Knock, knock, knock—
A rhythmic knock sounded on the door.
"Keep watching them, then. Remember to proceed carefully."
After speaking quietly into his phone, Lance hung up and hurriedly rose to his feet.
"Come in!"
As soon as he spoke, Lance hastily straightened his collar and sleeves, shook out the cape draped over his shoulders, and smoothed its wrinkles.
Just as he finished preparing himself, the door to the VIP room creaked open.
The moment he saw Su Hao's face beyond the door, Lance greeted him warmly. "It's been two years, Su Hao!"
As he spoke, Lance extended his hand and held Su Hao's for quite a while before finally letting go.
If he had not been worried about ruining his aloof image or startling Su Hao, Lance would have absolutely pulled him into an enthusiastic hug.
Su Hao withdrew his hand and smiled. "It really has been a long time, Mr. Lance."
"Have a seat."
Lance nodded slightly and pointed toward the sofa.
Su Hao followed his lead and sat across from Lance, getting straight to the point. "Now I can finally find out why Mr. Lance invited me to meet so many times, yet could not reveal the reason over the phone or in messages, right?"
Lance froze slightly.
Looking at Su Hao now, Lance suddenly realized that compared to two years ago, he had grown far too much.
At the very least, he was no longer that inexperienced young man full of potential.
His potential had already been completely realized, while his experience and insight had undergone transformation and evolution somewhere beyond Lance's knowledge.
Lance had originally invited Su Hao with the intention of supporting a promising junior. Even after witnessing Su Hao's battle with Lt. Surge just now, that had remained the case.
But the instant