Chapter 5: A New Beginning, A Softer Touch
The doors of the Presidential Suite on the thirtieth floor hissed open.
Ye Chen and Lin Wan'er stepped into an expansive living space that immediately enveloped them in luxury. Polished hardwood floors gleamed under soft recessed lighting, leading to floor to ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Jiangbei City's glittering skyline. A plush velvet sofa, a fully stocked bar, and a huge flat screen TV filled the main area.
But for Ye Chen, after a day of being thrown into the mud, it was the sight of the pristine, untouched comfort that truly mattered.
"You take the master bedroom," Ye Chen said, gesturing towards a grand archway. "There are two other rooms if you prefer, but I will take one of the smaller ones."
Lin Wan'er stood in the center of the living room, still looking dazed. She glanced at the magnificent view, then at Ye Chen, her mind struggling to reconcile the beggar from the noodle shop with the man who had just booked the Presidential Suite.
"Why... why are you doing all this?" she asked softly, her voice still hoarse from crying. "You do not owe me anything."
Ye Chen walked to the window, gazing out at the city that had tried to swallow him whole just hours ago.
"Like I said, Senior Sister Lin, I know what it feels like to lose everything. When I was kicked out, I felt utterly alone. I do not want you to feel that way," he replied, turning to face her. He saw the faint tear tracks still on her cheeks, the way her hair clung to her face. Despite the distress, her inherent beauty shone through, a testament to her Campus Queen title.
He then added, a hint of steel in his voice, "Besides, helping you might help me too. You still owe those loan sharks two hundred thousand, and your company is on the brink. I have a way to help you turn things around, but we need clear heads."
Lin Wan'er looked at him, surprised. "You have a way?"
"Trust me for now," Ye Chen said. "But first, we both need a long, hot shower."
Just then, a discreet knock came from the door. It was a hotel attendant, pushing a trolley laden with neatly folded clothing. There was a freshly pressed charcoal suit, a crisp white shirt, and new underwear for a man. For Lin Wan'er, there was an elegant, simple silk dress, soft undergarments, and a plush bathrobe. Fresh toiletries and designer perfumes completed the offerings.
"The clothes you requested, sir," the attendant said respectfully.
Ye Chen nodded. "Thank you. Put them in the master bedroom's changing room, please."
As the attendant silently complied, Ye Chen looked at Lin Wan'er.
"Go on. You need this more than I do."
Lin Wan'er hesitated for another moment, then nodded.
"Thank you, Ye Chen," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
She walked towards the master bedroom, her slender figure disappearing around the corner.
Ye Chen watched her go. Even through the layers of her winter coat, he could see the elegant curve of her back, the gentle sway of her hips. He recalled the campus rumors. Lin Wan'er was known for her exceptional figure, a perfect blend of grace and subtle allure. His Eyes of Truth did not provide affection details based on physical attributes, but he could not deny the aesthetic appeal.
He quickly shook his head.
Focus, Ye Chen. Focus on the system, on the revenge.
He picked one of the smaller, equally luxurious bedrooms and headed straight for the bathroom. The hot spray of the rain shower felt like heaven, washing away the dirt, the mud, and some of the pain from the day. As the water streamed over his body, he felt the grime and the shame slowly dissolve. He vigorously scrubbed his skin, washing off the stench of despair.
After a long shower, Ye Chen emerged feeling like a new man. He pulled on the clean, soft bathrobe provided by the hotel. It felt utterly luxurious against his skin.
He returned to the living room. Lin Wan'er was already there.
She had also showered. Her long black hair was damp, falling in soft waves around her shoulders. She was wearing the silk dress provided by the hotel. It was a simple, knee length design in a deep sapphire blue. The fabric clung softly to her figure, hinting at the graceful curves beneath. Her skin, no longer pale from fear and cold, had a healthy glow.
Ye Chen could not help but notice the way the silk draped over her figure, subtly highlighting her slender waist and the enticing swell of her perky breasts beneath the fabric. The dress, though modest, still managed to emphasize the alluring shape of her body, hinting at the supple curve of her butt with its great elasticity as she moved. The Campus Queen title was not just for her face. Her body was equally captivating. Her entire demeanor had transformed from a terrified mouse to a composed, though still vulnerable, goddess.
"Feeling better?" Ye Chen asked, trying to keep his voice neutral despite the sudden warmth in the pit of his stomach.
