Chapter 53: Gift Giving

Chapter 53: Gift Giving

"Hey, have you heard? Manager Jiang was fired!"

Gossip always found its way into the office during lulls, and Lu Yan, who had been dozing at his desk, instinctively lifted his head at the news. He saw Tao Yang, the finance team leader, relaying information he'd gathered from the neighboring department to several colleagues:

"A couple of days ago, there was something fishy with a batch of material costs, the company even reported it to the police and set up a special task force for investigation. It turned out that Manager Jiang and our Supervisor Wang were involved in the scheme. Tsk tsk, a whole twenty million!"

The mention of such a sum caused an immediate uproar.

It seemed that the chairman, for some unknown reason, had suddenly dispatched a team to review past financial records. The investigation revealed a nearly twenty-million deficit, leading to a police report. Supervisor Wang from the finance department was taken in for questioning and hadn't been released since. Rumors suggested he was responsible, but no one expected Manager Jiang Boyun to be implicated as well.

"Manager Jiang was usually highly regarded by President Yu, why would he embezzle money?"

"Exactly because he was favored by President Yu that he dared to do so. Anyone else wouldn't have had the guts. I heard the company, considering his years of service, said if he could repay the debt within a specified period, the matter would be dropped."

Someone sucked in a breath, "Twenty million, even if his annual salary is a million, he'd need twenty years without eating or drinking to pay it off. And now he's been fired, does the company really intend to let him off?"

Tao Yang, young yet already sipping wolfberry tea from a thermos, took a sip before calmly saying, "Who knows what they're thinking up there. Maybe President Jiang can sell his house, sell his car, scrape together enough to barely make the payment."

After finishing his sentence, he suddenly noticed Lu Yan looking over, having been woken by the commotion. He smiled at him, revealing a healthy set of white teeth, "Little Lu, President Yu asked for last year's financial records. I'm too lazy to go, could you take them over for me?"

Lu Yan had been working long enough to understand the internal dynamics of the department. While he wasn't sure about others, Tao Yang was clearly one of Yu Zekuan's people. During team work, he would deliberately assign easier tasks to Lu Yan, and when Yu Zekuan needed to relay messages, he would send Tao Yang – essentially, a hidden confidant.

However, Tao Yang was a capable and pragmatic confidant. With Supervisor Wang's position vacant, it was likely he would soon fill it.

Lu Yan looked around and asked, "Team Leader Tao, where's the USB drive?"

Tao Yang pointed with his chin, "In my cabinet, the second drawer down."

"Alright, I'll go then."

Lu Yan generally had a good reputation in the office; he would readily lend a hand when colleagues needed help. Finding the USB drive, he left the office directly.

But on the way to Yu Zekuan's office, Lu Yan felt increasingly uneasy, sensing something odd.

The chairman hadn't been involved in company affairs for a long time, only participating in major projects. Why would he suddenly want to check the accounts, especially old ones?

Moreover, in his previous life, it was Jiang Boyun who had falsified accounts to frame Yu Zekuan. How did the situation reverse, leaving him with a twenty-million debt for no apparent reason?

In short, this sudden case of embezzlement was suspicious.

Lost in thought, Lu Yan arrived at Yu Zekuan's office. Due to their familiarity, he didn't ring the bell but pushed the door open directly.

Lu Yan entered so quietly that the man leaning back in his office chair, eyes closed in rest, didn't notice. The sunlight outside the floor-to-ceiling window was blocked by blinds, casting piano-key-like light patches on his body. The sharp, cold face was divided into sections by shadows, half in light, half in darkness.

The darker part was so gloomy that Lu Yan momentarily thought he saw the Yu Zekuan of his previous life, forever bearing an aura of unshakable pain and hatred between his brows.

But he dismissed it as an illusion.

With the system's help, he could be reborn, but how could Yu Zekuan?

Yet, it wasn't impossible. After all, the world was full of bizarre events, and this wouldn't be the strangest.

Recalling recent peculiarities, Lu Yan felt it necessary to probe further. He walked to the desk, leaned over to look at Yu Zekuan, and intentionally made some noise. The latter suddenly opened his eyes, looking alertly over –

"You're here?"

Seeing it was Lu Yan, Yu Zekuan visibly relaxed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, "Why didn't you wake me when you came in? You're like a cat, making no sound."

Lu Yan smiled, "I didn't want to disturb your sleep."

Yu Zekuan's sleep quality had never been great. When they shared a bed at night, Lu Yan noticed his partner woke up multiple times throughout the night, only sleeping soundly when exhausted from intimacy.

"My head hurts a bit after the morning meeting today."

After speaking, Yu Zekuan tilted his head slightly, giving him a soft kiss. His voice, hoarse from waking, was magnetic, "Let's have dinner together after work, I'll introduce you to a friend."

Lu Yan was curious, "What kind of friend?"

Yu Zekuan replied, "You'll see when we meet."

Lu Yan wasn't overly curious. Hearing this, he didn't dwell on it, instead bringing up another matter, "I heard that the company's recent embezzlement case seems to involve Manager Jiang?"

