Translated by Eve

Edited by Kara

“Xiao

ge

, here are today's doc.u.ments.”

As soon as Xiao Yuanmu had walked into his office, Yang Jie handed him the day's doc.u.ments as per usual.

The newest secretary was currently following Xiao Yuanmu from behind and giving him an overview of today's agenda. When he saw Xiao Yuanmu had stopped, he also promptly stopped in his tracks and paused his report. He thought about the advice his seniors had given him: the first rule a secretary had to abide by was to not get too close to the “Supreme Commander.” This was also the reason why his predecessor had been fired.

Xiao Yuanmu opened up the large brown envelope Yang Jie had handed over to him. As he pulled the thin papers out, a photo also slipped out. He frowned. The secretary behind him promptly walked over to pick up the photo. After handing the photo back to Xiao Yuanmu, he retreated. His actions had been efficient and nimble.

“This is…” Xiao Yuanmu's eyes narrowed slightly, “Yu Zhong?”

Yang Jie took half a step closer to take a glance at the photo. He didn't recognize the man in the photo. But when he saw Xiao Yuanmu's expression, he could tell that the other did not like him. Furthermore, for some reason, Yang Jie felt like the clothes the man was wearing looked familiar.

“His background report is also included.” Yang Jie said, “We also have the results from s.h.i.+ Qi's investigation now. His real name is Li s.h.i.+qi. He's currently in his second year of high school. Both of his parents are professors. He was recruited by his manager to start modelling. His background is very simple. He poses no threat to Song

Ershao

.”

Xiao Yuanmu nodded and replied in a flat voice, “Tell Song Xuanhe's protection team that they absolutely must not make any mistakes.”

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If he hadn't remembered incorrectly, the Song Xuanhe in his previous life had been tricked into doing drugs around this time. It was just a pity that he hadn't paid much attention to Song Xuanhe's matters in his last life. Therefore, he didn't know the exact timing in which this would occur.

“Understood.”

In the beginning, when Xiao Yuanmu first dispatched the team to protect Song Xuanhe, Yang Jie had felt both astonished and curious. After all, the Song Family was influential and powerful. Who would ever try to do something to the Song Family's youngest young master? However, after so much time had pa.s.sed, he was used to it now. However, he did think that Xiao

ge

was mostly researching every unfamiliar person around Song Xuanhe out of selfish concerns. Nonetheless, the team by Song Xuanhe's side was capable of protecting him during emergency situations.

“Then, should we also do a detailed investigation into Yu Zhong?” Yang Jie asked.

Xiao Yuanmu's gaze was on the Song Xuanhe in the photo, who seemed to be speaking to Yu Zhong. The light in his eyes darkened. “Look into the details about his contract violation and how he managed to make his way to Song Xuanhe.”

“Understood.” Yang Jie took half a step back and used his eyes to indicate to the new male secretary to continue reporting today's agenda.

The male secretary was very quick-witted. He promptly continued to talk about the agenda. After finis.h.i.+ng his report, he hesitated for a few seconds. But in the end, he still said, “Mr. Xiao, Mrs. Xiao has asked me about your private schedule for today. She wishes to meet with you during your lunch break. I have yet to give her a reply. How would you like me to respond?”

Xiao Yuanmu placed the doc.u.ments in his drawer. Yang Jie said, “Mr. Xiao is meeting Mr. Smith at lunch. Did you forget about this, Joe?”

Joe nodded, acknowledging his slip-up. “I see. I seem to have overlooked that. I will immediately apologize to Mrs. Xiao.”

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“Tell Ralph that we'll hold the meeting at ten,” Xiao Yuanmu said coolly, “You can leave now.”

When the secretary shut the office door, Yang Jie spoke up, “This new secretary is a lot better than the ones before.”

Xiao Yuanmu skimmed through his emails. “Take him off probation and make him full-time in one week.”

“One week?”

Yang Jie was shocked. Although the probation period could indeed be adjusted by the boss, the company had a tacit agreement that it should last three months. None of the secretaries before had managed to make it through the whole three months. The one who had lasted the longest had been the one who had just gotten fired. That secretary had lasted half a month under probation but had still been let go after accidentally falling against Xiao Yuanmu.

Joe was the first male secretary they'd employed. He was also someone Xiao Yuanmu had personally chosen while sifting through resumes. Yang Jie had never expected that this man would become RE's first tenured secretary after only a few days.

Nonetheless, his shock had only lasted two seconds. Yang Jie quickly regained his calm. “Got it.”

Xiao Yuanmu finished reading his emails. When he noticed that Yang Jie was still here, he couldn't help but look up. “What's wrong?”

“Xiao

ge

…” Yang Jie seemed hesitant.

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Xiao Yuanmu looked away and opened up a file. “What?”

“…The editor-in-chief of F&E wants to interview you. She said that she wanted to ask about your private life. I was planning on refusing her.”

Xiao Yuanmu paused his writing. A dot of ink was left on the pure white, A4-sized paper. He said, “Arrange it for tomorrow.”

Yang Jie was taken aback. “You're going to do it?”

“Yes.”

“At this time…?”

Xiao Yuanmu looked up. His voice was flat and calm. “What do you want to say?”

Yang Jie parted his lips. He couldn't help but recall the chaos and incredulity that had resulted when someone from the Xiao Family had come to RE not too long ago, demanding Xiao Yuanmu undergo a paternity/maternity test. He also remembered the glee and excitement of the Xiao Family couple from when the results had come out. Not only had the couple been happy, but Yang Jie had also been happy on Xiao Yuanmu's behalf about finding his biological parents.

