My minimum living allowance is credited to my account every day with 1000 million yuan

Chen Xiao looked at Li Xingxing's heartbroken expression, as if she had suffered a terrible injustice. He slowly raised his glass and clinked it against Li Xingxing's, producing a crisp sound.
"Ha...you still have the nerve to say that?"

He took a sip of his drink, his eyes full of mockery.

"When you slapped that guy to the ground, it was so clean and decisive! So impressive! Why didn't you think back then, 'Oh, he's an old man, I can't slap him'? Hmm?"

Li Xingxing was taken aback, then scratched his short buzz cut somewhat awkwardly and chuckled dryly, "I didn't know his identity at the time. Besides, I couldn't have filmed anyone else but him!"

Looking at Li Xingxing's expression—a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water, and with a hint of inexplicable "grievance" and "righteousness"—Chen Xiao shook his head helplessly and took a sip of wine.

No wonder that back in college, apart from himself, his roommates all had a surprisingly consistent opinion of Li Xingxing, calling him a—

"brute!"

Chen Xiao nodded silently to himself:

"This guy is definitely not normal!"

That rebellious spirit and peculiar thought process haven't changed at all over the years!

The Azam continued to sail smoothly through the waves. At the bow, only Chen Xiao remained, looking at his "beast" roommate who never played by the rules, with a helpless smile.

The sea breeze brought a salty, damp scent, dispelling the faint, ethereal atmosphere that had just enveloped us, leaving only the familiar scent of everyday life and the warmth of bygone days.

Chen Xiao's gaze shifted from the magnificent view of the sea and sky merging into one in the distance to Li Xingxing's face, which still carried the lingering warmth of their earlier teasing. His tone was casual, yet carried undeniable weight:
"Are they planning to transfer you to the South China Sea?"

This sentence is like an invisible switch.

Just a second ago, Li Xingxing had a slightly cheeky and aggrieved expression, but her expression instantly turned serious!
That reckless spirit receded like the tide, replaced by an almost solemn seriousness!

The project in Chenjiadao!

The name itself carries unparalleled weight! It represents the core lifeline that Cha Lan personally oversees and watches over closely, the one he considers "more important than his own lifeline"! It is the most brilliant and indispensable jewel in the entire Junxiao Group's future blueprint!
The fact that Cha Lan suggested transferring Li Xingxing there sent a very clear signal—in Cha Lan's heart, this notoriously strict and intolerant old fox, Li Xingxing was a capable and responsible person! He was trustworthy and could be placed in such a crucial position!
Otherwise, even if Li Xingxing was Chen Xiao's classmate, Cha Lan wouldn't have arranged for him to go. There can be no room for error regarding the Chenjiadao matter!
Upon hearing Chen Xiao ask about work, Li Xingxing immediately straightened up and replied, "Yes, boss!"

He paused, his tone conveying a deep understanding and determination:
"I know that President Cha is doing this to train me and give me an opportunity!"

He recalled the serious, almost rigid face of the man, and the weighty admonition he had given:

"General Manager Cha himself said that the Chenjiadao project is the most important project of all his work, without exception! More than..."

He emphasized his words, repeating the exact words of the inspector, each one crystal clear.
"...It's far more important than bringing him 10 billion in sales a year!"

As Chen Xiao listened to Li Xingxing solemnly repeat Cha Lan's words, a knowing, slightly mocking smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

Check out this old grumpy stick!
He chuckled to himself.

These words were less meant for Li Xingxing and more a roundabout way for the old fox Cha Lan to pass them on to Chen Xiao through Li Xingxing's mouth!

"Chenjiadao is more important than 10 billion!"

Isn't this just a blatant display of loyalty to his boss and an emphasis on his absolute importance and investment in Chenjiadao?

Flattery...

It's truly everywhere and inescapable!

He gently swirled the remaining wine in his glass, watching the dark red liquid form an elegant arc on the glass's surface.

Once a person sits in this position and possesses such status and position...

To imagine that the people around you can still be so innocent... keep dreaming. They may be loyal, but they can never be innocent!
This must be what they mean by "the higher you climb, the colder it gets"!

Identity acts like an invisible filter, automatically screening and packaging the information flowing to you; status, on the other hand, is like a magnetic field, unconsciously mixing sincerity with flattery, making it difficult to separate them purely.

