"Secretary Liu, who chose your name? Every character is laced with gold," Chao Musheng teased, noticing Secretary Liu's lingering unease. "With so much gold, you're clearly destined for wealth."
Seeing that Chao Musheng wasn’t the least bit bothered by the fortune-teller's words, Secretary Liu finally relaxed. "I suppose my mother had the same thought when she named me. My family was poor—I even had to take out student loans for university. But I got lucky. Before graduation, I became a management trainee at Kunlun."
"You know how it is—Kunlun’s internship benefits are top-tier. While other students still relied on family support during their internships, I was already sending money home." Secretary Liu smiled faintly. "Don’t let my age fool you. I’m only thirty-one, but I’ve been with Kunlun for ten years."
Climbing from a trainee to the executive office required both skill and luck, which was why he absolutely refused to let the Chen family jeopardize his career.
Where else would he find a boss as reasonable as Mr. Su?
At a recent class reunion, his peers had nothing but complaints about their employers.
Some bosses demanded 24/7 availability, others ordered illegal investigations, some even made employees handle medical disputes—and one deducted salaries over a lover’s whims.
The most outrageous one? A boss who ordered his assistant to kidnap the person he liked.
This was a society governed by law. People worked to earn a living, not to become outlaws.
In the entire world of bosses, his was undoubtedly the most normal.
High salary, guaranteed holidays, overtime pay, no verbal abuse, and never once had he been dragged out of bed for a midnight emergency.
If anyone dared threaten this golden job, he’d fight them tooth and nail.
"Secretary Liu, you’re amazing," Chao Musheng said sincerely. "No wonder you’re the boss’s most trusted secretary."
The first time he’d met Secretary Liu at school, those words had been flattery. Now, they were genuine.
The executive office had several secretaries, but Chao Musheng got along with Secretary Liu the best. And from what he’d observed, Mr. Su did seem to favor taking Secretary Liu on business trips lately.
Secretary Liu hesitated. In the past, Mr. Su would randomly pick one or two secretaries to accompany him. But ever since Chao Musheng joined the company, Secretary Liu found himself by the boss’s side more often.
At first, he hadn’t understood why—until he discovered Mr. Su’s feelings for Chao Musheng aboard the Moonview yacht. Only then did it click: the boss kept bringing him along because Chao Musheng was most comfortable with him.
"Let me tell you this in private—don’t spread it around," Chao Musheng said with a playful raise of his brow. "Or I’ll make enemies of every colleague in the executive office."
Secretary Liu glanced at Mr. Su, who had been sitting quietly beside them.
"Mr. Su would never tell a soul," Chao Musheng turned to Su Chenzhu with a grin. "Right?"
"Mn." Su Chenzhu nodded, a faint smile on his lips. A bodyguard brought over a teapot, and he poured a cup for Chao Musheng, his voice tender. "I won’t tell anyone."
Secretary Liu silently turned his head back, feeling distinctly like a third wheel.
After lunch, Little He had just gotten his meal from Brother Hu when the Steward intercepted him before he could take a single bite.
"Steward," Little He clutched his food, following the man to a secluded spot. "What did you need?"
Couldn’t he at least eat in peace?
"Did anything happen in Mr. Su’s courtyard at noon?" The Steward wanted to know if Mr. Xuan’s provocations had gotten to Chao Musheng.
"Anything?" Little He shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice. "Nothing major. Just some argument between Mr. Chao and a colleague."
The Steward pressed, "Was that colleague surnamed Liu?"
"The bodyguards called him Secretary Liu," Little He continued eating. "Secretary Liu mentioned something about a project site, and Mr. Chao said the location was problematic. He even accused Secretary Liu of taking kickbacks—called him a shady character."
The Steward’s face twitched. If not for the fact that this kid seemed genuinely dim, he’d have thought he was being mocked.
"What happened after?"
"They kept talking, but I didn’t understand a word." Little He spoke around a mouthful of rice, forcing the Steward to step back to avoid stray grains.
"Anyway, they didn’t leave on good terms." Between bites, Little He recounted a few details before finishing his meal. Just then, a gust of wind sent the empty box flying—straight into the Steward’s face, smearing it with grease.
"Sorry, Steward! It wasn’t on purpose!" Little He raised his sleeve, ready to wipe the man’s face.
"Don’t!" The Steward forced a smile through gritted teeth, his expression twisting unnaturally. After all that rambling, barely anything useful. "After their fight, who did Mr. Su side with?"
"Mr. Su didn’t say anything," Little He tossed the box into a trash bin and jogged back. "Steward, someone like me can’t read the moods of important people. But if I had to guess… I’d say he leaned toward Mr. Chao."
The Steward raised a brow. "Why’s that?"
"Because during the argument, Mr. Su glanced at Mr. Chao three extra times. I counted."
"Go back," the Steward sighed wearily. "Just go."
What did he expect from a vocational school graduate? Business acumen?
The Steward relayed Little He’s report to Old Master Chen.
"Mr. Xuan’s prediction was correct. Chao Musheng truly is a flash in the pan," Old Master Chen chuckled, pleased. Using Chao Musheng to stir trouble for Kunlun was perfect—Su Chenzhu would never tolerate him afterward.
Youthful arrogance made him think Su Chenzhu’s favor was permanent. He didn’t realize how quickly fortunes could change.
Nothing in this world stayed the same.
