Chen Yuan’s eldest son, the one from Old Master Chen’s family?
Xiaojuan frowned. "He was involved in the Chen Yuan case, and he’s already out?"
"He wasn’t deeply implicated, apparently. After a few days in detention, he went home," Secretary Liu handed Xiaojuan a glass of juice. "A slippery fox, that one."
Something felt off to Xiaojuan. She had indeed seen General Manager Chen at Chen Yuan before, but the man back then was nothing like the one now.
As she pondered, General Manager Chen approached them. "Secretary Liu, the lady beside you looks familiar. Have we met before?"
"She’s a friend of mine," Secretary Liu replied, omitting Xiaojuan’s past as a servant in the Chen household. "Perhaps you’ve crossed paths somewhere. With your busy schedule, it’s understandable if you don’t remember."
When General Manager Chen’s gaze landed on her, that familiar sense of disgust welled up in Xiaojuan’s chest again.
General Manager Chen gave her a curt nod before turning away without another word.
"Brother Liu, I’ll walk around a bit. No need to keep me company," Xiaojuan set down her drink and, after a moment’s hesitation, slipped through the crowd to follow him.
Chao Musheng found Su Chenzhu standing alone under an osmanthus tree, its fragrance thick in the air.
Hearing Chao Musheng’s footsteps, Su Chenzhu turned. "Chaochao, this osmanthus is blooming beautifully."
"No wonder I could smell it from afar," Chao Musheng stepped closer, the sweet scent mingling with the faint herbal aroma that always clung to Su Chenzhu.
"Is the party boring you?" Su Chenzhu took his hand. "When I saw this tree earlier, I thought—maybe we should’ve spent the night somewhere quiet, just the two of us."
He wanted the whole world to know Chao Musheng was his boyfriend.
So he bought trending hashtags, hosted giveaways, handed out red envelopes to employees, and brought Chao Musheng to public events.
As if branding him in everyone’s minds would ensure he’d never leave.
"If we hadn’t come tonight, we wouldn’t have seen this osmanthus," Chao Musheng drawled, grinning. "Besides, with your status, people might not take me seriously as your boyfriend otherwise."
He squeezed Su Chenzhu’s hand. "Having someone like you? I’d shout it from the rooftops."
The night breeze rustled the branches.
Su Chenzhu knew it wasn’t the wind stirring—it was his heart.
Hidden in the shadows, Xiaojuan watched General Manager Chen. Having lost the inheritance battle, he showed no interest in networking, instead staring out the floor-to-ceiling window at the scenery beyond.
Scenery?
Xiaojuan vaulted over the second-floor railing, peeking through the curtains. Outside, Chao Musheng and Su Chenzhu stood hand-in-hand beneath the osmanthus tree.
General Manager Chen wasn’t admiring the view—he was watching Chao Musheng!
Realization struck. She dropped the curtain but kept observing "General Manager Chen" from her vantage point.
Pulling out her phone to warn Chao Musheng, she froze as General Manager Chen suddenly looked up and flashed her a mechanical smile.
[What a disobedient tool.]
Shit!
Her pulse spiked. Instinct made her roll aside just as—
CRASH!
A two-meter-tall plaster statue shattered where she’d stood, debris scattering across the floor.
Every head in the ballroom swiveled toward her. Expressions of concern bloomed, genuine or otherwise, as elegantly dressed women rushed to help Xiaojuan up.
"Thanks," she muttered, patting her pocket. The lucky puppet doll inside was warm.
Had it saved her?
Across the room, General Manager Chen’s smile vanished at the sight of her unharmed.
"Xiaojuan!" Chao Musheng pushed through the crowd. "Are you hurt?"
"I’m fine," she brushed plaster dust off her pants.
"Mr. Chao, we’re so sorry!" The event coordinator trembled, face ashen. "All statues and chandeliers were triple-checked for safety. I don’t know how this happened!"
A blunder like this at a high-profile event? Their resort was ruined.
"Investigate first," Chao Musheng eyed the wreckage before reassuring Xiaojuan. "Let my guards take you back to the hotel."
"No!" She shook her head violently. "I’m leaving with you and Su Chenzhu."
Where safer than by their side?
"Alright," seeing she wasn’t too shaken, Chao Musheng had a server bring hot milk to calm her nerves.
The party resumed, though guests now avoided statues and chandeliers, migrating outdoors.
Meanwhile, maintenance crews made a chilling discovery—the steel bolts anchoring the statue had been cleanly severed.
Steel, not tofu. How?
"Boss, could it be... supernatural?"
"Shut up," the leader hissed. "This is sabotage."
If the resort’s reputation tanked, competitors would profit.
Someone here was playing dirty.
The rest of the evening passed without incident. As Chao Musheng and Su Chenzhu drove off, Wang Xiaojuan occupied the passenger seat.
