Chapter Thirty-Nine

Lin Yu truly couldn’t understand why, in a city like Nancheng filled with heiresses and socialites, Fu Chen had chosen such a difficult woman—someone who could silence a person with just a couple of sentences.

“Alright, alright, let’s go to the meeting room.” Lin Yu rubbed his forehead and silently led the way.

Yu Yunxi was quietly amused. Just moments ago, Lin Yu had strutted out of the elevator with such bravado, only to be reduced to a defeated rooster by Shen Huaijing’s sharp words. It was quite entertaining.

As soon as they stepped into the elevator, Lin Yu noticed Yu Yunxi’s lips curving upwards in the corner.

“I wonder what has made our Chief Editor Yu so delighted.” Lin Yu, still stinging from Shen Huaijing’s remarks, was eager to vent—and Yu Yunxi had just presented herself as the target.

“Huh?” Yu Yunxi was momentarily startled, but her mind moved quickly. She responded with poise, “I’m just happy because I’ll be seeing a handsome man soon. Why, is laughter forbidden in your company, President Lin?”

Shen Huaijing couldn’t help but laugh, exchanging a glance with Yu Yunxi to signal her approval.

Lin Yu was left speechless, unable to muster a retort. He swallowed his words, knowing he couldn’t win against two women. He raised his thumb silently toward the pair.

Just as the elevator doors opened, a shadow rushed into Lin Yu’s arms, accompanied by a coquettish voice, “President Lin~ I’ve been waiting for you so long, why are you only just here~”

Yu Yunxi and Shen Huaijing were startled by the sudden intrusion.

Lin Yu pushed the woman away with mild distaste, frowned, and barked, “Where’s your agent? Do you not care about your future in film and television? Wen Manchu!”

Shen Huaijing watched the two with disdain. Such shameless behavior, so openly displayed in the company—Lin Yu was certainly living up to his reputation as a flirt.

Yu Yunxi whispered to Shen Huaijing, “That’s Wen Manchu, a popular actress lately. She’s known for her pure and alluring image on screen. Our magazine wanted her for a cover, but she refused outright. Turns out reality and image have nothing in common.”

Wen Manchu clung to Lin Yu like a water snake, leaving lipstick stains on his white sweater collar.

“President Lin~ I don’t care about those resources. Didn’t you promise to have lunch with me today? I’ve been waiting on an empty stomach for so long. How will you make it up to me?” Wen Manchu was oblivious to the gazes around her, continuing to flirt with Lin Yu.

Lin Yu had no intention of embarrassing himself in front of Shen Huaijing. He pinched Wen Manchu’s delicate cheek and murmured in her ear, “Go wait here for me. I still have some work to handle.” Without a trace of emotion, he slipped a room card into her palm.

Wen Manchu immediately understood, pouting and nodding before tossing the card into her bag and swaying off.

Shen Huaijing caught the detail, snickering with scorn. She knew Lin Yu liked Lin Yiqing, and guessed Wen Manchu was merely a distraction for him.

After Wen Manchu left, the temperature around Lin Yu seemed to drop drastically. He led them to the meeting room and quietly instructed his assistant.

“Tell me your requirements first.”

Shen Huaijing was blunt as ever: “We need someone with a youthful campus vibe, around twenty years old. The specific body requirements are detailed on this sheet.”

Yu Yunxi took out her tablet and showed Lin Yu the information.

Lin Yu didn’t even glance at it before handing it to his assistant, who left with a laptop.

“Give it five minutes. He’s off to pick someone.” Lin Yu got up to make coffee, brewing cups for the two ladies as well. “Your magazine isn’t big, but your requirements are plenty.”

“That’s right. We can’t compare to your company, President Lin. And just being here, we get to watch a drama for free.” Shen Huaijing lifted her eyelids, gazing at Lin Yu with a cool, amused voice.

Yu Yunxi nearly spit out her coffee. She’d never realized Shen Huaijing could be so sharp, hitting every one of Lin Yu’s sore spots.

Lin Yu sighed, helpless. “Shen Huaijing, how did I offend you? You don’t let a single word pass without targeting me.”

Shen Huaijing rolled her eyes and replied nonchalantly, “Can’t help it. Your good friend provoked me, and you’re suffering the consequences.”

Lin Yu didn’t need her to explain; he knew the reason. Fu Chen had been at Lin Yiqing’s side these past days, though nothing seemed to have happened between them. Still, Lin Yiqing was already very happy.

“Your husband hasn’t been home for days. Aren’t you worried?” Lin Yu sipped his coffee, probing.

Yu Yunxi felt the topic was too intimate for her presence. She whispered to Shen Huaijing, “Huaijing, I’ll just go to the restroom.”

She hurried out of the room, feeling that despite her good relationship with Shen Huaijing, it was best not to overhear such private matters of elite families.

As she turned the corner, she saw the assistant talking to a woman. Instinctively, she pressed herself to the wall to eavesdrop.

“Kaili, President Lin said to offer Wen Manchu to the president of Shengkang Real Estate. I’ve sent the room number to your phone.” The assistant relayed Lin Yu’s words with cold detachment.

Kaili grabbed the assistant’s hand, pleading, “Chen! Wen Manchu just made a mistake, please ask President Lin to show mercy. You know the reputation that president has in the industry! If Wen Manchu goes, her future is ruined.”

The assistant shook off Kaili’s grip, expressionless. “You’ve worked here for years. You know what kind of person President Lin is. Has he ever changed his mind? Wen Manchu’s mistake was thinking too highly of herself.”

Kaili’s voice was tearful, “It’s been so hard for me to bring Wen Manchu to where she is now! Is President Lin really going to destroy her career over such a minor issue? He used her up and now he’s walking away?”

The assistant suddenly placed his large hand on Kaili’s neck, coldly threatening, “Kaili, if you want to keep working at Mengze, shut your mouth. Otherwise, you’ll go to hell with Wen Manchu.” With that, he threw Kaili to the ground.

Every word they said reached Yu Yunxi’s ears. She’d seen plenty of dirty dealings in her years at the magazine, but never had she witnessed such ugliness so up close.

The Lin Yu spoken of by the assistant seemed nothing like the man who’d been bantering with Shen Huaijing earlier.

She glanced at her phone, where she’d been recording since their second sentence, a habit from her work.

“Yunxi! What are you doing?”

Lost in thought, Yu Yunxi was startled by Shen Huaijing’s appearance.

“Ah!...Oh!...It’s nothing,” Yu Yunxi hurriedly slipped her phone into her pocket, unsure where to place her nervous hands.