America: I came here to study, not to show mercy.

Chapter 286 Late Night Snack
In the end, Li Xiaoen did not choose to stay at Suffer's house. Under the girl's rather resentful gaze, he waved goodbye to Louis and the others and drove away.

It was already 10 p.m., and the night was enveloping the vast, flat East Coast plain. There weren't many cars on Interstate 95, and the few cars were far apart. All you could hear was the roar of the engine inside your car.

On the way back to Princeton, Shawn Lee didn't turn on the car stereo. He silently looked ahead, and suddenly realized something. He took a deep breath to cheer himself up and consciously gripped the steering wheel tightly.

While driving, I suddenly forgot I was driving. If I had just received funding and then had a car accident because of this, Suffer would probably bring it up and make fun of me all the time.

As for the personal safety issues arising from the car accident, he didn't care at all—none of his three [triggerable shields] that could withstand fatal injuries were used.

He had initially paid more attention to this prop because it was America. Now, almost a year into his studies abroad, he has not faced any fatal threats to his personal safety, although this is the best possible situation.

It has been proven that as long as you are in a state with gun control, a higher percentage of white people, and a relatively stable environment, there is really no need to worry too much about safety in the United States.

To put it another way, if shootings really happened around us every day, the United States wouldn't be such a popular destination for wealthy people from all over the world to immigrate to.

With his thoughts wandering, Li Xiaoen pulled down the roof of the sports car, letting the refreshing evening breeze flow into the car, and exhaled a breath of stale air.

From then on, his company entered a new phase.

Lost in thought, Li Xiaoen drove past the Princeton incubation center. After a moment's consideration, he turned around and drove there.

It was Friday night, and so late, yet Li Xiaoen was surprised to see the company lights still on. She parked her car in the parking lot and walked over.

Upon opening the door and entering the company, Li Xiaoen immediately saw an empty work area. He frowned slightly, activated his [Eye of Insight], and finally spotted the only person in the office next to his own.

knock knock.

After knocking deliberately, Li Xiaoen reached out and opened the door, leaning against the doorframe. He looked helplessly at Catherine, who was leaning back in her chair, watching him cautiously.

"It's Friday night, and the next two days are the weekend. Even if there's a lot to do, we can work overtime on the weekend."

Li Xiaoen sighed.

From the beginning, he told everyone in the company that there was no need to work overtime on Friday night. They could leave the matter for Monday. If it was urgent, they could come over on the weekend to handle it, and he would pay them three times the overtime pay.

The weekend overtime hours can be adjusted by oneself. Many colleagues in charge of software sleep in late and come to the company at 11 am or even in the afternoon on Saturday.

Catherine rolled her eyes at this, relaxed her tense body, and turned her gaze back to the computer in front of her.

"..."

"As the boss of this company, it's really embarrassing for a secretary to ignore people like this."

With a light laugh, Li Xiaoen walked over to Catherine's seat and followed her gaze to the computer screen.

It contains specific information about the business and financial operations of several companies.

"Hey, are you thinking of changing jobs?"

Li Xiaoen raised an eyebrow, pulled over a chair from another workstation to sit next to Catherine, and sat down to look at it carefully.

"what are you thinking about?"

Catherine gave her a disapproving sideways glance. "Did you forget about your clever brain with Sophie?"

What are you saying?

Li Xiaoen glanced over helplessly, "I'm going to find funding for our company, okay?"

After he finished speaking, he realized what he had said and asked, "Catherine, how did you know I went to see Sophie?"

Catherine did not answer this question, continuing to focus intently on the company's information on the computer screen.

Li Xiaoen shrugged and answered honestly, "In this first round of financing, Su Feier will transfer 30 million US dollars, so we won't have to worry about the company's funds for at least a while."

"thirty million?"

Catherine was startled by his words and turned to look at him in a daze. "Sophie's family has also approved of your relationship?"

As she asked the question, she suddenly felt a little uneasy.