"Xiaojuan, are your lodgings settled?"
"Yes," she avoided Su Chenzhu’s gaze, twisting toward Chao Musheng. "Don’t worry about me."
She produced the puppet doll. "You’ve had too many close calls lately. Keep this on you."
"I’ve got luck to spare. You nearly got crushed today—you need it more," Chao Musheng leaned heavily against Su Chenzhu, who bore his weight without complaint.
"But you—"
"My whole life’s been charmed," he gave her a pitying look. "Face it, you’re the unlucky one here."
Xiaojuan: "..."
Hard to argue.
"National Day’s coming up. I’m taking Su Chenzhu to my hometown. Want to visit? The rural tourism there’s great."
She knew better than to third-wheel, but concern overrode etiquette. Under Su Chenzhu’s lethal stare, she croaked, "I’ll explore on my own. Won’t disturb you."
(Su Chenzhu, please stop glaring. I hate this too.)
Su Chenzhu lowered his eyes. "Chaochao, I’ll pick you up from campus tomorrow night."
"Sure," Chao Musheng nodded. "My last class ends early. We can head home sooner."
Taking Su Chenzhu Home?
Xiaojuan perked up her ears—was Su Chenzhu going to meet the parents?
"Su Chenzhu, congratulations!" Xiaojuan chirped. "You’re so outstanding, Uncle and Auntie are bound to adore you."
"Thank you," Su Chenzhu replied, the corners of his lips curling slightly. "We’re heading to Chao Chao’s hometown for National Day. You’ll come with us—no need to buy a separate plane ticket."
"Thank you, Su Chenzhu!" Xiaojuan beamed.
Love-struck people were always the easiest to deal with at times like this.
Before dawn, Secretary Liu received a hefty red envelope from his boss.
His boss wanted him to go shopping together?!
Secretary Liu snapped awake instantly. Only after meeting his boss did he realize the shopping trip was for gifts to impress elders.
"Boss, you could leave this to the personal assistant," Secretary Liu said, glancing at the shopping list. Was this gift-giving or bulk delivery?
"These are for Chao Chao’s parents. Meeting important elders requires personally chosen gifts to show sincerity." Su Chenzhu adjusted his glasses. "Don’t you agree?"
Secretary Liu was stunned. "Chao Chao is taking you to meet his parents? In my hometown, meeting the parents means wanting to spend a lifetime together. Boss, Chao Chao must really like you."
Su Chenzhu: "Is that so?"
Though his tone was questioning, the unconscious upward tilt of his lips betrayed his delight.
"What a coincidence, running into you again." General Manager Chen smiled at Chao Musheng. "Judging by your expression, Mr. Chao, you seem to be in high spirits?"
"General Manager Chen." Chao Musheng’s expression remained neutral. "This is outside the Jinghua University cafeteria. Meeting you here truly is a remarkable coincidence."
He noticed General Manager Chen holding a pet carrier, something stirring inside.
"I passed by the school gate earlier and saw a stray dog. Some students mentioned Jinghua has a stray animal rescue station, so I brought it here." General Manager Chen offered the carrier to Chao Musheng. "Since you’re more familiar with the campus, could you help me with this?"
A stray dog found at the school gate, yet he’d already prepared a pet carrier?
Chao Musheng didn’t reach for it, but General Manager Chen wasn’t bothered. He opened the carrier slightly, letting the stray poke its head out for air.
"Woof!"
A grimy, mud-streaked creature—hard to tell if it was a dog or a cat—emerged, its bloodied front paws desperately clawing at the opening, straining toward Chao Musheng.
Chao Musheng stared at the dog, momentarily dazed.
Years ago, the pitiful little thing he’d fished out of the river looked almost identical, even down to the overlapping wounds.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"Mr. Chao?" General Manager Chen pushed the dog’s head back into the carrier. "Do you know where the rescue station is?"
"Whimper~"
Perhaps from pain when General Manager Chen touched its wounds, the puppy let out a feeble, trembling cry.
"Chao Musheng!" Wan You strode out of the cafeteria, two books in hand. "What are you doing standing here?"
His gaze flicked to the middle-aged man opposite Chao Musheng.
Huh.
Weird—why did this guy rub him the wrong way at first glance?
"Whine—"
The puppy’s cries grew weaker, laced with fear.
"This gentleman found a stray and wants to take it to the school’s rescue station," Chao Musheng said, snapping out of his thoughts. "Mr. Chen, follow me."
"I’ll come too," Wan You cut in. "I’m curious about our school’s rescue station."
Something felt off about this man—better tag along.
"Alright." Chao Musheng nodded, avoiding another glance at the carrier.
This wasn’t the little stray he’d saved back then.
Because that one never made a sound around him.
It would only gaze at him with watery eyes, silent, its stare following him wherever he went.
As if he were its entire world.
