Early Morning
Xiao Chen woke up early and prepared breakfast, making Su Xiaomeng's favorite — a medium-boiled omelet.
Although the incident from the night before had been "peacefully resolved," he still felt a bit guilty. After all, he had nearly seen all of that girl's bare backside. Making her a fried egg felt like the least he could do to ease her wounded pride.
"Morning."
Su Qing came downstairs first, greeting Xiao Chen.
"Hehe, morning." Xiao Chen smiled back.
"Xiao Chen, what happened to your face?"
Su Qing noticed the scratches on his cheek and frowned slightly.
"Oh, that… I had a nightmare last night and scratched myself in my sleep," Xiao Chen said, lifting his hand as if to demonstrate. "Long nails, you know — not good."
"Oh."
Although Su Qing felt something was off, she didn't press further.
Xiao Chen let out a quiet sigh of relief. Damn, he'd had to blame that little girl again!
Just then, Su Xiaomeng came down the stairs yawning, dark circles under her eyes.
"Xiaomeng, didn't sleep well last night?" Su Qing asked gently, noticing her tired face.
"Huh? I… just went to bed a little late."
As Su Xiaomeng spoke, she caught Xiao Chen grinding his teeth quietly — this bastard again!
When she got back to her room last night, she couldn't sleep. The memory of disappearing beneath him and his reaction kept replaying in her mind.
Even when she finally drifted off, she dreamed of… inappropriate scenes.
It wouldn't have been strange — any normal girl might have such dreams.
But what was shocking was that her "Prince Charming" in the dream… was Xiao Chen!
She woke up in a panic, only to find herself embarrassingly damp…
Su Qing noticed her sister's small movements and frowned inwardly. Could it be that something happened between them again last night? Was the scratch on Xiao Chen's face from Xiaomeng?
"Cough… Xiaomeng, come eat. I made your favorite fried egg," Xiao Chen said quickly, noticing Su Qing's suspicious gaze.
"Oh."
In front of her sister, Su Xiaomeng didn't want to argue, so she sat down quietly.
Su Qing looked at the two of them, her thoughts spinning. Something was definitely going on. Last night, Xiaomeng had been calling "Brother Chen" so sweetly, yet now she seemed distant again.
The three sat at the table, eating in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Xiaomeng," Su Qing spoke up halfway through the meal, "tomorrow's the weekend — any plans?"
"Huh? I… haven't decided yet."
"Oh. If not, it's best to stay home. Things outside have been chaotic lately — the robbers still haven't been caught."
"Got it."
"If you do go out, let Xiao Chen accompany you."
"Oh… huh? Him?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"No, nothing."
Su Xiaomeng lowered her head and stopped talking. Xiao Chen did the same — best to stay quiet before Su Qing started suspecting more.
After breakfast, the three left the villa, dropping Xiaomeng at school before heading to the company.
"Xiao Chen, come with me later," Su Qing said as she got out of the car.
"Where to?"
"The Municipal Food and Drug Administration. We need to discuss the review of the new cosmeceutical product."
"When are we leaving?"
"I'll call you once I'm ready."
"Alright."
Su Qing went to her office while Xiao Chen strolled around before returning to the security department.
When he arrived, all the guards were already assembled — even Gao Ping.
"Good morning, Minister Xiao," Gao Ping greeted cheerfully. As the new security supervisor, he was second only to Xiao Chen.
"Morning. Are all the production department guards here?"
"Everyone except those currently on duty."
"Good. Let's have a meeting."
The entire department now had over seventy people, including the new recruits.
"Brother Chen, Dahan isn't here yet," Ding Li whispered.
"Oh, his mother's in the hospital. He's on leave for now." Xiao Chen explained for everyone's benefit, to avoid misunderstandings.
"Alright, since almost everyone's here, let's begin. This will be the first full meeting since I took over as minister — and it comes right after recruiting new members yesterday…"
The guards straightened up immediately, attentive as schoolchildren.
The veterans already knew Xiao Chen's tough reputation, and the newcomers had seen his strength firsthand yesterday — no one dared to take him lightly.
"Supervisor," Xiao Chen said, turning to Gao Ping, "I've decided to implement a rotation system between the company and production department — shifts will switch monthly. Any objections?"
"None at all. We'll follow your arrangements," Gao Ping replied.
"Good. From now on, the department will be split into four groups — two at the company, two at production…"
The meeting went on for about half an hour. Xiao Chen learned more about the new guards, especially those who were skilled fighters.
He also promoted Ding Li to group leader — a move that drew envy from many of the old hands. The timid guy they used to bully was now a small leader, all thanks to Xiao Chen's favor!
Afterward, Xiao Chen and Gao Ping spoke privately about the production department and agreed on a later visit.
"Damn, being a leader isn't easy — too many things to handle," Xiao Chen muttered, stretching after Gao Ping left.
A knock came at the door — Ding Li entered.
"Brother Chen, nothing unusual found."
"Hehe, fishing takes patience. Don't rush."
Xiao Chen grinned. He'd assigned Ding Li to monitor the secret surveillance cameras they'd set up.
"Brother Chen… can I really handle being a team leader?" Ding Li asked nervously.
"Why not? Believe in yourself."
"But I don't think I'm cut out for it…"
"I said you can do it — and you will," Xiao Chen said firmly, tossing him a cigarette. "I've got your back. Just don't let me down."
Ding Li took the cigarette, his eyes filled with gratitude. He knew Xiao Chen was grooming him for bigger things.
"Brother Chen, don't worry. I won't let you down!"
"Hehe, I believe you. Go on, get to work."
As soon as Ding Li left, Xiao Chen's phone rang.
"Hello, President Su. Heading out now?"
"Yes. Are you ready?"
"All done. I'll wait for you in the parking lot."
"Okay, ten minutes."
After hanging up, Xiao Chen pulled a small knife from his pocket — the same one left by the man in black last night. The blade had pierced three inches into the wall — a sign of the attacker's terrifying strength.
"Who was that? Seems Su Qing's surrounded by more trouble than I thought… and how much does she actually know?"
He narrowed his eyes. Something about her didn't add up.
Ten minutes later, he met Su Qing in the parking lot.
"Everything arranged?" she asked as she got into the passenger seat.
"Yeah. I've also planned to start special training for a few guards — maybe ten or twenty of them."
"Oh?" Su Qing smiled. "You planning to turn them into an elite team?"
"Something like that. Once I help you deal with this crisis, I'll leave. Having skilled people around you will keep you safe later."
Su Qing's smile faded. "Xiao Chen… you mean my brother won't return from the army?"
"Most likely not," Xiao Chen said quietly.
"Oh."
Disappointed, she dropped the subject. "Let's go to the Food and Drug Administration — do you know the way?"
"Hehe, not really, but that's what GPS is for."
Xiao Chen chuckled, relieved she'd changed topics. He set the navigation and drove off.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Municipal Food and Drug Administration.
"Should I wait outside or come in?"
"Come in with me."
"Alright."
They entered the building and, guided by a staff member, went straight to an office.
"Director Xu, hello."
Inside sat a man in his forties — round, shiny-faced, and balding, the typical Chinese bureaucrat.
"Ah, President Su, welcome. Please sit." He smiled at Su Qing, but his expression cooled instantly when he noticed Xiao Chen behind her. "And this is…?"
"Director Xu, this is my assistant, Xiao Chen," Su Qing introduced politely.
"Director Xu, nice to meet you," Xiao Chen greeted, keeping his tone respectful.
"Ah."
Director Xu barely acknowledged him, instead letting his gaze drift down to Su Qing's chest with a greasy smile.
"I didn't expect President Su to have a male assistant now… haha."