Yuan Chen had a private gathering after work, so Shen Yi did not accompany him.
When he walked into an upscale bar in Wanhui District, several men who recognized him waved him over.
"Didn't you say you'd be late? How come you're here on time?"
"Been busy lately?"
"Same as always. Do I look any different?" Yuan Chen wore his usual expression, betraying little emotion.
They were all old friends of his, each from a good family, successful in his career, and compatible in temperament. Having known one another for so long, they had almost no secrets between them.
No matter how busy he was, Yuan Chen made time for one of these gatherings every week or two. As always, he accepted his friends' teasing without expression.
"No wine for me."
"We all heard about you entertaining the chairman yesterday."
"That must've been rough. That old man has all kinds of tricks up his sleeve when he parties."
Knowing Yuan Chen's temperament, his friends did not press him to drink. They considerately removed his empty wineglass and ordered soda water in place of red wine. His arrival made the gathering a little livelier.
"Chen, good timing. Xiao Jun said he wanted to ask you something." The speaker was He Huisheng, the second son of the family behind Everlasting Prosperity Realty, who sat beside him.
"What is it?"
Yuan Chen moistened his slightly dry lips with soda water and turned his gaze toward Xiao Jun, who rubbed his chin, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
"Well... your company has a Secretary Shen, doesn't it?"
Xiao Jun struggled to get the words out. Everyone else at the table was already shaking with suppressed laughter.
Apparently, they had gone over this topic several times before Yuan Chen arrived.
"What about Secretary Shen?"
"Didn't he come with