With financing about to come through, Yu Zi’s first task was to expand his team.

They couldn’t continue to work alone like this. Wei Yunli was mainly responsible for production and logistics, while he needed talents for marketing, branding, finance, legal affairs, and so on. Yu Zi didn’t want Xuyang’s people to interfere with his management, so he had already discussed with Paul that he himself would appoint all key personnel.

Coincidentally, Sheng Chuan sent him a message, saying that he had finished his business in Australia and was preparing to return to China. Sheng Chuan’s secretary had once been in charge of human resources architecture in the group and knew quite a few headhunters, so he said he could help recommend some candidates.

When Yu Zi hung up the phone with Sheng Chuan, Xie Dongcheng happened to pass by behind him.

“Ahem.” He coughed lightly, catching Yu Zi’s attention.

“What’s up?”

“Sheng Chuan?”

Yu Zi nodded, “Yes. He’s coming back to the country. I’m going to have dinner with him tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Xie Dongcheng said and walked away, his hands on his knees, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

Several minutes passed, and he stood up again, walking back to Yu Zi’s table.

“Next time you go out with him, can you let me know in advance?” he asked.

Yu Zi put down his phone and looked up at him, smiling, “What? Do I need to report my whereabouts to you now? Alright, tell me, what else do I need to report to you?”

At his words, Xie Dongcheng actually began to think seriously, “If you go out after 8 p.m., send me a message in advance; also, if your family members come looking for you, it’s better to let me know…”

“Hey.” Yu Zi hooked his neck, pulling the two of them closer.

His eyelashes were almost brushing against Xie Dongcheng’s skin. Xie Dongcheng finally closed his mouth.

Yu Zi raised his eyelids and looked into his eyes, “You’re really trying to dominate me, huh?”

Xie Dongcheng avoided his gaze, “It’s not like I haven’t done it before.”

Yu Zi hadn’t expected to be counterattacked by him, feeling a bit at a loss.

He let go of Xie Dongcheng’s neck and asked him again, “So are you coming with me?”

“Me? Can I?” Xie Dongcheng straightened up suddenly.

Yu Zi nodded, “Of course. Sheng Chuan is bringing his secretary along. You’re my secretary, so come along too.”

Xie Dongcheng thought to himself that this seemed to be a secretary bureau after all, which was normal, so he nodded.

Yu Zi and Sheng Chuan’s secretary had only exchanged nods, but from Sheng Chuan’s mouth, he had heard that this person was very capable. He had helped clean up many messes in the family business and was decisive.

Yu Zi had asked why such a capable person was willing to stay by Sheng Chuan’s side as a secretary, but Sheng Chuan had evaded the question, refusing to tell the truth.

The next day, the four of them met at a Japanese restaurant, a place specially chosen by Sheng Chuan’s secretary.

The restaurant was not far from Fangjiayuan, located on the Huannan Lake Line in the eastern outskirts of the northern city. It was still bright outside at 5 p.m. when Xie Dongcheng drove Yu Zi there.

When the two pushed open the wooden door of the private room, Sheng Chuan and his secretary were already inside.

The secretary was very polite, immediately stood up to greet the two of them, and then reached out his right hand to shake hands with them one by one.

Sheng Chuan collapsed onto the chair, looking quite casual.

The secretary’s face suddenly turned cold, patting Sheng Chuan’s back and shooting him a sharp glance.

Sheng Chuan immediately straightened up, reluctantly getting up from his chair to greet Yu Zi.

The more Yu Zi looked at it, the funnier it seemed. Sheng Chuan was like a grandson, being obediently managed.

They had only caught a glimpse of each other at the airport last time, but this time, Yu Zi had the opportunity to carefully observe the secretary’s appearance.

He was about the same height as Sheng Chuan but looked more refined than him.

“He Xun,” he handed a business card to Yu Zi and Xie Dongcheng, “Looking for the one who seeks.”

They each took the business card and put it into their coat pockets before finally taking their seats.

He Xun first asked if they had any dietary restrictions, and then smoothly ordered the dishes. He handled everything inside and out extremely skillfully, without missing a beat.

After finishing all this, He Xun took out a tablet from his bag and handed it to Yu Zi.

Yu Zi was a bit puzzled.

“Young Master Yu.” He Xun opened a document and pointed to it, showing him, “Last time you said you wanted to find some candidates, so I asked a familiar headhunter. I’ve screened some resumes that meet the criteria. You can take a look when you go back.”

“You’re thoughtful. If any of them are suitable and join, I’ll give you a big red packet.” Yu Zi was surprised by his efficiency.

He Xun smiled for the first time, waving his hand at him, “No need, no need, it’s just a small favor.”

Sheng Chuan cleared his throat forcefully, interrupting their conversation.

“What’s wrong?” He Xun pressed his nose and turned to look at him.

“Nothing.” Sheng Chuan pretended nothing had happened.

He Xun had stored several bottles of good wine in this restaurant. In no time, he dragged Sheng Chuan out to pick the wine.

There were only Yu Zi and Xie Dongcheng left in the private room.

Xie Dongcheng glanced back and then whispered in Yu Zi’s ear, “Is that what secretaries do? Can I manage you like that in the future?”

Yu Zi pushed his chin away, “Manage me? Forget it.”

Five minutes later, the other two returned, followed by a waiter carrying a bottle of sake.

