Although Huo Lei had just been rescued by Chen Yang, he felt uneasy about him. This was simply because he had assumed Chen Yang was an ordinary security guard. But this guard was deemed worthy of Luo Ren's attention.
Huo Lei remembered the dismissive look Luo Ren had given him.
Moreover, Huo Lei found Chen Yang suspicious not just because he disliked him. For a man of Chen Yang's skills to settle for such a mundane job as a security guard was bizarre.
Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing exchanged an uneasy glance, rendered speechless.
"Let's go inside to talk," Lin Qingxue said finally.
Huo Lei nodded.
The injured guards had already gotten up and were standing by.
"You all worked hard today," Lin Qingxue told them. "Each of you can collect a 500 yuan bonus from the finance department."
500 yuan was a decent sum for the guards, so they beamed with delight.
Inside the CEO's office, Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing felt unsettled - an unease stemming from Chen Yang. They were reluctant to believe he could be a spy or the like, for they had found him pleasant and trustworthy in their interactions.
"Why are you so certain Chen Yang is suspicious, Brother Lei?" Lin Qingxue asked.
Huo Lei took a deep breath and said gravely, "Qingxue, you and Qingqing are too naive. With my skills, I charge wealthy clients a minimum of one million per month as their bodyguard. Chen Yang's skills are priceless. Yet a man like him is content as a security guard earning a few thousand yuan. Isn't that blatantly suspicious?"
Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing were rendered speechless.
Later, Lin Qingxue asked Lao Xia, the team leader, to join her in the CEO's office.
Lao Xia seemed ill at ease, perched awkwardly on the sofa's edge.
"Captain Xia, there's something I want to ask you," Lin Qingxue said.
"Go ahead, President. I'll tell you everything I know," Lao Xia replied respectfully.
"What kind of person do you think Chen Yang is?"
Lao Xia hesitated briefly before blurting, "He's a jerk."
Lin Qingxue was taken aback, having expected Lao Xia to praise Chen Yang as a good person. After all, if Chen Yang were a spy, he would surely act friendly to ingratiate himself with everyone.
"Oh, why do you say that?" she asked.
Realizing his lapse, Lao Xia looked abashed. "President, I'm just speaking my mind. If I misspoke, please forgive me."
Lin Qingxue smiled faintly. "Of course, no offense taken."
"Chen Yang is an exceptionally nonchalant person. He seems indifferent to everything, including money."
"Do you think he could be a corporate spy?"
After pondering for a moment, Lao Xia said, "I don't think so."
"Then why would a man of his skills debase himself as an ordinary security guard?"
"Perhaps there is no deeper reason," Lao Xia said. "Maybe he just enjoys it - he seems to love an unrestrained lifestyle."
Still perplexed, Lin Qingxue finally said, "Thank you, Captain Xia. You're dismissed."
"Very well, President."
After Lao Xia left, Lin Qingxue fell into contemplation. She called Tang Qingqing.
"Qingqing, tell me honestly - do you really think Chen Yang could be a corporate spy?"
Qingqing went silent for a while before saying, "I don't think so. But he does have many suspicious aspects."
Lin Qingxue sighed faintly, then hung up. She stood, resolved to find Chen Yang.
Su Qing had just gotten off work at the mobile phone store. As she exited, she spotted Chen Yang.
Chen Yang grinned and called out cheerfully, "Sister Qing!"
Su Qing smiled back, seeming somewhat accustomed to Chen Yang's presence. She joined him on the street and glanced around, noticing the BMW was gone. Immediately guessing the reason, she turned pale. "Was it because you used the company car for personal matters and your boss found out?"
Her face was full of apology.
Chen Yang knew that if he confirmed it, Su Qing would feel guilty, bringing them closer. But he couldn't bring himself to do that. "Sister Qing, don't overthink it. It has nothing to do with you."
"Then what happened?" she asked with concern.
Chen Yang fell silent for a while before looking up with a wry smile. "My boss thinks I'm a corporate spy."
"Why?" Su Qing was taken aback.
Chen Yang laughed dryly. "Let's talk as we walk."
Nodding, Su Qing joined him down the bustling street.
The setting sun bathed them in a warm, golden glow, creating an idyllic, timeless scene.
After a few moments, Chen Yang explained, "I work as a security guard at Yade Corporation. You know them, right, Sister Qing?"
"Yes, I do. I even considered applying there at one point, but their non-professional salaries weren't very high. So what happened?"
"Well, a few days ago, someone caused trouble for Yade, and I helped the boss resolve it. However, the boss feels that for someone like me to work as a mere security guard is clearly suspicious."
"But are you actually suspicious?" Shu Qing asked pointedly.
"No, I'm not," Chen Yang stated.
"To be honest, I was curious too," Shu Qing admitted. "I can tell your skills seem quite formidable, and you're an excellent driver as well. For you to take a security guard job does seem rather unconventional."
Chen Yang smiled wryly. "It's just the lifestyle I enjoy. There's no other explanation."
Shu Qing smiled warmly. "Regardless, I believe you."
Chen Yang felt a warmth in his heart.
Reassuringly, Shu Qing said, "Don't be disheartened. If your boss doesn't trust you, that's his loss. Come on, let me treat you to some cold beer."
Chen Yang laughed dryly. "Are you sure you don't want to buy alcohol to take home? I'm afraid you might take advantage of me, Sister Qing."
Shu Qing's face turned red, as she wasn't adept at such banter.
Seeing her reaction, Chen Yang didn't dare say more.
However, Shu Qing did want to drink beer. After Chen Yang's previous behavior, she trusted his character completely.
If only she had known Chen Yang had been peeping at her showering, she certainly wouldn't have felt that way!
At that moment, Chen Yang's phone rang.
It was Lin Qingxue calling.
Chen Yang answered, and Lin Qingxue said, "We should meet up."
Chen Yang replied nonchalantly, "I'm busy right now, I don't have time."
Lin Qingxue was rendered speechless - this guy was so arrogant!
"I think we need to talk," she insisted. "There may be some misunderstanding involved."