Chapter 11 First Visit

Chapter 11: The First Visit

"Nervous?"

He's all ruffled up.

You Jinhui casually smooths down a stray lock of hair sticking up on his head.

"Were you nervous before meeting me?"

"Nah." He was in a life-or-death situation back then; who had the spare energy to be nervous? If they'd gotten into the car any later that day, both of them would have been wiped out.

"You're not afraid of me," You Jinhui muses. "You weren't afraid before knowing my identity, and you're still not afraid now."

"Shows you've got *some* conscience."

This particular tuft of hair seems to have a mind of its own, stubbornly refusing to behave. You Jinhui clicks his tongue in annoyance and messes it up on purpose.

Look at this mess. How did he even sleep last night?

Chen Jiyan wants to protest but finds himself with nowhere to retreat, so he can only shoot him a look that says 'stop messing up my hair'.

"Is it okay if I don't bring anything?" It's their first meeting; he should bring a gift. He doesn't know the local customs, but Chen Jiyan feels it's not quite right.

"Do you have money?"

No.

"But you do. As an adult, don't you think it's improper to go to someone's house empty-handed, just like me?"

Chen Jiyan suddenly remembers his status as a minor. Not bringing a gift might be somewhat excusable, but how can You Jinhui be so blasé about it?

"If you really feel bad, have your system put on a show."

Little E: ? Why me?

"You seem to have a prejudice against my system."

"I won't comment." His expression is contemptuous. In his eyes, even the latest 13.0 version from Ding Shu is just polishing a turd, let alone the version on Chen Jiyan, which is over a decade behind.

"What you see as trash might just be a resource in the wrong place."

Even though I can't do anything yet, everything has to start from scratch. I'll manage on my own eventually...

"You haven't been awake for long, and neither has it?"

"I think it could indeed use its spare time to improve itself. Performing shows for people, for example, would be very meaningful."

"Just a friendly tip: don't rely on it too much." Be it a system or a person.

Chen Jiyan ponders this statement, not realizing he's walked several steps ahead while You Jinhui remains rooted to the spot.

"I'm going alone?"

"I have work."

Mention work, and he reverts to that cold, expressionless poker face. Although, from Chen Jiyan's observation, his daily routine seems to consist of either rejecting proposals or criticizing subordinates. It's not clear what's so urgent or important.

"Don't you think you're being irresponsible?" Leaving me here in the lurch, knowing nothing.

You Jinhui patiently instructs, "Behave yourself. No one will give you a hard time. If there are any problems, have them come to me."

"I refuse."

"What do you want then?" After half a minute of staring each other down, You Jinhui gives in again.

"I'll go to Ding Shu with you, and we'll come back together."

It's raining again in Ding Shu.

The moment You Jinhui arrives here, he becomes like a wound-up machine, operating with high efficiency, becoming a cog in this massive fortress.

"This rejection notice requires your signature."

"An impromptu meeting, approximately thirty minutes."

"Keep it to twenty."

"Understood. And this young... gentleman, would you like anything?"

"Water, please."

You Jinhui doesn't avoid discussing matters in front of him. Chen Jiyan notices several subordinates exchanging glances. The office is completely open-plan, and since the boss hasn't said anything, everyone else tacitly ignores his presence.

Chen Jiyan is visibly fidgety at first, somewhat regretting coming here. There are no partitions, not even a break room. He has to sit in the farthest corner from the desk, pretending to be an idle onlooker admiring the view outside.

His previous visits were rushed, leaving his impression of Ding Shu limited to gloomy weather, torrential rain, cold furnishings, and an oppressive atmosphere.

Today, it's drizzle clearing up to clouds. Outside in the corridors and walkways, small groups of people stand chatting while working. There are no plants. The only thing that could be called a view is the sea of clouds in the distance and the faint, almost imperceptible sunlight at the horizon.

No wonder the wealthy all move to Man Du. This is a massive industrialized city, artificially crafted into a high-speed machine. Living here long-term would make anyone depressed. Only workaholics would like this place.

Looking back at the other end of the conference table... yep, the workaholic is currently expressionlessly chewing someone out.

Anger harms the liver. He wonders how You Jinhui's health is. Irregular schedule, skipping meals, yet still so energetic every day.

It seems waiting to inherit the Governor's assets might not be impossible after all. Of course, this dark, daring thought only surfaces briefly before being dismissed. How could he curse his own guardian? He's the one who puts a roof over his head and food on the table right now.

Given his current physical condition, it seems he'll have to travel frequently between the two places in the short term.

Back when work was tough, even though he'd often say things like "might as well die," he'd still obediently go to the hospital at the slightest problem. Having been inexplicably brought here, just like being born without anyone asking his opinion, Chen Jiyan still wants to live.

"Finished?"

His mind had wandered for a while. He notices the room has suddenly fallen silent, leaving only him and You Jinhui.

"So, back to Man Du now?"

"No rush."

"Your mother, she—"

"She just sent a message saying she's working overtime and won't be free for a while. We won't go today. Si Min happens to be here; let him show you around."

He shows me around? And what about you?

Receiving Chen Jiyan's strongly accusatory gaze, You Jinhui doesn't indulge him.

"Field duty. Can't take anyone with me."

Isn't he supposed to be mentally mature? Why is he so clingy?

Chen Jiyan simply couldn't stand the way people looked at him—like he was some rare giant panda—with wary concern and a kind of unspoken pity. He was afraid he'd have nightmares if he saw too much of it.

