He was back from his trip from the country side. As soon as he returned, he reconnected with the wife. They had survived two weeks of being physically separated for the first time after their marriage.

The next thing in his agenda was to turn down the pending offer from s.h.i.+ Corporation. Xue Jinxu had forbidden him to take any part in that company's business. Thus, he was currently in the Chairman's room, playing go [1].

"Very well. Seems like you've already decided, Mr. Chen Linyun." Chairman s.h.i.+ replied, unfazed.

Chen Linyun was at s.h.i.+ Corporation to formally decline their offer to him for the Trading and Sourcing Consultant position.

They were playing go casually while discussing it.

Chen Linyun knew what he was doing. He was there not for the money but to scout and learn about the s.h.i.+'s – their interests, and the people surrounding them.

He had learned that the young master, s.h.i.+ Fan Hai had been rea.s.signed to the main branch in Beijing, but had not yet met him in the office. He was looking forward to meet him today since he might not be able to be back inside this office again. Of course, he had not relayed his intentions to the Chairman.

A knock on the door was heard.

"Come in." Chairman s.h.i.+ ordered.

A tall man in his late twenties entered. "Mr Chen Linyun, I fathom you haven't met my son yet? This is s.h.i.+ Fan Hai." He gestured one arm towards his son who made his way towards the couch in the Chairman's office where they were playing go. "This is Chen Linyun." The Chairman said to his son.

"I heard you have quite a history already prior this meeting."

"I believe so, yes." Chen Linyun squinted his eyes. "Not quite directly though."

"Chen Linyun, we finally meet. He extended his right hand for a handshake. Chen Linyun took it for show in front of the Chairman. They were both gripping too tightly. "The person who stole my bride." His usual taunting gaudy lopsided grin and brooding eyes were plastered on his face.

For Chen Linyun he could not conceal his contempt. "Well, don't you need to thank me? Aren't you still enjoying the splendid life of a bachelor?"

"Why, Chen Linyun, you seem to have resentment on your marriage?" s.h.i.+ Fan Hai reb.u.t.ted.

"Not at all, in fact I'm still at a rather higher level of euphoria, well, you might call it nirvana. Both of us are – my wife and I." He said, with a piercing glare.

"I will also have to thank you for proactively suggesting to my wife by the way you act that you are in no way acceptable to her standards. She could barely stand you."

s.h.i.+ Fan Hai's lopsided grew into a full wide one, and amus.e.m.e.nt flickered in his eyes. It was laced with malice and darkness. "No worries. Pleasure's mine."

The Chairman snorted. "Gentlemen. Let's get back to business, shall we? You act like two little boys fighting over one piece of an outdated toy. Get over it, both of you."

"Well, Chen Linyun, I'll be leaving for another appointment, that's why I had sent for my son here. You both continue where we left off. Let's play go some other time."

"Fan Hai, tend to our guest. Make him change his mind." He stood up and left.

Once the door closed behind the Chairman, Chen Linyun threw a strong punch on s.h.i.+ Fan Hai's cheek. "That's for Guangxi's abduction." s.h.i.+ Fan Hai, being laidback that he was, remained where he was, and had no plans of retaliating. Chen Linyun threw another punch. "That's for Jinxu and the capsizing incident."

"Well-justified." s.h.i.+ Fan Hai just received the blows. "Is this the new way of greeting people in Beijing?" He muttered under his breath, his taunting smile never leaving his face, but his eyes were ruled with increasing malice.

"Let's get into business. Regarding the position, you might want to reconsider after I show you something." He said.

He dug his left hand into the inside pocket of his suit. When it reappeared, in his hand were two containers which he shook slightly. It made a sound similar to a maracas. He opened it and put it on the table for Chen Linyun to see.

Inside the containers were small gold and silver b.a.l.l.s no greater than four millimeters in diameter. He faced Chen Linyun. "Do you know what these are?"

Chen Linyun studied the spheres closely but could not make out anything from it. "What is it? Is this some sort of your scheme? I will not change my mind. I already declined."

"I wouldn't be so sure, if I were you." s.h.i.+ Fan Hai picked up one piece of gold-colored tiny ball and dropped it on the table. It bounced and made a sound of a bead falling. 'Tuk. Tuk. Tuk. Tuk.'

Chen Linyun still had no idea. He narrowed his eyes. "Stop beating around the bush."

"Very well. These are gold and silver-plated metal alloys, and therefore, not edible."

"I bet your lovely wife has something similar to those. I'm not into baking, but if I'm not mistaken, they are called sugar pearls." He chuckled. "You get it now?"

"Imagine the ruckus it will cause if the metal alloys were mistakenly used as sugar pearls. That would definitely cause food poisoning."

"Is this a threat?" Chen Linyun clenched his fists. He did not see this one coming.

"In every way possible, yes." s.h.i.+ Fan Hai confirmed. "Now, this might be too much to take in now, and you might want to check your wife's shop first if indeed she has those decorative ingredients. You may sleep on it tonight, but be ready to tell me your decision – whether to take the position or not."

"You!" Chen Linyun surged forward to attack him again, but this time, s.h.i.+ Fan Hai was quick to react. He managed not to get punched again.

"You've had your punches thrown at me already. You've reached your quota." He said. "Oh, if you are planning to warn Xue Jinxu regarding this, and to prevent her from using those tiny gold and silver b.a.l.l.s, I also have gold-plated metal stars, and colorful rainbow sprinkles made of plastic – all cute but inedible. I have other designs as well. It's so easy for those to end up in your wife's kitchen."

"Tell me your decision in ten days. Now, if you'll excuse me." He left the room and the raging Chen Linyun behind.

[1] board game