Chapter 5 (continued)

The system was sorely tempted by its host's invariably insightful suggestion, but its tone was resolute. [But we can't.]

Qin You said, [Why?]

The system answered honestly, [Once an emergency contingency mission is issued, it cannot be returned or exchanged unless the Mainline Favorability Task is unlocked. It must be completed.]

Qin You was helpless.

Rigid rules still restricted the system's freedom to act.

The system said, [It can't be helped, host. You can only do what the mission says.]

Qin You: "..."

Do what the mission said.

He had been in this world for less than a day, and already he had to kiss someone he had only met twice. A man, at that.

He couldn't bring himself to do it.

Beside him, Cui Ling handed him a tablet. "Young Mr. Qin, here's today's work schedule. Is there anything you'd like to change?"

Qin You glanced over it and leaned back against his seat. "Use your judgment."

Cui Ling looked at his profile as he closed his eyes to rest. Thinking of his injury, he silently took the tablet back.

Only when the car came to a stop in front of the company did he finally speak. "Young Mr. Qin, we're here."

The driver hurried out to open the door.

Cui Ling also walked around to Qin You's side and checked his watch. "Young Mr. Qin, the meeting is about to start."

Qin You said, "Lead the way."

Cui Ling did as he was told and walked ahead of him.

The two soon reached the large conference room, one following the other.

When they entered, the room was silent.

Qin You looked ahead and saw a vigorous-looking old man sitting upright at the head of the long conference table.

The Qin Group's chairman, Qin Hengzhong, who was also the original owner's grandfather.

With this great mountain presiding over them, everyone from the various departments was seated in an orderly fashion. When the three entered, they all turned toward the door.

Worried that so many people would put pressure on the young master, Cui Ling considerately stepped half a pace forward, blocking most of their gazes, and gestured ahead. "Young Mr. Qin, your seat is up front."

Qin You glanced at him again and continued forward.

As he passed a corner, a crisp little sound rang out beside him, only to cut off abruptly. Qin You looked toward it and saw an employee in the corner hunched over, surreptitiously tapping and swiping with one hand at a colorful screen on his phone.

Cui Ling followed his gaze and frowned. "Li Chengming, what are you doing?"

Li Chengming looked up instinctively and met Qin You's eyes. He hurried to his feet, his face burning. "Y-Young Mr. Qin..."

Flustered, he tried to turn his phone face down, only to hear Qin You ask him a question.

"A game? What's it called?"

Li Chengming stammered, "Happy... Match..."

After answering, he swallowed, his mind racing.

What did Young Mr. Qin mean by that?

A new broom swept clean, and he was the first one getting swept away?

The meeting hadn't even started yet. Strictly speaking, he hadn't done anything wrong...

Besides, he had hidden it so well, yet Young Mr. Qin had still picked him out. Could he really be determined to make an example of him and establish his authority?

Heaven was his witness, he was just an ordinary wage slave who had given up striving. He couldn't intimidate anyone!

While Li Chengming was debating whether to say something flattering, he saw that Young Mr. Qin had already turned away after hearing the name, leaving him with two words.

"Sit down."

Li Chengming sat down, bewildered.

Cui Ling looked him up and down, then quickly followed Qin You. He meant to say something, but realized they had already reached the chairman, so he could only show Qin You to his seat first and then sit down beside him.

Before long, the meeting began.

Cui Ling watched Qin You take out his tablet and make notes on it throughout the meeting, and felt even more ashamed.

He really shouldn't have misunderstood Young Mr. Qin for so long.

That lasted until the meeting was halfway over.

Taking the opportunity to organize some documents for Qin You, Cui Ling brought him a cup of water, intending to tell him he didn't need to work so hard during the second half and could leave the rest to him.

But before he could speak, he walked behind Qin You and saw what was on his tablet—

In an instant, Cui Ling froze on the spot.

As if sensing something, Qin You turned to look.

Cui Ling was glaring at him, eyes wide.

Qin You calmly closed the page.

Disbelief covered Cui Ling's face. His hand trembled as he gripped the water bottle, and the thin plastic immediately let out a crackling wail. He came to his senses at once.

Seeing the chairman look over, he set the water down with a stiff expression and returned to his seat.

But just after he sat down, he saw Qin You open the tablet again and start tapping and swiping—

Cui Ling gritted his teeth.

This ignorant, incompetent second-generation heir!

He was actually playing Happy Match during such an important meeting!

"Meeting adjourned."

After finally enduring the meeting until it ended, Cui Ling immediately rose and walked toward Qin You.

They needed to have a proper talk.

"Qin You, stay. Xiao Cui, wait a moment too."

With the chairman himself speaking, Cui Ling pressed a hand against the table and sat back down.

Once the conference room had cleared, he asked, "Chairman, did you have something for us?"

Qin Hengzhong tapped the documents in front of him. "Take them and have a look."

