“Anyway, any landlord charging only 800 a month must be a saint!”
Lin Yuhan gushed over the phone.
Yin Chen: “And then?”
“?”
“What more do you want, then?”
Yin Chen: “Did this saintly landlord not say anything when he saw your hands? Wasn’t he so strict about cleanliness? How did you pass?”
There was a teasing note in his voice.
?
Could it be… you really are a saint reincarnated?
Even a little slip I tried to sneak past was noticed?
Lin Yuhan stared at his phone expressionlessly.
“No, he’s just a really nice guy. Nothing happened.”
“Oh? You say so, then.”
Yin Chen spoke deliberately, slow and teasing.
He had to learn to respect friends’ little secrets… but still…
“Actually, I’m thinking, even if your hands were injured, using your feet might still be okay. What do you think?”
“…!”
“Damn it! I’ve got an interview, hanging up!”
Lin Yuhan slammed the phone down in frustration.
Not a saint reincarnated? Yet he could guess that?
Yin Chen, be a normal human!
So shamelessly teasing now?
Yin Chen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the phone screen, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
As expected.
It was still fun to treat Lin Yuhan like a friend.
How had he never realized before that teasing someone could be so entertaining?
“All done.”
After signing the last name, Yin Chen gestured to “Ah Mao,” who had been lingering nearby, to take away the processed documents on the desk.
All these files handled in one morning?
Ah Mao’s eyes betrayed his astonishment; he couldn’t help whispering.
Since breaking up with that person, President Yin seems… evolved!
He picked up the documents, sneaking a glance at Yin Chen.
Then slipped away.
Once outside, several of the secretary team surrounded him.
“Brother Mao, did you ask?”
“Huh? Ah…”
Ah Mao hesitated for a second.
Almost forgot! He was still on the gossip squad’s mission!
“No, I didn’t. When I went in, President Yin was on the phone with that person.”
“Ah?”
A male secretary, green amidst a sea of flowers, was puzzled.
“I thought they had broken up? What’s going on?”
Ah Mao set down the documents.
“Yes, they broke up. They’re just ordinary friends now.”
He recalled the conversation just now.
Emmmm, not only broken up, but President Yin is teasing people so effortlessly now.
No lingering pity at all.
The male secretary frowned, “Are you sure? It doesn’t seem right. President Yin has been glowing recently, looks radiant. And haven’t you noticed his wardrobe changes lately?”
He grew increasingly suspicious, letting out a long sigh.
“My President Yin… surely you haven’t fallen into another idiot’s tangled web, have you?”
“Relax. Definitely not in your overly worried, motherly web.”
Someone watching snorted.
The male secretary shrugged.
“Don’t play motherly. The point isn’t that! It’s why President Yin has changed so much!”
As he spoke, he extended an arm, grabbing Ah Mao’s neck.
“Brother Mao, do you really have no insider info? We’re counting on you.”
Why don’t they just trust me?
“Let go! I can’t breathe!”
Ah Mao struggled free, rolling his eyes.
“What’s the difference between you and me? You stare at President Yin every day—what have you figured out?”
All shook their heads.
Nothing at all.
“Forget it. President Yin just getting more attractive is our benefit anyway.”
Ah Mao consoled them.
“Also, recently he’s been smiling at us more, handling work more proactively than before. Isn’t that good enough?”
His words were met with glaring stares.
Ah Mao froze, stepping back slowly.
“Trying to run? No way! Oh, Brother Mao, still saying there’s no news?”
The male secretary lunged, grabbing him, and a few others quickly dragged him away.
“Speak! When did President Yin smile at you? Time, place, cause, process, result!”
“And what was the arc?”
???
Wait, what?
Are you secretaries or undercover criminal investigators?
And asking for the arc is ridiculous!
Do you expect me to measure it with a protractor on President Yin’s face???
Ah Mao gawked, mouth covered, dragged into a shadowed corner.
Yin Chen’s personal changes caused quite a stir at Yin Corporation.
People would secretly discuss in group chats—their long-standing, ever-consistent CEO suddenly changing his style.
As interest grew, some departments secretly started betting.
