Shen Siyuan didn't refuse Jiang Wenxin's kind gesture. He walked into the elevator and took the breakfast she handed him.
"They're buns from Nongxing Hall," Jiang Wenxin said.
Nongxing Hall was a bun shop that had recently become popular in Binhai, with a slogan that promoted real ingredients, handmade buns, and the taste of childhood.
Aside from the generous fillings, to be honest, the texture couldn't compare to those made with artificial flavors. But their advertising was good, and people were more health-conscious now, so it had become very popular in Binhai over the past two years.
Every morning, long lines formed outside their shops, and the elderly, in particular, were very fond of their buns.
Because the buns were handmade, they probably didn't use much yeast, so they weren't overly fluffy when you bit into them.
The filling inside, however, was large and plentiful.
Jiang Wenxin had bought meat buns, which were glistening with savory juices and looked very appetizing.
In addition, there was a cup of Soy Milk. Soy Milk and buns were the perfect pairing.
Doudou stood to the side, watching eagerly. It was obvious she also wanted to eat the buns her mom had bought.
So, Shen Siyuan lowered his wrist and let Doudou take a sip.
Seeing Shen Siyuan's action, Jiang Wenxin's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise.
Her gaze shifted to the space below her; clearly, she had realized that Doudou was in the elevator with them.
But with two other people in the elevator, it wasn't appropriate for her to speak.
Besides, the elevator had arrived and the doors were opening.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, Ding Youguang and Zhou Zhengdao quickly stepped out.
Shen Siyuan followed, while Jiang Wenxin lingered, slowing her pace.
Once inside the Company, Ding Youguang and Zhou Zhengdao, who originally had more to say to Shen Siyuan, exchanged a look and then headed straight for their own office without looking back.
Before entering their office, however, they couldn't resist glancing back. Sure enough, they saw Shen Siyuan talking with Jiang Wenxin.
Jiang Wenxin's face was wreathed in smiles, and she seemed extremely happy.
As if they had discovered a massive secret, the two of them didn't wait for Shen Siyuan to create a group chat.
They found each other on Enterprise WeChat, exchanged personal WeChat contacts, added one another, and began to gossip.
"Doudou is right beside you…"
"She's fine, you don't have to worry…"
"You want to see her? No.
The reason you could see Doudou before was because of a wisp of Underworld Qi. That stuff is bad for you.
Prolonged exposure will corrode your bodies and turn you into the Living Dead. In short, it's very dangerous stuff…"
"Don't be disappointed.
In a while, I can have her use Manifest Form directly, and you'll be able to see her again. But Humans and Ghosts Follow Different Paths.
You need to slowly move on. Constantly thinking about her isn't good for you…"
"Now? Not now.
She's gained some abilities that she can't control well yet. She could easily hurt you after using Manifest Form…"
"Just one look? Alright, then…"
Clearly, Jiang Wenxin was still very worried about her daughter.
Shen Siyuan checked the time. It was still early, so he headed toward the stairwell.
Few people ever came here. Usually, some people from the company would gather here to smoke, but this early in the morning, it was certain to be empty.
Even so, the stairwell still reeked of smoke. Next to it was a makeshift ashtray made from a Soda Can, stuffed full of cigarette butts.
"Alright, stand back a bit. Use Manifest Form to let your mom see you, or else she won't be at ease," Shen Siyuan said to Doudou.
Hearing this, Doudou ran onto the steps and revealed her form.
Jiang Wenxin's eyes widened, her mouth fell open, and she stared dumbfounded at her daughter.
Doudou was still Doudou, but her hair was now burning. Blue flames rose, licking at the air, giving her an incredibly mystical appearance.
"Wh-what's going on? Is Doudou okay?"
She hurriedly asked Shen Siyuan, then tried to rush forward to hug her daughter, but was pulled back by him.
"Don't go near her.
The flames on her body are dangerous. It's one thing when she's not manifested, but after she uses Manifest Form, they can harm people…"
"Why… why has she become like this?"
Doudou, on the other hand, wasn't worried at all.
She clenched her little fists in front of her chest and said proudly, "Mom, I'm super strong now…"
Shen Siyuan thought for a moment before explaining, "I have temporarily taken her on as my Dharma Protector and taught her some Supernatural Powers. She hasn't mastered them yet, but she'll be fine after a while…"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenxin's pupils contracted.
She gave Shen Siyuan a deep look. What kind of niche terminology was that?
But she quickly recovered and said, "Doudou is still so young."
Her subtext was that Doudou was too young to be of any help, so he shouldn't let her do anything dangerous.
Shen Siyuan smiled at her words.
"Don't worry.
It's just a temporary arrangement to keep her by my side. Making her my Dharma Protector only has benefits for her, no downsides…"
"Thank you, Mr.
Shen. I'm sorry to trouble you with Doudou."
Jiang Wenxin thanked Shen Siyuan once again.
Previously, she had been calling him by his name, as they had agreed.
But now that they were alone, she had reverted to calling him Mr. Shen.
At that moment, as if Doudou felt her mom didn't believe her, she emphasized again, "Mom, I'm really strong now…"
As she spoke, she summoned a Yin Wind and shot up the stairwell.
"Get back down here…" Shen Siyuan said.
The little one seemed well-behaved, but she was still a child, and her nature was quite restless.
Doudou's action startled Jiang Wenxin, but seeing her daughter actually capable of Wind Riding filled her with a mix of shock and delight.
"After becoming my Dharma Protector, besides the protective flames on her body, she can also use Wind Riding and Manifest Form."
"Thank you~, thank you, Mr.
Shen…"
Jiang Wenxin now understood that her daughter had received a great Opportunity or Fateful Encounter and gained Supernatural Powers. Shocked, she thanked Shen Siyuan profusely once more.
"Don't thank me yet. This is only temporary," Shen Siyuan said, waving his hand.
Doudou had already landed back in her original spot and was looking proudly at her mom, as if waiting for praise.
Jiang Wenxin knew her daughter well, so she immediately said, "Doudou, you're amazing~.
You gave Mommy a big scare."
"Hehe…"
Doudou put her hands on her hips, puffed out her little tummy, and beamed with pride.
Her adorable appearance was utterly lovable.
"Alright, conceal yourself again.
Don't use Manifest Form unless I tell you to, got it?"
"Okay-dokey."
Doudou replied, and her form slowly faded until she vanished before Jiang Wenxin's eyes.
"From now on, if you miss Doudou, just call out her name. If you feel a Yin Wind stir beside you, that means she's there…"
"Thank you~"
Jiang Wenxin gave Shen Siyuan a deep bow.
"We're colleagues, and it was fate that I met Doudou. There's no need to keep saying thank you…"
With that, he walked straight out of the stairwell.
Being thanked over and over was starting to annoy Shen Siyuan.
Jiang Wenxin hurried to follow.
She was about to thank him again out of habit but quickly caught herself.
"By the way, I've already spoken with my cousin.
When do you think you'll be free? I can arrange for you two to meet…"
"How about next Wednesday," Shen Siyuan said after a moment's thought.
Although people had tried to set him up before, it had never been like this, with one introduction right after another.
He had one to meet tonight and probably another one when he went home tomorrow, so he planned to take a two-day break before meeting the last one.
After leaving the stairs, Jiang Wenxin reverted to her caring, big-sisterly demeanor.
Just then, the elevator opened, and several more company employees walked out, among them the Online Games Department General Manager, Zheng Can.
Seeing the two of them emerge from the stairwell, his gaze lingered on them with a hint of surprise.