Cui Ling acknowledged him and picked up the documents. He handed Qin You a copy before opening his own.

He froze at the first line.

It was a cooperative venture the president had wanted to bring about before his accident.

But after the president fell into a coma, the proposal had been set aside. No matter who wanted to take it over, the chairman had refused.

He had assumed the documents reminded the chairman of the president, and that he wanted to wait until the president woke up to carry out his own plans. As it turned out, he had intended to leave it to the second-generation heir.

Qin Hengzhong said, "Both of you, give me a proposal a week from now. Separately."

Separately?

Cui Ling froze.

He looked at Qin Hengzhong. "Chairman—"

"Xiao Cui," Qin Hengzhong cut him off, "Qin You is new here and still has a lot to learn. Please take extra care to teach him."

Cui Ling said, "All right."

Qin Hengzhong turned to Qin You. "As for you, you were in a car accident last night, so don't work too hard today. Just start by getting familiar with the departments with Xiao Cui. This afternoon, if you really can't keep going, you can leave early and go back to the hospital to rest."

Before the system had time to be happy,

Qin You said seriously, "No, Chairman. As the general manager, I'll lead by example today. I won't be late, and of course I won't leave early either."

Hearing this, Qin Hengzhong's previously impassive expression suddenly softened.

He looked at Qin You, and a faint, almost wistful smile finally appeared on his haggard face. "I'm glad you feel that way."

"..." Cui Ling clenched his fist.

What way did that second-generation heir feel?

Like playing Happy Match during a meeting?

He had been caught red-handed, yet he was still putting on such a righteous act in front of the chairman?

Shameless!

Qin Hengzhong didn't see his expression and went on to ask Qin You, "I hear you've been spending a lot of time with old Yan's Tingshen these past couple of days?"

Qin You glanced at Cui Ling, who was still glaring at him.

This messenger was terrible at his job. He had seen Qin You's attitude toward Yan Tingshen with his own eyes, yet he had still given Qin Hengzhong that impression.

Still, this was fine too.

In the original story, Qin Hengzhong had learned that the heir he had pinned so much hope on was neglecting serious business to pursue a junior assistant. He had flown into a rage and placed almost extreme restrictions on the original owner's freedom.

Now that Qin Hengzhong mistakenly thought he was close to Yan Tingshen, things would be easier than if he were keeping Qin You under close watch.

Qin You said, "I suppose so."

Qin Hengzhong said, "You saved his life and made a point of keeping him at the hospital. Just 'I suppose so'?"

Qin You's gaze flickered.

So that was why. Indeed, saving a life was better than building a seven-story pagoda.

With his opinion of Qin You improved, Qin Hengzhong's attitude remained gentle. "Don't worry, I don't mean to interfere with your friendships. Besides, Tingshen is the same age as you, and he can already steer an entire group. Since you want to get close to him, you can also learn from each other when it comes to business."

Learn from each other...

Cui Ling lowered his head.

Qin You said, "No problem."

Qin Hengzhong looked at him, very satisfied with how he had conducted himself today, and gave him a few more instructions. Then, noticing his left arm, he waved a hand. "It's getting late. Get to work."

Qin You took the opportunity to stand, then took the documents and left the conference room.

Cui Ling followed him, his restrained expression heavy with gloom. Mindful of the chairman's instructions, he conscientiously gave Qin You a detailed introduction to the company's departments and operations along the way.

When they reached the general manager's office, he set down the documents and, as responsibly as ever, carefully analyzed the task the chairman had given them.

Before they knew it, noon had passed. A secretary brought in lunch, and Cui Ling pushed away one of the meals in front of him and gathered his things. Standing by the desk, he stared at Qin You for a long time, wanting to speak but stopping himself, before finally leaving him with a few words and a complicated expression.

"As for the proposal due in a week, I hope Young Mr. Qin can lead by example and hand it in on time too."

With that, he turned and left.

The system was baffled. [Host, why does he seem upset with you again?]

Qin You opened the meal the secretary had brought. [Yes, he changed just like that.]

The system was worried. [But we'll still need him to work like an ox for us in the future. He's so emotional. Won't that affect the mission?]

Qin You said, [Don't worry. He'll brainwash himself.]

The original owner had been far more outrageous in the story, yet Cui Ling had still been able to guide him. He was a steadfastly loyal subject.

[That's good...]

Reassured, the system waited until its host had finished eating before earnestly urging him, [Then, host, get ready to leave work early. It's time to go back to the hospital and do the mission.]

Qin You took out his tablet. [Don't rush.]

The system couldn't help rushing and reminded him, [Host! What we unlocked was already an emergency contingency mission. If we don't make progress as soon as possible, things will only get harder later on!]

Qin You said, [I have a way.]

However much things changed, the underlying principle remained the same.

The process didn't really matter. What mattered was the result.