No one knew which department initiated it.
Several department WeChat groups set up “stakes,” guessing why Yin Chen had changed so much.
This trend quickly swept through many departments.
Eventually, it reached Ah Mao and the secretary team.
“They’re insane?”
Ah Mao couldn’t believe it.
“Yin Corp work isn’t enough? They all just don’t want to work? And they produce this?”
The male secretary chewed on an energy bar, fingers flying over the keyboard.
“I think they’re insane. And making such a big deal… I’ve already tracked over ten groups doing this.”
“Ten???”
Ah Mao almost suffocated.
How did all these people get into Yin Corp?
Backdoors?
“Calm down, Brother Mao. I’ve checked each group. None escape my list.”
The male secretary spoke in a mouthful, phone leaving a blur of movements.
“No need to check.”
Yin Chen emerged from the office.
Everyone paused.
The male secretary quickly swallowed his energy bar.
“President Yin.”
“Mm.”
He nodded, handing a USB drive to Ah Mao.
“I’ve investigated. Handle these people—kick them out.”
Ah Mao took the USB, incredulous.
“President Yin… personally investigated?”
He didn’t know whether to be shocked that the matter reached Yin Chen, or that Yin Chen personally took action!
“It’s no big deal. A simple program will fix it.”
No sooner had he spoken than the male secretary’s face formed an awkward smile.
As expected of President Yin!
Far beyond us workers!
QUQ, it’s not that I’m useless!
“Handle it quickly. I want this resolved before the new product signing this afternoon.”
Yin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.
A familiar pressure descended; Ah Mao and the secretary team nodded promptly.
“Yes, President Yin.”
“Mm.”
Yin Chen turned back to the office.
Time to review the design drawings sent by the renovation team earlier.
Seeing him leave, the male secretary swallowed hard.
“Wow… Brother Mao, you were right.”
?
“What did I say?”
Ah Mao looked bewildered.
The male secretary sighed.
“You never realize until you see—President Yin has indeed become gentler recently. Just now when he squinted, I almost couldn’t handle it! I used to be able to endure President Yin’s high pressure!”
“Stop calling me a child, thanks.”
Ah Mao’s face remained indifferent.
“Tch.”
The male secretary rolled his eyes.
“Still awesome as ever. If not for today, I almost forgot—President Yin started from computer tech! Even after being a domineering CEO for years, he’s still sharp. Truly President Yin!”
“…You’re really idle. Anyway, these people are yours to handle.”
Ah Mao dropped the USB into his hands, patted his rear, and left with flair.
“Ah? Hey! Wait, Brother Mao!”
The male secretary stared at the USB, then at the others still “working,” bewildered.
Just a bit of gossip, and suddenly work descends from the sky?
That afternoon, Zong Cheng arrived with his assistant as scheduled.
At the entrance of Yin Corporation, the assistant, holding documents, was trembling.
“President Zong! I’m not dreaming, right? We really made a deal with Yin Corp? Are we here to sign?”
It all felt surreal to him.
Zong Cheng was equally excited.
However, compared with his assistant, he was already considered calm.
Zong Cheng: “Control your expressions. We’ve come this far—don’t embarrass our company. If you mess up, next time I won’t even bring you to sign contracts.”
???
The assistant’s face immediately stiffened. “Of course not, President Zong! I’ll adjust right away!”
A joke! Getting a bonus for signing a contract is small potatoes; the real gain is seeing the world and growing!
Although he said that, before entering, Zong Cheng still checked their outfits with his assistant.
Once satisfied, they pushed open the doors of Yin Corporation.
“Let go! I can walk myself!”
What the…?
As soon as they stepped in, both Zong Cheng and his assistant froze.
Two security guards, in uniform, were dragging a man out.
The man was in a suit, but shouting loudly, seeming utterly uncouth.
“Let go! Let go! I can walk myself!”
The guards paid no attention and continued dragging him.
“I’m telling you, I was fired! You have no right to treat me like this! Let me go!”
Fired… and making such a scene?
Zong Cheng frowned slightly.
He and his assistant stepped aside, watching curiously.
“Security! What are you doing? Get him out immediately!”
