Volume 1, Chapter 63: You Impudent Brat, You Have Some Nerve

"About that, it's a long story."

Lin Chen took Xu Mi's hand as they walked out, explaining, "Actually, I wanted to tell you last night. Your husband, I... have been promoted!"

Xu Mi already knew the news, but she still feigned a look of pleasant surprise. "Really? What's your new position?"

"How come you got promoted so fast? Didn't you just start working not long ago?"

Lin Chen lifted his chin and said smugly, "The company has established a brand-new department, and now I am the manager of this department."

"As for the speed of my promotion..."

He stroked his chin and mused, "To be honest, I'm not quite sure either. I just feel like, ever since I joined the company..."

At this point, he changed his tune, "I guess the company has a discerning eye for talent and recognized my brilliance!"

"After all, someone like me, blessed with both striking good looks and exceptional talent, is practically impossible to find even with a lantern. That's why they promoted me!"

Lin Chen had originally intended to share his own suspicions with Xu Mi.

For instance, that the company might be facing major issues and needed someone to take the fall, so they picked him—a newcomer with no background—hoping to buy his loyalty with undeserved favors.

On second thought, however, these were merely his own speculations, and there was no need to voice them and make Xu Mi worry.

Besides, if things really went south, he could just resign, pack up, and return to his hometown with his wife. They would always find a way to make ends meet.

Xu Mi let out a sudden giggle. "You certainly have a thick skin."

Lin Chen pouted. "What do you mean, thick skin? Am I wrong?"

"Don't you think your husband is handsome and capable? I am a post-graduate from a top-tier Project 985 university, you know. I'm amazing!"

Xu Mi held back her laughter and nodded. "Yes, yes, yes. You're the most amazing!"

A mischievous smile suddenly spread across Lin Chen's face. "And I'm not just amazing at work. In other areas... I'm pretty impressive too, you know!"

"???"

Xu Mi was momentarily dazed.

The next second, her face flushed crimson. "Hateful! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

"I'm not spouting nonsense!"

Lin Chen looked entirely innocent. "Aside from being good at my job, I'm great at doing chores, taking care of people, and even giving massages. Am I wrong?"

He glanced at Xu Mi again. "Why are you blushing, Wife? Were you thinking of something R-rated?"

"Ugh! You, in broad daylight, actually thinking about such messy things. You're impossible!"

He deliberately imitated Xu Mi's tone.

Xu Mi laughed breathlessly, raining a flurry of light, playful punches down on Lin Chen's chest.

Lin Chen panicked in mock terror. "Hey, Wife, stop hitting me! I'm driving, I know I was wrong!"

Though his words sounded nervous, he kept the car perfectly steady.

Xu Mi shot him a glare. "Who told you to talk nonsense!"

Lin Chen chuckled. "Wasn't it you who started imagining things first, Wife?"

"You're still talking!"

"Alright, alright, I won't say another word. Don't be mad, Wife."

The small car was filled with cheerful laughter.

Once she calmed down, Xu Mi thought of something else. "Wait a minute! Promotion or not, why did you suddenly come to pick me up for a date during work hours?"

"With this kind of work ethic, aren't you afraid of getting fired?"

Since she wanted to support Lin Chen, she naturally hoped he would keep his feet on the ground and work hard.

Instead of behaving like this—neglecting his duties and sneaking out for personal matters during working hours.

Lin Chen protested his innocence. "You mustn't wrong me like that, Wife. I'm not the kind of person who abuses public office for private gain. Coming out today is for purchasing office supplies!"

"Look, our company has never been involved in the live-streaming e-commerce industry before. Everything is starting from scratch now."

"Aside from desks and chairs, the office is completely bare. Computers for live streaming, broadcasting equipment, and all that stuff—don't we need to buy them anew?"

Xu Mi raised an eyebrow. "Aren't there specialized departments responsible for procurement? Why do you need to go out yourself?"

Lin Chen argued eloquently, "Well, I wouldn't feel at ease leaving it to someone else! Besides, as a newcomer who has suddenly leaped to become a department manager, there are bound to be plenty of people in the company who are unconvinced."

"Under these circumstances, if I directly order people from other departments to do the grunt work, wouldn't that make them unhappy?"

"And most importantly, as a department manager, getting personally involved in every detail is the only way to understand every single link. Once the department is up and running, we can actually make money for the company! Am I right or am I right?"

Xu Mi saw right through him. "I think you just wanted to come out on a date with me."

Lin Chen chuckled. "Nothing can ever be hidden from you, Wife. But it's not like I'm not working."

"I chose the live-streaming incubation base in the west of the city as our date spot today. We'll drop by first to see how other people do live-streaming and pick up some experience. That way, when my live-streaming department gets off the ground, I won't be completely in the dark, right?"

Xu Mi was somewhat surprised.

She had assumed Lin Chen was simply using work as a pretext to take her out on a date.

She hadn't expected him to actually have a plan.

Come to think of it, the company hadn't touched the live-streaming industry before. Some shareholders had suggested it previously, but market conditions were poor, and they hadn't been able to spare the energy at the time.

Entrusted to Lin Chen now, he might actually achieve some real results!

Lin Chen continued, "Right next to the live-streaming base, there's a large shopping mall. Once we're done looking around the base, we can go to the mall for a meal when we're tired. That's entirely reasonable, isn't it?"

Xu Mi burst into laughter. "You really still only have dates on your mind, don't you!"

"That's not true! I'm very serious about my work! Though I do feel a bit bad for dragging you along to tour a live-streaming base with me."

Lin Chen had actually considered finishing the tour of the base first and then going back to pick up Xu Mi.

However, unwilling to waste a single opportunity to spend time with her, he had simply decided to pick her up ahead of time.

Xu Mi shook her head. "Not at all! I've been getting bored cooped up at home every day anyway. I'm just happy to be able to go out and walk around."

Her body hadn't fully recovered yet, and prolonged standing made her dizzy.

Consequently, Li Xiulan absolutely forbade her from going out alone.

Yet everyone else had to work, and Li Xiulan herself wasn't in the best of health either, unable to accompany her for long periods.

Now that Lin Chen had finally brought her out, she was thrilled.

Chatting and laughing all the way, they soon arrived at the live-streaming base located in the western district.

The place used to be a commercial center, but after a new, massive shopping mall opened nearby, the original one had gradually declined.

Eventually, it was bought out and converted into a live-streaming incubation base.

Internet celebrities and cameramen could be seen everywhere, dazzling the eyes.

Holding Xu Mi's hand, Lin Chen cautioned, "Wife, even though I'm working, you are the most important thing. If you feel uncomfortable walking around at any point, you must let me know!"

Xu Mi gave him a playful glare. "I told you, I'm not a child. Don't I know my own limits? Rest assured!"

As she spoke, she kept looking around with intense curiosity.

She had heard of this place before, but had never actually visited it.

It was definitely a brand-new experience.

Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief and, taking advantage of Xu Mi's inattention, planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "Come on, our first date—let's go!"