In fact, Lin Yushu’s attention to Song Qiming wasn’t solely because of work.
After all, he enjoyed car racing, and the racing community was relatively small. Song Qiming was frequently covered by automotive media, making it hard for Lin Yushu to ignore him.
However, it was indeed work-related, and his focus was somewhat different from others, leaning more towards Song Qiming’s personal life.
For example, he knew that Wolfgang was a male dog, that Song Qiming liked to feed him raw meat, and he even knew that Song Qiming was gay and had a continuous stream of rumored boyfriends.
So, ultimately, Lin Yushu’s attention to Song Qiming started out of his hobby but deepened due to work. However, he didn’t want to reveal the part about his hobby because he knew that Song Qiming would sniff it out and pounce on him, using his claws to pin him down.
“Because of work requirements.” It was unrealistic to ask for time to reverse, so Lin Yushu could only provide an explanation. “You’re a member of the Shao family, and it’s my job to have information about you.”
Although his answer seemed flawless, it wasn’t particularly convincing.
“Is that so?” Song Qiming chuckled. “I thought the job of an investment manager was to handle investments. I didn’t expect it also included keeping an eye on my Instagram.”
Indeed, he couldn’t fool him, but at least Lin Yushu maintained his composure on the surface. “My job involves more than just investments.”
As the two engaged in their conversation, Wolfgang, who had been squatting nearby, seemed to relax his vigilance gradually. He tentatively approached and sniffed at Lin Yushu’s trouser leg.
Honestly, when Lin Yushu had seen this large dog on Instagram before, he didn’t think much of it. But now, with those thick and powerful paws right in front of him, the sense of pressure was truly overwhelming. He couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the wine bottle, afraid that it might pounce if it became displeased.
“Wowo, sit down.” Song Qiming must have noticed Lin Yushu’s nervousness and called Wolfgang back, who was constantly trying to approach.
Then, he looked at the bottle of white wine in Lin Yushu’s hand and raised his chin. “What are you doing with the wine?”
…Alright, another explanation was needed.
It was unexpected yet not unexpected that the new neighbor turned out to be Song Qiming.
This residential area was developed by Yong Xing Real Estate, not far from the company, so it was normal for Song Qiming to choose to live here.
But Lin Yushu found it somewhat strange. The negotiations hadn’t been finalized yet, but Song Qiming had already moved in. Did that mean he had already decided to return to the country for development, apart from the acquisition?
Could it be that he had other plans?
The thought flickered but Lin Yushu didn’t have time to delve into it because he had to come up with an explanation for why he was wearing home clothes and brought a bottle of wine from his house.
…Taking the wine could be justified, but the home clothes were really difficult to explain.
Perhaps he could say that the wine was about to expire, and he planned to throw it away.
But that would be quite wasteful.
Or maybe he could say that the weather was nice today, and he decided to take the bottle of wine out for a stroll.
…That would be absurd.
Lin Yushu could handle many situations with ease, but he always seemed to slip up in front of Song Qiming.
In the end, he could only confess honestly, “It’s a housewarming gift for the new neighbor.”
“That’s nice of you.” Song Qiming walked up to Lin Yushu as if wanting to share the weight and considerately took the bottle of wine. “How about coming to my place?”
Lin Yushu immediately refused, “I don’t drink during the day.”
Song Qiming opened the door, saying, “I have tea at home.”
Without waiting for Lin Yushu to come up with another excuse, he added, “We’ll be running into each other all the time. Are you sure you want to avoid me?”
The conversation had reached this point, and if Lin Yushu continued to refuse, it would indeed be disrespectful.
Moreover, the gift had already been given, so there was no reason not to interact.
Lin Yushu could only console himself, grateful that other members of the Shao family didn’t live in this building. Otherwise, he would have a hard time explaining how he ended up having a tea-drinking relationship with Song Qiming.
The residential complex had been delivered in a fully furnished state, and both units had a black-and-white-gray style. If not for the different furniture styles, Lin Yushu would have almost thought he had returned to his own home.
The display cabinet next to the TV stand was filled with car models. With just a glance, Lin Yushu couldn’t help but involuntarily walk over. But then, he heard Song Qiming from behind saying, “The tea is on the sideboard, the instant hot water dispenser can provide hot water, just make it yourself.”
Lin Yushu: “…”
Was this his home? He had to make the tea himself?
“Forget it.” Lin Yushu sat down on the sofa and idly watched Song Qiming wiping Wolfgang’s paws.
The large dog obediently squatted at the entrance, and when Song Qiming said “left paw,” it raised its left front paw, allowing Song Qiming to wipe off the dirt with a wet tissue.
After both front paws were wiped, it stood up on its own accord. When Song Qiming said “left hind leg,” it lifted its left rear leg to make it easier for Song Qiming to continue wiping.
What a well-behaved dog, Lin Yushu thought to himself.
But as soon as Song Qiming finished wiping Wolfgang’s paws, it ran towards Lin Yushu in an excited manner, jumped onto the sofa, and continued sniffing at his clothes.
Lin Yushu was startled and froze, not daring to move on the sofa armrest.
At the right moment, Song Qiming reprimanded, “Wolfgang, no jumping on the sofa!”
As if afraid of being reprimanded, the mischievous dog didn’t retreat the same way it came but instead crossed over Lin Yushu’s head and jumped down from the armrest.
He was caught off guard when the dog’s paw forcefully kicked his chest. Lin Yushu clutched his chest, almost spitting blood. What kind of hospitality was this?
