After neatly stacking the documents, Zhao Linger put on a blank, adorable look and muttered, "I think I'm right. Don't overthink it—Chairman Jiang isn't even married. He just likes to have fun, that's all…"
Zhao Linger's reaction completely exceeded her expectations, leaving Chen Xueer stunned.
She'd assumed that once Zhao Linger found out, she'd feel low, heart-broken, even devastated.
But the reality turned out to be nothing like that.
Looks like I was the one overthinking.
Chen Xueer tapped Zhao Linger's perky nose and, hands on hips, asked suspiciously, "Has Chairman Jiang brainwashed you? He's a thorough, heart-breaking scumbag. Don't you remember last time when he—"
Halfway through, she swallowed the rest.
The memory of what Jiang Cheng had done to her in the bathroom last time made her cheeks flush; it was too embarrassing to say out loud.
Seeing Chen Xueer's reddened face, Zhao Linger grew even more curious. "What happened? What else did Chairman Jiang do?"
The reason Chen Xueer minded Jiang Cheng's behavior so much was mostly because of that intimate encounter in the bathroom.
Although they hadn't gone all the way, they had kissed and touched.
Yet Chen Xueer soon realized she was the only one who cared or even remembered.
Jiang Cheng didn't care at all; chances were he'd already forgotten.
Of course—he had countless women around him.
He was busy every day; why would he remember such a thing?
Thinking this, Chen Xueer said sourly, "Nothing. Work is work and life is life—keep them separate, Ling'er.
Unlike Chen Xueer, Zhao Linger had little direct contact with Jiang Cheng, though she did fancy him.
Her feelings were more like a fan's admiration for an idol.
After all, Jiang Cheng had not only a handsome face but also the sharp market insight she deeply respected.
Whenever she saw him, she felt as thrilled as if meeting her idol.
Hearing Chen Xueer's warning, Zhao Linger instantly turned into a champion of pure love.
She retorted, "Sister Xueer, you call Chairman Jiang a scumbag, but from what you've said he doesn't sound like one. He said those Girls might not be better off after leaving him. And you also mentioned he bought quite a few apartments under the company's name and even gave several away. If he didn't truly care, why give them houses? Houses aren't cabbages—right?"
Zhao Linger picked up the black tea on the desk and gulped it down.
Then she continued, "With Chairman Jiang's status he could have any woman he wants. Even if he just used them and threw them away, plenty of Girls would still line up. Look around the office—who wouldn't be willing? But he hasn't abandoned them, which shows he's responsible. So he's only fickle, not a scumbag. Honestly, if I had his kind of money, I'd be fickle too—maybe I'd fly straight to exotic Tyrande…"
"You little rascal, you're the most improper of all," Sister Xueer scolded, shooting her a glare.
"Sister Xueer, don't tell me you're not tempted. My classmates in Tyrande had a wild time—those guys are strong and cheap…" Zhao Linger winked and grinned.
"Enough, you're getting worse—shoo!" Chen Xueer interrupted, cheeks crimson.
Watching Zhao Linger hum a tune and skip out of the office, Chen Xueer felt a ripple of doubt.
Who's the odd one here—Ling'er or me? Was I overthinking?
Yet she couldn't deny that Zhao Linger's words made some sense.
Love is mutual; Jiang Cheng hadn't deceived anyone—so how could he be called a scumbag?
But after reconsidering she cursed inwardly again: "No, even if he's not a scumbag, he's still a playboy! A playboy! A playboy!"
After the silent rant she felt even more agitated, as if caught in endless vexation.
After leaving Xingchen Investment Company, Jiang Cheng subconsciously glanced at the system panel.
Seeing that Zhao Linger's favorability value, which had dropped by five, had climbed back up, he raised an eyebrow.
He'd thought he'd need to chat with her at the right moment, but she'd already worked it out herself.
That evening, under Modu City's brilliant lights, Jiang Cheng finally took Zhou Ying back to the large flat beside their university.
As soon as they stepped inside, Zhou Ying eagerly produced two pairs of couple slippers.
Like presenting treasure she said, "Look, I bought these online—aren't they cute? Try them on!"
"Very cute—but still not as cute as you."
Before he finished, Jiang Cheng braced his hands against the wall, trapping her against the door; the distance between them vanished.
Although they'd already explored each other thoroughly, being pressed to his chest still made Zhou Ying's heart race.
Back in school Jiang Cheng had paid close attention to her, but she was the one who had fallen first.
Meeting his burning gaze, Zhou Ying felt the world blur around her.
The air was thick with ambiguity.
Staring into his deep, fathomless eyes, she lifted a hand to his face and murmured, "Your eyes are beautiful.
The scent of her filled his breath, and seeing her dazed look made Jiang Cheng's heart itch.
He smiled, then slowly lowered his head.
Sensing danger, Zhou Ying blushed. "I'll take a shower first…"
Seeing her try to escape, Jiang Cheng quickly blocked her path with his broad frame.
Soft kisses, light as feathers, rained down, drifting from her delicate cheek to her slender neck.
