Lin Xi had always maintained her professionalism, but after spending some time with Wu Qingyi, she had developed a genuine soft spot for the girl. Seeing the manager belittle her client, Lin Xi's voice rose with determination, "Manager, how can you speak to a client like that?" For the first time, Lin Xi's defiance sparked fury in the manager. She scoffed, her tone sharp and venomous, "Ha! Lin Xi, you really are bold, going against me for this stupid girl. Aren't you afraid of losing your job? I could even send an official email to our CEO to blacklist you across all companies. Are you okay with that?" Her words dripped with threat, intending to crush Lin Xi's courage, but Lin Xi stood firm, refusing to back down for anyone.
Wang Hao and Shen Yiran arrived at the exact moment the manager's venomous words cut through the room but amidst the commotion, no one noticed their entrance. The moment Wang Hao heard the phrase "stupid girl," his heart skipped, he knew immediately it was directed at their young madam. He moved to rush forward, but Shen Yiran gripped his hand firmly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's see how this plays out," he murmured. "Might as well weed out some cockroaches from the company."
Wang Hao's jaw tightened. He knew Shen Yiran enjoyed these twisted little spectacles, but this time it was their innocent madam at the centre. Without hesitation, he yanked his hand free and strode toward Wu Qingyi, determined to shield her. Even Shen Yiran, though unwilling, found himself trailing closely behind.
Just as Wang Hao and Shen Yiran closed in, two steps away from the young madam, they froze for a moment. Before them stood the slim, small junior property agent, standing her ground as if a wall protecting Wu Qingyi. Lin Xi, her composure completely shattered, could no longer contain herself. She had endured the manager's arrogance countless times, but to see a naïve, innocent girl being hurt, this was a line she would not allow to be crossed. With all the strength in her lungs, lashed out the words that filled only silence in the showroom.
"To hell with your CEO!" Lin Xi's voice trembled with fury yet carried an unyielding edge. "Who does Shen Yiran think he is? As if I'm dying to work in his company that's teetering on the brink of debt! A man who can't even manage his own employees, how can he expect to keep this company running? I've already drafted my resignation and I'll submit it soon enough. But until then, I will fulfil my duty responsibly. Right now, Miss Wu Qingyi is my client, and no one absolutely no one has the right to disrespect her while I stand here!"
Silence descended over the showroom like a thick fog. It was only then that everyone noticed the CEO standing quietly in the background. The manager's eyes lit up with delight, convinced that Shen Yiran had come to personally reprimand or even fire Lin Xi for her audacious words. Yet Lin Xi and Wu Qingyi, backs turned toward him, were completely unaware of his presence. Lin Xi then faced Wu Qingyi, a warm smile spreading across her face as she said, "Miss, you can adjust the property agent's commission however you like. So… may I confirm that you're ready to purchase this property?"
All eyes in the room widened in anticipation, eager to see whether the seemingly foolish girl could afford such a luxurious estate, everyone except Shen Yiran and Wang Hao, who quietly expected her to choose something small, given her earlier request to alter the commission.
Wu Qingyi's face lit up with a radiant smile as she said, "Yes, I want to buy this property." The words echoed through the showroom, leaving everyone around even including Lin Xi utterly stunned. Before Lin Xi could even gather herself to respond, Wu Qingyi continued with innocent determination, "Actually, could you also decorate it for a newlywed couple? The truth is, my poor husband is living in a tiny, single-room place, and his health is very weak. I want to give him this property as our wedding gift so he can live comfortably and recover quickly. Oh, and could you also tell me how to register the property in his name and what formalities are needed?"
A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone tried to absorb the unexpected depth of her thoughtfulness and resolve.
Lin Xi quickly steadied her racing heart and, slipping back into her professional composure, softly began listing the required documents. As she spoke, Wu Qingyi's mind drifted, and instinctively she turned around in search of Secretary Wang. The moment she turned, she spotted him standing not far away. A faint smile bloomed on her lips as she hurried over to him and softly asked, "Hao, can you get your master's required documents? And… will it be fine if we submit the marriage certificate later, once we've obtained them?" Her voice was gentle, yet her eyes carried a quiet determination that no one in the room could easily ignore.
