[My Queens apartment, the key is in the usual spot. Today’s hotpot is made by Huo Qi, everyone make your own way there.]
Then he turned off the sound, walked into his father’s office, smiling sincerely, "Father, did you want to see me?"
"Someone told me that you’ve been consistently late to work and leaving early. As a junior boss, what are you trying to do? Do you have any idea what your performance looks like; you should think about it carefully;
You’d better reflect on this. Do you think just because it’s your family’s company, you can do whatever you want?
Also, someone said you maliciously reported a school teacher."
Upon hearing this accusation, Davis perked up, his face suddenly darkening, "Father, you take others at their word so seriously. Are you questioning your son or are you looking for the truth?"
"If I had believed them, you wouldn’t be in my office right now. I know your character; you aren’t one to stir up trouble without reason."
Davis felt somewhat reassured.
He recounted the whole story to his father, who was somewhat astonished after listening, "This kid, is he your friend?"
Davis nodded, "Yes, and he’s preparing hotpot for us today. Isn’t that why I rushed out, just to enjoy the hotpot?
The hotpot in Chinatown is not authentic, you know that, Father. Can I go now?"
Davis’s father: "...Get out."
Upon leaving, Davis gestured for his secretary to come over. As soon as he approached, he spoke to his secretary, "Find out who’s been spreading rumors about me in the company. My father called me in for a talk."
"Yes, Deputy Director."
Davis didn’t drive himself but let his driver do it, while he chatted with friends.
[Angus: Oh my gosh, finally Ao Chen’s showing some conscience, but let’s discuss, does this meal even count as Ao Chen’s?]
[Jessica: Definitely not, it’s not Ao Chen who made it. He himself said he invited Huo Qi to make it, so this meal can only be credited to Huo Qi, not Ao Chen.]
Just as Ao Chen had guessed, nobody acknowledged that the meal was prepared by him.
[Allen: I don’t even know if they bought the fatty beef I like. I’m thinking of going to the supermarket myself to buy a ton, enough to satisfy myself.]
[Eric: Hey, it’s actually a good opportunity to compare which one makes the better hotpot.]
[Davis: Any bets? The kind involving money.]
[Jessica: Have you gone broke, Davis? Lately, you can’t stop talking about money, did your family go bankrupt?]
[Davis: Don’t even mention it, my dad just had a talk with me before I left. Someone at the company has been throwing me under the bus, claiming I falsely accused a teacher. It’s truly outrageous, and my father almost believed it.]
[Jessica: What? That’s outrageous, do you want me to explain to your dad?]
[Davis: No need, my Dad looked really angry and yelled at me a bit, but he still believes me. I explained everything, and he didn’t say anything but let me go. This means my account is more trustworthy to my father.]
[Allen: That’s relieving to hear. We all stick to the same story anyway, and it was clearly the teacher’s fault. Looks like the Lawrence family’s drama was convincing enough; it almost had others fooled too.]
[Angus: I’m glad you’re safe. I thought I’d have to help you eat your hotpot, which would have been way too polite.]
[Davis: Get lost, I wouldn’t ask you for help, don’t think you’re irreplaceable. I’d have Jessica pack for me.]
[Jessica: I don’t have the time, nice try working your abacus empty.]
[Allen: I’m not wasting time with this chatter. I’m heading to Davis Apartment right now; it’s pretty close.]
When Huo Qi saw Ao Chen use Davis’s hidden key to open the door, then stash the key back, he was amazed, "Isn’t that being too careless?"
Ao Chen laughed, carrying groceries inside, "Come on in, it’s fine. We’re all regulars here. The front desk staff already know our faces. Although it’s an apartment, there are only about ten units in the building, so it’s easy to remember visitors’ faces."
Huo Qi realized, poverty limited his imagination; it reminded him of the time he woke up in such an apartment, and the state of that place was... indefinable, "Rich people really know how to play."