Chapter 29: The Only Privilege

After spending the entire morning meticulously refining her work, Su Mian finally completed a proposal and headed to the Huo Corporation during her lunch break.

"Excuse me, could you tell me which floor Mr. Huo’s office is on?"

She had intended to simply ask for directions, but the receptionist scanned her from head to toe and let out a disdainful scoff. "I’m sorry, miss, but you need an appointment to see Mr. Huo."

"I spoke with Mr. Huo yesterday. Just tell me the floor, please," Su Mian said, ignoring the woman’s contempt.

The receptionist retorted impatiently, "Are you deaf? I already said you need an appointment. Do you think just anyone can waltz in to see Mr. Huo?"

Su Mian hadn't wanted to argue, but stung by the humiliation, she fired back, "What, do you categorize visitors into different classes? Only those who suit your personal taste are allowed to see him?"

"There are eight or ten women like you throwing themselves at Mr. Huo every single day. If I let every one of you in, how would I get any work done?"

Su Mian realized the woman had pegged her as just another woman with ulterior motives. Forget it, she wasn't going to lower herself to this.

Just as she turned to find her own way, the receptionist blocked her path and shoved her shoulder. "I’ve never seen someone so shameless. Don't think your looks entitle you to flirt with Mr. Huo. Get out, or I’m calling security."

Speechless, Su Mian took out her phone and typed a quick message to Huo Beihan.

He replied almost instantly: [Wait there.]

She hadn't wanted to trouble him, but she hadn't expected such hostility from a receptionist.

A minute later, Huo Beihan appeared, followed by a man scurrying behind him in a cold sweat.

"Lin Shan, what is the meaning of this!"

Seeing the manager arrive with Huo Beihan, Lin Shan immediately put on a faux-innocent face. "Oh, Mr. Huo, look, everyone wants to see you these days. I told her she needed an appointment, but she wouldn't listen and tried to force her way in."

Huo Beihan walked straight to Su Mian, his eyes scanning her quickly, though he still looked uncertain. "Are you hurt?"

Su Mian shook her head.

Lin Shan noticed that Huo Beihan hadn't spared her a single glance, yet he was clearly worried about Su Mian. Her heart skipped a beat. Looking at the terrified expression on her manager's face, cold sweat broke out on her brow. Had she really offended someone important? But didn't Mr. Huo hate women getting close to him? The only one allowed near him was the daughter of the Wen family...

"I don't want to see this person here ever again," Huo Beihan said, his eyes radiating a piercing chill. He commanded the manager behind him, "From now on, Ms. Su does not need an appointment. She is to be brought up via my private elevator."

The only privilege went to Su Mian.

Lin Shan’s legs nearly gave out.

The manager hustled the woman away and breathed a sigh of relief only after watching Huo Beihan lead Su Mian to the private elevator.

"I apologize."

The elevator was so quiet they could hear each other’s breathing. Huo Beihan spoke suddenly.

Su Mian paused, then realized what he was apologizing for. She waved her hands frantically. "It’s fine, she didn't cause any real harm."

Whether it was her imagination or not, Su Mian felt his gaze darken, as if he were annoyed. She fell silent; this man’s moods were truly impossible to read, flickering like the weather.

Upon reaching the office, Huo Beihan gave some instructions to someone outside before bringing Su Mian in. This was her first time in his office, and her stereotypes were only reinforced. The decor was in the same style as his study at home. With such beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows, there wasn't a single plant on his desk—a total waste of the sunlight flooding in.

"Don't be so stiff. Sit wherever you like."

Su Mian sat on a single armchair and took the proposal out of her bag, placing it on the coffee table.

Huo Beihan walked over. Instead of taking the ample space available, he brushed past her legs to sit on the loveseat right next to her. The sound of his trousers rubbing against hers was audible in the quiet office, followed by the sound of Su Mian’s own ragged breathing.

She hurriedly poured a glass of water to hide her flustered state, watching as Huo Beihan focused on reading the proposal. When he reached the final page, she asked softly, "What do you think?"

"It’s not bad, but this part here—the phrasing isn't quite accurate."

"Where?" Su Mian stretched her neck, squinting to see the spot he was pointing at.

Huo Beihan didn't budge an inch, forcing her to lean forward until her body was almost entirely off the sofa. Just as she couldn't lean any further, Huo Beihan turned his head.

Su Mian found herself staring into those deep, dark eyes, the distance between them less than a fist’s width.

Huo Beihan looked entirely composed. "Are you reading the proposal, or looking at me?"

The hair at her temple fluttered from his breath, and her ears burned as if they’d been set on fire. It would have been one thing if he were oblivious, but he was actually flirting with her. Who could handle this?

"If you can't see it, come sit over here," Huo Beihan said, patting the empty space beside him and subtly shifting toward the center.

Su Mian obediently moved over. The next second, Huo Beihan leaned in close, until it felt as though their hair was about to tangle together.

"Right here, you need to look up more data and revise this... and here, the phrasing is still off."

Su Mian held her breath, her brain starved of oxygen. She felt the warmth radiating from him, and her memory pulled her back to the day she turned eighteen. It was the same sensation, though back then, the confusion had been accompanied by rapid, shallow breaths.

Terrified of being consumed by the memory, Su Mian snatched the proposal from his hand, shoved it into her bag, and bolted upright. "I understand. I’ll go back and fix it right now."

Seeing her intense reaction, Huo Beihan looked momentarily stunned and bewildered, though he quickly returned to his natural state. "Alright. Once you’ve revised it, you can come see me directly."

Su Mian practically fled. She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would be devoured by an inexplicable desire.

Wen Jinyu had come to find Huo Beihan, only to be told he was in a meeting and no one was allowed to disturb him. But when she saw Su Mian emerge, her eyes seemed to spit fire. She glared at the beautiful figure. "Su Mian, you!"

Su Mian acted as if she hadn't seen her, hurrying past without a word, leaving behind only a gust of wind and a wide-eyed, furious Wen Jinyu.

Su Mian didn't dare slow down for a second. She had originally planned to ask Huo Beihan out for lunch, but that was clearly unnecessary now. She feared that if she stayed for lunch, Huo Beihan might just eat her instead.

She grabbed a quick bite on the go and returned to the office, revised the proposal as Huo Beihan had suggested, and finished her afternoon tasks. When she looked up, most of her colleagues had already left.

Just as she was packing her things, she received a call from Lin Xiu.

The woman seemed to have cameras installed on her, as she knew her movements perfectly. "You’re off work, right? Head over to the West River Restaurant in a bit. I have something to discuss."