Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"Mr. Yan, we’ve looked into it. It was..." The assistant on the other end of the call hesitated before continuing, "It was your father, Mr. Yan's, decision."

Yan Tingshen replied calmly, "Resume the cooperation and calculate the losses individually. Notify all senior executives involved in the decision-making to compensate for the losses incurred over these days proportionally."

The assistant, used to his boss’s ways, responded smoothly to the harsh directive, "Understood."

In truth, everyone knew that although Yan Lihui held shares in the company, he had no management rights and held no official position. Strictly speaking, he had no authority to interfere in any business matters.

The only reason anyone yielded to him was his title as Mr. Yan's father. So long as his actions didn’t harm the company's interests, Mr. Yan usually ignored it.

This time, it wasn’t a big deal, and with Mr. Yan working remotely with limited time, it was unclear who’d been dumb enough to trouble him with such a trivial matter.

However, Mr. Yan’s unusually harsh stance toward Yan Lihui this time would make it clear to those below that sucking up to him wouldn’t work anymore.

Not just them—Yan Lihui himself wouldn’t get off easy.

"By the way, Mr. Yan, your father came to the company again today asking about your whereabouts," the assistant added. "Tomorrow, when you return to the office, we might not be able to stop him..."

"Is security useless?"

Hearing this, the assistant was surprised.

Though Mr. Yan had always been cold toward Yan Lihui, he had kept it professional. Never before had he been so unyielding.

Was the boss in a bad mood today?

The assistant wondered but kept quiet, only replying respectfully, "Understood."

After discussing a few more documents, the call ended.

Yan Tingshen took off his headphones and stood up, but as his left leg brushed against the side cabinet, a familiar tingling shot through his leg, reminding him of the accident that morning.

Bits of memories flashed through his mind. His grip on the armrest tightened briefly before he shook it off, got up from the desk, and walked toward the bed.

He had already guessed that the minor issue Qin You brought up in the afternoon was related to Yan Lihui.

What he hadn’t expected was that Yan Lihui would be so bold—using the company to go after Qin You over a mere verbal dispute.

If people like that got away with it, their influence would spread, and the company would always be a mess.

Moreover, Qin You had pissed Yan Lihui off because of him. Naturally, he couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

With these thoughts, Yan Tingshen checked the clock and turned in.

The next day, after having breakfast with Qin You, he returned to his room. Soon, a knock sounded at the door.

"It’s me."

Yan Tingshen said, "Come in."

He glanced at Qin You as he entered, seeing his grin before looking away and continuing to browse his emails.

"Busy?" Qin You chuckled. "Have some fruit—for the vitamins."

It never crossed his mind that Qin You could resolve the friction between the Yan and Qin families so quickly. It seems that in Yan Tingshen's heart, Qin You indeed holds a unique place.

Yan Tingshen glanced at the fruit platter Qin You placed on the table. "I avoid sweets."

"No sweets?" Qin You seemed troubled. "I can't get bitter herbs on such short notice."

Yan Tingshen's typing fingers stalled.

Qin You chuckled, walking over and perched casually on the desk. "Then what do you like?"

Yan Tingshen replied, "I’m not picky about food."

Last night’s hiccup had been resolved, and he’d figured out why Qin You was here today. But since Qin You didn’t bring it up, he didn’t press the matter.

Qin You asked, "What about entertainment? Working so much every day must be exhausting. Should I arrange for a masseuse to come by?"

Yan Tingshen said, "No need."

He was a brick wall. Qin You sighed, glanced at his wrist, and changed the subject. "What time are you heading to the office today?"

Yan Tingshen answered, "Two in the afternoon."

Qin You said, "Then let's finish your training by ten. You won't have time later tonight."

Yan Tingshen agreed, "Sure."

Qin You stood up from the desk and, before leaving, plucked a pale strawberry from the platter.

The strawberry looked more like a work of art than fruit—translucent, plump, and perfectly round. It tasted crisp and mildly sweet, quite pleasant.

Just as he reached for another, he noticed Yan Tingshen staring from the corner of his eye and froze.

Yan Tingshen glanced at the platter, now with a gap, then looked back at Qin You.

Qin You, unfazed, grinned and picked up a fruit fork, offering it to him. "I tasted it for you—not too sweet. Want to try?"

Yan Tingshen didn’t take it.

Qin You gave a light cough, set it down, and said, "I'll come back at ten."

As Qin You turned to leave, Yan Tingshen's gaze lingered on the remaining strawberries before finally looking away.

"He’s so uptight. Doesn't eat sweets, and even if the food goes to waste, he still glared at you for taking just one," the system remarked, puzzled.

Qin You replied, "What's given to him belongs to him. He has every right to decide."

Considering the fruit was meant as a thank-you gift—a small gesture where it’s the thought that counts—he really shouldn’t have touched it.

