Chapter 16

The photo showed more than just the cat, though. That lovely figure seen from behind was a sight in its own right.

There was nothing wrong with Chen Lüli saving a photo of his cat.

But...

Jiang Yingshan looked up at Chen Lüli, who was typing away at the keyboard. The man's profile was sharply cut. Jiang Yingshan raised an eyebrow slightly, then looked back at the photo on the tablet.

A few seconds later, he switched to the document and began reading.

Impossible.

It probably wasn't possible.

That afternoon, Lin Yu tidied up the garden, then returned to the rest area. Xiao Li and the others were looking over the New Year's decoration plans. Outside, customers chatted over afternoon tea, while the aromas of cake, bread, coffee, and fruit tea mingled.

For once, Ming Yu was around at this hour. Apparently, she had just woken up and was playing on her phone.

Jiang Zao had gone to bed at a normal hour the night before and was awake now too. The two of them were discussing New Year's Eve plans in the group chat.

Ming Yu: I was thinking we could hold it at Chen Lüli's place like last year, or at his villa, but neither sounds all that interesting. We could go to COCO Plaza or the cultural community, or the starry-sky roof on top of Wenxing Tower.

Jiang Zao: Just hearing those options makes me cold. I'm an old woman now. I want to stay tucked up at home, not squeeze in with the young people.

Ming Yu: (ΩДΩ) You're an old woman?

Jiang Zao: I'm old.

Ming Yu: ...

Ming Yu: @Lin Yu, Yuyu, let's go to your shop. We haven't spent New Year's Eve there yet.

Jiang Zao: Wow, that's a good idea. Yuyu's shop has a great atmosphere. It's perfect for New Year's Eve.

Ming Yu: @Lin Yu

Lin Yu replied: Sure! I'll make arrangements ahead of time.

Ming Yu: Yay.

Ming Yu: Bring your boyfriend.

Lin Yu: Okay.

At the same time, Li Yin found a moment to message her, saying they hadn't gone to see a movie together yet. He was looking at a few that had just come out and asked Lin Yu what genres she liked.

Lin Yu replied that anything was fine, whether science fiction or an art film.

Li Yin replied with a laugh: Me too.

Li Yin: But we'll have to go the day after tomorrow. I have an industry business banquet tonight.

Lin Yu: No rush. Take care of work first.

Li Yin: A kiss for you

Lin Yu pressed her lips together and smiled, though she was used to Li Yin's demanding work schedule by now. Winter days were short, and by six, it was completely dark. Streetlights shone into the shop, and many students ran in to buy bread. One customer had also placed a last-minute order for a three-tier cake and was waiting right there for it.

The baker was working quickly in the baking room.

The heat was on, and warmth flowed gently through the shop. As long as the door stayed closed, it was warm.

Li Yin said he had arrived at the industry business banquet.

Lin Yu said okay.

By the time Chen Lüli and Jiang Yingshan arrived, they were late too.

The person in charge of the event had been waiting in the cold wind. As soon as he saw their car arrive, he practically ran down to greet them. He knew Star Rise and the Berlin Group hadn't only just entered the artificial intelligence industry; they had been laying the groundwork for a long time. That was especially true of the Berlin Group, and the Jiang family had an even larger fortune and extensive business interests, with connections everywhere.

It was a great honor to have them there. Although Berlin's chairman hadn't come, having his son there was enough.

"President Chen, President Jiang, this way, please."

The person in charge greeted them with a smile.

Jiang Yingshan put on a smile and said, "There was a bit of traffic after all."

"No trouble at all. You must be tired from the journey. Please, come inside and catch your breath first." The man was all smiles as well, respectfully ushering them in.

Jiang Yingshan smiled and casually handed the man his invitation.

Chen Lüli handed over his invitation too. Broad-shouldered and long-legged, he drew countless gazes the moment he entered the venue. He undid a few buttons on his coat; it was really tight.

Jiang Yingshan took a cocktail offered to him and leaned close to Chen Lüli. "Be patient. Leave when it's over. Don't disappear halfway through this time."

Holding his drink, Chen Lüli said in a casual tone, "That depends on whether there's anything worth staying for."

Jiang Yingshan glanced at him and pursed his lips. "They're all here for you, the young master of Berlin..."

Chen Lüli gave him a brief glance.

Jiang Yingshan: "..."

He zipped his lips.

Plenty of people gathered around to pay them compliments and talk. Both men handled them with practiced ease. Jiang Yingshan was smooth and tactful with everyone, while Chen Lüli had both formidable ability and a formidable status, so dealing with them wasn't difficult. In truth, though, Chen Lüli grew impatient easily. He swirled his drink and leaned against the bar, leaving Jiang Yingshan to handle them.

Only after the crowd had thinned and dispersed did Jiang Yingshan tug at his collar and return to his side. "You're good at shirking work."

Chen Lüli took a sip of his drink, his expression indifferent.

Just then, Jiang Yingshan let out a sound of surprise. Chen Lüli looked up and followed his gaze. In the crowd over there, Li Yin, dressed in a dark blue suit, had a slender build and was standing beside a woman in a long red dress and flaming red lipstick. The woman was Qin Jialan, a director at Yousitu.

Qin Jialan introduced Li Yin to an industry heavyweight. Smiling, she reached out to straighten Li Yin's collar and said something to the man. The industry heavyweight smiled and nodded, looking at Li Yin with appreciation.

Li Yin seemed to want to step back when Qin Jialan touched him, but with so many people around, he didn't dare make the movement so obvious.

