My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 472
Chapter 472: Chapter 472
As Chen Yan’s minion, what Chen Yan liked most about Qin Ming was: he was obedient.
He never asked why Chen Yan wanted something done.
Nor did he make decisions on his own.
Instead, as soon as Chen Yan gave an order, he executed it immediately.
So, after Chen Yan finished speaking, Qin Ming nodded and said, "Okay, I’ll contact Twin Towers Hotel later and ask them to arrange a meal for an additional person."
Chen Yan grunted in response.
After discussing tomorrow’s business, the atmosphere between the two relaxed again.
Chen Yan took the initiative to ask about Qin Ming’s situation at Headline Company.
Since verifying Headline Company’s development using Xiao Ha’s Instant Camera last time, knowing Qin Ming was the most suitable person to manage the company, Chen Yan had intentionally let Qin Ming get involved in the operation of Headline Company.
He had not only given all his voting rights and rights to speak at the board to Qin Ming, but he had even transferred a staff member who had entered Headline Technology as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer directly under Qin Ming.
Holding a veto power and the responsibility of monitoring the company’s finances, Qin Ming now also had a certain right to speak within the entire company.
He knew the purpose Chen Yan gave him these powers, so he was also actively operating within the company, trying to win over his loyalists. freёwebnoѵel.com
Of course, he was very careful with all these maneuvers.
To avoid letting Zhang Yonghao and others find out.
Among these, the first task Chen Yan gave him was to win over the core competitive force of Headline Technology: The head of the technology division, the person in charge of Headline Technology’s AI technology: Pang Wenbo.
During this period, Qin Ming also took trips to Tiandu whenever he could to build a relationship with Pang Wenbo.
Pang Wenbo was a quintessential tech nerd.
Coding was his life, his girlfriend. Hence, when Qin Ming spoke with him about "women," he was very interested.
This indicated that in every nerd’s heart, there actually hides a tacky soul.
After confirming Qin Ming’s smooth progress, Chen Yan felt relieved.
He encouraged Qin Ming a few more words, then left Qin Ming’s office.
With the next day’s plan settled, Chen Yan just needed to patiently wait.
He returned to his office and continued working on the company’s business.
Soon, a day passed.
The next day, Chen Yan got out of bed.
He picked up his phone and checked the time.
Only to find the time covered by a WeChat message.
The WeChat was from He Mengxue.
"Summer is arriving, enlightening you about the melting points of common materials: copper 1085°C, lead 327°C, silver 961°C, me: your ’good morning.’"
Somehow, He Mengxue had learned to say good morning every morning and good night every evening.
And she used the cheesy lines she learned from who knows where.
But, with just these two lines, it wasn’t annoying.
Chen Yan never replied, and He Mengxue didn’t mind.
It was like an understanding between them.
He didn’t pay heed to the message from He Mengxue.
Chen Yan sat on the bed for a while, then on a whim, opened WeChat and checked Yang Nuannuan’s Moments.
Yang Nuannuan’s Moments had been updated.
A simple breakfast picture. The picture showed a bowl of porridge and a fried dough stick. The caption read, "Good morning, world. Good morning, you."
Chen Yan opened the secondary account he used to add Yang Nuannuan, impersonating HR, and looked at Yang Nuannuan’s Moments.
As expected, there was nothing in it.
It seemed to be a Moment Yang Nuannuan shared only with herself.
Chen Yan hesitated, but still restrained himself from liking the Moment.
He was now in an ambiguous situation with Yang Rou.
To provoke Yang Nuannuan now would really be too scummy.
Although they now knew they were only nominally mother and daughter. But nominally they were still mother and daughter. Thus, Chen Yan still needed to be cautious.
After checking out the two girls who had been actively pursuing him or secretly adoring him, Chen Yan put down his phone and got up to wash up.
After freshening up, Chen Yan unusually used a hairdryer to style his hair handsomely.
While drying, he was lost in thought: As a kid, always looking forward to growing up, he would often secretly wear adults’ clothes, style an adult’s hairstyle.
But after growing up, he realized... actually, adults often don’t have much hair.
