Chapter 110: Old Ye Is Leaving

Returning to the company in the afternoon, Lin Jian went about his work as usual, acting as if nothing had happened.

Wang Qinglong, Xu Xiaohui, and the other man returned to the company, only to leave shortly after under the excuse of running errands. However, Wang Qinglong didn’t go far. Instead, he got into his car and called Chen Zhiyuan, giving him a full rundown of what had happened at the company that day. Since he was a double agent, he felt he ought to inform Master San about the incident.

After listening to the report, Chen Zhiyuan asked curiously, "He doesn’t plan on kidnapping the guy’s grandson?"

"No. From what he said, he thinks kidnapping a child is too low."

"It is indeed quite low."

Master Chen asked with a hint of amusement, "And then he asked for Mao Xudong’s address at the end?"

"Yes. After that, he didn’t say anything else, only telling us to wait to collect the money tomorrow."

"How interesting!" Master Chen chuckled. "I’m genuinely curious to see what this kid is going to do. I’ll be waiting for your call tomorrow."

"Understood, Master San."

Wang Qinglong hung up the phone. Master San had been keeping a close eye on Lin Jian. In fact, Master San had hinted that he would be visiting Jiang City in a few days to personally host a banquet for Lin Jian. In Wang Qinglong’s eyes, Master San’s status in the underworld was unparalleled—he was a true mover and shaker. For Lin Jian to earn Master San’s favor was a stroke of immense luck, and Wang Qinglong felt deeply envious.

After Fuxing’s working hours ended, Ye Ziqiu wasn’t in a rush to leave. She stayed until six-thirty in the evening before finally finishing her work and coming out. Lin Jian hadn’t switched out with the other driver. Pretending nothing was amiss, he continued to drive for Ye Ziqiu. However, when she got into the car today, she was clearly in a bad mood, her expression somewhat desolate.

"Old Ye, should we go out for dinner tonight?" Lin Jian asked tentatively.

"Mhm, you pick the place." Ye Ziqiu didn’t decline.

Lin Jian turned a corner, and a short while later, they arrived at a hotpot restaurant.

"I used to come here all the time. It’s affordable and gives you a lot for your money—a real everyday kind of place. Anyway, Old Ye, did someone tick you off?"

"It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. Want to go home and watch a movie after we eat?" Ye Ziqiu suddenly suggested.

"Sure, we’ll go home and watch a movie."

The two didn’t eat much. Ye Ziqiu obviously had something on her mind and was quite absent-minded. She didn’t even hear Lin Jian when he tried speaking to her a few times! When they finally finished their meal, before they could even pay the bill, Ye Ziqiu’s phone suddenly rang. As she answered it, she gestured to Lin Jian, signaling that she was stepping outside to take the call and leaving him to settle the tab.

Lin Jian nodded and headed to the counter to pay. Meanwhile, Ye Ziqiu returned to the car, seemingly arguing with whoever was on the other end of the line. When Lin Jian curiously used his Thought to listen in, he discovered that she was actually speaking English. After settling the bill, he didn’t rush to get into the car. Instead, he leaned against the trunk and smoked a cigarette while Ye Ziqiu remained on the phone.

It wasn’t until over half an hour later that Ye Ziqiu, her eyes red, rolled down the window and said, "Lin Jian, let’s go home. Sorry for making you wait so long!"

She looked like she was on the verge of tears. Lin Jian ruthlessly stubbed out his cigarette with his foot. He then got into the car, looked at her, and demanded, "Tell me, who bullied you?"

Ye Ziqiu turned her head to look out the window. "No one bullied me. Just drive."

Lin Jian felt a fire of suppressed anger burning in his chest. Right now, he really wanted to kill someone. The Ferrari sped toward the Green City High-rise.

Suddenly, Ye Ziqiu turned and hugged Lin Jian’s right arm. "Lin Jian, if I were to leave, would you miss me?"

SCREECH!

Lin Jian pulled over and parked by the curb. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Leave? Go back to the US?"

"It’s a possibility." She gave a bitter smile. "That was my uncle on the phone just now. He’s very dissatisfied with my work recently, so it’s highly likely he’ll replace me."

"Can he just replace you so easily just because he’s dissatisfied? Isn’t that too arbitrary?" Lin Jian asked, puzzled.

"The struggle for power and profit within the family is fierce. Moreover, because of our falling out with the Su Family, they’ve been targeting us lately. We’ve already lost two projects to them.

"And they also found out about you and me."

"So what if they found out? Are you not allowed to date?" Lin Jian frowned.

Ye Ziqiu’s gaze darted away evasively. "My uncle has always wanted me to marry into the Li Family, a prominent Chinese family in the States. It would be considered a powerful alliance between two major families.

"So, finding out that I’m here with you... naturally made him fly into a rage!"

"Hah, arranged marriages still exist in this day and age?" Lin Jian scoffed.

Ye Ziqiu didn’t reply. Lin Jian didn’t understand. He didn’t understand overseas Chinese families, much less wealthy and powerful aristocratic households like hers. Among these elite families, anything could be sacrificed for the sake of profit—let alone romantic love! Of course, the marriages and private lives within these families were often a mess. First, their lives were dictated by money. Second, they were often unhappy with the partners arranged for them. Naturally, this led to marriages in name only, with many seeking lovers or having affairs on the side. It was an incredibly common phenomenon.

Ye Ziqiu had thought about her own future marriage before. The reason she had never dared to date was because she knew she had no control over who she would marry! However, meeting Lin Jian felt like destiny. It was a thrilling, exciting, and blissfully happy romance bestowed upon her by heaven! She also knew that, perhaps, once she left the Continent and returned to the US, their relationship would end for good. They might never interact or see each other again in this lifetime!

At this very moment, she strongly considered giving up everything to elope with him. But she knew that was unrealistic. If she actually dared to do so, her grandfather or her uncle would send people to drag her back—and then they would kill Lin Jian! Doing that would only bring harm to him.

"Alright, don’t worry. Maybe it won’t be as bad as we think," she said, trying to reassure him. "I’m only going back to give a work report to the board of directors regarding Fuxing’s industrial layout and our next plans. Whether or not they can remove me from my position is up to my grandfather, and he still favors me!" She clung to Lin Jian’s arm once more, truly unable to bear the thought of parting with him!

Lin Jian thought for a moment before asking, "What do I need to do to get your family’s approval?"

Ye Ziqiu paused, then gently touched his face. "You don’t need to do anything, and you don’t need anyone’s approval. As long as you have mine, that’s enough!"

"Then I’ll go to the US with you!" Lin Jian looked at her with utmost seriousness. "Aren’t you just going back to report on your work? I’ll wait for you to finish, and then we can come back together!"

Ye Ziqiu’s eyes lit up, but they quickly dimmed. It would be incredibly dangerous for Lin Jian to go to the US. If her uncle found out he had tagged along, he would do everything in his power to target him. After all, her uncle’s ruthlessness was notorious within the Chinese circles.

"I’ll probably have to spend a few days accompanying my grandfather, so it would be inconvenient for you to go. Plus, I wouldn’t have time to look after you. So, be good and wait for me at home!"

"Alright, then I’ll wait for your return." Lin Jian didn’t push the matter. He knew that following her right now was too unrealistic and would only put Ye Ziqiu in a difficult position. So, all he could do was wait!

"Let’s go home. I want you to watch a movie with me. Tomorrow, you’re coming shopping with me, and in the afternoon, we’ll go tour East Lake together!" She hugged Lin Jian’s arm tightly, unwilling to let go for even a single second.