Not sparing any moment to deal with Fang Yaowei, Chen Jinxuan walked away speedily. Chen Jinxuan went to the concierge and asked for security to haul Fang Yaowei out of the building, never to be allowed inside anymore. After passing down his order, he stomped out of the premises and headed to the nearby mall for lunch.

Fang Yaowei was literally mad. To think that he would be so shameless and be so… desperate. Chen Jinxuan felt his chest tightened. He knew what could drive a human so far to the edge. He knew what made Fang Yaowei act so. Nevertheless, damage was done and there was no remedy. Poison had seeped deep for years and no antidote was able to salvage him.

If Fang Yaowei had stayed faithful, they could have had it all. Last year on February tenth, he sent someone to follow Fang Yaowei. Two days went by and there was no news from his informant. Chen Jinxuan wished he was imagining things. If he was wrong, he could let this matter slide and he did not have to cause an unrest in their relationship by confronting Fang Yaowei. If he was right about the disloyalty which had now been proven true… he would spare no chance.

Chen Jinxuan shook his head, getting rid of those worthless thoughts. He packed three portions of lunch; one for him, one for Chen Ling, and one for Secretary Zhou. Secretary Zhou had been busy juggling between assisting him and introducing Chen Ling to her work since this morning. He figured they had no time to even get lunch, so he covered their lunch for them.

On his way back to his office, he could feel stares on him. It was nothing he could not handle, but it sure was aggravating. He could not help cussing at Fang Yaowei in his heart.

Chen Jinxuan sat in his chair and connected his intercom to Secretary Zhou’s desk. “Secretary Zhou, come in with Chen Ling.”

“Yes, sir.” Zhou Meixin said and ended the call. Soon, she entered the CEO’s office with Chen Ling.

“Jin-ge!” Chen Ling jumped inside, beaming.

Chen Jinxuan beckoned them to sit as he placed the lunch boxes on the coffee table. “It is lunch time. Help yourself.”

Zhou Meixin took her share and thanked Chen Jinxuan.

“How is Chen Ling faring?” Chen Jinxuan asked and took a bite of lunch. “Her major is film and arts, completely unrelated to business, but she should have the knack for administrative work.”

Chen Ling rolled her eyes at her brother, digging into her meal.

Zhou Meixin smiled, “She is doing very well, Director Chen. I am afraid there is nothing I can teach her after a week.”

Seeing that there was no tension in Zhou Meixin’s expression, Chen Jinxuan was relieved that Chen Ling was able to adapt well in the office. Chen Jinxuan took a good look at Chen Ling and again, he recalled Han Qiyu’s words. Chen Ling was no longer a child.

As soon as he thought so, his mind proceeded to list out plans for Chen Ling. He thought of his schedule for the day and decided he could take Chen Ling along. “After lunch, come with me to meet Song Jia, our director of finance.”

“Anyone is fine as long as it is not Fang Yaowei.” Chen Ling spat as she took a few bites of her meal. For a moment, the air between them became stagnant, but no one took offence to Chen Ling’s straightforwardness.

“Director Chen, will it not be too fast for Ms. Chen?” Zhou Meixin commented, bringing the topic back.

“It is a good chance to introduce to her our on-going projects.”

“I bet you just want us to deal with your work while you slack off.”

Chen Jinxuan could not help but smile upon Chen Ling’s harmless comment. “Have you ever seen me slack off?”

Chen Ling replied immediately matter-of-factly. “You should.”

Chen Jinxuan considered her suggestion, but now that his projects were not stable yet, he decided to put it off. Even if he wanted to take a long leave, he would not be able to rest or enjoy it to the fullest. Not when Tang Yi was slowly building plans for Hongming Equity Firm to acquire Xiuyan Real Estate. Only after he managed to stall off Tang Yi could he leave without a care.

“One day.” Chen Jinxuan said.

They finished their meals and after getting their coffee, they headed to the finance department. Chen Jinxuan explained to Chen Ling regarding the executive apartment project, their purchase of municipal bonds as well as their loan to the bank in order to cover their financial deficiency. Other than the three matters, they also had their own sales from completed projects years ago. They were in a stable state. Once the apartment project and the municipal bond could be successfully accomplished, Xiuyan Real Estate would gain a significant increase of income next year.

Chen Ling listened carefully as she took notes of these money-making projects his brother had started. The more she listened, the prouder she became of her brother.

Chen Jinxuan felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and saw there was a message from Han Qiyu.

‘Jin-ge, do you and Chen Ling have plans tonight? Let’s go for dinner. Your treat as promised.’

Before Chen Jinxuan said anything to Chen Ling, Chen Ling had already shown him her phone. “Han Qiyu said you are treating us to dinner. I guess you thanked him already for his help last time?”

