The door to the presidential suite opened with a soft click as Yang Rui stepped into the living area. His boss, as always, sat in a commanding position on the enormous sofa, his expression unreadable as he flipped through a stack of documents. The room was bathed in the soft glow of evening light filtering through the curtains, casting an aura of quiet authority around Liang Chen.
Yang Rui straightened, his hands folded neatly in front of him, and cleared his throat. "Sir, I've completed the background check on Xia Yan."
Liang Chen's sharp gaze flicked up briefly, and his voice, calm but cold, cut through the silence. "Go ahead."
Yang Rui pulled out a tablet and scrolled through the information. "Xia Yan is the daughter of the Xia family. They're a prominent, old-money family in Z City. She has three brothers. Her father is the head of the family, he appears to be a rather shallow man."
"Go on," Liang Chen prompted, his interest piqued despite his calm exterior.
Yang Rui continued, his eyes scanning the report. "Xia Yan's health has been a constant concern throughout her life. She was diagnosed with a serious illness at a young age and has been in and out of the hospital most of her life. There are even records suggesting she nearly died once—"
"She survived?" Liang Chen interjected, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
"Yes, sir. There was a miraculous recovery, though the details are vague. Since then, she has been keeping a low profile. This recovery was very recent. There are rumours, but nothing substantial that stands out," Yang Rui finished, looking up to gauge his boss's reaction.
Liang Chen leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping idly against the armrest. His cold eyes narrowed slightly. "Interesting."
Yang Rui hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Sir, should I plan our return to the capital? Sir Liang has asked for your presence."
The temperature dropped a few in an instant.
"No need." Liang Chen's tone left little room for argument.
"Understood…" Seeing Yang Rui still lingering around, Liang Chen realised there might be something else that he wanted to say.
He sighed, "What is it? Spit it out."
Yang Rui cleared his throat and said, "There's also another invitation for you, Boss. It seems the elite circle in Z City is quite tenacious. This time, Zheng Wen—head of a small pharmaceutical company—is offering an exclusive medicinal herb. Supposedly rare and helpful for the Liang family patriarch's health. It's likely a tactic to gain your favor."
Liang Chen remained silent for a long moment, his sharp gaze fixed ahead as he processed the information.
Yang Rui couldn't help but think this was another one of those extravagant events his boss despised. The idea of attending a banquet for something as frivolous as a medicinal herb seemed almost absurd. He knew his boss better than anyone; Liang Chen wasn't one to get swayed by such trivial matters.
However, when Yang Rui finally dared to glance at his boss, he found Liang Chen's lips curling into a small, dangerous smirk.
"Attend," Liang Chen said flatly, the decision made. Yang Rui looked at his boss like a fish out of the water.
"Are you sure?" The assistant blinked. Trying to make sure he didn't misheard anything.
Liang Chen's eyes gleamed with something unreadable, a subtle but noticeable shift in his demeanor, "I will go. HanHan might see his pretty sister again. I want the kid to be happy."
Yang Rui's expression turned bit wry after realising his Boss's true intent. Who is he kidding? He wants his nephew to be happy? My ass. He is the who doesn't want to lose an opportunity to see the girl again. Accepting the invite, just in case Xia Yan shows up. He stifled the urge to facepalm. Of course.
Liang Chen had actually gone so far as to pull the "nephew card." Oh, look at me, I'm just here for the boy's happiness. How touching.
Yang Rui could already picture it—Liang Chen pretending to be the doting uncle, all while silently scoping out Xia Yan like he was some undercover agent on a mission.
He thought whether someone kidnapped his actual boss and replaced him with a copy cat. It seemed the only plausible explanation. Or why else would his cold, calculated, and unbothered by anything unless it directly benefited him Boss is suddenly smitten with a girl who obviously thinks of him as an annoying fly? Where is the Liang Chen who once said emotions were "distractions for lesser men"?
The assistant didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the situation.