Qin You shook his head.

Ah, whatever. He'd get him something else instead.

With a final glance at Yan Tingshen, who had already resumed work, he closed the door behind him.

—

By ten, after walking Yan Tingshen through his workout and bringing him back to his room, Qin You was about to leave when he spotted the fruit tray on the desk. His eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.

He turned to Yan Tingshen, waiting for him to sit before asking, "So, was it good?"

Yan Tingshen paused and looked at Qin You: "What?"

Qin You raised an eyebrow toward the fruit tray: "Desserts."

Yan Tingshen relaxed his shoulders and said lightly, "It's not that sweet."

Qin You chuckled but didn’t linger: "Get some rest. Recharge your energy."

He'd be rushing to the office that afternoon.

Stuck at an evening banquet.

The target still had a tough day ahead.

Yan Tingshen nodded: "Yeah."

Qin You also turned and returned to his room.

Unlike the diligent target, he didn’t plan to leave from the company—waiting for the driver at home would suffice.

Cui Ling didn't disappoint, showing up in a rush as night fell.

Spotting the young master playing games in the living room, he noticed that this time, the young master even had fruits and snacks prepared beside him. Instantly, a surge of frustration rose in Cui Ling’s chest—this made him look even more like a spoiled, good-for-nothing brat!

But recalling Qin You’s performance at yesterday morning’s meeting, he forcibly swallowed his irritation.

"Mr. Qin," Cui Ling unclenched his fists and gestured for the secretary behind him holding a suit to step forward, "Get changed. We should get going."

Seeing him, Qin You set down his tablet and said to the butler who had come to inform him, "Have double portions of these ready tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

"..." Cui Ling’s fists clenched again.

The secretary had already approached Qin You: "Mr. Qin?"

Qin You took the clothes and went to the dressing room to change, then left with the others.

During the ride, Cui Ling explained, "Mr. Qin, the theme of tonight’s charity event is nature. The organizers specifically chose the venue—a perfectly preserved ancient wooden lodge—in the mountains."

Qin You glanced at the heavy snowfall outside the car window, thinking of the predicament in the mission: "Have the emergency safety measures been checked? How good are they?"

Cui Ling hadn’t expected him to be so meticulous: "Because of the remote location, we’ve indeed verified everything. Don't worry, the organizers have reinforced the entire lodge, and the event will only take place on the first floor—the second floor won’t be open. All emergency plans are well-prepared. Even if the mountain gets snowed in, everyone can evacuate within ten minutes."

"How naive!"

The system scoffed, "If it were really that safe, the target wouldn’t be in danger."

The mission’s marked coordinates were inside the banquet hall, meaning the organizers’ perfect safety measures still had loopholes.

Qin You said, "Get us a rescue helicopter."

Cui Ling frowned: "Mr. Qin, the organizers have emergency procedures. Is it necessary to bring our own team?"

Qin You was succinct: "I don't want to die."

Cui Ling choked for a moment before replying, "Fine, I’ll arrange it immediately."

Qin You added, "Remember, stay sharp and keep your guard up once we’re inside."

Cui Ling said, "...Alright."

After hanging up the phone, he couldn’t help but glance at Qin You.

Last time at the company, they had nearly gotten killed, yet the young master hadn’t batted an eye. Now, just days later, at a banquet with security far more professional than a hospital’s, the young master was suddenly scared for his life?

But the next second, the game’s startup jingle echoed through the car.

Changed games?

Cui Ling looked over just as the game’s title appeared right in the center of the screen.

Plants vs. Zombies?

Glancing back at Qin You, who seemed far more engrossed in the game than he ever was during meetings, Cui Ling sighed deeply in his heart.

What a pain this’ll be!

—

The car came to a slow stop before the red carpet.

Qin You stepped out and took in the building, which was far more expansive than he had anticipated.

Though it was called an ancient wooden pavilion, it had nothing to do with that description.

Newly constructed outer walls encircled the pavilion, leaving no trace of its supposed wooden structure. Further ahead, even before entering, the brilliantly lit interior was visible—a snow-white withered tree stood at the center of the venue, while high-society types schmoozed under its sprawling branches, clinking glasses, laughing it up beside various art exhibits.

Above them, a massive, wave-like crystal chandelier of varying thicknesses spanned the entire space, its light angled almost entirely onto the display stands, creating a real showstopper.

Cui Ling handed over the invitation and followed Qin You inside. Noticing that Qin You seemed to be searching for someone, he stepped forward and said, "Qin You, the old man’s not showing."

Qin You glanced at him. "I’m looking for A Sheng."

"..." Cui Ling replied, "He’s not here yet."

If Yan Tingshen were here, he’d be mobbed by people trying to cozy up to him—impossible to miss at a glance.

