Chapter 200: The Note

Shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Lu Xin thought about his other job and paid closer attention.

After thinking for a moment, he remembered his Mom’s ability and tried to tap into that feeling. As his mind calmed, the familiar sensation he’d experienced with the drunkard returned—his vision began to shift.

Many people sat around Lu Xin. Some were drinking, others eating, and some chatting naturally.

But through Lu Xin’s enhanced sight, they all seemed different somehow.

Various colors now clung to them.

Lu Xin could clearly sense their different emotions; the states of their mental entities varied distinctly.

He saw the woman in professional attire across from him had a strange patch of red hovering near her lower abdomen.

Meanwhile, the fat man with greasy hair kept flashing blue in his mind.

The young man with puffy eyes, resisting the urge to drink but constantly glancing at his cup, glowed faintly green.

And the man in his thirties, constantly checking his wristwatch, had a faint purple hue.

…

…

Lu Xin slowly analyzed what he was seeing.

It was a strange sensation, something he felt directly.

But because he perceived so much at once, he needed to break it down piece by piece.

“The Big Sis across from me… is feeling a bit… lustful?”

“What’s the fat man with the unique hairstyle thinking? Hmm, he seems to be trying hard to stay calm.”

“Is it so he can make a better impression when Vice President Xiao comes over for a toast?”

“The one my age really wants a drink. He’s craving it but holding back…”

“The guy with the watch seems quite pleased with himself. He thinks he’s different from everyone else, more refined…”

“…”

Slowly sorting through his thoughts, Lu Xin turned his head towards Vice President Xiao.

Just then, Vice President Xiao was raising his glass in response to a toast from an older leader.

The little girl he held didn’t seem to like him drinking; she raised her little hand to cover his mouth.

Laughter filled the air around them. With the girl’s soft hand near his lips, Vice President Xiao chuckled too. Seemingly wanting to tease her, he opened his mouth like a puppy, made a noise, and playfully bit her hand…

The little girl giggled, and everyone around seemed happy.

But Lu Xin’s brow suddenly furrowed.

He saw a subtle tremor run through Vice President Xiao’s body, quickly suppressed as he released the little girl’s hand.

At that exact moment, the green light signifying his appetite flared violently, intensifying to an extreme.

It was ten times stronger than the craving of the young man holding back from drinking!

…

…

Lu Xin watched for a few seconds before slowly looking away.

He suddenly had an idea how to curry favor with the Vice President, just like his colleagues wanted to.

He ate quietly for a while, then took out his notebook, wrote a few words, and tore out the page.

About forty minutes into the meal, the Vice President started making toasts, going table by table according to rank.

He seemed genuinely friendly, clinking glasses individually with the leaders at each table, chatting and smiling. Judging by the expressions of those he toasted, everyone was in high spirits, and the atmosphere in the banquet hall felt very harmonious.

Full of anticipation, the others watched as Vice President Xiao finally arrived at Lu Xin’s table.

Lu Xin noticed a female secretary in a suit and short skirt take Vice President Xiao’s cup, apparently wanting to switch his drink.

“No need, gotta show sincerity…”

Vice President Xiao refused, came before Lu Xin’s table, and refilled his glass.

“Sorry for only getting here now…”

Arriving at the table, he smiled at the company managers who had nervously stood up. “I actually planned to come over earlier to chat properly with everyone,” Vice President Xiao said, “but my father and aunt are in the Main City, and the two little ones were just sent over for me to look after. I got held up helping them with homework at the hotel just now. Hope you don’t mind the delay…”

“Not at all, not at all…”

Everyone laughed hurriedly. The woman in professional attire raised her glass, smiling. “Vice President Xiao is so caring…”

“Haha, not really. My younger brother and sister are small and always cling to me…”

Smiling, Vice President Xiao first drank a toast with the whole table, then proceeded to toast each person individually.

He didn’t drain every glass, but he took a genuine sip from each one, treating everyone equally.

