Chapter Thirty: Learn More

“Han Dongxue, from now on, you’ll be with me. I’ll take care of you.” After finalizing the partnership with Han Mufeng, Qin Yang returned the box to the girl. He’d learned from Han Mufeng that her name was Han Dongxue. Originally from another province, her parents were living abroad, and she’d been staying with an elder mentor, practicing martial arts from family traditions while living a quiet life. But after her mentor passed away recently, a group set their sights on her family’s heirloom—the sandalwood box. Pursued all the way to Zhongyun, Han Dongxue had endured a great deal.

“You really spoke with my great-grandfather?” Han Dongxue eyed Qin Yang skeptically, doubtful but unable to deny it as he seemed to know every secret recorded in the Han family genealogy.

Qin Yang rolled his eyes. “Don’t question my words. By seniority, I’m your grandfather’s generation.”

“Braggart,” Han Dongxue snorted.

Qin Yang smiled slyly. “Never doubt your elders.”

“You’re bullying me.” Han Dongxue, no longer the bold and heroic fighter she’d been moments ago, now pouted like a neighbor’s adorable girl. “You must be lying.”

“Me, lying to you?” Qin Yang sized her up. “You’ve only got so much to offer. I wouldn’t waste my brain cells deceiving you.”

“You’re the one with little to offer!” Han Dongxue’s cheeks flushed with anger. She stomped, eager to teach him a lesson, but Qin Yang had already moved well out of reach. “Come here!” she demanded.

“Enough fooling around. It’s late, and I’ve got things to do. Let’s get you home to rest. Your great-grandfather said you haven’t slept well for three or four days. He felt sorry for you the whole way.” Qin Yang waved her over, ushered her into the car, and continued rambling, “I really admire you, a young girl coming all this way. How many days have you gone without eating?”

“Two days. Otherwise, I’d definitely have beaten you.” Han Dongxue retorted, unwilling to concede.

“If you could beat me, you wouldn’t have been chased so miserably by those three guys,” Qin Yang teased.

After their playful banter in the car, they arrived home, picking up a pile of food along the way. Watching her devour it ravenously, Qin Yang was genuinely impressed. In such harsh circumstances, a girl’s perseverance surpassed what many men could muster. Once she’d eaten her fill, Qin Yang prepared a room for her, left some money, and said, “Get some good sleep. I’ve got work to do. If I don’t come back, go out and buy something to eat. Also, my sister lives here—her name is Gao Xiaolan. When she returns, just tell her you’re my friend. Don’t let there be any misunderstanding.”

After eating, Han Dongxue was already drowsy. She mumbled a reply and collapsed onto the bed, sleeping soundly, oblivious to the young man still standing nearby.

“Incredible,” Qin Yang muttered, shaking his head. Noticing it was nearly ten o’clock, he hurried to the business bureau, timing his arrival precisely. Meanwhile, surrounded by a crowd, Liu Molan emerged and, once in the car, visibly relaxed.

“Tall trees catch the wind; being attractive is a kind of trouble,” Qin Yang murmured.

“What did you say?” Liu Molan asked coolly.

“Nothing. Where to next? Back to the mall?” Qin Yang inquired.

“Manager Wang needs to discuss the leasing of the seventh floor. Let’s head back directly, so we don’t miss the timing,” Liu Molan instructed.

From afar, Qin Yang saw Wang Zhibing get into his Mercedes, then drove back to the mall himself. Wang Zhibing, eager as ever, followed behind. After exchanging a glance with Qin Yang, he went upstairs with Liu Molan to negotiate business, while Qin Yang, bored, headed to the top floor and settled comfortably in Tao Caijie’s office.

Tao Caijie glanced at him and smiled. “What’s this? Only a few days into the job and already tired?”

“If you had a boss who scheduled every minute down to the second, you’d be tired too,” Qin Yang grumbled.

Tao Caijie laughed behind her hand.

Just then, Guo Jintao barged in, full of bluster. Tao Caijie, annoyed by his manners, said, “Deputy Manager Guo, haven’t you heard of knocking?”

“Sorry, Caijie, I forgot,” he replied, though his face showed no embarrassment. “Caijie, do you have time tonight? I’d like to invite you and Xiaomei to dinner.”

Tao Caijie frowned. Since her husband’s death, she never attended such gatherings, devoting her personal time entirely to Xiaomei. Remembering the terrifying pills Guo Jintao had given her, she shook her head and firmly declined, “No, I need to help Xiaomei with her homework tonight.”

Her refusal was expected by Guo Jintao. “Caijie, let’s get together when you have time. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Xiaomei.”

“Thank you,” Tao Caijie replied indifferently, making her meaning clear.

Noticing Qin Yang snickering nearby, Guo Jintao glared at him, then left the office. Outside, he took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and found a secluded spot to make a call. “Hello? Tonight, teach a lesson to a guy named Qin Yang. I’ll send you his photo, and you’ll be well rewarded.”

After hanging up, Guo Jintao’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

Unaware of the plotting, Qin Yang stayed in Tao Caijie’s office until noon, only leaving when Liu Molan called. This time, their destination was Hailong Hotel. With both sides satisfied, only the final contract remained. Liu Molan didn’t let Wang Zhibing drive himself; she wanted to seize the opportunity to pick the old fox’s brain. After all, he’d been in the business world for years and had plenty of experience. For reasons unknown, Wang Zhibing seemed to care deeply about this partnership, even making numerous concessions and behaving far more courteously, which made Liu Molan think highly of him.

If Qin Yang knew his boss regarded Wang Zhibing as a good person, he’d die laughing. She had no idea how many tricks Wang Zhibing used to secure his position at the top of Hailong Transport Group—far beyond anything Liu Molan, with just half a year in the business world, could imagine.

Qin Yang drove personally. Wang Zhibing felt dizzy with luck, delighted that the future leader herself was chauffeuring him. He envied Liu Molan; it truly paid to be attractive.

At the hotel, Wang Zhibing went ahead to make arrangements.

Liu Molan sat aside. “Wang Zhibing is really warm-hearted. I thought negotiating with him would be tough, but it’s gone smoothly. And Qin Yang, your advice on handling interpersonal relations is invaluable. Please keep sharing it.”

“Of course, of course,” Qin Yang’s lips twitched, and when Wang Zhibing arrived, he slipped away.

Evening came.

Qin Yang felt his boss was a true iron lady, a golden warrior with infinite stamina. While his own eyelids drooped, she remained energetic, working late into the night.

“Boss, it’s getting late. Time to call it a day,” Qin Yang said, knocking on the door with frustration.

Liu Molan was taken aback, glanced at the time, and saw it was nearly eleven. “There’s been a lot going on lately. Let’s head home.”

“I’m practically a nanny now,” Qin Yang muttered.

Liu Molan said nothing, but smiled gently behind him. If Qin Yang had seen it, he would have been surprised. As they reached the first floor, suddenly large snowflakes began to drift down outside, blanketing the ground. The once bustling street was now deserted. Stepping out and taking a deep breath, Qin Yang sensed something amiss and frowned slightly.

“It was clear during the day, and now it’s snowing heavily at night,” Liu Molan tightened her coat.

“Wait at the door for me. I’ll get the car,” Qin Yang whispered, heading to the underground garage. It was eerily quiet. As he checked a few cars, he glimpsed shadowy figures flickering beneath the harsh white lights.