Chapter 2 Standing Up for Him

Chapter 2: Backing Him Up

Lin'an Group Headquarters.

"Secretary Lin."

"Hello, Secretary Lin."

"Secretary Lin is back?"

Lin Yunshu nodded in acknowledgment to each colleague who greeted him, then took Guo Shengyao into the private elevator, ascending to the top floor.

The top floor housed only the chairman's office and the executive assistant area. To the right of the elevator was the secretaries' office. At the far end, behind a heavy solid-wood door, lay Zhou Yu's office.

The entire floor was silent. Guo Shengyao whispered, "Mentor, the boss hasn't returned yet. You should go rest; we can handle things here."

"It's fine," Lin Yunshu said, stretching his stiff neck. "I caught some sleep in the car just now and feel much better."

He pressed his hand against the back of his neck, his slender fingers gently indenting the skin. When he turned his head, the lines along his neck appeared delicate yet resilient, his skin remarkably pale.

His knuckles were a faint pink, reflecting his gentle nature—sometimes a bit cool, but he never lost his temper or embarrassed anyone.

Guo Shengyao watched Lin Yunshu. The corridor lighting was good, and when he lifted his head, his long eyelashes cast shadows, clearly revealing the faint dark circles under his eyes.

It was obvious he hadn't been getting enough rest lately.

Guo Shengyao suddenly felt a pang of heartache, thinking Secretary Lin shouldn’t be subjected to disdain or mistreatment.

Though Betas are the most common and easily overlooked in modern society, so what? This is Secretary Lin!

Secretary Lin is such a good person; no one in the world deserves him.

But Old Master Zhou had to interfere and arrange a marriage for him.

Guo Shengyao had accompanied Lin Yunshu to meet three or four candidates, experiencing Old Master Zhou’s peculiar taste and the sheer variety of people firsthand. Now, she even felt displeased with Zhou Yu because of it.

"Shengyao?" Lin Yunshu waved his hand in front of her, seeing the girl staring at him, inexplicably entranced. He chuckled, "Stay focused, go get to work."

He assigned the remaining tasks and waited until Guo Shengyao left before pushing open the solid-wood door to the chairman’s office.

This was also his office.

Behind the solid-wood door was a vast space, a world of its own. Lin Yunshu had his own independent office, connected to Zhou Yu’s domain by a metal door.

Usually, they worked independently, but anyone who wanted to see Zhou Yu had to go through him first.

Finally alone, Lin Yunshu relaxed his shoulders, which had been tense all day, and wearily pushed open the door to his office, unbuttoning the top button of his collar with one hand.

He had just taken a step inside when he suddenly paused.

Inside the office, Old Master Zhou stood with his hands behind his back before the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

He was portly, with broad shoulders and back. Hearing the noise, he turned around, his sharp yet clouded eyes fixed on Lin Yunshu.

Lin Yunshu held his breath for a moment, knowing the old man was here to confront him.

He straightened his spine again, composed himself, turned to close the door, and gave a respectful bow to the elderly man across from him. "Old Master Zhou."

"You still remember what to call me?" Zhou Xingde was not softened in the slightest by his respectful attitude.

"Going to see my future daughter-in-law in place of my son—who gave you the nerve?"

***

Zhou Yu rushed back to the company immediately after finishing the forum in City A, hurrying straight up to the top floor.

Everything appeared normal; the secretaries were working methodically.

Zhou Yu walked briskly and tapped on the glass in front of Guo Shengyao. "Where’s Secretary Lin?"

Guo Shengyao stood up quickly and bowed to him. Her behavior was respectful, but her expression was reluctant.

Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow. "Letting your emotions affect your work?"

"I wouldn't dare," Guo Shengyao muttered.

Zhou Yu then sized up the young woman before him.

Guo Shengyao, Lin Yunshu’s first apprentice.

Back during the campus recruitment drive, Lin Yunshu had just finished a major project with him and fell ill right after. He only attended the recruitment for one day and personally picked this promising candidate to mentor.

This girl was sincere. Lin Yunshu treated her well, and she, in turn, valued him more than anything. Zhou Yu, her actual supervisor, ranked lower in her regard.

Zhou Yu thought for a moment and beckoned her outside.

"What’s going on? Tell me."

The corridor was empty. Guo Shengyao glanced around cautiously before speaking. "Boss, the marriage arrangement is your family matter. We have no place to comment."

She looked up, gathering courage. "But you know how my mentor is—he has the best temper. All these years, he’s never lost his temper and quietly handled even the toughest tasks. You trust his character, right?"

"Of course," Zhou Yu replied without hesitation.

Lin Yunshu’s temperament was indeed calm yet stubborn, like cotton spun into essence. Getting him to lose his temper was harder than reaching the sky.

Perhaps there were needles hidden within his cotton, but no one had ever managed to touch their tips.

"If you trust him, then it’s easier to explain," Guo Shengyao said, holding her breath. "It’s not that I want to tattle, but your blind date was just too, too bullying."

Zhou Yu didn’t speak, signaling her to continue.