Chen Xiao could understand and even accept the effort put into the inspection, this kind of flattery tinged with "art of work." But the sense of distance and the irretrievable purity still left a faint, unspeakable loneliness in his heart.

He gently set down the empty glass, the bottom of which made a slight crisp sound as it touched the table.

My thoughts, as if drawn by the sea breeze, drifted involuntarily toward that one and only unchanging coordinate.

Think about it carefully...

In this vast world, amidst the bustling crowds, how many people can truly maintain their way of interacting from beginning to end, regardless of changing circumstances...?

Perhaps only Xiangjun could be like that?
This realization was like a warm current, instantly melting away the chill in my heart.

The scroll of memories unfolds silently in my mind—

Chen Xiao subconsciously turned his gaze, past the sunlight and sea breeze on the deck, and precisely landed on the moon-white figure nearby.

Zhao Xiangjun was surrounded by a group of women including Li Zhien, He Qing, Zhang Ziqian, Xie Xiaoxiao, and Qin Ning.

The sea breeze lifted their skirts and hair, creating a flowing, colorful picture of beautiful women on the sea.

Li Zhien seemed to be excitedly talking about something, pointing to the dolphins in the distance; He Qing smiled gently, listening attentively; Zhang Ziqian was talking quietly with Xie Xiaoxiao, while Qin Ning curiously peeked out.

Zhao Xiangjun simply stood quietly in the center, not deliberately taking the lead, yet she naturally became the focus of the scene.

She tilted her head slightly, listening to Lee Ji-eun's words, a signature, serene smile playing on her lips. She didn't try to blend in, nor did she remain detached. Sunlight bathed her, as if gilding her with a soft golden glow, and her aloof and independent temperament, surrounded by other beauties, appeared even purer and more dazzling.

Her eyes remained clear and deep, like a tranquil deep sea, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, as well as the smiles of those around her.

The moment Chen Xiao's gaze fell upon them.

It was as if we were telepathically connected.

Zhao Xiangjun also turned slightly to the side, her gaze passing over the laughing women, as if piercing through an invisible barrier, and meeting Chen Xiao's eyes precisely and calmly. No words were spoken.

There was no deliberate smile.

There wasn't even a trace of extra expression.

It was just a calm exchange of glances.

However, in that instant when their eyes met!

An indescribable, scalding warm current, like a hot spring gushing from the depths of the earth, instantly dispelled all the loneliness, scrutiny, and the slight chill brought by the height in Chen Xiao's heart!
All those complicated thoughts about power, people's hearts, and flattery were swept away at this moment!
It's as if a drifting, lonely boat has finally anchored in the harbor!

It was as if a weary traveler had spotted an eternal lighthouse!
I really... experienced that!
That line of poetry instantly flooded my heart, carrying an unprecedented sense of reality and profound emotion:

"If we're talking about true friends in this world, it's you and me!"

The sea breeze was still blowing, carrying a salty, damp scent.

The Azzam continues its journey, cutting through the waves.

But at this moment, amidst the vast expanse of sea and sky, Chen Xiao felt no longer the chill of "the higher you climb, the colder it gets."

There was only a patch of warm sunshine, soothing and peaceful, illuminated by the gaze of a close friend.

He silently withdrew his gaze, but couldn't help but let a genuine, relaxed smile spread across his lips.

He knew that no matter how the future changed, whether he was in the trough or at the peak, there would always be that calm and warm gaze behind him, like an eternal star, illuminating his way home and defining the most authentic essence of his soul—whether she initially mistook him for a penniless pauper or a billionaire, in her eyes, he was always just Chen Xiao himself.

Li Xingxing glanced at Chen Xiao discreetly, wondering why he had suddenly drifted off into thought.

He secretly followed Chen Xiao's gaze and looked over—

Just then, they captured the moment when Sister-in-law Zhao Xiangjun calmly looked back from the stern of the boat!

There were no exaggerated intimate gestures between the two, and they were even a distance apart, but the tacit understanding and indescribable deep bond flowing in their silent gaze made Li Xingxing's heart skip a beat!
"Be good..."

He clicked his tongue in amazement.

"President Cha repeatedly warned me that this Sister-in-law Xiangjun is the absolute mistress of the Chen family, a red line that cannot be crossed, but I haven't quite grasped it yet..."

