A double edge sword

It took Richard Sun to arrive ten minutes before the said time. Fortunately, he arrived earlier and wasn't stuck in the traffic jam. He couldn't afford to be late, that might displease Matthew Xi.

"Reservations for?" As Richard Sun entered the place, a clerk welcomed him with a smile.

"Paul Qian." When Richard Sun's assistant replied, Paul Qian responded with an instruction.

Richard Sun knew this restaurant to have a three to six months reservation. Not many could walk inside the premises without a reservation and those selected few, one of them was Matthew Xi.

Even with Richard Sun's status, and even if he could afford the rate, it mandated him to follow the establishment's protocol if he wanted to dine in this place.

"This way, please." Knowing the familiar name, the clerk guided Richard Sun to a private dining room.

Richard Sun followed the clerk with confidence. Just being led and being treated extra special boosted Richard Sun's confidence.

It really felt different when people knew someone was associated with Matthew Xi. After all, although only a few had seen Matthew Xi's face, Paul Qian's name also weigh heavier than most businessmen.

Paul Qian was the one that often deals with Matthew Xi's minor affairs and his reputation wasn't less bad than Richard Sun's reputation. Although Paul Qian was just an assistant, one should think hundred times before offending the said man.

Not just Matthew Xi, but also, people needed to have the good graces of the king's right-hand man if they wanted to meet the king. In other words, someone needed to impress Paul Qian before any project could reach Matthew Xi.

The clerk stopped and gestured Richard Sun to enter the room. Thus, Richard Sun returned her smile and thanked her. "Thank you,"

The clerk only stretched her lips from side to side before bowing her head politely. She then left him to return to her post.

As the clerk leaves, Richard Sun glanced at her back — from top to her bottom. 'Nice,' he complimented as the woman's figure wasn't that bad. At the very least, she has flesh, not just skin and bones.

Too bad Richard Sun didn't have the time to hit on her. Regardless, once this deal would pursue, women would flock around him — even Zoey.

Bearing a bright mood, Richard Sun entered the room. However, to his surprised, the room was already occupied.

For a second, Richard Sun was immobilized. There, inside the room, Matthew Xi was perching on a chair while staring at his phone's screen.

"Mr. Xi, I apologized for being late." Secretly glancing at his wristwatch, Richard Sun saw it was still six minutes earlier than the agreed time.

However, he still apologized. After all, Matthew Xi got there first and that meant he was still late. The reason Richard Sun was internally panicking.

"No, you're not. You've arrived early, don't apologize." Without retracting his gaze from his phone, Matthew Xi corrected. "It just happened my location earlier is not far away from here." He added, still staring at his phone. To be exact, staring at the boring chat logs he had with Zoey.

'She's still not bothering me.' Matthew Xi thought internally. Enzo Li had already said he would attend the event, but Zoey still didn't reach him.

Why? Didn't Enzo Li said she dislikes being alone in the hospital? Was someone with her? Who? Cora Ma? Or someone else?

Matthew Xi was lost in his thoughts, about to be drowned to death by his curiosity. After a minute, Matthew Xi snapped and glanced in the entrance.

Richard Sun was still standing there, not taking his seat as if he was there to serve him. "Why don't you take a seat, Mr. Sun?"

"Thank you, Mr. Xi." Meekly smiling, Richard Sun didn't mind the brief negligence because it seemed Matthew Xi was reading something important. Yes, something truly important.

"I have already ordered something — please tell me if you want something else." Raising his gaze, Matthew Xi remarked and saw Richard Sun gently smile.

"I trust Mr. Xi's choices." said Richard Sun, bearing his business demeanor.

"Huh," Upon hearing Richard Sun's words, a faint scoff escaped from Matthew Xi's lips. It was barely audible, but because of the silence, Richard Sun discerned the seemingly mocking laced in the faint scoff.

"Mr. Sun, I have two key reasons why I approve business proposals: one is I can see the potential, and the other is..." Matthew Xi paused, placing down his phone to the side. "To monitor it — rather, the person behind it." Offering a cunning smirk, Matthew Xi didn't filter his words.

"I do trust my choices, but it's not advisable for others — it's a double-edge sword." Matthew Xi added, watching Richard Sun's forehead formed beads of sweats.