The Precursor To Something Bigger

"Thank you for conducting business with Yuan's Shop, it'll be a pleasure to conduct more negotiations with you, Sir Li!" the shopkeeper shook the hand of the CEO with a relieved smile. The two of them still managed to strike an agreement even without his boss.

Now what would happen afterwards was up in the air, but after tasting the drink that the CEO offered to him, Yuan Gen would not let the chance slip by him. He was positive that once he relayed this information, it would be taken well by him.

It was also proof that there was something greater than just the Shen Society taking in a random CEO into their care, it was obvious that the man had some sort of backer or had come upon something special to have obtained a stash like this.

Yuan Gen had stored the three cans in one of the freezing inter-spatial safe. There was a lot of work to be done. He watched the vehicle drive away with some sense of unease and relief at the same time. He was jittering.

.

.

.

Shen An Na already held the Root Blossoming Tea's canister in her hands, and she was once again back in the shotgun of CEO Li's car. It was a peculiar and even otherworldly feeling to stay in close proximity to the much older man than her. She had initially assumed that this man felt at loss, this situation was jarring… it was practically turning everything that one knew upside down.

But it seemed that he had managed to really gain back the situation for himself.

"It seems that all you needed from us was directions, Mister Li Yang." She said with a small smile. At least he wasn't a headache like other clients before him, speaking of which, she checked her phone and grimaced. Sun Aoyun was dropping by soon in this city for business, just great. But she once again gazed back at the older man.

Perhaps it was a little crush.

Her older brother would spit out fire if he ever came across her admitting such a thing aloud. But there was no denying that having an older, capable and especially handsome man was enough to even make a young woman like her feel enthralled. But Shen An Na needed to get her wits together, she was supposed to be betrothed to someone else.

And this was just her appreciating a man's looks.

"The man still can't fight or anything—he needs our help." Hua Zhao remarked from the back seat. The man was on his phone and temporarily looked up, "Unless you have another trick up your sleeve, CEO Li? By the way, I'm curious, is there a special code for your company's online store?"

"Zhao!" Shen An Na glared at the man. This guy was really embarrassing them!

"Hmm, I'm not exactly sure about the latter in regards to discount codes, I'll have my secretary look them over." Li Yang answered. His gaze was on the road ahead of them, "But I hope that while I am still in the process of trying to gather strength, I can rely on you and Shen Society? Would it be possible to hire one of your men as a bodyguard?"

Shen An Na cleared her throat, "I'll look it over with our other employees."

"Thank you."

"By the way, CEO Li… are you heading immediately to your office?" Shen An Na asked. "We could brew your Root Blossoming Tea at the headquarters. You came here so early, I'm not sure if you had the chance to have breakfast."

"I sure didn't get to eat," Hua Zhao hollered. "Will you be treating us to breakfast, boss?"

Shen An Na could only feel mildly annoyed at the freeloading martial artist.

Li Yang gave his reply, an apologetic look on his face. "Unfortunately, I really do have to go. I thank you for your thoughts, however. You are most kind, Miss Shen."

[ You Have Earned 20 Charm Points ]

Li Yang would once again earn another set amount of points from Shen An Na, and when he compared her to Ying Yue He… she really did give more than his secretary. Was it because Ying Yue He was older and was more used to his presence? It could be the reason why he couldn't gather points that much.

The CEO would take advantage of this fact as much as he could, but if he were to be honest… he was also feeling somewhat weirded out by a younger woman being charmed by him. She looked around five or more years younger than him, and he was not interested. Li Yang could only hope that earning more charm points than usual didn't exactly equate to growing feelings, but only them being charmed for a moment.

Once the man dropped the two off at the Shen Society's Headquarters, Li Yang would head to his own office. But if there was something that he took note of—even as he secured the Root Blossoming Tea canister, it was the lack of visibility of the Panda.

"I think you're actually around—why are you hiding your presence?" he asked.

"I can do whatever the hell I want, damn you!" the creature replied, reappearing above the dashboard. "I'm not supposed to interfere with your actions and only watch, but I'm not sure if you did something stupid or insane. Possibly both."

"It was more cost-efficient, I suppose. And the other intangible benefits also presented itself as you can see."

"Whatever, as long as you do something excitable—the heavens will watch and throw charm points at you." the creature grumbled. "But you actually seem to be in a good mood, you've been smiling a lot more today."

Li Yang blinked as they went down the parking lot. "Is that so strange for you?"

"Frankly, yes."

The CEO let out a resigned sigh, "Well, I still managed to obtain a way for me to unlock my spiritual roots. With the System's help, but if I had only waited for me to earn up to 5000 charm points then I would have taken much longer."

"Just don't let this success, get all to your head."

These words were something that his father might have told him before along with his brother. It was enough to clear his head a little. Li Yang stepped out of his car, "I do take that into account, this is not winning a war but only a battle."

"A skirmish, this wouldn't have happened if you followed the System's quest to the utmost degree!"

Li Yang picked up the tea canister and nodded. This little conversation between him and the Panda was nothing but a small precursor to what would happen when he arrived at his office.

—-—-

Author Note: Did that last line give you apprehension or fill your heart with twists of trepidation? If yes, that means I did my job properly. Otherwise, I don't know. I know that the 'Harem' bit is still lacking so far, but I'm waiting for the perfect moment that'll push Li Yang to the edge! Now would that involve alcohol and barks? It's one or the other. I'm still frankly a little lost about the male's sex drive, but I did read that fatigue, overwork, and other factors does weigh in whether a man has a low libido. It still depends on the individual for sure. Are you ever in the mood when you're extremely tired and stressed? Let me know! Or maybe not... that's probably too much information to share over the internet. But hey, maybe it's a safe space? It's 4:03am and I am on a chapter roll!