I agreed to be a kept man, but I'm still being punished by the system.

On Monday morning, Lin Yang got out of the driver's seat, feeling refreshed, and opened the car door for Su Man.

She was dressed in a smart black suit skirt, with a hint of satisfaction on her face, but she had already regained the cold and glamorous aura of the director of the Enwei Group's hair care division.

Watching Su Man disappear through the revolving doors of the group's building in her high heels, Lin Yang sat back in the warm driver's seat of the Cayenne, sinking into the soft leather seat.

He raised his wrist, the platinum gleaming in the morning light.

Patek Philippe.

Three hundred thousand.

This watch is like an exquisite medal, and also like a silent declaration.

No.

A voice echoed in his mind.

A newly graduated assistant director wearing a 300,000 yuan watch, which is obviously a matching pair with his boss's, is practically screaming "we have a problem" on his forehead.

Su Man might not care, but there are many people and things going on in the company. If it gets back to the ears of other company executives, it will be troublesome for both Su Man and him.

With that in mind, Lin Yang no longer hesitated.

He started the car, but instead of heading to the underground parking lot, he turned the steering wheel and merged into the morning rush hour traffic.

Half an hour later, Lin Yang walked out of a chrysanthemum factory specialty store.

The gleaming Patek Philippe on his wrist had been tucked away in the armrest of the Cayenne, replaced by a minimalist black smartwatch.

The screen lights up, displaying the time, steps, and heart rate clearly, exuding a sense of technology while... the unremarkable atmosphere of a typical office worker.

Great, that fits his public image.

When Lin Yang slipped back to his assistant's office, He Xiaoya was staring blankly at the anime wallpaper on her computer screen, while Li Tong was diligently organizing documents.

"Lin Yang, you're late again. Your pay will be docked." He Xiaoya said lazily without turning her head.

"Sister Xiaoya, I took care of some personal business for President Su." Lin Yang made up a story as he sat down at his workstation.

He Xiaoya turned her chair around, her big eyes curiously scrutinizing him: "What private matter? Did President Su ask you to buy the first milk tea of ​​autumn?"

"Hehe, you're really joking." Lin Yang didn't want to say more and turned on his computer.

Just as he was about to slack off, he heard He Xiaoya and Li Tong talking quietly.

"I think this overseas study tour plan is unlikely," He Xiaoya said in a low voice. "The president's office probably won't approve it this year."

Lin Yang's ears twitched, and he interjected.

How did you know?

He Xiaoya gave her a look that said, "You're still too young."

"It's very simple. It's almost the end of the year, and our two departments, hair care and beauty, are working on their KPIs like crazy. Everyone is preparing for the year-end sales push. Who has the manpower and energy to do anything like overseas research?"

Li Tong nodded in agreement, but added, "It's not necessarily a complete rejection. Based on my observation, the company attaches great importance to the development of overseas markets, but it will probably take it step by step and won't roll it out all at once."

Lin Yang thought to himself that these two women had been with the company much longer than him, and they certainly understood the company's operating model and unspoken rules more thoroughly than he, a "newcomer".

"So, if you two were to conduct research, which market would you choose to visit first?" Lin Yang asked curiously.

He Xiaoya and Li Tong looked at Lin Yang almost simultaneously and spoke in unison.

"Over in Southeast Asia."

Lin Yang said "oh" and didn't say anything more.

Reality soon gave him a resounding slap in the face.

At 11:00 AM, the official approval document from the President's Office was sent to each business unit via the internal email system.

He Xiaoya clicked on the email with her mouse, and her exaggerated gasp immediately filled the office.

"Holy crap! It's approved!"

The email was clear and concise: To expand into overseas markets, the group has approved a preliminary investigation plan for the Southeast Asian and Australian markets. Considering the year-end performance pressure, the investigation will last twelve days and is scheduled to depart on December 1st. Key personnel are required to participate without hindering the year-end performance push.

Su Man and Guo Kaiqi were prominently listed in the email's copy list.

This means that the director will personally lead the team.

