The umbrella had not been taken away, which meant Zhao Linye had silently left her an opportunity to meet again.
If she were smart enough, she would seize this chance.
The work at Chan Gong didn't require daily attendance—everything was at Sister Chu's command.
It had been raining for the past few days, and Chen Zhuyue hadn't gone out for several consecutive days.
But she hadn't been idle.
The television was broadcasting chamber of commerce news. The man speaking at the podium had cool, distant features, a resolute tone, and a steady, sharp gaze—as if no scheme could escape his eyes.
Chen Zhuyue sat in the living room, peeling scallions, and subconsciously glanced at the black umbrella hanging by the old refrigerator. Her mind drifted for a moment.
The television continued: "…Our chamber of commerce must maintain unity and cohesion, develop by sticking together, and firmly uphold the principle of giving back to society…"
Measured, formulaic official rhetoric flowed slowly from his lips. He didn't even need to look at his speech to deliver it all smoothly.
Chen Zhuyue watched the television, watched the business news, and the light in her eyes gradually gathered once more.
Power—how alluring it was.
Power also fueled ambition all the more.
But she wasn't in a hurry. She needed to scheme, and she needed to wait.
Wait for the next opportunity.
"Ding!"
A message came through on her phone. Sister Chu urgently summoned her: 【Come to Chan Gong immediately. Buying Hall.】
A week later, Chen Zhuyue saw Zhao Linye again.
Compared to Zhegui Ting, Buying Hall was a slightly larger reception room.
Its decor was equally splendid—with a lounge area, a reception area, and a dining area.
The television in Buying Hall was on. The news had ended, and financial highlights were now playing.
At this moment, only two people were in Buying Hall.
"Master Lin, thank you for honoring us today. I also ask Master Lin to offer your guidance in our future cooperation."
Boss Wang spoke, bowing and scraping before the young Chairman Zhao.
Zhao Linye's expression didn't change. His peripheral vision swept over and caught Chen Zhuyue pushing the door open. His gaze paused briefly, then he said in a calm tone: "Boss Wang is too polite. The policies came down from above; I merely execute them."
Speak three parts, leave seven unsaid.
In the business world, one also had to navigate official circles.
Don't say everything—let the other party think, guess, ponder, and calculate.
If any link in the chain went wrong, one could cut losses immediately.
Those without brains, those without depth, would always be struck down by veiled insinuations.
Fools, even if they made it to the table, were merely appetizers.
"Of course, of course. Everything is as Chairman Zhao says."
Boss Wang spoke again, his mind already racing through several thoughts. Chen Zhuyue brought in the tea, half-kneeling before the low table, setting the teacup down steadily. She didn't raise her head, didn't speak, made no superfluous movements. After completing her duties, she rose and left.
She didn't even glance at Zhao Linye.
She understood—every occasion demanded the appropriate bearing.
"Is this Miss Chen?"
Boss Wang caught sight of her. "It's been many days, Miss Chen. You grow more radiant by the day."
It was a probe, and also a reminder.
Chen Zhuyue's departing steps had no choice but to halt. This time, she stole a glance at the man, wondering if he would intervene on her behalf.
But she was disappointed.
Zhao Linye seemed to have already forgotten her—he didn't spare her even a single look.
Boss Wang now had his answer: indeed, his probe had yielded results. This Miss Chen didn't seem to have the kind of relationship with Chairman Zhao that he had imagined.
If that was the case, then he could take things a step further.
"Miss Chen, Chairman Zhao and I happen to be discussing matters, and we're short someone to pour tea. Stay!"
Boss Wang's request came from an honored guest. Chen Zhuyue couldn't leave; she had to stay.
"Miss Chen is quite obedient this time. It seems Sister Chu gave you some training after last time: once you enter Chan Gong, the customer comes first."
Boss Wang turned his head to look at Chen Zhuyue. Chen Zhuyue lowered her eyes and spoke softly, "Boss Wang, please have some tea."
"Much more sensible now."
Boss Wang said, then sought Zhao Linye's opinion: "Chairman Zhao, what do you think—is it appropriate for us to keep Miss Chen here to attend to us?"
Chen Zhuyue also looked over. Zhao Linye seemed not to pay attention to the scene before him; he was intently watching an interview on the television.
The interview was about finance.
Chen Zhuyue's heart turned cold.
She understood.
Once you enter Chan Gong, you are yourself, and yet not yourself.
"Please instruct me, Boss Wang."
Chen Zhuyue took a deep breath, set aside her pride, and knelt on both knees, her posture humble but her spine straight.
She was beautiful, her brows and eyes like stars—a bright lamp shining in the darkness.
A fine figure, and a fuller chest.
A woman this perfect was rare even in Chan Gong.
Boss Wang had set his sights on her last time.
But tonight's request to keep her here didn't seem to be for himself—it was for Zhao Linye.
Chen Zhuyue had already calmed herself: no matter what Zhao Linye said or did next, she would remain unruffled by favor or disgrace.
"Not appropriate."
The three cold, indifferent words fell like a thunderclap crashing overhead. Boss Wang froze for a moment, glancing at Chen Zhuyue, then at Zhao Linye whose gaze remained calm, and suddenly a cold sweat broke out across his back.
It was his fault—too careless, and too pleased with himself.
Taking a deep breath, his demeanor grew even more sincere: "Since Chairman Zhao says it's inappropriate, then she won't stay. Miss Chen, you may rise. Your service is no longer needed here."
Chen Zhuyue lowered her head, stood up, took a breath, and turned to walk out.
Tap!
The tea cup lightly clinked against the table. Zhao Linye glanced over and said flatly, "Boss Wang was kind enough to let you go—aren't you going to thank him?"
At these words, not only did Boss Wang's face grow paler, but Chen Zhuyue also keenly discerned the meaning hidden within.
He hadn't stopped her earlier, but that didn't mean he wouldn't act now.
Since he had spoken, it was a stance, a signal.
This signal told Boss Wang: he was backing her up. In other words, she was someone under his protection—others should not touch her.
Chen Zhuyue sorted through the implications, and a faint sting of bitterness rose in her nose. But she quickly pulled herself together. When she turned back, her voice was already steady: "Thank you, Boss Wang."
She paused, then turned to Zhao Linye: "Thank you, Chairman Zhao."
Standing to one side, she lowered her gaze to her own feet.
Zhao Linye hadn't dismissed her, so for now she would wait for his orders.
But her heart was racing.
Chan Gong drains people, and it also nurtures them.
What it drains is life; what it nurtures is also life.
"Hm. You've improved a bit compared to last time."
Zhao Linye's gaze swept over her. He picked up the tea cup, took a slow sip, set it down again, and spoke to Boss Wang once more: "Let's eat!"
This gathering had no other guests—only the two of them.
Yet the table was still laden with delicacies from land and sea, many of which Chen Zhuyue had never seen before.
Throughout the meal, at Zhao Linye's command, Chen Zhuyue sat beside the table and ate and drank with them.
When Boss Wang looked at her again, his smile was several degrees warmer than before. He even addressed her as "Little Chen" at every turn, with none of the contempt or probing he had shown at the start.
This was power. This was authority.
Just a single word, a single stance, could change everything.
This kind of power—she craved it desperately, and she wanted it.