A Trap

Lu Yan had gone all in anyway. There was no way he was going to let himself be subjected to workplace sexual coercion. At worst, he would quit, but before he left, he was damn well taking someone down with him.

Finally, Lu Yan looked at Jiang Boyun and pinned one last black pot on Xue Jin. "Chairman, I know how you feel about me, but Mr. Xue is the only one in my heart. If you have a problem, take it out on me. Please, don't retaliate against him at the company!"

The unspoken message: Please, please make his life a living hell!

After saying that, Lu Yan turned and left the office, looking dazed and devastated as though he could not bear the blow. He even shut the door behind him.

Xue Jin was left standing there, completely dumbfounded. He had never encountered anything so absurd in his life. Staring at Jiang Boyun in shock, he said, "Chairman, it isn't what you think..."

But Jiang Boyun raised a hand to cut him off. Covering his bruised cheek, he forced himself up from the floor, his heart burning with both rage and resentment. "When exactly did you start fooling around with that bitch Lu Yan?!"

Xue Jin hurried to explain. "You've misunderstood. There's nothing between Lu Yan and me..."

Jiang Boyun exploded. "Nothing?! If there was nothing, why did you go shopping with him that day?! Why did you help him take sick leave for no reason?!"

Xue Jin's heart sank at once. Yu Zechuan had told him about the shopping trip, and he had arranged the leave because Yu Zechuan asked him to. But Jiang Boyun absolutely could not be allowed to know that. For a moment, Xue Jin had no way to argue back.

Seeing him stay silent, Jiang Boyun said darkly, "Xue Jin, if you still want to keep working at Yinchuan Group, dump Lu Yan right now! What I don't want, no one else gets to touch. Understand?!"

Xue Jin: "..."

Were gay men all this terrifying now? He was straight.

Xue Jin truly had no idea what to say. After holding it in for ages, all he managed was, "Chairman, do you still need me to call the police for you?"

Jiang Boyun was in the wrong himself, so of course he could not call the police. He frowned and licked at the split corner of his mouth. "No. Get my private doctor here."

Xue Jin chose his words carefully. "Then Lu Yan..."

Jiang Boyun said, "Tell him to pack his things and get the hell out!"

This time, Xue Jin agreed with remarkable alacrity. "I'll take care of it right away."

So, while the company rumor mill had already escalated to claims that Lu Yan was Mr. Xue's half brother on his father's side, he completed his resignation paperwork that afternoon. Not only did he receive last month's pay, he even got a sizeable severance package.

"Take the money and leave. If you pull any more tricks, I will never let you off."

Xue Jin saw Lu Yan downstairs, a warning hidden in his eyes as he put particular weight on every word.

It was a workday, and there were few pedestrians on the streets around them. Only the roar of passing cars broke the quiet. The highway stretching into the distance was like the tangled lines of fate: something one tried to change, yet could not.

Lu Yan pulled out his phone and checked the date. It was the twelfth, which meant he had eighteen days left to complete his mission. He could not help sighing inwardly at how slowly time passed. Stretching toward the rare bright sun at the horizon, he smiled. "Don't worry, Mr. Xue. I guarantee you won't see me again for the next half month."

When he finished speaking, he turned back against the sunlight, his features briefly blurred. As if remembering something, he asked, "Oh, right. How is Yu Zechuan?"

His tone was casual, as though he were merely asking after an old friend.

Naturally, Xue Jin would not tell him. "That's none of your business," he said coldly.

Lu Yan shrugged. He had only asked in passing anyway. Thanks to Xue Jin pulling strings, his wages and severance had already been deposited in his bank account while he handled the resignation paperwork. It was enough for him to live comfortably for several months.

Lu Yan hailed a cab by the roadside and went straight home. He leaned against the window with his eyes shut and slowly let out a breath. At last, the boulder in his heart had fallen away.

Things were good now. Yu Zechuan had withdrawn from his life, and he no longer had to deal with people like Jiang Boyun. Barring an accident, he should be able to get through the next dozen or so days safely.

Remembering something, Lu Yan suddenly summoned the System. [Oh, right. Didn't I get fifty points for completing that side quest last time? What are they for?]

A black heart silently appeared in the air, making for an eerie sight. The System was quite forthcoming when it came to questions about its rules, though its voice carried a crackling electronic buzz that always made it seem up to no good. [You can use them for a Prize Draw in the Shop, or save them for use in later stages.]

Lu Yan sank into thought. "Do you think I should enter the Prize Draw, or save them for later stages?"

The System said, [Saving them for later stages would be better.]

Lu Yan said, "Thanks. Enter me in the Prize Draw."

The System: [...]

Lu Yan had said he would never believe the System's nonsense again, and he meant it. Whatever it said, doing the opposite would do just fine.

