Chapter 9

Xiaozheng's temporary guest room had an en suite bathroom and a huge double bed that was 1.8 meters wide. A set of high-end European-style table and chairs was placed on the balcony outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, presumably for leisure and tea drinking.

Living in such a well-equipped large villa, Xiaozheng felt a sense of joy and comfort, and the idea of spending the rest of his life here began to take root.

After taking a shower, Xiaozheng, wearing a tank top and shorts, threw himself onto the soft, large bed. He glanced at the door, which was not locked, and felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation: Would she take the opportunity to barge in while I'm sound asleep? At that time, should I struggle fiercely to protect my chastity, or should I half-heartedly comply and fulfill her wishes? After all, under her roof, I have no real power to resist.

Lost in these thoughts, Xiaozheng, who had been busy all day, fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Xiaozheng was awakened by a shrill phone call that seemed to be a death knell. Sitting up with sleepy eyes, he grabbed the phone and complained, "Disturbing someone's sweet dreams is like robbing them of their wealth. Team Leader Tang, even if your backer is stronger than mine, you shouldn't do such a heartless thing."

"Are you still sleeping!?"

From the other end of the phone came Tang Ming's impatient urging, "What time is it now? Do you want to be fired on your first official day of work? Get to the company quickly! Boss Bai is already furious!"

Xiaozheng, still groggy, lifted his wrist and glanced at the time, "It's not even 8:30 yet. Isn't the company's official start time 9:00?"

"The other departments start at 9:00, but our security department follows Boss Bai's schedule. Stop talking nonsense and get to the company. If you're late, I can't guarantee your safety!"

After hanging up, Xiaozheng leisurely washed his face and brushed his teeth. Seeing that his hair was a mess from sleeping, he wet it and combed it into a style that made his face look smaller. Only then did he slowly walk out of the bedroom.

Out of habit, Xiaozheng subconsciously went to the kitchen to find something to eat, but he found that the fridge contained only frozen food, not even a bowl of instant noodles.

"I suddenly miss Aunt Zhang's kitchen. Though small, it had everything. Unlike here, where it's big but lacks even a bowl of cooked food. It's completely devoid of warmth."

With a dejected look, Xiaozheng closed the fridge and left the house.

At 7:15, Xiaozheng heard footsteps on the stairs. Despite the villa owner's efforts to minimize the noise, it still woke the sleeping Xiaozheng. Of course, Xiaozheng was not naive enough to think that Lin Huayin was worried about disturbing his sleep. Apart from not wanting to meet the shameless Xiaozheng, she was most concerned about the possibility of this top-notch man hitching a ride.

The air in Mingzhu in the morning was fresh, and the cool breeze from the river made it even more refreshing. Xiaozheng, who had left the villa slowly, ate two steamed buns and drank a bowl of tofu pudding at a breakfast shop near the villa complex. Then, he smoked a cigarette while waiting for the No. 19 bus, which went directly to the Empire Tower. During this time, Tang Ming, who considered Xiaozheng a close friend, sent several text messages, live-streaming Bai Yujiao's fierce and violent behavior. The numerous typos in the short messages clearly indicated that the security department was in dire straits and in urgent need of rescue.

"It's just that I, Brother Xiaozheng, am getting old. A few years ago, she wouldn't have dared to act so arrogantly." Occupying a window seat, Xiaozheng glanced at the high-rise buildings of Mingzhu, feeling a deep sense of nostalgia.

After five years away, the Mingzhu that Xiaozheng remembered had undergone a complete transformation. If he hadn't grown up in this city, he might not even be able to tell the directions.

When he arrived at the Empire Tower, the time was precisely 10:00. According to NewAo's working hours, he was already an hour late. Not to mention the security department, which had a military-style management system.

However, Xiaozheng, who was used to being laid-back, didn't think an hour was a big deal. He arrived at the security department without a trace of embarrassment, ready to change into his work clothes. A somewhat unfamiliar colleague approached him with a grim expression, "Xiaozheng, Bai Team Leader wants you to find her in the gym."

"Now?" Xiaozheng, already in his new security uniform, asked casually.

"Yes. She said to go to the gym as soon as you got to the company." The colleague left quickly, as if avoiding a plague.

NewAo was very concerned about the physical fitness of its employees. For this reason, they had dedicated an entire floor to a gym, equipped with various imported fitness machines, which were even better than those in commercial gyms. They even hired several professional fitness trainers for regular training to ensure that employees who spent long hours in the office had healthy bodies. This was a commendable company benefit.

The gym was on the 85th floor. When Xiaozheng ignored the security department's rules and took the elevator up, Tang Ming, who was waiting at the entrance, rushed over and whispered, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Didn't I tell you that security personnel are not allowed to use the elevator during working hours?"

"Breakfast was too filling. I'm afraid excessive exercise might cause me to get a cramp." Xiaozheng explained seriously.

Tang Ming, in a bad mood, said, "Just do as Boss Bai says. Don't argue or show any dissatisfaction. I've already explained that you were late because you had an argument with your wife."

"How do you know I'm married?" Xiaozheng asked, stunned.

"Are you really married?" Tang Ming was clearly surprised as well.

In an international metropolis like Mingzhu, where late marriage is common, getting married at 25 seemed a bit hasty and deprived one of many opportunities to date. Tang Ming felt very sorry for Xiaozheng.

"Yes. My wife also works at NewAo. She's very beautiful." Xiaozheng, not in a hurry to meet Boss Bai, started chatting with Tang Ming at the gym entrance.

"Your wife works at NewAo? Which department? Damn!" Tang Ming felt short of breath and was furious. "Don't you know that NewAo forbids office romances? And you're already married? Aren't you afraid that Boss Bai will find out and fire both of you?"

Xiaozheng's expression turned serious, "You're really worrying too much. Even if all NewAo employees are fired, no one would dare to fire my wife."

"Who is your wife?" Tang Ming asked, shocked.

Xiaozheng pointed to the ceiling and said solemnly, "Lin Huayin."

Tang Ming was taken aback and then cursed, "Go to hell! Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"

"I knew you wouldn't believe me." Xiaozheng shrugged. "If you treat me to a meal one day, I'll bring her along for drinks."

Tang Ming cursed, "If you can get Boss Bai to join us for drinks, I'll treat you to a meal on the Mingzhu cruise."

"It's a deal!" Xiaozheng's eyes lit up.

The Mingzhu cruise was a famous restaurant cruise in Mingzhu, known for its six-star luxury. An ordinary white-collar worker's annual salary might not even cover a meal there. It was a real gold mine. Tang Ming said this without thinking that Xiaozheng could have any connection with Boss Bai.

Husband and wife?

The credibility was even lower than the idea that the overbearing Boss Bai was secretly in love with Xiaozheng!

"Tang Ming, do you think that with the support of the director, I won't dare to fire you?"

Suddenly, a furious voice came from the gym entrance.

It was the early menopausal girl, the inhumane and ruthless Bai Yujiao, the head of the security department, whom Xiaozheng had mentioned.