Like the tech guru of the gaming company: Cheng Tianxiang.
Previously it was about encircling the cities from the rural areas, now he was nearly bald.
During yesterday’s afternoon meeting at the gaming company, Chen Yan noticed this fact. Cheng Tianxiang didn’t admit it, absurdly claiming it was because it was too hot and he had shaved himself.
It filled the entire office with a changed atmosphere.
This also alerted Chen Yan. Money can’t be earned entirely, but hair can completely fall out.
So, it’s better not to be too stressed.
After these random thoughts, Chen Yan dried his hair, had breakfast, got ready, and then went to the office.
The day passed quickly.
Soon, it was time for the dinner he had agreed upon.
He Mengxue, having received a notice from Qin Ming early on, hadn’t left work yet and slipped into Chen Yan’s office.
She sank comfortably into a seat at the table in Chen Yan’s company like she wasn’t an outsider, folding her slender legs, resting her chin in her hands, and gazing intently at Chen Yan.
Chen Yan was reviewing a document when he suddenly felt her stare and felt a bit uncomfortable. So, he looked up and joked, "What are you staring at me for?"
He Mengxue flashed a sweet, gentle smile, "Watching you make money?"
Chen Yan’s mind raced, guessing that He Mengxue was about to make an illogical argument.
He guessed that if he said "not taking it," He Mengxue would definitely retort, "Then why do you care if I watch you or not~."
So, he did the opposite and nodded, "Yes. Watching me isn’t cheap."
Unbeknownst to him, He Mengxue wasn’t playing by the book.
Hearing Chen Yan say this, she hummed, then said, "But I have no money. How about I devote myself to you instead?"
"Give you a daughter to cover the cost of watching you."
Chen Yan: ....
At that moment, Chen Yan was convinced.
He really underestimated He Mengxue.
This girl wasn’t just preparing to counter him. She was set to block him at both ends!
So, he pretended not to hear these words, continued focusing on his document, and tuned out.
Seeing Chen Yan acting like that, He Mengxue wasn’t in a hurry. She continued to watch him with interest, as if everything Chen Yan could respond with was just adorable...
After finishing the document, it was time to leave.
Chen Yan stood up, preparing to ask He Mengxue to get off the table, ready to head out.
But before he could speak, He Mengxue naturally slipped off the table and stepped forward, straightening Chen Yan’s suit.
Her gentle, caring moves involuntarily made Chen Yan’s heart flutter.
He wondered if it was possible to feel the heartbeat during the adjustment of clothes.
He Mengxue definitely felt Chen Yan’s unusual reaction.
Her head was still lowered, then she glanced up at Chen Yan.
That gentle look intensified Chen Yan’s heartbeat.
And that wasn’t all; He Mengxue then took another step forward.
In that instant, she was almost pressed against Chen Yan.
Then, she gently wrapped her arms around Chen Yan’s neck.
But since she always knew boundaries,
even though they were very close, Chen Yan didn’t feel any "pressure."
He could only sense the barely-there softness against his chest.
He could only smell the pleasant scent of jasmine flowers around his nose.
And just as he was about to impulsively act,
He Mengxue raised her hand to adjust his collar, then stepped back two steps with a smile, looked Chen Yan up and down, and said cheerfully, "There, now it’s perfect."
Chen Yan was taken aback and looked at her.
He Mengxue even had the audacity to look back at him, retorting, "What? I was just fixing your clothes. Did you misunderstand something?"
Chen Yan: ....
When you ask that question! It can’t be said I misunderstood, can it!
This woman was definitely doing it on purpose!
She was waiting for him to lose control and make the first move!
Thinking this, Chen Yan hardened his resolve even more, determined not to let this woman succeed!
So, he snorted, saying, "I didn’t misunderstand. I indeed thought you were just fixing my clothes."
He Mengxue gave a half-smile and nodded, then glanced towards Chen Yan’s trousers, gave a charming smile, then turned to grab her bag.
Chen Yan: ....
....
While He Mengxue was always less disciplined privately, she became much more serious when it came to work.