The message Han Qiyu sent to Chen Ling was a statement instead of a question. For a jiffy, Chen Jinxuan was confused. Why was Han Qiyu so cautious around him and so casual with Chen Ling? Chen Jinxuan sighed. He knew he gave people the wrong impression most of the time, but at least Han Qiyu still knew that he had not given the green light for dating Chen Ling.

“I did offer him to a meal as a token of gratitude.” Chen Jinxuan affirmed. Recalling that Li Guangchen had borrowed his car, he thought he could lend him for another day. He dialled Li Guangchen’s number and asked him to pick him and Chen Ling up after office hours.

Chen Jinxuan replied to Han Qiyu’s message with a restaurant’s location as well as the time they would be meeting. Afterwards, he continued discussing Xiuyan Real Estate’s possible projects in the future to Chen Ling and Song Jia. In a blink of an eye, it was time to clock off.

Chen Jinxuan and his two assistants returned to his office. The moment they entered; they saw Chen Zhuoheng was already waiting.

“How is your first day at work, Chen Ling?” Chen Zhuoheng stood up from the sofa and beckoned for them to sit. “Secretary Zhou, I’ll have a talk with Jinxuan and Chen Ling.”

Zhou Meixin bowed respectfully and exited the office.

“Work is bearable.” Chen Ling sat across from her father. “I have learnt plenty and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

Chen Zhuoheng scoffed and smiled, “To think you refused to enter here before… Now you know how big the world is.”

Chen Jinxuan poured a cup of coffee for his father and placed it in front of Chen Zhuoheng. Then, he proceeded to sit next to Chen Ling. However, as if he was transparent, Chen Zhuoheng never looked at him.

Chen Jinxuan cast his eyes on the table. It was nothing odd. He’d rather be ignored than to be spoken with anyway.

“Learn properly and perhaps, after your internship program, you can try a research program next semester. You can go overseas too, with Junhuan.” Chen Zhuoheng laughed as he remarked. “Any difficulties so far?”

Chen Ling tapped her feet on the carpeted floor as she replied, “I think internship here is alright. There is no difficulty because Secretary Zhou is meticulous.”

“Great. Junhuan will fly back to the United States tomorrow. He can help you find a reputable place. It will make your résumé look much more favourable.”

Chen Ling made no answer, knowing that her voice weighed nothing in her father’s eyes. If Chen Zhuoheng truly wanted her to apply for an internship overseas, he would have sent her over without asking. Temporarily, Chen Ling did not have to worry about leaving the town.

Chen Zhuoheng cleared his throat and added, “Since you have to come here every weekday, why don’t you move back home?”

“N-no!” Chen Ling instinctively responded. “The dormitory is nearer.”

Chen Zhuoheng frowned. “You can just come with me by car. It is dangerous for a girl to wander at night.”

“If you keep making things easy for me, then there is no point in doing an internship here. I want to learn, so… let me learn.” Chen Ling threw a glance. Displeasure was on Chen Zhuoheng’s face.

“Chen Ling is right. She is still not ready for the actual career world yet. Internship is to prepare her for her plans in the future.” Chen Jinxuan opened his mouth finally. “If you are worried, I can drive her back to her dormitory.”

Chen Zhuoheng shifted his gaze to Chen Jinxuan and back to Chen Ling. “If he is occupied, give me a call. I will give you a lift.”

“Okay…” Chen Ling said.

“It is your first day and you have not much work yet. I’ll give you a lift to your dormitory.” Chen Zhuoheng stood up, waving his hand at Chen Ling.

Chen Ling threw a glance at Chen Jinxuan and Chen Jinxuan stood up. There was no change in his calm demeanour. “I still have some things I have yet to inform Chen Ling. I will drive her to her dorm later. Have a safe journey, Director Chen.”

Chen Zhuoheng growled, his eyebrows were pulled together. “You better not involve her in any of your debauchery.”

“I will take good care of her, sir.” Chen Jinxuan walked to the door and kept the door open for Chen Zhuoheng. Irked, Chen Zhuoheng stomped out of the office and slammed the door shut.

Chen Ling sighed heavily in relief as she took the coffee that her father never touched.

“You should learn how to manoeuvre around him.” Chen Jinxuan returned to sit next to Chen Ling. He took the cold coffee from her hand and was about to dispose of it when Chen Ling snatched it back.

“We have different positions.” Chen Ling took a sip of the coffee. “What a waste of a good coffee.”

Chen Jinxuan placed a hand on Chen Ling’s head and ruffled her hair, smiling. “Let’s go in advance to avoid the traffic jam. I have called Guangchen to drive us there.”

Chen Ling smacked her brother’s hand and tidied up her hair.

