Early the next morning, Pan Xiaozhu, having struggled internally all night, finally decided to "surrender."
Sporting two massive dark circles under her eyes, she nervously reported to Chen Cong's office.

Because of the case, Chen Cong also hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. Looking up, he saw that Pan Xiaozhu—who usually loved looking pretty—actually looked even more haggard than he did. He couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Her heart heavy with worries, Pan Xiaozhu's face was a picture of conflict. Taking a deep breath, she suddenly shouted, "Captain Chen! I have important information to confess to you!"
Chen Cong's heart skipped a beat.
"What information?"

Although she had thoroughly mentally prepared herself and rehearsed multiple times on the way over, facing Chen Cong's scrutinizing eyes, Pan Xiaozhu's heart still pounded like a drum.
"I must state upfront! I truly only found out about this later; I didn't deliberately hide it!"

Pan Xiaozhu was decisive by nature and rarely experienced such internal conflict. As she tossed and turned last night, the more she thought about it, the more she felt she hadn't actually committed any grave mistake.
After all, there was no law stating that a female detective couldn't chase celebrities!

Furthermore, the celebrity she followed wasn't some scandal-ridden, tainted artist, but a high-quality idol who had won Best Actor purely based on his acting skills at a young age!
At a time like this, if she deliberately concealed the fact that she knew the media outlet that first published the fingerprint info just because she chased celebrities, that would look suspicious.

Mustering all her courage, Pan Xiaozhu said, "Actually, I've known that female editor from We Fashion for a long time!"
Chen Cong raised an eyebrow. "You know her? Then why didn't you say so earlier?"
He glared at the visibly guilty Pan Xiaozhu. "Don't tell me you're about to confess that the fingerprint news was leaked by you?"

Pan Xiaozhu was always the one who caused him the least worry in the detachment. She had a clean record, strong beliefs, meticulous attention to detail, and worked with nimble efficiency. Chen Cong had always considered her a core backbone of the team.
Therefore, when Chief Sun asked him to select suitable members for "Operation Peach Wood," Pan Xiaozhu was the very first person he picked.

Chen Cong had always been confident in his judgment of people. He had previously even suspected the loud and boastful Wen Di, but he had never once considered that Pan Xiaozhu might have leaked the information.

Seeing Chen Cong's suspicion, Pan Xiaozhu wished she could perform the "denial triple combo" right there on the spot: It wasn't me, I didn't do it, don't spout nonsense! Her head shook like a rattle-drum: "No, it's not like that! That editor and I are just internet friends; we only met because of a shared hobby!"
Looking straight into Chen Cong's eyes, she spoke anxiously but sincerely: "We usually just chat about gossip and stuff in the same WeChat group; we've never even met in person!"

Seeing Chen Cong still remain silent, Pan Xiaozhu—feeling so wronged that snow could fall in June—quickly added, "The only reason I know what she looks like is because she loves posting selfies on her Moments! But I never post pictures of myself, so she has no idea what I look like!"
Saying this, she lowered her face, which was flushed red with guilt. "I actually realized this yesterday. The reason I didn't say anything was because I was afraid everyone would suspect I leaked the news. But I swear, I have never mentioned a single thing about the fingerprint to her! The people in the group think I'm still a college student!"

Pan Xiaozhu looked at Chen Cong with red eyes, genuinely feeling that she was even more wronged than the ancient figure Dou E✦ translator's noteSix June Snow / Dou E (六月飞雪 / 窦娥): A reference to the classic Chinese tragedy *The Injustice to Dou E*, in which a wrongly executed woman vows that her innocence will be proven by snow falling in the heat of June—an impossible omen that miraculously occurs. It symbolizes the ultimate injustice and being falsely accused. herself.

It was a coincidence impossible to explain away. But she truly didn't want her image dragged down by a misunderstanding. If Captain Chen still suspected her professional integrity! Should she just find a block of tofu and smash her head against it✦ translator's noteFind a block of tofu and smash my head against it (找块豆腐撞死算了): A humorous Chinese internet slang phrase expressing extreme embarrassment, humiliation, or uselessness—jokingly saying one should die in the most pathetic way possible. to die?

Chen Cong stared into Pan Xiaozhu's eyes for a long time.

Having no ghosts in her heart, Pan Xiaozhu wasn't afraid of being scrutinized. Although the stare made her incredibly uncomfortable, she kept her head up, openly meeting her superior's gaze.

