Chapter 58

The efficiency of those with money and power is truly fast. On the third day, Zhang Xiaohua, the general manager's secretary, delivered a driver's license to Lin Zixian in the security department office.

Before leaving, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly asked mysteriously, "Deputy Director Lin, I heard your girlfriend also works in our company."

Zhang Xiaohua was plain-looking, but over the past few days, she had become quite familiar with Lin Zixian, so she dared to ask some gossip questions. In most cases, a driver is also considered a secretary, serving the boss, with only a difference between a primary and secondary secretary. The two had a lot in common.

"There's no such thing, nonsense," Lin Zixian replied casually.

Zhang Xiaohua, holding a file folder, smiled and said, "If it's true, there's no need to hide it. The news has spread throughout the company that Liu Yanzhi from the business department is your girlfriend, Deputy Director Lin. She hasn't denied it either. What are you, a man, afraid of?"

"Is that true?" Lin Zixian was taken aback. "I haven't heard anything about it."

"You're no fun. If you don't admit it, fine," Zhang Xiaohua said as she walked out. "Even the general manager knows. This morning, she specifically asked me to look up Liu Yanzhi's information. Ha! The general manager is showing interest in your girlfriend."

Lin Zixian was stunned for a moment, then grabbed the walkie-talkie and called Qian Ligang, asking if he had heard any rumors about his girlfriend recently. Qian Ligang grinned and said he had heard about it.

After dismissing Qian Ligang, Lin Zixian quickly took out his phone and called Liu Yanzhi. Soon, a sweet, coquettish voice came from the phone, "Deputy Director Lin, what do you need?"

Lin Zixian felt goosebumps all over his body and asked seriously, "Did you tell others that you're my girlfriend?"

"That's just a rumor. I didn't say a word."

"Did you admit it?"

"It's not even a sure thing. What do I have to admit?"

"Did you deny it?"

"Rumors stop with the wise. If it's not true, why do I need to deny it? ... What do you mean, are you embarrassed to be associated with me? Just say it directly." Liu Yanzhi's tone shifted, and her domineering aura returned, ready to argue with Lin Zixian.

"Uh... nothing, I was just asking," Lin Zixian quickly hung up. If this loud-voiced woman started arguing, the rumors would fly. It was working hours, and there was no point in arguing with a woman.

After work, Lin Zixian waited in the parking lot but found that Qiao Antian had already left. He casually asked and learned that Qiao Antian had a business engagement and had to leave early.

In fact, the company's operations were usually managed by Qiao Yun, but external interactions were always handled by Qiao Antian. Qiao Yun had a serious demeanor and was not good at social niceties, so Qiao Antian had to take care of the company's interpersonal relations.

After picking up Qiao Yun, on the way back, Qiao Yun, who usually didn't talk much, suddenly said, "Did you smoke in my car again?"

"No!" Lin Zixian firmly denied it. After smoking in the car, he had driven around with the windows open several times, believing that even a dog's nose couldn't detect it. She was trying to trick him!

Qiao Yun glanced at a bit of ash on the seat next to her but didn't pursue the matter. She said calmly, "You can rest at home tomorrow morning and don't need to pick me up. Come back at 3 PM to take me to the Jinlan Taekwondo Gym."

Lin Zixian thought for a moment, remembering the beating he had received at the airport. He had seen that Qiao Yun had a background in taekwondo and guessed she was going to practice. He nodded and said, "Okay, I understand."

Back at the hillside villa, as soon as they got out of the car, they saw a white sports car parked in the yard. In the living room, Zheng Longqing, dressed in a white suit with a red bow tie, walked out with Xiao Hua. White and red seemed to be Zheng Longqing's favorite colors.

"Off work!" Zheng Longqing smiled.

Xiao Hua also smiled at Qiao Yun, "Longqing has been waiting for you for a while."

She seemed to have a good attitude toward Zheng Longqing, like a mother-in-law who increasingly likes her son-in-law. Zheng Longqing had style, good looks, and excellent material conditions, making him a suitable match. She had no complaints.

This was mainly because she didn't know about the enmity between the two families. If she did, she would be in a hurry to drive him away. Qiao Antian didn't want her to worry about the messy external affairs, so he didn't tell her unless they were exposed. He wanted his wife to enjoy a peaceful life.

In her youth, she had endured hardships with Qiao Antian during a difficult era. As a wife who had shared his struggles, she was very cherished by Qiao Antian. Now, she lived a carefree life, with her only worry being the early marriage of her daughter to have a grandchild. With Zheng Longqing, who was an excellent match, she was naturally very happy and eager to see them get together soon.

