Under the driver’s superb driving skills, Wen Xian arrived at Benoy ten minutes before the agreed time. Benoy was located at the center of the new business district, the dark-colored building standing silently like a silent guard.
Wen Xian originally thought Benoy at most only rented three floors of office space, but after she walked into the building, she then learned that this entire building actually belonged to their company.
Wen Xian: “……”
After the front desk young lady politely asked her name, someone directly brought her upstairs.
The one bringing Wen Xian into the elevator was a man wearing a suit. He directly pressed the 22nd floor. After pressing, he stood in front of Wen Xian like a wooden person.
Wen Xian secretly lifted her eyes and glanced at him. She discovered that during the entire elevator ride, not once did it stop, from start to finish there were only the two of them in the elevator.
With a ding sound.
The elevator stopped on the 22nd floor. When the man led her to a reception room, only then did he say his first sentence: “Please wait a moment.”
Wen Xian did not sit down, but stood in place and sized up this reception room. When her eyes swept to the camera in the corner, she slightly froze, then honestly stood still without moving.
Qin Zan, who was sitting in the office, after seeing Wen Xian’s small action, imperceptibly curved the corners of his lips: “Let the person in.”
The assistant nodded: “Yes.”
Five minutes later, the reception room door was knocked.
Wen Xian lifted her eyes and looked. The one who came in after opening the door was a woman nearing forty years old. Her appearance was gentle, wearing a fitted professional outfit, the high heels underneath were at least ten centimeters tall.
This interview was completely different from what Wen Xian imagined. The questions this woman asked were all very strange.
For example: “Miss Wen, do you have plans to get married in the next two years?”
Wen Xian thought she was asking if she had plans to get pregnant, after all this might affect their work arrangements, since a translation assistant had to often follow the boss flying around everywhere.
She answered honestly: “No.”
She asked again: “Does Miss Wen have a favored marriage partner?”
Wen Xian: “…No.”
The woman smiled a little: “Then does Miss Wen have a boyfriend?”
Wen Xian hesitated for a moment and said: “Not at the moment.”
Finally she said: “At present Miss Wen’s work scope is to accompany the boss on business trips. There are other assistants accompanying as well. Other than that, Miss Wen does not need to come to the company to work.”
“The currently set salary is one hundred thousand per month. If Miss Wen is not satisfied, we can still negotiate.”
Wen Xian: “……”
She is currently a fresh graduate, right?
What is going on with her recent life.
Wen Xian pressed her lips together and asked: “May I ask, am I the only one coming for the interview today?”
The woman nodded: “Yes, only your conditions meet our boss’s requirements.”
Wen Xian: “…What are your boss’s requirements?”
The woman blinked at her: “Confidential.”
Qin Zan didn’t have any requirements. The only requirement was simply that the person was Wen Xian.
Wen Xian did not agree immediately. She told the interviewer that she needed to think about it and would give her a reply tomorrow afternoon, then she walked out of this building in a daze.
As soon as she walked out of the building entrance, Duoduo surrounded her: “Miss, how was the interview? Were you nervous?”
Wen Xian turned around and looked at the office building with people coming and going. She lowered her voice and said: “Duoduo, I always feel this company is strange, and the questions they asked me were also very strange.”
She muttered in a low voice: “Not a single question I prepared yesterday was used.”
Duoduo helped Wen Xian into the car.
She asked: “What kind of questions did they ask?”
Wen Xian truthfully told Duoduo all those questions. Duoduo instinctively furrowed her brows, but she only said: “Let’s go home first, there’s still an interview this afternoon.”
Wen Xian nodded. For now, she threw this strange interview to the back of her mind.
And Duoduo sent all the interview content Wen Xian told her to Shen Lingge.
Wen Family Villa.
Shen Lingge looked at the content on the phone with a cold expression. He immediately called Chi Yanyu, and Chi Yanyu picked up the call very quickly.
“Ge?”
“In Licheng there’s a Port City enterprise called Benoy. I want to know who the boss behind this company is. The information I investigated before is probably just smoke and mirrors.”