"He looked down on my mentor, thought meeting him was beneath him. That’s one thing, but he demanded my mentor support him while walking, serve him personally while eating—he treated him like a servant back and forth!"

"Did Lin Yunshu do all that?" Zhou Yu asked in return.

"What else could he do?" Guo Shengyao said sarcastically. "That person is going to be the chairman’s wife in the future. Who would dare defy him? He even suggested that after he and you have a baby, my mentor should be the nanny!"

She grew more aggrieved as she spoke, emotions rising. "You didn’t see it—my mentor’s face turned pale right then!"

As her words fell, Zhou Yu’s face also darkened completely.

Guo Shengyao realized she had gotten too worked up and actually shouted at her superior. She deflated instantly. "S-sorry, Boss..."

Zhou Yu seemed deep in thought, arms crossed, fingers tapping rhythmically on his phone screen.

Guo Shengyao didn’t make a sound either, quietly waiting for the boss’s instructions.

After thinking for so long, he must be figuring out how to deal with that Mu family jerk. Guo Shengyao was getting pumped just thinking about it.

As long as the boss gave the order, her tattling would pay off.

“Which family?”

“What?” Guo Shengyao was stunned.

“I’m asking you,” Zhou Yu said coldly, “which family did we meet today?”

“...”

Guo Shengyao nearly fainted.

Damn it!

So this boss who delegates everything didn’t even know who his own matchmaking meeting was with.

She took a steadying breath, her voice tight with frustration: “Xiangyu Real Estate, the Mu family.”

“Alright, I know.” Zhou Yu waved his hand dismissively, clearly having made up his mind. “You can go back now—wait.”

Guo Shengyao turned back. “Boss, do you have any other instructions?”

“You said your master was unhappy when he heard that person’s delusional talk about having a baby with me?”

Guo Shengyao: “?”

What’s wrong with this tyrant now?

She racked her brain. Was Lin Yunshu’s expression at that time unhappy? I mean, he looked kinda bothered, so maybe that counted...

She nodded firmly. “Very unhappy.”

Just like that, the dark clouds on Zhou Yu’s brow cleared.

Guo Shengyao: “??”

The boss waved his hand again, more cheerfully this time. “Go back.”

With that, he turned and pushed open the heavy solid wood door.

Guo Shengyao: “???”

What the hell?

How did it go from cloudy to partly cloudy?

She began to reflect on herself. Had she failed to make her case properly?

That couldn’t be. She’d said everything she needed to, with plenty of emotion and sincerity, making Secretary Lin sound vulnerable and defenseless.

***

Zhou Yu shoved his hands into his pockets and walked toward Secretary Lin’s office.

These two connected offices were specially designed by him. Every time he entered or exited, he could see Secretary Lin’s beautiful yet cold face.

It always brightened his day.

He naturally knew how to handle those who dared to mistreat Lin Yunshu, but what surprised him even more was Lin Yunshu’s reaction.

Lin Yunshu actually had a reaction to his affairs!

Thinking this, even his hand on the doorknob was filled with tenderness.

Crash—!

A sharp sound suddenly came from inside the office.

Someone was breaking a glass inside.

Zhou Yu’s hand stilled, and his face turned cold.

“Who the hell do you think you are!” Zhou Xingde’s furious voice pierced through the metal door. “Daring to act high and mighty over the young master of the Mu family? Why don’t you take a piss and look at yourself—”

Bang!

The door slammed open.

Zhou Xingde’s cursing came to an abrupt halt.

Zhou Yu leaned against the doorframe, his gaze sweeping over the mess on the floor.

Zhou Xingde had smashed a glass. Shards skidded past Lin Yunshu’s feet, scattering all the way to the doorway. The scattered pieces showed how much force had been used.

“Go on,” he said, raising his eyes to the old man inside. “Weren’t you cursing with great enthusiasm just now? Why stop?”

Zhou Xingde’s throat tightened, and his eyes held a hint of fear as he looked at Zhou Yu.

Over the years, his son had grown increasingly powerful, almost completely sidelining his authority within the Lin'an Group. The Lin'an Group was founded from scratch by Zhou Yu’s grandfather, a miracle created through sheer hard work.

Even when the old man was alive, he had thought little of his son for being mediocre and incompetent, favoring his grandson instead.

On his deathbed, he skipped over his own healthy son entirely and handed the entire group directly to Zhou Yu.

Not only did this make Zhou Xingde a nobody in the company, but it was also a blatant humiliation he could never swallow.

But now, he didn’t dare confront his son head-on. He averted his gaze, hoping to give both of them a way to save face.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yu wasn’t one to take insults lying down.

He strolled in slowly, glancing at Lin Yunshu’s face as he passed by.

Indeed, he was pale, his lips colorless.

Zhou Yu’s mood worsened.

“I gave you a chance, but you won’t speak. Cat got your tongue?” He took his anger out on Zhou Xingde.

His tone was provocative and rude.

Lin Yunshu glanced up slightly and sure enough, saw Zhou Xingde’s face flushed with rage.

But Zhou Yu didn’t care. “If you won’t say it, I’ll say it for you.” He positioned himself in front of Lin Yunshu. “My secretary, personally hired by me. He’s been by my side day and night for three years.”

