As the New Year approached, Wan Zhu finally began to wind down after a year of busyness. Employees openly slacked off, their faces lit with relaxed smiles. The breakroom conversations had shifted from celebrity gossip to New Year plans. Lin Hui had initially planned to work for a few more days and then join the holiday spirit with everyone else, but He Jian Shan stopped him.
“It’s just a few days. Don’t bother running back and forth. Handle things from home if you need to.”
While it sounded like a good excuse for a break, Lin Hui didn’t actually get to relax at home. He was busy preparing for his trip to Ninghai in March, with plenty of materials to review and study. While he seemed calm, He Jian Shan was unusually concerned.
“What about Zhao Xiao Xiao? Is she willing to go with you? If not, we’ll send Annie to assist you.”
“Annie has to stay at Wan Zhu. When I leave for Ninghai, she’ll need to take on some of my responsibilities. Otherwise, who’ll handle things here? Don’t worry about Xiao Xiao; she’s happy to go.” Lin Hui chuckled as he remembered something. “She told me yesterday her mom keeps arranging blind dates for her—she’s already added three guys on WeChat this week and can’t wait to escape to Ninghai.”
He Jian Shan nodded. “Old Zhao will go with you too.”
Zhao Jianhua, He Jian Shan’s driver and part-time bodyguard since his return to China, would accompany Lin Hui to provide an added layer of security.
“Got it, all your arrangements will be followed,” Lin Hui replied.
“I’ve spoken to General Manager Zhou of Qi Kai. There will be two small apartments for Xiao Xiao and Old Zhao, and a bigger one for you—all in the same complex for convenience.” He Jian Shan’s brows furrowed. “We should also get you a housekeeper for cleaning and cooking.”
Lin Hui sighed, closing the book he had been reading. He looked at He Jian Shan seriously. “I’ll be 31 after the New Year, President He. I’ve been living alone all these years. I’m not that pampered.”
He Jian Shan paused, then laughed. “Well, now you’ve got me taking care of you. It’s different.”
Lin Hui studied him for a moment before asking, “Are you reluctant to see me leave?”
He Jian Shan didn’t answer.
Lin Hui walked over to him, lowering his voice. “It’s still a while away. Besides, as Wan Zhu’s assistant to the general manager, I’ll be reporting to you every day.”
“I don’t like being home alone,” He Jian Shan replied simply.
Lin Hui thought back to when he’d first been drawn to He Jian Shan’s solitude. But now, this same man was openly expressing his dislike for being alone.
Nothing could be more heartwarming.
“I’ll install the best conference room in Ninghai as soon as I get there,” Lin Hui promised. “There’s no reason to stay cooped up at headquarters anymore. It’s time to visit projects more often.”
He Jian Shan smiled, his mood lifting slightly. “When’s your flight to your hometown?”
Lin Hui planned to visit his family before New Year’s Eve, something he had made a tradition. This year, with more time, he decided to leave earlier.
“Next week, on the day of the Little New Year. I’ll stay for two or three days—some friends back home have invited me to hang out.”
He Jian Shan mentally calculated the dates and felt a pang of regret. His schedule wouldn’t allow him to accompany Lin Hui this time.
Lin Hui seemed to read his mind. “We can go together for Qingming Festival. After all, you’re already part of the Lin family. You should meet my grandma.”
He Jian Shan chuckled and nodded.
Lin Hui thought the days leading up to the New Year would pass leisurely, but two days later, he received a surprising call.
In a cozy café, Min Jia sipped her coffee gracefully while Lin Hui sat across from her, smiling. “President Min, it’s been a while.”
Min Jia winked playfully. “I’ve actually been seeing a lot of you lately.”
Lin Hui knew what she was referring to and scratched his head sheepishly. “I must’ve made quite an impression.”
Min Jia put down her coffee and got straight to the point. “I won’t waste your time, Lin Assistant. I asked you out because I need a favor.”
Lin Hui was already curious about why Min Jia had invited him out. Now, he was even more intrigued. “A favor? Me?”
Min Jia nodded.
“I’m not sure I’m qualified, but please, go ahead.”
“I feel a bit embarrassed bringing this up, but I couldn’t think of anyone more suitable.” Min Jia sighed. “I recently met someone who introduced me to a project. It’s intriguing, but it’s outside my expertise. I’d like someone professional to take a look.”
“With all due respect, couldn’t you hire a firm for that?” Lin Hui asked.
“To be honest, I’ve spent too long in the entertainment industry—I’m paranoid and don’t trust them. Besides, this project overlaps with Wan Zhu’s line of business. I figured you’d have a better understanding.”
