Qin Xiao's words carried a hint of testing, as well as a trace of subtle scrutiny.
Fang Ming remained silent for two seconds, then looked up and stared at the other man seriously.
"Young Master Qin, I used to be a coward because I was poor. Now that you think highly of me and have given me an opportunity, I naturally cannot betray your trust."
"Mhm!"
Hearing this, the scrutiny in Qin Xiao's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a complex emotion.
There was satisfaction, appreciation, and a hint of... a sudden realization that it was indeed so.
In the memories of his past life, Fang Ming had no other relatives and was inherently loyal to the point of being somewhat foolishly devoted. It was just that back then, he hadn't given him opportunities or resources, so he had always been a timid little follower.
In this life, having been reborn, he had put him in an important position ahead of time, given him a raise, and granted him authority.
Thus, it was only natural for someone sufficiently loyal and possessed of a certain amount of capital to act with a sense of responsibility.
At this thought, Qin Xiao waved his hand, his tone becoming casual.
"You may go now. Keep a close eye on Chu Yao's side and report any abnormalities to me at any time."
"Yes," Fang Ming replied, turning to leave.
"Wait a moment."
Qin Xiao suddenly called out to him: "I almost forgot about this."
After saying this, Qin Xiao didn't look at Fang Ming but instead pressed the intercom on his desk: "Have Chen Qian come in."
Three minutes later, the office door was pushed open gently.
A girl walked in.
She looked to be in her early twenties, about 1.65 meters tall, wearing a pale pink Chanel suit. The hem of the skirt reached just above her knees, revealing a portion of her calves clad in nude stockings.
Her hair was styled in well-maintained chestnut waves draped over her shoulders. Her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, and her features were quite pretty—especially her eyes, which tilted up slightly at the corners, carrying a natural hint of charm.
Overall, she could be rated an eighty; she was the type who would make people turn their heads for a second look on the street.
However, compared to Chu Yao's cold stubbornness or Gu Qinghe's mature charm, this girl's beauty seemed somewhat mass-produced.
Exquisite, but lacking soul—that was Fang Ming's assessment of her.
"Young Master Qin."
The girl walked to the desk, her voice sweet and delicate. When her gaze fell on Qin Xiao, her eyes shone with undisguised admiration and a desire to please.
Qin Xiao, however, didn't even give her a second glance, merely gesturing toward Fang Ming with his chin.
"Chen Qian, this is Fang Ming, my most capable brother."
Only then did Chen Qian turn her gaze toward Fang Ming and size him up carefully.
Fang Ming wasn't bad-looking; he was tall with long legs, and the lines of his physique beneath his shirt showed that he exercised regularly. His gold-rimmed glasses added a touch of scholarly temperament.
But... that was about it.
He wore a decent shirt, but it wasn't a top-tier luxury brand. He had no watch on his wrist and no chain around his neck. Standing next to Qin Xiao, the gap between them was like a firefly next to the bright moon.
A flash of imperceptible disappointment and reluctance crossed Chen Qian's eyes, but her face was immediately covered with a sweet smile.
"Hello, Brother Fang. I'm Chen Qian."
Her voice was still sweet, but it lacked the heartfelt eagerness she had when facing Qin Xiao.
Fang Ming nodded without saying a word.
As if he hadn't noticed Chen Qian's little thoughts, Qin Xiao said indifferently, "Fang Ming is usually busy following me and sometimes can't attend to matters in his personal life. Add him on WeChat. In the future, if there are any gatherings, activities, or occasions requiring a female companion, you go with him and help him out."
These words were polite, but the meaning was clear—he was assigning a female companion to Fang Ming.
The smile on Chen Qian's face froze for a moment.
Her father was an old driver who had driven for the Qin Family for twenty years and could barely be considered a confidant. That was why she had the opportunity to get close to Qin Xiao, dreaming of flying up a branch to become a phoenix.
But now, Qin Xiao wanted to assign her to a follower? What was the difference between this and giving her away like an object?
But she didn't dare refuse. In the circles of Rong City, Qin Xiao's word was an imperial decree.
"O-Okay... Young Master Qin."
Chen Qian bashfully took out her phone and opened her WeChat QR Code. When she handed it to Fang Ming, her fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
"Brother Fang, will you scan me?"
Fang Ming glanced at Qin Xiao, who was looking down and fiddling with a cigar as if this matter were insignificant.
Fang Ming understood perfectly. He took out his phone, scanned the code, and added her as a friend.
[I've accepted your friend request. Now we can start chatting.]
The cold system notification seemed to be mocking something.
"Alright, you two head out first. I still have things to do." Qin Xiao waved them away, dismissing his guests.
Fang Ming and Chen Qian exited the office one after the other.
The moment the heavy mahogany door closed, the sweet smile on Chen Qian's face instantly collapsed.
She glanced at Fang Ming with a cold gaze, said nothing, and walked quickly toward the elevator in her seven-centimeter heels, as if staying with Fang Ming for even a second longer was torture.
Fang Ming watched her back, pushed up his glasses, and a faint, almost imperceptible curve formed at the corner of his mouth.
An informant? That's quite interesting... Inside the office.
Qin Xiao lit the cigar, took a deep drag, and exhaled a pale blue smoke ring.
Amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze was deep and inscrutable.
He had seen Chen Qian's reaction just now very clearly. Reluctance? Looking down on Fang Ming? That was good.
The more reluctant she was, the more dissatisfied she felt, the easier she would be to use. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
A few minutes later, the side door of the office was pushed open, and Chen Qian returned.
This time, the expression on her face was much more respectful, even carrying a hint of grievance.
"Young Master Qin..." She walked to the desk, her voice so soft it could drip water. "Why did you make me add his WeChat? I... I only want to follow you..."
Qin Xiao looked up and gave her a faint glance.
That single glance made all of Chen Qian's subsequent words get stuck in her throat.
That gaze was too cold, devoid of any emotion, as if he were looking at a tool.
"Chen Qian."
Qin Xiao's voice was very calm, yet it carried a sense of pressure. "Your father has driven for my Qin Family for twenty years and has performed great service. That's why I'm giving you an opportunity to enter this circle."
"But you must know your place."
Chen Qian's face turned pale, and her fingers tightly gripped the hem of her skirt.
"Fang Ming is the person I value most right now. His loyalty and ability are useful to me."
Qin Xiao flicked the cigarette ash, his tone softening slightly, as if granting a favor. "Letting you follow him is giving you an opportunity. If you can tie him down and take good care of him, your future days won't be bad."
"Of course, who he meets every day, what he does, any abnormalities... you must also report them to me in a timely manner."
Chen Qian looked up abruptly, her eyes brightening. "Young Master Qin, you mean..."
"I didn't say anything."
Qin Xiao interrupted her, his gaze becoming indifferent again. "I just want to see, after I've given him more opportunities and resources, just how big of a storm this butterfly can stir up."
"You just need to do your duty. I will tell you what you need to know; don't ask about what you don't."
Although Chen Qian didn't fully understand, she grasped the core meaning—Young Master Qin wanted to use Fang Ming heavily but didn't completely trust him, so he wanted her to keep an eye on him.
And she was the eyes Young Master Qin had placed by Fang Ming's side.
This realization dissipated much of the grievance and resentment in her heart, even giving rise to a secret sense of excitement.
Although she couldn't directly climb onto Qin Xiao, being Qin Xiao's eyes seemed... like a pretty good way out?
"I understand, Young Master Qin."
Chen Qian revealed a sweet smile once again, this time much more sincere. "Rest assured, I know what to do."
"Go on."