Zhao Yanan, with a frosty demeanor, handed the car keys to Chu Yuxuan, reluctant to speak.
"What's this? Trying to get rid of me?" Chu Yuxuan grinned mischievously. "I haven't agreed to help you with your request yet."
"I'm not counting on it," Zhao Yanan said, her hand holding the keys frozen in mid-air.
"I was about to soften up, but I guess there's no need now, haha..." Chu Yuxuan stretched lazily, not intending to take the keys. "You can keep them; I like to keep a low profile."
"This is your Chu family's car, I don't want it," Zhao Yanan insisted.
Chu Yuxuan raised an eyebrow, his peach blossom eyes fixed on her, his tone carrying an inexplicable allure. "You're my wife, which makes you part of the Chu family too."
Zhao Yanan pulled a wry smile. "Chu Yuxuan, don't make me look down on you! You're shameless!"
"Heh… thanks, a lot of people praise me like that."
Zhao Yanan: …
Chu Yuxuan chuckled and then extended his hand toward Zhao Yanan, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Ms. Zhao, let's reintroduce ourselves. I'm Chu Yuxuan, the major shareholder and acting boss of Qingya Media."
Zhao Yanan: ???
Her father had previously mentioned that for the company's safety, his shares would temporarily be transferred to Chu Zhiqing. With Chu Zhiqing as the nominal head, the company would be secure.
But how did they end up with this shameless scoundrel?
Seeing Zhao Yanan's stunned expression, Chu Yuxuan also realized that this was likely another one of Chu Zhiqing's tricks…
What was the old man up to? Chu Yuxuan suddenly recalled his father's words: "As for whether you two will end up together, that depends on your skills..."
So, was this all just to create opportunities for him and Zhao Yanan to spend time together? It seemed Chu Zhiqing was quite pleased with this daughter-in-law…
Chu Yuxuan couldn't help but laugh; he had no time for any nonsense about love.
Having figured it all out, he didn't bother to explain to Zhao Yanan. Instead, he grinned and said, "Ms. Zhao, as your boss, shouldn't you lead the way and take me to the company for an inspection?"
Zhao Yanan clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She glared at Chu Yuxuan for a moment, muttered "shameless," and then walked into the company without another word.
Chu Yuxuan watched her alluring figure but didn't follow. He waited until she entered the elevator, then the playful smile on his face abruptly disappeared.
He took out his phone, found a contact labeled "Old Five" in his phone book, and dialed the number.
"Big Brother… what's up?" A groggy voice answered from the other end, as if the person had just woken up. The voice had a clumsy tone, sounding not quite Chinese.
"Did you stay up all night playing games again?" Chu Yuxuan asked sternly.
The person chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, God, you really are omnipotent!"
Chu Yuxuan smirked. "Seems like your Chinese still has a long way to go… Old Five, I have a job for you. Interested?"
"Of course! I'm bored to death!"
Chu Yuxuan sighed. "Bored to death isn't quite right... never mind, wait for my call. That's it for now."
After hanging up, Chu Yuxuan took a deep breath, looking up at the gray sky, his eyes filled with a dark and ominous expression.
…
The next day, snow began to fall gradually from midday.
By late afternoon, Chu Yuxuan had finished reading Zizhi Tongjian. He changed his clothes and went downstairs.
In the living room, the young maid who had accidentally witnessed Chu Zhiqing's embarrassed expression was mopping the floor. Hearing someone coming downstairs, she quickly stood up straight and glanced timidly.
"Young Master…"
Chu Yuxuan acknowledged her with a simple hum. His gaze briefly passed over the maid's face. As he walked past her, he suddenly stopped and asked out of nowhere, "How old are you?"
The maid lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's. "Twenty-three…"
Chu Yuxuan mumbled, "Twenty-three? Just graduated from university?"
A blush appeared on the maid's cheeks. "I… my family is poor, couldn't afford university. I started working as a maid here after finishing high school…"
Chu Yuxuan sized up the petite maid. She was pretty, with a reserved and shy demeanor, a typical delicate beauty. Her face was fair and smooth, but her hands were rough with calluses—clearly a hard-working girl. If she had had the opportunity to study, she likely would have achieved something.
"What's your name?" Chu Yuxuan asked as he sat down by the entrance to change his shoes.
The maid took small, quick steps to follow him. "Xiao Qing," she replied, then squatted down to help him change his shoes.
"No, no, I can do it myself," Chu Yuxuan raised his hand to stop her. Xiao Qing froze for a moment, then stood up, awkwardly standing by, fidgeting with her hands, her head still lowered. Her cherry lips quivered as she said, "Young Master, thank you for keeping me here last time. I know you did it to help me, but… Xiao Qing can do many things. Please feel free to ask me for anything!"
After changing his shoes, Chu Yuxuan looked at the nervous and timid girl in front of him and said, "Xiao Qing, you work here, earning an honest living. There's no need to be so timid, understand?"
"Understood, Young Master…"
Despite her words, when she saw that he was about to tie his tie, Xiao Qing couldn't help but offer, "Young Master, let me help you with that!"
Chu Yuxuan sighed, "Xiao Qing, if you're really bored, go watch some TV. No one here will say anything to you."
His good intentions were unexpectedly misunderstood, and Xiao Qing, looking aggrieved, asked, "Young Master… are you disgusted by me?"
Chu Yuxuan: …
"Alright, alright, I won't resist…"
Seeing him spread his arms as if surrendering, Xiao Qing stifled a laugh but didn't dare let it out. Her youthful face contorted into a strange yet cute expression as she carefully tied his tie.
Halfway through, her small, rough hands suddenly paused. Her dark eyes glanced over his outfit, and she hesitantly said, "Young Master, this tie's color is a bit light. It would be better to match a darker tie with your outfit."
Chu Yuxuan was surprised. "You know about this?"
Xiao Qing nodded slightly, "I like to read magazines about this kind of thing in my free time…"
"Not bad…" Chu Yuxuan smiled faintly. "Alright, go ahead and pick out a new tie for me."
Just as he finished speaking, Wang Long called.
"Don't rush me, I'm about to head out."
Wang Long's end was noisy, indicating that many people had already arrived. "Hurry up, kid! Your dad is already being swarmed by a bunch of beauties!"
"Huh?" Chu Yuxuan frowned. "Did he know I was coming?"
Wang Long was also surprised. "You didn't tell him? Wait a minute… Old Chu, you didn't know your son was coming too?… Hey? Why are you running off like that? What's gotten into you?"
Chu Yuxuan: …
Wang Long said, "Weird… your dad ran off like he'd seen a ghost. Anyway, get over here already. Yuquan Villa, Villa No. 3. I've sent the invitation to your phone. The security will check it at the door."
"Quite the formal affair. You guys aren't up to anything shady, are you?" Chu Yuxuan teased.
"Of course not! It's just to keep out those pesky reporters! Tonight's guests are all big names, and if anyone gets caught in an embarrassing photo, I'd be in big trouble!"
Hearing this, Chu Yuxuan finally understood why Zhao Yanan had asked for his help. It turned out she really couldn't get in on her own.