“Lu Linshen?”

As Zhou Fan approached the entrance of Feiyun Group, he saw a familiar figure. At first, he didn’t pay much attention, but as he passed by, he realized it was really him. He quickly stopped. At that moment, Lu Linshen was being questioned by the staff since he hadn’t visited this place often and wasn’t well-known to them. He was filling out his name and address on a form and handing over his identification for verification. After confirming everything, he picked up his bag and walked inside.

Zhou Fan immediately followed him like a sticky plaster. “Lu Linshen, what are you doing here at Feiyun Group? Is your newly developed website about to shut down, and you’re here to look for investment?”

Lu Linshen looked down at the address on his phone and walked toward another path without responding. Zhou Fan, seeing that he was ignored, became more animated in his words. “Lu Linshen, you finally attached yourself to the big tree that is Xuyu, but instead of cherishing it, you got kicked out. Now you want to cling to Feiyun’s leg. Do you think it’s that easy?”

“Feiyun has a website founded by Shen Ge, how could they possibly be interested in yours…”

Before Zhou Fan could finish his sentence, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. He grabbed Lu Linshen and scolded, “Lu Linshen, you thief! No wonder your new website looks so familiar. Turns out, you stole Shen Ge’s design!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Linshen stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked directly at Zhou Fan. His dark, deep eyes were filled with a cold fierceness, and his voice carried a strong pressure, “What did you say?”

“I… you…” Zhou Fan was startled and stammered. He took a step back and continued, “I said you stole Shen Ge’s design, you thief! I’m going to report you and expose your true face to everyone…”

Lu Linshen grabbed him by the collar. “Speak clearly!”

“Do you not know what you’ve done?” Zhou Fan struggled to break free while retorting forcefully, “I saw the plans for your website two years ago at Shen Ge’s place. This is clearly plagiarism! I’m going to tell Shen Ge right away, and he’ll demand justice from you…”

Lu Linshen snorted coldly and abruptly let go, looking down at him from a high vantage point. “How can you be so sure those plans belong to Shen Jin?”

“If they’re not Shen Ge’s, are they yours?” Zhou Fan shot back.

“They’re mine.” Lu Linshen answered calmly.

These words landed in Zhou Fan’s ears like a joke. “You? A thief? You’re not worthy!”

“You were lucky back then, with a teacher protecting you at school. Shen Ge was generous and didn’t hold it against you. But now, years later, you’re repeating the same trick. I’m going to tell Shen Ge, and this time, I wonder who will protect you?”

Lu Linshen’s expression remained unchanged. “You can tell Shen Jin. And by the way, tell him this for me.”

“The things he took from me back then, I’ll make sure he returns them, piece by piece.”

After speaking, Lu Linshen turned and walked away.

Zhou Fan stood there, cursing, “Stop slandering, Shen Ge would never steal your stuff! Wait until I tell Shen Ge!” He then ran off to find Shen Jin.

Since Shen Jin had been announced as the new project leader, in charge of a core project for mobile chips, he had been receiving a lot of praise. Many people in the company were eager to get on his good side and secure a spot in his team. He was the center of attention at Feiyun Group. Wherever he went, people surrounded him.

“The company people know how to follow the trends. Now they all want to get close to Shen Jin so they can later consult him on the core mobile chip technology.”

“I say, if it weren’t for Liu Ge being humiliated and schemed against by Lu Linshen, Shen Jin wouldn’t even be fit to carry his shoes. How did this great opportunity end up in his hands?”

The words were casual, but they carried a hidden meaning. Liu Ge’s eyes narrowed, and his expression darkened.

Ever since he publicly challenged and lost face for the company, his position had been constantly downgraded. The people who once flattered him were now flocking to Shen Jin instead. It was infuriating.

Lu Linshen was despicable. And this smug Shen Jin was equally despicable!

Bang.

He slammed his hand on the table, causing all eyes to turn toward him.

“Enough with the noise!”

“Go argue somewhere else if you want to yell!”

In an instant, the previously noisy atmosphere fell silent. But soon, he was met with a barrage of taunts.

“This place isn’t just yours! What’s it to you if we’re talking?”

“Who do you think you are, shouting at me in front of everyone!”

“Heh, I thought it was someone important, but it’s just the famous Liu Ge. Now you’re trying to show off in front of all of us? Don’t even weigh yourself properly!”

After all, Liu Ge was no longer the powerful figure he once was at Feiyun Group. Naturally, people mocked him.

“You bunch of sycophants, how come none of you had any attitude when you were following me around, wagging your tails?!”

“Who are you calling a sycophant?!”

A person with a bad temper immediately rushed over, looking fierce. Liu Ge, who had always been domineering, didn’t back down. “Whoever I’m yelling at is the one I’m calling out!”

Bang.

The newcomer swung a punch straight at Liu Ge, who failed to dodge in time and was hit hard. He quickly retaliated with a punch of his own, his muscular body packed with strength. Soon, the two were exchanging blows.

