SCHS - Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Room 3212.
Pan He stared at the room number without a word, his face expressionless. Scattered light glinted off his glasses, reflecting a dangerous aura. He turned his head slightly, his voice calm but allowing no refusal: "If it's the Young Master, surround him immediately, but remember, you must not harm the Young Master."
Pan He knew clearly that although their Old Master, Xu Rangshan, constantly threatened to break Xu Jianfan's legs, those were just angry words. If Xu Jianfan got even a scratch outside, Xu Rangshan would likely be the first to panic. The burly bodyguards nodded in agreement. Pan He had been by Xu Rangshan's side for many years, loyal to the Xu family. His capability and methods were evident to all, and he was highly valued by Xu Rangshan. Other secretaries could no longer compare to him. His orders were Xu Rangshan's orders, and no one dared to disobey.
Pan He waved his hand lightly, and the bodyguards dispersed to the sides in tacit understanding. This was to keep a backup plan; if the person inside wasn't Xu Jianfan, they wouldn't scare anyone away.
"Knock knock." Two light taps.
Pan He heard a man's voice from inside: "Who is it?"
Pan He replied calmly, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhu Ziming? My wife is very interested in your designs and specifically sent me to invite you for a custom order."
The man inside mumbled to himself, glancing at Pan He through the peephole. He saw a man in a suit and tie, hair neatly combed back, with a clear face and no expression. He stood straight at the door, exuding an aura that couldn't be underestimated, looking quite convincing.
"Click." The door opened.
Even Pan He, as composed as he was, couldn't help but hold his breath.
Then a slender man appeared before him, dressed casually, wearing thick-rimmed glasses. His build was similar to Xu Jianfan's, but his eyes were small, his lips a bit thick, completely different from their Young Master—a stranger.
Pan He frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping past his shoulder into the room. It was empty, no second person. His expression instantly returned to normal, and he spoke, "Mr. Zhu Ziming?"
Was the person he saw before him truly the genuine Zhu Ziming?
"Zhu Ziming" raised a hand to touch the back of his neck, his gaze unnaturally fixed on Pan He's buttons, responding slowly: "Ah... that's me."
Pan He stared intently at him, a thought suddenly popping into his mind—what if this wasn't him?
"Zhu Ziming" felt his scalp tingle under his gaze. He felt that although the man in front of him was polite and didn't seem like a violent thug, he was still terrifying, sending chills down his spine.
As for himself, Fu Buwen, an ordinary office worker, an assistant by Jiang Manwei's side, he still didn't know what kind of situation he had gotten himself into.
He only knew that he was currently impersonating Zhu Ziming.
When Wen Shixue and Jiang Manwei frantically found him and asked him to put on the jewelry design consultant's clothes, he was completely bewildered. But he still agreed, not because he had a good relationship with Jiang Manwei, nor because his build was similar to Zhu Ziming's, but because... President Wen paid too much.
It was an amount that the poor him couldn't refuse.
So he agreed and didn't dare to ask too many questions, at most asking if there was any danger to his life.
Wen Shixue's answer at that time, though astonishing, inexplicably gave him a strong sense of security. She said: "Danger to life? That won't happen. It's always me who puts others in danger, not others who put my people in danger."
Now, temporarily included in Wen Shixue's camp, he stood here, holding the tempting "salary" and playing the role of designer Zhu Ziming for Boss Wen.
Pan He calmly adjusted his glasses, extended his hand, his tone still seemingly devoid of emotion: "Hello, Mr. Zhu. We have a business deal to discuss with you. As long as you agree, you can name your price."
Fu Buwen took a deep breath, feeling that the words "name your price" were simply heavenly music. For a moment, he felt a bit envious of Zhu Ziming. Was this the legendary way of making a living through talent? He was green with envy.
