Bai Ying went to the ever crowded stock exchange. Everyone was shouting, making her ears hurt so much that she lost all interest in stock trading.

This year, there has been a stock with a strong upward trend, vaguely poised to become a hundred-yuan stock.

Most of the investors who came here were aiming for it, looking cheerful every day. Bai Ying took a closer look.

In the dream she had, it was only mentioned briefly, and then the stock was trapped. Overnight, there was a catastrophic crash, and the investors suffered heavy losses.

Shen Jin’s former friend, who had become an enemy, was one of them.

The current Chang Jin was once an inconspicuous small company, co-founded by two people. However, along the way, due to inconsistent philosophies and some deceit, the former friends parted ways.

After surviving the most difficult times, Shen Jin’s situation improved, while that friend plunged into the stock market.

He was once proud and sought after, but later his fate turned bleak. One became one of the legends, and the other was left destitute.

Bai Ying watched quietly.

The stock she bought seemed to be on a downward trend, but if everything was true, a turnaround would come soon.

She didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. After sitting in the stock exchange as if watching a play for a while, she picked up her bag and walked out, heading subconsciously towards the café across the street.

After a few steps, she immediately stopped.

She was not very willing to have too much contact with Song Yunzhu.

Her feelings were very complicated.

For one, she had no intention of making new friends, and for another, although she and Song Yunzhu were strangers, they both knew the same man.

She wanted to change her fate, and Song Yunzhu was also trying hard to escape her predicament. Therefore, it was better for them not to influence each other…

So, she didn’t enter the café but stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi.

The weather in March and April changes unpredictably, and soon, fine rain began to fall.

There were hardly any taxis at this point, and it took a while for one to come, which was already carrying passengers.

Just as Bai Ying was about to use her bag to shield herself from the rain, a gentle female voice came from behind, “Don’t you have an umbrella?”

Bai Ying turned around and met Song Yunzhu’s eyes.

Song Yunzhu had obviously recognized her, smiled at her, and handed over her folding umbrella, “I happen to have an umbrella, and there are spares in the café. You can borrow this one.”

“No need, no need, thank you.”

Bai Ying politely thanked her.

“This rain will probably last a while.”

Song Yunzhu looked up at the sky, where dark clouds were slowly moving in, “It looks like it’s going to rain heavily, and the weather is neither hot nor cold. It would be more troublesome if you get sick.”

She paused, “Don’t be polite, you bought me milk a few days ago.”

Bai Ying was silent for two seconds, then accepted it, “How can I return it to you?”

Song Yunzhu wanted to say that an umbrella didn’t need to be returned, but then she timely remembered that the money for an umbrella could cover a day’s living expenses for her and her mother, so she changed her words, “Just leave it at the café.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Song Yunzhu said, “I’m going to be late for work, I have to go now.”

“Okay.”

Bai Ying raised her hand and gave her a small wave, smiling, “Goodbye.”

She watched Song Yunzhu run towards the café until she could no longer see her, then Bai Ying retracted her gaze and opened the umbrella.

She waited by the roadside for nearly ten minutes, and when the raindrops became as big as beans, she finally caught an empty taxi.

…

Zhong Wenhui prepared his speech and mustered the courage to go to Shen’s house.

Shen’s house was now strict on the inside but lax on the outside. Zhong Wenhui, who rarely interacted with Bai Ying, couldn’t help but think it would be better if she were there.

He was indeed unlucky, having encountered Shen Jin at a very bad moment.

If Bai Ying hadn’t left and was still sweet-talking with Shen Jin at home, he might have gotten away with a simple apology after confessing.

Arriving at the study, Zhong Wenhui knocked on the door and entered upon hearing Shen Jin’s response.

Seeing the ashtray on the desk filled with cigarette butts, his heart sank even more. Shen Jin hadn’t smoked so heavily in a long time.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Jin looked up at him, “What’s up?”

“I heard President Jiang has asked to meet with you?”

Zhong Wenhui tentatively asked.

“Just speak if you have something to say.”

Zhong Wenhui knew he couldn’t avoid this confrontation and honestly explained the whole situation, his voice getting lower and lower.

After finishing, he lowered his head and didn’t dare to look at Shen Jin. After a few minutes of silence, what appeared in Zhong Wenhui’s line of sight were Shen Jin’s leather shoes.

Shen Jin walked up to Zhong Wenhui, exuding a strong sense of oppression, and asked, “Who gave you the courage?”

Zhong Wenhui didn’t dare to step back and could only try to reply calmly, “President Shen, I’m sorry.”

Shen Jin was also puzzled about why Jiang Mocheng would suddenly ask to meet him, saying there was something important to discuss. If it weren’t for the special timing, he would have had someone investigate the matter thoroughly.

Now, with less than four hours left before the meeting with Jiang Mocheng, he had only just learned the reason. As a boss, it was a complete failure by his employees.

“President Shen, I…”

Zhong Wenhui still wanted to explain his motives.

He did have his own agenda, but it was also for the future development of the company.

However, Shen Jin interrupted him with a punch to the face.

Zhong Wenhui groaned in pain, bending over and gasping for air.

Over the years, Shen Jin had cultivated his character, to the point that even those around him had gradually forgotten how he had started from scratch.

Suddenly, he grabbed Zhong Wenhui by the neck and pressed him down on the desk, whispering fiercely, “With such audacity, how about I let you sit in the position?”

