The receptionist led them to the president's office. When the door opened, Cai Jingwen was sitting behind her desk, reading documents. Dressed in a black suit with her hair pinned up, she looked polished and capable.
Chen Siyao and Yang Wanqing were sitting on the sofa, leafing through a product catalog.
"Du Du! You're here!" Chen Siyao stood up and ran over to take Du Ling's hand. "Let me introduce you. This is our company's president and one of its shareholders, Sister Jingwen."
Cai Jingwen stood and extended her hand with a smile. "Miss Du Ling, I've heard so much about you."
Du Ling shook her hand and nodded politely. "You're too kind, President Cai."
They met each other's eyes, both sizing the other up. As Du Ling reached out to shake Cai Jingwen's hand and their fingertips touched, she instinctively glanced around the office.
She didn't see that familiar figure. A barely perceptible flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she quickly hid it.
Chen Siyao pulled Du Ling onto the sofa, and Yang Wanqing joined them. The women began chatting animatedly.
Lin Jiaxing sat beside them, chiming in now and then. Cai Jingwen took several copies of a contract from her desk drawer and handed them to Du Ling.
"The endorsement contract. Have a look. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions."
Du Ling took the contract and went through it page by page. After reading for a few minutes, she requested no changes, simply turning to the last page and signing it.
"Du Du, shouldn't you read it more carefully?" Lin Jiaxing leaned over and whispered.
Du Ling closed the contract and handed it back to Cai Jingwen. "President Cai, here's to a successful partnership."
Cai Jingwen accepted it with a smile. "To a