Days went by and Chen Jinxuan had been occupied by nothing but regular supervision of their property sales. Other than that, the investigation that shook the town was half-way done. Nevertheless, there was nothing Chen Jinxuan and the investors could offer other than their full cooperation.

Amidst his schedule, he reserved time to send Chen Ling to her dorm or to accompany her to have dinner with Han Qiyu—or accompany Han Qiyu on her behalf when she tossed aside the appointment for her movie time. Every time after dinner, Chen Jinxuan would always get some messages from Han Qiyu filled with his reviews of the ‘date’.

Chen Jinxuan found Chen Ling annoying for leaving the appointment to him again today. She reported through the intercom that she had finished her work for the day, and she wanted to make it to an online live performance of her favourite band.

Although Han Qiyu’s expression would turn sour every time he saw no Chen Ling, he was flexible to entertain Chen Jinxuan by picking a more serious topic they could both engage in.

“I think I have gotten closer to you and Chen Ling. Do you think I have become one of the options now?” Han Qiyu scooped a mouthful of the omelette rice he had ordered and chewed as he turned his eyes on Chen Jinxuan.

“Did you not hear her babble about that villain from the animation she is currently watching?” Chen Jinxuan spared him no glance as he continued enjoying his aglio olio.

“Well… I should be a different case by now, right?” Han Qiyu set his spoon down and leaned his face forward, demanding an answer from Chen Jinxuan.

Chen Jinxuan finally raised his eyes to look at Han Qiyu’s peach blossom eyes. He placed his cutleries down and pushed Han Qiyu’s face away with a hand—not too harsh but not too light. “You have to ask her yourself.”

“I have only known both of you for a few months since that day… I can’t just ask…” Han Qiyu pouted and picked his spoon up again, continuing his meal. “What’s her favourite food?”

“She likes spicy food.” Chen Jinxuan replied nonchalantly as he sipped his cup of espresso.

“What about you, Jin-ge?”

“Anything is fine as long as it is not bitter.”

“But coffee is bitter.”

“You can add sugar. A little bitterness works.” Chen Jinxuan narrowed his eyes, glaring at Han Qiyu who was smiling playfully. Chen Jinxuan sighed and chuckled helplessly. He had not felt so relaxed for quite some time ever since he broke up with Fang Yaowei. He could say that he was grateful that Han Qiyu was there with Chen Ling when he needed help the most albeit finding it embarrassing.

Han Qiyu let out a laugh. “You are right. Life is already bitter from the very beginning, so why not add some sweetness to it?”

What he said caught Chen Jinxuan’s attention. Chen Jinxuan fell silent for a brief moment before making a remark. “…Add sweetness to life, huh?”

Chen Jinxuan wondered what could add sweetness or perhaps, a relief in his life. The sweet candy used to be Fang Yaowei, but he had lost the candy somewhere along the way and now he was at a loss where to find a candy shop.

“That is worth thinking about.” Chen Jinxuan said.

Once they finished their meals and paid their bills, they parted ways. Chen Jinxuan had an appointment with Director Wang from Yongjian Construction.

Director Wang asked him out to talk about the case they were involved in and how it could affect their construction process. He wanted to arrange strategies on how to increase their labourers’ morale. Even though all central figures were certain they would be clear of all suspicions by the end, the social media was merciless with their comments. More or less, the project would still suffer some reputation damage.

The meeting that was filled with alcohol and cigarette smokes in a restaurant’s private cubicle ended in two hours. After getting the drunk Director Wang in a taxi, Chen Jinxuan drove his car back to his condominium. He had just gotten in the main door when his phone vibrated.

‘Jin-ge, I just read the newspaper. I heard the apartment project is Xiuyan Real Estate’s biggest project next year. How is the investigation going? I wish I could help you with something—Han Qiyu’

Chen Jinxuan read the message as he walked into the living room and dropped himself on the sofa. He placed his phone on the coffee table and took a moment of silence. He was rather free lately and it gave him rooms to overthink about the reputation damage the project might get. Han Qiyu’s message reminded him of the risks he had to calculate and evaluate. Multiple ideas to boost their marketing team were running in his mind.

His thoughts were interrupted, however, when a ringtone from his phone filled the living room.

It was a call from Li Guangchen.

“Yes?”