Lin Hui frowned slightly. “Then wouldn’t it make more sense to ask President He?”
Min Jia laughed. “For one, it’s a small matter—not worth bothering him over. For another, owing him a favor is very different from owing you one.”
Lin Hui shook his head, amused. “You’re very direct, President Min.”
“Let’s just have dinner. I’ll call you my friend, and you can give me your honest opinion on whether this project is worth it. Is that okay?”
After a moment of thought, Lin Hui nodded. It wasn’t a big deal, and Min Jia was someone worth building goodwill with. He agreed.
That evening, Lin Hui told He Jian Shan about the arrangement as the latter returned home, removing his coat. He Jian Shan chuckled. “She’s clever.”
Then, with a serious look, he added, “Have you noticed? People seem to like you a lot.”
“Do they?”
“Think about it—He Jian Chuan, Min Jia, Zhao Xiao Xiao. None of them interacted with you much initially, yet they all gravitate toward you.”
Lin Hui laughed. “Maybe I’m just approachable?”
He Jian Shan studied him for a moment. “Do you want to know what I thought when I first met you?”
Lin Hui’s curiosity was piqued. “What did you think?”
“Not telling.”
“Hey! That’s not fair—I demand to know!”
Grinning, He Jian Shan pulled him into an embrace. “It’s a secret.”
“You’re unbelievable! I even told you about my secret crush on you,” Lin Hui protested.
“Fine, I’ll tell you.” He leaned close to Lin Hui’s ear and whispered something. Whatever he said made Lin Hui’s face flush instantly.
“HE JIAN SHAN! Bathtubs are for bathing!”
On the day of the dinner with Min Jia, Lin Hui arrived at her company, only to have her scrutinize him critically.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You look too striking,” Min Jia said, circling him. “Even in casual wear, your presence is too commanding. We need to tone it down.”
Before he could react, Min Jia called her assistant. “Lulu, fetch Peter and a makeup artist.”
Half an hour later, Lin Hui’s transformation was complete. Gone was the mature, polished professional. In his place stood a fresh-faced, sunny young man.
Lin Hui inspected himself in the mirror. The changes were subtle—barely any makeup, a light touch to his eyebrows, and some hairstyling—but the overall effect was dramatic. With the addition of clear-framed glasses, he looked far more unassuming.
“Does this really work?” he asked hesitantly.
“Even President He wouldn’t recognize you,” Min Jia assured him.
At the Pearl Restaurant, Min Jia’s guest, Ma Rufang, arrived—a warm, boisterous woman in her forties. She greeted Min Jia enthusiastically, and then her eyes landed on Lin Hui.
“And who’s this?”
Lin Hui smiled politely. “Hello, President Ma. I’m President Min’s secretary. You can call me Xiao Lin.”
Ma Rufang stared at him, her brow furrowing. “You look a bit like—”
Lin Hui exchanged a glance with Min Jia.
“A big star! Gu Jianran!” Ma Rufang exclaimed, referring to a famous actor.
Lin Hui: “…”
The dinner progressed with animated chatter. Lin Hui soon realized why Min Jia had been so cautious. Ma Rufang was a bold, straightforward type who made grand promises and often came off a bit overwhelming. However, when it came to discussing the project, she was surprisingly grounded. Lin Hui’s preliminary assessment suggested it was legitimate, so he gave Min Jia a discreet thumbs-up via WeChat.
Relieved, Min Jia’s smiles became more genuine. After dinner, she and Ma Rufang hit it off so well that they decided to head to Jia Tian Club for karaoke. Lin Hui initially planned to head home, but seeing that he was the only man at the table and the only other sober person was Min Jia’s young assistant, he decided to tag along.
At the club, Min Jia and Ma Rufang’s antics quickly turned chaotic, with their singing verging on cacophony. Meanwhile, Lin Hui stayed quietly in a corner, keeping an eye on things.
Elsewhere, He Jian Shan finished his work and checked his phone, noticing Lin Hui’s earlier message: “Almost done, heading home after this.”
Amused, he opened his social media feed, only to see a new post from Min Jia:
Yi Jia’s Min Jia: My Ma Jie is too cute! [lip emoji] [heart emoji] [beer emoji]
The attached video showed a woman singing, with the camera panning briefly to capture a man sitting on a sofa, his side profile unmistakable.
He Jian Shan froze.
Though it was only a fleeting moment, he recognized Lin Hui instantly. Checking the timestamp, he realized the video had been posted an hour ago.
He Jian Shan fell silent.
Author’s Note:
Lin Assistant, you’re really playing with fire!
