Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The business purpose of this trip was straightforward: Ji Yunzhuo signed the contract and agreed to the other party’s request for a shared meal.

Xia Yinxi rummaged through his suitcase for clothes, lost in thought.

That morning, as they’d left, Ji Yunzhuo had given him a long, hesitant look. Though he’d ultimately said nothing, Xia Yinxi understood the moment they arrived at the partner company’s office.

Everyone wore identical black suits—except him. He wore a light blue one.

The color itself wasn’t the issue. But all Xia Yinxi’s suits featured loose V-necks, and with his looks and physique, he looked like he was strutting down a red carpet wherever he went.

The partner company’s CEO glanced at him several times, then shot a few pointed looks at Ji Yunzhuo—eyes full of unspoken speculation, as if already imagining some dramatic backstory.

When Gao Qian introduced him as a personal assistant, the CEO’s expression grew even more bewildered.

Xia Yinxi quietly smoothed his clothes, suddenly wondering whether the original owner had avoided meeting business partners with Xia Yucheng precisely because he hated wearing formal attire.

Spoiled brat!

…Wait?

Xia Yinxi paused.

What was that plotline the system had mentioned earlier?

The system’s words from that day suddenly surfaced in his mind: *The original owner, not being the biological son, had framed and slandered the true heir—and even hired kidnappers to target him. Later, he was manipulated by a business rival into stealing the Xia family’s confidential files.*

Xia Yinxi had always assumed the original owner pursued the true heir solely for the inheritance. But now it seemed he didn’t even want the business. So what *was* his motive?

Was it just that possessive, “I don’t want it—but no one else can have it” mentality?

As he pondered, Xia Yinxi realized the system had been silent for quite some time. It used to pop up frequently, but lately, it had gone eerily quiet.

It seemed to have vanished entirely after announcing it was “going to a meeting.”

“System?” Xia Yinxi tried calling out.

“I’m here, host.”

The system responded instantly—only deepening Xia Yinxi’s suspicion. “Why haven’t you said anything lately?”

“…The higher-ups instructed me not to disturb the host excessively,” the system replied reluctantly. “I’ll notify you when a task arises.”

“?”

He remembered how, right after his transmigration, the system had been extremely enthusiastic about its duties—and deeply invested in getting him to complete tasks.

Yet aside from marrying Ji Yunzhuo, no other tasks had appeared.

Extremely strange.

The system fell silent again—just as Gao Qian’s call came through. Xia Yinxi pushed the system aside for now, grabbed whatever clothes were at hand, changed quickly, and headed downstairs.

It was just a meal—surely he didn’t need formal wear, right?

That thought hit him like a slap in the face the moment he saw Ji Yunzhuo and Gao Qian waiting downstairs.

“Isn’t this just dinner? Why do I have to dress up *this* much?”

Gao Qian: “It’s a business dinner.”

Xia Yinxi: “…”

The random outfit he’d snatched downstairs consisted of white suspenders paired with pants embroidered with cartoonish floral patterns across the chest—and a plain light-purple T-shirt. He looked like he hadn’t even graduated college yet.

A gaze—not intense, yet somehow scorching—landed on Xia Yinxi. He instinctively stepped back. “I’m not going.”

Ji Yunzhuo wouldn’t yell at him, right?!

“No need.” Ji Yunzhuo opened the car door. “Get in.”

Xia Yinxi approached slowly, halted beside him, then slipped swiftly into the vehicle.

Ji Yunzhuo let out a faint, odd chuckle, closed the door, and walked around to the driver’s side.

Gao Qian’s jaw dropped: “O口O?!”

Outside the window, green mountains rolled past. Though the sun had set, the air remained clear enough to see clouds stacked high in the sky. Leaning against the car door, Xia Yinxi suddenly felt—strangely—he could live here.

Once the real heir returned… once he divorced Ji Yunzhuo… once he secured his share of the family fortune… buying a place in this city wouldn’t be half bad.

They arrived at their usual spot, and Xia Yinxi spotted “Ming Ji” immediately. To align with Nancheng’s local culinary scene, the menu featured numerous specialty dishes—his stomach nearly growled just from glancing at them.

“President Ji?”

When they reached the top floor, someone called out. Xia Yinxi turned—and recognized the woman instantly.

Gao Qian quickly introduced her: “President Ji, this is Zhu Hua from the Business Department of the Nancheng branch.”

Ah—right. He’d seen her group photo on Qiao Yan’s social feed.

“Hello.” Ji Yunzhuo greeted her, then asked, “Dining with a partner?”

Zhu Hua looked slightly flustered—but masked it quickly and nodded. “Yes. President Zheng from Fluorescence Tech is hosting.”