He leaned down, raising an eyebrow as he stared at his stifled father. “What do you think I am?”

“Zhou Yu!” Zhou Xingde couldn’t take it anymore.

With a secretary present, Zhou Xingde couldn't bear his son making him lose face in front of an outsider and tried to assert his authority:

"I am your father!"

"Big deal," Zhou Yu sneered.

"You!" Zhou Xingde was left breathless with rage, stepping closer to Zhou Yu. "Why do you have to be so combative? I had good intentions arranging a marriage alliance with a well-matched family! And what do you do? Send just anyone and even dare to offend them—is this the kind of conduct you teach?"

"Exactly, I taught him that."

Zhou Yu shot back without hesitation: "I’ve long told him to swear when necessary and hit when he should hit. Better to make others angry than be angry yourself. But he’s by nature courteous—what can I do?"

He stood significantly taller than Zhou Xingde, and a single cold glance from him sent shivers down the spine.

"His politeness seems to have made you forget your place. Just who do you think you are?"

"Zhou Yu!"

Zhou Xingde was so furious he felt the blood rush to his head.

Zhou Yu stepped past him, went straight to Lin Yunshu’s desk, and picked up the internal phone.

Zhou Xingde panicked, sensing a bad feeling. "What are you doing?"

Zhou Yu glanced at him. "Calling security to throw you out."

"You wouldn’t dare!"

"Think I wouldn’t?"

Zhou Xingde fell silent.

He knew Zhou Yu absolutely would dare.

That kid had always been an uncontrollable mad dog since childhood.

When Zhou Xingde had tried to discipline him strictly, believing harsh punishment would produce a filial son, his grandfather had forbidden it, insisting that only such a temperament could hold his own.

Zhou Xingde had thought that in recent years, as Zhou Yu took over the group, he had matured, become more steady, and learned to play along. That was why he dared to take the initiative in arranging the marriage alliance, assuming Zhou Yu wouldn’t publicly undermine him.

Zhou Yu had indeed given him face by meeting the proposed match. But the moment Zhou Xingde just reprimanded a secretary, the guy snapped again.

He hadn’t changed at all!

Not one bit—still a mad dog that bites anyone in sight!

In the standoff, Zhou Xingde lost the battle. He rushed over, knocked the phone out of Zhou Yu’s hand, and pointed a trembling finger at his face, gritting his teeth:

"You unfilial son!"

Then, boiling with rage, he stormed out of the office.

Zhou Yu picked up the swaying receiver and placed it back. Casually, he called toward the open door:

"Don’t you know how to close the door? Where are your manners?"

A few seconds later, a furious figure appeared outside and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Lin Yunshu couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Zhou Yu looked down at his face. "Smiling?"

The faint smile vanished instantly.

Zhou Yu felt a pang of regret. Lin Yunshu rarely showed such cute mannerisms, and even when he did, they were fleeting.

For a moment, he even considered calling his father back to scold him again, just to see if he could make Lin Yunshu smile once more.

"You too—if he bullies you, why don’t you talk back?" Zhou Yu said.

After all, that was still Old Master Zhou. If any secretary could talk back to him freely, the company would descend into chaos.

Lin Yunshu said, "Old Master Zhou has always been like this."

His voice was pleasant—soft, gentle, and clear, like a clear stream.

Zhou Yu wasn’t a particularly patient person, but whenever Lin Yunshu spoke, he found himself instinctively quieting down to listen.

"He values face," Lin Yunshu explained. "If he vents behind closed doors here, it ends here. But if you make him feel humiliated, who knows what petty moves he’ll pull outside later."

Though such issues were easy to handle, having to deal with them repeatedly was still a hassle.

"So I stand up for you, and it becomes my fault?" Zhou Yu took off his suit jacket, preparing to hang it up.

Lin Yunshu chuckled softly and shook his head, saying nothing more. He bent down to clean up the shards of glass on the floor.

Noticing this out of the corner of his eye, Zhou Yu immediately turned back, casually draping his jacket onto a chair.

"Don’t touch that," he said, grabbing Lin Yunshu’s wrist and pulling him up. "I’ll call the janitor to take care of it later."

He had noticed recently that Lin Yunshu’s blood seemed slow to clot—just a few days ago, he’d seen him with a nosebleed that wouldn’t stop, hiding in the restroom.

When asked, Lin Yunshu attributed it to lack of rest. But when Zhou Yu offered him a leave of absence, he refused, as if afraid that taking a break might mean he couldn’t return.

Though unpaid long leaves, promotions to remote posts, or sidelining were common tactics to push someone out, Zhou Yu would never use such methods against Lin Yunshu.

Secretary Lin was diligent yet perpetually insecure. To reassure him, Zhou Yu had given him the best benefits in the entire company, second only to himself. Yet Lin Yunshu remained apprehensive.

Zhou Yu guided Lin Yunshu to sit on the sofa, releasing his wrist. He noticed his palm felt cold.

His hands are too cold.

He sighed inwardly and turned to pour a cup of hot water.