The people around them not only didn’t help, but some of the people who had previously been bullied by Liu Ge also saw an opportunity to join in the chaos. The scene quickly became extremely chaotic.

At first, Shen Jin watched without intervening. But after a while, seeing Liu Ge’s face swelling up from the punches, and noticing someone approaching from a distance, he hurriedly stepped in to mediate.

“We’re all from the same company, there’s no need to fight over such a small matter. Everyone, please give me some face and let it go,” Shen Jin said.

Now that Shen Jin had gained authority, most of the people around him were eager to get on his good side. So, hearing him speak, they immediately stopped and agreed with him.

“In the name of Shen Ge, I won’t hold it against anyone.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re lucky today. If it were any other time, I wouldn’t let you off so easily,” Liu Ge wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and mocked. “A bunch of sycophants.”

“Say that again!”

The person who had hit Liu Ge the hardest raised his fist.

Seeing this, Shen Jin quickly stepped between the two, calming Liu Ge while also trying to pacify the other man. He looked at both of them, and his gaze finally landed on Liu Ge. With a softened tone, he said, “Liu Ge, everyone’s letting this go because of my face. Can you give me some face as well and not cause any more trouble?”

“Bah!”

“Liu Ge, when they were beating me just now, you not only didn’t stop them, but you also took sides. Now that I’m in this condition, you want to step in as the mediator? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.” Liu Ge wiped the bruise on his face. “You just want to take this chance to step on me and establish your own authority.”

“Bah.”

“They’re kissing your ass, willing to follow you blindly. But I’m not, you can fight if you want. Liu Ge has never been afraid of anyone!”

Shen Jin’s intentions were exposed in public, and his fists clenched tightly. However, unlike Liu Ge, who was foolish enough to incite anger from everyone, Shen Jin wasn’t going to make a public scene. He knew he’d have plenty of opportunities to deal with Liu Ge later.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Jin forced a smile and said, “Liu Ge, we’re all from the same company, and I treat everyone equally. Anyone who asks for help, I will assist if I can. As for your accusation that I took sides earlier, I think you misunderstood.”

Shen Jin rolled up his sleeve, revealing two bruises on his arm.

“I was trying to stop the fight the moment it started, but there were too many people and it was too chaotic. I’m just one person, I couldn’t stop them, and I was even pushed around by everyone…”

“Exactly. I was right there. Shen Ge treats everyone equally and didn’t take sides. Stop slandering him.”

“Shen Ge, don’t argue with someone like him. Everyone knows your temperament.”

“……”

Not long after, the company’s security personnel received the report and hurried over. All those involved in the incident were to be taken away. The others were still coming up with various excuses, and one person tried to shift the blame onto Liu Ge. People around them immediately agreed.

Liu Ge’s face turned red with anger, but he had always been someone who picked on the weak and feared the strong. In front of Shen Jin and his group, he was fearless, but in front of the company’s security staff, he dared not act recklessly.

At that moment, Shen Jin once again stepped forward. “I’ll go with you to investigate.” He then turned to the crowd and reassured them, “The security team just wants to understand the situation; there’s no need to worry.”

Encouraged by his words, the previously hesitant crowd all agreed to be investigated, including Liu Ge. However, he was pushed to the back of the group by the others.

At that moment, his gaze inadvertently landed on Shen Jin’s feet, who was walking at the front. Shen Jin was wearing a brand-new pair of black leather shoes, polished and shiny, with anti-slip studs on the soles. Most people around were wearing sneakers, but only Shen Jin wore formal shoes. Liu Ge was certain he hadn’t been mistaken—Shen Jin’s foot had kicked him in the chaos!

Shen Jin, you sly one. Scheming behind my back while pretending to be a good guy in front of everyone. Just wait, I’ll get back at you later!

Zhou Fan had originally planned to report the situation to his Shen Ge, but after looking around and not finding him, he learned that Shen Jin had been taken to the security office for questioning. Zhou Fan was stunned. His Shen Ge hardly ever argued, let alone fought. This was like the sun rising from the west!

He hurried to the security office. Inside, there was a lot of noise, and no one knew how long the shouting had been going on. In the end, those who had fought were penalized by having their wages deducted. Liu Ge, in particular, not only received a beating but had half a month’s salary docked and was assigned a week of toilet cleaning duty.

The others who had fought also received penalties—ranging from two to three days of toilet cleaning duty to several days’ worth of salary being deducted. This was enough for a family to enjoy a nice meal. Yet, it was all wasted.

Naturally, the others who had money deducted turned their angry gazes to the instigator of the incident. Their eyes burned with fury.

Liu Ge, already angry, met their glares, and naturally, he didn’t back down, immediately returning the glare.

At that moment, a colleague from the security office reminded everyone, “If anyone causes trouble again, the punishment will be doubled next time.”