Qin You checked the countdown on his panel. Thirty-six minutes left.

Cui Ling said, "Qin You, Li from Hongzheng Tech is approaching. The person beside him is—Qin You?"

"Bathroom break," Qin You said.

At the time, Cui Ling believed him.

So when Qin You turned away, he didn’t immediately notice anything amiss.

Only when he belatedly spotted the clear bulge of a tablet at the small of Qin You’s back did he realize—but by then, Qin You had already disappeared into the crowd.

"..." Cui Ling let out a slow breath.

"Dude, why are you hiding in a corner playing games? We’re on in thirty. Suggest waiting by the entrance for the target and shadowing him?"

Qin You said, "If the script’s set in stone, why babysit him?"

The system stalled, though something still felt wrong. "Uh..."

Qin You said, "Give me a heads-up at thirty seconds."

Scripted events differ from urgent missions; they occur at fixed times and locations with exact coordinates. Showing up when it triggers leaves plenty of time.

At least for this banquet, let Assistant Cui handle the schmoozing.

Unfortunately, his peace was short-lived.

With one minute left on the countdown, two people walked in.

"Yunzhe, you’ve seemed off these past few days. What’s wrong? Trouble? Need my help?"

"...Not right now."

"That bad? Real trouble?"

"A bit. If anything goes wrong, I’m screwed..."

"That bad!"

"Ah, don’t ask. You wouldn’t get it—someone’s here!"

The two speaking stepped into the VIP room simultaneously.

One of them looked surprised upon seeing Qin You.

"Bro?"

Qin You glanced at the two.

The one who spoke appeared well-mannered.

The other had a dark look upon entering but quickly composed himself, soon adopting a politely neutral demeanor.

Qin You’s gaze lingered on his face for two seconds.

Somehow, he looked kinda familiar.

"Oh! Bro, this is my friend and college classmate, Meng Yunzhe."

Qin You’s eyes shifted slightly at the voice.

In the book, only two people addressed the original host this way.

One was the original host’s cousin; the other was Qi Xianghe’s older brother—his distant cousin, Qi Xinwei.

Compared to Qi Xianghe, Qi Xinwei was way sharper.

Though he also looked down on the original host, Qi Xinwei maintained a friendly act, milking him for all he’s worth. Even by the story’s end, the original host believed Qi Xinwei actually had his back.

"Yunzhe, this is the person I mentioned to you the other day," Qi Xinwei greeted Qin You with a smile before turning to his companion. "My brother, Qin You."

Qin You looked at Meng Yunzhe.

His put-on charm paled in comparison to true gentleness. Judging by his earlier shifting expressions, this college classmate, who ran in the same circles as Qi Xinwei, was clearly birds of a feather.

Meng Yunzhe sized up Qin You, thought, surprised.

The guy’s composure carried itself with ease, not seeming forced. Even if his depth was hard to gauge, he bore no resemblance to the party-hard rich kid Qi Xinwei had described, living it up overseas.

Recalling how Qi Xinwei had put on that concerned act in front of him, mentioning the "misunderstanding" between Qi Xianghe and Qin You, Meng Yunzhe smirked to himself. From the way he was acting, whether it was a misunderstanding or not, he damn well knew the truth.

Qi Xinwei had already approached Qin You. "Brother, the auction's started. Aren’t you going to bid?"

Noticing the game interface under Qin You’s hand, his smile grew more genuine. "No wonder Assistant Cui was scouring the place for you inside. So you’ve been slacking off here."

Qin You had no interest in fake small talk. Seeing that the time was almost up, he simply stood. "Assistant Cui’s looking for me? Where is he?"

Qi Xinwei was taken aback by his abruptness. "When I came in, I saw him near Lot 3."

"Mm." Qin You gave a slight wave and was about to leave the booth when a faint, fragmented *click* sounded overhead. He paused mid-step.

After a glance at the oblivious pair, he continued forward.

If he hadn’t been away from the noisy exhibition floor, such a subtle noise would have gone unnoticed.

Qin You checked the countdown.

Forty seconds left.

At thirty seconds, the system piped up right on cue.

"Host!" it protested indignantly. "You’re down to the wire again! What if you fail this time?"

Qin You replied, "Relax."

You can’t stop accidents—same as that car crash. As long as he arrived in time to save the person afterward, it was enough.

"I knew it!" the system blurted as they closed in on the location. "Host! Look—it’s a total mob up ahead!"

Even Qin You hadn’t anticipated this sudden obstacle.

With ten seconds left and only five meters to the target, the path ahead was basically walling off the route. A crowd of guests waited to hand their business cards to Yan Tingshen, nearly sealing off the way.

This Yan Tingshen—after being brushed off all this time—still managed to cause trouble at the critical moment.

Just then, the overhead chandelier suddenly flickered.