"It's a pretty good start."

Li Xiaoen answered with a smile, but his expression turned strange. "Why are you asking this?"

Catherine did not answer, so he could only take a deep breath.

"We'll need to hire more people then, and we'll also need to fill vacancies in HR and administration. We can delegate these tasks to others in the future."

Nowadays, this HR and administration office is full of girls that Catherine brought in from her previous media company. They are a lively and bustling place, but the number of people is still not enough for the increasingly heavy company affairs.

"Um……"

Catherine was silent for a moment before nodding and letting out a soft hum. She finally raised her chin towards the computer screen and explained, "This is information on companies that have recently collaborated with our company."

"I know."

Li Xiaoen chuckled, but as he watched Catherine's beautiful profile gradually turn cold, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

"You should go home and get some rest."

With a gentle word of comfort, Li Xiaoen stood up and walked quickly towards the door, disappearing from sight in a few steps. Catherine, on the other hand, didn't react for a moment and stared blankly at the direction of the office door.

"..."

After a moment of silence, she wearily closed her eyes, took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the agitation in her heart, and looked back at the data on the computer in front of her.

However, after all this commotion, she couldn't concentrate at all, and even confused the information of the two companies several times.

With a long, deflated sigh, Catherine leaned back in her chair, looking around at the empty office. A wave of resentment welled up inside her, bursting forth like a torrent, causing her hands to clench into fists and tremble uncontrollably.

Completely out of sorts, Catherine was about to get up and leave when she suddenly heard a noise outside the office. Her previously depressed mood instantly lifted, and she nervously looked towards the office door.

Two more knocks came, and just as Catherine was startled and her heart eased slightly, the office door opened, revealing Sean Lee carrying a shopping bag.

"Catherine, I bought you a late-night snack."

Smiling, Li Xiaoen picked at the shopping bags in her hands and stepped forward.

"Night snack?"

Catherine's gaze shifted from Li Xiaoen's handsome face to the various snacks and even oden that the young man was taking out of his shopping bag, her eyes widening.

"Are there any shops still open nearby at this time?"

“There’s a Chinese store that’s open. I just drove there to buy some.” Sean Lee smiled helplessly, put his hand on Catherine’s shoulder, and pulled her into her seat. “Have some late-night snacks first, and I’ll take you home after you’re done.”

While being manipulated by the young man, Catherine was already holding a pair of chopsticks in her hand when she realized what was happening. In front of her, a disposable bowl was filled with two skewers of meat and white radish, as well as a lucky bag and konjac noodles.

"Oh, here's a fork."

After completing all this, Li Xiaoen suddenly realized something, took a spoon with a fork-shaped end, and replaced the chopsticks in Catherine's hand.

"..."

“You’re right. At this time, apart from a few chain 24-hour stores, only Chinese supermarkets are open.”

Her previously heavy mood instantly lightened. Looking down at the object in her hand, Catherine pursed her lips and still made a meaningful remark.

"You can't just criticize other people's hard work and diligence when they do it or when you enjoy the benefits of it."

Li Xiaoen tilted his head and chuckled, "Like me, I wouldn't see someone working late on a Friday night and then criticize or judge them condescendingly, but rather..."

"hiss--"

Halfway through his sentence, Li Xiaoen gritted his teeth and let out a long hiss. His hand holding the chopsticks tightened unconsciously, and his other hand quickly reached back to grab Catherine's hand, which she had placed there at some point.

"You do this too?!"

"Humph……"

With a cold snort, Catherine didn't dwell on it. She rolled her eyes and withdrew her hand. "I've noticed that sometimes you really do need to be taught a lesson."

"Who am I working so late at the company without pay for?"

Looking up at the young man with righteous indignation, Catherine decided to pour out all her grievances: "If it weren't for some unscrupulous boss who washed his hands of everything and left everything to me while he lived a carefree life, would I be so busy and tired?"

"I've already said, wouldn't it be better if you delegated these tasks to someone else?"

