Chapter 8

Chapter 8

*

Jin Mo's eyes were fixed on the TV screen, but every bit of her focus was on the person beside her.

After a brief silence, she turned her head and replied softly, in a tone that echoed his from a moment ago: "All these years, you've known every single person I've ever met. And whether I like someone or not, don't you already know?"

The two of them had been practically glued at the hip since childhood.

From kindergarten to college, they had attended the same school every step of the way. Although he was one year ahead of her, during the times they weren't at the same school, he'd still show up at her school every single day without fail to walk her home.

Her teachers were his teachers; her classmates were his underclassmen.

Before graduating from high school, Yin Jihong had offers from a pile of top universities both at home and abroad. He could've gone to his dream school overseas, which had promised him the best resources and projects.

Yet in the end, he decisively chose a top domestic university in S City—the exact same university that was Jin Mo's first choice.

On the day Jin Mo accompanied him to register at the university, she couldn't help asking him why he'd made that choice.

At the time, Yin Jihong was holding two cups of milk tea. He inserted a straw into one and handed it to her, answering her question with something completely off-topic: "Momo, a year from now, I'll be here waiting for you."

Jin Mo's grades had always been solid, and with Yin Jihong tutoring her along the way, she crushed the college entrance exam, scoring twenty points above her first-choice school's cutoff. She successfully entered the same university as Yin Jihong, once again completely fusing their social circles together.

To say their social circles overlapped would be an understatement—there wasn't a single person Jin Mo knew that Yin Jihong didn't know.

She was introverted by nature and rarely made the first move when it came to making friends. Aside from her college roommates Yan Qinxuan and Jin Yuan, everyone else she knew had basically been introduced to her by Yin Jihong.

Hearing that, Yin Jihong gently pushed the question back at her: "Whether you like someone or not, you've never once mentioned it to me."

Jin Mo let out a helpless sigh. "...Who could I even like?"

Among their mutual friends, after his careful "screening process," there were already very few guys to begin with—either they were taken, or they were gay. And as for his business buddies, he basically never let her have any contact with them.

So tell me, in this little world of hers that he'd so thoroughly fenced off, what single guys were even left for her to like?

"So tell me, what type of guy do you like?" Yin Jihong raised an eyebrow at this point, his tone sounding light and casual. "Your Brother Ji has sharp eyes and a big network—I can help you find someone."

Jin Mo gently bit her lower lip.

At an angle he couldn't see, her fingers quietly clenched the foot of the strawberry bear plush.

Feeling his gaze locked on her face, she didn't hesitate long. Meeting his eyes, she said softly, "Someone refined and steady, I guess."

Yin Jihong's Adam's apple bobbed.

He instinctively glanced down at his own sloppy, unrestrained look—the kind of guy who did whatever he wanted when his temper flared—and curled the corner of his mouth in self-mockery.

Refined and steady.

Those four words were probably the last thing anyone would ever associate with him.

Just as he was about to say something, his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the caller ID and answered: "What's up?"

Whoever it was said something, and his brows furrowed: "Didn't I already tell them earlier I can't make it tonight?"

Jin Mo met his gaze as he looked over at her and gave a small shake of her head.

Meaning: if he had something urgent, he should go ahead and not worry about her—she'd just call a ride home later.

A moment later, Yin Jihong hung up the phone.

She turned off the TV and asked, "What's up?"

"There's a dinner thing I'd already turned down, but now it looks like I might have to go." He ran a hand through his hair. "Two other investment firms want to bring me in on a big project, but there's no rush—it could wait till after the New Year. But just now, they went and dragged Peng He, Ning Wen, and Meng Yu into it. They're clearly trying to corner me."

At the mention of those names, Jin Mo's mouth fell open a little.

Peng He, Ning Wen, and Meng Yu—these were names that even people who didn't follow the entertainment industry would know.

Peng He was the country's top director, with countless international awards under his belt and the first Chinese person to achieve the Grand Slam of directing.

Ning Wen and Meng Yu were the golden actors Peng He had groomed. Under his guidance, the two had gone on to win Best Actress and Best Actor at major ceremonies, and they were at the peak of their fame—their faces plastered everywhere.

