Chapter 2 His Real Identity

• It was ten o'clock in the evening when Lin Jue stood in his office suite occupying the top floor of Jiuzhou Group’s building located in the city center of Nanjiang. He was looking out the window at the city night view with a beer in his right hand.
• “Mr. Lin, I have bought a steak for you. I thought you might like to have some...” a sweet, melodious voice rang from behind Lin Jue.
• Lin Jue turned around and saw his secretary, Yin Xuan, setting the takeaway food on the table.
• Yin Xuan had also been Lin Jue’s high school classmate. She was a popular school diva whose beauty outshone Shen Peibai. Lin Jue was not a noticeable figure to Yin Xuan in high school. Even though they had always seen each other in school as classmates, both had never engaged in any conversation.
• However, as fate would have it, the once-celebrated school diva had ended up working for one of Lin Jue’s companies. Upon learning that Lin Jue had been the chairman of the Company, Yin Xuan had started to seduce Lin Jue in all sorts of way. The fact that Lin Jue had been married to Shen Peibai had not deter her determination. More than once she had even opened up to Lin Jue that if he wished to, she would be willing to be his mistress.
• Yin Xuan was a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties. With a lean and slender figure, she had fair and milky complexion which was complemented perfectly by her white blouse and tight mini skirt. Underneath that skirt was a pair of over-a-metre-long legs, wrapped tightly in a black pantyhose and clad in a pair of black sexy heels. Yin Xuan looked ravishing and seductive.
• Lin Jue, wearing a wry smile on his face, said to Yin Xuan, “I’m not hungry. In fact, I’m not in the mood for dinner. Anyway, why are you still here at this hour?”
• Yin Xuan walked over to Lin Jue’s side and took the beer can from his hand. Sounding concerned, she asked, “What's wrong? Did you quarrel with Shen Peibai?”
• “Would you believe me if I said she looked down on me and called me a useless piece of sh*t?” said Lin Jue dryly.
• Yin Xuan gasped in disbelief, “There is no way this is true, Mr. Lin! Jiuzhou Group had topped the rank in terms of net worth and profits in Nanjiang under your management. What else can she complain about?”
• Lin Jue shook his head and said, “Well, she doesn’t know a whole lot about me. Her father just passed on last year, and I’ve been staying home to attend to her needs since then. And, I’m not the kind of person who likes to go around flaunting my wealth so I didn’t tell her who I really am. But in fact, I’ve been taking care of her troubles behind the scenes.
• “So... you two had a fight?” probed Yin Xuan.
• “No… in fact we’ve agreed to get a divorce. I used to fall for her during the high school days, but after having spent a year with her family, all my feelings of affection for her has dissipated. I’ve already helped her family so much… Well, it’s over now. We’re going to file for divorce tomorrow. It’s time to put an end to everything.” Lin Jue heaved a deep sigh.
• Upon hearing the news, Yin Xuan’s eyes flashed a hint of excitement. She lunged over and wrapped her arms around Lin Jue’s neck. Her slender legs pressed hard against his as she said alluringly, “Then perhaps I can be your girlfriend from now on?”
• Lin Jue’s brow wrinkled and pushed her away. “We shall leave this topic for another time. My mind is too preoccupied for that now. You’d better get going, I need some space for now.”
• With her advances spurned, Yin Xuan bit her lip, nodded and left the office reluctantly.
• ……
• It was ten o'clock in the morning the next day in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Lin Jue, having obtained the divorce certificate, was about to part ways with Shen Peibai when she suddenly called out to him.
• “Is there anything else?” asked Lin Jue coldly.
• From his tone Shen Peibai sensed indifference and apathy. This troubled her. She had no idea why she stopped Lin Jue for, but she was suddenly experiencing a sense of emptiness as if she had lost someone important.
• Shen Peibai was bewildered. She had never loved this man, or so she thought. She could not quite make out why she felt that she was reluctant to let go of this relationship.
• But before Shen Peibai could utter a word, a gorgeous and sexy lady approached Lin Jue.
• It was none other than Yin Xuan!
• Now by Lin Jue’s side, Yin Xuan thrust herself against his arm and announced, “Thank you so much, Shen Peibai. Do you know for how long I’ve admired Lin Jue? Since you’ve set him free, he’s mine from this day onwards. So, know your place. Stay away from my hubby, or I’ll teach you how!”
• Shen Peibai was dumbfounded by how things had developed to this point. Of course, she knew Yin Xuan! They were classmates in high school. Not only had Yin Xuan been the popular one at school, Shen Peibai was never her equal be it her academic achievements or beauty.
• “Y-You… are his girlfriend?” asked Shen Peibai in disbelief.
• Sensing the dubiety in Shen Peibai’s tone, Yin Xuan wrapped her arms around Lin Jue’s neck, pulled herself up and kissed Lin Jue fondly on his lips. Then, she turned to Shen Peibai and said, “Why are you so surprised? Take it from me, Shen Peibai, letting go of Lin Jue is your loss, and thank you for making him available. Ha, I don’t think you’ll ever realize what a great man you have lost… Such a splendid man he is…”
• Yin Xuan turned and left together with Lin Jue, holding Lin Jue’s arm all along.
• Shen Peibai remained where she was, appearing to be lost in her thoughts. She was still wondering why Lin Jue had not even spared her a glance before leaving.
• ……
• Half an hour later, Jiang Chenru, the Chief Executive Officer of Jiuzhou Group, was standing in the Chairman’s office and reporting to Lin Jue, “Mr. Lin, with regards to the joint-venture project between our group and the Shen’s, the first phase has been completed. For the second phase, it will require our capital injection before we can proceed. I need your approval before I can give the finance department the green light to wire the money…”
• Still immersed in sorrows, Lin Jue put aside the business report and gestured to the Chief Executive Officer, “Alright, just go ahead and do the necessary.”
• Jiang Chenru's eyes narrowed at the instruction and said, “Yes, Mr. Lin, I’ll do it right away.” Jiang Chenru then took his leave and retreated from the office.
• After Jiang Chenru had taken his leave, Lin Jue shook his head and muttered with a wry smile on his face, “Shen Peibai, this will be my last favor to you. I can’t wait to get away from this city... And from you…”
• Alone in his office, Lin Jue lit up a cigarette and inhaled deeply, lost in his thoughts.
• A year ago, Lin Jue had moved the headquarters of Jiuzhou Group to Nanjiang City. It was not that the city had any competitive advantage to offer, but he needed to bring the resources closer to the Shens’. Within the span of just one year, he had awarded numerous projects to the Shen’s. This had not only helped the Shens’ company to stabilize, but also had allowed its market capitalization to double.
• Nevertheless, Shen Peibai would never knew how much Lin Jue had done for her.
• Upon returning to his office, Jiang Chenru instructed his secretary, “Cease all projects we have in collaboration with the Shen’s right away. Make sure that they don’t get a dime from us…”
• Jiang Chenru clenched his fists. That was the first time ever he had go against Lin Jue’s will. He did so because he knew clearly how much Lin Jue had done for Shen Peibai. He did not only see Lin Jue as his superior, but also a friend! And for this reason, he would not let Lin Jue suffer in silence!