Fan Fiction |
by Ling
Pressing the intercom, he called for his secretary, Zhendong, and bade him to put a call to Ximen, the general manager of Ximen Enterprise.
Looking at the file, Zeya silently prayed that the programme would be a success. After all, there is no reason why it should not be. He had managed to bring in Tian Bian. Including her as one of the performers is an ace to the programmes lined up that night. Her fan base is huge. With her fan’s supporting her, he felt relieved. In addition, Xiaogang had also managed to liaise with Mandy and 5566. With these artistes, he can’t help but feel that the programme should result in a success.
Apart from the fact that there are these artistes to provide the support in the entertainment world, including Ximen Enterprise would provide the necessary support with regards to the business world. Ximen Enterprise was currently helmed by Ximen. After some background research on him, Zeya could only be astounded. After all, this guy is only 30 years old, but has the title of “Businessman of the year” for the last 3 years. He’s on very close terms with the Dao Mings, Lings, as well as the Hua Zes. With these influential families lending their support to Ximen, why wouldn’t it be successful?
But, he also knew that despite having influential performers and companies in the background, he would need to plan and execute the programme perfectly. His lips curled upwards as he thought of Xiao You. He had too much on hand at the moment to provide the attention that this charity programme needs. Xiao You is the perfect answer to that. Once she returns, he would hand this project to her. He trusted her. After all, who couldn’t? By bringing in a 2-million deal within a week for the company - she had the capabilities. By being his sister - she would understand the true standing of this project in his heart. The results of her handling would be a lethal combination.
Her miraculous deal had been widely spread in the business circle. He felt extremely thankful for this little sister that one could have. Not only was she perfect in her personality, she was also absolutely perfect in her capabilities. By making her work with Mr. Businessman of the Year, he would also be pushing her to see where her limits can go. He grinned as he pictured the scenario. Either Xiao You would be bowled over by Ximen, or it would be the other way round. Shaking his head, his attention was drawn back by Zhen Dong.
“General Manager, Mr. Ximen’s secretary has passed the phone over to him.” Thanking Zhendong silently, he bade him to leave the room.
“Hello Mr. Xu.” a voice answered on the other line. A voice that beheld all masculinity, added with the right amount of sexiness.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Zeya replied. “Hello Mr. Ximen. It’s nice hearing your voice finally.”
Hearing a chuckle from the other line, he continued. “I’ve called to set up a meeting time to discuss our plans for the charity programme Mr. Ximen.”
“Sorry Mr. Xu. I’ve been really busy.” Ximen explained. After a while, he added. “Hey, let’s strike a bargain!” Intrigued at the way Ximen was communicating with him, Zeya could only agree. Such was the power that Ximen had attained. No wonder he’s Businessman of the Year!
“What bargain?” he asked.
“Let’s take away the formalities for a start. For goodness sake, we’re going to be working with each another! I shall call you Zeya, is it alright?”
Zeya was surprised when he heard his name. So, Ximen too, had done some checking up on him.
“Right Ximen, let’s get to business shall we?”
“Agreed. Friendly chat can be left to after work!” Zeya could not help but grin as he heard the grin in Ximen’s voice.
“So, how do you wanna go about it?” He heard Ximen ask.
“Can we plan for a meeting tomorrow?”
“So fast?” Ximen asked, surprised.
Blushing for his lack of professionalism at this charity programme, Zeya cleared his throat. “Yeah. Because one of the performers is finishing her break soon. She’s one of the hottest singers currently, and we are using her as one of our trump cards to reap in the calls. The programme has to be aired before the end of June” he explained.
“Oh. This programme is important to you?”
Zeya felt speechless. He wasn’t that obvious was he? Regaining his composure, he replied. “Every programme is important to me Ximen.”
“Ok. Let’s not waste time. We’ll meet tomorrow morning at 9am. Will I be expecting just you?”
“No. You’ll be expecting my assistant general manager and me. Tomorrow morning 9 am.”
“Assistant general manager? Am I to know that she’ll be working with us too?”
Realising his folly, Zeya explained. “I’m really sorry for not informing you earlier Ximen. It totally slipped off my mind. Yes. She’ll be working with us too. In fact, she’ll be solely in-charge of this project.”
‘It’s alright. May I enquire on who your assistant manager might be? I need to know who I am working with.”
“Her name is Rainie Yang. She just came back from Canada. She was there as the regional manager for our company.”
