Chapter 57

After the pleasant harmonica tune ended, Zhang Beibei, holding a book under the desk lamp, lost the heart to study. He put down the book, turned off the desk lamp, and quietly went upstairs.

On the rooftop, under the moonlight, there was a deep and silent figure. The faint glow of the cigarette tip flickered, and a light scent of tobacco wafted in the wind. Zhang Beibei couldn't help but inhale the secondhand smoke, walked to the railing, and leaned against it, looking at Lin Zixian and smiling, "Big Brother Lin, what are you thinking about?"

Lin Zixian lounged lazily in a chair, his feet resting on the railing, and teased, "I'm thinking about what your measurements are."

Zhang Beibei pursed his lips, speechless, turned around, and said no more, accompanying him in watching the night, feeling an unprecedented calm, blending into the night.

Not long after, Tong Yunan came up with a basket of washed clothes. The rooftop was where everyone hung their clothes to dry. After hanging the clothes, she glanced at the two by the railing.

Just as she was about to leave, she heard Lin Zixian say, "Yunan, if everything goes well, our store should be open in about half a month. I'll be a hands-off boss, so you'll be busy. I suggest you close the small grocery store and get plenty of rest to prepare."

Tong Yunan ambiguously "hmm"ed and returned to her room.

Zhang Beibei turned back to observe Lin Zixian's expression and found him lighting another cigarette. He couldn't help but say, "Smoker!"

The next morning, after finishing his exercises, Lin Zixian was brushing his teeth in the bathroom when he noticed a figure in the steamy mirror. Turning around, he saw Liu Yanzhi posing seductively at the door, unusually wearing bell-bottom pants instead of a miniskirt.

Lin Zixian, mouth full of foam, was taken aback and asked, "What are you doing here? Is the bathroom downstairs blocked?"

Liu Yanzhi, realizing she was wasting her expression, stood up straight and said, "Of course, I'm hitching a ride with Deputy Minister Lin to work. You wouldn't refuse, right?"

"Oh! Wait! I'll be done soon." Lin Zixian turned and hurriedly finished.

When he returned to his room, Liu Yanzhi followed. Seeing the messy bed, she exclaimed, "Look, if a man doesn't have a woman, his room will be a mess. Big Brother Lin, I'll help you clean your room from now on." She started tidying up, quickly folding the quilt and smoothing the sheets.

Lin Zixian, putting on his security uniform, rolled his eyes and coughed, "No, you should come to my room less often. If Li Mingcheng misunderstands, he'll fight me to the death."

"I'm me, and I have nothing to do with that stingy old man. Don't lump us together," Liu Yanzhi said, feigning anger.

Lin Zixian smiled without a word, thinking, "Why not take advantage of it? I'd love to have you warm my bed, but you're covered in trouble that leads to Li Mingcheng. You're used to his service and still say you have nothing to do with him. I won't break up a happy couple."

After they went downstairs, Liu Yanzhi bounced over to the bicycle, but Lin Zixian pointed outside and said, "The car is outside."

Liu Yanzhi, puzzled, ran to the door and saw a shiny new car parked outside. Her eyes lit up, "Wow! A new BMW, Big Brother Lin, did you buy it?" She circled the car, clearly more attracted to it than the bicycle.

Now that she knew Lin Zixian was a high-salaried employee, she didn't doubt his ability to buy a good car.

"Borrowed," Lin Zixian opened the car door and got in. Liu Yanzhi, looking at her new bell-bottom pants, sat in the passenger seat, somewhat regretfully.

The engine roared, and Lin Zixian drove off. But he stopped at the alley entrance, lowered the window, and frowned at Tong Yunan, who was setting up her breakfast stall again. This woman wouldn't listen, which troubled him.

Tong Yunan walked over, bit her lip, and explained, "This is the last time. I'll handle the store's inventory today and then close it."

"Hey! Does that mean I won't get free breakfast anymore?" Lin Zixian got out of the car, grabbed a small stool, and sat by the stall, smiling, "As usual."

Tong Yunan immediately smiled and packed his breakfast. After giving it to him, she hesitated and glanced at Liu Yanzhi in the car. Lin Zixian, mouth full of baozi, mumbled, "Ignore her, she's not hungry. If she wants to eat, she'll come down. Do I have to beg her?"

"Who said I'm not eating?" Liu Yanzhi slammed the door and got out, looking around the stall, "Since Sister Yunan is closing, I'll have one last free meal. Sister Yunan, I'll have this... this... and this..."

After they were full, they drove off, and Liu Yanzhi, sitting in the fast and steady car, kept praising his driving skills, saying they were much better than Li Mingcheng's.