Feeling that Lu Yan had played it, the System suppressed its anger and brought up the Shop's redemption panel. Rewind Hourglasses, Life-Saving Armor, and every sort of thing were available, but anything starting at three digits was clearly beyond what a broke nobody like Lu Yan could afford.

Lu Yan scrolled to the bottom of the screen. In one corner was a small red Lucky Bag icon, priced at exactly fifty points. "What's in this Lucky Bag?"

The System spat out an icy word. [Random.]

With ill intent, it added, [It may contain an item worth more than its cost, but it may also be empty.]

Lu Yan bought the Lucky Bag without hesitation. Whether he would even survive to the next stage was an open question, so why plan that far ahead? "When can I open the Lucky Bag?"

The System said, [Any time.]

It sounded as lifeless as a corpse, as though it had lost all patience with Lu Yan.

Lu Yan considered it. "I won't open it yet. I'll wait until I urgently need it."

If he opened it now and it turned out empty, he would be thoroughly discouraged. But as long as he kept it, it was hope.

For the next while, Lu Yan did not return to his rental. Instead, he booked a suite at a hotel downtown for half a month. He also threw out the phone that had the eavesdropping System implanted in it and replaced it with a new one. Other than meals, he barely went out.

Meanwhile, the joint project between Yinchuan Group and Dingyou Group had also gotten on track. The two parties met in person in a private room at a restaurant, and the contracts were ready. Yet Jiang Boyun was suspicious by nature and had been wavering all along.

Chairman Lin of Dingyou Group accepted the documents from his assistant. His graying hair was neatly combed, and one look at him was enough to tell that he must have been a decisive, forceful man in his youth. "Chairman Jiang, here is the contract. Take a look and see if there are any issues."

Lin Anni sat beside Jiang Boyun. The handsome man and beautiful woman made a perfect couple from a distance. Taking the contract, he smiled and took Lin Anni's left hand in his. "Uncle Lin, you're my elder and I'm the junior here. Just call me Boyun."

Lin Anni pulled her hand free, rose to pour Chairman Lin a cup of tea, and smiled sweetly. "That's right, Dad. We'll be family from now on, so don't be so formal."

Lin Hongjing lowered his gaze as he drank his tea, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He had never thought much of Jiang Boyun. "Chairman Jiang, you should look at the contract first."

Jiang Boyun knew full well that Lin Hongjing did not like him, but he did not mind. His face still bore a polished smile. He looked over the contract, then tested the waters. "Uncle Lin, we haven't investigated that island long enough. Wouldn't moving on it so quickly be a little hasty?"

Lin Hongjing set down his teacup without even bothering to raise his eyelids. "I don't mind telling you that Yueteng also wants to bid for the right to use that island. They're involved in this project too. If you don't trust Dingyou Group, surely you trust Yueteng as well?"

Jiang Boyun gave a light cough. "You've misunderstood. That's not what I meant."

Whether Lin Hongjing believed him or not was unclear. "You needn't worry about losses. Leave the island development to Dingyou and Yueteng. Haven't you been pushing the surrounding housing developments since last year? How much you can inflate their value is up to you."

Jiang Boyun's expression changed. "Uncle Lin, didn't we agree that I would have a share in the island development too?"

Lin Hongjing shook his head slightly. "You're too cautious. Practice a little more."

What did he mean, cautious? He only put it nicely. He might as well have pointed at Jiang Boyun's nose and called him a coward.

Jiang Boyun thought very highly of this plot's prospects. If the development succeeded, the profits would be limitless. How could he possibly give up such a juicy prize? Hearing Lin Hongjing, he looked embarrassed and nudged Lin Anni's knee under the table.

Understanding his meaning, Lin Anni pleaded, "Dad, didn't we agree to bring Boyun in on this? The project is so profitable. Why let Yueteng have it for nothing?"

Lin Hongjing scolded her with a stern face. "Say no more. This is grown-up business. Don't interrupt."

Lin Anni pouted. "You're awful! Boyun, hurry up and apologize to Dad. Once you sign the contract, won't that settle everything? Why are you dragging your feet?"

Jiang Boyun seized the opening, stood, and poured himself a glass of wine to toast Lin Hongjing. "Uncle Lin, I was out of line just now. Please don't take offense. The investment is simply too large, so it is best to be careful."

Lin Hongjing pressed down Jiang Boyun's wineglass and snorted. "When I was twenty, I built everything from nothing. I only got where I am today because I had guts. If I'd been as 'careful' as you, I'd have starved long ago."

"You want to make money without taking risks? Where in the world is there such a good deal? Focus on developing your housing projects. As for the island development, we can talk after you marry Anni."

