Chapter 2
Feng Jin was woken up by someone calling her. The voice was cool and distant, as if coming from far away. She slowly regained consciousness and lifted her hand to remove her eye mask. The cabin lighting was still dim, but she noticed someone standing next to her.
"Secretary Jiang?"
"President, we've arrived in City B."
Feng Jin nodded and was about to get up. Just then, an announcement came through the cabin speakers, indicating that the plane was preparing to land.
Jiang Suliu handed her a prepared glass of warm water. "Please have some water first."
"Thank you." Feng Jin took a sip, and her parched throat felt slightly better.
As her eyes adjusted to the lighting, the lights gradually brightened.
After landing, the two made their way to the terminal. Two representatives from the branch office were holding name signs at a visible spot.
Feng Jin walked toward them, and they noticed her approaching.
"President, thank you for your hard work. I've already arranged for your accommodation." The speaker was Chen Hongliang, the head of the branch office. He appeared to be in his thirties and was previously a supervisor in the headquarters' administration department before being transferred to City B. He was known to be competent.
"Thank you." Feng Jin gave a small nod.
Jiang Suliu extended his right hand to Manager Chen in a friendly manner. "Hello, Manager Chen. I'm Jiang Suliu, the newly appointed secretary to the president. Pleased to meet you."
"So you're Secretary Jiang. The pleasure is mine." As a seasoned professional, Chen Hongliang had already noticed this composed young man who lacked the usual restlessness of the younger crowd. He had heard that the president had changed secretaries, and his years of experience told him that this man was no ordinary assistant.
The driver had been waiting nearby. Manager Chen personally opened the car door for Feng Jin. After she got in, he shut the door and moved to the front passenger seat. Meanwhile, Jiang Suliu walked around to the other side and took the seat next to Feng Jin.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Manager Chen handed the prepared documents to Feng Jin and arranged to meet her at 8:30 AM at Jiyun Teahouse for the next day's negotiations. Then he left with the driver to make final preparations.
At the hotel, after completing the check-in, they were led to their rooms by a staff member.
They had booked two adjacent single rooms. Once in her room, Feng Jin unpacked her suitcase, hung her clothes neatly in the closet, and took a comfortable-looking robe into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, in his room, Jiang Suliu sent the documents he had prepared on the plane to Feng Jin's email. Noting that it was almost 9 PM, he stepped out, bought a cup of milk, had the front desk warm it in the microwave, and asked a staff member to deliver it to Feng Jin.
When Feng Jin heard the knock, she was drying her hair. She tidied herself slightly before opening the door.
Seeing her, Jiang Suliu froze briefly, then quickly averted his gaze.
Feng Jin noticed the milk in his hand and understood. Her gaze softened. "Thank you. You should rest early, too."
As she took the cup from him, Jiang Suliu replied softly, "Of course, President. Good night."
After the door closed, Feng Jin glanced at the milk in her hand—just the right temperature. Without makeup and in a soft robe, she looked very different from her usual sharp and composed appearance. Her long hair cascaded down her back, with a few strands falling forward, softening her refined features.
She drank the warm milk, then leaned back in the single sofa chair, eyes closed to rest. Ever since taking over the company, her sleep had worsened—but that was something she could not change given Sheng An's current condition.
Outside, the neon lights flickered, but the room was quiet, shielding her from the city's noise.
Jiang Suliu didn't return to his room. Instead, he took the elevator, left the hotel, and hailed a taxi.
"To Yong'an Road."
The driver glanced at him. Though normally chatty, the driver stayed silent. Xingyu Club wasn't in a bustling district—most locals didn't even know it existed.
In the taxi, Jiang Suliu's mind wandered back to the image of Feng Jin in her robe, her long hair falling down her back—a stark contrast to the woman in the president's office. Strangely, he couldn't look away.
When they arrived, he exhaled and shook the image from his mind. He removed his glasses, put them away, paid the fare, and walked toward a Western-style villa.