Not long after, Su Man and Guo Kaiqi, the director of the beauty business unit, once again borrowed the large conference room on the 20th floor and urgently organized a meeting for all the key personnel of the two business units.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense yet efficient.

The inspection route, personnel arrangements, budget... one agenda item after another was quickly finalized.

The final decision was that Su Man would personally lead a team of twelve elite investigators.

The inspection route was jointly drafted by the administrative departments of the two business units, with the finance department responsible for cost calculation. Sales, marketing, R&D and other departments provided full cooperation. All plans must be submitted to the president's office for final approval before this Friday.

As the meeting adjourned, Lin Yang glanced at the brand-new smartwatch on his wrist.

The screen displays today's date.

There are less than two weeks left until our departure on December 1st.

Su Man will definitely bring his personal assistant with her when she goes.

Half a month...

Lin Yang's mind raced.

In the next two weeks, will I be able to complete either Liu Shanshan's or Tang Yun's task?

The thought of the terrifying punishments of "my penis shrinking by 5 centimeters" and "being plagued by bad luck for ten years" for failing the mission sent chills down Lin Yang's spine.

He couldn't wait; he had to take the initiative.

Back in his assistant's office from the meeting room, he took out his folding phone and found the unique profile picture in his WeChat list.

Artistic photos featuring a high-slit cheongsam in a dark style.

It's Liu Shanshan.

He tapped his fingertips on the screen.

[Shanshan, are you there?]

The message was sent out, but it disappeared without a trace.

After a long while, just when Lin Yang thought the other party wouldn't reply, his phone vibrated.

【What's wrong, Mr. Lin? Is there trouble again?】

Her writing, like herself, carries a subtle, almost imperceptible, mockery.

Lin Yang's lips curled up slightly.

No, I just wanted to know if you were there.

Another silence followed.

【Heh, I saw the photos of your house renovation. Are you sure that's your house?】

It seems she did look at the photos she sent him yesterday.

"That's my house, of course. And have you thought it through?"

What are you considering?

"Of course, you'd consider making me your sugar daddy."

This time, Liu Shanshan replied much faster.

【Ha, no need to think about it.】

Lin Yang's heart skipped a beat.

Why?

My dad has already found another expert to replace Black Bull.

Lin Yang's brows furrowed instantly.

How can this be allowed?

Zhi Songtang's position as a top performer was one of his pre-selected "meal tickets," how could he let someone else take it away?

【What? Did you even ask me? I disagree.】

The text he sent was full of unreasonable and domineering remarks.

Liu Shanshan seemed taken aback by his question and took a while to reply.

Whether you agree or not has nothing to do with Zhisongtang. We've already paid the apology, one million. We're even.

Lin Yang looked at the message and realized that, logically speaking, the other party was right.

If the deal falls through and the money is lost, neither party owes the other anything.

But he's not one to reason with people.

The system task is not finished yet.

His fingers flew across the screen, and a new line of text was edited out.

【Shanshan, I promise you, but I have one condition.】

Liu Shanshan's reply was clearly sarcastic.

【What? What's the point of you agreeing now? I've already told you, my dad has found a master.】

Okay then.

Lin Yang's eyes sharpened.

Tonight I'm going to Zhisongtang and defeat the expert your father hired. I'll represent Zhisongtang. But you have to fulfill my request: give me money or physical assets free of charge.

The message was sent successfully.

There was a long, deathly silence on the other end of the phone.

Lin Yang didn't urge him. He leaned back in his chair quietly, waiting for his prey's response.

He knew that Liu Shanshan was a woman who admired strength at heart.

The more assertive you appear, the more interested she will be.

It was almost time to leave work, and people in the office were starting to pack up their things when my phone finally vibrated again.

It's Liu Shanshan.

【Can. 】

[I'll send you my location at 8 PM tonight.]

As soon as I finished speaking, a WeChat location sharing message was sent to me.

Lin Yang opened the location.

Shipai Village, south of the city.

Looking at that familiar name on the map, his expression became somewhat complicated.

That densely packed, perpetually sunless building was his first place of residence after moving out of the school dormitory.