Chapter 52: The Eldest Young Master's Wisdom

That night, the grand mansion of the Xu family in Zhonghai was brightly lit. The vast garden paths around the mansion were patrolled by security personnel.

In a dimly lit Baroque-style bedroom, Xu Zhihong, dressed in a black robe, stood by the bar counter. He poured himself a glass of Lafite red wine and had just started to swirl it when there was a loud knocking on the bedroom door.

"Come in," Xu Zhihong frowned.

In walked Mao Qiu, grinning, wearing a faded T-shirt and ripped jeans. His beard looked like it hadn't been shaved in over ten days, and his body exuded a noticeable smell of sweat.

"I've told you countless times, this door is a piece of art. Announce yourself before entering," Xu Zhihong said, resigned to his subordinate's behavior.

Mao Qiu chuckled, "I was too excited and forgot."

"You never remember," Xu Zhihong glared at him.

Unfazed, Mao Qiu scratched his greasy hair and said, "Boss, guess what I saw today?"

Xu Zhihong walked over to the window and said calmly, "Get to the point."

"No sense of romance, no wonder you can't woo that girl Lin..." Mao Qiu muttered before continuing, "Lin Kun came to us, asking for help to deal with that guy Yang Chen. I decided to go along with it and lent him five retired soldiers. But guess what, all five were taken down by Yang Chen alone today. And Lin Kun got thrown into a trash can again! Isn't that hilarious, boss? Haha! That's his father-in-law, and he got tossed into a trash can again!"

Xu Zhihong swirled his wine and pondered for a moment, "It seems this Yang Chen is indeed not simple. Unfortunately, we have too little information on him, making it hard to understand him fully."

Mao Qiu teased, "Boss, are you scared?"

"Scared?" Xu Zhihong sneered, "Just some martial arts and a slick tongue, why should I fear him? A mighty dragon can't crush a local snake. He's just a minor figure who returned from abroad half a year ago. Can he really stir up trouble?"

"So, should I take care of him now? Some of those useless guys said he moves pretty fast, and my hands are itching," Mao Qiu said eagerly.

Xu Zhihong shook his head. "No need. For now, we should stay out of this matter. Lin Ruoxi might seem like she doesn't say much, but she understands everything. In this city, she may not be the smartest woman or the most low-key, but she is definitely one of the most dangerous. Don't provoke her or push her to do something she doesn't want to do."

"Boss, you always value Miss Lin so highly. What exactly is she capable of?" Mao Qiu asked, puzzled.

Xu Zhihong took a sip of his wine. "I'm not entirely sure either, but it's better to be cautious. As for Yang Chen, don't worry. We don't need to do anything. That brainless Lin Kun won't let it go easily."

"You're so wise, Boss!"

"Stop sucking up! Get out of my room and go take a shower!"

"But I just took one last week..."

Early the next morning, Yang Chen drove to the West District market to buy breakfast.

As usual, Old Li was at his usual spot, looking cheerful. He seemed to have a weight lifted off his shoulders after the matter with the Chen family was resolved. Seeing Yang Chen approach, he greeted him with a smile, "Yang, you're here. I heard you got a job at a company. Good, that's what young people should be doing."

"Work is work, not much difference," Yang Chen replied with a smile. "Unfortunately, I'll have less time to chat with you guys. Sitting in an office isn't as free as being here."

Old Li grinned mischievously, "Qingqing was very happy last night. Did you say something to her?"

Yang Chen thought for a moment and said, "I promised her I'd visit her at school today."

Old Li nodded knowingly and patted Yang Chen on the shoulder. "Get along well, young man. My Qingqing is a simple girl. Don't let her get hurt, or I won't forgive you!"

Seeing Old Li's "I knew it" expression, Yang Chen wanted to explain but found himself unable to. He could only nod awkwardly.

Later, Yang Chen returned to the office with bags of breakfast. The women in the public relations department were already eagerly waiting. Seeing the variety of food he brought, they praised him excitedly.

Yang Chen had just sat down and was about to start his new day as a "professional player" when he saw a somewhat weary Mo Qianni walk into the office.

Mo Qianni glanced at Yang Chen and then at the pile of buns and fried dough sticks on his desk. Anger flared up in her. This guy, as someone's husband, while his wife was sick in the hospital, not only took care of her but also remembered to buy a bunch of breakfast for the women in the office. With a look of disdain, she sarcastically said, "You're really considerate of your colleagues, buying breakfast so diligently. I wonder if you thought to bring any for a certain someone."

"Does Miss Mo want some too? No problem, there's plenty left." Yang Chen picked up a meat bun from the table and generously offered it to Mo Qianni.

"You know who I'm talking about," Mo Qianni said in a low voice.

Yang Chen smiled helplessly. "Ruoxi should eat something light and healthy. Aunt Wang will naturally prepare it and bring it to her. I can't exactly take meat buns and fried dough sticks to a patient who needs to recuperate, can I?"

"Heartless. Don't make excuses."

Though his explanation was reasonable, Mo Qianni still didn't accept it.

Seeing that her prejudice against him was already quite strong, Yang Chen didn't intend to argue further. He shrugged, pulled back the bun, and began eating it himself.

Mo Qianni, who had spent the whole night at the hospital with Lin Ruoxi, was hungry. The aroma in the office made her even hungrier. Seeing Yang Chen take back the bun annoyed her even more. While silently cursing Yang Chen for being petty and ungentlemanly, she quickly grabbed a bag of steamed dumplings from the table and strode back to her office.

"Hungry yet stubborn," Yang Chen muttered with a smile.

By late morning, Yang Chen declined Zhao Hongyan and the other two women's invitation to lunch and drove to the hospital.

During the day, Zhonghai's First Hospital was relatively quiet. The large space and few patients made it ideal for recovery.

Yang Chen made his way to Lin Ruoxi's ward and found the door open with voices coming from inside. As he approached and looked in, he was surprised to see a familiar face from a couple of days ago.

"Ruoxi, I'm quite familiar with the director of this hospital. Why don't I have them clear out the best private ward for you? Consider it a small gesture of my concern," Xu Zhihong said, looking at Lin Ruoxi with deep affection.

Lin Ruoxi, leaning against the white pillow, her cold and fair face looking out the window, replied calmly, "No need. Thank you for visiting me."

"Ruoxi, you don't need to be so formal with me. If I weren't so busy recently, I'd like to spend more time with you here in the hospital. People like us rarely get the chance to spend quiet moments together," Xu Zhihong said with a touch of sentiment.

This time, Lin Ruoxi showed no interest in continuing the conversation. It was as if she hadn't heard a word, staring out of the window, lost in thought.

Aunt Wang, who was tidying up the dishes, found the silence in the room too awkward. She was about to say something polite on Lin Ruoxi's behalf when she noticed Yang Chen standing at the door of the ward. Immediately, she broke into a relieved smile, "Son-in-law, you're here!"