Jiang Han felt his nerves jangling as he dialed Xu Yan's phone number, anxiously calling out her name.

She didn't answer the phone, and there was no response from her room. In a frenzy, Jiang Han rushed to the bathroom to look for her, and hastily searched through the wardrobe and under the bed.

Unfortunately, he didn't see her.

Jiang Han made a call to Cheng Ji and asked, "Xu Yan is not in the room. Did she call you today?"

Cheng Ji was surprised. "What do you mean? Did she go out or have another accident?"

"I don't know! I called her but she didn't answer. She's not in the room." Jiang Han said irritably.

"I'll call her. Don't worry, I'm on my way to Mingchuan City." Cheng Ji hung up the phone and immediately called Xu Yan.

Seeing that Jiang Han was in such a hurry, the room service came up with a suggestion. "Sir, you can check the surveillance footage and see if your friend went out."

Jiang Han's emotion surged like a drowning person spotting a lifeline, "Why didn't you mention it sooner?"

The room service took him to the office to check the surveillance footage. It must be acknowledged that the services provided by a five-star hotel were commensurate with its accommodation cost. In addition, the quality of the surveillance video footage was very clear. Jiang Han asked the staff to fast forward the surveillance footage, and to stop as soon as they saw Xu Yan's image.

According to the surveillance video, when Xu Yan's figure disappeared, the clock froze at ten fifty. The hotel surveillance staff then retraced her steps based on the recorded timeline.

The surveillance video finally captured Xu Yan as she hailed a taxi and left the hotel entrance. Jiang Han heaved a sigh of relief.

It was good news that she went out independently without being abducted. But why didn't she answer the phone? Could it be that she had encountered any danger outside?

Jiang Han once again succumbed to anxiety after the brief moment of relief. He dialed Xu Yan's phone number once more, only to find that she was still engaged in another call.

After a while, Cheng Ji called him and said awkwardly, "Xu Yan is fine. Don't worry."

"Then why didn't she answer my call? Why didn't she reply to my WeChat message?" Jiang Han asked.

"Her phone was on silent mode. She didn't know you called her."

"Then why did she answer your call?"

Cheng Ji felt a little guilty under his questioning and said, "I called two or three times before she answered."

"Where is she now? What is she doing?"

"Uh..." Cheng Ji sighed and said euphemistically, "She is a lady, and there are certain matters she finds difficult to disclose to me. There is no need for concern. She mentioned her intention to return once her tasks are completed."

Jiang Han didn't give up and asked, "Really?"

"Yes! I promise you."

Knowing that she was really fine, Jiang Han was completely relieved. He thanked the hotel surveillance staff, "I apologize for the inconvenience, but my friend has been located. Thank you for your assistance!"

The staff smiled and said, "It's good that you've found her. With your care, your friend is a very lucky person."

Jiang Han thanked them again and came out of the office, taking the elevator back to the room upstairs. In the elevator, he received a call from Xu Yan. She said calmly, "I'm very safe. I'll be back to the hotel soon."

Xu Yan had almost finished talking with Wu Hongchang when she received a call from Cheng Ji, telling her that Jiang Han was looking for her.

"I'm having dinner with Mr. Wu in Mingchuan City." She told Cheng Ji.

Cheng Ji immediately understood. "That's why you didn't tell him when you left the hotel and didn't answer his calls."

"Yes, I'll call him back later. Don't tell him anything." Xu Yan said.

…

Xu Yan returned to the hotel and was startled when she swiped her room card and opened the door. Jiang Han was sitting in her room watching TV.

She asked guiltily, "Why are you in my room?"

Jiang Han got up and walked over. "I am waiting for you to come back."

Xu Yan said, "For what? Is there something you want to talk to me?"

Upon witnessing her safe and composed return, Jiang Han realized that he had indulged in unnecessary concern earlier. He pursed his lips and said, "Forget it. I was about to ask you out for dinner, but you didn't answer when I knocked on the door. I was concerned that you might have an accident."

Xu Yan faked a smile. "I'm sorry to have made you worry."

Jiang Han handed over the takeout box and asked, "Have you had your meal? If not, I can have the waiter reheat it for you. I bought this in the restaurant. It tastes good."

"I had my meal outside. I didn't get enough sleep this morning, so I would like to take a break now." Xu Yan leaned against the wall and said.

Jiang Han held the takeaway box tightly and walked out of the door. "Now go rest. If you feel like going out again, let me know. It is me that bring you to Mingchuan City. It was I who took you to Mingchuan City, so if any untoward incident occurs, I will have to shoulder the responsibility."

He walked to the door. Xu Yan closed the door behind him. He then threw the takeaway box into the trash can in the corridor.

Jiang Han realized that his proactive behavior was quite ridiculous, as Xu Yan simply ignored him. But he couldn't control himself. Now that they were so close, he always wanted to see her and talk to her.

His action was... quite cheap.

Jiang Han decided to suppress his feelings towards Xu Yan. They were competitors. They didn't come to Mingchuan City to develop a romantic relationship, but to compete for distributors.

He went back to his room, turned on his tablet, and made arrangements for tomorrow's work.

Cheng Ji didn't arrive in Mingchuan City until four o'clock in the afternoon. Instead of going to Mingchuan Hotel, he found a coffee shop and called Xu Yan out.

When they met, they first talked about the information Xu Yan had collected during the meal with Wu Hongchang. Cheng Ji analyzed the situation, "We have won the battle in Mingchuan City."

Xu Yan nodded. "Almost."

"Now that we have achieved success in Mingchuan City, let Cheng Xu take charge of the remaining distributors. Anyway, he is idle." Cheng Ji said.

"Let Cheng Xu handle this? Will he be unhappy?" Xu Yan asked.