The room went quiet, followed by hushed murmurs.

"What’s going on?"

"Power issue?"

People exchanged uneasy looks.

The next moment, a thunderous crack split the air above!

The hall froze in dead silence.

In the confusion, Qin You shouldered through the crowd and finally spotted where the target was.

Sure enough, they were right next to the protagonist.

In a split second, his eyes snapped to the other’s outfit—a deep teal suit.

Yan Tingshen, wearing only a dress shirt, stood out clearly.

—An ominous, rumbling sound continued to descend.

The collapsing wooden loft on the second floor instantly crushed the luxurious, intricate modern ceiling; sparks erupted as a piercing cold laced with dread surged in.

The venue was plunged into total darkness.

Screams erupted in waves.

Qin You frowned and pushed through the panicked crowd toward Yan Tingshen’s location: "A Sheng? Pei Sheng?"

But his voice was lost in the chaos and the howling cold wind, barely carrying beyond him.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the crowd to disperse.

He reached the coordinates, but with no light, he could only rely on memory and feeling around blindly: "A Sheng?"

"Look out, Host! There’s an ice pillar falling on your left!"

Qin You barely sidestepped as a waist-high ice pillar crashed at his feet, shattering into pieces that smashed a nearby glass display case with another shattering crash.

In the darkness, a pained grunt followed the sound of breaking glass.

Qin You followed the sound: "A Sheng?"

No response.

Passed out?

Frowning, he crouched down and touched a slightly cold face.

The wind howled, biting, snow whipping through the air. The abrupt shift from a warm indoor environment to such harsh conditions spelled danger if the person was injured and unconscious.

"A Sheng? Or—"

A helicopter’s engine roared to life, mixing with the wind, cutting off Qin You’s words.

Fortunately, flickering beams of light occasionally pierced through the gaps.

By this dim glow, Qin You recognized the familiar slate-blue jacket on the other’s shoulder.

He exhaled, draping the person’s left arm over his shoulder: "A Sheng, can you move?"

The figure in his arms remained still, so he hefted them higher, half-supporting, half-carrying them—

Hm?

Something felt off.

The system freaked: "Host, why are you stopping? Hurry up and leave! This place could give way any second!"

The helicopter hovered overhead.

The light was too dim, and with the unconscious person unable to lift their head, Qin You had no free hand to adjust them. After double-checking the jacket, he was about to move forward—

Seeing only impenetrable darkness where he looked, the system urged again: "Host, why are you hesitating? Get out now! It’s not safe here!"

Qin You frowned, withdrew his gaze, and with one arm, lifted the person in his arms. Following the system’s planned route, he bolted toward the exit.

Midway, a disheveled Cui Ling rushed over with his team.

Seeing Qin You, he heaved a huge sigh of relief, equal parts shocked and relieved: "Thank goodness, Young Master Qin, you're alright!"

Qin You wasn't in the mood for chit-chat: "There are still people inside, get in there—"

Mid-sentence, he glanced down inadvertently and caught sight of the face of the person in his arms, his face darkened.

The system hissed: "Host, you saved the wrong person!"

Qin You unceremoniously dumped the protagonist onto a stretcher and said to Cui Ling, "Get him out of here first, then send backup for me. Hurry."

Before Cui Ling could respond, Qin You had already turned and marched straight back.

"Young Master Qin!"

Qin You strode back to the mission coordinates, heading toward that dark corner from before.

The organizer's helicopters had all taken off, and the lights were coming back on.

Qin You shoved aside the obstructing broken branches and saw Yan Tingshen leaning against the exhibition stand, clutching his injured arm.

Yan Tingshen also looked at him, his lips parted slightly—

"Why didn't you stop me earlier?"

Qin You leaned down, pressing a hand on his shoulder, noticing his purplish lips and the cuts on his face. "Do you want to die here?"

Yan Tingshen pressed his lips together.

The grip on his shoulder was too firm to shake off. Instinctively, he raised a hand to grasp Qin You’s wrist, only to realize the skin beneath his palm was freezing.

His fingers tightened slightly: "Qin You, you—"

"Hold onto me." Qin You guided Yan Tingshen’s hand to his shoulder, then bent down to support his legs, scooping him up bridal-style.

Yan Tingshen stiffened, his hand on Qin You’s shoulder digging in: "Put me down!"

Qin You pressed him firmly against his chest, looking down at him, his voice hard: "Don’t struggle."

Meeting this gaze so unlike his usual self, Yan Tingshen averted his eyes: "I can walk."

Qin You only asked, "You wanna be a cripple?"

Yan Tingshen said, "I—"

Qin You cut him off: "Enough. No more wasting time."

His tone left no room for debate.

Yan Tingshen studied him for a long moment.

Gradually, his clenched hand slowly relaxed.