On the way to the Twin Towers Hotel with He Mengxue, Chen Yan clearly sensed a change in her.
After arriving at the Twin Towers Hotel, she fully assumed her identity, conducting herself professionally and keeping within her bounds, and kept repeating the intelligence Qin Ming had given her into Chen Yan’s ear.
However, in the end, this intelligence was actually of little use.
Because when he saw Zhao Hengyu, Chen Yan involuntarily remembered what he had thought while drying his hair that morning, "Indeed... adults don’t have hair."
Originally, Chen Yan had thought that Zhao Hengyu, being a highly favored candidate for Head of the Zhao Family, would be a genteel, amiable man.
But unexpectedly, Zhao Hengyu had a tough demeanor, a shaved head, and when he smiled, it was always with a fierce appearance, as if he was about to grab the table and smash it on someone’s head the next second.
This made Chen Yan feel a bit surprised and even found it somewhat justifiable that he lost to Zhao Qingtian.
If he were one of the older generation in the Zhao Family, they probably wouldn’t choose him either.
After all, they were selecting a chairman for a corporation, not the leader of an underworld gang.
Meeting Zhao Hengyu left He Mengxue stunned too, clearly even with all her gathered information, she hadn’t imagined that this man would be Zhao Hengyu.
Being a candidate for the Head of the Zhao Family, Zhao Hengyu must have had his capabilities. Even though Chen Yan and He Mengxue hid their feelings well, he immediately noticed their surprise.
So, he touched his bald head and said with a smile, "It’s been hot lately. I just shaved my head."
Chen Yan: ...
Why did that excuse sound so familiar?
Are the excuses of middle-aged men all so alike?
While pondering this, Chen Yan quickly managed his emotions and then said with a laugh, "That hairstyle really suits you..."
Speaking words he himself didn’t believe, Chen Yan jovially took Zhao Hengyu to a private room.
Once they sat down, He Mengxue discreetly passed a mobile phone from under the table.
Chen Yan looked down.
The phone screen displayed a handsome young man who bore a strong resemblance to Zhao Hengyu. He had thick hair.
Chen Yan looked at He Mengxue and mouthed, "His son?"
He Mengxue shook her head and mouthed back, "Him."
Chen Yan: ...
Years really are a butcher’s knife. One slash after another.
After reflecting internally for a moment, Chen Yan started cheerfully chatting with Zhao Hengyu.
Zhao Hengyu’s information showed he was fifty years old. But in person, he seemed like someone in his thirties.
Moreover, contrary to his appearance, he spoke heartily and didn’t leverage his seniority over others. He interacted as though he were talking to a friend.
This gave Chen Yan a very good impression of him.
So, in probing a few sentences, Chen Yan then smoothly brought the conversation to Zhao Qingtian.
He asked, "Uncle Hengyu, what do you think of Zhao Qingtian?"
Upon hearing Chen Yan’s question, Zhao Hengyu’s face instantly turned serious.
He said, "Zhao Qingtian..."
"He’s not someone to be trifled with."
"Moreover, he’s headstrong, fierce, and vindictive, a veritable villain."
"I’ve competed with him before. We could be considered enemies."
As he said this, he questioned Chen Yan, "Why did you suddenly ask about him? Do you also have conflicts with him?"
Hearing Zhao Hengyu’s words, Chen Yan was actually quite satisfied.
What he needed was an ally, someone who could counter Zhao Qingtian from within the Zhao Family.
And now, it seemed that Zhao Hengyu perfectly met the criteria.
So, Chen Yan reflexively wanted to share his thoughts on Zhao Qingtian.
But he halted just as he was about to speak.
Because he felt this matter was too important. He wanted extra assurance.
Thus, thinking this way, he activated the "Inner Headphones" feature to hear what Zhao Hengyu really thought...
...
After a moment, Chen Yan turned off the "Inner Headphones" and then said with a smile, "I guess I have a small conflict with him."
"He suddenly sued me before, not sure why, so I retaliated a bit."
"But... all the revenge that needed to be taken has been taken."
