My minimum living allowance is credited to my account every day with 1000 million yuan

"As if I were personally present"?
That's impressive? Huang Zhang is one of Lu Tao's men, so he pressed further, "Could it be a close confidant of the chairman?"

Lu Tao looked at his trusted subordinates and smiled faintly: "Chairman? The chairman treats her with more respect than I do."

Huang Zhang didn't drink a drop of his beverage; it fell to the ground with a thud.

The mouths of the other two also grew into an O shape!
"I'm exhausted!" Countless exclamations were already running through their minds. Is President Zhang so powerful that even the chairman has to "kneel" before him?
Lu Tao glanced at the shops on the first floor again; Luffy and the others hadn't come out yet.

What he just said wasn't an exaggeration. It's fair to say that the higher someone's position, the more afraid they are of Zhang Ziqian. Because the higher the position, the more they cherish it, and who wouldn't want to get closer to Chen Xiao's personal secretary?

He lowered his head and took a small sip of his fruit drink, casually glancing at his subordinates, only to find them still in shock. He realized that his earlier remark, "The chairman is even more respectful than I am," had startled them.

Just as I was about to explain Zhang Ziqian's identity further, I inadvertently saw several people entering through the main entrance of the mall.

Lu Tao's expression suddenly changed. He stood up abruptly, putting down the cup in his hand: "You guys stay here, I'm going downstairs for a bit."

After saying that, without waiting for a response from the others, Lu Tao quickly ran downstairs.
The regional managers exchanged glances, and all subconsciously looked in the direction that had just caused Lu Tao's expression to change. At the entrance of the mall, a refined and handsome young man was flanked by two beautiful women.

One of the women was charming and alluring, exuding the aura of a powerful businesswoman in every gesture.

The other one has a graceful figure, but she's wearing oversized sunglasses and a sun hat, so you can't see her face clearly. But just by looking at her demeanor, she's definitely a great beauty.

Mr. Liu chuckled self-deprecatingly: "I consider myself a ladies' man, but compared to today's young people, I'm nowhere near as good!"

Although it was impossible for the man to have two women on either side of him in public, judging from their intimate manner as they walked and chatted, it was clear that he had a close relationship with both women.

The group discussed the young man, wondering where Mr. Lu had gone. Seeing his urgent expression, Mr. Liu joked, "I was like this once when I had diarrhea and was desperately looking for a toilet."

Huang Zhang glanced at him, speechless! This old Liu has no self-control when it comes to his mouth. Did he get completely dumbfounded after being hit on the back of the head by President Lu?

what--

Just as he was about to reprimand President Liu and tell him to think before he spoke, he suddenly noticed President Lu Tao jogging towards the young man.

Then I saw him run up to within 2 meters and bow slightly as if to say hello.

"Does President Lu know him? Is he some high-ranking leader?" Lu Tao had his back to them, so they couldn't see his expression.

But seeing the young man nod slightly, they suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. It seemed that the Mr. Zhang they had just spoken to had given the same response when they approached.

The group exchanged glances: "Is this guy with President Zhang? They even respond in the same way. Is he imitating President Zhang?"

Huang Zhang glanced at the two beautiful women on either side of him, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's probably not that they're imitating President Zhang, but rather that they're often together and have influenced each other."

Are you often together?
The two vice presidents, recalling what President Lu had just said, wondered if this young man was also a leader of the group.

hiss--

They gasped in surprise. Just how high a rank was this, to make President Lu feel that they weren't even worthy of greeting him? Was it presumptuous of him to bring them along?

Looking at Lu Tao in front of him, Chen Xiao recalled the time he met him on the Ningxi project. Back then, Lu Tao was Zhao Hui's rival, but now he was a member of his Junxiao Group.

He was a courteous and respectful person, and said politely, "Mr. Lu, let's take a look at the venue together. You can give me a tour!"

Lu Tao was both flattered and deeply surprised!
For him, being able to accompany General Manager Chen on a store tour was an immense honor. However, he wasn't very familiar with the project himself and was worried that he wouldn't be able to answer any of General Manager Chen's questions.

Chen Xiao has seen a lot of people now, and judging from his reaction, he immediately understood his concerns, but didn't point them out!
"Mr. Lu, let's call our colleagues from the project over to join us."

This was a subtle way of getting him out of a tight spot. Lu Tao was overjoyed and immediately took out his phone to call Huang Zhang and the others on the second floor to come over quickly.