Jiang Yingshan: "Tsk, tsk."

"Lin Yu will have to break up with him whether she wants to or not."

Half leaning against the bar, Chen Lüli picked up a fresh drink and swirled it gently. The glass seemed to reflect what was happening over there: Qin Jialan handed Li Yin another drink.

Li Yin took it and drained it in one gulp.

Under the pretext of introducing him to important figures, and certain that Li Yin wouldn't dare refuse, she gave him one drink after another.

Jiang Yingshan leaned close to Chen Lüli. "For Lin Yu's sake, aren't you going to step in and help?"

Chen Lüli glanced sideways at him. "If you have so much time on your hands, you can go."

Jiang Yingshan raised an eyebrow. "I very much want her to break up with him."

The corner of Chen Lüli's mouth lifted slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "There you have it."

Jiang Yingshan: "..."

Fuck.

Something's not right with you.

"But Lin Yu will be upset," Jiang Yingshan reminded him.

Chen Lüli looked at the drink in his glass and didn't answer.

But Lin Yu will be upset. Those words circled in his head. A few seconds later, Chen Lüli put down his glass and walked toward Li Yin, who was now seated, shaking his head repeatedly and clearly drunk. Qin Jialan sat beside him, the back of her hand against his cheek, and asked with a smile, "Drunk already?"

The moment she finished speaking, someone grabbed Li Yin by the collar from behind and hauled him up.

Startled, Qin Jialan shot to her feet.

Chen Lüli's expression was cold. He gave her a brief glance and said to a server nearby, "Call a car."

"Yes."

The server naturally gave greater heed to Chen Lüli, having been told earlier that he must be served attentively. Qin Jialan, of course, recognized Chen Lüli. She smiled and said, "President Chen? What are you doing?"

Chen Lüli didn't spare the woman a glance. Holding Li Yin up, he turned and headed outside, paying no attention to Li Yin's condition.

Holding his drink, Jiang Yingshan clicked his tongue twice and followed. "Your heart softened after all. Should I call you the god of soft hearts?"

"Shut up."

Chen Lüli said.

Jiang Yingshan chuckled, but his smile vanished the next second. He glanced at Li Yin's condition and shook his head slightly. How could such an honest, refined man get by in

the workplace

? And he had such a beautiful girlfriend, too. Later on, he wouldn't be able to compete with others for her.

Unless something unexpected happens, the next chapter will enter V. The update will be at midnight tonight.

The first three chapters after entering V will all be updated in the early hours.

The red packets for the earlier chapters have already been sent out. There will be another 100 red packets for this chapter. See you tomorrow.

Chapter 16: Chapter 16

The car the server had called pulled up at the entrance.

The car door stood open.

Chen Lüli tossed Li Yin inside and told the driver to ask where Li Yin lived and take him home.

The driver nodded. After confirming the address, he drove away.

After watching the car leave, Chen Lüli slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and turned back toward the venue. When Qin Jialan saw him return, she naturally didn't dare approach him. She kept herself much more in line and caused no further trouble. A mere director like her and the

president

of Star Rise, who had a powerful background, were as different as clouds and mud. It was best not to provoke him.

The bread sold quickly that night, and as the night grew colder, the shops outside closed early too. The whole street looked somewhat desolate. Lin Yu didn't insist that they stay until ten thirty to close. They finished tidying up half an hour early, and everyone could go home. Lin Yu was still the last to leave. After checking on the shop, she locked up and headed home.

Her parents had given her the apartment when she graduated. Knowing she would open a shop nearby, they had chosen a residential complex within reach of the surrounding commercial districts.

Her grades had been good, thanks to her parents keeping her at her studies, but she had loved soft, fluffy cakes since childhood. She also knew that, given her personality, she might need some time to adjust to the workplace. So when she graduated, she chose to open a shop she liked instead and design it the way she wanted.

When she received the keys and learned that Chen Lüli had also bought an apartment in the complex, she had secretly been delighted, believing it was a kind of fate.

But a lot of that joy and fantasy had amounted to no more than that.

It was warm at home. Lin Yu took off her scarf, scooped up a cushion, and collapsed onto the sofa.

A WeChat message happened to come in just then.

It was Chen Lüli.

Her heart skipped a beat. She opened it. It wasn't a message telling her to break up or anything else to do with Li Yin. It was Xiao Diu. Its fur had been trimmed, and its body was wrapped in a fluffy sweater, with its head poking out and its two round eyes looking at the camera. The man had taken the photo with Xiao Diu in his arms. One hand rested on its back, his long fingers looking strong, veins rising beneath the skin.

Lin Yu: It got a haircut?

Chen Lüli: Mm.

Lin Yu: Did it struggle a lot?

Chen Lüli: It howled.

Lin Yu couldn't help laughing. She could picture Xiao Diu howling. She had taken it for a trim once before. Its fur grew too fast and shed easily, so it needed trimming every so often. After admiring the photo, she saved it, then looked back at the chat.

His message telling her to break up was still there.

But the conversation had stopped at her asking why.

They had been friends for so many years and knew each other somewhat, but they weren't close enough to discuss matters of the heart. Early on, when she had just entered their circle, met him, and become his friend, she had even kept out of his way when she was on her period. Later, after they had grown more familiar with one another, there were a few times in university when she really hadn't felt well, and Jiang Zao had put her hand directly over her stomach. Chen Lüli and Jiang Yan'an had been sitting opposite them and asked what was wrong.