"I also thought of mending our relationship."
"I came to Uncle Hengyu with this purpose in mind."
Hearing Chen Yan’s words, there was a dramatic reaction in He Mengxue’s heart.
She couldn’t help but look at Chen Yan.
But before she could make a move, Chen Yan grasped her hand.
She reflexively stopped her action and even made her demeanor more natural.
However, Zhao Hengyu was obviously not in the mood to pay her any heed because he was visibly shocked as he looked at Chen Yan.
After a moment, he relaxed his facial expression and said nonchalantly, "Chen Yan... I thought everyone inside the circle knew about my situation with Zhao Qingtian."
"Our relationship is bad. My position as head of the family was taken away by him."
"Now, you come here to talk about making peace. Are you joking with me?"
Hearing Zhao Hengyu’s words, Chen Yan smiled and said, "Uncle Hengyu, of course, I’m not joking."
He said, "I know you don’t get along with him."
"But I also know that your Tianfu Zhao Family is still the most powerful branch, and he cannot afford to disregard you."
"I might not want to continue the battle, but I also do not want to lower my head and apologize."
"After all, I’m someone with a family and business now."
"And it wasn’t me who caused this situation."
"So... I seek your help as a mediator. This could work well for both of us. It would let both me and him save face."
Hearing Chen Yan’s words, Zhao Hengyu really looked contemplative for a moment.
After a while, he said, "Let’s talk about this later."
Just then, the waiter started serving the dishes.
Thus, the two of them also paused their conversation appropriately.
During this time, only He Mengxue realized how nervous Chen Yan was.
Because... Chen Yan was holding her hand so tightly sweat was breaking out, making her hand wet and itchy, which was quite uncomfortable.
After all, this was the first time she had seen Chen Yan so nervous.
After the meal was completely served, Chen Yan acted very hospitably, repeatedly using the serving chopsticks to offer food to Zhao Hengyu.
However, Zhao Hengyu only thanked him, and didn’t talk about anything else.
This meal passed in such a state of outward calm and inner tension.
After dinner, Chen Yan escorted Zhao Hengyu back to his hotel room.
As Zhao Hengyu walked into the room, Chen Yan couldn’t help but add, "Uncle Hengyu, please think over my matter.
"If you have any conditions, feel free to mention them."
Zhao Hengyu just hummed dully. He neither agreed nor disagreed.
And after he closed the door, Chen Yan and He Mengxue also left the hotel hand in hand.
Outside the hotel, He Mengxue couldn’t hold back anymore.
She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, and then blurted out, "Chen Yan. Why did you suddenly change your stance?"
"Weren’t we here to find allies and then trouble Zhao Qingtian?"
Hearing He Mengxue’s words, Chen Yan said annoyed, "Trouble, trouble, trouble. What’s all this trouble about!"
"If I weren’t clever, we could end up getting scolded and even paying for others!"
He Mengxue looked puzzled at Chen Yan.
After a moment, her mouth gaped open in realization.
She first pointed at the hotel, then pointed in the direction of Tiandu, her face full of suspicion.
Chen Yan nodded earnestly and said, "Yes. They are actually in cahoots!"
The two candidates for this generation’s head of the Zhao Family were actually part of a single plot?!
The entire selection process was merely a play between the two!
That was a massive conglomerate worth trillions, employing hundreds of thousands, with its hands in various industries!
These two dared to play such a deceitful game!
And they had been carrying on this act for so many years?!
If Chen Yan hadn’t heard it directly through the "Inner Headphones," he wouldn’t have believed it!
And as Chen Yan stood at the hotel entrance, plagued by these doubts.
Suddenly, two men in black approached from the side of the road.
They walked up to Chen Yan and pulled an iPad out of their briefcase.
As Chen Yan came back to his senses, he looked at them puzzled.
The leading man in black then said, "Hello, Mr. Chen. My boss asked me to give this to you."
Hearing the man in black’s words, Chen Yan did not reach out to take the iPad.
Instead, he asked, "Who is your boss?"
The man in black replied succinctly, "Zhao Xuan."