Chapter 39

"Boss," Assistant Meng hurriedly pushed the door open, "Yihuan Network's mobile game Divine Repairing of the World has begun its operation. Although it's still in beta testing, their character designs and scenes are very similar to our game, which hasn't been released yet. Here's their promotional video."

Yuan Yi took the tablet that Assistant Meng handed over, glanced at the promotional video, then turned it off. "Yihuan Network?"

"They are a relatively new company, but financially strong. I've looked into the company's leader. He came from an ordinary background, and his earlier plans weren't highly regarded by venture capitalists. Suddenly, they've created such a stir, so there must be someone else backing them."

Yuan Yi clasped his hands together and reopened the promotional video. The character designs and the storyline had clear similarities to the game his company was developing, indicating they had stolen his ideas. It wasn't uncommon for plagiarism in the gaming industry, but to steal from a game that hadn't even been launched yet only suggested there was a corporate spy inside the company.

Assistant Meng expected Yuan Yi to get angry, but surprisingly, his expression didn't change at all.

"Let's investigate the spy first," Yuan Yi raised an eyebrow with a sardonic smile, looking almost nonchalant. "The mobile game market is highly competitive, everyone knows it's a lucrative market. Can't rush to eat hot tofu, and since they don't understand the rules, I'll teach them the rules."

Assistant Meng involuntarily said, "Boss, hiring killers and thugs is illegal."

"What are you thinking?" Yuan Yi handed the tablet back to Assistant Meng. "I'm a law-abiding citizen."

"We could sue Yihuan Network, but even if we win the lawsuit, it wouldn't be worth the cost," Assistant Meng thought about how much effort they had put into developing this mobile game, only to have it stolen by someone else, feeling frustrated. "This bastard is really ruthless."

"Assistant Meng, watch your language," Yuan Yi lazily replied, "Civility is something we all need to maintain. Peace and happiness for you and me."

"Boss, you still have the energy to joke around," Assistant Meng said helplessly, looking at Yuan Yi. "We've invested so much money upfront. Doesn't this feel like throwing money away?"

"It's fine. If money can solve the problem, it's not a problem," Yuan Yi tapped the table. "If they dare to plagiarize, they'll pay the price for it."

"Boss, are you planning to make them go bankrupt?"

"Make them go bankrupt? What's that?"

"It's like the saying, 'Let the weather cool and the Wang family collapse.'"

Yuan Yi stared at Assistant Meng for a full three seconds. "You want me to hire illegal organizations to bomb Yihuan Network?" Destroying a company with strong backing just because I say so—this isn't playing with building blocks."

"It's just a joke," Assistant Meng quickly explained.

"Don't watch those TV shows with your sister anymore," Yuan Yi sympathetically looked at Assistant Meng. "If your brain turns too stupid, I'll fire you." He never expected that his high-achieving assistant, who graduated from a prestigious university, would be into these nonsensical things.

Assistant Meng looked at Yuan Yi with even more sympathy. How could someone so young not even know these outdated internet phrases? Was this the kind of spiritual world young people should have?

In the hospital room, Yan Xi looked at her two friends, who claimed to be visiting her but were just continuously eating the whole time. She felt a little heartache.

"Yan Dahe, these fruits are really delicious. Where did you buy them?" Tao Ru was holding a plate, enjoying the ruby grapes with Yang Min.

"You two are just here to mooch food, right?" Yan Xi rolled her eyes. "Is this how you visit someone?"

"You can't eat much right now, and if it's left for too long, it won't be fresh anymore. We're helping you," Tao Ru looked at Yan Xi lying softly on the bed. This was what "heartbreaking" looked like.

"Dahe, I don't even dare to say you're my friend now," Tao Ru sighed. "The people at the company are talking about your injury. If they find out about our relationship, they'll all pester me about it."

"Are the employees of Changfeng Company this idle? Where's the corporate spirit?" Yan Xi covered her face. "Who wants to be famous in this way?"

