"Director Lü, what a pleasant surprise, to find you chatting with a young lady here?"
The man cast a subtle, meaningful glance at Su Xiaotian as he asked.
Su Xiaotian felt an uncomfortable prickle from the man's gaze.
Though she didn't know why, she instinctively wanted to distance herself from him!
However, as the man had only just approached, Su Xiaotian couldn't simply leave. She could only awkwardly shuffle back a step.
"Ah, Director Qian, it's you! What brings you out?" Lü Ruya said with a smile.
"Just came out to take a look. Director Lü, what kind of grand banquet are you preparing for us in this little rundown restaurant?"
Director Qian's words were already quite impolite, but Lü Ruya, being of lower rank, could only offer a placating smile.
"It's just some fresh dishes, all ordered already! Director Qian, let's go to the private room first, and I'll pour you a couple of drinks."
"Director Lü seems quite familiar with the people here!" Director Qian, however, paid no mind to Lü Ruya's words and remained unmoving.
Helpless, Lü Ruya tried to change the subject.
"Let me introduce you. This young comrade is our Silk Factory's senior translator! Xiaotian, this is Director Qian from Taichang Garment Factory, a major client of our Silk Factory!"
Director Qian glanced at Su Xiaotian again, his gaze filled with scrutiny.
He clearly harbored doubts about Lü Ruya's introduction.
A girl who looked like she hadn't even started middle school, a senior translator for Qili Silk Factory? Who was he trying to fool?
It was doubtful if the little girl even recognized a single letter of a foreign language.
And claiming to be a translator? Was Lü Ruya taking him for a fool?
Su Xiaotian clearly sensed the man's unfriendly attitude. After a polite greeting with a smile, she turned towards the kitchen.
It was best to leave a place of contention as soon as possible.
Director Qian, however, reached out to stop Su Xiaotian. "Director Lü, since she's from your factory, why don't we all join together!"
This young girl was truly beautiful, tender and fresh, like a succulent cherry, enticing.
Director Qian couldn't help but swallow as he looked at her.
Su Xiaotian now acutely sensed Director Qian's intentions, and she also smelled alcohol emanating from him.
Had he had a bit too much to drink and was acting out?
Su Xiaotian clenched her fists.
Lü Ruya quickly interjected with a smile, "I don't think that's a good idea. Director Qian, you might not know, but this Yiming Pavilion belongs to Xiaotian's family. She's the owner of the restaurant, so it's not convenient for her to dine with guests!"
Lü Ruya was an old hand, how could he not see that Director Qian harbored some improper thoughts?
He knew very well that Su Xiaotian was not someone to be trifled with.
Moreover, Xiaotian was a benefactor to their factory, and they had to protect her at all times.
Whether Director Qian understood Lü Ruya's meaning or not, his gaze towards Su Xiaotian became even more brazen.
Lü Ruya inwardly fretted. This Director Qian, despite his respectable appearance, was such a person?
Could it be that the rumors he'd heard about Director Qian were true?
"I am the VIP today, and if this business is to be concluded, you must listen to me! Since she is also from your factory, I want her to accompany me for drinks."
Director Qian's large mouth opened, directly stating his demand.
Su Xiaotian seemed not to have heard Director Qian's words. She directly said, "Director Lü, there are still some matters in the kitchen. I'll go attend to them. My job is only to receive Mr. Auguste."
With these words, Su Xiaotian made it clear to Director Qian that she was a translator, and a senior one at that, and would not be involved in daily reception duties.
Accompanying him for drinks was even further outside her scope of work!
Although Su Xiaotian was young, she had lived another life. When she spoke, her tone carried a certain gravitas, giving her a bit of presence.
But this presence couldn't suppress Director Qian.
Director Qian had been operating in Beijing for so long, what kind of dirty business hadn't he seen or done?
He was very angry at Su Xiaotian's lack of cooperation!
He had been in this line of work for so many years. If he were to be humiliated by a little girl today, how would he be able to show his face in the future?
This cheap girl, refusing a toast and opting for punishment, would soon learn a lesson!
"Little girl, you're refusing a good offer!"
"Director Qian, what you're saying! Dignity is something you give yourself, not something others bestow!"
Su Xiaotian retorted with a cold smile, giving Director Qian no face at all.
Although she hadn't been in Beijing for long, she had met quite a few people in the past two years.
She had reason to believe that as long as she didn't want to bow down, no one could force her to.
"I like this kind of wild little girl!" Director Qian, however, laughed at Su Xiaotian's words.
Those meek and obedient girls were truly uninteresting; it was better to have one with some spirit.
He was determined to have this little girl!
"Director Qian, you are a magnanimous person, why stoop to the level of a child? Let's hurry back to the private room, and I'll pour you a drink as an apology!"
Lü Ruya quickly pulled Director Qian, intending to leave.
He regretted it. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have brought Director Qian to Yiming Pavilion.
What could be done when Director Qian was not listening to reason?
But Director Qian was not someone easily swayed. He shook off Lü Ruya's arm and said, "Deputy Director Lü, I call you Director Lü out of respect. Don't forget your status!"
His words made Lü Ruya's expression turn very unpleasant.
He was a deputy director, and in the eyes of these directors, the addition of "deputy" naturally made him inferior!
However, Su Xiaotian was someone he was determined to protect. Despite his grim expression, Lü Ruya forced a smile and said, "I am just a deputy, but you are the head. Please be magnanimous and don't bicker with a child!"
These words carried a tone of subservience.
Lü Ruya had initially thought that his humility would make Director Qian show some leniency.
But clearly, people like Director Qian, upon seeing someone back down, became even more inclined to bully them!
Su Xiaotian said, "Director Lü, when we meet people truly worthy of admiration and respect, we can humble ourselves to the dust. But when we encounter those who are like maggots, we must not debase ourselves into maggots."
As Su Xiaotian spoke, her gaze towards Director Qian clearly indicated that she considered Director Qian a maggot.
Director Qian, who had never suffered a setback, immediately turned furious.
Hearing Su Xiaotian's words, Lü Ruya knew the situation was about to worsen.
He quickly signaled Su Xiaotian to leave.
He was truly worried that if Xiaotian didn't leave, she would suffer.
But the current Director Qian had already been provoked to anger.
His eyes turned bloodshot as he looked at Su Xiaotian, and he reached out his greasy, plump hand to grab her.
The little slut had great courage!
Once he caught her, he would make her understand who was boss!