Chapter 81

Chapter 81

After the one-hour talk concluded, the next segment was an open networking session for the attendees.

Mr. Yan was surrounded by a group of people.

Although this panel discussion wasn't particularly special, given the recent prominence of Yan Group and the added prestige of the international technology award, most media outlets had come specifically to photograph the Chairman.

Among them were many major official news outlets.

In the shots, with Yan Shiqi at the center, stood several entrepreneurs from the southern province.

Mr. Bai looked healthy, having recovered well: "Mr. Yan, congratulations. You'll be heading to Country C soon to receive the award."

Mr. Chen said, "Mr. Yan, you're really something. I heard that yesterday, the official website of the southern province once again singled out Yan Group for praise."

Yan Shiqi shook hands with them one by one.

The Bai and Chen families had recently soared to new heights by leveraging their cooperation with Yan Group, especially the Chen family, which had gone from the verge of bankruptcy to doing great, with its market value doubling—a transformation that you couldn't help but be impressed by.

The nearby Zhu and Huang families could only watch with envy.

When it came time to choose sides, they had unanimously aligned themselves with Top Star Group. Who could have predicted that the Yan family would seem to have unlocked a cheat code, encountering a non-stop streak of luck? Now, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and stay the course.

Despite his success, Yan Shiqi remained low-key and humble.

Lin Xinxin had been watching from the side and stepped forward on impulse, her young face flushed and slightly fidgety from nerves: "Mr. Yan, may I also shake your hand? I've always seen you as my role model."

Mr. Bai and Mr. Chen were both startled.

"Mr. Yan, who is this?"

Yan Shiqi didn't speak.

The media's focus shifted to Lin Xinxin, and the frequency of camera flashes increased.

"Hello, I'm Lin Xinxin, a third-year university student determined to work for Yan Group... Mr. Yan has helped me a lot." Lin Xinxin finished speaking and let out an awkward laugh.

How exactly has he helped you a lot? Could you please stop forcing this connection? Xie Yunshen thought, exasperated.

Mr. Bai and Mr. Chen murmured in vague understanding, their gazes shifting to Yan Shiqi, trying to read something into his expression.

But they saw Yan Shiqi merely frown slightly, looking at them with a subtle, even look.

It was difficult for the average person to discern that his mood was currently edging into annoyance.

However, Mr. Bai and Mr. Chen understood clearly. They were sharp and perceptive, capable of interpreting the meaning behind Yan Shiqi's slightest expression.

The two exchanged a knowing smile. This Lin Xinxin had undoubtedly stepped on another landmine.

And this minefield was likely—they glanced at Xie Yunshen standing beside them, who looked completely fed up.

In that brief second, the wheels in the minds of those present had already turned a hundred times.

Lin Xinxin said, "Mr. Yan, I know I'm just a student now, but I truly see you as what drives me to learn..."

As she spoke, she extended her hand. The timing was perfect; with so many media present, Yan Shiqi could hardly refuse to shake her hand.

"Oh, you're the student representative from A City University. Someone so outstanding must have received an internal recruitment offer already, right?" Mr. Chen cut her off, taking the initiative to shake her hand with a friendly expression.

Lin Xinxin was momentarily stunned but replied without missing a beat, smiling, "Yes, I did, but I declined. I want to enter Yan Group."

This young person really knows how to advance step by step.

Lin Xinxin tried to bypass Mr. Chen, but Mr. Bai walked over and patted Xie Yunshen on the shoulder, blocking her way.

"Xiao Xie, hurry up and ask your Mr. Yan for a raise. I've heard you've been swamped with work lately."

Xie Yunshen replied absentmindedly, "Mr. Bai, thank you, but Mr. Yan would never treat me unfairly."

"You don't seem to understand what I'm implying," Mr. Bai said, somewhat helplessly.

Xie Yunshen: "Huh?"

With this delay, Lin Xinxin still wanted to speak to Yan Shiqi, but reporters had already approached him for interviews—they had prepared questions in advance.

Lin Xinxin had no choice but to withdraw her stiff hand and force a smile.

As the event concluded and Yan Shiqi was leaving the venue, Lin Xinxin caught up with him from behind.

"Mr. Yan!"

Yan Shiqi stopped walking.

Lin Xinxin ran up to him and extended her hand: "I don't know when we'll meet again. If I can't shake your hand this time, I'll be up all night worrying about it."

Xie Yunshen, standing behind Yan Shiqi, closed his eyes in exasperation. This guy looks like a well-behaved student, but he is incredibly thick-skinned. No wonder he managed to take half of someone else's shares.

Yan Shiqi turned slightly and shook his hand.

Lin Xinxin immediately beamed a bright, confident smile: "Thank you!"

A photographer who hadn't yet left captured this photo.

The next day, this photo was published in a business newspaper, sharing the page with pictures of Yan Shiqi shaking hands with other entrepreneurs and an overview shot of the venue.

Only the subheading was a little confusing.

"What does this mean, 'The astonishing bond between an outstanding young entrepreneur and a rising star, pillars of the nation, talents of the southern province, flourishing and prosperous'?" Xie Yunshen stared blankly at this subtitle.

He had noticed a newspaper on the nearby rack with Mr. Yan's photo, but when he pulled it out, he saw that bothersome guy was in it too. So, he complained to Yi Wuyi beside him.

"Did this editor transfer over from the 'shocking news' department?"

Yi Wuyi said, "Don't worry about it. News like this comes out every day. There's no need to waste energy deconstructing the headline."

