Volume One, Chapter 12: A Night of Madness
Lin Chen was truly embarrassed.
Only after completely sobering up did he realize how absurd last night’s events had been.
Xu Mi was now in a vegetative state.
How could she possibly endure the way he had acted?
Had he even fought with her over the blanket last night?
Damn it!
What kind of behavior was that?
After reflecting on it, Lin Chen felt too ashamed to stay in the hospital room any longer.
“Um, I’m heading to work now… I’ll come see you again when I get back.”
“Actually, I’m going on a business trip with the boss, so I might be gone for two or three days. It’s a bit long, but don’t worry—once I return, I’ll come right away to keep you company.”
With that, Lin Chen planted a reluctant kiss on her cheek before leaving.
…
When Lin Chen arrived at the company, his face was still flushed.
Ah, what a sin!
After pouring himself a cup of coffee, Jiang Yao entered the office.
“Lin Chen, where the hell did you disappear to last night? You didn’t come back all night.”
“None of your business!” Lin Chen rolled his eyes, uninterested in explaining.
“Fine, suit yourself. Hey, I just figured out why President Shen treats us so well.”
“Why?”
Lin Chen stopped stirring his coffee.
“Obviously to win us over, right? Didn’t my cousin warn us yesterday not to take sides?”
“Come on, at our low level, do you really think President Shen would go to such lengths to woo us?” Lin Chen shot him a skeptical look.
“Uh…” Jiang Yao hesitated. “You do have a point. But if that’s not it, then why is he so nice to us?”
The question circled back.
Lin Chen thought for a moment, then half-laughed, half-sighed.
“I suppose your guess makes sense. Maybe it’s to win us over after all. Perhaps our positions are more important than we realize?”
“I knew it!” Jiang Yao slapped his thigh enthusiastically.
“So what do we do next? Should we accept the offer?”
“No way. Didn’t my cousin say we have to keep our distance from President Shen? At least, we can’t let others think we’re on his side.”
…
Three days later.
Inside the marketing office of Honeycomb Biotech.
Shen Wei sat in his swivel chair, his expression heavy with frustration.
He was genuinely vexed.
In an effort to curry favor with the matriarch, he had gone out of his way to get close to Lin Chen and Jiang Yao—treating them to meals, building rapport.
He even gave them a rare business trip opportunity.
But the results were the opposite of what he expected.
He could sense that ever since that day, the two had deliberately distanced themselves from him.
Where had he gone wrong?
He voiced his frustration to his secretary.
“Secretary Lin, why do you think these two are deliberately avoiding me?”
Secretary Lin, clad in black stockings, crossed her legs thoughtfully.
After a moment, she brightened.
“President Shen, I understand now.”
“Understand what?”
“Their behavior is exactly as it should be, and it confirms our suspicions.”
“What do you mean?” Shen Wei grew even more confused.
“Think about it—if they ignore all these benefits we offer, what does that say? It means they’re of high rank and have lofty ambitions. They must be the matriarch’s moles planted in our company. A few small favors won’t buy their loyalty; we’ll have to escalate our efforts.”
“Now that you put it that way, I get it. The matriarch is definitely joining the game. I know what to do next.”
…
Meanwhile, at the train station.
The two returned from their business trip, emerging from the exit.
“Damn, I’m exhausted. This business trip and training isn’t exactly a treat,” Lin Chen said, rubbing his aching temples.
“Not a treat? Five-star hotels the whole time, meeting important clients. My cousin told me people fight tooth and nail for these opportunities.”
“Is that so? Then President Shen really is sparing no expense for us.”
“Exactly. Come on, let’s stop talking shop and find a good place to eat,” Jiang Yao suggested.
“No thanks, I’ve got stuff to do. You eat on your own,” Lin Chen replied, his mind consumed by thoughts of Xu Mi.
Three days apart!
It felt like a century to him.
…
He hailed a ride-share and, watching the scenery blur past, Lin Chen’s heart raced with anticipation.
But just as he neared the hospital, his phone rang again—it was his mother, Zhao Xiuxiu, calling with a tone that felt like a command.
“Brat, how many days has it been since you called home?”
“Mom, I’ve been busy. What’s up?”
“Busy, huh? So you can’t even call your own mother? Are you still my son?”
“Mom, if there’s something, just say it. I’m busy.”
“Something? Aunt Wang introduced you to a girl yesterday. She works in finance in Jicheng just like you. Her parents are both employees at a company, and she’s quite pretty. You two should meet sometime.”
“Another blind date!” Lin Chen wanted to hang up.
“Mom, I just switched jobs. I’m swamped right now—no time for dating.”
“That’s no excuse. The girl’s workplace is close to yours. I told her to wait downstairs after work.”
“…”
Lin Chen was speechless at his mother’s persistence.
“Mom, I’m telling you straight—I don’t want to go on a date. Didn’t I say before, don’t introduce me to anyone but single, attractive older ladies.”
“You kid, how can I take a joke seriously? That girl’s really nice. I saw her photo—refined and elegant, she’s perfect for you.”
“Mom, I don’t want to date.”
“Not happening. You have to go. She’s special. You’ll regret it if you miss out.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Lin Chen was utterly exasperated.
Stuck with such a stubborn mother, he had no room to argue.
“Mom, since you’re this serious, I’ll be honest. Actually, your son… doesn’t like women.”
“What? What do you mean?”
His mother’s voice trembled with shock.
Lin Chen ignored her, hung up, and powered off his phone.
The driver in the front seat had been eavesdropping on the conversation.
When Lin Chen admitted he didn’t like girls, the driver couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly apologized.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear your conversation.”
“No worries. With a mother like that, I’ve got no temper either.”
…
Upon arriving at the hospital, Lin Chen hurried inside.
The moment he entered, he sensed all the nurses at the station staring at him—each wearing a teasing expression.
Lin Chen was puzzled and touched his smooth cheek, feeling nothing unusual.
“Hey, what are you all looking at? There’s nothing on my face!”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you all giving me such strange looks?”
“Can’t say…”
Realizing she’d slipped up, the young nurse quickly shut her mouth.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“What’s going on? Weird.”
Despite their teasing, Lin Chen’s curiosity grew.
Could it be that Xu Mi had woken up?
Thinking this, he quickened his pace.