Li Xiaoen pointed to the data on the computer screen and retorted, "Hire more people, our company has money now..."

I don't trust anyone else with this!

"Don't tell me that you used to manage your company and did all these things yourself."

"Can that be the same?"

With an indignant expression, Catherine retorted quickly, "Can a long-established, stable company compare to your startup?"

"Don't forget what your company's business is, and how many people are watching you. If they find out that there's been a leak of information or that someone has found a way to attack you, you'll be in big trouble."

"..."

"It seems that what you said makes sense."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Xiaoen nodded thoughtfully. His unwavering and frank attitude surprised Catherine.

"It seems you do have some redeeming qualities; you may be thick-skinned, but at least you're not stubborn."

The young man suddenly admitted it, and Catherine didn't know what to say. She mumbled a confused complaint, turned around, and took a bite of a piece of carrot with her fork.

She ate silently with her head down, so quiet that she could hear the deafening sound of her own chewing. She slowed her movements even more, but her state of mind was not as calm as her expression suggested.

She knew that young people like Li Xiaoen, who were at the peak of their youth and ambition, especially those whose entrepreneurial achievements so far surpassed all their peers, naturally had no less pride than these rich kids. In fact, because it was all earned through their own hard work, it was even greater. She knew about the initial entanglement between the young man and Su Feier, and that experience gave her a glimpse into it.

Now, Li Xiaoen is able to quickly recognize the shortcomings in her thinking and then admit that such a mindset and personality is undoubtedly more fascinating.

"Catherine, can't you even trust the girls you brought in from your previous company?"

Li Xiaoen proactively picked up a skewer of meatballs from the table and placed it in the other person's bowl, saying, "These tasks can't be leaked, so can't we just give them to them?"

“They’ve been busy all day and just left shortly before you arrived. I told them to go back and rest.”

Catherine shook her head and sighed, "The company's business is growing, but we still don't have enough manpower."

"Then hire more, we have money..."

Li Xiaoen waved his hand and said, "When the time comes, we will transfer some of the less important tasks to the newcomers, and they will take charge of the more important tasks."

"Um……"

What Li Xiaoen was referring to was the common job changes in most companies that have grown gradually. Catherine had no objection and nodded in agreement.

"Oh, yes."

After finishing their work, the two ate a quiet late-night snack together. Suddenly, Catherine stood up and nudged Sean Lee's shoulder, "Move aside, I'm going to get something."

"What else do you need?"

Sean Lee raised an eyebrow, made way for her, and watched as Catherine went to the refrigerator in the office, took out a can of beer, and returned with an excited smile on her face.

"Do you think it's appropriate to hide alcohol in the office?"

Li Xiaoen's face turned blank as he silently watched Catherine return, open a can, and take a large gulp. "Don't let getting drunk cause any problems at work."

"Don't worry, don't worry."

Catherine casually raised her hand and patted Li Xiaoen's shoulder twice with amusement. "I usually keep an eye on them. They've been so busy lately. It's okay for these young girls to have a drink every now and then after work. It won't interfere with anything."

"That's fine, just drink one can and don't get drunk."

Li Xiaoen nodded helplessly. He had never interfered with the affairs of the personnel and administration office; it had always been Catherine who was in charge. He figured that with her intelligence, she should know where to draw the line.

They bought quite a lot of things, and the two of them ate slowly until they were about 70% full. There was still a lot left on the table, but they didn't pay much attention to it. They simply cleaned it up and threw it into the trash can.

Having been in America for almost a year, even he had unknowingly become extravagant when it came to food.

With a sigh in his heart, Li Xiaoen turned back and met up with Catherine, who was tidying up her desk in the office.

"Ha ha……"

Catherine smiled and watched him approach. Just as Sean frowned in confusion, she opened her arms and lifted him up, saying, "Sean, I'm drunk. Can you carry me downstairs and take me home?"

Li Xiaoen: “???”

(End of this chapter)