“Are you okay?” Song Qiming sat down beside Lin Yushu, and his hand reached into the collar of Lin Yushu’s home clothes. “Let me see.”
“No need.” Lin Yushu frowned and swatted away Song Qiming’s hand with a “smack.” “You take care of it.”
“I’ll deal with it later.” Song Qiming still had some conscience left and went to the sideboard to make two cups of hot tea.
The TV was playing a snooker match on the sports channel, with no commentary, making it a perfect background for conversation.
Finally finding an opportunity, Lin Yushu tried to ask Song Qiming why he had moved in before finalizing the acquisition. But just as he took a sip of the hot tea, contemplating how to open the topic, Song Qiming spoke first, “What information do you all have about me?”
—There was no preamble, just a direct question. Lin Yushu should really learn from him.
“Just publicly available information.”
On the TV, the cue ball couldn’t find a suitable attacking route, so after lightly touching a red ball, it returned to the bottom cushion for defense.
“What specific information?” Song Qiming asked again.
“Do you really care?” Lin Yushu responded.
The cue ball went on the offensive again, breaking up the cluster of red balls. As a result, there were attacking opportunities everywhere.
“Of course.” Song Qiming held his teacup, his tone natural. “It’s related to whether this acquisition is a trap or not.”
Lin Yushu knew that Song Qiming would inevitably bring up the topic of the acquisition when he invited him over.
Originally, he had sent the wine to expand his network, but now it seemed that he had clearly fallen into a trap.
He didn’t respond and quietly drank his tea, deliberately avoiding the topic.
Song Qiming apparently noticed Lin Yushu’s avoidance and stopped discussing the acquisition. Instead, he said, “A few days ago, I saw your Civic in the parking lot downstairs, but I didn’t expect you to live right across from me.”
“I didn’t expect it either,” Lin Yushu replied. “Where’s your car?”
“It’s downstairs,” Song Qiming said. “No parking spaces on the first basement level, so it’s parked on the second basement level.”
No wonder Lin Yushu hadn’t seen the GTR downstairs. If he had seen it earlier, he would have guessed that Song Qiming was the one who moved in across from him.
“I heard that your family is involved in the new energy vehicle industry,” Song Qiming suddenly said.
Lin Yushu’s action of drinking tea paused. “Heard?”
“It was your friends who told me.” Song Qiming was obviously referring to the people in the car enthusiasts’ circle. “I also heard that you’re about to be promoted to CEO of the Family Office.”
That’s not right.
Lu Zibo and the others didn’t know that Lin Yushu was about to be promoted. Strictly speaking, this matter was still uncertain, as the people in the Family Office simply assumed he would be the next CEO.
“You’ve been inquiring about me?” Lin Yushu set down his teacup and furrowed his brow slightly.
“Just asking casually,” Song Qiming smiled. “Do you care?”
He repeated Lin Yushu’s words verbatim.
Lin Yushu suddenly realized that Song Qiming seemed more difficult to handle than Shao Guangjie.
The cue ball on the TV found itself in an unfavorable position and had to abandon the attack, returning to the bottom cushion to continue defending.
“What did you ask?” Lin Yushu asked casually.
He had thought that Song Qiming would respond with some literary nonsense like he did, but to his surprise, Song Qiming straightforwardly said, “I heard that you have excellent work abilities, and Shao Guangjie is trying to win you over.”
The topic returned to work again.
Lin Yushu didn’t want to engage in this topic and deliberately diverted the focus. “So now you know that I’m not his lover anymore.”
“Mm,” Song Qiming acknowledged, then asked, “But did he win you over?”
“You guess.”
Lin Yushu sipped his hot tea indifferently, thinking, trying to fish information out of me? Seems a bit naive.
Song Qiming probably couldn’t grasp Lin Yushu’s motivation for suggesting he change lawyers, so he wanted to clarify the matter.
But who was Lin Yushu?
When he got cunning, he could slip away like a professional skater. It wasn’t easy to catch him.
He secretly anticipated that this visit would end in at most ten more minutes.
Song Qiming stopped asking questions and turned his head to watch the match on TV.
Despite the player’s excellent defense, the opponent still found a breakthrough and seized the opportunity for a counterattack. All the red balls were potted, and each colored ball was subsequently pocketed.
“Do you have time later?” Song Qiming suddenly asked.
Today was the first day of the National Day holiday, and most people were out enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, Lin Yushu had no plans at all.
Judging from Song Qiming’s appearance, he seemed equally idle.
“What’s up?” Lin Yushu replied with a question.
“My car is downstairs,” Song Qiming said, “Want to take a look?”
Lin Yushu: “…” You’re cheating.
Lin Yushu tried to avoid engaging in deeper conversation with Song Qiming, but how could this person tempt him with a GTR?
Unlike the day at the racetrack, where there were people all around, if the two of them went downstairs today to see the car, Lin Yushu believed there would be no third party present, and he wouldn’t have to worry about Shao Guangjie discovering his interaction with Song Qiming.
However, Lin Yushu warned himself in his mind that hobbies were hobbies, and work was work. He must never let his hobby affect his work.
“My car is equipped with an RB26 engine,” Song Qiming looked at Lin Yushu and asked casually, “Are you really not going to take a look?”
…This bastard.
Lin Yushu pursed his lips and finally couldn’t resist the temptation. He had no choice but to put on an air and say, “I’ll just take a quick look.”
After saying that, he stood up and walked towards the door on his own, unaware of the amused smile on Song Qiming’s face behind him.