Si Min, the young man who had given him a set of assessment questions a couple days ago, didn't have that kind of overly sweet gaze. He was just a bit eccentric, with black eyes that reflected shrewd calculation, like a fox.

Compared to the former, this was much easier to accept.

Compared to his current guardian, Si Min really did seem idle.

"You just got here, so you probably don't know, but I'm actually on the same level as your governor. How can he boss a colleague around like this? It's so disrespectful."

"Same level?"

"What, don't I look the part?"

"The vibe is different."

"Well, don't you think I'm more dashing and charming, completely unlike his rigid seriousness? Want to consider joining the Education Department later?"

"It's the difference between a rich second-generation heir and a self-made man."

What he actually wanted to say was the difference between a slacker and a workaholic.

Though his usual behavior often drew criticism, being called out so bluntly still stung a little.

"Xiao Chen, you can't do that. Adults need to master the art of language. Being too reckless will get you into trouble."

"You Jinhui is an exception. He's sharp-tongued, but he can handle himself."

"I'm just honest."

"And I'm still a minor."

Unlike you scheming adults, hiding behind the label of a minor, any outrageous words or actions can be excused with "he's just a kid."

"My guardian is You Jinhui."

Anyway, he himself was already attracting enough resentment. Those who disliked him probably wouldn't think much better of me either. Might as well ride on his coattails and form a united front.

Besides, he really wasn't 25 yet. Thinking of this, Chen Jiyan felt even more justified.

"That's good too. So, can you just point at his nose and scold him whenever you're unhappy?"

He was honest, but it was a lethal kind of honesty.

"Not that brave."

"Alright, I thought someone had finally emerged to do what the rest of us wouldn't dare." Si Min said with genuine disappointment.

"This building has been around for a long time, housing all of Ding Shu's working citizens. The top thirteen floors belong to the government, while the lower levels are a mixed bag—all sorts of people doing all sorts of things. If you're bored, don't go down there. They're very cliquey."

"Cliquey?"

"Of course. Every job corresponds to resources. They rely on that to make a living. If you go, not only will you disturb their work, but you'll also be mistaken for someone trying to snatch their resources."

Maybe it was because the FS concentration was too high. Even though they were standing high up with an open view, it felt hard to breathe, with a stifling pressure in his chest.

Both physically and mentally.

Si Min strolled leisurely, knowing exactly where the turns were and which spots had nice views without even looking—clearly a regular here.

"Don't worry, your guardian will get you sorted out. Just obediently follow along and find a mid-level position. Of course, if you don't want to work at all, that's completely fine too. The Research Institute has always welcomed you. As long as You Jinhui is around, and you don't overthrow him to take his place, Ding Shu isn't that scary."

He added, "You could practically do whatever you want."

"You envy me?"

Not colleagues, not exactly friends either, but chatting with him felt surprisingly relaxed.

"I don't have such good fortune. As a rich second-generation heir, I can't afford to cause trouble that reflects back on the family. The little ones below would tear me apart."

"That's the advantage of being the sole heir—you can do whatever you want."

After hearing him out, it seemed like his life was already laid out before him: just be a useless freeloader waiting to die.

"What if my guardian falls from power?" he asked a crucial question.

"Run. Run far away from Ding Shu, to a place where no one knows you. Don't stay in Man City either—head to Mo Port in the far south. If even that doesn't work, Ai Shi can still offer a bite to eat."

"Personal advice, no need to be so tense. A troublemaker like You Jinhui is bound to last a thousand years."

"Getting off track. Anyway, under the parliament, there are four departments. I'm from the Education Department. You can probably guess from my vibe."

Chen Jiyan shook his head honestly. No, no, no. With your vibe, you look like a social element who'd be held up as a negative example in a school-wide announcement, warning all teachers and students to stay away. I really can't tell you're in academia or education.

And you're a blondie too.

"The folks from the Ministry of Defense are always fierce and intimidating. You can smell the gunpowder on them from ten meters away. Stay away from them if you can."

"The Justice Department—we don't interact much with them usually. You'll need them for notarizing documents when you inherit assets, and also, if you get married in the future, you'll have to go through their procedures for the license."

"Then there's You Jinhui's Finance Bureau. Nothing much to say—the world's biggest creditor, Ding Shu's busiest person."

"Not as good as our loving and peaceful Education Bureau."

Si Min finished his summary and extended an invitation.

"Actually," Chen Jiyan organized his words, "I haven't really thought about the future yet."

"That's normal. Newcomers always go through a period of confusion. Job rotation might help solve that."

"To live in Ding Shu, do you have to be tied to a job?"

"Of course, and you actually have to work. Not long ago, your governor cleared out a bunch of parasites."

"Them?"

"Back to Man City, and some went to Mo Port."

During You Jinhui's tenure, not only did Ding Shu develop rapidly, but Mo Port's population also steadily increased—mainly former Ding Shu employees who opposed his policies, along with their second-generation descendants.

Mo Port absorbed these people, along with their capital, allowing more manpower and resources to be invested in public infrastructure.

Though it would be hard to integrate into this society in a short time, after a brief understanding, Chen Jiyan felt it was unlikely he'd stay in Ding Shu.

Fortunately, before turning 25, he didn't have to worry about making a living just yet. As for what comes after—he'd figure it out if he made it to 25.