“Hang in there. Don’t forget to file for overtime.”

Zhu Hua gave a small laugh. “I won’t forget. Thank you, President Ji.”

After brief pleasantries, Gao Qian introduced Xia Yinxi—but Zhu Hua only managed a hurried greeting before a phone call pulled her away.

The second “Fluorescence Technology” was mentioned, Xia Yinxi noticed Gao Qian’s expression shift. Before they entered the private room, he asked, “Assistant Gao—is there something wrong with President Zheng?”

Ji Yunzhuo stopped mid-step and turned.

Gao Qian hesitated briefly before answering. “I’ve heard from colleagues in Nancheng that President Zheng pressures people into drinking—and often gets overly familiar with female staff.”

“Why hasn’t this been escalated?” Ji Yunzhuo frowned.

“Some have reported it—but there’s no concrete evidence. And President Zhou at the Nancheng office believes they’re overreacting.” Gao Qian glanced at Xia Yinxi and cautiously asked, “President Ji—what should we do…?”

Ji Yunzhuo paused, thoughtful—then was about to speak when, from the corner of his eye, he caught Xia Yinxi squinting at Zhu Hua’s retreating figure while rubbing his own wrist. “…”

“Assistant Xia—you handle it.”

Xia Yinxi immediately flashed an “OK” gesture—and asked preemptively, “Since it’s our turf, no one’s calling the police, right?”

Gao Qian: “?” Ji Yunzhuo chuckled. “No. Just don’t get lost.”

Xia Yinxi: "Which room?"

Inside the "Dreamlike Melody" private room, Zhu Hua sat with chopsticks in hand, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles. Two men flanked her on either side, reeking of smoke and booze, making her so nauseous she wanted to puke.

Zheng Taijian refilled Zhu Hua's empty glass: "I've heard from Director Zhou you can hold your liquor. Today, I want to see it for myself! Don't hold back now!"

Zhou Haoliang chimed in: "Xiao Zhu, you've gotta keep President Zheng happy today. This deal of ours..."

Zhu Hua gripped her glass, thinking about just throwing the drink in his face, slapping him twice, and quitting.

Although Ming Ji's salary and benefits were really good, and her colleagues were nice, that damn Zhou was a total scumbag.

"Come on, Xiao Zhu, one more drink!" Zheng Taijian raised his glass, his other hand reaching for Zhu Hua's shoulder. Just as she was about to kick him, a voice interrupted.

"How about I have a drink with you instead?"

A clear, gentle voice cut through the noisy party. Everyone turned to the door, where a handsome young man leaned against the frame, tall and elegant with an air of distinction, looking like a college kid in his early twenties.

The room went quiet for a moment before Zhou Haoliang asked, "Who are you..."

Xia Yinxi walked straight to the head of the table and motioned for Zhu Hua to make room for him. She, as if pardoned, quickly stood up and hurried to a seat by the door.

"President Zheng, right?" Xia Yinxi smiled at him. "I'm Assistant to President Ji. My last name is Xia."

"President Ji?" At the mention of Ji Yunzhuo's name, Zheng Taijian sobered up a bit and quickly glanced at the door. Luckily, Xia Yinxi quickly put him at ease: "President Ji isn't here."

Xia Yinxi was good-looking, with a lean build, and his smile seemed totally harmless. Zheng Taijian's mind quickly jumped to conclusions about his relationship with Ji Yunzhuo and had the waiter bring an extra glass.

"Xiao Xia, right? You work for President Ji..."

"Which one is Director Zhou?" Xia Yinxi couldn't be bothered with his nonsense and looked at the fat, pig-headed man on the other side. "Is it you?"

Zhou Haoliang felt a chill under his gaze. Whether it was the alcohol or not, his heart was racing, and he nodded involuntarily.

Xia Yinxi nodded too. "Waiter, step out and close the door. We have business to discuss."

The experienced staff at Ming Ji quickly filed out and shut the door tight.

"You... Ah!!!"

Xia Yinxi stretched out his long leg and kicked Zheng Taijian's chair with tremendous force, sending him face-first to the floor. The gap between the armrests caught his calf, bending it like a lever, nearly snapping the bone.

Before he could struggle to get out, Xia Yinxi stepped on the other leg sticking out of the chair. "President Zheng, don't try to crawl. I might accidentally break it."

The man who had been all smiles just moments ago still wore a faint grin, his lips curved in a shallow smile, yet it sent an inexplicable chill down everyone's spine.

"You, you, you... Call the cops! Call the cops!"

Except for Zhou Haoliang, everyone else looked away, playing deaf and dumb. Xia Yinxi picked up a glass, flicked his wrist, and hit Zhou Haoliang's hand, numbing it and sending his phone flying.

