C22 Snatch the Credit

The wealthiest man frantically sought out Xuan Jizi and demanded, "Master Xuan Jizi, what's the problem? My daughter's proposal was solid, so why was it rejected?"

Xuan Jizi, unwilling to endure the judgmental stares, offered a wry smile and replied, "I'm sorry, but you'll need to take that up with the head of Golden Age Entertainment. It was his direct call that led me to alter the decision."

Bewildered, the wealthy man watched Xuan Jizi depart and, undeterred, dialed Du Chen's seasoned butler. "Mr. Butler, this is Mu Rufeng speaking. Could you please inform your young master that my daughter is the Planning Director at Feifei Company? She desperately needs this campaign to succeed to demonstrate her capabilities. I'm hoping you can do me this favor. It could pave the way for future collaborations between us."

The butler remained silent, glancing at Du Chen.

Du Chen cut to the chase, "I've no interest in partnering with a so-called tycoon on the brink of bankruptcy. Goodbye."

"What? Who are you..." Mu Rufeng's words were cut short as the call ended abruptly. Enraged, he smashed his phone and bellowed, "He's just some upstart, and he dares to snub me!"

Meanwhile, Du Chen noticed Wang Xue's reluctance and reassured her with ease, "Don't fret. If I say the tycoon is out of money, then that's the case. He's of an age where he should be managing his company better instead of wasting time trying to impress me."

Wang Xue, still confused, asked, "How do you know his company is struggling?"

Du Chen tossed a file onto the table. "Here's the operational data for all the local companies, their tax records from the official website, and the stock market trends. I reviewed it all on day one. The tycoon's firm appears stable at first glance, even showing a modest increase in assets.

"But I've noticed his company has had over a dozen investment failures in the past two years, surpassing the total failures of the previous three years combined. Why would they continue to invest so recklessly after such consistent losses, especially in ventures unrelated to their core business? It's clearly a desperate search for a way out."

A company has already started to look for a way out. It's not that the company is not doing well. Could it be that the richest man, who is already in his fifties, is still playing with thrills? Moreover, from the way the richest man has operated in the past, he doesn't seem to be someone who likes thrills and novelty."

Hearing this, Wang Xue had an epiphany and looked at Du Chen with admiration. "No wonder the butler said you're a talent just waiting for the right opportunity!"

The old butler remained unflappable, clearly aware of Du Chen's capabilities all along.

Du Chen simply shook his head without elaborating and made a call to Wang Kui, instructing him to have someone check on his mother-in-law, as he couldn't shake his feeling of unease.

Lin Ying'er was still trying to grasp the situation, knowing only that she had been selected for a partnership. She was eager to share her excitement but was met with scornful looks from everyone, clearly suspecting she had used connections to get ahead.

Han Zhuang approached Lin Ying'er and said coldly, "You did well."

Unperturbed, Lin Ying'er responded, "I've heard there's an opening for the head of the planning department. I hope Mr. Han will put in a good word for me with the chairman."

Her rival rolled her eyes and scoffed, "What are you, exactly? Nothing but a shameless plagiarist. Do you really think you're fit for the role of planning director? So you can lead the whole department into plagiarism?"

Fuming, Lin Ying'er retorted, "I didn't plagiarize!"

"It's not for you to decide," Han Zhuang replied icily. "Thanks for using your connections to secure the partnership with the jewelry exhibition, but you won't be handling anything going forward. Yi'er will take over. And I suggest you watch your status and stop tarnishing the company's reputation with plagiarism."

Yi'er, Han Zhuang's mistress, shot Lin Ying'er a smug look before leaving with Han Zhuang's arm around her.

Lin Ying'er was shaking with rage, unable to believe her achievements had been stolen by a homewrecker. She seethed with even more resentment towards Du Chen and was determined to confront him about the whole mess.

Before any of that, Lin Ying'er was determined to return the Love of the Emperor bracelet.

As Xuan Jizi was about to depart, Lin Ying'er hurried toward him, clutching a gift box anxiously. "Master, I'm Lin Ying'er from Viza Company. Could you please forward this box to the boss of Golden Age Entertainment? The courier made a mistake and delivered this bracelet to my home."

"Mistaken delivery?" Xuan Jizi was taken aback.

"Yes, could you please check if this is your Love of the Emperor?" Lin Ying'er promptly opened the box, revealing the shattered jade bracelet to all the onlookers.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd!

Lin Ying'er's complexion turned ashen. The bracelet was in pieces – an item that would fetch hundreds of millions at auction!

"Master, hear me out, I didn't break the bracelet..." Lin Ying'er stammered out an explanation.

"No need for further words. I've already gifted this to the boss of Golden Age Entertainment. He wouldn't have sent it to the wrong person; it was clearly intended for you. Now that it's broken, I suggest you explain it to the owner, not to me, the maker." Xuan Jizi offered a kind smile before getting into his car and leaving.

The kinder his demeanor, the deeper Lin Ying'er's guilt and the hotter her anger flared.

She immediately phoned Zhou Yali. "Mom, how did the jade bracelet break? Can you imagine how mortifying it was to open the box in front of Master Xuan Jizi?"

Zhou Yali, dining with Zhao Sheng, shuddered at the news. "I... I had no idea. Wait, it must have been Du Chen. I sent him to deliver it to you. He's probably envious of the gifts you receive and deliberately smashed it!"

"Not him again!" Lin Ying'er seethed, fully trusting Zhou Yali's words and intent on confronting Du Chen.

Yet, Zhou Yali, heeding Zhao Sheng's advice, urged, "Forget that loser for now. Come to Star Dream Restaurant, I need to speak with you urgently!"

Baffled but famished from the morning's exertions, and weighed down by stress, Lin Ying'er decided to head straight to the restaurant.

Upon hearing that Lin Ying'er was on her way, Zhou Yali smiled at Zhao Sheng and remarked, "My daughter will be here soon. You two should have a good talk. You know, I quite admire you. You're nothing like that spineless Du Chen. You truly care for my daughter, and you've got the skills to back it up!"

Zhao Sheng and Mr. Dragon exchanged a glance, their faces twisting into a sly grin. They had already prepared a rope and a camera, plotting to give the mother-daughter duo a hard time. Both were stunning beauties, promising a thrilling time for the two schemers.

Meanwhile, Du Chen was oblivious to their plans. He had accepted an invitation from Lau Yixiang, a former classmate, to dine at the Creekside Bistro. Judging by her voice, Du Chen sensed that Lau Yixiang was in some sort of trouble. He remembered her fondly and saw no harm in lending a hand.

Arriving at the bistro—a place that had previously been the scene of his embarrassment—Du Chen was surprised to find the same manager who had conspired with Zhao Sheng against him still employed there. His brow creased in displeasure.

The manager, aware of Du Chen's formidable reputation, was visibly flustered at the sight of him, nearly falling over himself in his eagerness to show deference.

Unaware that it was the manager who had drugged him, Du Chen wasn't one to hold a grudge. He gave the manager a cool glance before heading inside.

There, Lau Yixiang awaited him, resplendent in a stunning dress and already slightly inebriated.