Qiao Yun nodded at Zheng Longqing and said, "I'll go change."

Xiao Hua and Zheng Longqing followed her back to the living room. As for Lin Zixian, a driver in a conspicuous security uniform, Zheng Longqing merely glanced at him without a second look.

"Damn! What is this guy up to again..." Lin Zixian muttered. Usually, he would have left by now.

This time, he stopped Hong Tao, who was about to return to his room, and asked, "I see the general manager seems to be going out. Don't you need to follow and protect him?"

Hong Tao looked toward the living room and explained, "Mr. Qiao has instructed us not to protect him when he goes out with Zheng Longqing, saying there's no danger."

"Playing with the wolf!" Lin Zixian's lips curled, and he sat on the grass to chat with Hong Tao, who had no choice but to accompany him.

Soon, Qiao Yun, wearing a silk dress, came out like a fairy, walking side by side with Zheng Longqing, a perfect pair... At least, that's how Lin Zixian saw it. He admitted he was jealous, wondering why others could enjoy such affection while he had to endure beatings.

Qiao Yun, who usually ran off quickly, was surprised to see Lin Zixian still there. Her bright eyes flickered, but she acted as if nothing was wrong and got into Zheng Longqing's car with his protection.

Xiao Hua waved to them with a smile, and Zheng Longqing called out, "Goodbye, Auntie!"

The white sports car disappeared from the yard, and Xiao Hua's smile lingered. She turned and saw Lin Zixian still there, politely inviting him, "Xiao Lin, don't sit on the grass. Come inside and sit."

Lin Zixian unrighteously abandoned Hong Tao and ran into the living room to chat with Xiao Hua.

After some casual conversation, Xiao Hua subtly advised Lin Zixian not to take his daughter's temper to heart and invited him to stay for dinner.

With Qiao Yun absent, Lin Zixian didn't refuse. However, during dinner, he couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Xiao, why does Qiao Yun, who is so young, always have a stern face? Has she been through some trauma?"

Xiao Hua was taken aback, then sighed bitterly, "You noticed. Yes..." She then told him some of Qiao Yun's unknown past.

It turned out that Qiao Yun had experienced an early romance, which, by today's standards, wouldn't be considered early. At 18, she secretly dated a young man outside her family and school. Unbeknownst to her, the young man had ulterior motives and deliberately tried to deceive the innocent Qiao Yun. Once they confirmed their relationship, he tricked her to the outskirts and, with a group of people, kidnapped her, planning to extort a large sum from the Qiao family.

Fortunately, Qiao Antian had always had someone secretly protecting her without affecting her normal life. At the critical moment, just as the kidnappers were about to assault her, the protector rescued her. Fortunately, nothing serious happened, or Qiao Antian and his wife would have been devastated.

Since then, Qiao Yun's face had lost its smile, and she had never dated anyone again. Now, Qiao Antian and his wife were getting anxious, as Qiao Yun was almost 30. Seeing Qiao Yun dating Zheng Longqing, Xiao Hua finally felt relieved.

"Dating Zheng Longqing, you'll have a lot to worry about. You can't see how good this young man is, what's better about him..." Lin Zixian grumbled to himself.

After changing cars and returning to the Sakura Snow Apartment, the living room was filled with women, and Lin Zixian, the only man, felt his mood improve.

Xia Qiu had regained confidence and was running business again, and Qin Yue had a smile on her face. Li Mingcheng's supermarket didn't close early in the evening, and he usually stayed there as long as it was open. Tong Yunnan had finally closed her small grocery store, waiting for Lin Zixian's clothing store to open. She had sold most of the items at a low price, but she brought all the cigarettes to Lin Zixian, knowing he liked to smoke.

Lin Zixian didn't care about the price or quality of the cigarettes; he smoked whatever he got, being a fearless person. However, everyone advised him to smoke less for his health. Lin Zixian wasn't too concerned, as his internal cultivation could cleanse his organs, and the old man smoked even more but was still lively.

The atmosphere in the Sakura Snow Apartment returned to its harmonious state, and Lin Zixian enjoyed this life, surrounded by women. If he could live like this after retiring, he would be happy to do so for the rest of his life. However, he knew it was impossible, as everyone would eventually have their own families and leave. Therefore, he cherished the relationships among them.

However, life is full of unexpected events, and things always happen in daily life.

One day, he knew he didn't have to work in the morning and had a rare chance to sleep in. Suddenly, a phone call came in. Seeing the caller ID, it was Zhang Beibei. He answered groggily and heard Zhang Beibei urgently say, "Big Brother Lin, Big Brother Lin, come quickly! Sister Yunnan has been hit..."