Chen Xinan couldn't linger at the driving school too long—otherwise, he would have crushed the other students' confidence entirely.
Was this guy some kind of prodigy? A total beginner, who'd never touched a car, yet somehow could back into a parking space, parallel park, and maneuver on the road like a seasoned driver?
The poor students who had been practicing for three days were left questioning their own intelligence. "Is this learning to drive, or just showing off?"
Under Coach Guan's tired, exasperated gaze, Xiao Zhou grabbed Chen Xinan and made a hasty retreat. How the coach would handle the other students later was entirely his problem—but one thing was certain: Chen Xinan would never appear on that practice field with them again.
Back at the Liquor Industry Building, Ning Xiruo had just returned to her office after a meeting, her expression dark.
Seeing Xiao Zhou enter, she waved her off: "Where's Chen Xinan? Don't let him run around the company."
Xiao Zhou placed the spending card Ning had given her on the desk with a smile. "Here he is! Didn't Ning notice him?"
Ning Xiruo glanced at Chen Xinan, now transformed, and was genuinely surprised. With a little grooming, he actually looked presentable.
Chen Xinan plopped down on the sofa without hesitation. "Just so we're clear," he said, "I'll go home with you, but we're not married yet. I'm not sharing a room or a bed with you. You'll have to arrange a separate place for me, and don't go entering my room freely."
Yeah, right! Who do you think you are? Sharing a room with me? I'd rather have you ten thousand miles away! Ning Xiruo's face turned crimson with fury, ready to scold him, when two men suddenly pushed open the office door.
"Ning Dong, Vice President Lin!" Xiao Zhou greeted them quickly.
"Hey!" Chen Xinan waved cheerfully at Lin Shuai—after all, they were all old acquaintances.
Lin Shuai's face immediately darkened.
Ning Dong, a fifty-something man with a slicked-back hairstyle like a government official, didn't even glance at Chen Xinan. He told Xiao Zhou, "Have him leave first. I need to discuss something with Xiruo."
Chen Xinan looked at Ning Xiruo and asked, "Are you really the CEO? People just barge into your office without knocking? Honestly, you look more like the CEO than you do!"
Both Ning Dong and Lin Shuai blushed, glaring at him. Ning Dong finally asked, "Xiruo, who is this? What does he do?"
Lin Shuai scowled. "You don't know him? Ning family arranged a live-in son-in-law for Xiruo—this is him!"
"A live-in son-in-law?" Ning Dong sneered at Chen Xinan. "I'm Xiruo's second uncle, Ning Changgang. Once you step into the Ning family, you'll never forget this name."
"Yeah, right," Chen Xinan scoffed. "I'm marrying Ning Xiruo, not you. Why would I remember you?"
Ning Changgang nearly choked on his rage. "How dare you! Do you even know your place? You think entering the Ning family is that easy? Believe me, I could have you thrown out with a single word! Disrespectful, impudent—you don't even know the rules!"
Chen Xinan grinned. "If you can stop me from marrying Ning Xiruo, I'll thank you. But… can you?"
Ning Xiruo shot him a sharp glare, then looked at her uncle coolly. "Second uncle, you know this arrangement was decided by Grandma. If you can persuade her otherwise, I'll thank you too."
Ning Changgang's face turned dark purple. Everyone in the Ning family knew Grandma's word was law. Dare to oppose her? Might as well leave Panlong Bay entirely.
Chen Xinan leaned back on the sofa, unimpressed. "Big mouth, small skills. Boring!"
Ning Changgang's face flushed like a monkey's backside, itching to slap this insolent kid into oblivion. Lin Shuai, sensing the tension, quickly interceded. "Xiruo, let's not waste time with trivialities. We came to discuss your proposal from the meeting. What's your opinion?"
Ning Xiruo frowned. "Second uncle, Vice President Lin, I said I need time. Xihe is our largest market. If we pull out now, we can't get it back easily."
Ning Changgang snapped, "Xiruo, time isn't on our side. Shuntian's Lu is ready to take over Xihe, and it's already a lost market—no profit for anyone. Buy Twin Cities, sell Xihe. Listen to me!"
Xiruo hesitated. "Second uncle, do you not understand our financial situation? I can't afford it!"
Lin Shuai sneered at Chen Xinan. "Can't afford it, huh?"
He then noticed the outfit Chen Xinan was wearing. "Wait… Ning's fiancé… did you buy that?" He eyed the brand: Shengyuanxiang Hanfu.
"This outfit alone costs over a hundred thousand, right? Three outfits… fifty thousand at least!"
Ning Changgang's face darkened. "I hear your second brother asked for money to renovate a store, and you refused, even causing injury. Now you spend fifty thousand on a live-in son-in-law's clothes? Ning Xiruo, the company will fall under your management!"
Xiruo looked at Xiao Zhou—she hadn't expected Chen Xinan's clothes to be so expensive, but since they were bought, there was no point denying it.
"Second uncle, Vice President Lin, you misunderstand. These were gifts to Chen Xinan. He helped someone, and they gave him these outfits in gratitude."
"Gifts?" Lin Shuai and Ning Changgang exchanged looks, then laughed.
Lin Shuai sneered, "Gifts worth tens of thousands? You're their own son?"
Ning Changgang barked, "What fool would do that? You think we're idiots?"
Chen Xinan shrugged. "Believe it or not, doesn't matter to me."
Xiao Zhou smiled. "This outfit is from the owner of Fuyuanxiang. The others are gifts from Mr. Shen Changsheng of the Haidong Chamber of Commerce. Call and check if you don't believe me."
Lin Shuai and Ning Changgang were instantly speechless, their faces a mix of shock and awe.
Chen Xinan's audacity and luck continued to leave everyone around him dumbfounded—while he lounged casually, unbothered by anyone's authority.