“No need to check. I just went to Port City for an international conference at the beginning of the year. That is Qin Zan’s company. This company has nothing to do with Qin Family. He hides it tightly. Probably even Qin Family doesn’t know.”
“Ge? What happened? Are you still there?”
“…”
—
After Wen Xian returned home, she instinctively looked for Shen Lingge’s figure. Normally, wherever Qiuqiu was, Shen Lingge would be there, because Qiuqiu always stuck to him.
But in the living room, Qiuqiu was playing on its new cat climbing frame. Wen Xianxian was circling around her in circles, but Shen Lingge was not there.
The butler on the side saw Wen Xian was looking for Shen Lingge and explained: “Miss, Sir went out. He said he wouldn’t be back for lunch. He’ll return home before it gets dark.”
Wen Xian asked: “Did he go to handle things for Mr. Chi?”
The butler naturally nodded: “Yes. Before Sir left, he made a phone call with Mr. Chi.”
Wen Xian responded with some disappointment: “I understand.”
Because Shen Lingge was not home at noon, Wen Xian’s appetite was reduced by more than half. She began to seriously think about the danger of Shen Lingge’s current job. If the Mr. Chi he mentioned was real, then his work environment might have very high risks.
She frowned and thought for a long time, the fork in her hand didn’t move for quite a while.
Duoduo noticed Wen Xian’s low mood. She walked closer to Wen Xian and asked in a low voice: “Miss, what’s wrong? Is it that you don’t have an appetite? Or are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Wen Xian turned her head and looked at Duoduo, and quietly asked: “Duoduo, I’m a little worried about Gege’s work content. Do you think he usually works very hard, and will there be danger?”
Duoduo and the others had long been told that Wen Xian did not know Shen Lingge’s identity. Now hearing Wen Xian say this, her heart felt sour and soft. She gently comforted: “Sir will be fine. And being together with you, Sir is very happy.”
Wen Xian was slightly stunned: “He is very happy?”
Duoduo and the others grew up in the Shen family from childhood. They were all orphans adopted by Steward Shen. He provided for them growing up, sent them to school. After growing up, some left, and some stayed behind.
They had practically watched Shen Lingge grow up. He had been quiet and silent since young.
When he was small, when other people were running wild in the compound, he would sit alone on a tree reading books. Once he was a bit older and started school, he was always the most outstanding one.
He was calm and self-restrained, strong to the point of being invincible.
In the first year after taking over Shen Corporation, he almost never went home. Day and night, he stayed in the company. Only when Song Mingxi forcibly made him rest would he come back to rest for two days. As soon as Song Mingxi left, he would immediately rush back to the company.
In fact, Shen Lingge’s success was not as easy as outsiders imagined. The year he graduated from university, his father Shen Rongsheng’s health was not good. Hiding it from everyone at Shen Corporation, he went abroad for surgery and recovery.
Other people all thought it was Shen Lingge who couldn’t wait to replace Shen Rongsheng’s position, but actually, at that time Shen Corporation was already on the verge of collapse.
From the time Shen Rongsheng got sick, Shen Lingge smiled even less. Until two years ago, when Shen Rongsheng and Song Mingxi returned to the country, there was only a slight smile on his face, but still very rare.
But these past two days, Duoduo saw at Wen family that the number of times Shen Lingge smiled was more than in the past whole year. In front of Wen Xian, he was never stingy with smiles and words. They all sincerely felt happy.
Duoduo lightly laughed: “Miss, Sir is very happy to have you.”
Wen Xian blinked. For some reason, she felt her cheeks were faintly hot. She moved her gaze away as if covering up: “I’m going to eat, Duoduo. I don’t care whether he’s happy or not.”
Duoduo silently curved her lips.
Wen Xian’s interview time with Shen Corporation was scheduled for 2:30 in the afternoon. Now it was only twelve o’clock. After eating, she slipped back to her room to sleep. Wen Xianxian followed behind her with small short legs.