Gritting her teeth, she steeled her heart: Anyway, I've already reported the fact that I know Xiao Xiao. No matter what, I wasn't the one who leaked the secret! Whoever wrongs me is an idiot!

As if hearing Pan Xiaozhu's internal cursing, Chen Cong's eyebrows twitched upward.

Pan Xiaozhu was startled, but then saw the other man raise the corners of his eyes and ask her, "Is that it? Is there anything else you need to add?"
She quickly and honestly shook her head. "Just this, nothing else."

Chen Cong waved his hand impatiently. "Go do your work. Making such a huge fuss, I thought it was something major!" He took a sip of the strong tea next to him. "Chen Feng's diary, the fingerprint leaker, An Kang's relative network... we have a mountain of things to handle, and you're reporting to me about making an internet friend! I'm not sitting here to be your dad!"

Utterly bewildered by the scolding, Pan Xiaozhu asked carefully, "Captain Chen, do you mean... I can still go to We Fashion for field duty as originally planned? I don't need to avoid suspicion or anything?"

Seeing Pan Xiaozhu—whose brain usually spun faster than anyone else's—still looking foolish, Chen Cong thought: Staying up late truly affects one's IQ.
"Avoid what suspicion? Since you and that editor are acquaintances, it's even more fitting for you to go. Hey, don't just stand there, get moving! Pan Xiaozhu, you're chasing a critical lead! Make sure you ask clearly! Do you hear me?!"

Chen Cong's tone was harsh, but Pan Xiaozhu knew full well that this Vice Captain was universally recognized for having a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

"Yes, sir!"
She answered loudly, full of drive, unable to stop the corners of her mouth from curling up slightly.
Being trusted by a comrade felt truly wonderful.

In the afternoon, just past lunch hour.
Having been busy all morning, Lin Huo found time to call Song Ci, asking if he had finished reading the file introducing the company.

"I read it." Song Ci's voice carried the grogginess of someone who had just woken up.

Lin Huo looked down at his watch; it was already 1:00 PM. Frowning slightly, he couldn't help but remind him: "Although the company's main business is operating entertainment venues, the management still has to work a nine-to-five schedule. You've been back for several days now, why are you still living on Vancouver time?"

On the other end of the line, Song Ci was still sluggish: "I know, I know. Even my brother never managed my sleep schedule!"
"You—"
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the little bastard immediately adopted a good attitude and admitted his mistake: "Me? I guarantee I will correct it immediately. I absolutely won't delay any business! Don't worry!" Saying this, he changed the subject to ask about Song Shi's condition.

Song Shi was still the same. His vital signs were stable, but there was no sign of him waking up.

It was the expected answer.
But Lin Huo could hear Song Ci secretly sniffle over the phone; he sounded deeply sorrowful.
Having grown accustomed to his lawless, arrogant demeanor, Lin Huo couldn't bear to see him depressed. He changed the topic and invited him to meet up that afternoon.

Song Ci was quiet for a few seconds before answering, "Sure. I hadn't made any plans for today anyway, so it's perfect if you have time. There are a few things in those files I don't quite understand, so I can ask you for advice."
He thought for a moment and added, "How about you come to my hotel? We can grab a drink at the hotel lounge."

Lin Huo had seriously doubted whether Song Ci had actually read those files. Hearing the other party say he had questions and wanted advice, he couldn't help but feel deeply gratified.
Perhaps because of Song Shi's sudden accident, Lin Huo had become more susceptible to emotion lately.
And Song Ci's ambition made this assistant—who had followed Song Shi for over a decade—feel that there was finally a glimmer of hope for the Song family.
The two agreed to meet in a private room at the hotel lounge in an hour.

Whenever Song Ci attended an appointment, he was always somewhat late, and this time was naturally no exception.
[I've arrived, I'm in private room 308]
He received Lin Huo's message but wasn't in a hurry. He waited in his room for a few more minutes before finally stepping out.

Pressing the down button for the elevator, the jumping numbers indicated that the elevator was descending from the top floor. Soon, the doors of the rightmost elevator opened.

Song Ci stepped into the elevator, only to find someone else already inside.
He was staying in a large suite on the 108th floor. He rarely ran into anyone in the elevator because the hotel had a total of 110 floors, and floors 108 and above were exclusive to guests staying in presidential suites.

Even in Jianghu City, where wealthy people were as common as hairs on a cow, those willing to spend hundreds of thousands to stay for a single night at a hotel were, after all, a minority.