That was when Wang Hao finally turned toward Shen Yiran, snapping him out of his stunned silence. In a low voice, he introduced Shen Yiran to Wu Qingyi, "This is the CEO of Golden Crest Properties and he is also one of young master's closest friends." Then, looking directly at Shen Yiran, he added carefully, "Submitting the documents later won't be a problem, right? You wouldn't mind… right?" Shen Yiran, who had yet to recover from the consecutive shocks of the day, could only give a slow, silent nod, his gaze still fixed on the girl in front of him, as if he were trying to piece together an unbelievable puzzle.
Wu Qingyi offered a soft, grateful smile. "Thank you," she said simply, before turning and walking back toward Lin Xi who had long since noticed the CEO's presence but deliberately pretended otherwise, straightening her posture and readying herself to fulfil her duty like a true professional.
Finally, Shen Yiran turned toward Wang Hao, his voice dropping to a horrified whisper. "What the hell was that? Since when did Lingxuan become poor? Weak? How is it that I know nothing about this?" Wang Hao didn't even blink. With perfectly calm eyes and a face as honest as polished jade, he replied, "Only our young madam truly understands the young master. Only she worries about him. Only she cares for him. Please don't destroy the faith she has built in her heart." He paused, then added lightly, almost lazily,
"Besides, how would you know anything about him? You can't even manage your own company properly."
The words were the same ones the junior agent had dared to say earlier and Shen Yiran caught it instantly. A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. "Oh? Then tell me something, Secretary Wang," he drawled. "What happens when her beautiful little fantasy shatters?" His gaze shifted toward Wu Qingyi's delicate figure in the distance. "When she sees Wang Lingxuan living in a high-profile mansion instead of a single, broken-down room… won't her trust crumble in an instant?"
It was as if thunder struck Wang Hao's skull. The realization hit him like crashing waves, that's right, if Wu Qingyi ever saw where their master actually lived, everything would fall apart.
Her pure belief.
Her gentle concern.
The image of a "poor, weak husband" she so carefully protected in her heart would all shatter in an instant.
Without another word, Wang Hao spun on his heel and strode out of the showroom at full speed. His steps were sharp, urgent, as if the floor itself were burning beneath his feet. Outside, he pulled the bodyguards close and began issuing quiet but absolute commands. Arrangements had to be made. Immediately.
No mistakes…. No leaks…. No chances….
But even in the midst of his panic, he did not forget the most important thing. Before disappearing, he turned back sharply and fixed Shen Yiran with a hard look. "Don't forget," he said in a low voice, filled with warning, "sell the property at her stated budget." He was gone the next second.
Shen Yiran casually crossed the distance to Lin Xi, who had already begun the formal procedures, her fingers trembling slightly as she organized the documents for the registration of such a shocking sale. That was when he heard her soft, professional voice: "Miss, what commission percentage would you like to set for the Sun Blossom Estate?" She paused, then added carefully, "And will you be paying via transfer, card, or cheque?" The room fell silent once more and everyone leaned in waiting for the answer.
Shen Yiran thought he had misheard. Sun Blossom Estate… her "budget"? His gaze flicked toward Wu Qingyi's slender figure, and his thoughts rippled in silent disbelief. That wasn't a budget, that was madness dressed in gentleness. That estate wasn't something an average wealthy woman could even dream of, let alone treat so casually and then another realization struck him like a blow to the chest.
Wasn't this the same property Lingxuan had been secretly trying to acquire?
His lips curved slowly into a complicated smile. "Tch… that lucky bastard," he muttered under his breath, half amused, half stunned.
To be loved so foolishly, to be protected so blindly and to have someone willing to spend the world just to give him comfort.
For the first time, Shen Yiran didn't envy Wang Lingxuan's power… He envied his wife...