Lin Wan'er turned, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Much better. I... I feel human again. Thank you. This dress is beautiful."
She looked at him, a genuine smile finally gracing her lips, making her eyes sparkle.
"You look completely different too, Ye Chen. The mud really did hide a lot."
Ye Chen ran a hand through his damp hair.
"It is amazing what a shower and a change of clothes can do."
He gestured to the plush sofa.
"Let us talk. You said your company is failing because of a customs issue with a supply shipment. What exactly is the problem?"
Lin Wan'er sat down, her earlier fear replaced by a quiet determination.
"We import a unique botanical extract from South America. It is the key ingredient for our signature anti aging cream. The latest shipment, worth about five million yuan, arrived at the docks yesterday. But the customs authorities flagged it. They say the import documents are forged, and the extract is actually a cheap, synthetic substitute from a domestic supplier. They are demanding a penalty of another two million yuan and threatening to destroy the entire shipment if I do not pay by Friday morning."
Ye Chen's eyes narrowed.
"Forged documents? Synthetic substitute?"
[Target: Botanical Extract Shipment]
[Status: Accusation of forgery and synthetic substitution.]
[Truth: The original botanical extract from South America is one hundred percent genuine and high grade. The import documents were deliberately swapped and altered by a competitor to sabotage Lin's Cosmetics.]
[Conspiracy Details: Jinghua Cosmetics, led by CEO Zhang Lei, orchestrated the sabotage. They bribed a customs official to falsely flag the shipment and provided the fake documents.]
Ye Chen felt a cold fury building inside him. It was not just Lin Wan'er being targeted. It was a blatant act of corporate sabotage. And his System had just given him all the dirty details.
"It is a setup, Senior Sister Lin," Ye Chen stated, his voice flat. "Your shipment is genuine. The documents were swapped, and a customs official was bribed."
Lin Wan'er gasped, her eyes wide.
"How do you know that? Who... who would do this?"
"Jinghua Cosmetics," Ye Chen said, watching her reaction. "Their CEO, Zhang Lei. He bribed an official to flag your shipment and replace your real documents with fakes."
Lin Wan'er's face paled further.
"Zhang Lei? But... he has been trying to buy my company for months. I refused him every time. I knew he was ruthless, but this... this is illegal."
"Exactly," Ye Chen agreed. "And we are going to use this against him."
He leaned forward, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"You have one Reality Modification Card Trial Version left, System. Activate the Eyes of Truth on the customs documents."
[DING. Activating Eyes of Truth on the forged customs documents.]
[Target: Forged Customs Documents for Lin's Cosmetics.]
[Status: Fake. Falsified to implicate Lin's Cosmetics. Contains hidden digital watermark proving tampering by Jinghua Cosmetics and the bribed official.]
[Recommendation: Use Reality Modification Card to convert the fake digital watermark into physical, undeniable evidence.]
Ye Chen smiled. This was perfect. He had the means to expose the truth.
"Senior Sister Lin," Ye Chen said, looking at her with an intense gaze. "I can expose this fraud. I can prove your shipment is real and expose Zhang Lei's dirty tricks. But I need your full cooperation, and we have to move fast."
Lin Wan'er looked at him, her heart thumping. His confidence was infectious, a stark contrast to the despair she had felt just hours ago. He was like a beacon in her darkest hour.
"I... I trust you, Ye Chen," she said, her voice firming. "What do you need me to do?"
[DING. Target: Lin Wan'er. Affection Score increased: plus ten.]
[Current Affection: twenty five of one hundred, Trusting Ally.]
Ye Chen felt a warm surge in his chest, a direct result of the System notification. He was close to that first reward.
"First," Ye Chen said, a plan rapidly forming in his mind, "I need you to call the customs department first thing in the morning. Demand a meeting with the head of the department. Tell them you have irrefutable proof of sabotage and forged documents, and you are prepared to expose corruption within their ranks if they do not cooperate."
Lin Wan'er's eyes widened.
"That is a bold move."
"It is the only move," Ye Chen countered. "We are not playing by their rules anymore. We are going to hit them hard. And when we do, Zhang Lei and Jinghua Cosmetics will pay dearly."
He picked up his new clean phone and ordered room service for a hearty breakfast. The night was still young, but the dawn was bringing a new battle.
"And tomorrow," Ye Chen added, looking at the city lights, "we will start building a new empire. Yours and mine."