The waiter placed the wine glasses for them and was about to pour the sake.

Seeing this, Xie Dongcheng quickly waved his hand, “Thank you, but I’ll be driving.”

Yu Zi didn’t pay attention to what they were saying. He was holding the tablet and looking at the resumes he had just received, flipping through the resume of a legal candidate.

He Xun saw the photo from behind him and said with a smile after sitting down, “Young Master Yu, you should be familiar with this one, right? He seems to have some dealings with your family.”

Yu Zi was a bit puzzled. He didn’t recognize the person in the photo at all: “Our family?”

He Xun nodded. “He’s my friend. Last time we talked, he mentioned that your father consulted him for legal advice after returning to the country.”

Yu Zi’s pupils tightened suddenly. “My father? You mean Yu Qing?”

He Xun didn’t expect him to get so excited. He hesitated for a moment and nodded. “Yes. Is something wrong?”

Yu Zi pondered for a moment. “Do you know what he consulted about?”

He Xun shook his head. “I’m not sure. They keep client matters very confidential.”

At this point, Sheng Chuan seemed to sense something and chimed in, “Do you want me to find out? There might be some news in the overseas Chinese community…”

Yu Zi didn’t want to trouble them with his family matters and quickly refused, “No need. It’s probably not a big deal.”

Seeing that Yu Zi didn’t want to continue the conversation, Sheng Chuan changed the subject.

He asked about Yu Zi’s winery, “How did you come up with the idea of going to Bai Cheng? It’s really in the middle of nowhere.”

“You have a sharp tongue.” Yuzi Yi glanced back at him. “You’ll know when I take you there sometime. It’s a goldmine.”

“Are there any hotels there?” Sheng Chuan had never been to Bai Cheng and only knew that it was near the mountains.

“I’ll build one for you in the future,” Yu Zi joked, “Then I’ll reserve a room for you and Mr. He. A room with a pure mountain view, with a balcony and a large bathtub.”

After hearing this, Xie Dongcheng was stunned, unable to resist turning to look at Yu Zi. The second person to show surprise was Sheng Chuan.

Sheng Chuan was startled and stammered, “What, what did you just say?”

However, He Xun remained calm, picked up his glass, took a sip, and then smiled at Yu Zi. “Thank you, Young Master Yu. You’re thoughtful.”

The four of them chatted until nine o’clock in the evening, at which point He Xun stood up first, saying that Sheng Chuan needed to go home early.

Yu Zi glanced at him, holding back a smile. He had never heard of Sheng Chuan needing to rest by nine o’clock at night.

After bidding farewell to Sheng Chuan and He Xun, they walked back to the parking lot. The autumn night had grown chilly, and Yu Zi, wearing only a thin windbreaker, shrank his neck.

The next moment, a hoodie was draped over his shoulders.

Turning his head, he saw Xie Dongcheng taking off his own hoodie and covering it over him. Xie Dongcheng was only wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt himself.

“No need. We’ll be there soon,” Yu Zi reached out to return the hoodie to him, but Xie Dongcheng held his hand back.

“I’m not cold,” Xie Dongcheng insisted stubbornly.

“What’s this? Did you suddenly feel threatened after seeing someone else’s secretary today? You’re acting so well,” Yu Zi teased.

Xie Dongcheng immediately shook his head. “I’m sincere.”

But after a few seconds, he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Yu Zi, “But how did you know about their relationship?”

“Intuition,” Yu Zi said with a light laugh, “This guy Sheng Chuan, when he’s with me, and when he’s with his secretary, it’s like dealing with two completely different people.”

Stopping in the cold, Xie Dongcheng suddenly looked at him, “So, being with me and being with Sheng Chuan feels different to you?”

He looked serious, as if he really wanted an answer.

“Of course.” Yu Zi also replied with a serious look, “For example…..”

He leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words. 

Xie Dongcheng immediately avoided his gaze, “There’s no need to be so detailed…”

Yu Zi burst into laughter in the night breeze, laughing at him for being all bark and no bite. He seemed fierce one or two times, but he was actually quite fragile inside.

On the way back, Yu Zi took off his coat and leaned back in the passenger seat. He squinted his eyes, as if rubbing his brow.

Xie Dongcheng glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “What’s wrong? Still thinking about your dad’s affairs?”

“Yeah,” Yu Zi nodded. Since the sudden attack by Yu Qing last time, he had disappeared. Now He Xun mentioned him seeking legal advice again. Yu Zi couldn’t figure out Yu Qing’s intentions. If he really wanted to help by giving him money, he could just give it directly. Why insist on making him move?

The black sedan drove smoothly. The streetlights outside cast golden curves on the windows.

Yu Zi’s phone suddenly vibrated, and he thought it might be a message from Sheng Chuan. He leisurely unlocked it.

However, the next moment, Xie Dongcheng noticed that his expression was strange.

“What’s wrong?” The car had just pulled into the parking space, and Xie Dongcheng shifted into park and turned off the engine.

The bright light from the screen illuminated Yu Zi’s face, and he stared motionlessly at the two lines of text on the chat window.

Seeing Yu Zi’s silence, Xie Dongcheng leaned over from the driver’s seat. He saw two short white bubbles on the screen.

The first line: Ge.

The second line: I want to meet with you.

He raised his eyes to look at the sender, Yu Ziheng.