Chapter 3 - What is it?

Her name was Ji Yanli, CEO's high school friend, left-hand secretary and trusted personnel. A well respected figure and liked by many in the company, also the only daughter of another Ji famous .

"CEO Sheng, it's almost time for your another appointment." said the lady elegantly. She showed him a tab and said something in his ear. It looked very ambiguous to the others in the room.

"Meeting dismissed." The man announed. He looked at his watch and put down the documents on the table from his hand.

He stood up and began to adjust his suit. All the other executives and department heads stood up as well. They were all waiting eagerly for his next instructions regarding this project.

"You all have three days to come up with a satisfactory result. Don't disappoint me." he gave an ultimatum to his employees who were directly related to the project. 

His dark cold eyes gave them pressure. His day was just wasted because of not finding the satisfactory result he wanted. He waved his hand, signalling that the meeting had come to an end.

"Yes, Sir. Have a good day." said someone while all the people bowed respectfully towards him.

He stepped out from the room followed by his secretary, Ji Yanli and private assistant, Wang Haixiao.

He looked towards the man following him and asked, "Why didn't you remind me of the time?"

"There are thirty seconds left before the scheduled time. I was going to remind you but Yanli did it." Wang Haixiao said while glancing at her.

"It is a waste of one's time to put in a meeting with those executives. They don't have any decent proposals but come running to mess things up." Sheng Ruming said nonchalantly. When huge money would be involved, they had to come and interven which was funny to him.

Wang Haixiao's face cracked. Ji Yanli chuckled slightly when she heard it. Sheng Ruming looked at them but didn't say anything. He was a CEO, to run a company, he had to put up with a lot of craps.

... 

Sheng Ruming, the CEO of the "Sheng Industry and Corporation" was one of the top business leaders of the nation. He was twenty six years old and had both the look and charm. He had his own goals and ambitions to achieve in life. 

Due to his extraordinary background, many women of the upper-class society desired to marry him. He was a charismatic man who was a perfect husband material in their eyes. 

But he didn't even budge a little before their various approaches or antics. 

Because his heart lay elsewhere.

... 

While on the way towards his office, his co-workers and employees greeted him. It was a regular scene here. Many people idolised him because he was a successful and decisive leader. 

In his leadership, they had become a leading company in the nation. 

Sheng Ruming returned some of their greetings along the way. Ji Yanli was whispering to Wang Haixiao while they followed him. 

Sheng Ruming entered his office and went directly towards his seat and sat down. 

The office was spacious and there were paintings of various famous artists hanging on the white walls. An air purifier was turned on at the side. There was a light floral scent in the surroundings. The atmosphere here was serene and calm, unlike the previous meeting room.

Both Ji Yanli and Wang Haixiao were his high school friends. Before outside people, they called him CEO/Sir respectfully and in private called him boss. 

"We have to set out for the meeting outside." Wang Haixiao said.

"Hmm. Tell me about today's schedule first." Sheng Ruming said while rubbing his temple.

"Yes. There are also two meetings after this appointment with Mr. Han Boyaung." Ji Yanli cut in as Wang Haixiao was going to speak.

"Hey, Yanli. I was supposed to say that." The young assistant felt frustrated again.

"So what! Whether you say or I, it's the same. Ain't I right, Ruming?" Ji Yanli said mockingly to the fuming man. She liked to tease him very much.

"You...whatever!" Wang Haixiao gave in, yet again.

"Boss, here are some documents which need your signature urgently." added Wang Haixiao and passed some papers to him.

Sheng Ruming gulped down some water from a glass and massaged his throbbing forehead. After a moment, he started to sign the documents.

"Well... Ming, I have another matter to inform you but it's not quite urgent." Chirped in Ji Yanli from the side.

"What is it?" He didn't look up as he was signing the papers one by one.

"The lady whom you saved two months ago has gained consciousness today. Someone from the hospital called early." She studied his expression as she told him

His hand stopped for a second but became normal again. Ji Yanli caught the slight change and exchanged glances with Wang Haixiao. She could say this news had an impact on his mind.

"Oh." he just hummed in response to her. 

Afterwards, the office became silent and peaceful. The other two people took their leave and went to tidy up their works a bit in the meantime.

Sheng Ruming was alone in the room. When he thought about her, the corners of his lips slightly bent but nobody was there to notice it. 

While he was signing the documents his thoughts unknowingly drifted towards that woman. 

... 

Two months ago, due to some consecutive incidents, Sheng Ruming coincidently found her. 

That night he had had an argument with his parents because they always wanted to matchmake him with various random women. If he told he didn't like any one of them they would bring up another one. He didn't have a single good impression about those ladies, let alone having one of them as his girlfriend. 

Sheng Ruming had told his parents in the past if anyone caught his interest he would tell them first. But they didn't believe in him and did as they wished. Little did they know, there was a girl whose face would surface in his dream from time to time even if many years have passed. He yearned for her but lacked the courage to face her again after her rejection.

In truth, Sheng Ruming showed too much disinterest in women and his mother, Wei Airan was afraid that he would remain single if she didn't do anything. 

Also, her friends made her ears heavy by telling many rumours which wasn't any good for her one and only son. That's why she, along with her group of high society friends, began to plan many dates for him.

At first, he attended some to appease his mother. But as time went by, some women took this chance to start rumours of having a romantic relationship with him. His mother thought finally someone caught his sight but he denied it outright, which infuriated her. 

At last, his patience ran out that night and he had a big quarrel with her that day and his father also joined in. His father preferred silence and the man couldn't tolerate it. And Sheng Ruming couldn't endure his harsh words thrown at himself.