Most of the dinner conversation still revolved around office gossip.
Rumors circulating within the company always caught everyone's interest easily. As they enjoyed their ice cream desserts, the secretaries shared what they had heard.
"I heard President Yuan Hao fell back into his old habits over there and got hauled in for questioning again. Everyone outside is talking about it," Secretary Li said. "Chief, have you heard anything?"
"Mm, possibly."
The rumors about Yuan Hao seemed to be all but confirmed. Shen Yi had thought he might be transferred back to Headquarters, but that no longer seemed likely. He merely drank his water as though he knew nothing, quietly withdrawing from the conversation.
Just then, Secretary Chen, who had been quiet all this time, let out a soft "Ah..."
At the sound, the others instinctively turned.
The street was clearly visible through the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows, making it easy to spot a tall figure approaching at an unhurried pace.
"It's President Yuan!"
"He... seems to be coming over."
"What should we do? Should we say hello?"
Running into your boss over dinner was always a little awkward. Should they greet him first or avoid disturbing him?
This was not on his schedule. President Yuan's presence here meant he had a private dinner engagement.
None of them quite knew how to read their boss's temperament. Having just been discussing his family affairs, they were even less willing to make the first move.
While the secretaries hesitated, Yuan Chen had already drawn closer with his long strides.
His destination was clear, his steps entirely unhesitating.
As the distance between them narrowed, he headed straight toward the secretarial department's table.
Everyone except Shen Yi instinctively stood. In a matter of seconds, they composed themselves and straightened their backs.
But confusion was written all