Plus, Jin Mo had watched almost every film starring Ning Wen and Meng Yu, and she genuinely thought of them as powerhouse actors.

"The other two firms deliberately put me on the spot, and they even told Peng He and the others I'd be part of this project. So if I don't show up tonight, it'd be a bit rude on my part."

Yin Jihong stood up from the sofa, trying to suppress the irritation in his voice. "I wouldn't mind entertaining clients 360 days a year, but today's Little New Year. I don't want to spend it with outsiders."

Jin Mo looked at him. "Did you already turn it down?"

Yin Jihong: "Not yet. I had Shu stall them for now."

The Shu who'd just called was Cheng Shu, Yin Jihong's assistant.

"Don't worry about it." Jin Mo set the strawberry bear pillow on the sofa and looked up at him. "If it's not a hassle, would you mind taking me along?"

Yin Jihong froze.

He looked down at her—the serene, beautiful girl in front of him was gazing up at him with a questioning look, and she didn't seem to be joking.

In all these years, she'd almost never attended his business dinners. First, because she didn't like noisy gatherings and didn't want to get tangled up in the complicated web of relationships in that circle; second, because he didn't want her exposed to that kind of mixed, chaotic scene.

"Like you said, if you don't go tonight, you'd be slighting everyone, which would be bad for both you and the Yin Group. If I remember right, the Yin Group still has a few collaborations with Ning Wen and the others coming up. I've never heard you say a bad word about them, so they must be worth working with, right?"

Her tone was calm and measured. "I actually admire Ning Wen and Meng Yu quite a bit, and I wouldn't mind meeting them. If you bring me along, we can spend Little New Year together without holding you back from work."

Yin Jihong stared at her steadily, the tension from their earlier conversation about feelings slowly melting away.

He knew better than anyone that she genuinely hated these kinds of occasions deep down. Saying she admired Ning Wen and Meng Yu was just her way of making him feel better.

She was willing to put herself out, going with him late at night to a place she didn't enjoy, just so she could spend this Little New Year with him.

"There's nothing inconvenient about it."

Yin Jihong slowly lowered himself, sitting casually on the edge of the coffee table. "But are you sure? They booked a KTV—it'll be loud, there'll be a lot of drinking, and they might even call in hostesses. I can at least make them step outside to smoke... Are you really okay with that?"

Jin Mo smiled. "It's not like I've never been to a KTV."

Yin Jihong studied her for another moment, then carefully told her: "The project will be wrapped up quickly, and a few pleasantries to keep them happy won't take long either. None of this should take too much time."

She nodded. "Okay."

His gaze was focused and soft. "If you feel uncomfortable or uneasy at any point, tell me right away, and I'll take you home immediately."

Jin Mo let out a soft laugh. "I'm not a princess and the pea, and I'm not that fragile. With you here, who could possibly do anything to me?"

Hearing this, Yin Jihong's brow instantly softened.

"You're not one to be fussy," he said softly.

"But I do wish that, by my side, you'd let yourself be a little more pampered."

-

Yin Jihong went into the bedroom to change clothes. By the time he came out, Cheng Shu was already downstairs.

Jin Mo followed Yin Jihong into the back seat. Cheng Shu in the passenger seat turned around to see her, a quick flicker of surprise behind his glasses before returning to calm.

He adjusted his glasses and nodded at her warmly: "Miss Jin."

Jin Mo fastened her seatbelt and teased Cheng Shu: "Shu, you're literally China's best employee."

Cheng Shu had been the first right-hand man Yin Jihong personally recruited when he first took over the Yin family business. He was fully responsible for arranging all of Yin Jihong's schedules and also helped him make business decisions—a position second only to Yin Jihong.

In fact, Cheng Shu was about the same age as them, didn't have much seniority or experience to speak of. Yet his elite education, sharp mind, rock-steady emotions, and professional attitude had earned Yin Jihong's appreciation, beating out all other competitors.

In this day and age, emotional stability was practically a must-have for a top-tier guy.

Jin Mo had known him as long as he'd been with Yin Jihong. He was genuinely kind-hearted and easygoing—after all, putting up with someone as free-spirited, willful, and arrogant as Yin Jihong was no easy task. Jin Mo had a good relationship with him too.

Cheng Shu took the teasing in stride, smiling: "How so?"

