At four in the afternoon, Xiao Chen walked into the president's office.
"President Su, you wanted to see me?"
Without pausing her writing, Su Qing raised her head slightly.
"Xiao Chen, I'll be heading to the lab later. Could you pick Xiaomeng up and take her home first?"
"Oh? What about you?"
"I'll get another driver to take me back once I'm done."
Noticing the fatigue in her face, Xiao Chen felt a pang of sympathy.
"I'm free anyway. How about I come pick you up afterward?"
"No need. I'd rather Xiaomeng not stay home alone too long."
Xiao Chen froze, then suddenly understood. The recent threat letter and planted bug must have left her uneasy. She wasn't worried for herself—she feared for her sister.
"Su Qing, don't worry. I'll handle the threat and the bug soon. And as for Xiaomeng, the other party seems to be targeting you, not her."
"I hope so." She nodded lightly. "Alright then, just bring her home after work. I'll call you when I finish."
"Got it." Xiao Chen agreed, then hesitated. "But… Su Qing, don't overwork yourself. Doesn't the company already have researchers? You don't need to be on the front line."
"There's a cosmeceutical formula I must personally oversee. It may affect the company's development strategy for years to come."
Hearing that, Xiao Chen simply nodded. She knew the company better than anyone.
After chatting a bit longer, Xiao Chen left the office. He thought about visiting Qin Lan but, seeing her door locked, gave up and went back to the security department.
Ding Li soon came in.
"Brother Chen, I asked every guard on duty last night. None of them noticed anything unusual."
"Nothing at all?" Xiao Chen frowned. No clues from surveillance, no leads from security… this case was becoming troublesome.
"Nothing."
"Alright, get back to work."
"Understood. I'm on duty tonight anyway."
"Good. Work hard and I'll take care of you."
Ding Li nodded firmly and left.
Lighting a cigarette, Xiao Chen sat deep in thought. Were the threat letter and the bug from the same person? What was their goal? Business competition? But the bug was military-grade tech from an island nation—far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Finishing the cigarette, he still had no answers. He squinted. Could he just sit and wait?
At five, Xiao Chen drove out of the company. Just as he was about to accelerate, he spotted a familiar figure at a nearby bus stop.
His lips curled into a smile. He slowed down, lowered the window.
"Tong Yan, heading home from work?"
Startled, Tong Yan looked up from her phone.
"Minister Xiao, hello."
"Waiting for the bus?"
"Yes."
Xiao Chen's gaze flicked to the two shady-looking youths leering behind her. His smile deepened.
"How about I drive you?"
"Thanks, but no need. I'll wait for the bus."
Xiao Chen sighed inwardly. Her guardedness made it hard to be kind.
"Who knows when the bus will come? Hop in, no need to be polite."
"Really, it's fine. We're not going the same way."
"I actually wanted to discuss some new ideas for the job fair," he added casually, noticing the two youths whispering to each other, their eyes filled with ill intent toward Tong Yan.
Tong Yan hesitated. "Can't we talk about it tomorrow?"
"The recruitment's only three days away. Better to finalize early. The company takes this seriously."
"…Alright then." She finally agreed, remembering Qin Lan's words. She climbed into the passenger seat.
Xiao Chen chuckled, shooting a glance at the two crestfallen youths before driving off.
"Where do you live?"
"Bainan Road."
"I don't know the way—guide me."
"Okay. Minister Xiao, what new ideas do you have?"
"Ah?" Xiao Chen froze. He had made that up just to get her into the car. Now, caught off guard, he scrambled for words.
Tong Yan grew even more wary. Did he really have other intentions?
Finally, Xiao Chen spoke. "When drafting the recruitment copy, add a note: preference for veterans. That's important—they're reliable."
"That's it?"
"Yes. Veterans have great qualities."
"…Got it. Turn left ahead."
Ten minutes later, under her directions, the Maserati entered a shantytown. Ramshackle houses crowded together in a messy sprawl.
Xiao Chen blinked in surprise. Longhai, a so-called international metropolis, still had slums like this? And Tong Yan lived here?
"Minister Xiao, the roads here are rough. You can drop me off, I'll walk."
"No, I'll take you home. Is this rented, or your family's house?"
"My home. I'm a local."
"Oh." Xiao Chen nodded, sighing.
The car wound through the alleys until stopping at a dilapidated two-story structure. The second floor looked haphazardly added on, clearly for demolition compensation.
"This is your home?"
"Mm." Tong Yan nodded. "Thank you for the ride."
"No need to thank me. We're colleagues—and friends, right?"
"Right…" She smiled politely. "Would you like to come in?"
Checking his watch, Xiao Chen nodded. "Sure."
Tong Yan froze—she'd only asked out of courtesy! But she could only lead him into the small yard.
From inside came a woman's voice.
"Xiaoyan? You're back? Pengfei's been waiting a long time—"
A plump middle-aged woman rose from her chair. Seeing Xiao Chen behind her daughter, her face immediately darkened.
"And who's this?"
Before Tong Yan could answer, Xiao Chen smiled.
"Hello, Auntie. I'm Tong Yan's friend."
Her eyes swept over him, unimpressed. His appearance was decent, but his wrinkled clothes and empty hands screamed "penniless."
"Friend? Hmph. Do you think you're worthy of being friends with Xiaoyan? Boy, I'll tell you this—stay away from my daughter!"