It was rare to bump into such an extravagantly wealthy "tycoon," so even Song Ci couldn't resist taking an extra glance at him.
With just one glance, he realized he had seen this generous tycoon before.

Every time he saw this person, he couldn't help but secretly grumble: Sometimes, the Creator truly shows excessive favoritism.
If someone was rich and powerful but ugly as sin, that would be acceptable.
But this person was not only born with a dozen silver spoons in his mouth, but was also exceptionally tall, slender, had deep and striking facial features, flawless bone structure, and fair skin.

Song Ci suspected that God was just like the auntie in the police academy cafeteria who always secretly scooped a few extra pieces of meat onto his plate. Without realizing it, He had piled every single beautiful thing in the world onto this one person.

Those peach-blossom-petal-shaped eyes were starkly black and white. Beneath the deep double eyelids folded a beautifully arched lower lid. The inner corners of his eyes were sharp and deep, while the outer corners were slender and slightly curved upwards. With looks like these, simply standing there brought the phrase "eyes brimming with affection✦ translator's noteEyes brimming with affection (眉目含情): A classic literary expression describing someone whose eyes naturally carry tenderness, romance, or alluring emotional depth." from ancient poetry to its ultimate perfection.

The man's pitch-black hair rested loosely near his ears. He wore a perfectly ironed deep black shirt, his suit jacket casually draped over his arm, and simple yet uniquely designed cufflinks fastened his exposed cuffs.

A man this wealthy, powerful, and elegantly handsome... aside from Chu Huainan, Song Ci couldn't think of a second person.

He calmly stepped into the elevator and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Chu Huainan, but a faint sense of wariness arose in his heart.

First, the initial meeting on the airplane, and now a chance encounter in the hotel?
Xu Kai explicitly said that for an ordinary person to see a "live Chu Huainan" even once was a gift from heaven.
Yet, within just a few short days, he had already run into the man twice.
Was this truly just a coincidence?

Seeing that the person entering the elevator was actually the young man he had met on the plane the other day, Chu Huainan's heart gave a slight jolt, though his face revealed nothing.

He was heading to the lounge on the third floor. Seeing that Song Ci hadn't pressed a button, he turned his head and asked softly, "Which floor are you going to?"
Song Ci answered, "Third floor lounge."
Both of them then fell silent.

The elevator quickly arrived at the third floor. Chu Huainan held the "door open" button and gentlemanly stepped aside, gesturing for Song Ci to exit first.
Song Ci gave him a deep look.
Chu Huainan simply hooked the corner of his mouth into a smile, expressing his goodwill.

As Song Ci stepped out of the elevator, he deliberately slowed his pace, observing Chu Huainan out of the corner of his eye. Seeing the other man exit the elevator and enter a private room around the corner with several companions who had been waiting for him, the doubts in his heart dissipated slightly.
Only after Chu Huainan completely disappeared from view did he turn and walk toward Room 308, following the directory signs.

These past few days, Chu Huainan had been in a gloomy mood due to the overwhelming internet rumors targeting his parents. But he never let his personal emotions affect his work schedule.

Today, the heads of a major trading partner for the Yuannan Group had come to Jianghu City on a business trip.

The two conglomerates were discussing jointly launching an acquisition.
The other party was full of sincerity, so naturally, Chu Huainan wouldn't neglect them.

Secretary Wang Xiaojun had already arranged accommodations for their group. He didn't originally need to come over personally today.
But in the morning, his good friend Lin Youfei called, saying that an artist under his agency, Lu Xinghe, was doing a TV interview. He hoped to borrow Yuehuai's exclusive, not-open-to-the-public viewing terrace on the 110th floor as an outdoor shooting location.

This matter shouldn't have required Chu Huainan's personal intervention, but because it involved Lu Xinghe, Lin Youfei treated it with exceptional importance and specifically called his friend.

Chu Huainan knew that Lu Xinghe's relationship with Lin Youfei was unusual. Besides, borrowing the hotel terrace to shoot a short interview clip was a trivial matter no bigger than a sesame seed, so he agreed immediately.

While they were chatting, he remembered that Lin Youfei had also shown strong interest in this acquisition deal and had expressed hope to use this opportunity to collaborate deeply with Yuannan once again. Thus, he invited him to come to Yuehuai in the afternoon to meet the partners involved in the acquisition together.