The surroundings were quiet. The building was an old European-style structure from the early 20th century. From the outside, it looked like any vintage residence, but inside was a different world.
This was a private club operating on a strict membership basis. Without a referral, no one could find it.
As Jiang Suliu approached the door, a graceful and beautiful hostess welcomed him politely. "Sir, do you have a reservation?"
"Private room 508."
She paused for a moment, then remembered the special instructions. Her manner became even more respectful. "Ah, you must be the guest Mr. Zhou mentioned. Please allow me to show you the way."
"No need." Jiang Suliu declined coolly, entered the membership code Zhou Yanbing had given him into the elevator panel, and rode up.
At the same time, a middle-aged man stepped out from another elevator. He was the manager of the club.
"Manager, just now..."
The manager interrupted urgently. "Has Mr. Zhou's guest arrived yet?"
"He just went up."
"Which way did he go?"
"Took the private elevator to Mr. Zhou's room."
...
The night was especially quiet. A man was smoking in the hallway. Hearing footsteps, he turned to see Jiang Suliu, and quickly put out his cigarette. He greeted him enthusiastically.
"Jiang Suliu, over here! Everyone's been waiting for you!"
Jiang Suliu walked over, his charming eyes catching the light. He smiled. "Yanbing, long time no see."
"Don't say that. You went to City S right after returning to China and wouldn't let anyone contact you. We've been waiting forever!"
"Had some personal matters to handle in City S." He subtly avoided the arm around his shoulder and smiled. "Let's not keep the others waiting."
Zhou Yanbing didn't push. They were all from the same elite circles. Since that incident, Jiang Suliu rarely showed up in such places, and he'd become more mature. His presence tonight surprised everyone.
In the private room, Jiang Suliu saw several old acquaintances, and a young man he didn't recognize who looked barely of age. The others were accompanied by attractive hostesses. Only the teenager openly stared at Jiang Suliu with interest, which unsettled him, though he didn't show it.
Everyone paused when they saw him.
Was this really the same Jiang Suliu from before?
"I thought Yanbing was bluffing!" Zhang Shengjie was the first to react, a beauty in his arms. "Didn't expect it really was Second Young Master Jiang. You look like a different person!"
"He looks like a corporate worker now." Liu Wenbo, arm draped over a sultry woman, blew smoke in her face while groping her, causing giggles. Then he turned to Jiang Suliu. "Heard from my uncle he saw you in City S. Never thought you'd stoop to being a secretary."
"Cut it out, Liu Wenbo. You won't be smug much longer. Don't be jealous." Zhou Yanbing tossed a kumquat at him. "Some people just have a capable big brother."
Jiang Suliu ignored Liu Wenbo, sat on a single sofa, and poured himself some ice water.
Meanwhile, the young man with a silver earring and extravagant style kept his eyes on Jiang Suliu with amused interest.
"Oh, right—Jiang Suliu," Zhou said, pointing to the young man. "This is my cousin, Lin Gaodan. His parents are working abroad, so I'm keeping an eye on him."
Jiang Suliu looked at Lin Gaodan. His smiling eyes carried a hint of warning, but Lin just smiled wider.
"Hello. I've heard a lot about you from my cousin," Lin said, extending a hand. "Though this is our first meeting, it feels long overdue."
Jiang Suliu put down his glass, masked the chill in his gaze, stood, and shook hands with a polite smile. "Pleased to meet you."
Their eyes met. The air grew oddly tense.
Liu Wenbo, still holding the woman, observed the scene thoughtfully.
Soon, Lin Gaodan returned to his seat, still watching Jiang Suliu with a lazy smile.
"Amanda." At Liu Wenbo's signal, the elegant woman knelt in front of Jiang Suliu, leaning forward and deliberately revealing her cleavage. She picked up a dice cup and handed it to him.
Jiang Suliu glanced at her, smiled faintly, and said, "Back off. Put it on the table."