Lin Zixian drove to the Minghua Group entrance and stopped, saying to the chattering Liu Yanzhi, "Get out!"

Liu Yanzhi was taken aback, "Aren't you going to park in the lot?" She had hitched a ride to show off in front of her colleagues. Getting out at the entrance was no good.

"Get out quickly! I didn't expect you to hitch a ride, and I don't have enough time. I still need to pick up the general manager," Lin Zixian leaned over to open her door and asked her to get out.

Liu Yanzhi was so angry, how could anyone treat a beauty like this? But she knew she and General Manager Qiao Yun were in different leagues. She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door. The car drove away behind her...

At the villa on the hill, the bodyguards were ready, and Qiao Yun, dressed in her professional attire, sat coldly on the sofa, occasionally checking her watch.

"Yun, Deputy Minister Lin might have encountered something. Let's go to work together today. Or let the bodyguards drive you," Qiao Antian suggested.

"Yes, yes! Little Lin saved your father's life, so don't be too picky," Xiao Hua added.

"Because of that, I have to be picky," Qiao Yun said coldly, "Mom, you don't know. This guy is a thorn in the company's side. His reputation in the company is huge, and there are rumors that he can run half of the Minghua Group. The head of the security department has become his subordinate, and he doesn't even respect Dad, the chairman. If this continues, what will happen? So, when he's in the wrong, I have to pressure him, constantly giving him stress to make him feel guilty. Otherwise, no one will be able to control him in the company."

"Uh..." Xiao Hua looked at her husband, not knowing about this.

Qiao Antian paused and nodded slightly, "Okay, I won't interfere. I'm going to work."

Just as he was about to leave, Qiao Yun suddenly called out, "Dad, give me his phone number."

Qiao Antian smiled and gave her Lin Zixian's number, then left with a group of bodyguards. Qiao Yun held the phone but didn't rush to call...

When it was already eight o'clock, Qiao Yun slowly dialed the number. The sound of traffic came from the other end, and Lin Zixian sounded urgent, "Hello! Who is it? If you don't speak, I'll hang up."

"Deputy Minister Lin, in all these years, this is the first time I've been late for work. I'm waiting for you at home. Let's see if you'll make me set a precedent for being absent," Qiao Yun said coldly into the phone.

Xiao Hua, standing beside her, shivered, surprised by her daughter's ability to handle men, thinking, "Little Lin, you're on your own!"

"Uh... Boss Qiao, listen to me! I was stopped by the traffic police because I forgot my driver's license..." Lin Zixian didn't finish before Qiao Yun hung up.

Lin Zixian, arguing with the traffic police on the road, almost threw his phone in anger. Damn! I already said I don't have a license.

Because he had first dropped Liu Yanzhi off, he was short on time and had to speed, which got him stopped by the police.

The police asked him to show his license, and when he couldn't, they found out he was driving without a license and speeding, so they pulled him over.

Feeling cornered by Qiao Yun, he decided to face the situation head-on. The great Caesar being caught by the police would be a laughing matter. He didn't want to trouble Zhang Zhenxing for such a trivial matter, but he had no choice but to call him.

To resolve such an issue quickly, only the powerful people from the National Security Agency could help.

"Deputy Director Zhang... It's like this, I forgot my driver's license and was stopped by the police. I have an urgent matter, so please help me... Yes! I'm at... The car number is..."

After telling Zhang Zhenxing, the power of the National Security Agency was evident. Within a minute, the police received a call and quickly returned Lin Zixian's ID, saluting him, "Sorry, I didn't know you were on a mission."

"It's okay, it's okay..." Lin Zixian waved his hand and quickly got back into the car and drove away.

He rushed to the Qiao family villa, parked the car, and ran into the hall. Qiao Yun glanced at him coldly, ignored him, and walked past. Xiao Hua looked at Lin Zixian with pity and shook her head.

The convoy set off, and after a while, Lin Zixian couldn't hold back and explained, "Boss Qiao, I was really stopped by the police because I don't have a driver's license."

"If you drove normally, would the police have stopped you during this time?" Qiao Yun asked calmly.

Lin Zixian was speechless, a sudden anger rising in him. He stared at the rearview mirror and gritted his teeth, "Qiao Yun, don't go too far. Being my driver is already a huge favor to you. Don't be ungrateful."

"How is this about giving me face? From flirting with me on the flight to cursing me in the company cafeteria, when have you ever given me face? What? Are you right even when you're wrong? Do you want to hit me? Go ahead! I won't fight back. I've heard you're very skilled," Qiao Yun stared back at him in the rearview mirror.

How can you say that? Lin Zixian was speechless, feeling guilty, and could only drive in silence...