Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: President Jiang, My Name Is Lin Xunan

Since Bai Nannan was transferred to the CEO’s office, her days were nothing like she had imagined. She thought she would just accompany Lu Jinye to a few events and meetings, and maybe get a bit of exposure among the company’s top executives. At worst, she could buy him coffee and take care of his daily needs, which would help her get closer to Lu Jinye.

But what she never expected was that since that day, she hadn’t seen Lu Jinye even once. Qin Yue was a workaholic, constantly running herself ragged and assigning Bai Nannan numerous impossible tasks. Tasks like “investigating what exhibits are featured at overseas Mr. Wu’s auctions,” “whether Haishi’s newly listed companies plan to collaborate with them in the future,” and “the competitive results of top domestic universities’ invitations for Lu Jinye’s lectures.”

Bai Nannan felt that Qin Yue was deliberately making things difficult for her, as if she saw Bai Nannan as a threat to her own position after Lu Jinye had chosen her. She vowed that next time she saw Lu Jinye, she would report Qin Yue’s targeting of her and make him see her true status.

While organizing these impossible assignments, Qin Yue came over again with a few more pages of documents.

“How’s the information gathering going?” Qin Yue asked.

“Heh, what do you think, Sister Qin? How could an intern like me manage to collect all this?” Bai Nannan replied.

This seemed to be exactly what Qin Yue expected. She placed the papers on Bai Nannan’s desk, her tone laced with schadenfreude. “These are the last few documents. Bai Nannan, I’m warning you—if you can’t complete a single task assigned by President Lu, you might as well go back to logistics.”

Watching Qin Yue’s back as she walked away, Bai Nannan burned with fury. She had to see Lu Jinye and tell him about Qin Yue’s persecution!

Casually gathering the last few pages, she unexpectedly noticed a familiar name: Shen Yechu.

***

Since that day, Jiang Li’s life had been unusually easy. Whether it was the effect of some information or the suppression by Lin Xunan’s status, Shen Yechu had not caused any more trouble. Lu Jinye, perhaps still annoyed from that day, had not appeared before Jiang Li either.

That was fine by her; she enjoyed the peace.

Though the training camp at the chess academy was monotonous, it was fulfilling. She was preparing to participate in the all-category friendly tournament held in South Korea after the New Year. This event included both male and female players, posing a significant challenge for female competitors.

But Jiang Li’s goal was not the women’s division; sooner or later, she would have to face the men.

Besides, there was an old acquaintance she hadn’t seen in a long time waiting in South Korea.

That morning, just as Jiang Li arrived at the chess academy, Cui Tao called out to her. “Xiao Li, go home early this afternoon and get ready. Tonight, we’re going to a dinner gathering.”

Jiang Li looked puzzled. Cui Tao wasn’t the type to enjoy socializing or flattery.

“Is there something going on?” she asked.

“There’s a big surprise for you,” he replied.

Seeing that he didn’t seem to be joking, Jiang Li was even more curious.

Patiently waiting until the afternoon, Jiang Li changed into a small evening dress. Since Cui Tao was an elder, the guests at the dinner would likely be of some standing, not too young. So she wore a black V-neck knit long dress that draped beautifully, hugging her slender and shapely figure, paired with a camel-colored coat lined with fur—a tasteful and elegant ensemble. Her hair was swept up neatly, revealing her fair, clean neck.

Jiang Li nodded, quite satisfied with her appearance.

Arriving a bit early at the restaurant Cui Tao had mentioned, she didn’t want to keep her elder waiting.

Only Cui Tao was seated when she arrived. He motioned her over with an approving nod. “When others arrive, remember to greet them politely, but don’t flatter them too much. Your teacher still has some reputation in the chess world.”

Jiang Li smiled wryly and nodded.

Soon, the senior apprentice brother arrived. It was rare to see him dressed formally—in a simple white shirt and casual slacks, he looked somewhat like a dashing gentleman.

Jiang Li teased him, “Oh, look who’s dressed up all fancy.”

