! He couldn’t let Lin Xuan steal her away.

"President Su," Shen Mao forced a smile, "Shen Corporation may be facing difficulties, but we’ve been in business for twenty years. With your investment, we’ll recover in no time—it’s a guaranteed return."

"As for Skyline Group, they’re a new company. If you invest in them, you might lose everything. You should think carefully."

Su Hua tapped her fingers lightly on the table, as if weighing his words.

"CEO Lin," she said, her gaze lingering on Lin Xuan, "what exactly makes Skyline Group worth investing in? Chairman Shen here seems to think it’s a risky bet."

Lin Xuan nodded. "He’s not wrong. Our current projects do carry significant risk. In the entertainment sector, we’re up against Starlight Group’s suppression. Our upcoming game is still in development—no telling if it’ll be a hit or a flop."

He went on to outline Skyline Group’s situation.

"As for our publishing division, you know novels don’t bring in much revenue."

"Our strongest platform is TigerSound, but it relies solely on ads and livestreaming for income. Monetization is weak, and with competitors flooding the short-video market, we’re under heavy pressure."

Shen Mao scoffed. "At least you’re self-aware, Lin Xuan."

"President Su, you heard him. Skyline Group isn’t worth your investment," Shen Mao said smugly. "You should focus on partnering with Shen Corporation first."

Just then, Shen Mao’s secretary hurried in with a stack of documents.

"Chairman, the materials you requested."

Shen Mao placed the files in front of Su Hua. "President Su, here’s the project proposal and contract. Please review them."

Su Hua leaned back in her chair, making no move to pick them up.

"Chairman Shen, why the rush?" Lin Xuan’s lips curled into a faint smile. "I haven’t finished presenting my company yet."

"Fine, let’s hear what else you have to say."

Shen Mao couldn’t help but think Lin Xuan was an idiot. When pitching for investment, shouldn’t you highlight your company’s strengths? Instead, he was downplaying everything—practically driving investors away.

Maybe he’d overestimated Lin Xuan. The man was just a fool. How far could Skyline Group go under his leadership?

"What I’ve described so far isn’t the main point," Lin Xuan said calmly.

Shen Mao snorted.

If none of that mattered, what did?

"The real reason President Su should invest in us is—"

Before Lin Xuan could finish, Shen Mao cut in again, "Lin Xuan, President Su hasn’t agreed to anything yet, and you’re already fantasizing about her backing Skyline Group? Ridiculous!"

At the same time, a strange feeling crept over Shen Mao.

Why was President Su tolerating Lin Xuan’s nonsense for so long?

Su Hua, who had been waiting to hear Lin Xuan’s next words, was visibly irritated by the interruption.

She fixed Shen Mao with an icy stare. "Chairman Shen, it’s rude to interrupt when someone else is speaking. The Shen family claims to be elite—is this how you were raised?"

"I'm sorry, President Su." Shen Mao quickly apologized, a sudden wave of unease washing over him.

Is President Su protecting Lin Xuan because she genuinely intends to invest in Starlight Group?

"President Lin, please continue." Su Hua's gaze settled back on Lin Xuan.

"Our company has something incredibly valuable—I guarantee it will secure your investment without fail," Lin Xuan declared confidently.

"Oh?" Su Hua arched a brow, intrigued. "And what might that be?"

"It's..." Lin Xuan suddenly stood up from his chair. "Our company has me."

Jiang Qing couldn't help but nod in agreement.

For President Su, this was indeed a killer move.

"Lin Xuan, aren't you overestimating yourself? What makes you so special?" Shen Mao scoffed, unable to hold back his derision. "There are plenty of capable people in the world. Do you really think you alone can win President Su's favor?"

"Or are you suggesting that your looks alone can secure her investment?"

Lin Xuan nodded. "Seems you're not entirely clueless, Chairman Shen. You're absolutely right—I plan to use my handsome face to convince President Su to invest in our company."

"Hahaha!" Shen Mao burst into mocking laughter. "Lin Xuan, you really have no shame. Didn’t you do your research before spouting such nonsense?"

"President Su only cares about work. She has no interest in men. No matter how good-looking you are, she won’t spare you a second glance!"

His daughter was the one obsessed with looks, which was why she’d fallen for Lin Xuan’s charm.

But President Su? Never.

In the past, many had tried to send men her way, and she’d never so much as glanced at them.

Did Lin Xuan really think he was something special?

"President Su, what do you think?" Shen Mao fawned, turning to Su Hua.

"Indeed, looks alone won’t cut it," Su Hua replied, her lips curving slightly.

Shen Mao shot Lin Xuan a triumphant look.

He’d known President Su would respond this way—she was indifferent to men. Whether Lin Xuan was ugly or handsome made no difference to her.

"So, President Lin," Su Hua said with a faint smile, "if you want my investment, you’ll need to offer something else."

Her slender, jade-like fingers brushed against her crimson lips.

Jiang Qing didn’t even blink.

President Su’s hint couldn’t have been more obvious.

Heh…

This was about to get interesting.

Lin Xuan saw right through Su Hua’s intentions—his Hua Bao was teasing him, playing with fire.

But he’d already made his claim. Backing down now would be embarrassing.

How could he forget? Hua Bao wasn’t the reserved type. If he flirted with her, she’d never let him off the hook.

Steeling himself, Lin Xuan strode over to Su Hua, bracing one hand on the armrest of her chair while the other tilted her chin up.

Was Lin Xuan out of his mind?

Shen Mao’s face was a picture of shock.

Su Hua’s lips curled. "President Lin, what exactly are you planning to do? Hmm?"

Her voice was languid, that single "hmm" dripping with implication.

"I want... to kiss you, President Su."

With that, Lin Xuan leaned down and captured her lips.

Jiang Qing smirked, her expression turning knowing.

Tsk, tsk.

They really knew how to play.

She couldn’t help but feel that not just Shen Mao and his secretary, but even she herself, had become part of Su Hua and Lin Xuan’s little game.