The most famous public identity of this overseas returnee, Lin Youfei, was the manager and partner of Xinghe Studio.
But Chu Huainan knew he wasn't just an ordinary small-time boss of an entertainment company.

The foreign-invested enterprise controlled by Lin Youfei was a renowned importer of medical equipment and technology in the East China region.
A strong alliance was something Chu Huainan always welcomed.

Furthermore, Lin Youfei was of a similar age and shared similar interests. Although his personal net worth couldn't yet compare to the wealth the Chu family had accumulated over four generations, he was a young, self-made talent.
Even though they hadn't known each other long, they had always been quite close.

Speaking of how he and Lin Youfei met, it was actually quite dramatic.

At a Hong Kong auction, the two had engaged in a fierce bidding war over a small painting by Yayoi Kusama. After a few rounds, they pushed the painting, which was estimated at less than 500,000 USD, to an astronomical price.

Later, the two bumped into each other again at a business gala. While chatting, they discovered that both their mothers were super fans of Yayoi Kusama.
Even more fatefully, the year 1990 happened to be the year both of their parents got married.

An even bigger coincidence followed later.

In 2019, an artist signed under Yuannan Entertainment, Lu Xinghe, suddenly skyrocketed to fame after starring in Ma Dagang's New Year's blockbuster. Following that, Lu Xinghe unilaterally requested to terminate his contract.

Lu Xinghe had debuted as a singer in 2018 and signed a ten-year exclusive management contract with Yuannan Entertainment.
In just one year, Yuannan Entertainment had pushed the currently twenty-four-year-old Lu Xinghe to the A-list. The company had invested massive resources early on, and considering the principle of striking the bird that pokes its head out✦ translator's noteStriking the bird that pokes its head out (棒打出头鸟): A Chinese idiom similar to “tall poppy syndrome,” meaning that those who stand out or rise above others are often targeted, criticized, or brought down first., it was impossible for them to let it go easily.

The penalty for breach of contract was pushed to nine digits at one point. Yuannan Entertainment's legal department knew perfectly well that for an artist whose career relied on youth, time was the most precious commodity. Therefore, they deliberately intended to drag it out in a tug-of-war.

Then, Lin Youfei went directly to Chu Huainan. He frankly and unabashedly stated that he was the one who wanted Lu Xinghe to terminate his contract with Yuannan.

"Yuannan Entertainment has many artists, and Xinghe has a straightforward personality. He easily offends people and gets tripped up by hidden schemes without even realizing it. I want to open a personal studio for him. I hope President Chu can give me face✦ translator's noteGive me face (卖我这个面子): A culturally significant phrase referring to respect, reputation, and social harmony. Asking someone to “give face” means requesting a favor or concession to preserve relationships or honor social standing. on this." Lin Youfei's tone was gentle, but Chu Huainan knew the other party was determined to secure Lu Xinghe's management contract at all costs.

Although he wasn't directly involved in managing the entertainment company, Chu Huainan had heard the news.
Because of this contract dispute, the relationship between the company and the artist had gotten quite ugly, only stopping short of the final step of taking it to court. Tearing each other's faces off benefited neither the company nor the artist; it would only result in mutually assured destruction.
Since Lin Youfei lowered his pride to ask for a favor, Chu Huainan went with the flow and gave him face✦ translator's noteGive me face (卖我这个面子): A culturally significant phrase referring to respect, reputation, and social harmony. Asking someone to “give face” means requesting a favor or concession to preserve relationships or honor social standing..

That same afternoon, Yuannan Entertainment agreed to settle and, under direct orders from parent company Chairman Chu Huainan, voluntarily reduced the termination fee.

But Lin Youfei only accepted the goodwill in spirit.
Business is business. He transferred the exact, astronomical termination fee originally demanded into Yuannan Entertainment's account, without missing a single cent.

Both Chu and Lin sincerely wanted to befriend each other.
This also created an honorable legend in the entertainment circle: a highly popular artist and his former agency parting ways peacefully, maintaining a friendly, cooperative relationship, and mutually sending blessings.

After this battle, Chu Huainan and Lin Youfei officially evolved from nodding acquaintances at an auction house to good friends who became acquainted through conflict✦ translator's noteBecame friends through conflict (不打不相识): A Chinese idiom meaning that after an initial clash, fight, or disagreement, two people come to appreciate each other and form a strong friendship..

Chu Huainan had come to Yuehuai purely for business cooperation. He hadn't expected to see Song Ci here again.
Although he acted as if nothing was amiss, he held a deep interest in this young man with "average personal qualities."