“Jinxuan, I am here to update you regarding the case.” Li Guangchen’s voice rang with its usual composure. “The dead body was Ning Jinhai who we are supposed to know.”

“What do you mean by ‘supposed’?”

“Fang Yaowei did transfer money to his bank account—the dead man’s account. Fang Yaowei is found not guilty for the death as there is no concrete proof. There is no supporting proof that he was involved in the drug-smuggling either. The conman’s number is no longer reachable. He will not have it easy to find a new job any time soon due to his involvement in this.”

Chen Jinxuan had expected this when he heard the dead body’s name. He knew Fang Yaowei could have been fooled into this. Fang Yaowei’s boyfriend whose identity was now unknown could have tricked him, however, Fang Yaowei sleeping with another man was the truth. To sleep with a man whose identity he was unaware of… just how bored was Fang Yaowei with him? To be replaced by an unknown man, perhaps, he was the true fool among them all.

“Jinxuan, you must not pity this man.” Li Guangchen added with a hint of warning.

“I am not.”

“I know you.” Li Guangchen sighed and added, “You put your six years for him.”

“I did. Guangchen, it is over. There is no point talking about it.” Chen Jinxuan sighed as he got on his feet. He grabbed his suit and tie with one hand and walked towards the bathroom in his bedroom. He threw his suit and tie in the laundry basket.

“Alright. Deal with it yourself. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I am and sure, I will.”

This night, Chen Jinxuan turned in early.

The building of Xiuyan Real Estate was as busy as ever the moment the clock hit 9 AM. Earlier than anybody, Chen Jinxuan had arrived in his office to assess several documents. He was reading the survey result of their competitors’ sales and on-site marketing strategy as well as several drafts of Xiuyan Real Estate projects.

Thinking that this could be a great learning material, he dialled Chen Ling through the intercom and asked her to pick the files in his office. Soon enough, Chen Ling knocked on the door and entered.

“Director Chen, you called for me?” Chen Ling greeted him formally.

Although it was not her first time addressing him like that, Chen Jinxuan always found it amusing, especially Chen Ling’s stern face when saying it. Without realising it, a rare warm smile surfaced on Chen Jinxuan’s face.

“I found some materials for your studies.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Chen Ling walked over to her brother’s desk and took the compiled documents.

"Have a thorough read and write a summary about it. Once you are done, submit it to Secretary Zhou. I want to know how much you can absorb from these documents.”

Chen Ling pouted as she counted the amount of the documents and looked at Chen Jinxuan with pleading eyes. “No discount?”

“Have I ever received the royalty fee from my photos you put up for sale online?”

“Alright. When is the deadline?”

Chen Jinxuan scoffed, absolutely amused in teasing his sister. “I will give you a month. These include possible future projects, so do your best.”

Chen Ling nodded nonchalantly as she skimmed through the top document. She mulled for a while before saying, “Will dad acknowledge me if I manage to do this?”

Chen Jinxuan cast his eyes downwards to the floor. “Perhaps.”

Chen Ling smiled at her brother before excusing herself out of the office.

Chen Jinxuan wondered if their father would ever grant them their hearts’ desires. Would Chen Zhuoheng loosen his grip and control over Chen Ling? Would Chen Zhuoheng acknowledge his existence and effort? He might be able to help out Chen Ling, but who would help him out? Chen Junhuan? Impossible.

At this thought, Chen Jinxuan shook his head as he scoffed at himself. He turned to his computer notebook and started his work for the day. He did not work till the end of the shift, however, because he had a charity party to attend tonight. 

He received a call from Director Wang last week regarding a charity auction party that invited the local businessmen from various industries. Director Wang received two invitations because he was a VIP partner with Hongming Equity Firm, the event organiser. Knowing the past story between Chen Jinxuan and Tang Weixia, Director Wang knew it would be difficult to persuade Chen Jinxuan, so he told Chen Jinxuan that they could look for future collaborators there at the event.

Chen Jinxuan gave it a thought for a moment and decided to attend the charity event. He had nothing to lose, and he had nothing to be afraid of the heir of Hongming Equity Firm. Instead, he might just obtain some intel about Hongming’s future plans.

He instructed his driver to drive Chen Ling back to her dorm after office hours while he took a taxi back to his condominium. 

At home, he took a quick shower and took some time deciding what to do with his hair. Picking up his electric shaver, he shaved off the end of his dark brown hair that was reaching his neck. Then, he took out his pomade and pulled all of his hair back, leaving just a bit of his long bangs down on the side of his face.