Qiuqiu was already lying on her bed sleeping belly-up. Last night, she and Qiuqiu happily stayed up late together.
—
Benoy.
Shen Lingge sat in the car waiting. His assistant got out of the car and went into this building.
But they weren’t able to find Qin Zan here. The employees here all said they didn’t know who Qin Zan was. It seemed Qin Zan hid his identity very well. Probably only the upper management knew.
Shen Lingge furrowed his brows and thought for a while: “Go to Qin Corporation.”
If they couldn’t find the person at Qin Corporation either, he could only personally go to Qin family.
Qin Corporation was very far from Benoy. One was located in the north of the city, the other in the south.
During the period, the assistant suggested Shen Lingge go eat first. Shen Lingge faintly declined. He was still looking at the email Chi Yanyu had sent, regarding the relationship between Benoy and Qin Zan.
Benoy was established by Qin Zan under his grandmother’s name. In the past two years, they had occupied most of Licheng’s technology market. Many people were caught off guard, not knowing where this unknown company had sprung from.
But even if they investigated, they couldn’t find anything. They could only find out that it was a Port City enterprise.
Last year, Benoy’s sales volume had already surpassed Qin Corporation’s. This was also the reason why Qin Zan could completely hand over Qin Corporation to Qin Song.
Shen Lingge focused his attention on the information in his hand. He could not deny, Qin Zan was a very outstanding businessman. His vision was precise, his work efficiency was extremely high, and his methods were strong.
But he just happened to like Wen Xian.
Shen Lingge faintly felt that his own mood was not quite right, but he couldn’t say exactly where the problem was.
That day on the ship, when he saw the surveillance cameras in the corridor, he knew his identity couldn’t be hidden from Qin Zan. But in front of Wen Xian, he still could not reveal his identity.
Forty minutes later, Shen Lingge arrived at Qin Corporation building.
As soon as his car stopped, there was already someone waiting at the entrance. That person’s gaze accurately landed on the car he was riding in, target clear.
Shen Lingge only took one glance and knew that someone from Benoy had already informed Qin Zan.
Shen Lingge did not bring an assistant; he entered Qin Corporation alone.
The elevator directly reached the 23rd floor. Qin Zan’s assistant brought him to a meeting room. Inside, the space was spacious and bright, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window looking down, one could see most of the southern part of the city.
Below, there was a constant stream of traffic, crowds gathering in the business district.
Shen Lingge’s gaze calmly looked downward.
When he came, he had deliberately changed into a set of private custom-made clothing. The dark red color set off his face as cold and firm. His hands were casually inserted in his pockets, his long legs wrapped in neatly pressed suit pants.
Qin Zan did not make him wait long.
When he heard the sound, Shen Lingge turned his head to look.
Qin Zan was standing at the door, looking at him with an expressionless face. In the light-colored pupils there was a trace of coldness, the aura oppressive and aggressive, as if Shen Lingge was a hunter who had intruded into his territory.
Shen Lingge slightly nodded: “Shen Lingge.”
Qin Zan closed the door behind him with a backhanded motion. He walked unhurriedly toward Shen Lingge, stopping three meters away from him.
He raised his hand and loosened his tie, his expression unchanged: “Qin Zan.”
Shen Lingge and Qin Zan faced each other. Although the two of them had never met before, they both knew very well the purpose of standing here today.
It was because of Wen Xian.
After staring at him for a while, Shen Lingge moved his gaze away. He spoke in a light voice: “President Qin holds a high position in Qin Corporation yet can still divide his attention to manage another company. I imagine Mr. Qin Huai must be proud to have such an outstanding grandson.”
Qin Zan completely did not care about what he said. He only cared about Wen Xian.
He casually pulled out a chair and sat down: “I heard yesterday Xian Xian moved back to Wen Mountain. Do you know what the circle was spreading this morning? If you are not serious about her, I suggest you stay away from her.”
Shen Lingge furrowed his brows: “Spreading what?”
He truly had not paid attention to Licheng’s circle. Those things full of sensual pleasures and extravagant living held no interest for him.