The senior brother was shameless and struck a pose, nodding. “Yes, Miss Jiang, hello.”

Cui Tao stood up and extended his hand. “Isn’t this Teacher Cui’s senior disciple Ding Yuqi? I’ve heard much about you.”

The senior brother immediately bowed low with a sheepish grin. “Teacher, teacher, I was wrong. Please don’t be like this.”

Cui Tao, as usual, gave him a playful slap and snorted before sitting back down.

Jiang Li watched them with a smile. The senior brother was 27 this year but time seemed to have spared him. Not particularly handsome, but his roguish style and personality made him well-liked at the academy. It was even rumored that many socialites and young celebrities sought him out privately.

Jiang Li leaned closer, pretending to be intimate, and linked her arm with his. “Handsome, do you have a girlfriend?”

The senior brother patted her hand regretfully and sighed, “Heaven is jealous of talent. Perhaps my Go skills are too advanced, and I have yet to meet my soulmate.”

“You’re talking nonsense. If your standards were any lower, there’d be kids sent to the academy to learn from you this year,” Cui Tao shot him a glare.

Just as the senior brother was about to argue, the door to the private room opened again.

Jiang Li’s heart tightened. Why was he here?

***

Lin Xunan stepped in, his gaze lingering briefly on Jiang Li’s linked arm before he smiled and approached Cui Tao, shaking his hand. “Teacher Cui, long time no see.”

Today, he wasn’t in formal attire but wore a black turtleneck sweater and slacks beneath a deep brown long coat, somehow matching Jiang Li’s outfit like a couple’s set.

The senior brother noticed first and whispered to Jiang Li as Lin Xunan entered, “Hey, you and he are wearing…”

Jiang Li glanced over, speechless.

After greeting Cui Tao, Lin Xunan turned to approach Jiang Li and the others. His smile was polite and calm. Were it not for the subtle wink Jiang Li caught as he turned away, she might have thought she was mistaken about his identity.

“I’ve long heard of your reputation. You must be President Jiang,” he said, extending his hand with gentlemanly courtesy. “Lin Xunan, pleased to meet you.”

Jiang Li had no idea what scheme he was playing at but played along, standing to greet him politely.

Her hand was gently squeezed. Looking up, she found Lin Xunan’s smile infinitely tender.

He released her hand and then looked at the senior brother. “This must be Teacher Cui’s senior disciple, Brother Ding,” he said, handing over a business card. “I guess we share some kind of fraternal bond.”

The senior brother took the card, raising an eyebrow. It was from the mysterious Lin family conglomerate’s eldest son.

He casually placed the card on the table, wearing his usual roguish grin. “So, Lin, I suppose I won’t have the chance to develop that bond with you.”

Lin Xunan moved to the seat beside Jiang Li and, before sitting, playfully asked, “President Jiang, do you mind?”

Jiang Li smiled but obediently shook her head. “Please, Mr. Lin.”

As he took his seat, his eyes roamed over Jiang Li and his own outfit before casually turning to the senior brother. “I learned Go under Teacher Cui when I was young.”

This revelation shocked not only the senior brother but Jiang Li as well, who looked at Cui Tao in surprise.

Cui Tao nodded with a broad smile. “Xunan is very talented, but unfortunately, he only studied for a short year before going abroad.”

“If he had continued,” he glared at his senior apprentice who was leaning back in his chair, “my senior disciple would already be a world-renowned nine-dan.”

“Teacher, give me some face,” the senior brother pleaded.

Cui Tao’s veins twitched. “Stop with the excuses. You’ve been stuck at eight-dan for four years. If you don’t advance next year, there’s no hope.”

The senior brother shrugged indifferently. “Even eight-dan is my little junior’s idol.”

“If your little junior’s idol were you, you would’ve been eliminated back when you first ranked,” Cui Tao shot back. “How did you make it this far?”

As they bickered, the door to the private room opened once more.

Jiang Li sprang from her seat, hands trembling with excitement.