“Ok then. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”
Zeya heard the disbelief in Ximen voice as he ended the call. The disbelief in his voice referred to the importance of the project to him and not of last minute notification of Xiao You. Shaking his head, he thought about the conversation. No wonder he was given the title. If this is the way he handles every business dealings, there was nothing else that he could say to disagree with the conferment of the title. This guy deserves the title. Zeya had never met anyone as astute as him. He’s heard from many people that Ximen is charming. He has never met Ximen, but after the conversation today, he could add one more word to describe Ximen – dangerous.
**********
Ximen placed the phone on the table. After the conversation with Zeya, he can’t help but ponder on the next project that he’ll be handling.
This project is obviously important to Xu Zeya. But what’s the reason behind it? And who is this Rainie Yang? Putting her solely in charge of the project despite it being important? She’s most probably one of those he trusts implicitly.
Pressing the intercom button, he asked Alex into his room.
Hearing the knock, followed by the sound of the door opening, Ximen looked up.
“Yes Mr. Ximen?” Alex asked
“Do me a favour. Can you please check up on SET TV’s assistant general manager Rainie Yang? She just stepped down as a regional manager in SET TV branch in Canada. She’s the one solely in-charge of the charity programme project. I want to know more about her background.”
“Oh. Rainie Yang.”
Ximen looked up at his secretary’s voice. “You know her?“ he asked, surprised.
“No, I don’t know her personally.”
“Then why do you sound as if you know her? Your tone of voice suggests otherwise you know.”
“It’s because she one of those who made a step into the business world forcefully.” Ximen looked at Alex with a frown on his forehead. “Forcefully? She has been in Canada. How can she enter forcefully?” he inquired.
His secretary continued. “Other than you who is known internationally, Rainie Yang is also the other person who has stepped into the business world, and within the span of 2 months, been known internationally.”
Ximen raised his eyebrows. “2 months? And she’s known internationally? In other words, you’re trying to tell me that I’ve met my match?” After a while, he added, “What did she do to gain recognition for?”
“She managed to clinch a 2-million dollars deal for SET TV in Canada within 1 week of her entering the business world.” Alex explained.
Ximen widened his eyes. Although it was nothing new to him, he was surprised by the fact that a female had actually been able to perform the fete. Alex continued. “She was actually studying in Canada, and upon her graduation, went into Harvard University, majoring in Business management.”
“That’s about all that you know?” Ximen asked. Alex nodded. Thanking him, he bade Alex out of his room.
“Just as well” He thought. I’ll be meeting her tomorrow. With that, he focused his attention to the pile of work stacked in front of him.
**********
Zeya opened the front door and was almost flung backwards at the impact of a definitely feminine body. Closing his hands around her waist, he straightened her and was surprised to be staring into a pair of dark brown eyes. He glanced up upon hearing the familiar chuckle and laughter from his grandfather and wife respectively.
Smiling, he looked at Xiao You, assessing her. “You’ve definitely grown much more than before” he murmured into her ears. “Don’t tell your sis!” he continued in a soft voice. Disengaging himself, he went towards his grandfather and hugged him.
“Yeye!”
“Hey! Don’t hug me so tightly!” the almost chocked voice said gruffly.
“Let go of him Xu Zeya! You’re going to strangle my Yeye if you don’t!” He lifted himself to find his wife standing beside Yeye, staring at him in mock-fury.
Smiling, he steered them back to the living room. He went towards Elaine and Xiao You’s father, George and promptly gave them a hug.
“The whole family back?” Zeya asked Yeye, who only nodded.
“They’ve agreed to take up our mansion as their residence.” Yeye informed to the room at large.
Smiling, Zeya looked towards Tian Bian and said “Additional playmates for our child my dear.”
At his announcement, the room erupted into frenzy.
“Oh my gosh! A baby?” Xiao You noted enthusiastically.
“I’m going to become a great-grandfather?” Turning towards Zeya, Yeye hit him on his shoulders and demanded “Why didn’t you tell me the last time we talked?”
Rubbing his shoulders, Zeya informed to the room that they had just found out yesterday morning.
They spent the rest of the evening indulging in news exchanges. After dinner, Yeye and the Yangs pleaded tiredness and proceeded to their rooms.
Belatedly remembering that Xiao You and he had a meeting tomorrow morning, he caught her at the stairs landing.
She looked up at him, questions in her eyes.
“Rest well tonight girl. We have a meeting tomorrow at 9am. It’s about the charity programme. You’re solely in-charge of the project yah?” Zeya explained.
“The one on St. Theresa Orphanage? Why am I in-charge? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for you to take charge since it’s important to you? She asked surprisingly.