"Originally, no one in our company gossips this much, but since you were on a certain show, one of Changfeng's senior executives was interviewed," Tao Ru was a little agitated, almost crushing the grapes in her hand. "Do you know who that senior executive was? The second son of the chairman, the biological son!"

This second son of the chairman held a position at the headquarters but rarely appeared there. It was said he had his own successful businesses, and although their employees didn't know what was true, there were rumors that he didn't like to appear on TV. He even refused to participate in a program invited by the national channel. Who would've expected him to appear on a small local station as a "senior executive from Changfeng"?

"I know," Yan Xi looked at the grapes Tao Ru was holding. "The grapes you're eating were bought by your chairman's son."

Tao Ru almost choked on the grape in her mouth. "Yan Dahe, stop joking with me. You actually know the second young boss?"

Yan Xi smiled mysteriously.

"Oh my god, Yan Dahe, you're hiding something," Tao Ru shoved the grapes to Yang Min, her excitement growing. "What's he like? Is he like the rumors?"

"Rumors... like what?" Yan Xi was a little curious.

"Like that," Tao Ru gave her a sideways glance. "I'm telling you, you're not going to tell the second young boss about this, are you? If he hears about it, I'll be fired."

"Do I look like that kind of person?"

"Well, no, so let me tell you." Tao Ru was convinced that Yan Xi wasn't the type to sell out friends. With her curiosity piqued, she continued, "Rumor has it that the second young boss has never had a girlfriend, and when he comes to the company and sees pretty girls, he doesn't even look at them. We suspect he's asexual."

"Not interested in women, maybe interested in men?" Yang Min asked curiously. "Why would he be asexual?"

"Because he's not interested in men either. We have plenty of handsome men and beautiful women in the company, but he doesn't even flinch," Tao Ru struck a pose. "But there's also a rumor that the second young boss has violent tendencies, lacks gentlemanly manners, and wastes his villainous, domineering face."

"Are you guys being contradictory? You want him to be villainous and domineering, but also gentlemanly? That's split personality!" Yan Xi sincerely defended Yuan Yi. "What violent tendencies? Have you ever seen him hit anyone?"

"We've seen it." Tao Ru nodded.

Yan Xi felt that her attempt to defend Yuan Xiaoer might have been a bit off.

"However, this isn't Xiao Boss's fault," Tao Ru explained. "At that time, a department manager at headquarters was harassing a female employee, and it happened that Xiao Boss caught him in the act, so he beat him up." Tao Ru had been there at the time and could honestly say that Xiao Boss's fighting stance was quite handsome.

"So he's actually a righteous, handsome guy," Yan Xi smirked. Yuan Xiaoer might have a bit of a sharp tongue, but he's a good person. Since they got to know each other, he had helped her several times. "You're just judging by appearances."

"It seems like you and Xiao Boss are quite close," Tao Ru asked, curious. "You two wouldn't be...?"

"Think a little more pure, okay? Your Xiao Boss likes big-breasted beauties, but I prefer elegant, gentle men. It's impossible," Yan Xi replied. She didn't say it aloud, but she doubted that Yuan Xiaoer had any interest in her. A man who liked a woman would always be attentive and try to show his best side. Yuan Xiaoer, on the other hand, had always been casual with her, sometimes making her question whether he saw her as a woman at all.

"I knew this sort of 'marrying into a wealthy family' story wouldn't happen around me," Tao Ru said with some regret. "The kind of thing where a sparrow becomes a phoenix, that only happens to the heroine in dramas."

"Honestly, I'm still a rich second generation. I can't claim to be a phoenix, but at least I'm a peacock," Yan Xi protested. "Are you still my friend?"

"Yes, yes, you're a peacock," Tao Ru said quickly. She was always afraid of Yan Xi frowning at her because that little expression of hers was so pitiful, it made her instantly change her stance without any principles. There was a time she even questioned her own orientation. After all these years of knowing each other, she still couldn't resist, and now she was hopeless.