The two siblings marched down to the lobby. While waiting for their specialised driver, Chen Ling wondered about the 'friend'. Chen Ling had heard about Li Guangchen, but Chen Jinxuan never gave a full description. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she nudged Chen Jinxuan’s elbow. “What kind of a person is Li Guangchen?”

Chen Jinxuan tried to imagine their interaction, but he could not think of anything. God-knows what Li Guangchen would say in front of Chen Ling… He hoped Li Guangchen could be more reserved in front of a lady at least. Still, he would not keep his expectations up. It was Li Guangchen they were talking about.

“Speak of the devil…” Chen Jinxuan said as they saw a familiar car driving into the lobby. The car stopped exactly in front of them. Soon, the window was lowered and revealed a man with silver-rimmed glasses.

Regardless of his neat office suit, Li Guangchen’s cold air gave her the impression that this man was someone from underground society. What was Chen Jinxuan doing befriending this kind of man?

Upon Chen Ling’s expression, Li Guangchen tilted his head and said, “If you think I am a criminal or future-criminal, you are terribly wrong, Ms. Chen. I am a lawyer for your information.”

Chen Ling blinked in astonishment. Did this man just read her mind or did she put all her thoughts on her face?

Chen Jinxuan opened the door to the back seat and urged Chen Ling to get in. Afterwards, he got on the front passenger seat.

In the car, Chen Jinxuan could not help but hang a smile on his face. From the mirror, he could see that Chen Ling was staring at Li Guangchen. His friend, too, was staring at Chen Ling from the front mirror.

“Li Guangchen, this is my sister, Chen Ling. Chen Ling, this is my college friend, Li Guangchen. You can call him ‘uncle’.” Chen Jinxuan introduced both of them.

“Nonsense. We were born in the same year, Chen Jinxuan. She should call me Guang-ge.” Li Guangchen said as he turned around to look at Chen Ling.

Upon the sudden approach, Chen Ling nearly jolted out of her seat. She could not figure it out… Other than having a different way of speech, the air Li Guangchen emanated was exactly the same as his Jin-ge!

Interesting. Chen Ling thought. “Guang-ge, nice to meet you. Sorry for troubling you with driving us.”

“It is fortunate that you know how to speak to me.” Li Guangchen said as he started driving the car out of the premises.

“Well?” Chen Jinxuan looked through the mirror and his gaze met with Chen Ling’s. “You can be bluntly honest. He is not that petty.”

“You think it counts when it is you who says so?” Li Guangchen rebutted. “Go on, young lady. Speak your mind.”

Since she received the permission, Chen Ling thought she could really be honest. She took a deep breath and said, “Guang-ge is a bit frightening… although good-looking. As good-looking as my brother.”

Li Guangchen clicked his tongue and made no immediate response. Chen Jinxuan threw a glance at him and guessed that Li Guangchen was sorting his words in order not to be crude to a lady. It was one thing to speak frankly with Chen Jinxuan, but to Chen Ling, some of his words might come off as harassment. As a lawyer, he would avoid any problem especially with the beloved sister of his buddy.

Chen Jinxuan kept a calm expression. Deep inside, he was holding back laughter with all his might.

“I am frightening?”

Chen Ling nodded.

“Is your brother not frightening?”

Now this question made Chen Ling ponder. She could say it was Chen Jinxuan who raised her. In her eyes, Chen Jinxuan was more of a parent figure than a sibling, so this question seemed to ring a different tone than what she had in mind. Still, it was the truth, so she nodded again.

That was right. Chen Jinxuan was exceptionally frightening when he was angry. He was just born with a stern face which people mistook for a bad day or bad mood. Chen Jinxuan rarely got angry and most of the time, he persuaded himself into thinking that it was not worth getting angry about.

“You give off the same air as Jin-ge!” Chen Ling added. “Why?”

“Fought too many times and we beat ourselves into amity.” Li Guangchen answered jokingly without any comedy hint. Chen Ling only gaped at Li Guangchen with disbelief while Chen Jinxuan nodded in amusement. “We have arrived. Get off, you two.”

A ringtone rang and filled the car. It was Chen Jinxuan’s phone. He reached a hand into his pocket and took it out. It was a call from Zhou Meixin. Something about this call made Chen Jinxuan uneasy. Zhou Meixin was a highly punctual person and once it was off office hours, she would never send a message to Chen Jinxuan let alone a phone call.

“Chen Ling, go in first.” Chen Jinxuan said as he picked up the phone. “Hello?”

Chen Ling did as told and got off the car, entering the restaurant as she phoned Han Qiyu.

“Apologies, Director Chen…” Zhou Meixin stammered slightly on the phone. She took a deep breath and said in a serious tone. “I just received news from the evaluation team. The police are sealing the location where the executive apartment would be built. They found a dead body.”