A gentleman sat at the table located at the outermost corner of a restaurant, away from the rest of the crowding guests. Staring at the sea view through the floor to ceiling window, only his side profile could be seen. But the picturesque posture was handsome enough to make the waitresses slow down as they pass by him.

The second male lead Zhang Wei had arrived five minutes earlier and was waiting for his two o'clock appointment with LXT's CEO.

Soon after, another handsome young man who was accompanied by an equally beautiful lady made his way to the table. The waitresses in the back skindered amongst themselves quietly as they pointed to table number one. The gathering of people with a high facial attractiveness index was hard to miss.

Feng Mian locked down on Zhang Wei who just like the female lead, had a special halo that made him easy to spot. She and Hao Junli smoothly strode across the restaurant without waiting for the manager to usher them in.

"Director Zhang, nice to meet you."

Zhang Wei's sightseeing was disturbed and his head turned to see long jointed hands held out in front of him. Recognising the owner of Chop Suey he failed to get, his eyes widened slightly in surprise. He was even more surprised to see that CEO Li had also brought his wife with him, making this a more casual and intimate meeting rather than a strict business talk he had in mind.

Young director Zhang chivalrously stood up from his seat to shake the outstretched hand in a polite manner. "CEO Li, Mrs Wan, good to see the both of you again."

Feng Mian waved her hand dismissively and said with a casual air, "No need to be polite Director Zhang. Since we're already eating together, let's just forgo the formalities and skip to being friends."

This CEO Li was more easygoing than he thought, and it made Zhang Wei who was not used to someone so direct thrown for a loop. CEO Li was not the only one who had a quirk.

Instead of Li Xiaocheng pulling a seat for his wife, it became Wan Junli who gallantly slid the seat back so that her husband could cushion his firm presidential buttcheeks. Feng Mian even maintained a face that says that this is the natural order of things and comfortably sat down without complaints.

The corner of Zhang Wei's partially smiling lips twitched. 'Did he bring over his wife or his mansion's female butler?'

Neither Feng Mian nor Hao Junli sensed Director Zhang's inner turmoil as he made speculations in his heart regarding Li Xiacheng's three hundred and sixty-five methods of abusing his little wife. One cannot really blame Zhang Wei either since the former Li Xiaocheng really did have a reputation for being a tyrannical overlord. And it wasn't until recently that rumours about him hating his own wife were widespread.

On the other side of the table, Feng Mian passed over a menu to Hao Junli and looked over concentratedly at the lunch menu available. Should she get lobster or steak?

She nudged the person beside her with an elbow. "Junli, let's get pizza for appetizer. Are you having the seafood or steak?"

"Steak," he answered lightly.

"Okay, then I'll get the lobster."

Feng Mian flipped to the backside of the menu. "Dessert? Cheesecake?"

Hao Junli nodded but after a thought decided, "And the souffle."

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A waitress was called over and Hao Junli took charge of ordering. "Pizza for the appetizer. The lobster special with no chives, please. And the New York steak as well."

After listing off his and Feng Mian's pick, the third person on the table was finally acknowledged. Hao Junli maintained his relaxed tone as he asked him, "And you?"

Director Zhang Wei suddenly had a feeling of third-wheeling on a person's date. He was asked to come and negotiate by the other party but was treated like the forgotten interloper instead.

Zhang Wei swallowed dryly. "I'll have the scallops."

The waitress nodded briefly and collected the three menus before heading into the kitchen.

The sea scallops were warm and tender, but Zhang Wei felt that he had been fed dog food instead. He silently glared at the pair in front of him.

Hao Junli had cut out a portion of his steak into bite-sized pieces and moved them over to Feng Mian's plate before even taking a bite for himself.

His housemate received them gratefully and also knew how to reciprocate. "Here, this lobster is also good!"

A third of her lobster was passed to Hao Junli.

This is how their interactions went for the entirety of the meal.

Zhang Wei became the third person in their two-person world. He knew he was a single dog, but he really didn't need to be reminded of his bachelor status by the blatant show of PDA in front of him. If they wanted to go out on a date, why bother inviting him in the first place?

Feng Mian saw Director Zhang glancing down on their plates and thought that maybe his scallops hadn't tasted that good. "Do you want a taste of the lobster Director Zhang? It's not bad," she thoughtfully asked.

Director Zhang: '.....'

"No, thank you."

After the food on their plates was nearly wiped clean and her stomach satiated, Feng Mian got down to business.

Leaning her cheeks on her joint fingers, she asked Director Zhang straightforwardly, "Director Zhang must be wondering what sort of business venture I'm asking you to join."

Zhang Wei wiped the edges of his mouth with a crisp napkin and gave an affirmative nod. His forehead wrinkled pensively as he spoke his mind. "Our business does not seem to overlap, so I do admit that the reason why I came was mostly due to curiosity. What does CEO Li have in mind?"

"I'm asking for a merge."

Director Zhang nearly toppled in his seat, unable to believe his own ears. "A merge?! Who?"

"My company and yours."

"Why?" Zhang Wei had every right to be flabbergasted. LXT is a big pie that has dominated the market for quite some years. And this piece of pie just fell from the sky and into his lap all too suddenly. He could not help but feel that it's too good to be true.

Feng Mian was also aware that her offer was inconceivable and explained carefully. "I'm branching out into technology and merging with your company saves me time. You already have the patent and an established market."

"But CEO Li has his own resources to build an IT branch from scratch, do you not?"

Feng Mian shook her head. "I don't have that much time."

Zhang Wei's eyebrows scrunched inwards. "CEO Li must be jesting. You are young and able, time shouldn't be a concern."

"But I am serious," she said earnestly.

"Why IT?"

"It's the fastest-growing industry. And I need to make fast money."

Zhang Wei: '... Then why don't you go gambling?'

The merging of two big companies was a big gamble that involves a lot of executive procedures, but it was no doubt that if the two companies really do merge, his company would get the better end of the stick. LXT is the economic market's behemoth titan. He didn't know if Li Xiaocheng was simply an idiot or an adventurous soul, but he would be a fool to directly turn this offer down.

However excited Zhang Wei was, this wasn't a topic he would be able to simply decide by himself. A board meeting needs to be called into action.

Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed providently as he looked straight at LXT's CEO. "Is CEO Li serious?"

Feng Mian lifted her glass filled with orange juice and smiled devilishly. "Dead serious."

"My executives may not agree."

Zhang Wei's image was amplified and blurred by the glass. "I know you can make them agree, Director Zhang."

Feng Mian was right. No matter how clean Zhang Wei looks, for someone of his age to hold onto the Director's position he must have treaded in murky waters. At least half of the board is his own man.

Zhang Wei's knuckles rapped at the table. He let out a burst of wry laughter. "I see why CEO Li is so revered in the circle."

Two glasses clanked, signalling the collusion of two formidable powerhouses.

This was a devil's temptation. Even if Zhang Wei knew that he was about to get in bed with what possibly is a devil, the end promise of opulence is too great. The dangers of living life on the edge also brings about a feeling of thrill.