103. My heart drifts and dances among the clouds.

Of course, it’s real.

Bai Haonan has a remarkably clear memory for things that interest him. Thanks to two or three months of providing soccer coaching and fitness training to a large group of high-level intellectuals, he could now speak eloquently and without stage fright in front of a room of white-collar elites. This was a far cry from the stuttering mess Chen Sufen had once seen. Public speaking has no real secret—it’s just a matter of practice and refusing to be intimidated by the status of the audience.

In his heart, Bai Haonan likely viewed these stuffy corporate professionals as mere muggles. "I’ve heard everything you just said. You mentioned that half of the 137 high-end fitness centers are operating at a loss, and this person here said 32 percent are facing a shortage of clients, with only 17 centers managing to keep up with demand..."

Yu Jiali’s left hand was still extended, signaling her secretary to fetch the copies, as she watched the bearded man from across the room repeat everything flawlessly. He went table by table, addressing each manager and professional who had just finished their report, specifically highlighting the data they had mentioned!

She was stunned.

The whole room was stunned. Everyone had previously dismissed Bai Haonan as a "flowery pillow"—all looks and no substance. With his unkempt clothes and rebellious vibe, he looked like a slacker who wasn't even taking notes. Who could have guessed he was capable of such a precise recitation?

The contrast was so sharp it felt like he was intentionally showing off.

Bai Haonan was, of course, deliberately flaunting his memory. He used it as a blunt, effective tool to win over his audience in the first round. It was standard practice for any seasoned soccer coach to assert authority; while others used their physical skills or insights, he used his memory. He had done the same back when he worked with the medical university staff team.

However, back then, everyone already acknowledged his expertise in fitness and soccer, so they were merely surprised by his memory. Today, the initial prejudice against him made his comeback all the more jarring.

Almost everyone instinctively sat up straighter, and when they looked toward Director Wang, their expressions were focused. They had finally accepted him as someone who knew his stuff—and they were wary of a man who played the fool to catch the tiger.

Bai Haonan was delighted. He pushed through to the end of his summary before delivering his own conclusion: "You are all highly educated intellectuals and cultural professionals, and I admire that. But at the end of the day, none of you are experts in physical training. Just looking at your physiques, I can tell you haven't even taken care of your own bodies, so don't lecture me on how to run a fitness center. Every business has its own way of doing things—like skinning a pig—and what I want to do is different from these centers you're talking about. Before coming here, I managed a fitness center in another provincial capital that had over four hundred pieces of equipment. Many of you haven't even used half of them, so save your breath..."

A few more sentences, and his lack of academic polish and his rough style bled through. In the soccer world, coaches often intentionally adopt a crude tone to communicate directly with players and foster a sense of camaraderie, but it was a bit out of place here. Yu Jiali couldn't help herself: "Director Wang! Watch your language..." The first few words carried the authority of a boss, but her voice trailed off into a soft, pleading tone.

Well, it was obvious to everyone in the room.

The young boss, Yu, was genuinely smitten with this handsome man. He was truly lacking in cultural refinement, but he was undeniably clever—and it was a raw, aggressive kind of cleverness.

Every seasoned white-collar professional knows that this type of person is the most dangerous to offend. People from rougher backgrounds who gain power often have no regard for face or social decorum; they will abandon moral conventions and common courtesies to protect their position. If he held a high enough rank, he would tear people down to their faces without mercy. A single misstep with someone like this could ruin one's reputation in the company. He was the kind of opponent who made sophisticated people tremble.

Because of this, even after his outburst, no one dared to slam the table. No one even dared to show displeasure. Most just put on an attentive face. Who would dare to go head-to-head with the boss's lover?

Bai Haonan was even happier inside. "Alright, alright, that's enough. We'll leave it at that. Those responsible for the paperwork, equipment procurement, and renovation can stay. Everyone else, get back to work..."

Finally, someone showed a hint of anger. Bai Haonan’s arrogance and blatant disregard for everyone else felt like a personal insult.

Yes, in a company, the boss can do as they please, but there should still be a veneer of professional etiquette and a knack for winning people over. Who just barks orders like they’re dealing with indentured laborers?

They didn't know that this was the exact tone a coach used with his team. If a coach couldn't command respect from his players, he couldn't lead them on the field.

Yu Jiali was also a bit of an anomaly. For once, she didn't criticize him. She sat with her fingers interlaced on the desk, watching Bai Haonan’s cavalier command style. Although it clashed with her management philosophy, she seemed to see something in it. Her gaze was intense.