With each person he drank with, he earnestly asked their name and position, offering words of encouragement.

“Vice President Xiao, so young and handsome, you must be very popular with the ladies…”

Faced with the professional woman’s attempt to get closer, he smiled and subtly withdrew his arm. “Busy with work, haven’t had time.”

“Haha, CEO Xiao—so young and promising! It would be our great fortune to work under you…”

“Vice President, Vice President…”

Responding to the greasy-haired fat man’s flattery, he quickly waved his hand, smiling. “Please don’t say that. It’s I who should be thanking you for your hard work.”

“CEO Xiao, drink as you please, I’ll down mine…”

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

Vice President Xiao quickly poured a little more for himself, drained it too, and smiled. “Drink up and have fun, but take care of yourselves.”

“CEO Xiao, your watch… huh? You’re not wearing one?”

“I don’t care for those things. But Brother Wang Tao, your watch is quite nice…”

“…”

“…”

He toasted them one by one, finally reaching the relatively quiet Lu Xin.

It couldn’t be helped. Lu Xin only just realized that when they first sat down, everyone else had already chosen their spots.

The seat he’d taken happened to be the least conspicuous at the table, the hardest one for leaders to notice.

Everyone else remained standing, their gazes turning towards Lu Xin.

You could see hints of regret on several faces. It seemed everyone had enjoyed chatting with the Vice President, but he hadn’t shown favoritism to anyone. Their goal of leaving a strong impression had failed.

Still, it was somewhat comforting to know that while they had failed, so had everyone else…

…

…

“Hello, you look quite young. How should I address you?”

Vice President Xiao held his glass towards Lu Xin, a likeable smile on his face.

Lu Xin raised his glass too, answering honestly, “My name is Lu Xin. I work in Deep Analysis.”

“Okay, okay, thank you for your hard work…”

Vice President Xiao’s smile remained unchanged as he gestured with his glass towards Lu Xin.

But Lu Xin didn’t bring his glass over to clink. Instead, he extended his left hand, holding a slip of paper.

Vice President Xiao paused for a second but took it smoothly and unfolded it.

The others at the table were also surprised, wondering why this young man was suddenly handing the leader a note.

*Swish!*

Just as they were wondering, Vice President Xiao saw the note’s contents, and his expression changed drastically.

He was so agitated that the glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

He stumbled backward, knocking over a chair.

Utter terror filled his features, and a low, guttural sound escaped his throat.

“Ah, CEO Xiao, you…”

Everyone was stunned, rushing to help him up as all eyes in the hall turned their way.

The secretary was especially shocked and hurried to see the note in his hand.

But Vice President Xiao gripped the note tightly, refusing to let her see it as he struggled back to his feet.

He looked up at Lu Xin, his gaze filled with a fierce, almost bestial intensity.

It was chilling.

The secretaries nearby seemed to sense the terrifying aura around him and hesitated to approach.

Everyone at the table, indeed, everyone in the hall, now stared at Lu Xin.

…

…

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

Honestly, the man’s reaction surprised him a little.

He’d written the note specifically to *avoid* attracting too much attention. Who knew the reaction would be this extreme?

But perhaps because he was still borrowing ‘Mom’s vision,’ his own emotions remained calm.

Vice President Xiao’s terrifying glare didn’t frighten him; instead, Lu Xin found it rather interesting and slowly raised his glass.

A faint smile touched his lips, gentle, almost elegant, as he looked at Vice President Xiao.

“Still drinking?”

The secretary ignored him completely, already planning to help Vice President Xiao leave and call security.

Unexpectedly, however, the sinister look in Vice President Xiao’s eyes vanished the moment Lu Xin met his gaze.

His expression became calm, almost flustered. He didn’t leave. Instead, he nodded, picked up a new glass from nearby, filled it, and slowly raised it towards Lu Xin. His voice sounded slightly hoarse:

“I don’t believe… what did you say your name was?”

Lu Xin smiled and clinked glasses with him. “Didn’t I just tell you?”

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