The male secretary inside barked orders.
Hearing that, the guards sped up.
“Huh?”
The secretary’s eyes swept to the tall figure at the door and froze.
Wasn’t that President Zong?
Cold sweat immediately broke out.
Damn! President Yin said everything must be settled before the signing!
How did Zong Cheng arrive so early?!
Without thinking, the secretary rushed to Zong Cheng.
“President Zong, you’re here for the signing, right? I’ll take you—”
“He-tui!”
Mid-sentence, the fired employee being dragged past Zong Cheng suddenly lashed out!
A thick spit landed with a plop on Zong Cheng’s suit jacket.
Instant silence fell.
The two guards broke into cold sweat.
The male secretary’s lips turned white.
Who didn’t know Zong Cheng was here to sign a contract?
And now, trouble happened right at the door!
They were doomed!
“What’s going on?”
As if on cue, Yin Chen’s voice came from the elevator.
The male secretary nearly burst into tears!
He was about to publicly commit career suicide!
Then Zong Cheng spoke.
“No problem. Haven’t seen him in a few days; President Yin looks even better than before.”
He spoke casually as he walked forward.
The secretary looked on, and saw Zong Cheng had removed his suit jacket, draped it over his arm, walking up to shake hands with Yin Chen in just a shirt.
The spit mark was completely gone.
Yin Chen naturally shook his hand, glancing at the jacket over his arm.
“Should I understand this as you’re very much looking forward to cooperating with Yin Corporation? Or is it just that our building is too warm?”
Zong Cheng smiled.
“Of course, I’m very much looking forward to this cooperation. If I said there’s a fire in my chest burning with anticipation, would you believe me, President Yin?”
Yin Chen: “If a partner says so, I have no reason not to believe it.”
They released hands. Zong Cheng casually glanced at his assistant.
“Still standing there? Didn’t you say you’d try not to embarrass me here?”
Ah… but you just got spat on! How can you not care at all?
The assistant thought this, but obediently followed.
“Yes, President Zong.”
Seeing them walk away, the male secretary finally showed rare fury.
He looked at the two guards, muttering angrily.
“What were you thinking? If not for President Zong’s generosity, the three of us could have packed up and left right now!”
The guards repeatedly apologized. “Sorry, we’ll take him out immediately!”
This time, they were merciless. Seeing the man still struggling, they removed a shoe, rolled up a sock, and shoved it into his mouth.
“Damn it, who dares mess with us?”
The male secretary’s face remained stern.
“Don’t release him yet. Take him back. I want to investigate who gave him the audacity.”
Even if Zong Cheng let it slide, Yin Corporation still had to give an explanation.
The signing went smoothly.
Zong Cheng watched as Yin Corporation finished stamping the contracts, sighing in relief.
Both sides exchanged and inspected the contracts; the assistants nodded in agreement.
Zong Cheng stood and extended his hand, cheerful.
“Then, to a successful cooperation?”
Yin Chen also stood, nodding.
“Successful cooperation.”
Zong Cheng’s assistant finally felt his heart settle.
He hesitated, then whispered to Zong Cheng.
“President Zong, should we arrange that dinner we talked about last time?”
Zong Cheng glanced at him, his eyes saying more than words.
The assistant froze.
Had his voice just been too loud?
Everyone heard?
He embarrassed the president!
Zong Cheng sighed.
Well, it’s his own assistant.
“Since the contract is signed, why don’t we invite President Yin and everyone to dinner?”
Yin Corporation staff turned to look at their president.
Yin Chen cast Zong Cheng a glance before speaking slowly.
“You jest, President Zong. Wasn’t this dinner already agreed upon last time?”
He said it matter-of-factly. Zong Cheng was grateful—it gave him and his assistant a graceful out.
Truly worthy of someone who built an empire like Yin Corporation.
Zong Cheng sighed inwardly.
His assistant was nearly moved to tears.
President Yin really is an unbelievably kind person, QUQ!
“Everyone go ahead, I’ll book the seats.”
A group left the meeting room. Yin Chen and Zong Cheng naturally walked at the back.