"Understood, sir," Yang Rui finally responded, though internally, he braced himself for what was sure to be another one of those moments where his boss' presence would turn everything upside down.
What happened to the man who used to view everything—and everyone—as a transaction? Yang Rui mulled over this with a mix of disbelief and mild amusement as he left the suite. If he didn't know better, he'd say Liang Chen had developed some sort of ridiculous feelings. A grimace formed on his face at the direction of his thoughts.
His boss hadn't even noticed the absurdity of the situation. If anything, Liang Chen was justifying his decision to go to this stupid banquet, telling himself it was to "please his nephew."
Yang Rui sighed to himself as he entered to his room.
....
The day of the Banquet.
The banquet hall was an opulent display of wealth, with crystal chandeliers, intricate carvings, and a sea of guests dressed in designer outfits. Conversations buzzed around the room, speculation and excitement evident on every face.
"Would Liang Chen really come here? I heard he accepted the invitation from the old Zheng but I don't dare to believe he would actually come." One CEO whispered among his circle.
A middle-aged man with a refined temperament spoke from the group, "It's possible after all Old Zheng has a rare herb. Don't forget Liang Chen is from the Liang Clan of the capital. It's a family with such formidable military heritage that it even commands respect from the country. I believe he would definitely come for the herb known to prolong life for the Liang Clan's patriarch."
His words made some of the men grit their teeth in jealousy. Only if they had such herb, it would be them who would get a favour from Liang Chen. Such connection would surely open doors to more success.
If Yang Rui had overheard their discussion, he'd likely be doubled over in silent laughter. You think my boss cares about your stupid herb? Please. All he's interested in is a certain girl.
Another one critically spoke, "Does Zheng Wen really have this herb?"
No one replied to that. Internally, they all wished he didn't. After all who was Liang Chen? He was a titan among men, wielding wealth and influence that could topple empires. His company— Liang Corporation is a global powerhouse and to stand in his good graces was a privilege that could elevate even the most successful of them to unimaginable heights.
The tension in the air was palpable as the clock ticked closer to the appointed hour. Finally, the grand double doors of the banquet hall swung open, and an oppressive silence descended.
Liang Chen entered, a tall figure dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His presence was magnetic, his sharp, chiseled features framed by an expression of disinterest that only added to his mystical appearance. His cold, piercing eyes swept the room, making even the most confident guests falter under his gaze.
On his arm clung a small boy, his adorable nephew, Liang Han, who provided a stark contrast to his uncle's frigid demeanor. The boy's bright, round eyes sparkled with curiosity as he scanned the sea of unfamiliar faces.
Behind Liang Chen, his assistant Yang Rui followed, a paragon of composure in his simple but impeccable suit. While his expression was neutral, his inner thoughts were far from calm.
Liang Chen's arrival felt like a storm sweeping through the hall. Heads bowed, and conversation ceased. People parted like waves before him, each desperate to make a good impression.
"Mr. Liang," Zheng Wen greeted with an ingratiating smile, his voice overly polite. "It's an honor to have you here tonight."
Liang Chen gave him a curt nod, his disinterest so palpable it could have been weaponized. Without a word, he strode further into the room, his nephew still perched on his arm, scanning the crowd as if searching for something—or someone.
Yang Rui followed closely, observing his boss's movements. If anyone knew what was going through Liang Chen's head right now, they'd probably faint. This room is full of powerful people bowing and scraping, but all he cares about is finding that girl.
Liang Chen's nephew, tugged on his sleeve. "Uncle, where's the pretty big sister?"
Liang Chen paused for a fraction of a second, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly. "We'll find her," he said coolly, though there was a trace of amusement in his voice.
Yang Rui almost choked on his breath. Did the boss just humor a child? That's rare.
Suddenly, Liang Chen's sharp eyes caught sight of a figure near the far end of the hall. She stood apart from the crowd, dressed in a simple black dress, her presence understated yet captivating.
It was Xia Yan.