Long Industries.
The President-CEO's office was located at the topmost floor of the building. Its interior design was inspired by strong traditional Chinese aesthetics. Most of the furniture were made of wood with delicate and exquisite carvings on them. The colour schemes were mostly deep red, maroon and earth tones. Several traditional paintings and calligraphy hung on the walls.
"What did she ask for this time?" Long Tengfei asked his loyal assistant while signing a mountain of documents behind his desk.
Cai Guang picked up the signed documents and gave his boss another stack to sign while speaking at the same time.
"The Young Miss asked me to recommend a new assistant for her. I sent her a list of candidates. In the end she only chose one. I thought she was going to replace all three assistants she fired, but she said that a single capable assistant is enough at the moment. She ended up hiring my distant nephew from the Filipino branch of the family. My nephew always wanted to work and live here in China. He's well-educated and eager to work. He only lacks experience. He started working for her last week and even moved to live at her penthouse. I scolded him for freeloading from the Young Miss, but he told me that it was what she wants."
"Let her do what she wants. For now, at least." Long Tengfei sighed. "She was comatose for a year after all. What else?"
"The Young Miss is currently renovating and redecorating the entire penthouse. I was told that it's currently chaotic in there, but she's still working hard on her physiotherapy and rehabilitation, never missing a single session. The Young Miss seems very determined to recover as soon as possible. Her medical team is very pleased with her progress."
"Good. That's good. Is that all? Has she asked you to buy her anything?"
"No, President."
Long Tengfei paused, a slight frown on his face. "That's odd. I was expecting for her to demand a massive shopping spree. Perhaps even ask me to buy her a mansion or something like that."
Cai Guang cleared his throat. "Madam Wei called numerous times to tell you to buy the Young Miss a private plane or a yacht, maybe both, as a reward for surviving."
"Reward for surviving?! What does that woman think of our daughter's accident? The fucking Olympics?!" Long Tengfei closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, trying to calm his anger.
This mother and daughter never failed in giving him headaches.
"President, the Young Miss didn't mention that she wants a plane or a yacht. It was only the Madam who asked, presumably on behalf of the Young Miss." Cai Guang hesitated. "If I may be so bold…"
"Go on. Speak."
"…I have spoken with the Young Miss both personally and on the phone a number of times since she woke up from coma. I think the Young Miss has…changed."
"That's normal. Most people change one way or another after experiencing a life and death situation like that."
Cai Guang nodded, although he still looked unconvinced. "It's just that I feel like I'm speaking to a completely different person. The President has not met with her yet since she woke up, so you may not know. She's now so calm, so serious, and so mature. She's very business-like whenever she speaks to me. To be honest, it's…uh…creepy that she has changed so much. It's kind of scary."
Long Tengfei leaned back on his seat and chuckled softly. "What's there to be scared about? Isn't it good that she has changed her old ways? Maybe she had an epiphany after what she experienced. I'll feel more at ease if she has really matured and has grown sensible. I just hope that this isn't something temporary and she ends up reverting to being another version of her mother.
"I don't really have high expectations for this daughter of mine. The elders want me to disown her, but how could I do that? She might be a big disappointment, but she's still my daughter. She has the blood of the Longs flowing in her veins. I care for my daughter, but there's only so much that I can do for her." He sighed. "She's not my only child. I have to prioritize the whole clan's interests before anything or anyone else. This is my duty as the head of the Long clan."
"Understood." Cai Guang hesitated, before finally gathering the courage to ask, "Is the President planning to see the Young Miss?"
A minute or so passed before Long Tengfei answered. "No. If she really wants to see me, her father, she can always come at any time. Is that all?"
Cai Guang nodded and bowed.
Long Tengfei resumed signing documents.
Both were silent, focused on their work.
