The next day.
As dawn's first light fell through a corner of the curtains onto Tong Guan's sleeping profile, the phone on the bedside table began to buzz.
Tong Guan opened his bleary eyes, lay dazed on his pillow for a few seconds, then slowly sat up.
He grabbed the phone from the table, glanced at the caller ID, then looked at Chang Nian, who was still fast asleep. He quietly slipped out of bed.
Only after gently closing the bathroom door did Tong Guan answer the call, speaking in a low voice.
"Guan Qi? How did you know I was back?"
A hearty laugh came from the other end. Li Guanqi did not hide anything.
"I'm discussing something with several branch managers. The manager of Branch No. 6 is here too, and she told me you'd returned safely, big brother."
Though Tong Guan had been away for half a month, his vigilance remained as sharp as ever. He keenly caught the important detail in those words and asked:
"It's so early. Why are so many branch managers gathered together?"
He checked the time. It was only a little past six in the morning on December 19.
For so many branch managers to gather at such an early hour, there was clearly some major move afoot.
Li Guanqi also knew when to say what. His smile vanished as he said gravely:
"I've already spoken with your Manager Ji and invited him to attend this gathering.
This time, there really is a Major Event that needs to be discussed, and it involves more than half of the branches."
Li Guanqi had not made himself entirely clear. He was obviously holding something back.
Still, Tong Guan frowned. Matters regarding branch management had nothing to do with him, but he was now a