It wasn't just a crush.

The managers collectively fell silent until one supervisor couldn't help but speak up: "Director Wang, we have already invested time and resources into this project. This is an internal meeting for the investment firm. Your points were unique, but I’m sorry, I haven't heard any unique justification for your approach. Any argument requires support. What exactly makes the fitness center you manage special? What is your differentiation strategy?"

Bai Haonan hadn't intended to provoke anyone, nor was he trying to "kill the chicken to scare the monkey." He didn't know a thing about corporate politics; he was just speaking in his soccer coach persona. He wasn't angry. He spun his sunglasses by the arm, smiling like a street punk. "The secret sauce has to stay in my own pocket. If someone leaks the details, my method won't work anymore!"

That comment was even more taboo. This was an internal meeting of an investment firm, and he was implying that someone might be a mole. It was a serious accusation against professional managers. More than one manager turned to look at Yu Jiali, trying to confirm if this was a setup by the young boss to intimidate them.

Perhaps this was what they called office politics.

Yu Jiali’s response was to expressionlessly take the copy of the property deed from her secretary. She clearly saw that the property number ended in 0879. Without hesitation, she committed to the deal. "Alright, can I stay and listen?"

The others were in an uproar. This was the most absolute support imaginable. If the young boss wasn't acting out a charade with her boyfriend, then the sensible woman had been completely blinded by this man!

Bai Haonan didn't grasp the depth of the situation. He didn't even realize the tension in the room. He chuckled, "How can I give orders if you don't stay? Especially since you're the one paying."

Yu Jiali smiled and nodded at him. "Alright. Old Zhang and Xiao Qin, you stay. Everyone else, get back to what you were doing. We'll reach out when we need support from your departments for this project."

There was a flurry of chairs moving as people stood up. It was obvious some were harboring resentment. Bai Haonan finally noticed it and glanced over, making a goofy face. Yu Jiali, who had been maintaining a poker face, wanted to jab him with the pen in her hand, but he was too far away. She couldn't help but snap, "Come sit over here! Xiao Qin, set up the projector. Let’s hear your ideas."

Bai Haonan completely ignored the script. He leaned over and whispered in her ear: "It's been almost an hour. Shouldn't we take a break, use the restroom, or get something to eat?"

Yu Jiali, who was using her water glass to mask their proximity, was almost choked by his unexpected laziness. She covered her mouth tightly to control her voice. "What are you doing? We're in the middle of a meeting!"

Bai Haonan broke her bottom line: "Actually, Ada has been locked in the car the whole time. I need to go down to the garage and let him out to do his business."

Yu Jiali really wanted to snap the pen in her hand in half to express her emotions. "You! Why can't you be serious for once? If you're like this, who would dare invest in you? Who would dare work with you or cooperate with you?"

Bai Haonan looked aggrieved. "I’ve never had a job, never sat in meetings. I didn't know we'd be sitting here for so long. You said coming here to do the paperwork would be simple."

Yu Jiali looked at the rugged, masculine face so close to her own, and ultimately, her infatuation won out. She took a deep breath to suppress her emotions. "Fine, ten-minute break..."

Bai Haonan pushed his luck. "Can you come downstairs with me?"

Yu Jiali was at her breaking point. "What exactly do you want!"

Bai Haonan kept his goofy, unserious smile. "I'll explain things to you downstairs. I really don't want to come back up. I don't understand this office stuff—sitting here is miserable."

What could Yu Jiali do?

She had no choice but to forgive him!

Who told her to be so desperate to work with this handsome man? She dug this hole herself; she’d just have to jump into it, crying or not.

Hadn't she known all along that he was a hopeless, unreliable mess? Wasn't she the one fantasizing that she could change him?

The good impression she had just formed because of his choice of location evaporated instantly!

Bai Haonan’s ability to send a woman's mood and impression of him on such a rollercoaster was truly masterful.

As Yu Jiali stood up, looking truly disappointed, Bai Haonan hurriedly bowed and opened the door for her. His fawning demeanor made Yu Jiali laugh in spite of herself, which only made the managers who had just walked out shake their heads. Wasn't this just a classic case of a gigolo playing his game?

The finance manager, the administrative supervisor, and Yu Jiali’s secretary were left in the conference room, staring at each other. It felt like all of this had happened far too suddenly.

The young boss had been completely bewitched by a pretty face!

They really needed to file a report to Chairman Yu.