Zhao Xiaolei hurriedly left, embarrassed by the awkward incident.
Chen Yang chuckled in amusement. Turning around, he saw Old Xia and the others furtively watching. Old Xia grinned, "Chen Yang, you sly dog, your move just now was lightning fast. We didn't even see you go down."
One of the guards, Little Li, remarked suggestively, "Yang-ge, how did Zhao Xiaolei's melons feel pressed against you? I'm jealous of your good fortune!"
Chen Yang cleared his throat, "Don't gossip about others behind their backs!" This was a lesson learned - he didn't dare say anything careless again.
Not understanding his restraint, the others roared with laughter.
And so the storm passed.
Chen Yang changed into his security uniform, armed with a stun baton, and strode around like royalty entering the city, under the pretense of patrolling for safety hazards.
At Yade Cosmetics, most of the employees were women. As a cosmetics company, there were certain dress requirements that favored an attractive appearance. Thus, Chen Yang's primary focus was admiring the bevy of beauties, appreciating the curvaceous and slender alike.
Progressing down the hallway felt like wandering through an uncut version of the classic drama Dream of the Red Chamber, waves of sensual delights assailing him.
Having endured years of blood and chaos abroad, Chen Yang's nerves were constantly taut.
Back home, he relished this tranquil, unrestrained lifestyle he now enjoyed.
During his afternoon break in the security room, Chen Yang's phone rang.
It was Old Xia calling with a grave tone, "Chen Yang, come to the president's office immediately."
Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat. Had something happened to Lin Qingxue?
Lin Qingxue was Lin Nan's sister.
Without even grabbing his stun baton, Chen Yang rushed out and hurried toward the president's office on the fourth floor.
Outside, Old Xia and the other guards were gathered, along with a stern-faced Zhao Xiaolei.
"What's going on?" Chen Yang asked Zhao Xiaolei urgently.
Seeing Chen Yang, Zhao Xiaolei seemed relieved, as indecisive Old Xia provided little leadership.
In a hushed voice, she explained, "Qi Jiaojiao from Qing'an Group brought her enforcer One-Eye to discuss business with President Lin. I'm worried about potential trouble inside, so I called everyone here in case we need to intervene immediately."
Chen Yang understood. "The president is meeting with them alone?"
"Director Tang Qingqing from the Sales Department is also present," Zhao Xiaolei clarified.
After a moment's thought, Chen Yang told her, "Send everyone back to their duties. I'll go in and support the president." Before she could protest, he knocked on the door.
Zhao Xiaolei shook her head, exasperated by his recklessness.
From inside, Lin Qingxue's voice asked, "Who is it?"
Chen Yang quickly replied, "President Lin, it's Chen Yang from Security. Ms. Zhao instructed me to assist you during this business meeting."
Playing along, Zhao Xiaolei added, "Yes, President Lin."
Relieved by the prospect of male support against the overbearing Qi Jiaojiao and One-Eye, whose imposing presence diminished their womanly auras, Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing agreed.
"Very well, come in," Lin Qingxue said.
Chen Yang entered and closed the door behind him.
In the spacious, bright office, Lin Qingxue and Qi Jiaojiao sat across from each other. Tang Qingqing was beside Lin, while the bald, coldly imposing One-Eye stood behind Qi Jiaojiao.
Exuding a bewitching allure with heavy makeup, Qi Jiaojiao stated coldly, "President Lin, I'll reiterate my offer. Sell me your Yade Cosmetics company, including the formula for your new Number One fragrance, for eight hundred million yuan - enough for you to live extravagantly for life."
Before Lin Qingxue could respond, the indignant Tang Qingqing, her ample bosom heaving, snapped, "Ms. Qi, Yade's annual profit alone exceeds 150 million yuan, with our total valuation nearly 1.5 billion. And President Lin's Number One fragrance is a priceless treasure that could double our performance once launched. Your offer of a mere 800 million is utterly insulting."
One-Eye, his shaved head exuding a formidable, murderous aura, was a notorious figure in Binhai as the King of Security Guards and owner of the Blackwater Security Company. His men were renowned for their ferocity.
Glancing at Tang Qingqing, he smiled thinly, "Ms. Tang, it's best you don't interject while our presidents discuss business. You're still young, and it would be a pity if any...accidents occurred."
Tang Qingqing's face drained of color, clearly understanding the threat behind his words.
One-Eye then turned to Lin Qingxue. "President Lin, we have a saying: 'Accept a good deal while you can.' Binhai is a viper's nest where the guiltless are guilty for possessing treasures. As a vulnerable woman, you'd be wise to bend with the wind, lest you lose everything - your life and assets. Of course, I don't intend any threats, merely friendly advice."
It was a blatant threat! Despite her usual icy composure, Lin Qingxue couldn't help feeling afraid as a woman in this situation.
Taking a deep breath, she replied firmly, "I'm sorry, but Yade is my life's work. No amount of money could make me sell. I believe in China's rule of law - no one can run rampant."
Qi Jiaojiao laughed derisively. "President Lin, you really are just a naive little girl living in a fairy tale, oblivious to this harsh reality."
"You may leave," Lin Qingxue stated coldly, having had enough.
"Lin Qingxue, you'd best reconsider carefully," Qi Jiaojiao warned.
"I've made up my mind," Lin Qingxue said resolutely.
As Qi Jiaojiao prepared to respond, Chen Yang cut in, "Are you two mutts deaf or something? Our President Lin already told you to get lost, so why are you still loitering here?"
An deafening silence fell over the room.
Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing's jaws dropped in disbelief - this little security guard actually dared speak so brazenly to Qi Jiaojiao and the fearsome One-Eye!
Even the redoubtable duo were momentarily stunned into stupefaction by Chen Yang's audacity.
Recovering quickly, Qi Jiaojiao and One-Eye burned with fury. As renowned figures in Binhai, how could they tolerate such insults from a mere security guard?
Qi Jiaojiao's eyes flashed with icy menace as she rose to confront Chen Yang, addressing One-Eye instead. "Big Brother One-Eye, it seems you need to teach this rude brat some manners."
One-Eye leveled a frigid glare at Chen Yang. "Well said, you're the first person to dare insult me to my face in all these years."
Chen Yang scratched his nose nonchalantly before grinning, "From the look of it, you're pretty tough. I'm young and foolish. If I've offended you, then just hit me, damn it!"
"You're courting death!" One-Eye's eyes flashed with killing intent as he shifted his stance, the sleek ceramic tiles beneath him cracking from the force.