Everyone has their untold secrets.

Shang Xinglu thought that maybe Xiao Zai had his own hidden troubles.

Things like stepmothers, and being a discarded wife, were some of the core storylines in the endless dramas of wealthy families.

But since Xiao Zai didn’t mention it, Shang Xinglu didn’t ask.

The two of them weren’t even in a client and escort relationship, so opening up to each other wasn’t really possible.

Looking on the bright side, at least Xiao Zai’s family had a “legitimate heir” drama to speak of, while Yun Shi… if they weren’t careful, they might not even have any leftover scraps.

Well, not really nothing at all.

At least there was the idiot younger brother, who was even worse than scraps.

Shang Xinglu continued working in the afternoon.

According to her casual conversation with people at the company in the morning, she actually had a position at Yun Shi.

It sounded pretty impressive.

Supposedly, she was the “Public Relations Executive Consultant (in name only).”

In other words, it was a position with a title but no real power.

Despite that, she still received a salary every month and enjoyed full employee benefits, including social insurance. It was almost like being part of the royal family.

Shang Xinglu looked at her paycheck. Well, it was fine.

This money wasn’t going to be of much use.

But looking back, she would have probably laughed herself to sleep at the thought of being paid without doing anything.

Since the last time Lin Heng had given her a check for ten million, telling her to buy some jewelry and bags, Shang Xinglu had become quite cocky.

Hmph, I’m going to be a billionaire!

I’ve already planned how I’ll spend the money!

Long live President Lin!

Long live divorce!

Long live freedom!

In the afternoon, she went to her office.

There was nothing in there.

Well, there was a computer, but when she opened it—still nothing.

Shang Xinglu had always known that Yun Shi had financial problems. She actually wanted to check the company’s financial statements.

Logically speaking, without Shang Xingyu causing trouble, Yun Shi should have avoided the bankruptcy flag by now.

But today, the atmosphere in the company didn’t seem optimistic.

Some people supported the 5G project, while others thought it was just wasting money and making the company’s operations even harder.

There were plenty of rumors behind the scenes that the company was going to collapse soon.

So, Shang Xinglu wanted to see the financial statements. She wasn’t a professional in this area, so she thought it would be best to hire an expert to help her look over them.

But these things weren’t easily accessible.

She would have to figure out a way.

Just then, her phone vibrated, and she saw the name: “Little Fool.”

Oh, it was Shang Xingyu.

As soon as she picked up, the furious shouting began.

“Shang Xinglu!!!”

Ugh, her ears hurt.

Without thinking, Shang Xinglu hung up the phone.

But he wasn’t giving up.

The second call came immediately.

Shang Xinglu picked it up again.

Shang Xingyu: “Don’t hang up!!!”

Still painful to her ears.

She hung up again.

The third call came in. “Why did you kick me out!!!”

Shang Xingyu was so angry because he had tried dragging his heavy luggage back home, only to be locked out by the iron gates with no one to open the door for him.

The gardener, who had clearly seen him, silently turned his head and snuck away.

Shang Xinglu finally responded, “Because I can.”

Her attitude was definitely cocky.

Shang Xingyu: “I’m going to call Mom and Dad! I’ll tell them you’re abusing me!!!”

Shang Xinglu calmly responded, “You’re good at tattling, huh? If you hadn’t skipped the meeting, I would’ve already told them. They said I could handle it!”

“How could that be? Don’t make things up!”

Shang Xingyu’s tone softened because, based on past experiences…

He knew it might just be true!!!

Shang Xinglu snorted coldly.

Hung up again!

This time, her phone didn’t vibrate repeatedly.

When Shang Xingyu called again, he had already switched to a much more obedient tone, sounding like the innocent little brother.

“Sis, I’m sorry.”

“Good. What did you do wrong?”

“I shouldn’t have skipped the meeting and then threatened you.”

“Mhm, continue.”

“I was wrong. Please forgive me!”

Shang Xinglu spoke with a smile, “I accept your apology. But forgiving you, that’s up to fate. You should stay outside for now.”

“Shang Xinglu!!!!!!”

Click.

Hung up the phone.

A little while later, Shang Xingyu called again, sounding tearful.

“Sis, I really was wrong… Where am I supposed to stay? Am I supposed to sleep on the streets? What if there are bad people… I’m so hungry, it’s so cold…”

Shang Xinglu rolled her eyes.

It was only the afternoon!

And it was summer!!!

Xiao Zai is Cinderella, so are you the little match girl?!

“Sister believes that you have been practicing kendo and sanda since you were young. Promise me, don’t bully the hooligans on the street.”

Shang Xingyu: …

This is my real sister, huh.

Shang Xinglu thought for a moment, then decided it was about time and, in a great act of mercy, pointed him toward a clear path.

“You won’t have to sleep on the street. If it’s really too tough for you, you can stay at the company dormitory! You come to work, get a monthly salary, and have a place to stay. How does that sound? Much better than sleeping on the street, right?”

Shang Xingyu gritted his teeth.

He wanted to say, “If it’s that good, then you come!” You live in a mansion, eating delicious food, and I’m stuck in a dorm?!

His real sister was so sure of herself.

However, Shang Xinglu didn’t give him time to think of a comeback.

She casually said, “I’m just offering some advice, you know. Anyway, you won’t come, and in three days, you’ll automatically quit. I heard after graduation, you wanted to join an investment bank, right?”