“I wish I can. But I have too many ongoing projects to complete. I want complete attention to be focused on the charity programme, thus your assignment. Promise me you’ll do your best!”
“Promise Ge. I’m really tired from the plane ride. Pull me out of bed tomorrow alright?” At his acquiesce, she proceeded to her room.
**********
The following morning, Zeya went to the dining table only to find Elaine and George. Surprised, he asked. “Where’s Xiao You?”
“She’s still sleeping! Does she have to work today?”
“Yeah. We have a meeting at 9 am." Looking at his watch, he found the time to be 7.30 am. He cursed and ran up the stairs to her room.
Flinging the doors open, he pulled her coverlet and blankets and pulled her out of bed.
“Xiao You! Get up! We’re running late!”
Xiao You opened her eyes groggily, taking a moment to adjust to her surroundings. Realising a close to frantic Zeya beside her, she remembered about the meeting. Cursing, she jumped out of bed and ran to wash and dress herself up. Shaking his head, Zeya went out of the room and prepared breakfast for her.
Zeya looked up as he saw Xiao You flying down the stairs. By then, Tian Bian and Yeye had already joined them for breakfast. Curious by the outburst from Xiao You, Tian Bian and Yeye looked at her inquisitively. Glancing at the faces in front of her, she explained. “I’m going to be late!”
“Late?” Yeye asked, surprised. He turned to look at Zeya.
“We’re scheduled for a meeting at 9am.” He explained.
“Meeting? She actually goes to work today?” Yeye asked, turning to Zeya, with intentions to reprimand Zeya. “She’s not rested enough! Look at her! All flushed with her morning face!”
“Yeye, I’ll explain when we get home. She’s needed at the meeting that’s why.”
Realising that Yeye had been reprimanding her brother, she tried to placate him. “It’s no great matter Yeye. Don’t worry about me. I’m Xiao You remember? What is lack of sleep?” She said jokingly. Gesturing to Zeya, they excused themselves and headed for the car.
Still feeling slightly sleepy, she took some time in the car to wake herself up. After driving for 15 minutes, she turned to look at the huge building in front of car. Looking back at Zeya, she murmured, “Ge, I’m sorry if I spoilt your morning.”
Ruffling her hair, he shrugged the incident off and asked her to ready herself. She would be meeting their client in a few moments.
Xiao You and Zeya walked into the building confidently. Looking around, she had found a few people staring at her. Wondering at what they were staring at, she turned to ask Zeya.
“Is there anything wrong with my appearance?”
After a few minutes of assessment, he looked at her and shook his head.
“Then why are there people staring at me?”
He looked around the building and found a couple of looks coming from males and females.
Smiling indulgently, he looked at her and said, “That’s because they don’t see a handsome gentleman and a beautiful lady everyday!”
Swatting his hands, Xiao You ignored his jest and walked into the elavator.
Alex, who had introduced himself as the general manager secretary seated them. Excusing himself from the room, he went to inform Ximen that the general manager of SET TV and his assistant manager had arrived. Three minutes later, the door opened to reveal a young man walking confidently into the room. Without a glance at the other end of the room, he went straight to Zeya.
“Just great! Charming, dangerous, and now? Devilishly handsome too!” Zeya couldn't help but muttered under his breath.
Straining himself to look over Ximen’s shoulders, he tried to look at Xiao You, and found that her jaws and eyes were wide open.
Chuckling inwardly, Zeya shook Ximen’s hand and thought about the effects that Ximen had on Xiao You – she who had never spared a glance at any other man since he had known her.
“It’s nice meeting you finally Zeya!” Ximen smiled sincerely. “Where’s your assistant general manager?”
“It’s nice meeting you too Ximen. To answer your question, she’s right behind you. You missed her when you entered earlier.”
Preparing to charm Zeya’s assistant, Ximen turned, preparing the charming smile that he'd always used on all women, only to realise that it has been frozen in place.
Zeya stared at Ximen, trying to figure out the reason on why he had placed an awkward smile on his face. "Has Xiao You charmed him like how he did to her?" He couldn't help but think, shaking his head ruefully at the same time.
Breaking out of the unexpected surprise, Ximen recollected himself. “Xiao You?” He asked, still disbelieving that she was in front of him.
Zeya jerked his head up upon hearing Ximen utter Xiao You’s name. He hadn’t told him that Rainie Yang Chinese name was Xiao You. How had he guessed?
Breaking out of her shock, Xiao You could only utter, “Ximen?”