Leaving the logistics park, Miles arrived at the gate.
"Brother Ryan."
Ryan spotted him and hurried over with a grin. "How'd it go, Boss Miles? All settled?"
"Done."
Miles chuckled. "But hey, don't call me 'Boss Miles' anymore. Just call me Su or Miles… hearing 'Boss Miles' feels too formal."
Ryan felt both touched and slightly awkward. "Is that okay?"
Though Miles was a small figure among elites, he still stood worlds apart from Ryan in status.
With genuine warmth, Miles patted Ryan's shoulder. "Come on, aren't we friends?"
"N-no, that's not what I meant."
Ryan quickly waved his hands.
Miles cut him off with a smile. "See? We're on the same wavelength. Let's call it a brotherhood, and I'll treat you to dinner after work."
Soon after, when Ryan's shift ended, the two drove to a five-star hotel in the city center.
Looking at the opulent surroundings, Ryan whispered, "Miles, this place is too expensive. Let's go somewhere simpler."
As a security guard, Ryan's monthly salary barely reached seven or eight thousand; dining here would cost him a fortune.
Originally, he'd wanted to treat Miles to show his gratitude, but under these circumstances, he couldn't even afford a gesture.
Ryan's rural family struggled with aging parents and rising medical bills, leaving little room for extravagance.
Sensing his discomfort, Miles laughed, "Relax and enjoy. Today's my treat. Order anything you like—eat to your heart's content!"
After all, in just a month, the frozen age would begin, and money would be as useless as scrap paper.
Besides, Miles had a reason for this dinner with Ryan; generosity was the least he could show.
They settled into a grand private room, and Miles ordered all the hotel's signature dishes.
"That's more than enough…"
Ryan looked at the table laden with dishes he'd never seen before, swallowing with slight embarrassment.
After the meal, Miles refilled Ryan's glass, draping an arm around his shoulder. "Hey, Ryan, I heard our industrial park's security is top-notch. Is it true that even a mouse couldn't escape surveillance?"
Already tipsy from Miles's shrewd hospitality, Ryan slurred, "Miles, my brother, let me tell you—our security is so tight, I could even find a single soybean if it went missing!"
Miles's face froze.
Was that reassuring? Hardly.
He masked his frustration with a smile. "Well, with security like that, I feel at ease. But… I didn't see the control room on my visits. Where is it?"
Without suspicion, and with a bit of pride, Ryan replied, "The control room is underground. Only senior staff at Huashan Logistics and our security managers have access."
He pulled out a round plastic card from his pocket.
"See? This is the access card. Only team leaders have it."
Miles's gaze fixed on the card, and he smiled, "You're incredible, Brother Ryan. I'll rely on you to safeguard my goods."
"What are friends for?"
Drunk and swaying, Ryan pounded his chest. "Don't worry. I'll make sure the team is vigilant."
I'm eternally grateful.
Miles chuckled inwardly. "But what if someone needs an urgent pickup?"
Ryan laughed. "Simple! Our security cards are universal, granting access to all warehouses and plants, so we can offer round-the-clock service."
The dinner lasted until late at night, and by the time they left, it was already dawn.
Miles, ever gracious, invited Ryan to stay at his place.
Calling for a driver, he guided Ryan to the guest room, discreetly slipping the access card from his pocket.
"Hey, Li…"
Miles dialed his technician. "Bring your equipment to my place. I need an access card duplicated."
For a skilled technician from his software firm, duplicating the card was a breeze.
Just to be safe, Miles had several duplicates made.
With a sense of relief, he finally drifted off to sleep.
"Miles!"
Early the next morning, a knock pounded on his bedroom door before sunrise.
Only one person had the audacity to come unannounced—Ella.
Miles groaned, rubbing his face with a bitter smile. So eager, as always.
Opening the door, he found Ella beaming, a breakfast tray in hand. "You mentioned you went drinking last night, so I brought your favorite breakfast. Wouldn't want you feeling too rough."
"You're too good to me," Miles replied, taking her hand and gesturing to keep quiet. "Ryan's still sleeping."
"Ryan?"
Ella's face briefly clouded with barely masked disdain. "That's your security guard friend, right?"
In the past, she would've scolded him for mixing with such company, but today she had an agenda.
Miles knew her games too well and sipped his porridge. "Did you bring the contract?"
Unable to contain her eagerness, Ella quickly retrieved a stack of documents from her bag. "Here it is. Let me know if any adjustments are needed."
Quite thorough, he thought, a smirk playing on his lips as he signed his name.
Next, they'd head to the notary office.
Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. "Ah! I forgot about a meeting today… Ella, let's postpone the notarization until next month, okay? This month's a mess, and with the house purchased under the company's name, there's a lot of paperwork."
"What?"
She hadn't expected him to delay midway through.
Inside, she felt a sinking frustration, but she also knew Miles wasn't desperate for that six million. If she pushed too hard, he might back out, forfeiting the thirty-million-dollar home.
With the contract in hand, and having subtly steered him for two years, she felt confident enough.
Feigning understanding, she replied, "What's yours is ours, isn't it? Handle the company first. We'll finalize the house next month."