The more people urged Jiang Boyun to buy, the more he suspected there was something fishy. But Lin Hongjing kept trying to exclude him from the partnership, which instead made him more anxious. "Uncle Lin, you've misunderstood. It's not that I don't want to take risks. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here signing the contract today."

As he spoke, he held out a hand to his assistant, took the contract directly, and signed it on the spot, stamping it with the company seal to show his sincerity. Lin Hongjing frowned at the sight, seeming somewhat reluctant, but under Jiang Boyun's watchful gaze, he signed his own copy as well.

Lin Anni smiled and went over to drape herself over Lin Hongjing's shoulder. "That's better, Dad. Look how much Boyun respects you. Don't be so stern with him from now on."

Besides Jiang Boyun and the others, Xue Jin was also at the dinner. He had merely sat quietly to one side and had not said a word from beginning to end. Whenever his eyes met Lin Hongjing's, he looked away again at once. Since the incident with Lu Yan, Jiang Boyun had become somewhat wary of him. If Xue Jin joined in persuading him now, it would only arouse suspicion. It was better to keep quiet.

The meal ended with both host and guests in high spirits. Jiang Boyun drank himself thoroughly drunk, swaying even as he walked.

Xue Jin stepped forward to support him. "Mr. Jiang, you're drunk. How about I drive you home?"

But Jiang Boyun refused. He reached up to loosen his tie, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol, and said, unprecedentedly, "No. I still have something to take care of. You go home first."

Two bodyguards waited outside and escorted Jiang Boyun directly away.

Xue Jin adjusted his glasses, unable to make sense of where Jiang Boyun was headed. Standing at the private room's door, he took out his phone and was about to do something when someone suddenly bumped into his back. Soft arms wound around him, and a girl's whiny, coquettish voice sounded by his ear. "What are you thinking about? That annoying Jiang Boyun has already left, and you're still ignoring me."

Xue Jin looked helpless. He had clearly guessed who it was. Applying a little force, he loosened the arms around his waist, then turned to face her. "Anni, be good. I still have something to do. I'll keep you company tomorrow, all right?"

The girl was none other than Lin Anni, the heiress to Dingyou Group rumored to be about to get engaged to Jiang Boyun.

Lin Anni tugged Xue Jin's tie, forcing him to bend down. She was spoiled and willful, but not irritating. "Hmph. Tell me honestly. Are you going to see Zechuan again?"

"Shh."

Xue Jin pressed a finger to her lips. His gaze flickered behind his lenses, and a rare hint of seriousness entered it. "Walls have ears. You know that, and you still dare to say it so loudly?"

Lin Anni pressed her lips together. "I know we're doing this to get back at Jiang Boyun, but you and Zechuan absolutely mustn't..."

Only after a pause did she finish, "Don't do anything bad."

Xue Jin abruptly fell silent. Without saying a word, he stroked Lin Anni's head as if he had not figured out how to answer. Only after a moment did he say, "Anni, you don't understand."

He had not intended to drag Lin Anni into this, but he had never expected Lin Hongjing to use his own daughter as bait in order to land Jiang Boyun, a piece of such rich prey. The engagement rumors had swept through the entire city.

Lin Anni turned her head to avoid his touch, suddenly feeling irritable. "I don't understand, but Zechuan and I grew up together. I think of him as family too. Isn't making Jiang Boyun go bankrupt enough? If you really do something, won't you be sacrificing the rest of your lives?!"

Then her tone softened again. "Hey, you promised to marry me. You're not going back on your word, are you? Zechuan even promised to be the best man. You two can't back out."

Xue Jin closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. For some reason, his eyes stung. When he opened them again, his emotions had returned to normal. His voice was as gentle as ever as he made a half-serious joke. "I'm not going back on my word. As for Zechuan, I can't say. You know how he is, always appearing and disappearing without a trace."

Lin Anni gave his tie a shake. "In any case, you two aren't allowed to back out."

Xue Jin patiently coaxed her. "All right. You go back first. I'll definitely find a way to get him here as the best man. Don't stay here too long, or someone might see you. Okay?"

Lin Anni secretly kissed him, then pointed at Xue Jin with satisfaction. "You poor boy, don't even think of escaping this young lady's grasp."

Poor boy?

Hearing that long-forgotten form of address, Xue Jin froze for a moment, then laughed soundlessly. Yes, back when he was in school, he really had only been a poor boy, worlds apart from an heiress like Lin Anni. Now that he had finally made something of himself...

He had finally made something of himself, only to take on an even heavier burden.

Xue Jin watched Lin Anni leave. Only after her skipping figure disappeared from sight did he take out his phone and continue composing the unfinished message from before. After hesitating again and again, he finally tapped send.

[The plan succeeded. We can make our move at any time.]