Qin Zan looked straight at Shen Lingge, coldly said: “They’re all saying she broke off the engagement with Qin Corporation because she climbed up to a wealthy and powerful sponsor. You tell me, what are they spreading?”
Qin Zan asked again: “Does she know your identity?”
At that time, Wen Xian had told him, she said the person she liked was just an ordinary, normal person. After seeing Shen Lingge on the ship, he immediately realized Wen Xian did not know Shen Lingge’s identity at all.
Qin Zan pressed closer step by step: “Why did you approach her? Do you also like her?”
When Shen Lingge heard the word “also,” the displeasure in his heart grew even stronger. His voice sank slightly: “Xian Xian is my family. I will handle those rumors. The matters between me and her have nothing to do with you.”
He steadily looked at Qin Zan: “I came today, also to tell you the same thing.”
In Shen Lingge’s eyes there was a hint of irritability: “Stay away from her. These past years, you’ve gone to great lengths to please her, even hiding from her that you established a studio for her. These things, for you to do them, are too superfluous. From now on, Xian Xian’s matters no longer need you to worry about.”
Qin Zan stood up. He looked at Shen Lingge and said mockingly: “I like her. I want to marry her as my wife, so I pursue her. And you? What status do you have to come and say these words to me?”
For a moment, the atmosphere was on the verge of explosion.
After a brief silence, Shen Lingge suddenly let out a light laugh: “I live together with her every day. You tell me, what is our status? You like her, pursue her, that’s up to you.”
The curve at the corner of his lips gradually straightened. He walked past Qin Zan toward the door. With his back facing Qin Zan, he spoke in a light voice: “I will let you know, these things are all useless. She will not belong to you.”
Just as Shen Lingge was about to step out the door, Qin Zan said one last sentence: “Shen Lingge, have you ever thought about what Xian Xian wants? Her life, her future, shouldn’t be decided by you.”
In his sigh, there was tender affection: “She is free.”
Shen Lingge’s steps did not stop. His expression was calm as he walked out, and equally calm as he stepped into the elevator.
Until he bent down and got into the car.
Shen Lingge fiercely smashed his phone onto the floor. The gloomy emotion in his black eyes almost drowned him completely. Qin Zan’s tone as if Wen Xian was destined to belong to him made him feel disgusted.
Wen Xian did not belong to anyone.
The assistant sitting in the passenger seat did not even dare to breathe. After the driver swallowed a mouthful of saliva, he cautiously asked: “Sir, shall we return to Wen Mountain?”
Shen Lingge closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the surging emotions inside had already gradually faded away. He answered coldly: “On the way back, stop by a cake shop called ‘Li Tian,’ then return to Wen Mountain.”
Half an hour ago, Wen Xian had sent him a message, asking him to buy her a cake on the way home.
The entire way, the car interior was dead silent until the phone left on the floor rang.
The assistant in the passenger seat instinctively touched his own hand, and after realizing it wasn’t his phone ringing, he suddenly let out a breath of relief.
Shen Lingge lowered his eyes and looked down. On the screen, two words flashed: Xian Xian.
So Shen Lingge paused for a moment, then bent down and picked up the phone he had just thrown. Luckily there was soft carpet inside the car; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to answer Wen Xian’s call now.
He tried to make his voice sound calm: “Xian Xian?”
On the other end of the call, the background sound was very quiet. Her voice carried a faint drowsiness, but even more so, it was sweet: “Gege, are you done with work? Have you eaten? I’m about to take an afternoon nap now.”
The moment he heard her speak, Shen Lingge’s heart suddenly softened. His movements also became relaxed. He responded in a low voice: “No, I’m buying you cake. After I buy it, I’ll go home.”
Wen Xian seemed to laugh a little. She spoke softly: “Then I won’t sleep. I’ll wait for you to come home. When you eat, I’ll keep you company. I can eat my little cake.”
Shen Lingge was silent for a long time before he answered in a hoarse voice: “Okay.”