At these words, Yu Zekuan paused, looking at him with an indiscernible expression, "Who did you hear that from?"

Lu Yan shrugged slightly, "The whole company is talking about it, it's hard not to know."

Yu Zekuan leaned back in his chair, emitting an indifferent hum, "There was a twenty-million deficit in the accounts, as I said, if he can repay it within three months, the company will overlook the past."

That unsettling feeling returned.

Lu Yan was inwardly alarmed, "Can he afford to pay it back? Why not send him to prison?"

"Prison?"

At this, Yu Zekuan suddenly chuckled softly. He crooked his finger, signaling Lu Yan to lean closer. Then, tilting his head to whisper near the other's ear in an intimate gesture that inexplicably sent chills down his spine, "How naive, just twenty million. He pays a portion himself, finds a lawyer to fight the case, he won't get more than a few years. But staying outside to pay debts is different."

"He can sell his car, sell his house, borrow high-interest loans to gamble. If he ends up impoverished and unable to pay, his arms and legs might be broken..."

Pausing, Yu Zekuan's eyes flickered with a murky emotion. Smiling, he asked, "Don't you think this is more interesting than sending him to prison?"

"..."

On the surface, Lu Yan remained calm, but inside, he was experiencing a tumultuous storm. There was no other reason – Yu Zekuan's deranged demeanor was identical to his previous life. Could he really have been reborn?!

This realization caused Lu Yan to involuntarily tighten his fingers, "You... hate Jiang Boyun that much?"

Saying "dislike" was already a euphemism; "hate" was closer to the truth.

Yu Zechuan raised his eyebrows slightly, his tone casual as he toyed with Lu Yan's fingertips. "Didn't you say that he deliberately caused trouble for you at work last time? Isn't it good that I'm helping you get back at him?"

Lu Yan: "…"

Lu Yan slowly recalled that there had indeed been such an incident. Jiang Boyun had suddenly come to their department to complain a few days ago, saying that there were issues with some of the large invoices for reimbursement. Coincidentally, they were the ones he had handled. If not for Yu Zechuan suppressing the matter in secret, he would have been fired long ago.

Lu Yan asked suspiciously, "Just because of that?"

Yu Zechuan countered, "What else could it be? Haven't you heard that two tigers can't coexist on the same mountain? As long as Jiang Boyun is in the company, your days won't be easy. It's better to clean up early."

Lu Yan probed subtly, "So Jiang Boyun really embezzled twenty million?"

Or was it a setup by Yu Zechuan?

Yu Zechuan said nonchalantly, "He was unlucky. Grandpa just happened to have a whim to check the accounts, and he was picked out as an example. There was a total shortfall of twenty million, and he alone accounted for fifteen million. The rest was divided among Director Wang and the others below him."

After Yu Zechuan said this, Lu Yan felt that it might just be a coincidence. In the past, when Jiang Boyun was embezzling, Yu Zechuan had protected him. Now that he no longer had any face or sentiment, resigning and leaving was considered normal.

With the other party gone, there was naturally no chance to cook the books and frame Yu Zechuan. It was equivalent to resolving an invisible major crisis.

Lu Yan's mood inexplicably improved. He glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. Didn't you say you were going to introduce a friend to me? Let's go."

Yu Zechuan fell silent for a moment. "My friend doesn't drive. Since it's your first meeting, why don't I go pick him up first, and you buy a gift?"

Lu Yan looked at Yu Zechuan. "What kind of friend needs you to personally pick him up? I'm still your boyfriend."

He was almost naming names, accusing Yu Zechuan of cheating.

Yu Zechuan felt that Lu Yan was jealous, finding it quite novel. "An ordinary friend. He's just older than me and has a bad temper."

Lu Yan became interested. "Bad-tempered? Worse than you?"

At these words, Yu Zechuan's expression changed slightly, his good mood dissipating. "What do you mean? Do I have a bad temper?"

He believed that after being with Lu Yan, his temper had improved significantly. Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that it was because the other party had coaxed him into submission, leaving no room for him to lose his temper.

Lu Yan looked at him. "So what if I like your bad temper? Is that a problem?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lu Yan himself was stunned for a moment. Without waiting for Yu Zechuan's reaction, he turned and walked toward the door, hurriedly throwing out a sentence. "I'll go buy a gift. You quickly go pick up your friend. We'll meet at the restaurant later."

Lu Yan seemed a little embarrassed,

not looking back, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Only Yu Zechuan was left standing there, his gaze deep, lost in thought.

Lu Yan casually bought some gifts at a nearby mall, then hailed a car to the hotel. He originally assumed that Yu Zechuan would arrive faster than him, but when he reached the private room, the server informed him that Yu Zechuan hadn't arrived yet.

"Mr. Yu hasn't arrived yet, but he's already given instructions in advance. I'll take you to the private room. Please follow me."

The beautiful female server, dressed in a celadon cheongsam, led the way and pushed open one of the private room doors. Lu Yan followed her inside, only to see a young man sitting at the round table, causing him to pause in surprise.