"Dahe," Yang Min spoke from the side. "Lately, Wei Xiaoman seems to be looking for your contact details. She didn't know you worked at the TV station before, but now that everything's blown up, she must have found out. I'm worried she might go to the TV station to look for you, so you should be careful."

They had all seen how much Wei Xiaoman had sacrificed for Chen Mingdong in the past. Now that they had broken up, Yang Min was worried that Wei Xiaoman might become irrational and come after Yan Xi.

"She broke up with Chen Mingdong. What does that have to do with me?" Yan Xi felt wronged. First, she had been tricked by her roommate and Chen Mingdong, and now that they broke up, she had to worry about the feelings of the mistress. It was just too much.

"We all know it has nothing to do with you, but Wei Xiaoman..." Yang Min furrowed her brows. "We don't know what kind of influence Chen Mingdong had on her, making her sacrifice so much for a man."

When they first entered university, the four of them had been very close. Although Wei Xiaoman had a somewhat delicate personality, she was a good person. No one expected her to end up with Chen Mingdong at the most difficult time for Dahe.

At that time, she had cried and said she was madly in love with Chen Mingdong and was willing to accept any kind of retribution.

That was two or three years ago, but it felt like it was just yesterday. However, they were no longer the simple school girls they once were. The relationship that had been so shamelessly pursued back then didn't end up having a conclusion.

Yan Xi didn't feel anything about the situation. She had no feelings left for Chen Mingdong and no friendship left with Wei Xiaoman. Talking about it now only made it awkward.

Seeing that Yan Xi didn't want to talk about it, Yang Min stopped. "Anyway, it's better to be cautious. People who lose their rationality often lose their sense of right and wrong."

There was a knock on the door. Yang Min got up to answer it, and saw a handsome man standing outside with a bouquet of flowers. She was stunned for a moment before asking, "Hello, may I ask who you're looking for?"

"Sorry to bother you," Song Chao said with a gentle smile. "May I ask if Miss Yan is in this room?"

Yang Min almost got lost in his warm smile, but thankfully she remained composed and stepped aside. "Yes."

"Sorry to bother you," Song Chao nodded politely and then walked into the room.

Yang Min watched him with admiration. His perfect figure, his handsome and refined look, and his graceful manners were exactly the kind of man Dahe liked.

"Miss Yan," Song Chao's smile grew even more gentle. "I heard that you were injured. I hope you're feeling better now?"

From Yan Xi's perspective, she could only see Song Chao from the chest down. She hadn't expected him to come and greeted him politely with a smile. "It's just a superficial injury. I'm sorry to trouble Mr. Song to come all this way."

"Coming to see you, how could it be a trouble?" Song Chao glanced around the room and, not seeing a vase, placed the bouquet he had brought on the storage cabinet.

"This gentleman," a nurse came over, took the flowers, and said, "The patient's wound shouldn't be exposed to pollen for now, and flowers are not allowed in the ward. I'll take these to the nurse station and you can take them when you leave."

Song Chao's expression slightly stiffened before quickly returning to normal. "Sorry, I didn't know. Thank you for your help."

After the nurse left, Song Chao sat on the sofa. "Miss Yan, don't you have anyone to take care of you? I can arrange for a nurse to assist you. It would make things much more convenient."

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Song, but I already have two nurses taking care of me," Yan Xi replied, looking at the man sitting gracefully on the sofa. He was the type of man who matched her aesthetic perfectly, from head to toe. However, for some reason, when he pursued her, she felt no attraction at all. Instead, she found his behavior disingenuous.

Could it be that she subconsciously resented wealthy families and had a prejudice against them?

"Miss Yan, you seem to have lost some weight," Song Chao's eyes met hers. His peach blossom eyes were hidden behind his glasses, and although his lips were smiling, there was a faint hint of detachment in his demeanor.

Yan Xi smiled. "It's normal to lose a little weight after being in the hospital."