"Look at Xiao Ge's eyes now... This isn't a red line, it's clearly that Xiao Ge's whole heart is imprisoned, willingly locked to Sister-in-law Xiang Jun's side!"

That focus and gentleness were something Li Xingxing had never seen Chen Xiao look at anyone else before! It carried such weight!
Just then—

hum!
A not-too-loud engine sound came from afar and grew closer!
A white private yacht, noticeably smaller but with a modern design, was speeding up from the side and rear of the Azam, attempting to sail alongside it, as if trying to bask in the glory of this maritime behemoth.

Li Xingxing was drawn by the commotion and subconsciously turned her head to glance at it.

That one glance doesn't matter!

His gaze locked precisely on the foredeck of the small yacht, where a figure was struggling to maintain her balance, clinging to the railing—a woman with slightly dark skin, a thin and flat figure, and at best average looks. Wasn't this Wang Ying, the one he'd tried to pick up at the hotel entrance earlier that day, calling him "man" and then dismissing him with disdain before leaving with Gao Yuan?!
She was staring at the bow of the Azam ship with a look of utter shock, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes wide open, intently fixed on the location of Chen Xiao and Li Xingxing!

Li Xingxing's reckless spirit immediately kicked in! Without even thinking, he blurted out, his voice loud enough to pierce the sea breeze between the two ships:

"Hey there, man! What a coincidence! You're out for a stroll at sea too?!"

The tone was full of teasing and joking, and he deliberately dragged out the word "man" for a long time, as if afraid the other party wouldn't hear him!

Chen Xiao was pulled back from the warm atmosphere by Li Xingxing's shout. He turned his head in surprise and looked in the direction of Li Xingxing's exaggerated gaze.

An unfamiliar private yacht.

A strange woman stood leaning against the railing. She was dressed plainly, of average appearance, and with an unremarkable figure. She was staring at them with an expression of utter shock, a mixture of blankness and disbelief.

"Xingxing? You know her?" Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry and... a subtle scrutiny. This woman seemed to be from a completely different world from Li Xingxing.

Li Xingxing laughed: "I tried to pick her up at the hotel today, but she rejected me." He shrugged and made an exaggerated "rejected" expression.

Chen Xiao smiled slightly. This guy was a bit unreliable; his so-called "chasing" was probably just a joke. Now that he had his own support, as long as he worked hard enough, his future was limitless. The woman on the yacht was unremarkable; he probably wouldn't even look at her.

Out of a basic, almost instinctive politeness when facing strangers—like nodding unconsciously when you see a cat staring at you curiously on the side of the road—Chen Xiao's gaze calmly passed across the not-too-distant distance between the two ships, casually glancing at the stunned woman on the opposite deck, and gave her an extremely slight nod.

A faint, social, and extremely indifferent smile, devoid of any deep emotion, even habitually appeared at the corners of his mouth.

He then withdrew his gaze, as if he were merely brushing away a tiny speck of dust, paying it no further attention.

however!
Chen Xiao's extremely brief, casual, and almost emotionless nod and smile, as seen by Wang Ying, was...

However, this scene was a huge shock to Wang Ying. Although she had never met Chen Xiao, even a fool could guess that the man surrounded by several stunningly beautiful women was undoubtedly President Chen.
He...he...he nodded at me?!
He even smiled at me?!

Wang Ying felt an indescribably powerful electric current instantly surge from the top of her head through her spine and down to the soles of her feet!

My whole body went numb!

Overwhelmed by immense ecstasy and a near-manic delusion!

What about lofty ambitions? What about yachts? What about that perfunctory text message I just received? All of that was thrown to the winds!
She even forgot the humiliation she felt from Li Xingxing's mocking "man"!
At that moment, that "man" sounded to her like a... friendly greeting? A... bridge to bridge the distance?
"Wang Ying, what are you doing? I called you down for a drink," Gao Yuan said as he walked out of the cabin.

Following Wang Ying's gaze, she suddenly met the eyes of Chen Xiao and Li Xingxing.
He also saw the stunningly beautiful women on the yacht. Even the gorgeous Xie Xiaoxiao and Qin Ning seemed ordinary in comparison.

"Ah—, Wang Ying, is that Li Zhi'en?" Gao Yuan's expression changed.

Wang Ying sighed helplessly. This idiot, at a time like this, still has the mind to look at beautiful women? (End of Chapter)