Chapter 5 Scared To Bits

• It was noon time. In his office suite seated atop the office building, Lin Jue stood looking out at the view of the entire Nanjiang City. Having skipped breakfast, he was peckish now. Suddenly, he spoke, “Get ready, we’ll move back to Yanjing in five days…”
• Standing behind him was none other than Jiang Chenru. “Yes, Sir.” He answered deferentially in spite of the surprise announcement.
• “Haha! I’ve been in this city for a year now but haven’t actually tried much of the local street food. Come, let’s go for a stroll and find something to eat!” Lin Jue beckoned to Jiang Chenru as he turned around and headed out of his office with Jiang Chenru.
• The scene with Jiang Chenru trailing behind Lin Jue, was a scene that surprised many employees. As they were about to step out of the foyer, two men hurried towards Lin Jue’s direction. In the lead was a middle-aged rotund man with a bald scalp, and on his heels was a bespectacled man in a fitting suit, who gave away the impression of a high-flying professional.
• “Aha! Mr. Jiang, we finally get to see you! Do you remember me? I’m Li! May I have the honor to invite you to dine with us? This is my son here, who’s always admired you. Would you do us the honor by dining with us?” the older, plump man asked Jiang Chenru all but sycophantically.
• Frowning at the abrupt disturbance, Jiang Chenru replied coldly, “Sorry, but I’ve got something on. Next time, maybe…” As he was about to move, Lin Jue gestured to him, “No, just go on… No need to come with me. I’d like to take a walk around alone anyway…”
• “Yes, sir! Please give me a call if you need anything.” Jiang Chenru bowed his head in deference, at which Lin Jue acknowledged with a nod and left.
• At the side as the plump, bald man and his son were looking on with wonder, Jiang Chenru shot a cold stare at the older man causing the latter to shiver. It was clear that Jiang Chenru was unhappy that the untimely interference by the old man had cost him the opportunity to dine with Lin Jue!
• That young man who had just left must be someone of substantial position! Even Jiang Chenru, the Chief Executive Officer of the largest corporation in Nanjiang City had to bow to that man. That spoke volume of the man’s status!
• “Mr. Jiang, I’m sorry but may I ask who is that person?” gulped the older man, looking curious.
• “Keep your nose out of this or you’ll get your company into trouble!” chided Jiang Chenru gruffly.
• “S-s-sorry, Mr. Jiang. I get it now…” the older man apologized profusely to Jiang Chenru, and the younger man looked aghast.
• On the other hand, after getting out of his office premises, Lin Jue had gotten himself some street food and started wandering around. It had been a year since he came to Nanjiang City, but never had he enjoyed the view and life of the city. He roamed around aimlessly in leisure.
• ……
• It was seven o’clock in the evening. In a western restaurant on the riverside of Nanjiang, Shen Peibai was now seated at a table by the window. She was all dolled up and dressed in a black knee length dress. Her heels matched the color of her dress. Seated across the table was a good-looking young man in a gray suit. Laid before them on the table was a candlelit dinner with servings of steak paired with red wine.
• With a smile on his face, the young man poured wine into a glass for Shen Peibai.
• “Ms. Shen, you look stunning! I, Li Mingxuan, don’t mind that you’re a divorcee, for I have learned from Madam Wang that you were in an arranged marriage so you could inherit your late father’s share in the Shen’s assets. It’s my pleasure to meet you indeed.” said the young man.
• Shen Peibai returned a polite smile and said, “You’re flattering me, Mr. Li. You’re also a splendid man. Handsome and wealthy, a self-made man at that. I really admire the fact that you are capable of making a name for yourself in business in Nanjiang without the help of your family. You’re indeed a great man.”
• “That’s a high compliment, Ms. Shen. Your beauty is unparalleled. How I wish you were my girlfriend. Cheers!” Said Li Mingxuan as he raised his wine glass to clink with Shen Peibai’s.
• As Shen Peibai gestured elegantly and was about to drink off the glass, suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Lin Jue who was just entering the restaurant. Their gazes met at that very moment.
• The sight of Lin Jue triggered Shen Peibai and evoked the scene of Yin Xuan ridiculing her in the morning. With her anger stoked, Shen Peibai arose from her seat and moved over to Li Mingxuan’s side and placed her arm around Li Mingxuan’s. Then she said, “Oh, Mingxuan, you’re so charming and yes, I’ll be your girlfriend…”
• Although taken by surprise, Li Mingxuan took Shen Peibai’s hand and said to her, “Thank you, Peibai. I’ll treat you well, I promise. I’m sure we’ll make a great couple.”
• “Mm hmm...” nodded Shen Peibai. Then, she turned around to look Lin Jue in the eye and said, “See, Lin Jue? There are so many excellent suitors chasing after me. You’re nothing compared to them!”
• Shen Peibai did not know why she stooped so low as to accept Li Mingxuan’s request on just the first date! Perhaps, she did that as a mean of protesting to Lin Jue!
• And Lin Jue took it as it was.
• When he looked at the woman whom he had secretly admired for three years in high school, he felt as though what he had admired her for had been nothing but his own misconception.
• “Oh well, I wish you happiness then...” said Lin Jue, as he turned around to leave.
• Acknowledging the presence of Lin Jue, Li Mingxuan spun around and called out to Lin Jue, “Hey, you! So you’re Peibai’s ex-husband? Mrs. Shen told me that you didn’t have a job yet. Well, here’s the deal. In return for your effort in taking care of Peibai for one whole year, I will bestow upon you a job. You can come work for me… What do you say?”
• Lin Jue was speechless now. In fact, Li Mingxuan was the young man who had been to Lin Jue’s office together with his father earlier. Lin Jue’s eyesight was quite sharp and he had recognized Li Mingxuan when he had caught a glimpse of just one side of Li Mingxuan’s face before the latter turned to face him.
• Lin Jue had thought to spare Shen Peibai some dignity, and he did not want to embarrass Li Mingxuan. But there were just so many buffoons in the world, and Lin Jue could not help but to react if one of them must stand in his way.
• Hence, brimming with rage, Lin Jue turned around and spoke condescendingly to Li Mingxuan, “Oh, so you want to give me a job? You’re my ex-wife’s boyfriend huh?”
• “It's me, that’s ri…” before Li Mingxuan could finish his word, he suddenly recognized Lin Jue. Fear swept over him and his face was drained of color.
• Li Mingxuan was screaming hysterically in his heart. What the… Which motherf*cker told me her ex-husband was a useless guy who was married into her family?! How on earth can a lowly matrilocal husband boss someone like Jiang Chenru around? That must be a joke!
• Li Mingxuan was scared to bits now. His father had been telling him just earlier today that he had to grovel to Lin Jue whenever he saw him. Li Mingxuan had registered that and vowed to obey his father’s bidding. Li Mingxuan knew very well that not only his father could not bear to cross Lin Jue, but also, Lin Jue’s presence could destroy the Li’s in the snap of a finger. After all, Lin Jue even had Jiang Chenru working for him.
• Li Mingxuan was now drenched in cold sweat.
• Seeing how Li Mingxuan’s countenance had changed from confidence to that of terror, Shen Peibai frowned in suspicion.