A LOT OF PRESSURE
Though Hu Lei was shocked at the implications of that name, she did not become hysterical. Her mind did not break down, and she did not run from the meeting. She had known that she might encounter some ghosts from the past after coming back. She just did not expect that it would be so soon.
She would not compromise the success of a good business deal for the sake of some psychological shadow. Had she not dealt with worse? Furthermore, it was not like Vladimir was the devil incarnate. She had good reason to hate him, but she did not feel the need to fear him.
Right now, all she needed to do was focus on the business at hand.
When she had accepted the contract for the position, her primary goal had been to put Zhong Feng to shame with her skills. Now, she did not want to see him fail or be put in a difficult situation, even if it meant facing that son of a b*tch.
Therefore, when the meeting time came, she pulled herself together and focused. After all, her work was only to listen and repeat. With her level of understanding, she did not even need to think before speaking.
The conference room was quiet when she and Zhong Feng entered. Assistant Cheng and one of the high-level secretaries were in the room, providing refreshments and company. Also, there were the usual essential corporate personnel from the legal and technical team to provide support as needed.
She did not need to look for Vladimir Romanov because he was as conspicuous as ever. His bulky figure was impossible to miss at the middle of his entourage of office workers. He had huge muscles which seemed to strain his black suit, testifying of countless hours in the gym. She could not help imagining him becoming green and shouting 'Vlad, smash!'
In spite of the serious situation, she could not help feeling amused. Her calm eyes looked at his face. He was not an attractive man in a conventional way. However, he had a manly face with a gangster air that some might find attractive.
He looked right back at her and smiled. His hand then lifted to an old scar on his left cheek while still maintaining that nauseating happy face.
When she turned back to Zhong Feng, she realised that he must have seen the short interaction. After all, his eyes never seemed to miss anything within his radius. She smiled a little at him and shook her head to indicate that it was nothing.
The smart big boss could see that it was definitely something. Hu Lei had been acting strangely since she entered his office and checked the folder. His face formed a deep frown, but he did not show any other emotions.
His heart felt uncomfortable at the possible connection between his little interpreter and the man in his boardroom. Could he throw him out of the window?
Because his face had a natural apathetic air, no one knew the inexplicable childish/yandere thoughts running through his mind. He remained calm and the meeting began.
The discussion about the collaboration between Novia Corporation and Etude Technologies was not complicated. The Russians interest was quite straightforward. Their company wanted to have a source of a range of products for the Russian market.
Unluckily, the simple meeting also left a lot of pressure on Hu Lei because she was the one who had to keep talking for both sides. She felt like a machine by the end of the meeting. Also, her unhappiness also rose as the conversation continued because she could see the hateful face of Vladimir Romanov.
The two sides came to an agreement after almost an hour of conversation. Hu Lei could see that Vlad had already made the decision to form a partnership with Etude because all of his questions were inane. His sole purpose seemed to be annoying her.
Hu Lei was relieved when the gathering concluded, and Zhong Feng and Vladimir shook hands. She would be finally free to sleep until evening came.
Unfortunately, her dreams were crushed when Vlad spoke in heavily accented English.
"Mr Zhong, I am rather interested in the final day of the trade fair. Perhaps I could borrow Miss Hu for a short tour. I am quite unfamiliar with the city." His rough voice sounded scraping to her ears.
"I will send someone else, CEO Romanov. Miss Hu is quite busy." Zhong Feng replied smoothly but with a hint of hostility.
"Miss Hu and I are old acquaintances." The smile on Vladimir's face seemed like it was implying that they had a deep relationship.
Though that was true, it was not like he wanted people to think. Judging from the eyes turning to her from both sides, he had accomplished his purpose. Even those who could not decipher words from his accent could get the general gist.
She decided to intervene before this godforsaken thug poured indelible ink on her reputation. If he continued, she would not be able to wash herself clean in the seven seas.
"President Zhong, it is quite alright. I can push a few things around to accommodate our guest. Mr Romanov, it will be a pleasure to work with you again." She spoke smoothly with a smile.
She hoped that she did not make a huge faux pas as an interpreter, but she felt that she had no choice. She needed to clarify the relationship, and if she did not accept to act as a guide, the b*stard would have probably kept pushing.