But…Xiao Yuanmu's calm and estrangement towards the Xiao couple had caused his joy to cool down.

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People who don't know Xiao Yuanmu very well would think that he was an overly cold and aloof person. However, Yang Jie, who had gotten a new lease on life after having met Xiao Yuanmu, thought that Xiao Yuanmu simply hid his kindness and gentleness too deeply. It was precisely because Xiao Yuanmu had saved him that Yang Jie practically had blind faith and wors.h.i.+p towards Xiao Yuanmu.

He believed that there had to be a reason for why Xiao Yuanmu treated the Xiao Family so coldly. It was just that, when he thought about how he would see the disappointed expression on Mrs. Xiao's face every day when she couldn't see him, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. He was afraid that Xiao Yuanmu's coldness would inevitably push away the parents who had been lost then found. He was afraid that the other would come to regret this in the future.

“Xiao

ge

.” Yang Jie furrowed his brows, conflicted. His lips opened and shut, no sound coming out for a moment. But in the end, he still asked, “Why aren't you willing to get involved with the Xiao Family?”

Xiao Yuanmu didn't look up. His voice was flat. “A week ago, I had a meal with the Xiao couple. Did you forget?”

“I don't mean that.” Yang Jie shut his mouth after saying this. When he saw that Xiao Yuanmu didn't seem inclined to respond, he said, “I mean, why aren't you willing to go back to the Xiao Family? Mrs. Xiao comes by every day, just wanting to see your face. She really hopes that you'll go back and live with them. But, you….”

A dark light flashed through Xiao Yuanmu's lowered gaze. When he looked up and saw Yang Jie's concerned expression, he placed his fountain pen down. He interlocked his fingers and placed his hands over his lap. Voice calm, he said, “Why do you think the Xiao Family is trying to take me back in such a high-profile manner right now?”

Yang Jie blanked slightly upon hearing Xiao Yuanmu's question. He pondered over this question for half a minute before saying, “The Xiao Family had only noticed you because of RE's success. They had probably investigated you after seeing your interviews. It likely had been then that they realized that you might be their long-lost son. That was why they had come to see you and confirm your ident.i.ty.”

Xiao Yuanmu didn't move. He continued to look at Yang Jie quietly, waiting for the other to continue.

Yang Jie pursed his lips and added, “Then, the results had confirmed your ident.i.ty. Back then, the prime motivation for investigating you had probably been because they wanted to partner with RE. Therefore, although they were happy and excited, they also saw this as an opportunity. That was why they had released the information that they had 'found you,' even though they had yet to formally take you back and meet with the other Xiao Family members. They wanted to use this to warn off other companies that had been preparing to reach out to RE.”

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“At the same time, they hope that RE will merge with their group. They want to take in our research group…”

Yang Jie's voice grew quieter and quieter. Eventually, he stopped talking.

“However.” Yang Jie turned to look at Xiao Yuanmu and said, “I think that, although they may have made that announcement with their own profit in mind, Mr. and Mrs. Xiao's feelings for you seem sincere….”

Under Xiao Yuanmu's gaze, Yang Jie's voice once again quieted. Just as he thought that Xiao Yuanmu would disapprove of his words, Xiao Yuanmu said, “I do think that they're being sincere.”

Yang Jie: “Then, why won't you meet with Mrs. Xiao?”

Xiao Yuanmu looked down, his long, straight eyelashes covering up the chill in his eyes. His voice was cold and indifferent. “Before the Xiao Family formally announces my ident.i.ty, it is inappropriate for me to be in too much contact with members of the Xiao Family. You should know this. I also have an adult younger brother with whom I share both parents with.”

Yang Jie didn't get what having a younger brother had to do with why Xiao Yuanmu shouldn't be in touch with the Xiao Family. He asked, “What does all that have to do with your younger brother?”

“It obviously involves him.” A blond man walked into the office, snapping his fingers. He said, “Yang, do you really not know? Looks like our number one a.s.sistant needs to improve his thinking. Xiao's younger brother is the rightful heir to the Xiao Family. That grandiose coming-of-age ceremony had practically announced his position as the sole successor of the Xiao Group. As such, now that the Xiao Family has found Xiao, his younger brother will probably be pushed back in the line for succession.”

“Louis.” Yang Jie frowned. “I've told you many times before. Knock on the door before coming in.”

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Louis casually found a sofa to sit on. There was a relaxed expression on his face. He looked like he was in his own home. “Relax a bit, Yang. I'm in Xiao's office right now, not yours.”

Yang Jie directed a disdainful look in his direction. When he recalled how Song Xuanhe had also made himself at home in Xiao Yuanmu's apartment in the past, he couldn't help but quietly roast: “You and Song Xuanhe would probably have some things in common.”

Louis's ears were sharp. He raised a brow. “Who's Song Xuanhe? Is he as handsome as me?”

Yang Jie rolled his eyes. When Xiao Yuanmu thought of Song Xuanhe, the frost dissipated from his eyes, and the arc of his lips softened. “He's better-looking than you.”

“Impossible.” Louis shrugged and joked, “There does not exist a man more handsome and s.e.xier than me. Even you just barely manage to be my equal. Xiao, is that Song Xuanhe better-looking and s.e.xier than you?”

Who knew what he was thinking about, but Xiao Yuanmu's lips curled into a slight smile. He made a soft sound of agreement.

Louis was so shocked that his jaw dropped. He shouted, “Oh my G.o.d! Unless there's something wrong with my eyes, I swear to G.o.d that your ears are red!”

Eve: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) What are you thinking about, Mumu? (I think I know hehehehe.)