Four years ago, he was on a business trip in Xicheng attending a young entrepreneurs' forum when he encountered a violent attack on the financial street.

After firing three shots, the armed thug suddenly charged into the crowd.

Chu Huainan's grandfather had been a soldier in his youth, and Chu Huainan had received militarized training from the old man since childhood. To prevent kidnapping, he had even learned multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat.
Among his close friends, a joke frequently circulated: "Having Huainan at a gathering makes people feel exceptionally safe. His fists hit harder than his face, and his moves are faster than Yuannan's stock value rising."

And when the thug lost control of his emotions, standing right next to Chu Huainan happened to be a young man who looked well-bred and pampered, seemingly having never even been in a fight before.

When that person didn't smile, his cold, rigid face appeared exceptionally handsome and aloof. That thin, indifferent expression of even if the sky falls and the earth crumbles, it has nothing to do with me was particularly captivating.
For some reason, Chu Huainan was deeply impressed by that cold face.
It immensely stimulated his competitive desire, making him want to get closer as if possessed.
To pry open the other's hard shell and carve out that well-hidden but already-seen-through softness.

Amidst the screams of the crowd, Chu Huainan stared at the other man, losing focus for a second.

The next second, the man turned his head and frowned slightly at him. Hidden within those bright eyes was a rebellious, untamable arrogance: "They have a gun. Go find some cover and hide for thirty seconds."
The crowd, pale with terror, scattered to find cover upon hearing this command.
Only then did Chu Huainan realize that the sentence wasn't directed solely at him.
...

The chance encounter with Song Ci in the elevator vastly improved Chu Huainan's mood, which had been low due to the internet rumors.

Both he and Lin Youfei were highly efficient people, and the heads of the partner company were also very professional. The group quickly finished discussing official business.
Seeing that the main business was settled, the other companions began chatting about amusing life anecdotes to bridge the distance between them. For a time, the atmosphere in the private room was exceptionally relaxed and lively.

However, Chu Huainan was distracted. His mind was entirely occupied by the young man he had just met in the elevator.

Seeing him again, he could almost guarantee that long before their chance encounter on the airplane, they had met.

Strictly speaking, Song Ci had saved his life.

The clean, swift moves that took down the enemy in thirty seconds, the cold and arrogant expression. Everything this person left behind remained fresh in his memory.
Chu Huainan believed he absolutely had not mistaken him for someone else.

As for the other party's absurd behavior on the plane... Although he didn't know why, out of pure intuition, Chu Huainan suspected it was deliberate.

Taking advantage of a trip to the restroom, he contacted Secretary Wang Xiaojun.

"Investigate Tiandihui's Song Shi's younger brother, Song Ci. Before tonight, I want all of his files."

Two updates today—the next chapter will be posted around 3:00 PM! High-energy warning! Tomorrow, this story will enter VIP status (paid chapters). Thank you all for your support! Love you guys!!

P.S. As an objective bystander, I hereby declare that from the very beginning, the Capitalist has had a one-sided crush on Little Ear.

So, after this the story would had been paid. But it's been like 6 years lol. And if you check now, it's not paid anymore.
Let's thank Nong Jian for making it free for us~
(and especially me cuz i'm a brokie)

Six June Snow / Dou E (六月飞雪 / 窦娥): References the classic Chinese tragedy The Injustice to Dou E, where a woman wrongly executed for a crime she didn't commit vows that her innocence will be proven by snow falling in the heat of June (and it does). It is the ultimate metaphor for being falsely accused.

Find a block of tofu and smash my head against it (找块豆腐撞死算了): A humorous Chinese internet slang phrase used when someone feels so utterly humiliated, embarrassed, or useless that they jokingly want to kill themselves in the most pathetic way possible.

Eyes brimming with affection (眉目含情): A classic literary phrase describing someone whose eyes are naturally expressive, romantic, and alluring.

Striking the bird that pokes its head out (棒打出头鸟): Similar to the "tall poppy syndrome," meaning those who stand out or become highly successful are often targeted or brought down first.

Give me face (卖我这个面子): A common cultural concept in China involving respect, reputation, and social standing. Asking someone to "give face" is asking them to grant a favor to preserve harmony or honor a relationship.

Became friends through conflict (不打不相识): A Chinese idiom meaning that from an initial exchange of blows or disagreement, a strong friendship can blossom because the two parties come to understand and respect each other's capabilities.