Tao Ru and Yang Min noticed that Yan Xi seemed to be indifferent to Song Chao, and since they didn't want to be a third wheel, they returned to their seats and settled in.

Good friends know when to leave at the right time, but also know when to root themselves in place when it's not the right moment.

Song Chao, though graceful and trying to keep the conversation going, realized that if the other party wasn't willing to cooperate, the conversation would quickly become awkward.

"Miss Yan, have you considered changing to another TV station?"

"No."

"I was really worried when I heard about your accident. I'm relieved you're okay."

"Thank you. I've been in the hospital for two days, but I'm no longer in danger."

Haha, he says he was worried, but only now did he come to visit her at the hospital. His concern didn't seem very genuine. Yan Xi couldn't understand—if Song Chao didn't have any real feelings for her, why was he still pretending to pursue her? Was he just torturing himself?

Or did he have a dream of becoming an actor that his background prevented him from fulfilling, and now he was trying to live it out through her?

"Come on, come on, have some fruit," Tao Ru placed some fruit in front of Yan Xi. "Xixi, this fruit is so sweet."

It was only in front of strangers that Yan Xi could hear Tao Ru call her "Xixi" affectionately.

Song Chao noticed that the three women were clearly excluding him. When women band together and ignore a man, there's nothing the man can do. No matter how many tricks Song Chao had, they all became useless in this situation.

He gazed at Yan Xi's pale face, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, and suddenly recalled a memory from nine years ago. Back then, he had been the outstanding representative of the school, receiving countless love letters from girls. Though he had grown tired of it, he still maintained politeness, taking the letters home only to throw them away.

He had happened to run into a girl wearing a clean school uniform skirt, and he had been drawn to her shy smile when she looked down. He thought she was special.

Nine years had passed, and now, the girl who used to be like a little white rabbit had learned to shape her eyebrows and wear makeup. The girl in front of him seemed both the same and very different from the one he remembered.

Though his memory was fuzzy, the feelings of betrayal that had been trampled upon would never fade.

"Song Chao," Yuan Yi appeared at the door, looking at the man sitting on the sofa with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. "What a coincidence."

"Not at all," Song Chao stood up gracefully. "I came today specifically to visit Miss Yan."

"Patients need to rest," Yuan Yi raised an eyebrow. "We've received Mr. Song's kind intentions. Thank you."

"We?" Song Chao's face wore a sarcastic smile. "On what grounds is Mr. Yuan representing Miss Yan's wishes?"

"Tch," Yuan Yi walked over to Yan Xi's side and gave her a "keep quiet" look. "She's my woman, so of course I have the right to speak for her. Do you need me to escort you to the door, Mr. Song?"

Song Chao chuckled softly and turned to look at Yan Xi, his tone laced with meaning. "Miss Yan... you have good taste."

"Thank you for the compliment," Yan Xi replied with a perfect smile. "I think so too."

Song Chao adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly, "Since Miss Yan needs rest, I will take my leave."

As Song Chao left, Yuan Yi couldn't wait to speak up. "I helped you fend off that rotten peach blossom and ruined my reputation. How are you going to thank me?"

"Thank you for your leg!" Yan Xi snapped back. "Who ruined whose reputation?!"

"Yuan Xiao Er, do you have any shame?" Yan Xi clapped her pillow. "What do you mean, 'she's my woman'? Do you think you're the CEO of some company?"

"Sorry, but I am," Yuan Yi walked over to the sofa where Song Chao had been sitting and gave it a firm pat. "If I hadn't noticed you weren't interested in him, do you think I would have sacrificed so much?"

"Yuan Xiao Er," Yan Xi eyed him suspiciously. "You're not really interested in me, are you?"

Yuan Yi's tone immediately shot up, "You—don't get all self-important like a peacock, thinking I'd fall for you!"

Hearing this, Yan Xi thought to herself that she'd wait until her injury healed, and then she'd seriously beat him up.