"I'll schedule a meeting with Shuilong Trading within this week. Prepare the draft contract. Let me check the provisions first." Chen Linyun instructed the Commercial Marine Director.

"Got it?" He asked when the flabbergasted director was not answering.

"Ahh, yes! Yes! But it's not sure yet… The meeting, I mean…" He said quite fl.u.s.tered, but his audibly doubtful and jumpy voice waned when he saw the chairman's glare.

"Anything else in the agenda?"

"We have sent a notice to s.h.i.+ Corporation about our intent to normalize the freight rates as per current market prices. For background, s.h.i.+ Corporation and Xue s.h.i.+pping have been life-long partners in the business. Hence, s.h.i.+ Corporation has been enjoying subsidized freight rates at great discounts. However, we cannot continue with the same setup anymore… But, they aren't responding to our notice…"

"Keep on following them up. Send them another letter containing a clause which states that failure from their end to revert at a certain date will be taken as concurrence to our terms. That would make them respond to us. If they don't, proceed with the effective freight increase. That will close the matter. We cannot afford to prolong it indefinitely."

"Anything else?" Chen Linyun inquired.

The executives were quite silent. They haven't recovered yet from the first agenda, and here they were, finding themselves awestruck at how fast Chen Linyun settles matters, and logically at that. It doesn't even require any technical know-how or any underhanded methods. Then again, the first agenda hadn't been completely tackled with, and it would require to follow through. Anyway, it was only his first meeting and he could really be just showing off in front of the chairman, they must have thought.

The meeting adjourned on a relatively good note.

After the meeting, the chairman left a.s.sured that Chen Linyun will do fine on his own.

As for the man of the hour, Chen Linyun, he asked for all the historical data – company profile, market research, vessels portfolio per industry segment and the company's manual and handbook.

Butler Lee stayed by his side, always ready to answer his inquiries.

The day swept quickly. It was a sunny Monday in May. Chen Linyun wrapped his things up and prepared to go home. He brought some doc.u.ments with him for some more reading and homework. He wasn't overwhelmed at the unfamiliar terms at all. 'There's a good tutor waiting for me at home.' He thought dreamily while antic.i.p.ating his arrival to their dream house. He was s.p.a.cing out while driving. He found himself even humming an unfamiliar tune. He was in an electric, exhilarating mood.

Upon nearing the gates, he could see the silhouette of the only woman in his life – Xue Jinxu.

With such enthusiasm building up inside him, he hurriedly but safely parked the car and disembarked immediately. Without wasting any more minutes, he went towards the wife who was also walking towards him.

With one hand he grabbed her waist and enveloped her in a tight embrace. Then he drew close for a welcome kiss. It was slow and indulgent. The lady was surprised, but with a hint of a smile, she too indulged herself in the sweetest of kisses.

She could not help but worry if her husband was bullied at work on his first day. He was too pa.s.sionate as if making up for something awry that might have happened earlier in the day.

When they finally ended their little dose of saccharine delight, she anxiously asked, "How's your day, dear?" Her right hand gently stroked his face and hair.

Chen Linyun grabbed it, kissed her palm and while still holding her hand, he tugged her, dragging her with him while they walked towards their home. "Let's go inside first."

Upon reaching their s.p.a.cious living room, Chen Linyun threw his rectangular leather case on the couch, sat down hastily while pulling the wife onto his lap. Xue Jinxu could not help but gasp, followed by some giggles upon realizing what had happened. It looked like the husband terribly missed the wife.

"Honey?" Xue Jinxu was waiting for his reply.

"Overall it's quite challenging, but I'm enjoying it tremendously, Jinxu." He said, with some fire burning in his eyes. Xue Jinxu believed him entirely. He truly was enjoying the new challenge.

She smiled slightly. "Good to hear, love. Just don't get too carried away. You have this tendency to become a little obsessive when you're enjoying what you're doing, to the point that you forget your surroundings."

"Do I?" Chen Linyun blinked while feigning ignorance.

The lady giggled some more. "Yes." She whispered and wrapped her arms around Chen Linyun's neck, and leaned in for a kiss. "Are you forgetting what will happen today?"

"You're flight." He sighed. "Must you leave? Just send Butler Lee."

"You need him by your side more than I do. We talked about this, didn't we? I'll help you out." More kisses rained between them. They were smiling and kissing, and staring at each other's eyes.

"Reschedule your flight tomorrow morning. I'll send you off." Chen Linyun pleaded in between kisses.

"Seems I don't have any other choice." Xue Jinxu giggled some more.

"Good. I need my tutor, too."

"Who's your tutor? Should we call Butler Lee here?" Xue Jinxu teasingly bickered.

Chen Linyun pulled her closer. She gasped. "Chen Linyun!"

"So, who's my tutor, then?" Chen Linyun retorted unyieldingly.

"Ahh, me? I guess? My services aren't for free, though. What will I get from teaching you, student?"

"I reckon I paid already." He sneered, and gave Xue Jinxu's cherry lips a loud smack, while still cradling her on his lap. "Advance payment."

"Will it suffice? You want more?" Chen Linyun continued.

The wife laughed loudly. "You're generous, student. I bet you want it more than I do." She stood up, grabbed Chen Linyun's both hands with hers, gesturing him to stand up. "Come, let's have dinner. After dinner, I will answer all your questions, student."

Chen Linyun obliged, extremely happy that their blissful life was back, albeit the wife would have to temporarily fly out in the morning.