Upon hearing Hai Fu's words, both of them were taken aback. They didn't expect anyone to be interested in joining in on a health check-up!

Li Yan, who was aware of the inside story, understood. He realized it was due to him; Hai Fu wanted to take the opportunity to integrate into his circle of friends, and this was a legitimate way to get closer to him. After everyone became familiar in such a way, there would be a reason even if someone saw them together alone in the future.

He didn't feel unhappy or opposed to Hai Fu's participation. Because Hai Fu was usually living the life of a leftover woman, and she was also a homebody. With her assets, she could have easily lived a colorful life. Her being able to put aside her pride and actively socialize was definitely a good start.

Yu Xiaodi was also puzzled as to why anyone would want to join others for a health check-up. But since Li Yan had already mentioned that this was the company's director of the administration department, whom they both knew, she wasn't sure how familiar they were.

Wen Qianyi was filled with disbelief because she hadn't extended an invitation at all and wasn't familiar with Hai Fu. Such an attitude made it a bit difficult for her to respond.

Hai Fu was equally awkward. She was used to a commanding tone in the past, and now she felt like a child without playmates, pleading with other kids to play with her. Her current personality and temperament evolved from early years of self-doubt. Even though she no longer had self-doubt in her career or abilities, in life... facing the youthful Yu Xiaodi and the enthusiastic Wen Qianyi, she still felt somewhat inferior inside.

The awkward silence lasted only one or two seconds, but in Hai Fu's eyes, it felt like pleading to play with other kids and they were still discussing whether to include her. That feeling was unpleasant. Feeling everyone's awkwardness, in that moment, she thought of quickly coming up with something to say and leaving quietly. But she couldn't help but glance at Li Yan.

Sigh... others didn't mean it, couldn't you give me a break?

At least give me a way out!

Sigh... I get it, your girlfriend is here, so you can't say much...

I shouldn't have gotten out of the car... I should have pretended not to see and kept going.

Why did I get out of the car... why did I say such things?

While Hai Fu was smiling bitterly to herself, her eyes met Li Yan's, which left her a bit surprised. In Li Yan's eyes, she didn't see annoyance, displeasure, or even helplessness, only approval and encouragement!

What does he mean?

Does he tacitly approve me saying that?

Or is he hinting that I should leave?

During that moment of silence, not only was Hai Fu's mind racing, but Wen Qianyi was also thinking quickly. She soon thought of a reason that might be closest to the truth—they both had just been promoted! Although she was now only an acting director and Li Yan was just the general manager of a new subsidiary, with power and seniority not comparable to Hai Fu, compared to their previous roles as supervisors, at least their status was closer and no longer distinctly separate classes.

Perhaps it was because she felt both of them were strongly cultivated by Zhang Yurong and happened to be living in the same place now, so she intended to get closer?

Social interaction was one of Wen Qianyi's strengths. Now, in the acting director position, she needed to expand her network both externally and internally. So considering this point, Wen Qianyi immediately smiled and said, "Of course, you're welcome! It's just a coincidence. It won't interfere with President Hai's plans?"

"No problem, I was just going out for a casual stroll." Hai Fu tried her best to smile.

Wen Qianyi turned back and tugged at Li Yan, smiling even more warmly. "Today we're just having Li Yan treat us, so President Hai, you should also join us!"

Li Yan's position was delicate. If it were in front of others, he would definitely have to stand up for Hai Fu. But now it was different, with Yu Xiaodi there and the observant and analytical Wen Qianyi, considering his additional contact with Hai Fu through his part-time role as deputy team leader of the security team. If he wasn't calm, she would definitely notice something. That would be bad for anyone, so he only used his gaze to encourage Hai Fu.

But now that Wen Qianyi had said it, he could certainly respond enthusiastically, "Haha, of course, that's only right. Usually, when I want to flatter President Hai, there aren't many chances!"

Though she was, after all, a woman, publicly calling it flattery made Hai Fu feel embarrassed, and even led Wen Qianyi and Yu Xiaodi to give him playful disdainful looks.

"Yeah, Sister Hai, don't stand on ceremony with Li Yan, the more people, the merrier." Yu Xiaodi, seeing both of them say so, also chimed in.

The awkward silence was over. Although they didn't actually discuss, they all went through a psychological process, which made Hai Fu feel relieved. But she also knew that truly integrating with them wouldn't be that easy, even if they were together today, it would still feel unnatural.

