He walked into the living room and saw Chen Hao sitting on the sofa, with Yang Wanqing on the other side. One was brewing tea; the other sat with her hands neatly resting on her knees.
"Mr. Chen." Han Songyue walked over and sat down opposite Chen Hao.
"Director Han, would you like some tea?"
"Yes, please."
Chen Siyao poured a cup and brought it over. Han Songyue accepted it, but he was in no hurry to drink or get down to business.
He looked around the living room of the sprawling apartment... The decor was simple, with no unnecessary furnishings. It was spacious, with an excellent view, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the night skyline of Pengcheng.
"Nice place."
"It's all right." Chen Hao set down his cup.
That was enough small talk. Han Songyue put down his cup and leaned forward slightly.
"Mr. Chen, I've come on an important matter."
"What is it?"
Han Songyue did not beat around the bush.
"The leader would like to meet you."
The living room fell silent for two seconds.
Yang Wanqing's hands trembled on her knees. She turned to look at Chen Hao, then at Chen Siyao, her mouth hanging open. She nearly blurted out an "Ah!" but forced it back down.
Chen Siyao's reaction was more restrained. She stood beside the sofa, her hands steady as she held the tea, but her breathing changed—from even to slightly quicker.
The leader.
The Special Affairs Bureau answered only to the central leadership, so there was no question who his leader was.
No one needed to explain the weight those words carried.
Chen Hao's reaction, however, was no different from usual. He picked up his cup, took another sip, and set it down.
"When?"
"Whenever suits you," Han Songyue said.
Those words alone