When Huang Zhang and the others heard Lu Tao's urgent call over the phone, "Hurry up and come over, quick, quick!", they could feel Lu Tao's tension.

As he ran downstairs, Huang Zhang said, "Everyone be on your toes. The person downstairs is definitely a super big shot. Even President Lu has never been this nervous meeting the Chairman!"

He didn't even need to remind them! The two vice presidents were already on edge. Lu Tao's almost frantic urging was more effective than any mobilization order! The three of them, like three startled rabbits, staged a high-level version of "Rapid Fire" in the mall corridor. Even the staff patrolling the area were dumbfounded, pointing and whispering from afar: "Holy crap! Are the regional managers running a marathon here? At this speed... are rabbits their grandchildren?"

The three of them, panting and stumbling, rushed to Chen Xiao, abruptly stopping in their tracks. They stood at attention, their chests heaving, yet managed to force out a unified, trembling greeting:
"Good morning, leader!"

Lu Tao quickly cleared his throat twice to suppress his own unsteady breathing, and introduced, "President Chen, these are Huang Zhang, the general manager of our Qinzhou region, and two vice presidents..."

Chen Xiao remained calm, nodded slightly, and spoke in a gentle tone, as if soothing a frightened animal: "You've worked hard, don't be nervous."

This tone was exactly the same as when Zhang Ziqian comforted Lu Tao before.

Lu Tao understood immediately and turned to Huang Zhang and the others, his voice low but each word carrying immense weight:

"This is the boss!"

boss?

Huang Zhang and the others were stunned!
In the workplace, the term "boss" can be used in a very broad sense, but looking at Lu Tao's obsequious, almost bowed-down posture, and then at the calm yet imposing aura of this young man that makes people afraid to look him in the eye... this is definitely not the kind of "boss" they usually call Lu Tao!
It is higher! A higher existence!
Almost reflexively, the group straightened their backs again and shouted in unison with all their might, the sound startling even themselves:
"Good morning, boss!"

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, "Let's go, let's take a look around the arena!"

Lu Tao quickly led the way, giving Huang Zhang a meaningful look behind him, indicating that he would be ready to fill in if there was anything he didn't understand!
Huang Zhang had followed him for many years and immediately understood, but was also somewhat confused. "Boss? Which boss?"

As Lu Tao walked beside Chen Xiao, he was a little worried that Huang Zhang and the others didn't know Chen Xiao's true identity. If they said something inappropriate, they'd be in real trouble. So, he made a hand gesture behind him!

With his left palm facing down, he solemnly tapped his right index finger three times on his left palm, as if typing on an invisible keyboard!

boom!!!
This seemingly simple gesture struck Huang Zhang, Vice President Wang, and Vice President Li like three thunderbolts!
The three men's pupils dilated instantly! A sharp gasp could be heard, their legs went weak, and they almost collapsed on the spot!
Tap your palm down three times!
This was the unspoken, highest-level code between Lu Tao and them—the very top level of Junxiao Group! The one and only true god!
President Chen! The legendary President Chen who is rarely seen and who single-handedly built the Junxiao Empire!
The immense shock and the overwhelming sense of awe that almost overwhelmed their reason made them breathe cautiously, each step feeling as if they were walking on clouds, afraid of disturbing the walking legend before them!
"Let's go check out Luffy's shop first; Ziqian is there too." Chen Xiao's voice broke the silence, addressed to Lu Tao, and also explaining to the elegant Li Zhi'en and Guo Fu beside him.

"Yes, Mr. Chen!" Lu Tao responded immediately, and at the same time, he understood—Mr. Chen personally mentioning Luffy confirmed his previous guess! The Luffy connection really does lead straight to the heavens!
Huang Zhang and the others exchanged quick glances, their eyes filled with a mixture of shock and lingering fear! No wonder Luffy had been so respectful and deferential to President Lu! He knew the big boss directly! President Lu? Chairman? In Luffy's eyes, they were probably just "colleagues"!

Just as the group arrived at the entrance of Luffy's shop, Zhang Ziqian happened to be leading a few people out from inside.

Upon seeing Chen Xiao, Zhang Ziqian's face immediately blossomed into a bright smile, like the first melting of snow, exuding a familiarity and intimacy that few could match. She spoke sweetly, oblivious to those around her:

"Boss, you're so fast!"

Chen Xiao: "..."

Several black lines instantly appeared on his forehead!
quick?!

