Chapter 200: I Am Lu Xin

‘There shouldn’t be a problem, right?’

Lu Xin thought of his other job and became slightly distracted.

After thinking slowly for a while, he recalled his Mother’s ability and tried to summon that feeling in his heart. When his mind became calm, an experience he had previously tested at the Drunkard’s place soon surfaced—his vision began to change.

Around Lu Xin sat many people, some drinking, some eating, others chatting, all perfectly natural.

But in Lu Xin’s field of view, he felt they all underwent another kind of transformation.

Different colors appeared on their persons.

Lu Xin could clearly sense their diverse emotions, their Spiritual Entities displaying distinct variations.

He saw the professional-dressed woman opposite him, currently bearing an unusual red glow around her lower abdomen.

The greasy-haired, obese man continuously emitted blue from his mind.

A young man with puffy eyes who kept resisting the urge to drink, yet whose gaze kept drifting toward the wine cup, showed traces of green.

And the man in his thirties constantly glancing at his wristwatch carried a faint undertone of purple…

…

In his heart, Lu Xin slowly analyzed what he witnessed.

The sensation was quite marvelous; personally, he experienced it directly.

But because this single glance revealed so much, he needed to methodically dissect it for himself.

‘The older sister opposite me… Seems to be experiencing some… lust?’

‘What is that impeccably styled chubby guy thinking about? Hmm, he’s probably forcing himself to stay calm.’

‘Is it to perform better when Deputy General Manager Xiao comes to give a toast later?’

‘The one around my age likely really wants a drink, he’s craving it, but holding back…’

‘The watch-wearing older brother seems rather self-satisfied… He feels he’s superior, more refined than those around him…’

…

Sifting and categorizing these thoughts internally, Lu Xin slowly turned his gaze towards Deputy General Manager Xiao.

At that moment, Deputy General Manager Xiao was raising his cup under urging from an old leader and drinking.

The little girl he held seemed displeased by the drinking; she raised her small hand to cover his mouth.

Those nearby laughed. Trapped by the delicate little finger against his lips, Deputy General Manager Xiao also chuckled. Seemingly wanting to tease her, he playfully opened his mouth like a puppy. He barked softly and briefly held the little girl’s hand between his teeth…

The little girl giggled happily; everyone around looked equally amused.

But Lu Xin suddenly frowned.

He saw Deputy General Manager Xiao’s body give an almost imperceptible tremor, which he forcibly suppressed before releasing the girl’s hand.

And precisely at that moment, an intense green light, overwhelming and fierce, erupted from his stomach.

This surpassed the craving of that wine-resisting young man by tenfold…

…

Lu Xin observed it for several seconds, then slowly retracted his gaze.

He suddenly realized how to flatter this deputy general manager like his other colleagues.

Silently eating some food, he took out his notebook, jotted down a few words, and tore off the page.

Around forty minutes into the dinner, Deputy General Manager Xiao began raising toasts, table by table, according to rank.

He indeed seemed very personable. When toasting leaders at each table, he would click each glass individually and chat affably with a smile. Judging by the expressions on the toasted individuals’ faces, the mood was pleasant, and the banquet hall atmosphere remained exceptionally convivial.

Amidst hopeful anticipation, Deputy General Manager Xiao finally arrived at Lu Xin’s table.

Lu Xin noticed a female secretary in a suit skirt taking Deputy General Manager Xiao’s cup, apparently wanting to change his drink.

“No need, I insist on sincerity…” Deputy General Manager Xiao declined before approaching Lu Xin’s table and refilling his cup.

“My apologies for taking so long to get here…”

Facing the now slightly tense and standing company colleagues, Deputy General Manager Xiao smiled. “Actually, I’d planned to join you earlier and have a proper discussion. But my old man and Auntie are both in the Main City, and I only just took custody of my younger siblings. I was helping them with homework at the Hotel earlier—it delayed me a bit. Hope you don’t mind…”

(老爷子: lit. “old gentleman,” referring to an older male family member respectfully)

“Not at all, not at all…” came the hurried reassurances. The professional-dressed woman raised her glass with a smile. “Deputy General Manager Xiao is truly loving…”

“Haha, not really. My Little Sister and younger brother are just young and cling to me…” Deputy General Manager Xiao laughed lightly, clinked glasses with them all for one toast, then proceeded to give individual toasts.

He didn’t drain every cup, but took a genuine sip from each, displaying no favoritism.

