Volume Two: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 0040: Boyfriend

The year 2020 was slipping away through his fingers, and he was powerless to stop it. In the past six months, he had gained much—more than he had ever imagined. As a person's abilities grow, so too do their responsibilities.

The situation with Feng Real Estate was still fermenting, but the days of storms and chaos were gone. Everyone understood the principle: there's no wisdom in quarreling over a dead man. The tree had fallen; the monkeys had scattered.

At 293 Yokohama Street, the house was finally renovated, and he began preparing to move in. It was winter now, and the courtyard showed no signs of life, causing him to frown and ponder. He wondered if there might be a way to raise the temperature in the yard.

He studied the problem for two days before devising a plan. This time, he invested millions, purchasing a vast quantity of rare medicinal plant seeds and sowing them in the corners. He set about arranging everything.

By afternoon, his work was done. Both Wu Yaoyao and Su Ying called him, each with her own matter, leaving him perplexed. He couldn't guess what business these two had with him.

He got into the car; Jin Yu drove him back to the company. Lately, Yaoyao Beautification’s business was skyrocketing, as if riding a rocket. When Qin Yang had initially invested a hundred million, it multiplied tenfold, and his position rose accordingly—from Security Department Director to Security Department Manager, an exceptional promotion.

Entering the company, his mind was occupied with a dilemma: Wu Yaoyao and Su Ying—whom should he visit first?

He decided on Su Ying. He was more familiar with her and hoped to glean, indirectly, what Wu Yaoyao wanted.

Su Ying sat alone in her office, chin in hand, lost in thought. At times she smiled, at others she looked troubled; it was impossible to tell what had happened. The air conditioning was set to full; she wore only a shirt, her figure standing out proud and firm. Her lower half was clad in the most fashionable cropped black pants, revealing her shapely form. Her glossy black hair draped over her shoulders, and behind her black-framed glasses, she looked enchanting.

When Qin Yang entered, Su Ying rose with a cheerful smile. "Qin Yang, you're here."

"Yes, Su Ying, what was so urgent?" He sat on the sofa, confusion written on his face.

"It's nothing special. Tomorrow night is the high school reunion. They're all bringing someone, and I've been teased countless times. I hope you'll accompany me."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean, pretend to be your boyfriend?"

She nodded. He pondered, "Is there any benefit?"

"What kind of benefit do you want?"

"Take a guess." He replied, and then his eyes scanned her as if he were a machine.

Su Ying blushed deeply. "Get lost. If you want to help, help; if not, forget it."

"Heh, President Su, how could I refuse your request? No problem, I’ll do it." With that, he headed for the door. "By the way, Su Ying, do you know why Wu Yaoyao wants to see me?"

Su Ying shook her head, her beautiful eyes full of uncertainty. "I don’t know. Yaoyao didn’t tell me."

"Alright, see you."

Wu Yaoyao’s office was on the top floor. He had never been up there since they moved. Nodding to colleagues, he made his way to the president’s office and took a deep breath. He knocked several times, but there was no response, and his brows furrowed.

Was she not in?

He was full of doubt. It couldn't be—when she called him, he had asked and she confirmed she’d be in that afternoon.

Was she asleep?

He tried the door; it wasn’t locked. He walked in.

Suddenly, a startled cry rang out from inside. His expression changed. Was something wrong?

"Yaoyao, what’s happened?"

"Uh!"

He rushed over, only to realize he was mistaken. The scene before him stopped him cold.

The shower was pouring hot water over her, soaking his clothes as well. Wu Yaoyao screamed, and only then did he recover himself.

"Pervert! You filthy pervert! Are you just going to stand there? Get out!"

He reluctantly turned to leave, his lips pursed, but her graceful figure lingered in his mind, spectacular and vivid.

He had never realized Wu Yaoyao, usually so discreet and low-key, was so alluring.

And this was a workplace—how could she bathe in her office?

What’s more, she had chosen this moment. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d done it on purpose.

A beauty in the bath, tempting beyond words, her wet hair and the pure scent from her body.

Her face was like delicate porcelain, puffed with indignation as she glared at Qin Yang.

She had never imagined her body would one day be seen by another man.

Shyness, anger, a tumult of emotions surged within her.

Qin Yang sat on the sofa, unflustered, lit a cigarette, and smoked in silence.

Neither spoke; the atmosphere was stifling.

Last time she had asked her family for help, her parents thought she had a boyfriend and insisted on coming to see him. She figured she could use this misunderstanding to placate them and avoid their daily matchmaking attempts.

Now, before she could even make her request, her body had been seen by this man.

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she felt.

"Hey, why didn’t you knock?" she finally said, breaking the silence.

"Didn’t knock?" Qin Yang smiled wryly. "Come on, I knocked for a minute. I thought you were asleep."

"And this is the company. If you’re going to shower, please lock the door. Luckily it was me—if it had been someone else, who knows what would have happened!"

Wu Yaoyao felt herself about to explode. "So I should thank you?"

"No need. President Wu, if you have something to say, please get on with it. I have work."

Work?

Wu Yaoyao was amused and exasperated. A Security Department Manager—apart from making his rounds, what important work could he have? Others she might not know, but Qin Yang she knew intimately.

Latest arrival, earliest to leave, and especially in the past month, she had barely seen him at all.

She gritted her teeth. "Manager Qin, you’re really busy. There’s something you need to take responsibility for."

"Take responsibility?" Qin Yang jumped up. "President Wu, don’t play like this. Just because I saw your body, you’re not planning to stick to me, are you?"

"I tell you, I absolutely refuse."

Wu Yaoyao’s face turned dark. "Don’t worry, I don’t need you to take responsibility."

He breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her. "So, President Wu, what’s the matter?"

"My parents are visiting in the next few days. I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend."

"What?" Now it was Qin Yang’s turn to be stunned. How was this supposed to work? Su Ying had asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend, and now Wu Yaoyao too.

He stroked his sexy little mustache, wondering if he should start a rental service—rent himself out as a boyfriend for others.

It was a promising idea, highly profitable. Worth exploring.