"If he is not willing to go for the trips, he will naturally arrange for someone else to go. Considering our current popularity, distributors are inclined to see Meisi Group as the trendsetter in the industry. Jiang Han has also deployed a team. The team will visit those distributors throughout the entire next week."

Xu Yan exclaimed with a gleam in her eyes, "Shall I return then?"

Cheng Ji smiled brightly at her and said, "Sure. Wuyou and Wulv all miss you so much."

"Shall I leave immediately?" When it came to Wuyou and Wulv, she couldn't wait to go back to Canghai City immediately.

"You may depart tomorrow, as traveling overnight is not advisable for your safety. Have a good rest tonight and treat Jiang Han to dinner."

Xu Yan narrowed her eyes and said, "Treat him to dinner? Well, why don't you dine with him instead? I'll excuse myself."

"He rushed to Hengshan City from Linjiang City to save you last night, so you owe him a favor. It is only fair for you to express your appreciation. Show your generosity." Cheng Ji consoled her.

Thinking about Jiang Han's various behaviors last night, which were relatively gentlemanly and friendly, Xu Yan decided to temporarily set aside the entanglement. It was just a meal, after all. She had succeeded in Mingchuan City. Sharing a meal with Jiang Han would cause him to let his guard down and temporarily bewilder him.

After arranging work for the employees, Jiang Han lay in bed to rest. While he was sleeping, his cell phone rang. He picked it up and heard his father, Jiang Qinghua, asking sternly, "Why did you call Mr. Liao in the middle of the night yester?"

"You've retired, but you're still so well-informed?" Jiang Han sat up and replied with a smile.

"Don't interrupt me! Is there anything urgent that you need to bother Mr. Liao with?" Jiang Qinghua didn't let him go and continued to ask.

Jiang Han clasped the edge of the blanket between his fingers. Jiang Qinghua had repeatedly reminded him that Mr. Liao held a prominent role and should be contacted only in matters of utmost urgency, lest it become challenging to reciprocate a favor. The two families, one engaged in business while the other engaged in politics, were susceptible to threats, creating public sensation.

Before he could explain, Jiang Qinghua burst into anger. "I don't care about the company anymore, but I am far from being so old that I cannot see through things. It's not that I can't find out the truth. I just want your explanation, because you are my son."

Jiang Qinghua was a strict father, but he would still discipline his son according to the rules. He was not arbitrary. As long as Jiang Han's explanation was reasonable, he would not pursue the matter.

Jiang Han knew that he couldn't hide it, so he told the truth. "Xu Yan acted bravely for righteousness in Hengshan City yesterday, and then she was retaliated against by those ruffians. At that time, the situation was critical..."

Jiang Qinghua interrupted Xu Yan when he heard Xu Yan's name. "I inquired about your thoughts on Xu Yan a couple of days ago, and you denied having any. Yet, she faced peril in Hengshan City, and you immediately sought the aid of Mr. Liao. Can you clarify your actions? Would you exhibit the same level of urgency if it were someone else?"

"Dad, after all, she has been with me for three years. If she met some accident in another city, I just can't stand by and do nothing." Jiang Han explained again.

"Jiang Han, I don't care about how you manage the company. But I warn you, your marriage partner must obtain the consent of both me and your mother, otherwise I will make her unable to continue her career in Canghai City." Jiang Qinghua said.

Jiang Han smiled bitterly. Xu Yan had a good career now and didn't bother to look at him at all. Exhausted, he said, "This shall be the sole instance. I won't disturb Mr. Liao the second time."

"Be careful of your actions." Jiang Qinghua said and hung up the phone.

Jiang Han threw his phone on the bed. After a while, it rang again. Without looking at the number, he picked it up and asked in a deep voice, "What's the matter?"

Cheng Ji's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone, "I have arrived in Mingchuan City. Let's have dinner together tonight."

"I don't want to have dinner with you." Jiang Han refused.

"I will make arrangements for Xu Yan's return to Canghai City tomorrow." Cheng Ji stated.

"Return to Canghai City. Is she not going to visit the distributors?" Jiang Han frowned and asked.

"I am not lacking in compassion as a boss. Seeing how frightened she was last night, I have decided to send her back to Canghai City for a break. As for the other distributors, I will delegate an errand to Cheng Xu. I will provide you with the dinner address shortly." In order to avoid any potential refusal, Cheng Ji promptly ended the phone call.

Jiang Han had made plans to dine with Xu Yan in the evening, yet his father's remarks thwarted his intentions. Now that he heard that she was going back tomorrow, he felt frustrated again.

After a while, Cheng Ji sent him the address. Jiang Han tidied himself up and went out to attend the dinner.

When he walked into the private room, he saw Xu Yan sitting very close to Cheng Ji and looking at his mobile phone with a smile on her face.

He asked enviously, "What are you looking at?"

The two of them looked over at the same time. Cheng Ji replied to him, "I've recorded some videos for Wuyou and Wulv these days. She's anxious to watch them."

Jiang Han asked subconsciously, "Who looked after the two kittens while you were on a business trip?"

Xu Yan looked at him in surprise. He didn't love animals. When he saw Wuyou and Wulv before, he looked disgusted. Why did he suddenly care about them? However, since he had expressed his goodwill, she was grateful. Thus, she replied, "As long as there's enough cat food and water, they will be able to live by themselves for a couple days."

Cheng Ji handed him the menu and said, "Take a look and see what you want to eat."

Jiang Han sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. "The decision is yours. It's just a routine meal, after all."

Cheng Ji then asked Xu Yan, "Is there anything you like to eat?"

Xu Yan was still watching the videos. She said without looking up, "Feel free to order anything you like, just make sure not to order spicy food."

This time, it was Jiang Han who was surprised. Was she considering his preferences by refraining from ordering spicy food?