He was about to happily agree when he suddenly remembered he wasn't Zhu Ziming and had no right to accept orders on his behalf. The smile on his face instantly froze. He scratched his head and said, "Well, I'm busy with work lately and don't have much inspiration. If your wife likes my work, why don't you leave me a business card? When I'm in better shape later, I'll talk to you about cooperation?"
Then Pan He fell silent, his eyes deep, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
Fu Buwen felt a chill down his spine.
After a long while, Pan He finally spoke: "Could you please prove to me that you are Zhu Ziming? For example, draw a design sketch for me now?"
Fu Buwen was stunned—damn, this was hitting his blind spot!
He didn't expect this person to not only look terrifying but also be so difficult to fool!
Fu Buwen's brain raced. He immediately said, "Sir, your wife is asking me for a favor, yet you're questioning me in return. Aren't you afraid of angering me and making me refuse this business deal?!"
Pan He's expression didn't change: "If someone is impersonating Mr. Zhu, I will also have trouble explaining myself. Please understand."
Fu Buwen, going all out, attempted to escape by slamming the door: "You suspect me and still want to cooperate? Go dream your damn spring and autumn dreams!"
"Bang!"
The door didn't close. Fu Buwen was startled, watching as a strong, imposing man suddenly appeared on the right and blocked his door. The man was like a mountain, incredibly strong. Compared to him, Fu Buwen was just a weak little chick.
His Adam's apple bobbed. Fu Buwen felt his life was in great danger and even wanted to shout for Wen Shixue to save him.
Pan He took off his glasses, calmly wiped the lenses, and then put them back on: "If I am mistaken, I will certainly apologize and compensate you, but for now, please cooperate."
Xu Rangshan and his family had been kind to him, and Xu Jianfan was their precious darling. Since there was a clue, he had to investigate thoroughly, pursuing every possibility and not missing a single trace.
On this bitterly cold winter day, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Fu Buwen's forehead. He lamented inwardly, feeling for the first time that acting was incredibly difficult, deadly difficult!
Just as he was about to give in, the sound of high heels approached from a distance, slowly coming closer, tap, tap, like tapping on one's heart, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Pan He watched the woman walk towards him without changing his expression. Her eyes were cool and detached, as if nothing in the world could stir her emotions. She seemed no different from before.
Qin Zhen stopped, glanced at Fu Buwen and the bodyguard struggling on either side of the door, and her calm eyes once again reflected Pan He's image. Her red lips parted, and as she spoke, she extended her hand: "Long time no see, Secretary Pan."
Pan He grasped and then released her hand, gesturing to the bodyguard: "Long time no see. I didn't expect Vice President Qin to be here as well."
Two years ago, Wen Group had an overseas project. Qin Zhen was in charge, and the partner was the Xu family. At that time, Qin Zhen needed to travel abroad for business, and the person who received Qin Zhen was Pan He.
Qin Zhen said calmly, "It's so late, what are you doing here, Secretary Pan?" She glanced at the pathetic-looking Fu Buwen, then withdrew her gaze without expression, "Could it be that you specifically rushed here to bully our Chenfeng designer?"
One sentence sealed it.
Pan He said, "Vice President Qin misunderstands. I just wanted to confirm if he is indeed your designer." As he spoke, he also glanced at the timid Fu Buwen and said calmly, "But since Vice President Qin says so, I believe Vice President Qin."
During that time, he had discovered that Qin Zhen was someone who didn't like to lie; she was remarkably honest. Since Qin Zhen had come forward and said this was Chenfeng's designer, then it must be.
If they continued to pester him, they wouldn't gain anything and would only damage the harmony and reputation of both families. If someone else had come today, he would definitely not have let this Zhu Ziming off so easily and would have pursued the matter relentlessly.
So he sincerely bowed and apologized to Fu Buwen, without any awkwardness, then handed him a business card, expressing his anticipation for his news and also waiting for him to seek redress at any time.
Qin Zhen observed him for a moment, and only after confirming that he truly had no malicious intent did she withdraw her gaze.