"Actually..." Hai Fu laughed self-deprecatingly, "You guys should know, everyone up and down the company calls me Master Extinction behind my back. I don't have many friends at work... heh, not many in life either, so..."

She couldn't continue, but just these few words had already shocked Yu Xiaodi and Wen Qianyi.

Yu Xiaodi never expected that this mature beauty, who gave her a vibe of her mom's dignified presence at work, would be nicknamed Master Extinction! That's not just a teasing nickname; it's one borne out of fear and jealousy. She could almost imagine that this Hai Fu, much like her mom, must be a very stern, iron-faced, swift, and decisive woman in her work, hence such treatment.

Wen Qianyi's shock was because even she used to joke with Li Yan, seeing Hai Fu merely as Master Extinction, and even teased Li Yan about the strange rumors connected to Hai Fu. Now, hearing Hai Fu's self-deprecating words, she suddenly realized that what for others was just idle gossip was a heavy burden for her!

The nickname Master Extinction for Hai Fu has been around for who knows how many years. Perhaps she isn't that strict now, or maybe the rumors have become more exaggerated with time, but like Wen Qianyi heard about Hai Fu's reputation when she first joined, so did everyone else, especially those in the administration department. Even newcomers would be told how formidable and terrifying the director was, resulting in everyone naturally staying away and no one daring to approach her.

Thus, with personnel changes, the old leaving, the new arriving, over time, she would have even fewer friends.

Girls are always naturally friendly and easily moved, and after hearing Hai Fu's unguarded and sincere words, Yu Xiaodi and Wen Qianyi might have a part of sympathy and pity, but right now, it was completely different from just polite enthusiasm; they sincerely accepted her.

"From now on, we're friends. I won't be formal with you anymore and won't call you Director Hai."

"Exactly, Sister Hai, we all want to be friends with you. Those people are so annoying; how could there be a young and beautiful Master Extinction like you? If you were Master Extinction, this place would've sagged long ago. Look how great you are, tut tut... I bet it's some flat-chested princesses jealous of your good figure, so they slander you."

Wen Qianyi and Yu Xiaodi were on either side of Hai Fu, holding her hands and chatting. Their words made Hai Fu very happy, regardless of how sincere they were, at least they didn't seem like they were just trying to please her. But what Yu Xiaodi said afterward made her a bit embarrassed. Having just met, she was already making jokes about her chest, making Hai Fu sigh inwardly, realizing young girls are indeed different.

However, this made Hai Fu very happy because only real friends would joke this way face-to-face. Otherwise, coworkers at the company would respectfully call her Director Hai or Director, but behind her back, it was Master Extinction. And they were very polite just a moment ago too.

Yu Xiaodi's words also amused Wen Qianyi and Li Yan.

"Xiaodi, you're joking... I'm older than you all, so I'll just dare to call you Xiaodi and Xiaowen."

Li Yan also approached with a smile, "Then can I be called Little Li? But everyone calls me Old Li."

"Uncle, have some shame! You're not Little Li, you're Old Li!" Xiaodi laughed.

"Old Li it is then. But we need to go first. Standing here, having the company of you three beauties, feels really pressuring. Passersby are enviously disdainful of me."

Hearing Li Yan say this, Wen Qianyi and Yu Xiaodi, who'd been waiting here and already attracting distant onlookers, also felt it was time to go. They had come down just to wait for Li Yan, and hadn't brought the car, so they prepared to leave. Both Li Yan and Hai Fu had cars.

Originally, Wen Qianyi and Yu Xiaodi could have just taken Li Yan's car, but having just met Hai Fu, to show their enthusiasm, they decided to all ride in Hai Fu's car together.

...

Yu Xiaodi had already done some homework in advance, preparing for any possible scenarios described to Zhang Yurong.

Li Yan's cooperation for a health check made Yu Xiaodi secretly relieved, but Wen Qianyi still had her concerns. When they separated for the health check, she specifically reminded Yu Xiaodi to have the health center staff collect all Li Yan's test results and let them see them first before showing Li Yan.

Xiaodi's requested tests were quite numerous, and even with special treatment, it took a lot of time. Li Yan fully cooperated, and when he asked about the test results, he was told they hadn't come out yet and would be given to him altogether later. He guessed it was their instructions and didn't mind.

But he never expected the test results would give him a real scare!

(It's the end of the month. Please, brothers with monthly passes, help out Mixed!) (To be continued. For more, please log on to www.qidian.com, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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