Jin Mo: "You're still working the night before New Year's Eve, and you made it to your boss's place within ten minutes of hanging up. Most people really couldn't do that."

Cheng Shu's eyes curved: "When I called Mr. Yin, I was already in his neighborhood, because I knew he'd end up going to this gathering after all."

Jin Mo couldn't help but nudge Yin Jihong lightly with her shoulder: "You'd better not treat Shu unfairly. These days, it's rare to find someone who works that hard and takes such good care of their boss."

"Ask him—have I ever shortchanged him?" The car's heat was cranked up, and Yin Jihong casually unbuttoned one button, the line of his neck sharp and attractive. "I even let him leave early this morning to go home and spend New Year's with his family. It's those two old farts who won't cut us a break."

Cheng Shu laughed: "Don't worry, Miss Jin. Mr. Yin gave me twice last year's year-end bonus this year, and he even got gift cards and New Year's goodies for my family. Other than my parents, nobody treats me better than Mr. Yin."

Jin Mo turned her head to look at Yin Jihong, whose face was practically screaming "praise me," and couldn't help but laugh: "Yes, yes, Brother Ji is the most generous and considerate."

She casually asked: "Shu, any plans for the New Year?"

Cheng Shu shook his head: "Tomorrow morning I'm driving my parents back to our hometown and staying until after the Lantern Festival."

Jin Mo: "It must be really nice to stay in your hometown."

Cheng Shu: "Yeah, everything's great except I can't escape the nagging about settling down."

Hearing this, Jin Mo looked at the handsome, refined Cheng Shu, a little surprised: "You're still single, huh?"

Cheng Shu nodded.

With Cheng Shu's education, job, and looks, he'd have no problem finding someone. Even though he wasn't originally from S City, after all these years with Yin Jihong, he'd already saved up most of a down payment for a place in S City—his credentials were solid.

Jin Mo thought for a moment: "With a job that demanding, it must be hard to find time to date."

Cheng Shu didn't deny that, but then Yin Jihong's slightly disgruntled voice chimed in from the side: "You can't blame me for him being single. I've seen girls at the company bringing him tea and water more than once—he's the one who wasn't interested, wouldn't even take the bait."

Cheng Shu smiled: "Even my boss is single—how could I possibly go after happiness before he does?"

Yin Jihong: "..."

Jin Mo was dying laughing.

Yin Jihong's face went dark for two seconds before he said with a smirk: "Cheng Shu, you're daring to make fun of your boss now? Still want to go home for New Year's tomorrow? I've got a stack of A+ proposals on my desk—Americans and Europeans don't celebrate Chinese New Year, you know. I wouldn't mind giving you something to do."

Cheng Shu said respectfully: "Sorry, boss. You're my idol—I just want to follow your example in every way."

As if worried Yin Jihong might actually go through with it, Cheng Shu quickly steered the conversation back to the upcoming gathering, briefing Yin Jihong on the latest moves of the two other capital bosses—Peng He, Ning Wen, and Meng Yu—so he'd be ready for whatever came up.

Cheng Shu spoke with precise logic and clear structure, and Jin Mo listened, totally engrossed.

But when she happened to glance sideways, she caught Yin Jihong staring at her, looking like he was lost in thought.

Jin Mo: "...What is it?"

"Nothing." Yin Jihong looked away and casually pointed at Cheng Shu, tilting his head at her. "Let me ask you—would you say he's the—refined and composed type?"

——————————

Author's note:

Red envelopes are still dropping randomly—66 of them! Please keep showering me with bookmarks, comments, and nutrient solution~ Love you all! And don't forget to bookmark my column! Reading everyone's comments every day makes me so happy!

Hahahaha Yin Puppy (all aggrieved, wanting to be mad but not daring to say a word): Refined and steady? God, I hope every refined and steady man on this planet disappears right now! Immediately!!!!

Momo: Actually, the refined and steady one I was talking about is you.

Confused puppy: ???

Their mutual care is so sweet—introverted Momo is willing to go to the business dinner, and the puppy wishes she'd be more spoiled and willful. They're both thinking about each other, sniffle. Cherish and savor this sweetness while it lasts!

Shu is such a sweetheart too! Getting bullied so badly by the Young Master.