Fu Buwen accepted it guiltily, feeling unworthy. For some reason, in front of these two powerful individuals, he felt the business card in his hand burning, making him just want to quickly return it to Zhu Ziming, go back to being his unremarkable little assistant, and never do such troublesome things again—it was shortening his lifespan!
Pan He, with an extra layer of caution, asked one more question: "It's so late, why would Vice President Qin be here?"
Qin Zhen replied calmly, "I'm going back tomorrow. I just remembered something I hadn't explained, so I specifically came over. I feel more at ease entrusting it in person."
Pan He nodded, said nothing, and finally took a deep look at Fu Buwen before turning to leave. Qin Zhen, out of courtesy, offered to see him off.
...
Pan He stopped in front of the car door and looked back at Qin Zhen: "Don't bother, it's very cold. You should go back early."
Qin Zhen nodded slightly: "Have a safe trip. If you need anything in the future, you can tell me directly. You don't need to come all this way."
Pan He twitched the corner of his lips, finally smiling, and said okay. After turning around, he didn't move. A possibility suddenly arose in his mind—what if even Qin Zhen was lying to him?
They had been separated for many years, with little contact in between. Such a long time was enough to change a person. Although he didn't want to question Qin Zhen, he was in his position and had his duty. Since he had become Xu Rangshan's secretary, he should properly complete the tasks Xu Rangshan assigned.
He turned back, his eyes behind his glasses fixed on Qin Zhen, unwilling to miss any of her subsequent expressions.
"Qin Zhen." His face was still expressionless, "Do you know something?"
Qin Zhen asked, "What?"
Pan He took a step closer to her, staring intently, without a trace of a smile on his face:
"My Young Master is missing."
Qin Zhen was startled, a hint of surprise finally appearing in her cool eyes, not seeming fake. After a moment, she recovered and asked, "What happened?"
Pan He saw it clearly, had his answer, and simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Qin Zhen hadn't changed and was still trustworthy.
"He had a little spat with the family," he bowed slightly, "Please keep an eye out. My Old Master and wife are very worried about him."
Only at this moment did Qin Zhen sense something, though she couldn't be completely sure. She could only agree for now: "Okay."
Watching Pan He and his group leave, and confirming that they wouldn't return, Qin Zhen turned around with a cold face and walked back into the hotel.
...
"Actually, Brother He is a really good person. Eighty percent of my design drafts were saved by him, otherwise my dad would have torn them all up long ago." Xu Jianfan sat on the sofa, holding a cup of hot coffee, and couldn't help but reminisce.
Wen Shixue raised an eyebrow.
Jiang Manwei: "Oh, he probably hasn't gone far. You can go down and repay his kindness now."
Xu Jianfan smiled and put the coffee he was holding into her hand: "No way. Since I've come all this way, I have to make a big name for myself before returning home in glory."
Wen Shixue nodded with satisfaction, her smile very sincere: "Good, I just admire your attitude of insisting on staying and making money for Chenfeng!"
Jiang Manwei, Xu Jianfan: "..."
Well, that wasn't exactly the purpose...
Xu Jianfan remembered something and laughed: "Shixue, you probably don't know, but your parents and my parents once wanted to set up Vice President Qin and him."
Wen Shixue's smile instantly froze: "..."
She sincerely hoped that parents all over the world wouldn't always be so "idle."
A few minutes later, Qin Zhen returned, her arms crossed, her expression more serious than ever. This instantly silenced the three people who had been sitting on the sofa, laughing and chatting. They unconsciously sat up straight, like three elementary school students who had done something wrong and were waiting to be punished. The atmosphere in the room also began to become heavy.
After a long while, Qin Zhen said slowly, "I hope you can give me an explanation."
"President Wen, and..."
Her gaze shifted from Wen Shixue, lightly landing on Xu Jianfan. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke the title she had guessed—
"Young Master Xu."
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