Having pleased Old Master Chen, the Steward stepped out and spotted a young servant in the courtyard. "You Jiu, come here."
"Steward." You Jiu set down his watering can as if noticing the man for the first time. "How may I serve you?"
"This is Old Master’s gift for Mr. Xuan. Deliver it to him." The Steward was satisfied with You Jiu’s respectful demeanor. "Afterward, go to the guesthouse in the north courtyard and ask if Mr. Su requires anything."
Little He was obedient but too dull. You Jiu, being both sharp and one of Old Master’s own, was far more reliable.
"Understood, Steward." You Jiu accepted the heavy wooden box, its contents a mystery.
He delivered it to Mr. Xuan without a hint of curiosity or tampering.
On his way out, he spotted the Steward lurking outside.
So he’d been followed and watched.
"You’ve done well." The Steward patted his shoulder. "Mr. Chao has a fondness for attractive servants. When you visit the guesthouse, do your best to win his favor."
Little He was obedient but stupid. You Jiu seemed far cleverer.
"Steward, I won’t disappoint you." You Jiu’s expression remained neutral. Only once he was out of sight did he glance back.
The Chen family actually dared to sow discord between Chao Musheng and his colleagues—what exactly are they trying to achieve?
Did the failed summoning ritual for the evil deity the other night require a restart?
In this scenario, what crucial role does Chao Musheng play? Despite not being a member of the Chen family, his presence is unusually prominent.
Could it be that he’s the chosen sacrifice for their next summoning ritual?
You Jiu arrived at the VIP Pavilion, surprised to find no bodyguards stationed at the entrance this time.
As he approached the door, the sound of an argument spilled out from the courtyard.
“I’ve worked at the company for ten years! How long have you been here? Dream on if you think you can replace me!”
“What does seniority matter? Since when does Kunlun measure an employee’s competence by how long they’ve been around?”
That voice was unmistakable—it was Chao Musheng’s.
Peering into the courtyard, he saw bodyguards trying to mediate the quarrel—no wonder no one was guarding the gate.
After a moment’s hesitation, he decided not to enter. Instead, he discreetly snapped a photo of the two on the verge of a physical altercation before turning to find the Steward.
NPCs fighting? No way was he getting involved—he wasn’t suicidal.
“Let’s go.” Chao Musheng flopped onto a lounge chair, fruit in one hand and phone in the other. “Brother Liu, your lines just now were straight out of a soap opera. Next time you argue, try being less… polite.”
“As Kunlun’s secretary, even quarreling must be done with dignity,” Secretary Liu retorted, straightening his suit jacket, which had been ruffled by the bodyguards. “As if the Chen family could ever outmaneuver the boss.”
“Brother Liu, that last line sounded like something a villain’s lackey would say.”
Chao Musheng’s phone buzzed—his mother was calling.
“Hey, Mom.”
Chao Yin’s voice crackled through the speaker: “Your father told me someone asked for your birth details today—even whether you were born around 3 p.m.?”
“Mhm.”
Chao Yin’s indignant shout practically rattled the phone: “I knew it! That damned old fool is up to no good again! Back when Song Cheng pushed me and I was rushed to the hospital, your father ignored his calls until after we were both safe. When he finally answered, that bastard asked about your birth time, and your dad offhandedly said ‘around three in the afternoon.’”
“No one else would’ve spread that lie about your birth hour.” She spent a solid ten minutes cursing him out before adding, “And I heard you beat Song Cheng up? Good job!”
After hanging up, Chao Musheng received a hefty digital red envelope from his mother.
“Your… mother is quite the character,” Secretary Liu remarked, swallowing hard. No wonder Chao Musheng found his quarrel too theatrical—the real master was at home.
“My mom’s amazing.” Chao Musheng sent her a heart-filled sticker, grinning as he pocketed the transfer. “She was the boss of our entire village when she was young.”
Watching Chao Musheng’s proud expression as he spoke of his mother, Secretary Liu smiled.
Moments like these reminded him that Chao Musheng was just a twenty-year-old kid at heart.
Late at night, thick clouds blotted out the moon.
Little He glanced at Brother Hu in the adjacent bed, confirming he was sound asleep, before donning all his gear and slipping out the door.
Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
The shrill cries of unseen insects pierced the air.
Avoiding surveillance cameras, Little He navigated the darkness with his night-vision goggles. His colleagues on the comms were even more tense, holding their breath as they monitored his progress.
When he passed through the grove and neared the desolate wooden cabin, the insect noises abruptly ceased.
Rubbing his chilled arms, he whispered into the inconspicuous button on his collar: “HQ, I’ve reached the target vicinity.”
“Proceed with caution.”
The moment Little He stepped out from the trees, his earpiece crackled with a colleague’s urgent warning:
“Take cover! Someone’s approaching.”
He ducked behind a trunk and spotted two black-clad men nearing the cabin.
The instant their hands touched the door, alarms blared.
Several figures burst out, subduing the intruders in seconds.
Who knew the seemingly abandoned cabin had so many Chen family guards stationed inside?
The Steward didn’t even glance at the captives. “Search the area. Look for any other suspicious individuals.”
Damn.
Little He realized he was trapped.
“What’s all the commotion?”
Just then, Chao Musheng emerged from the woods, diverting everyone’s attention. “Catching thieves?”
It was Chao Musheng—he was saved!
