Lin Chen arrived at the company early the following morning because Sophina had phoned him several times the previous evening, insisting he arrive early.
Upon reaching the company's entrance, Lin Chen grew frustrated; there were simply too many people waiting for the elevator.
It took considerable effort for Lin Chen to squeeze into the elevator, and by the time he did, it was already 8:27 AM.
He had three minutes left until the half-past eight deadline set by Sophina.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, suddenly a girl wearing a blue blouse and a black miniskirt reached out to stop the elevator.
Lin Chen found his eyes drawn to the long legs extending from beneath her skirt.
This girl had a sporty short haircut and a delicate, pretty face exuding a student's aura; she was evidently a fresh university graduate.
"Could you please squeeze in a little? If I'm late again, I'll be fired," the girl pleaded, looking into the crowded elevator.
Although there was some space left inside, nobody moved a bit.
The girl's expression nearly broke into tears, but instead of garnering sympathy, others in the elevator began to complain.
"The elevator is full, wait for the next one!"
"Exactly, we shouldn't be delayed because of you!"
Seeing this scene, the girl finally gave up in despair and retracted her hand.
But at that moment, Lin Chen blocked the closing elevator with his hand: "Everyone squeeze in a bit more; we should be able to fit one more person."
As he spoke, Lin Chen pushed back with his body, a strong surge of air causing everyone to stagger back and, conveniently, free up space for another person.
Lin Chen pulled the girl inside, smiling, "Quick, come in, beauty; there's just enough space for one more."
The girl, delighted, quickly squeezed into the elevator.
At that moment, an audible fart was released by someone in the elevator, and everyone instinctively covered their noses.
As the passengers in the elevator moved, the gap that had just been there vanished, and everyone was squeezed together again.
After two people exited the elevator, the unhappy young woman apologized, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't scald you, did I?"
Lin Chen glanced at the young woman, "No worries, I'm not afraid of getting burned."
The young woman then took out a handkerchief and wiped the milk stains on Lin Chen's trousers.
Finally, after she had wiped off the stains from Lin Chen's clothes, Sophina coincidentally stepped out from her private elevator nearby.
Seeing the ambiguous scene, Sophina asked, furiously, "What are you two doing!"
"Us!" Seeing the CEO suddenly appear, the young woman quickly withdrew her hand, her face turning bright red.
Lin Chen, however, remained quite calm and smiled, "Just now, this beauty's milk sprayed onto my pants, so she was helping me wipe it off!"
"What did you say?" Sophina's gaze suddenly turned cold.
Feeling that his choice of words was somewhat inappropriate, Lin Chen explained awkwardly, "I mean, the milk from the beauty's hand accidentally spilled on my pants, so..."
"Enough, no need to explain. Both of you come to my office," Sophina commanded coldly, "Xiao Ling, did you bring the suit I asked you to get from my car?"
"I brought it up last night; it's in your office," Xiao Ling said, treading carefully.
"Alright then, that's all for you; you may go back to your tasks," Sophina waved her off.
Lin Chen, curious, watched Xiao Ling leave and then asked, "What does that beauty do?"
Sophina scoffed, "She's my new personal secretary."
Walking into the office, Sophina tossed a suit at Lin Chen, "This is for you; try it on to see if it fits."
Lin Chen looked at the suit in his hand; the price tag was still attached. Glancing at the price, he was taken aback—the suit cost ninety-nine thousand eight hundred.
"Wife, you are too good to me, spending so much money on clothes for me," Lin Chen said, moved.
Sophina snorted, "Don't get the wrong idea. I bought it so you could accompany me to the bidding event. Your image represents the company; that's why I got you the suit."
Lin Chen went into Sophina's fitting room and changed into the suit.
Coming out of the fitting room, Lin Chen's transformation was striking, the impeccable suit making him look quite different from his previous cheap attire. Sophina looked on approvingly and nodded, "Alright, let's go to the bidding event together."
The bidding event was set to start at 10 AM, and Lin Chen and his colleagues had allowed a full hour of surplus time.
Lin Chen was driving when he realized the streets of the city were exceptionally congested today.
After asking a passerby, he learned that there had been a five-car pileup causing a traffic accident ahead.
In T-country, such things happened quite frequently.
Time ticked away, and Sophina, looking at her watch, grew increasingly desperate.
"President, there's only half an hour left until the bidding starts; what should we do?" Xiao Ling asked anxiously.
With pain in her eyes, Sophina closed them, "Perhaps it's fate; what can I do?"
At that moment, Sophina knew that given the traffic conditions, by the time they arrived, the bidding would long be over.