“Shall we go to the office?”
After a few steps, Yin Chen stopped him.
Zong Cheng looked puzzled.
Was he really planning to leave just like that?
Yin Chen raised an eyebrow, silent, glancing at the others.
“You all go first. I have something to discuss with President Zong.”
Ah Mao realized and nodded, taking everyone along.
In Yin Chen’s office.
“President Yin, what is it you wanted to discuss?”
Zong Cheng glanced at him.
Was it about the cooperation?
Unlikely.
Private matter?
Seeing that Yin Chen had no intention of speaking, he spread his hands.
“I have nothing. You have something to discuss, I presume, President Zong?”
He said, eyes scanning the jacket draped over Zong Cheng’s arm.
…As expected, noticed after all.
Zong Cheng sighed.
“I thought you’d pretend not to see it.”
He casually set the jacket aside, a faint look of disdain.
“You may not realize it yourself, but in the meeting just now, you kept glancing at it with clear distaste. Some sort of… mild obsession with cleanliness?”
Yin Chen opened the office lounge door as he spoke.
“I truly find it hard to ignore.”
Zong Cheng touched his face.
“Really that obvious?”
He thought he’d hidden it well.
“Not exactly OCD, but it does bother me mentally.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll give you an explanation for this. Want to try this sweater? Your shoulders are broader than mine, so this is the only loose one I have.”
Yin Chen handed him a solid-colored sweater.
“Quite obvious, at least to me.”
“Alright then.”
Zong Cheng sighed.
He didn’t refuse Yin Chen’s offer to explain.
After all, in a partnership, and having this incident at Yin Corporation, as the victim, he was entitled to some explanation.
Taking the sweater, he was about to put it on, then froze.
Looking down at it, he hesitated.
“Wait… this sweater seems familiar?”
“Hmm?”
Yin Chen had asked a secretary to take care of Zong Cheng’s jacket. Hearing him ask, he nodded.
“Good memory. I wore it once at a hotpot restaurant. Blize’s autumn-winter new collection, handmade. I thought it was nice.”
!
It was that sweater?
Zong Cheng felt a chill run down his spine. He was about to say it didn’t matter, when one of Yin Chen’s female secretaries knocked.
Yin Chen gestured for her to take the suit from the sofa. Turning back…
“Why haven’t you changed yet? It’s autumn, and it’s quite cold outside.”
Zong Cheng’s mouth opened, closed, but no words came out.
What could he say?
Should he admit… something?
Or say, even if both are men, wearing something the other wore feels… awkward?
No matter what, he couldn’t say it.
Gritting his teeth, he simply put the sweater on.
A faint scent of pine and cypress filled his nose—masculine, noticeable. Impossible to ignore.
Smelling it… like something Yin Chen would like?
Though it felt like Yin Chen might now suit a sunnier vibe.
Zong Cheng’s thoughts spiraled as he pulled his head out of the sweater.
Yin Chen looked up, surprised.
“Didn’t expect my sweater to fit you so well.”
Not lying.
Zong Cheng was about 1.9 meters, Yin Chen 1.87; heights were close, but Zong Cheng had broader shoulders.
A loose sweater on him fit Zong Cheng perfectly.
Close-fitting enough that Zong Cheng’s chest muscles were evident, hard to ignore.
Yin Chen silently pulled out his phone, recalling a new word he’d learned last night:
Why are your pectorals so exaggerated.jpg
…Don’t remind me it’s worn by you.
Zong Cheng raised his head, massaging his forehead, missing the sudden twist in Yin Chen’s expression, sighing inwardly a thousand times.
“Shall we go?”
Trying to ignore the subtle scent of the sweater, he led the way out.
Even a drink at the table felt better than this awkwardness.
Half an hour later.
Zong Cheng and Yin Chen arrived at the private room back-to-back. Ah Mao happened to glance over.
Seeing Zong Cheng in the sweater, he instinctively said,
“Don’t expect President Zong has one of these Blize sweaters too? Same color as President Yin’s…”
His words died on his lips, seeing Zong Cheng’s expression change.
Ah… this?
Could it really be Yin Chen’s sweater?