Chapter 1 (11): After the Conference
### Feifei's Perspective
The press conference ended seven minutes ahead of schedule.
All anticipated Q&A covered. Even unexpected probing questions--the President handled without showing a trace of emotion.
"The law does not see surnames."
That single phrase as Group President was more than enough to redirect public attention from "the Li family narrative" back to Longteng's intrinsic value.
The impact on stock price would not expand further.
--From here, it's a family matter.
Feifei took out her smartphone.
Selected one contact.
Composing a concise message took less than twenty seconds.
"The President is heading your way. Please prepare the Madam."
No explanation or reason needed.
That small maid knows how to read between lines.
Slipping out of the waiting room, Feifei confirmed the schedule.
The car was already arranged.
Security minimal, but flawless.
Just after exchanging all messages, footsteps stopped behind her.
"...That instruction just now."
She turned to find the President standing there, tie still perfectly knotted.
Expression as always, calm. But his eyes alone, slightly sharp.
"Yes."
No reason to deny it.
"Let's go."
Only one destination.
The President strode forward with long steps.
"Haoming, you know."
The President said while walking.
"Was lamenting that 'Feifei beat me to it.'"
Feifei glanced at the President's profile.
"...Your arrangements are efficient as ever."
Neither praise nor sarcasm.
Just fact confirmation.
Just before the elevator doors closed, Feifei added one thing.
"The Madam is safe."
--Plenty of time. Feifei was certain.
---
### Haoming's Perspective / Airport
Hong Kong International Airport's departure lobby was filled with pre-noon clamor.
Rolling luggage sounds, announcements, English and Cantonese and Mandarin mixing together.
Haoming, coffee in hand, suddenly stopped.
On the TV screen appeared a man all too familiar--Too familiar.
《Longteng Group President Li Haotian Press Conference LIVE》
The suit flawless, posture impeccable.
Voice low, controlled, words minimal.
Not a single unnecessary gesture.
Around him, people started buzzing.
"Wait, who's that guy...isn't he gorgeous?"
"A President? People like that exist?"
"I thought he was a Hong Kong actor."
"...Hold on, left hand."
The moment the screen switched,
a close-up of the hand holding documents.
--A ring.
"He's married..."
"What's his wife like?"
"No faaair--"
Haoming barely suppressed a laugh.
(Gege...you're totally doing it.)
Not just nationwide--he's slaying viewers across all of Asia.
And he probably doesn't have a single millimeter of self-awareness.
"Nice work, Gege..."
Murmuring to no one in particular.
On the screen, Haotian was leaving the conference room.
The camera cut to the studio, where commentators and anchors exchanged impressions: "'The law does not see surnames'--quite a statement," "For a President from the founding family, that takes real guts."
Haoming pulled out his smartphone, selected one contact.
"Saw the conference."
A brief message.
Then another contact.
--The ringtone was short.
'...Yes!' A slightly tense voice.
"Hey, uh...Xiaomao? How are you?"
'Y-yes...!'
Haoming said while glancing sideways at the screen.
"Just watched the conference. Gege's causing an uproar across Asia."
'Eh...?'
"Even in Hong Kong, screams everywhere about the ridiculously handsome President."
A beat, then a chuckle.
"Listen, Gege's going to pick you up soon. Get ready, be on standby to leave immediately."
The voice on the other end brightened: 'Yes! Ms Feifei also contacted us earlier that the President is heading this way!'
Haoming ran his hand through his hair.
"What, Feifei beat me to it~! She's really efficient.
Gege's blessed to have such a capable secretary."
Saying that, Haoming ended the call.
(Though the secretary isn't the only blessing.)
Haoming took a sip of coffee.
"...Checkmate. Time to get back to Shanghai."
Said in a voice no one could hear.