“…”

Shang Xingyu’s heart skipped a beat.

Shang Xinglu continued, “Lin Heng has a lot of connections in that field.”

But this sentence didn’t sound like “I’ll help you arrange a position.”

It sounded more like “I’ll arrange things so that they’ll never hire you.”

Though Shang Xingyu could sometimes be foolish, this time he was very clear-headed.

He reluctantly said, “I’ll come, I’ll come. Is that okay?”

But in his heart, he was thinking, “Let me pretend to be soft for now, and once I get home, I’ll pull all the tricks I can!”

Shang Xinglu let out a “heh.”

She just wanted him to come first.

You know, no matter how many flips Sun Wukong does, he can never get past Buddha’s palm, right?

And let me be blunt, when it comes to dealing with Shang Xingyu, I’m the Buddha!

Round 2 of the siblings’ intellectual and physical showdown came to a temporary pause.

Shang Xinglu finished dealing with her brother in the afternoon and didn’t stay in her office, which had nothing in it.

She went out for a chat.

The way she built good relationships with people in the company was very much like a wealthy lady.

She had Marilyn arrange for coffee, tea, and desserts from a well-known nearby dessert shop to be sent in bulk to the office.

Manager Yang and the others also got their share.

Not only did they get it, but Shang Xinglu personally delivered it.

She humbly said that because of the family business, she had learned a little bit, but in terms of the actual business, she still needed professional talent.

People like Manager Yang and his team were the company’s rare talent!

She had just started, knew nothing, and asked Manager Yang to bear with her and guide her.

After a few words, she praised him in a way that made him feel very comfortable.

In fact, Manager Yang wasn’t a bad person. He was just proud and liked to be flattered, and Shang Xinglu’s compliments were quite to his liking.

Manager Yang’s expression softened, and those around him were also in a better mood.

As they chatted, Shang Xinglu learned quite a bit about the company’s internal affairs.

But she didn’t mention the financial report yet.

One, she didn’t want to alert the enemy, and two, this was a sensitive issue. Asking ordinary people about it wouldn’t necessarily yield any useful information.

She had a rough idea in her mind.

Two ways to handle it: either steal it or gain real power.

…Neither was easy.

Time passed quickly as they chatted, and soon it was time to get off work.

Shang Xinglu had planned to have the driver take her back, but just as it was about to be time to leave, she got a call from Lin Heng’s assistant.

The boss had given an order—he said to go back together.

And they could have dinner on the way.

A person as wise as Shang Xinglu couldn’t possibly miss the hint.

She decisively decided, “Then let’s go home!”

Marilyn: “…Madam???!”

Shang Xinglu comforted her, “The chef at home is very good, and the home environment can’t be matched by anything outside.”

So Marilyn was fooled.

The couple went back together, no need for two cars.

Shang Xinglu’s car was sent back first, and she waited at the company for Lin Heng.

She waited and waited, but he didn’t come. She called, and Lin Heng said he was delayed by something urgent and had just set off.

Shang Xinglu: I’ll endure!

She was forced to work overtime. Finally, Lin Heng arrived with his car. He seemed quite apologetic, personally getting out of the car to open the door for her.

The gesture was quite gentlemanly, and he even shielded her head from the car’s roof. It seemed like he could be taught, Shang Xinglu thought to herself, feeling she could let him go and be with Yin Yao now.

However, a furry stray dog waddled over. It was small, with a black-and-white coat, looking like a mix between a Chinese rural dog and a corgi.

Shang Xinglu saw it.

But she had a wicked thought, so she didn’t say anything.

The little dog staggered up to Lin Heng’s feet, seemingly asking for food, rubbing against his pants.

Lin Heng, not knowing what it was, glanced at it coldly.

It was a good thing he glanced, because the moment he did, it was clear from the visible shake in his body. Then he quickly took a big step and wrapped his arms around Shang Xinglu’s waist.

Tightly, without exaggeration.

Even through her clothes, she could feel Lin Heng’s tension.

Shang Xinglu: …

She wasn’t speechless because Lin Heng was hiding behind her, leaving her exposed to the “evil dog.”

The dog tilted its head innocently and rubbed against Lin Heng’s pants again.

Lin Heng flinched again.

Shang Xinglu: …………

What an “evil” dog.

She asked on purpose, “Are you afraid of it?”

Lin Heng cleared his throat, “No, I’m just allergic.”

Shang Xinglu: “Oh~ allergic, huh.”

…She couldn’t hold back the laughter anymore. It was so hard to restrain herself!!!

But if Shang Xinglu acted too gentle, it would be fake.

She also put on a little puppy-dog face and said, “How about I adopt it? Our house is big, and I’ll just keep it in a room you can’t see. It looks so pitiful, in this weather, hungry and cold…”

But it’s summer!

What coldness?!

Lin Heng’s muscles tensed up, but he tried hard to hide it.

The way he was so nervous… it was just… adorable.

She wanted to tease him!!!!

“Is it okay?”

“……”

Lin Heng was silent for a long time, and Shang Xinglu was about to give up when he finally said, “If you want to adopt it, then go ahead.”

Shang Xinglu: …

Hey, Lin Heng, your hands haven’t loosened yet.

Aren’t you really allergic?!

She wasn’t feeling too good about it anymore.

To be honest, the more Lin Heng was “allergic,” the more she wanted to play with him…

Interesting.