Like dancing butterflies they lingered on her snow-white skin, finally settling on the sensitive spots behind her ear and along her throat.
At the same moment, Jiang Cheng's strong hands clamped possessively around Zhou Ying's small ones, yanking them upward and pinning them above her head against the unyielding door.
The sudden move left Zhou Ying with no chance to resist; she was completely at his mercy.
Jiang Cheng's kiss, hungry yet tender, drew a low, involuntary moan from Zhou Ying.
Though every instinct screamed to break free, her body felt spell-bound, unable to move.
Helpless, she whispered a plea, "Jiang Cheng… wait…"
A tremor ran through Zhou Ying's voice—she was already undone by the heat of his desire.
Her words only fanned the flames, spurring him on.
Relax—it's one flat, one elevator; no one will hear," he murmured.
But…"
Before she could finish, Jiang Cheng silenced her soft lips again.
The room's lights hadn't fully come on; the air grew heavy with scent, the dim entrance lamp casting the two of them in warm twilight.
All that remained was the lingering intimacy… An hour later, Jiang Cheng stepped out of the bathroom, gathered the clothes strewn by the door,
tossed them into the laundry basket, and dropped onto the sofa.
He unlocked his phone to find a dozen unread messages in the small group chat; the guys were in full flow.
Wang Congcong: "Heard Lin Yao kicked the bucket last night?"
Qin Fen: "?? Something happened?"
Wang Zheng: "What's the gossip?"
Qi Yuan: "After a few days in hospital he flew straight back to the capital on his private jet, landed, had a fatal allergic reaction to some meds."
Chen Hao: "Damn, sounds seriously sketchy."
Jiang Cheng skimmed the thread.
His brows drew together.
Jiang Cheng: "Seriously?"
Wang Congcong: "Crazy, right? Judging by his medical history he shouldn't have been allergic to that drug at all, but this time he was—and on a plane, no less. By the time they landed it was too late."
Wang Congcong's words hit like a sledgehammer; the chat fell dead silent.
Something this obvious wasn't lost on any of them.
Almost certainly man-made.
Who, though, was anyone's guess.
Yet ever since Wang Sheng's report, Jiang Cheng had suspected Lin Yao's older brother.
He'd never planned to move against Lin Yao himself.
If he had, Security Team would've been dispatched right after the car-crash stunt.
Had his great-uncle not suddenly intervened, Jiang Cheng would already have written Lin Yao off.
The guy had crashed his own car.
His brother had been shipped off to some backwater; the family posed no threat.
They'd made no further moves.
As long as they didn't threaten him, Jiang Cheng saw no need to wipe them out.
Jiang Cheng stated plainly.
Jiang Cheng: "Wasn't me."
Qin Fen: "Whoever it was, at least it didn't happen in Modu."
Jiang Cheng: "From what I know, it was his brother."
Wang Zheng: "That's one hell of a scoop."
Qi Yuan: "Definitely a capital hit. Latest intel points to someone close to him."
Wang Congcong: "My contacts in the capital say the same—his brother."
Chen Hao: "His own brother? Seriously?? That's insane."
Qin Fen: "Makes sense, though. Background check showed they were never close—age gap's big enough to be father and son—and Lin Yao was always stirring trouble."
Qin Fen: "If I were his brother, I'd probably off him too."
Qi Yuan: "Take that back."
Qin Fen recalled the message.
Qin Fen: "Family harmony is the greatest happiness, after all."
Wang Congcong chimed in: "Lucky my dad only has one precious son—no siblings to fight with."
Qin Fen: "Same here. I've got a few sisters, but we're evenly matched; keeps the peace."
Wang Zheng sighed: "Three brothers in my house—parents play favorites, total headache."
Chen Hao cut in: "Only kids have it best—I'm one, and it's awesome."
Qi Yuan jumped on the bandwagon: "I always wanted a big brother—good thing I've got Brother Cheng."
Spotting the sudden boot-licking, Chen Hao back-pedalled: "Oops, spoke too soon—count me in too!"
After more idle chat the topic shifted.
Wang Zheng suddenly posted a video.
Once the guys finished the rather hard-core clip, comments flew.
Qi Yuan: "Girl's not bad—looks mature, steady, classy."
Qin Fen: "Foot-washing at night—she's hot, but why the foot fetish? How do you talk after that? Breath must reek."
Wang Congcong snarked: "I can almost smell it through the screen—where do you find these places?"
Chen Hao: "Old Wang, the industry's this cut-throat now? Mouth service for a foot rub?"
Wang Zheng: "I just asked for a normal foot massage; she said she'd learned a tongue-pressure technique and wanted to demo…"
Wang Zheng: "My buddy's new bathhouse, fresh girls—thought I'd sample the service. Didn't expect it to be that avant-garde—too much."
Qi Yuan: "So is this a legit foot-wash place or what? Take me next time."
Jiang Cheng opened the Character Scanning System through the screen.
[Name: Lin Na]
[Age: 25]
[Height: 159 cm]
[Appearance: 79]
[Figure: 88]
[Privacy: 58]
[favorability value: 60]