Chapter 9

Minister Duan was very eager to improve his relationship with Deputy Minister Lin, hoping that Lin would speak well of him to the chairman. Moreover, he knew about Lin's other secret identity as the general manager's personal bodyguard, which meant Lin could also speak well of him to the general manager. It was rumored that Lin even had a somewhat ambiguous relationship with Assistant Ning.

Therefore, Duan wanted to invite Lin to his office to build a closer relationship. However, Lin thought that two men with different paths and interests had nothing to talk about, and it was much more comfortable to stay where he was, surrounded by beauty. He was determined to stay put.

Minister Duan had no choice but to hang around the customer service counter, chatting with Deputy Minister Lin, who was inside. He didn't want to move a chair inside.

As a result, the two heads of the security department were hanging around here, one inside the counter and one outside, starting a unique inter-departmental work session.

The two customer service girls were initially uncomfortable but gradually got used to it. They were surprised to find that Minister Duan seemed to be subtly flattering Deputy Minister Lin. They were puzzled but then realized that the rumor about Assistant Ning being Lin's girlfriend made sense. It wasn't strange for Duan to want to climb the social ladder through Assistant Ning.

In the workplace, who doesn't want to advance, especially for the two girls at the bottom of the company's hierarchy. They were eager and several times wanted to speak but held back, feeling a desire to join the conversation.

Soon, Qian Ligang, panting, brought a new, unopened uniform and presented it to Lin Zixian with both hands, smiling, "Deputy Minister Lin, please try it on. If it doesn't fit, I'll get a new one."

Lin Zixian stood up, smiling, patted his shoulder, and praised, "Qian, you're doing great. I have high hopes for you." He took the uniform and left the counter to change in his office.

Qian Ligang followed behind, beaming, "Of course, of course."

Minister Duan looked at Qian Ligang with a strange expression, realizing that this guy was indeed talented, with a keen eye. He quickly found a powerful ally and was indeed a capable subordinate. Not using such a good subordinate would be a dereliction of duty.

So, he also patted Qian Ligang's shoulder as he came out, "Qian, Deputy Minister Lin recommended you to be the team leader of the security department. I will seriously consider it and prepare to formally evaluate you. Work hard and don't let us down."

"Sure, sure, sure," Qian Ligang nodded, overwhelmed by the sudden good fortune and the favor of two ministers.

The two customer service girls looked at him enviously. Just because of Deputy Minister Lin's words, this guy had a chance for a promotion. Even though it was just a team leader in the security department, it meant a rank, a salary twice that of a regular security guard, and the eligibility for the company's welfare bonus. He wouldn't have to stand stiffly in the lobby and would have subordinates to command.

The other security guards in the lobby looked at Qian Ligang with red eyes, filled with envy and resentment. They secretly cursed Qian Ligang for being a sycophant, a disgrace!

Then they fantasized, "Why didn't Deputy Minister Lin pick me? I would do a better job than Qian. It's just a face, who can't put it aside?"

However, no matter how envious others were, Lin Zixian had already chosen Qian Ligang, and Qian Ligian seized the opportunity.

Of course, this was mainly because Lin Zixian had dangled a carrot, luring Qian Ligang.

Moreover, Qian Ligang's name was well-chosen: Qian, Li, Gang, symbolizing toughness, stability, and accuracy, with a promising future.

Qian Ligang stood back at his post, still feeling like he was dreaming, but his ears were still alert, ready to change the uniform if Deputy Minister Lin said it didn't fit.

Minister Duan followed Lin Zixian into the large office. Lin Zixian suddenly stopped under the employee board, tilting his head and frowning, "Didn't I already take a photo? Why isn't my photo up yet?"

He had looked at all the photos yesterday and found none as handsome as himself, including the photos of the other ministers. He had been thinking about this.

"Hehe! I'll make sure to follow up on it," Duan Jiyeh laughed. If he knew that Lin Zixian was just trying to prove he was the handsomest in the security department, he wouldn't know what to think.

Lin Zixian hummed and walked to his office door, noticing that Duan was still following him. He turned and looked him up and down, "Minister Duan, do you want to watch me change?" He didn't want anyone to see the scars from his past battles.

Duan Jiyeh was taken aback, smiled awkwardly, and stopped in the large office, watching the door to the deputy minister's office slam shut.