Each time he drank with someone, he earnestly asked for their name and position, then offered words of encouragement.

“Deputy General Manager Xiao is so young and handsome, surely very popular with the ladies…”

Facing the approach of the woman in professional attire, he subtly withdrew his arm with a smile and said, “Been too busy with work—haven’t found the chance.”

“Haha, Boss Xiao is young and capable. If we could work under you, what a blessing that would be…”

“Deputy General Manager, Deputy General Manager…”

The greasy-haired, portly man’s flattery made him wave his hands hastily. “Please don’t say that. It’s I who should thank you for your efforts.”

“Boss Xiao, no pressure—I’ll finish mine…”

The young man with slightly puffy eyelids filled a large glass and downed it in one go.

Deputy General Manager Xiao quickly refilled his own glass a little, draining it with a smile. “Drink freely and enjoy yourselves—but remember to take care of your health.”

“Boss Xiao, your wristwatch…? Wait, you’re not wearing one?”

“I’ve never liked such things. But Old Brother Wang Tao, that watch of yours is quite stylish…”

“……”

He made his rounds, toasting each in turn, finally reaching Lu Xin, who had remained quiet.

Lu Xin only now realized that when everyone first took their seats, the others had deliberately chosen positions. His own spot was the most inconspicuous at the table—the least likely to draw the leaders’ attention.

The other attendees hadn’t sat back down yet, their eyes all trained on Lu Xin.

Several faces clearly showed faint disappointment. Everyone thought they’d chatted pleasantly with the Deputy General Manager, yet he hadn’t shown anyone special favor. Their shared goal of standing out seemed to have failed.

Still, it comforted Lu Xin: I may have failed, but so did everyone else…

……

“Hello, you look quite young. May I have your name?” Deputy General Manager Xiao raised his glass toward Lu Xin, wearing a genuinely affable smile.

Lu Xin lifted his own glass and replied honestly, “I’m Lu Xin. I work at D-Shine.”

“Excellent, excellent. Your hard work is appreciated…”

The Deputy General Manager’s smile remained unchanged as he gestured his glass toward Lu Xin’s.

But instead of meeting the toast, Lu Xin extended his left hand first, holding a small note.

Deputy General Manager Xiao paused, then reflexively accepted it, unfolding the paper.

The others at the table looked puzzled. What could this junior colleague be handing the boss so suddenly?

Fwip!

Just as they wondered, Deputy General Manager Xiao read the note’s contents—and his face instantly drained of color.

In his abrupt panic, he fumbled and dropped his glass, shattering it on the floor.

His entire body recoiled backward, colliding with and knocking over a chair.

His features contorted with raw terror, a low, hoarse “Hss… hss…” rasping from his throat.

“My god! Boss Xiao, are you—”

Everyone gasped, reaching out to steady him as the entire hall’s attention snapped toward them. The secretary looked utterly alarmed and lunged for the note in his hand.

But Deputy General Manager Xiao clutched the paper fiercely, refusing her. Struggling to his feet, he stared at Lu Xin, his eyes radiating a feral, unnerving menace.

A bone-chilling aura seemed to ripple from him, freezing the surrounding assistants in place.

All eyes at the table—indeed, the entire banquet hall—burned into Lu Xin.

……

Meeting that cold, terrifying gaze, Lu Xin merely blinked.

His reaction surprises me, he thought. I wrote the note precisely to avoid a scene… I never expected this.

But perhaps because he was currently viewing things through Mother’s Perspective, his own emotions stayed perfectly calm.

Deputy General Manager Xiao’s stare didn’t frighten him. If anything, he found it curiously fascinating. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his glass.

A gentle, even elegant, smile touched his lips as his eyes locked onto the Deputy General Manager.

“Care for another round?”

The secretary ignored him entirely, already steering Deputy General Manager Xiao away while signaling for Security Guards.

Yet unexpectedly, the Deputy General Manager’s sinister glare abruptly dissolved the moment Lu Xin returned his gaze. His expression smoothed, replaced by flickering apprehension. Instead of leaving, he nodded stiffly, retrieved a clean glass from the table, filled it, and lifted it toward Lu Xin. His voice emerged strained and dry:

“May I ask… what was your name again?”

Lu Xin clinked his glass against it with a smile. “Didn’t I tell you earlier?”

“My name is Lu Xin. I work at your company.”