C8 The Beauty He Met in the Men's Washroom

Elder Pang momentarily paused, then quickly responded with respect, "Of course, the restroom is this way. Allow me to accompany you, Young Master!" As he spoke, Elder Pang prepared to lead the way.

Yet, Xia Ming halted, giving Elder Pang a quizzical look. "Elder Pang, there's really no need for you to join me just to pee, is there? Unless you're challenging me to see who can aim higher?"

Elder Pang was at a loss for words. "Young Master, please, no jests. I'm simply concerned that something untoward might occur!"

Earlier, in the lobby, Elder Pang had been briefly detained, and during that time, Xia Ming had suffered insults from Wang Ke and Qi Jun.

Xia Ming gestured dismissively, "Elder Pang, relax. Haven't you already secured the 18th floor? There's nothing to fear. Please, go ahead and attend to our guests. I need a favor: find out if anyone has a suitable gift I could borrow. Tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday, and I'm in need of an appropriate present."

"Understood! I'll see to it immediately!" Elder Pang bowed respectfully and made his way briskly toward the conference hall.

Xia Ming moved swiftly, darting into the restroom. After relieving himself, he felt much better. As Xia Ming was adjusting his pants, a beautiful woman in a red qipao burst through the door.

She was holding a drink in one hand and seemed about to undo her qipao with the other, clearly in a rush.

As she lifted her qipao, her shapely, smooth legs were revealed, a sight for sore eyes.

Upon spotting Xia Ming in the restroom, the woman's actions froze, and a look of anger crossed her face. "Pervert, what are you doing in the women's restroom?"

Xia Ming looked at her innocently, "Miss, you must be mistaken. Would there be a urinal in a women's restroom?" While speaking, he pointed to the urinal on the wall.

The woman's expression wavered with uncertainty as she glanced at the writing on the wall, "A small step forward is a big step for civilization!"

And indeed, the layout confirmed it was a genuine men's restroom.

Leng Ningchu was mortified. In her haste to make the meeting on time today, she had accidentally dashed into the men's restroom—and there was someone inside!

Admit her mistake?

That was out of the question. Leng Ningchu oversaw all intelligence for the southwest Guard Station and was renowned as the Xia family's top intelligence queen. If word got out that she had mistakenly entered the men's restroom, how would she ever be able to face her colleagues again?

Observing Xia Ming, who appeared to be quite innocent, Leng Ningchu quickly devised a plan. "What's the big deal about being in the men's restroom? Hmph! You lascivious scoundrel... Would you believe me if I screamed right now, claiming you dragged me in here to assault me?"

She couldn't help but feel a surge of self-satisfaction at her cunning.

Upon hearing Leng Ningchu's threat, Xia Ming's eyes went wide as he stared at her, dumbfounded. "..."

Was that even an option?

Xia Ming was already forming a hypothesis about the identity of this striking woman. The entire eighteenth floor was under lockdown by Elder Pang's men. Surely, only members of the Xia family Guard Station from the southwest were allowed up here.

This woman had an intriguing presence about her!

With that thought, Xia Ming stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Leng Ningchu's slender waist, and leaned in close to her.

Overwhelmed by his masculine scent, Leng Ningchu instinctively struggled, "What... what are you doing?"

Xia Ming gave a mischievous grin. "My dear, didn't you just threaten to accuse me of impropriety? Since my reputation is already at stake, I might as well act the part. Otherwise, it would weigh on my conscience!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Leng Ningchu retorted in a mix of rage and indignation. She writhed in Xia Ming's embrace and fiercely swung her handbag at his chest. Then, seizing the moment, she bolted for the restroom exit, yelling, "Despicable, jerk!"

As Leng Ningchu made her hasty escape, Xia Ming's lips curled into a sly smile. Recalling the name he saw on her badge, he thought, "Leng Ningchu, haha, quite the character, this young lady!"

...

The conference hall on the eighteenth floor was spacious enough to seat two hundred people. At this moment, it was nearly full, with hardly any vacant seats left.

Everyone was seated attentively, waiting in silence.

At the doorway, Xia Ming finally made his appearance. Elder Pang quickly rose to his feet, loudly introducing him to the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Third Young Master of the Xia family, Xia Ming, the future heir to the Xia family!"

"Greetings, Young Master!"

With a rustle, everyone stood up and bowed respectfully to Xia Ming.

Xia Ming surveyed the assembly below him. Present today were the industry titans who had earned the right to be there!

Lu Zhanfeng, the wealthiest man in River City; Zhang Tian, the steel magnate of Tiannan Province; Huang Jinyu of the renowned southwestern Huang family pharmaceuticals...

Previously, Xia Ming had only seen these figures on television, never expecting to cross paths with them. But now, here they were, standing before him, visibly nervous and apprehensive.

As key figures of the southwest Guard Station, they all served the Xia family, yet they knew little about the young master they would soon pledge their loyalty to.

"Thank you all for your efforts. Please, take your seats. We're waiting for one more person," Xia Ming gestured to the crowd. With Elder Pang leading the way, he proceeded to the seats of honor at the front.

The group sat down, exchanging puzzled glances.

The Xia family's young master was waiting for someone else?

Who could it be?

Who commanded such respect?

Elder Pang shared their bewilderment. The entire eighteenth floor was on lockdown, and without his express permission or an invitation, entry was impossible!

As everyone had just settled in, Leng Ningchu burst through the doors of the conference hall. Catching sight of Xia Ming, she exclaimed in surprise, "You scoundrel... What are you doing here?"

Elder Pang had been the de facto leader of the southwest Guard Station for years, commanding great respect within the organization.

Yet now, Elder Pang was personally escorting this young man, suggesting his status was far from ordinary.

Could he be from the headquarters?

Elder Pang had summoned them under the pretense that the Third Young Master's family restrictions had been lifted, and they were to meet him. Could it be...

The thought struck Leng Ningchu like a cold wind, taking her breath away.

Surely it couldn't be this melodramatic?

"Director Leng, watch your language. This gentleman is none other than the Third Young Master. Would you not pay your respects promptly?" Elder Pang's brow furrowed as he gave Leng Ningchu a slight nudge of a reminder.

Leng Ningchu's heart felt as fragile as glass, shattering into pieces in an instant.

Just as she feared...

Xia Ming watched Leng Ningchu with a devilish grin. "Beautiful sister, isn't this a pleasant surprise? Here we are, meeting again."

With an embarrassed look, Leng Ningchu faced Xia Ming and bowed deeply, saying, "Young Master... I... I was unaware it was you. I admit my mistake..."

Heavens!

She had just insulted the Young Master, calling him a scoundrel, and had even thrown her bag at him!

Within the Xia family, there was a rigid hierarchy in their formidable institution. Subordinates were expected to show absolute obedience to their superiors.

And Xia Ming, being the legitimate heir of the Xia family and the primary successor, wielded immense power. To put it bluntly, if Xia Ming commanded Leng Ningchu to die, she wouldn't dare utter a word of dissent.

The room fell into a hushed anticipation, everyone's eyes fixed on Xia Ming, awaiting his verdict.