By the time the two of them arrived at Lin Jianguo’s office, he had already brewed tea. He looked at Liu Yun and spoke.
“Secretary Liu, come, sit down and have some tea.”
Liu Yun was a bit overwhelmed by the favor, but she nodded and sat down regardless.
Lin Xiu curled his lip at this and joked, “Grandpa, I’m your actual grandson. This double standard of yours is a bit too obvious.”
Lin Jianguo gave him an annoyed look and chuckled. “If you weren’t my grandson, I might actually live a few years longer. Just look at you—you went on a vacation and almost got yourself killed. How are you so ‘capable’?”
Lin Xiu rubbed his nose awkwardly and let out a light cough. “Grandpa, that’s all in the past. Why bring it up again?”
Lin Jianguo snorted, but Liu Yun could tell that he was still quite worried about his grandson.
Changing the subject, Lin Jianguo looked at Liu Yun. “Secretary Liu, take a look at this.”
As he spoke, he pulled an exquisite invitation from a nearby drawer and handed it to her.
Liu Yun accepted it respectfully and opened it. After a quick glance, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “An invitation from the Huaqiang Group?”
Indeed, this was an invitation to the Huaqiang Group’s annual victory banquet, celebrating the achievements they had made over the past year.
As the Lin Group’s arch-rival, the intent behind them sending this invitation was obvious—it was a blatant taunt.
Lin Jianguo voiced his displeasure as well. “That Li Qiangsheng is really overstepping. Not only has he been suppressing the Lin Group everywhere these past two years, but he’s even started reaching his claws into our internal affairs recently. Does he really think I, Lin Jianguo, am a pushover?”
Liu Yun remained silent. A department manager at the Lin Group had recently been caught selling commercial secrets to the Huaqiang Group.
His fate was sealed, and he would certainly face the consequences, but there was no telling how many more pests like him were still hiding within the Lin Group, or who they might be.
Thinking of this, Liu Yun held the invitation and asked hesitantly, “In that case, Chairman, this invitation…”
Lin Jianguo nodded and said, “Of course we have to go. Otherwise, if word gets out, people will think the Lin Group is afraid of the Huaqiang Group.”
“However, I’m getting old, so I won’t be the one going. I want you and this brat to go instead.”
Lin Jianguo glared at the young man who was currently fiddling with the ornaments on his desk, his expression full of disappointment that the boy hadn’t lived up to his potential.
Even though he didn’t seem to be paying attention to the conversation, Lin Xiu had heard every word. He turned around and teased, “Grandpa, you’re sending Secretary Liu? Aren’t you afraid the other side will spend a fortune to bribe her into running away?”
After all, everyone in the industry knew that Liu Yun was Lin Jianguo’s right-hand person. As long as she wanted to switch jobs, she would never have to worry about finding a place to go.
Liu Yun was startled and gave him a speechless look before quickly saying, “Chairman, I’ve worked at the Lin Group for nearly ten years. I would never…”
However, before she could finish, Lin Jianguo cut her off. “Secretary Liu, why even say such things? If I can’t even trust you, then who else can I trust?”
He then glared at Lin Xiu. “You brat, stop talking nonsense!”
Lin Xiu shrugged and said nothing more.
Seeing this, Liu Yun spoke up. “Fine, then I will accompany the young CEO this time. Surely it won’t be a trap, right?”
Lin Jianguo laughed heartily. “It won’t go as far as being a trap. I know Li Qiangsheng, but it’s still good for you two to be careful.”
***
Wanhu Manor.
At this moment, countless luxury cars were parked in front of the banquet hall. Many dignitaries and socialites were conversing as they entered this field of fame and fortune.
Today, Liu Yun was wearing a formal suit, just like Lin Xiu. Perhaps it was due to his preconceived notions, but in Lin Xiu’s eyes, this woman looked even more valiant and sharp after putting on that suit.
The light from the crystal chandeliers cascaded down like a waterfall, soaking the entire banquet hall in a flowing golden hue.
When the two of them walked in, many eyes immediately focused on them.
After all, Lin Xiu was the heir to the Lin Group; wherever he went, he was bound to be the center of attention.
In comparison, Liu Yun attracted far fewer gazes. No matter how capable she was, she was ultimately still an employee.
Liu Yun was happy to have the lower profile, as people quickly swarmed Lin Xiu—some to discuss cooperation, some hoping to curry favor, and some with ill intentions.
Watching Lin Xiu struggle to handle them unnaturally, Liu Yun couldn’t help but curl her lips in schadenfreude.
“Mr. Liu, I have heard so much about you.”
At that moment, a woman handed a glass of red wine to Liu Yun, smiling charmingly.
Liu Yun caught the scent of the woman’s heavy perfume and frowned imperceptibly, but she still took the wine with a faint smile. “Miss Li, hello.”
The person before her was Li Yanran, the adopted daughter of the Huaqiang Group’s CEO, Li Qiangsheng. She was a troublesome woman.
At least, that was what Liu Yun believed, which was why she had always wanted to avoid any involvement with her.
“Mr. Liu, I must thank you and Young Master Lin for taking the time to attend our gala in the midst of your busy schedules.”
“I heard that Chairman Lin recently assigned you to work by Young Master Lin’s side. Your future looks very promising.”
Liu Yun’s heart stirred at these words, but she replied calmly, “Young Master Lin has a lot of potential. He is a very promising heir.”
Li Yanran let out a soft laugh. She glanced at the young man in the distance, who was perfunctorily dealing with people as if they were bothersome flies. “Is that really so? But from what I know, Young Master Lin spends his days idling around, leaving all the work to fall on your shoulders, Mr. Liu.”
Liu Yun said nothing.
Seeing this, Li Yanran continued, “You must have some resentment in your heart, right? In truth, there is never just one path in life. Why not try a different direction?”
At this point, Liu Yun understood her intentions. She replied with a half-smile, “And what do you mean by that, Miss Li?”
Li Yanran blew Liu Yun a kiss and then discreetly pressed a business card into her hand, whispering, “If you are willing to come to Huaqiang, the compensation will be at least ten times better than what you get at the Lin Group…”
Liu Yun didn’t refuse. She simply smiled faintly and said, “Miss Li, a matter like this requires some consideration, doesn’t it?”
Li Yanran nodded gracefully. “I look forward to your reply. Enjoy yourself; I’ll take my leave now.”
She swayed her hips as she turned toward her next target. Liu Yun watched her go and sighed.
At that moment, Lin Xiu finally managed to escape the entanglement of those middle-aged men and approached Liu Yun. “What did that woman want?”
Clearly, he had been keeping an eye on Liu Yun the whole time.
Liu Yun handed him the business card and said with a faint smile, “She wants a brief fling with you. Want to try calling her?”
Lin Xiu glanced at it and tore it up instantly. He suddenly leaned close to Liu Yun’s ear and teased, “I’m not interested in her. But if it were you, Sister Yun, I’d be more than happy to oblige.”
Liu Yun’s face flushed red at his words. She gave him an exasperated glare. “In your dreams.”