He chose a jet-black suit with silver stripes and a red butterfly tie. Finishing everything, he misted himself with Acqua Di Parma Colonia Futura Eau de Cologne.

Chen Jinxuan grabbed his phone and wallet and shut the door. Approximately five minutes later, Director Wang’s car drove into the lobby to pick him up. 

“You are well-dressed, Director Chen.” Director Wang threw a glance from the front passenger seat.

“Not as well as Director Wang.” Chen Jinxuan smiled as he tilted his chin at Director Wang.

Director Wang laughed. He turned his head around again to look at Chen Jinxuan. “The plan for a resort is great, but we definitely need another collaborator.”

“We can do it just ourselves, honestly.”

“Certainly, but the executive apartment is still on-going. It is better to have another collaborator if we want to reduce the trouble. We can share the burden together and it makes things easier, does it not?”

“We can make the decision after the party. We might or might not find a match, after all.” Chen Jinxuan commented, earning Director Wang’s approving nod.

When they reached the venue which was a five-star hotel’s ballroom, Chen Jinxuan expected to meet Tang Yi or his mother, Tang Weixia. He did not expect, however, that the two vital figures from Hongming Equity Firm made no opening speech and the likes. They were not even seen anywhere in the ballroom. 

The ballroom was filled with only purple lights, making the area dim but bright enough for everyone to recognise who they were talking to. The event started with the master of ceremony addressing the VIP guests and the sponsors for the charity. Once it was all done, they were presented with a row of entertainment varying from singing, dancing, and other performances.

Wasting no time, Chen Jinxuan initiated a chat with other VIPs that were sitting at the same table during dinner. Amidst the conversation, Chen Jinxuan learnt that the charity event was Tang Yi’s idea. Gossip said that he did this just to balance out the mass lay-off he did when he took over the company. As it was impolite to talk behind the event-organiser, they kept it minimum and digressed the talk to their on-going projects.

Chen Jinxuan seriously evaluated the guests as he observed Director Wang’s expressions. It seemed like they would not find any suitable teammate for their plans. However, the party was not over, and Chen Jinxuan would not give up searching.

When dinner was over and the dishes had been cleared, wine and all sorts of beverages were placed at each table. Chen Jinxuan got himself a glass of red wine for him and Director Wang. While the charity auction started, Chen Jinxuan walked around socialising with fellow businessmen.

“Jin-ge?” A voice called from behind, earning Chen Jinxuan’s immediate attention.

Chen Jinxuan turned around and saw Han Qiyu in a navy-blue tuxedo and black butterfly tie. His previously light brown dyed hair had been re-dyed black, diminishing his playful air moderately.

“Han Qiyu?” Chen Jinxuan frowned slightly. He knew Han Qiyu was the director of his own start-up, but was it enough to warrant his participation in such a high-class event? Chen Jinxuan figured that Han Qiyu was probably present due to his family’s background. Not that he knew any prestigious family surnamed Han, though.

“My brother received an invitation, but he cannot come, so it is a fancy surprise to see you here!” Han Qiyu beamed as he raised his glass of wine. “Don’t drink too much, alright?”

Chen Jinxuan raised his glass of wine, nodding.

At this moment, two men came with a smile. “I have been looking for you, Director Tang. This is…?”

“Ah, gentlemen. Apologies, there are many VIPs I had to attend to at the beginning of the event. This is Director Chen from Xiuyan Real Estate.” Han Qiyu greeted, raising his glass at the two gents.

“Oh, so it is true that you aim to acquire Xiuyan Real Estate? I thought it was nothing but a rumour, Director Tang.” One of the men chuckled as he glanced at Chen Jinxuan. “Well then, we shall not interrupt your conversation. Thank you for the event and have a nice day, Director Tang.”

“Enjoy the night.” Han Qiyu said as he saw the two guests leave. He turned to Chen Jinxuan whose face showed nothing but fury. He smiled politely as he took Chen Jinxuan’s hand for a shake, releasing quickly after. “My name is Tang Yi. Nice to know you, Director Chen.”

Wrath simmered within his veins as Chen Jinxuan gritted his teeth. His grip on his glass of wine tightened on one hand while the other hand was clenched so hard, he could hear crackles from his knuckle.