This girl is definitely doing this on purpose! She's been standing there like a "human timer" every day, doesn't she have any idea how fast or slow it is? Or does she have to experience it for herself to know what "times feel like years" really means?
Zhang Ziqian seemed to realize the ambiguity in her words, her pretty face flushed slightly, and she covered her mouth with a soft laugh, a mischievous glint in her eyes. It wasn't a convenient occasion to explain, so she quickly walked to Chen Xiao's side and naturally stood beside Li Zhi'en.

“Mr. Chen…Mr. Chen—!” Luffy’s voice followed, trembling and stuttering. He was hunched over, barely daring to look Chen Xiao in the eye. Chen Xiao’s cold “hmm” and the way he turned and left yesterday haunted him like a nightmare, keeping him awake all night. Now, seeing Chen Xiao made his legs tremble.

He waited anxiously, even with a hint of despair, for Chen Xiao's cold stare or indifference.

however--

The expected coldness did not materialize.

Instead of ignoring him, Chen Xiao stepped forward, reached out, and patted his shoulder in a very natural and reassuring way!

"Old Lu..."

Chen Xiao's voice was gentle, even carrying a hint of apology:
"I was wrong yesterday... I shouldn't have lost my temper with you."

"what--?!"

Luffy was struck dumb, as if by lightning! He froze on the spot!

His eyes widened suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply, and they were filled with utter bewilderment and disbelief!
Who am I? Where am I? What did I hear?
Mr. Chen... Mr. Chen is apologizing to me?!
My God! This...this is even more unbelievable than winning the lottery a hundred times! I wish I had a recorder on! If I could have recorded this, I could brag about it for ten lifetimes! No, I could treasure it as a family heirloom!
"President Chen...President Chen..." Luffy was so excited he was incoherent, his lips trembling as he repeatedly uttered those two words, unable to continue. A wave of overwhelming joy, fear, and flattery washed over him. The usually eloquent and persuasive businessman was now completely blank, his mind a blank, filled only with a buzzing sound! His eyes instantly reddened, and hot tears welled up uncontrollably, threatening to burst forth!
Chen Xiao took in the sight of her speechless excitement, almost bursting into tears of joy.

Chen Xiao looked at him, a barely perceptible hint of... speechlessness flashing deep in her eyes.

He silently labeled Luffy in his mind:
This guy... is probably a masochist.

If you're harsh with him, he trembles with fear; if you're kind to him, he shivers uncontrollably and his eyes well up with tears.

Tsk, this is difficult.

Chen Xiao's gaze lingered on Luffy's face, which was filled with tears and incoherent speech, for less than a second before he indifferently looked away.

This guy... really needs to be properly trained by that old fox Ma Jian. Chen Xiao mentally categorized Luffy, and was quite speechless at his "overwhelmed with gratitude" to the point of losing his composure.

He turned to Lu Tao, his tone returning to its previous calm:

"Let's go, let's continue—"

He showed no extra emotion, as if the person who had just patted him on the shoulder and apologized wasn't him at all.

“Okay, Mr. Chen—” Lu Tao responded immediately, subconsciously shifting his body slightly to ensure he remained in the lead position. His peripheral vision quickly swept over Luffy, who was still frozen in place, seemingly lost in thought. He sighed inwardly, but also breathed a sigh of relief: at least he hadn’t completely lost his composure in front of Mr. Chen.

As Chen Xiao and his group started walking, Huang Zhang, Vice President Wang, Vice President Li, and the others who were following at the back of the group finally couldn't hold back any longer!

They discreetly fell a few steps behind, and taking advantage of the fact that the big shots ahead weren't paying attention, they quickly began exchanging glances! The complex emotions contained in their eyes were enough to fill an entire page of a gossip magazine!

Just ten minutes ago, what was Luffy's posture like in this shopping mall?
That was practically a divine display in front of everyone, radiating boundless glory!
He walks with a confident stride, chin slightly raised, and speaks with an air of certainty and unquestionable authority. Even when facing their superior, Lu Tao, Luffy can chat and laugh with ease, occasionally even displaying a hint of "giving orders," as if Lu Tao were a "younger brother" in need of guidance! That composure, that subtle sense of superiority, almost made them believe that Luffy was Lu Tao's boss!

The results of it?
Zhang Ziqian appeared!

Good guy!
The aura of divine intervention in front of others vanished instantly!
Luffy's bowed posture, his fawning smile, his controlled tone... he was practically a servant boy attending to a young lady! He was practically wagging his tail, serving tea and water! His rapid change of attitude left them completely bewildered! (End of Chapter)