Chapter 51: I Cannot Sign This Contract
Bai Shoucheng felt as if he'd been struck by lightning.
He tried again to persuade Xiao Ye to take the Golden Saber, only to be thrown out.
Utterly helpless, he had no choice but to leave.
At that moment, Bai Shoucheng was absolutely kicking himself.
If he had known it would come to this, he should have just returned the Golden Saber and that half of the fortune in the first place!
But by now, it was too late for regrets.
「The next day.」
Lin Chuyue got ready for the office first thing in the morning.
Now that the money Ding Qi had taken was returned and the company was getting back on track, a host of contracts were waiting for her, the CEO, to personally handle.
Just as she was about to leave, Lin Aoshan called out to her. "Chuyue, Xiaoye has been cooped up here at the Lin Family estate with nothing to do. Why don't you take him to the company and let him get out a bit?"
"Grandpa, that's the office, not a place to go for fun."
"Then find him a position at the company!"
Lin Aoshan was dead set on tying the two of them together.
"Xiaoye has helped us so much. Don't you think you owe it to him to find him a job?"
Seeing the look on Lin Aoshan's face darken, Lin Chuyue didn't dare to anger him further.
"Alright, alright, Grandpa. Don't be angry. I'll do what you ask."
"Now that's my good granddaughter. Go on, get Xiaoye from the guest room."
Lin Chuyue reluctantly took Xiao Ye with her to the Lin Group Company.
She turned back, her voice cold and clear. "Xiao Ye, I need you to understand that we're from two different worlds."
"I will repay the debt I owe you, but don't get any other ideas. There is absolutely no way I will marry you."
"Never mind the fact that you have several marriage contracts. Even if you didn't, a man like you could never be worthy of me. I hope you realize the chasm between us."
"By the way, I've assigned you to the company's security department. You can just clock in and that's it. You don't actually have to work."
"I'm only doing this to keep up appearances for my grandfather. Don't get any ideas about actually working for the Lin Family's company."
With that, she walked into the elevator without a backward glance.
Xiao Ye scratched his head. He truly couldn't fathom the minds of women—especially beautiful ones.
It was like trying to find a needle at the bottom of the sea; they were impossible to figure out.
Lin Chuyue rode the elevator back to the CEO's office. She knew her words had been harsh, but she felt it was the only course of action she could take.
She hoped Xiao Ye would leave the Lin Family on his own accord and stop pestering her.
That afternoon, a flashy sports car slowly pulled to a stop.
Huo Wenhao stepped out of the car and adjusted his tie.
He might have a devil-may-care attitude at the Huo Family estate, but out in public, he radiated the full aura of a young master.
He was about to strut forward proudly when his eyes fell on the person sitting in the security booth. He stumbled, nearly falling flat, his jaw dropping wide enough to fit an egg.
'Xiao Ye, working as a gate guard?'
'How is that possible?!'
Huo Wenhao quickly jogged over, forcing a placating smile. "Mr. Xiao, are you... out here for a taste of the common life?"
If he wasn't here to experience the simple life, he really couldn't think of any other reason.
'What rich and powerful man would ever willingly work as a gate guard?'
'It's just as my father always said: never use common logic to fathom the minds of the great.'
Xiao Ye said nonchalantly, "Chuyue arranged it."
Huo Wenhao's eyes lit up with understanding. 'Ah, so they're role-playing!'
'The gorgeous CEO and the handsome young security guard... These top dogs really know how to have fun!'
'Back in the day, Lingxiao Daoist's presence was so powerful. Forget the Huo Family, even the Capital City's noble families had to bow and scrape before him.'
'And to think his disciple is willing to work as a security guard, all for love. It must be true love!'
Huo Wenhao broke into a knowing grin. "Mr. Xiao, I'm here today to deliver a contract to the Lin Clan."
As the saying goes, it's easy to add flowers to brocade, but much harder to offer charcoal in a snowstorm.
'The Lin Clan is basically starting from scratch right now. If I don't use this chance to give them a boost, I don't deserve to be the Huo Family heir.'
"Alright, go on in then."
Without looking up, Xiao Ye gave a casual wave of his hand.
But Huo Wenhao beamed, a wide grin splitting his face. "You got it!"
'Looks like my bootlicking paid off this time!'
「The CEO's Office.」
When she heard Huo Wenhao had arrived, Lin Chuyue quickly composed herself to meet him.
"Young Master Huo, what brings you here in person? I haven't even had a chance to properly thank you for the matter with the Han Family's assets."
This was Xiao Ye's beloved, yet she was addressing him so formally. It made Huo Wenhao squirm. "Please, no need to be so formal. I came today to discuss a potential partnership."
With that, he produced a contract. "Take a look. From now on, the Lin Clan will handle the Huo Family's financial services."
"If everything looks good, just sign it."
When it came to a matter involving Xiao Ye, Huo Wenhao would never dare to pull any tricks with the contract.
The Lin Family primarily operated in the financial sector, with business in banking, investment management, insurance, and wealth management, among other fields.
The Huo Family was a major clan. For them to entrust their entire family's financial affairs to the Lin Clan was no different than manna from heaven.
Lin Chuyue looked at the contract, wanting to speak but holding her tongue.
'Huo Wenhao must have an ulterior motive. Why else would he just deliver this opportunity to my doorstep?'
But she refused to be indebted to a man, and she certainly didn't want to rely on one to make her company bigger and stronger.
Lin Chuyue offered a polite smile. "Young Master Huo, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't sign this contract."
"The Lin Family has just gone through so much; we're not the same family we once were. We're in no position to act as the Huo Family's financial advisors."
'She's turning it down?'
Huo Wenhao immediately sat bolt upright. He had told Xiao Ye he was coming to deliver a contract.
If he failed, it would mean he was incompetent in Xiao Ye's eyes.
"Miss Lin, think this through. This isn't just any contract. Do you have any idea what it means to be the Huo Family's financial advisor?"
"It won't just take the Lin Family to the next level; it will also earn you the trust of other prominent families. Your partnerships will multiply."
"Of course I know that," Lin Chuyue said, her gaze clear and steady. "But I also know the Lin Family's current situation. We can't bite off more than we can chew."
"The Lin Family cannot serve as the Huo Family's advisors. Please, Young Master Huo, don't put me in a difficult position. You have other, better options."
'If I agree now, he might think I'm accepting his advances, and that would just create more problems later.'
Huo Wenhao didn't dare push too hard, so he could only try persuading her one last time. "You really don't want it?"
"No, really. I'm sorry to have troubled you to come all this way, Young Master Huo. The Lin Family is in the middle of rebuilding right now. Once things have settled down in a few days, I'll be sure to make time to treat you to dinner personally!"
Huo Wenhao didn't dare to force the issue, so he could only swallow his frustration and leave with the contract.
He hadn't gotten far before Lin Yinghao blocked his path.
Having heard that Huo Wenhao was visiting, Lin Yinghao had skipped his meeting and had been waiting outside the entire time.
"Young Master Huo! Your presence brings honor to our humble Lin Clan!"
At first, Huo Wenhao couldn't be bothered with him, but then he thought of the contract and changed his mind.
'If Lin Chuyue won't take it, I'll just give it to Lin Yinghao.'
'He's part of the Lin Family, after all. As long as the contract goes to the Lin Family, it doesn't count as me failing my task.'