Inside, Lin Zixian had just taken off his clothes when the phone on his desk rang.

He was now in the mood for the beautiful employees of Minghua Group but hadn't fully adjusted to being an employee of Minghua Group. He glanced at the phone, not caring, letting it ring while he continued his business. "What's it to me!"

Duan Jiyeh heard it from outside, knocked on the door, and said, "Minister Lin, your phone is ringing." He heard a voice from inside, "I'm not deaf." He was speechless.

A moment later, the phone inside stopped ringing, and the phone in the large office rang again. Duan Jiyeh walked over, picked up the receiver, and his body stiffened, "Chairman!... Deputy Minister Lin is already at work... He's changing into his uniform and can't answer the phone right now. I'll go get him for you... Oh, oh, okay."

After hanging up, Duan Jiyeh immediately grabbed the teacup on the table to drink, feeling extremely agitated. That guy inside was too impressive. When did the chairman ever call a small department like security? But that guy never gave the chairman face. From the chairman's tone, even the chairman was at a loss. Heaven! Who is that guy inside?

In the chairman's office, Qiao Antian put down the phone, stunned. Lin Zixian was changing into a security uniform? He couldn't imagine what that tough guy would look like in a security uniform.

If it weren't for his position in the company, he would have gone down to see Lin Zixian, to admire the style of Deputy Minister Lin of the security department.

Ning Lan was quietly tidying up her desk, but her ears were listening to the chairman's phone call. She remembered how, after the man who had killed with a smile and left in a mysterious manner left yesterday, the three of them had discussed how to describe the incident to the police, attributing the heroic rescue to the bodyguard and not involving him...

"Yesterday, he saved our lives. It's not right to keep calling him on the phone, but my position makes it inconvenient. Assistant Ning, you go down and see him," Qiao Antian smiled bitterly.

"Okay, Chairman!" Ning Lan quickly gathered her things and left the office.

After leaving, Ning Lan subconsciously touched the side of her thigh, still feeling a chill. The memory of Lin Zixian breaking her heel, lifting her skirt, and tearing it open was still vivid. She had hardly slept last night and was often distracted at work today.

She thought she would be haunted by the terrifying scene of Lin Zixian's ruthless killing, but strangely, it had faded, becoming a vague memory. The scene of being pulled up the hill was still fresh in her mind...

Lost in thought, she realized she had passed the elevator, blushed slightly, and quickly returned to the elevator.

When she reached the first-floor lobby and turned towards the security department, she suddenly heard a familiar laugh, "We're colleagues now, and we've met. How about you two ladies do me a favor and have lunch with me outside today?" A typical pick-up line.

A weak female voice replied, "Deputy Minister Lin, we can't go out for lunch. We have to eat in the company cafeteria, and one of us must stay on duty. The other can only go after the first one returns, or we can order food."

The familiar voice became angry, "Damn! What a lousy company. This is too inhumane. No, Minister Duan, this rule must be changed. Eating is a top priority in life and can't be taken lightly."

Duan Jiyeh's bitter laugh came, "Minister Lin, you flatter me. I'm just the head of the security department. I can't change the rules set by the general affairs department. Unless I want to quit... How about this: Minister Lin, let's invite the two ladies after work. I'll treat them. What do you think?"

Minister Lin? Duan Jiyeh reminded the familiar voice of who it was.

Ning Lan stopped, turned around, and walked back to the lobby. She saw Minister Duan Jiyeh standing outside the counter but didn't see Lin Zixian. As she got closer, she noticed an extra chair inside the counter. A person in a uniform with a cap was sitting lazily with one leg crossed, but she couldn't see if it was Lin Zixian.

"Evening, I'll treat you, but lunch is on me. How about we order food and eat together here?" Lin Zixian smiled, confirming to Ning Lan that it was him.

The sound of high heels approached, and Lin Zixian didn't pay much attention, but the others turned and stood straight, respectfully calling out, "Assistant Ning!"

Including Duan Jiyeh, they all seemed nervous. This woman had a special position in the company. Although she didn't have much administrative power, a word from her to the chairman could decide promotions, demotions, or even whether someone could keep their job. The chairman needed to maintain the authority of his subordinates, which also meant maintaining his own authority.

Now, being caught chatting during work hours by the assistant, they were tense. Even without telling the chairman, a word to their supervisor could get them in trouble. They didn't have Lin Zixian's confidence.