"It's just... he's so shameless. Mr. Yan clearly had no intention of having any physical contact with him, but he insisted on forcing it with emotional blackmail."

Yi Wuyi looked at him: "Are you paying too much attention to that student?"

"Not exactly. I just feel like he has ulterior motives," Xie Yunshen frowned.

"If you're really uneasy, just tell Mr. Yan directly. He'll listen to you."

Xie Yunshen was momentarily stunned. That seemed true, but he still felt something was off. The lack of evidence was one thing, but mainly, it felt like he was deliberately picking on a stranger.

Besides, Mr. Yan was willing to accept his opinions because of complete trust, and he couldn't abuse that trust to arbitrarily interfere with Mr. Yan's affairs.

Yi Wuyi probably sensed his dilemma: "Actually, you don't need to worry too much. Those people won't be able to get anything out of Mr. Yan."

"Those people?"

"In Mr. Yan's eyes, those people are no different from the lampposts on the side of the road."

"No way." Xie Yunshen was skeptical. "Mr. Yan has an excellent memory; don't try to fool me."

Yi Wuyi said, "If you don't believe me, just ask Mr. Yan later what that college student's name is. I guarantee he won't know it."

For lunch, Mr. Yan ate in the group's staff cafeteria.

Xie Yunshen, sitting across from him, asked hesitantly, "Mr. Yan, do you still remember that person's name?"

"Who?" Yan Shiqi glanced up.

"The college student from yesterday, the one who shook hands with you."

"Lin Xinxin," Yan Shiqi answered without hesitation.

Xie Yunshen gave Yi Wuyi a resentful look: "..."

Yi Wuyi quickly busied himself with his food.

In the hallway, Xie Yunshen put Yi Wuyi in a headlock. "Lao Wu, you've gone bad."

Yi Wuyi said, "Sorry... I really didn't know."

Xie Yunshen shoved his head into the crook of his arm. "You didn't know... you're the worst."

The two of them roughhoused in the hallway for a while before suddenly noticing Yan Shizhou watching them.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, wore a dark suit, and leaned against the window with his tall frame, squinting at them with a subtle, inscrutable look.

A gust of wind from outside lifted the hem of his suit jacket.

"Third Young Master, we were just fooling around."

Yan Shizhou stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in the wall-mounted stainless steel ashtray.

With a creak, he pushed the ashtray back and walked up to Yi Wuyi, his voice sounding icy in the winter chill.

"Come with me."

"Third Young Master, I'm sorry, I'm on the clock right now," Yi Wuyi said.

"My big brother has a two-hour break at noon. During those two hours, you don't need to stand here."

Xie Yunshen nudged Yi Wuyi from behind. "Go on, I'm here."

Yi Wuyi had no choice but to follow Yan Shizhou away.

Yan Shizhou was right. During Mr. Yan's daily lunch break, they were free, but Xie Yunshen and Yi Wuyi were used to standing outside the door, bantering.

On one hand, they treated Mr. Yan's safety as their top priority. On the other hand, they were just plain bored and could only stand there chatting.

Xie Yunshen unlocked his phone and, using a visitor account, checked out Shang Guanhong's profile.

To tell the truth, Xie Yunshen actually admired Shang Guanhong quite a bit these days. His comment section was constantly bombarded by netizens. Some even posted shipping fan art of him and Bai Le Bai to troll him, and others went as far as posting sliced red radishes.

Yet, he remained completely unfazed, posting pictures with a straight face.

Just as he refreshed, Shang Guanhong uploaded another set of photos to his personal social media.

It was the same old wine in a new bottle—a series of photos in front of graves. But this time was different; he'd even added a location tag.

"If you want to see him, please come here tomorrow."

Him? Xie Yunshen knew this was bait for Lin Jin.

But shouldn't it be 'her'?

He glanced at the location. It was a specific unfinished building at A City University.

He considered calling Lin Jin but held back.

Forget it. At a time like this, it's better not to cause any more trouble.

Xie Yunshen walked into the office. Yan Shiqi was sitting behind his desk, reading that morning's newspaper.

His gaze was fixed on the photo of him shaking hands with Lin Xinxin.

Xie Yunshen felt a stir and leaned over. "Mr. Yan, are you looking at him?"

"Who?"

"Lin Xinxin..." Xie Yunshen reluctantly brought up the name again. "What do you think of Lin Xinxin... um, do you think he's a good person?"

"A good person?" Yan Shiqi shifted his gaze from the newspaper to Xie Yunshen's face.

"Yes, do you think he's a good person?"

"What's your definition of a good person?"

"At the very least, someone who doesn't actively harm others."

Yan Shiqi said, "Sometimes, you might not even know yourself if you're harming someone."

"Alright, then what kind of person do you think he is?"

"Deeply scheming, highly ambitious, and someone who would abandon others for his own interests at any moment."

"You noticed?" Xie Yunshen was amazed by his sharpness. "So you don't have a good impression of him either, right? Then why were you staring at the newspaper?"

"Look, what are you doing in the photo?"

Xie Yunshen took a closer look. In the photo, Yan Shiqi was shaking hands with Lin Xinxin, while he himself stood behind Yan Shiqi, looking utterly exasperated at the ceiling, just as the camera captured him.

He hadn't noticed before that he was actually in the shot.

"Ah, why look at a photo? I'm right here in person." Xie Yunshen shoved his face next to Yan Shiqi's.

Yan Shiqi smiled and said nothing.