Jian Dan had longed for it and as soon as he entered the room, he couldn’t wait to throw himself on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Bo Qin watched him for a while, shook his head in amusement, then went out to listen to Secretary Zhou’s work report. Secretary Zhou had presided over the meeting on his behalf, and although Secretary Zhou was capable enough not to make mistakes, it was still better to be cautious and hear out the work deployment and plans.
After the report, Secretary Zhou told him, "Mr. Bo, Mr. Hai has invited you for afternoon tea."
Bo Qin looked at Secretary Zhou impassively. "Did you accept?"
Secretary Zhou shook his head, "No, I said I needed to check your schedule because you had personal matters to handle."
"Good, that’s fine then."
Secretary Zhou, "So about the afternoon tea... "
Bo Qin glanced towards the bedroom, "Tell Mr. Hai I might bring a guest, we’ll meet in the hotel restaurant in one hour."
This hotel was owned by Haicheng Group, a high-end establishment with excellent privacy, so there was no worry about any scandals arising from sitting together, unless it was intentional.
Just as Secretary Zhou was about to leave, Bo Qin called him back, "If you mind, then forget it."
Jian Dan was awakened by Bo Qin, who urged her to get up and have some dim sum before they returned to the capital. Rubbing her eyes sleepily, she saw Bo Qin’s face close to hers, his eyebrows furrowed. "Uncle Qin, I’m still sleepy."
"Oh, then continue sleeping. You don’t want some dim sum? I had Secretary Zhou prepare the signature ones, really not going to try?"
Persuaded by him, Jian Dan climbed out of the sheets and headed to the bathroom. "Uncle Qin, wait for me, I’ll be quick."
Bo Qin was somewhat amused, wondering how sleepy one had to be to act .
Ten minutes later, Jian Dan appeared in front of him, fresh and alert. "Uncle Qin, I’m ready."
Mid-sentence, she yawned again and instinctively grabbed his arm, letting him lead her out while Secretary Zhou, following behind, couldn’t help but chuckle, "The young miss really does look like she could sleep anywhere."
Bo Qin chuckled, flicking Jian Dan’s forehead lightly, "Little Sleeping Beauty."
Hai Ling was already waiting by the restaurant’s bar, which primarily served afternoon tea. The area was sparsely populated, with just a few people around. When she saw Bo Qin coming, she got up to greet him, her brother Hai En also sitting beside her.
Since Bo Qin said he would bring a guest, she also invited her brother as a formal introduction to Bo Qin.
Bo Qin wasn’t surprised and didn’t say much because Secretary Zhou had already informed him. Seeing Hai En snapped Jian Dan out of her drowsiness and she followed Bo Qin to their table, her eyes reddened. Hai Ling paused looking at Jian Dan for a moment before smiling, "This is Mr. Bo’s... "
"My girl." Bo Qin replied, his tone affectionate.
The tender look in his eyes almost overflowed.
Having interacted with Bo Qin for so long, Hai Ling had never seen such an expression from him, which was somewhat unexpected, and naturally, Secretary Zhou didn’t join them for the meal but turned to leave.
Hai Ling introduced her brother, "Mr. Bo, this is my brother, Hai En, who is planning to transfer to the capital soon. I hope you can look out for him then."
Hai En looked decent now, but Jian Dan was quite dismissive, remembering the teasing they had endured from him on the beach, her lips pouting unhappily.
Bo Qin noticed her tiny gesture, said nothing, and gave Hai En a nonchalant nod, his demeanor neither cold nor warm.
If Hai Ling couldn’t tell there was tension among them from this situation, then he had lived all his years in vain. "Mr. Bo, did my brother Hai En do something to upset your little girl?"
Hai Ling’s tone carried the indulgence of someone accustomed to pampering the younger generation. Jian Dan didn’t know what kind of signal Hai Ling was trying to send to Bo Qin, but whatever it was, she wasn’t keen on guessing. Could it be that she wanted to date Uncle Qin?
The thought made Jian Dan feel uneasy and listless, angry yet without a position. "He was harassing me and Sister Wen Xue on the beach."
She spoke bluntly, causing Hai Ling’s smile to stiffen. Bo Qin’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked down at the young girl, who was staring back at him, prompting him to say helplessly, "Why are you looking at me?"
Jian Dan shook her head and remained silent, and Hai Ling immediately apologized, "Sorry, that was my negligence."