One man lay on the ground screaming, while the other clutched his wrist groaning. Zhu Hua couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Xia Yinxi looked at her and blinked.

Suddenly inspired, Zhu Hua scurried over to him and kicked the chair with all her might.

"Ah!!!!!!"

Zheng Taijian's scream nearly pierced the walls, but whether it was Ming Ji's excellent soundproofing or the waitstaff's professionalism, there was no sound from outside.

Xia Yinxi's phone buzzed a few times. He sat down, pulled out his phone, and kept his foot on Zheng Taijian's chair.

"President Zheng." Xia Yinxi glanced at messages from colleagues in the tech and legal departments and smiled. "Fluorescence Technology—we're done cooperating. I hope you'll come to Ming Ji tomorrow and kowtow to apologize to the employees you've harassed."

Zheng Taijian's leg was bent at an unnatural angle, and he was in too much pain to speak. Xia Yinxi pressed down with his foot. "Otherwise, I'll hand over evidence of Fluorescence Technology's tax evasion, bid rigging, and illegal fundraising to the police."

"I... I'll apologize! I'll apologize!!!"

"Good." Xia Yinxi then turned to Zhou Haoliang. "Director Zhou, you're fired. I hope you'll kowtow and apologize with President Zheng tomorrow, or else..."

Before the threat was finished, Zhou Haoliang nodded frantically: "I agree! I agree!!"

"Xiao Zhu." Xia Yinxi turned back. Zhu Hua raised her hand: "Here!"

"Let's add each other on WeChat. You'll supervise them, film the apology, and send it to me. If their kneeling posture isn't up to standard, they'll have to do it again."

"Got it, Assistant Xia! Mission guaranteed!"

The others in the room had varied expressions. Xia Yinxi scanned them but said nothing.

Though he didn't speak, those forced into compliance looked relieved, while those who had enabled the behavior avoided his gaze, fearing they'd be implicated.

Xia Yinxi decided to ask Zhu Hua later and try to get rid of all the bad elements.

Having completed his task, Xia Yinxi reported to Ji Yunzhuo via his phone, carefully closed the private room door, and went back to find him for dinner.

Zhu Hua followed him out and asked cautiously, "Assistant Xia? Is this really okay? Fluorescence has been partnering with our branch for years..."

Xia Yinxi: "This is President Ji's decision."

Zhu Hua hesitated, her tone filled with disbelief: "Did President Ji tell you to... beat him up like that?"

Xia Yinxi: "..."

Ji Yunzhuo told him to handle it, so however he handled it was Ji Yunzhuo's intention.

So he nodded confidently: "That's right! I'm heading back to report to President Ji now!"

As Xia Yinxi turned to leave, Zhu Hua quickly pointed in another direction: "I heard from Assistant Gao that they're in 'Jade Spring Pavilion.' You need to go through this hallway."

"..." He almost went the wrong way again.

"Assistant Xia." Zhu Hua called out to him. "Thank you so much for today. All of us thank you!"

Another shy girl beside Zhu Hua nodded vigorously from behind her.

"No need. It's our oversight at headquarters for not catching this situation in the company." Xia Yinxi suddenly turned serious. "On behalf of Ming Ji, I apologize to you."

Zhu Hua's eyes welled up, and her voice turned tearful: "I was just thinking of punching him and quitting."

"But I really need this job." Tears streamed down Zhu Hua's face. "Thank you, thank President Ji, boohoo..."

"If something like this happens again, make sure to report it immediately. Don't worry about lacking evidence." Xia Yinxi glanced at his phone and relayed Ji Yunzhuo's message. "President Ji says he'll set up a department to investigate employee exploitation and asked me to apologize to you on his behalf again."

The two girls quickly shook their heads: "No, no, no..."

"Finance will contact you about compensation."

Zhu Hua, teary-eyed, said, "Great!"

"Then I'll head off now. I'll send out the details in the work group tomorrow."

Xia Yinxi, hands in his pockets, walked down the hallway looking for the private room, finally spotting "Yulouchun" at the end.

"Knock, knock, knock." A head poked into the room. "Mr. Ji, I've handled it."

Ji Yunzhuo grunted and introduced him to the client, "This is Xia Yinxi, my assistant."

"Assistant Xia, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too!" Xia Yinxi shook hands and took the empty seat next to Ji Yunzhuo. "Mr. Ji, should I call an ambulance?"

The client froze mid-toast.

Ji Yunzhuo asked, "How bad is it?"

"Might be a fracture," Xia Yinxi said, taking a big bite of fried pork cutlet. "I don't think it's too bad."

Gao Qian quietly grabbed his phone and slipped out of the room.