“…”

The butler passed by and heard the muffled groans from the study. He couldn’t help but look back at the other side of the corridor and sighed deeply in his heart. He had been with the master for several years, but this was the first time he had seen the master so angry.

…

Jiang Mocheng left Ning City for Jincheng around one or two in the afternoon. He had arranged to meet Shen Jin at six o’clock. Thinking there was still plenty of time, he decided to stop by the company and met with Lin Fei, who still had a cast on his leg.

“Do you want me to accompany you to meet Shen Jin?”

Lin Fei asked again.

Jiang Mocheng looked up from a pile of documents, “Are you that free?”

Lin Fei’s scalp tingled, fearing he would be tasked with something else, and quickly waved his hands, “No, no, no, I just think this sort of meeting is quite rare. If you don’t let me witness it, I’ll be itching with curiosity. What exactly are you and Shen Jin going to talk about that I don’t even know?”

“Private matters.”

Lin Fei looked even more shocked, “Since when do you two have private matters to discuss?”

Jiang Mocheng’s lips curled up, but he kept it tight-lipped, “I’ll tell you in a few days.”

“…”

Jiang Mocheng was tight-lipped and firm, something Lin Fei had experienced. If Jiang Mocheng didn’t want to talk about something, even putting a knife to his neck wouldn’t make him reveal a word.

So, Lin Fei didn’t want to waste time and changed the subject, speaking in a tone of schadenfreude, “There must be some big trouble on Shen Jin’s side.”

This indeed caught Jiang Mocheng’s attention, and he lazily looked up.

Lin Fei said, “I haven’t found out the details yet, but Shen Jin hasn’t gone to the company until now.”

“His subordinates have gone to his house, though. If it weren’t for your meeting later, I would suspect he might have broken an arm or a leg.”

“But it’s hard to say.”

Lin Fei changed his tone, “He’s been out for so long, how does that saying go? ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ Maybe he’s still being affectionate with his woman, putting work on the back burner.”

Jiang Mocheng obviously didn’t want to discuss such a trivial topic. He flipped a page of the document, not even lifting his head, “If you’re really that bored, you can go downstairs and watch the door.”

…

At five fifty.

Jiang Mocheng got out of the car, making a phone call as he walked into the restaurant.

The meeting was set for six o’clock, and to show his sincerity, he would, of course, arrive a few minutes early.

“Have you had dinner?”

He pressed the elevator button and waited, asking the person on the other end of the phone, “What did you eat?”

Bai Ying’s half-month deadline with Liao Junhong was also approaching.

She was looking through the preliminary contract drafted by her lawyer, replying perfunctorily to him, “Chicken soup rice.”

“How can you never get tired of it?”

“I’m just a very devoted person.”

The elevator doors opened.

Zhao Minghai came out, just as he bumped into Jiang Mocheng. He wanted to call out, but seeing Jiang Mocheng on the phone, he could only nod with a smile as a greeting.

Jiang Mocheng nodded in return. As they brushed past each other, Zhao Minghai heard him say to the person on the phone, “I’ll come back after I’m done. What about you, what do you want to eat? I’ll bring it for you.”

Zhao Minghai couldn’t resist looking back.

He saw Jiang Mocheng, who usually had an expressionless face, unexpectedly showing a smile.

He didn’t know what the person on the other end had said, but in the moment the elevator doors closed, he clearly heard Jiang Mocheng say with a laugh, “Be good, wait for me.”

Zhao Minghai was astonished.

After a brief shock, he came back to his senses and breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Jiang’s rippling demeanor, today’s conversation probably wouldn’t escalate to the point of a physical altercation—Jiang might even be looking forward to meeting his girlfriend; he couldn’t afford to be injured.

He couldn’t have asked for a better situation.

Jiang Mocheng quickly arrived at the private room door and knocked to enter, not expecting Shen Jin to have already arrived.

This was the first time they had privately arranged to meet for a meal.

Shen Jin knew he was at fault, and Jiang Mocheng did indeed have matters to discuss. The atmosphere was unexpectedly calm.

Skipping unnecessary pleasantries, Shen Jin took the initiative to bring up, “President Jiang, I’m aware of the trouble caused by my people.”

“This matter is related to me.”

Shen Jin said solemnly, “I will compensate for the losses and troubles it has caused you.”

Jiang Mocheng didn’t expect him to mention this matter.

From Shen Jin’s words, it seemed that the mess wasn’t arranged by him.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

One thing at a time, Jiang Mocheng didn’t want to mix this matter with Bai Ying’s, nor would he use it as a condition. Public matters are public, private matters are private.

Even if they settled things today, it didn’t mean they would shake hands and make peace after leaving the room.

What was in the past would remain in the future.

“I will transfer the person responsible for this matter away from Jincheng.”

Jiang Mocheng replied indifferently, “There’s no need.”

Shen Jin thought for a moment and pushed a prepared checkbook towards him, “President Jiang, feel free to name your price.”

Jiang Mocheng didn’t even glance at it, but Shen Jin’s gesture made him laugh, “Do you think I lack your money?”

“It’s just a small token of apology.”

Seeing Jiang Mocheng’s indifferent expression, Shen Jin smiled and took out a pen from the inside of his suit, “Or shall I help President Jiang estimate a price?”

“President Shen, you—”

Jiang Mocheng casually unbuttoned his cuffs, looked up, and his gaze touched the pen. He immediately fell silent, remembering where he had seen it before. For a moment, his gaze swept over sharply like a blade.