The man was neatly dressed in a black suit, his handmade leather shoes polished to a shine, his hair slicked back with pomade. However, he wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses, his eyes clear but somewhat foolish, making him look like a college student who had stolen his father's clothes.

"Pfft—"

Lu Yan couldn't hold back a burst of laughter. The reason was simple—the man was none other than Xue Jin!

Xue Jin had been there for quite a while. Yu Zechuan had said that he would introduce someone important to him today. Although he didn't explain in detail, it was likely someone akin to a boyfriend. Worried about embarrassing Yu Zechuan, he had deliberately dressed up, feeling somewhat nervous. But he hadn't expected the other party to laugh at the sight of him.

"…"

How to put it, the situation was somewhat awkward.

Seeing the server close the private room door, Xue Jin had no choice but to stand up and greet him, his smile stiff. "Hello, I... I'm Xue Jin, a friend of President Yu."

Lu Yan couldn't associate the clumsy, rustic man in front of him with the refined elite five years later. He pinched his thigh secretly before shaking hands with Xue Jin. Struggling to suppress his laughter, his expression appeared somewhat distorted. "Hello, I'm Lu Yan. The Lu in 'strange phenomena,' and the Yan in 'longevity.'"

Then the air fell into silence. They had no idea what to talk about.

Xue Jin withdrew his hand, gesturing to the side. "Sit down. Brother Zechuan should be here soon."

Lu Yan lowered his head and took his seat, taking several deep breaths before finally suppressing his laughter. He placed the gift on the side, suddenly realizing something and asked curiously, "President Yu said he went to pick up a friend. Wasn't it you?"

"A friend?"

Xue Jin was also taken aback. "What friend? Wasn't he picking up..."

Before he could finish speaking, the private room door was suddenly opened. Yu Zechuan could be seen supporting an elderly man with gray hair from outside, entering. Although the man leaned on a cane, he was spirited, his eyes surprisingly bright. He was none other than the current chairman of Yinchuan Group, Yu Shanyue.

"Grandpa?"

Seeing this, Xue Jin reacted first, quickly pulling out a chair to assist him, his tone reproachful. "Why didn't you call when you arrived? I could have come down to receive you."

From the moment he entered the door, Old Master Yu's face had been sour, his gaze drifting towards Lu Yan. Hearing this, he snorted coldly. "An old man arrives at the door without anyone receiving him. How dare you ask us to come downstairs to receive you?"

Hearing this, Lu Yan finally came to his senses from his shock. But it wasn't his fault; it was all due to Yu Zechuan not giving him a heads-up. Weren't they supposed to meet friends? How did it turn into elders?!

Lu Yan pulled out a chair and stepped forward, stopping two steps away from Old Master Yu. He nodded slightly, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant. "Chairman, hello. My name is Lu Yan. You can call me Xiao Lu."

Old Master Yu lifted his eyelids but remained silent, his temper indeed bad.

Lu Yan didn't mind. How could an elderly person not have a temper? Anyway, he had thick skin, standing there with a smile, like a lucky fox.

Yu Zechuan frowned slightly, secretly pinching Old Master Yu's arm as he introduced him in a low voice. "Grandpa, this is Ayan. When he heard he was having dinner with you today, he specially ran through several streets to buy a gift."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan shot a subtle glance at Yu Zeguan, thinking to himself that the guy was quite adept at lying off the cuff. He hadn't run across several streets at all; he had bought the gifts from a mall just 200 meters downstairs.

Old Man Yu was also easily deceived. Upon hearing that Lu Yan had gone far out of his way to buy him a gift, his expression softened slightly. Under Yu Zeguan's support, he took his seat and asked with interest, "A meeting gift? What kind of meeting gift?"

Yu Zeguan looked at Lu Yan and subtly hinted, "Ah Yan, Grandpa is calling you."

Having lived for many years, Old Man Yu had grown accustomed to delicacies and rarities, having no particular indulgences. He valued sincerity most, which was why Yu Zeguan hadn't given any specific instructions beforehand. He thought that Lu Yan, who was usually considerate in handling matters, had enough money to spend. Even if it was something like a box of abalone, shark fin, bird's nest, or donkey-hide gelatin, it was the thought that counted.

Lu Yan's eyelids flickered: "..."

Thinking that he hadn't heard, Yu Zeguan reminded him again, "Didn't you bring a gift for Grandpa? Go ahead and take it out."

Xue Jin, the naive child, didn't fully grasp the situation. Seeing this, he assumed that Lu Yan couldn't find where he had put the gift. He lifted the tablecloth and helped search underneath, "I saw you carrying something when you came in. Did you put it under the table?"

Under the watchful gaze of three pairs of eyes, Lu Yan had no choice but to bend down and silently retrieve the gift he had bought from under the table. Then, he pushed it towards Old Man Yu, "Chairman, a small token of my regard. Please accept it with a smile."

The corners of Old Man Yu's mouth froze into an awkward smile: "..."

On the table lay a box of Brain White Gold and a bag of Want Want Snowy Crisps Mega Pack, both purchased at a 40% discount during a mall promotion.