Chapter 18: Security Change

The aftermath of the knee pillow incident, like a stone thrown into a lake of heart, caused subtle and lasting ripples between Yu Ling and Zhao Chen.

After that night, an unspoken understanding with a little awkwardness and sweetness quietly grew.

Yu Ling found it increasingly difficult to look directly into Zhao Chen's gentle amber eyes. She always felt that there was a whirlpool hidden beneath the clear surface of the lake that could suck her in.

And Zhao Chen seemed to have restrained his bluntness like "collecting a debt" that night, and returned to his usual thoughtfulness. However, when she looked up inadvertently, she would catch a glimpse of a mischievous glint of smile in his eyes, as if he was silently saying: Knee pillow, I remember it.

The main theme of life was still the busy "Xinghai Project." With Lin Wei at the helm, she had a clear vision for a breakthrough, team morale was high, and the results were steadily rising. Yu Ling, the core executive, was busy like a spinning top.

However, no matter how late she returned home, when she opened the door, she was always greeted by the perfect lighting, the warm fragrance that dispelled fatigue, and the busy figures in the kitchen wearing little whale aprons. The sense of security that she was well cared for became her strongest bulwark against high pressure.

However, the fortress itself seems to be quietly "upgrading".

Today is Saturday, a rare day off.

Yu Ling slept until she woke naturally, opened the curtains, and the sunlight poured into her bedroom. She wore comfortable loungewear and fluffy slippers, planning to head to the convenience store downstairs to buy some yogurt and fruit. The store downstairs wasn't big, but it had a wide selection of fresh goods, making it her go-to spot for weekend groceries.

She hummed a song and walked towards the entrance in a good mood. She changed her shoes and opened the door.

As soon as he walked out of the door of Room 1601, his steps stopped.

In the corridor, two unfamiliar security guards, wearing brand new, well-tailored dark blue uniforms with shiny epaulettes and standing as straight as javelins, were standing solemnly on both sides of the elevator hall, one on the left and one on the right, like two door gods.

Their standing posture was extremely standard, with their hands behind their backs, their eyes scanning the empty corridor sharply and vigilantly, and they exuded a well-trained, almost military-style sense of oppression.

These... aren't the two property management uncles who always smile and occasionally chat with the residents about daily life!

Yu Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously lightened her steps. She remembered clearly that when she moved in, the complex had strict security (entry required a card or a call), but the security guards were mostly affable, middle-aged men in standard uniforms, with a casual demeanor. The two men before her had completely different demeanors. Did they look more like bodyguards? Or perhaps retired special forces soldiers?

She steeled herself, trying not to look away as she walked towards the elevator. The two "door gods" fixed their gazes on her like searchlights, scrutinizing her. Yu Ling felt the hairs on her back stand on end. Only when she pressed the down button did those sharp eyes shift slightly, but they remained on high alert.

The elevator doors opened, revealing an empty space. Yu Ling stepped inside and pressed the first floor button. The elevator descended smoothly. She leaned against the cool wall of the cabin, her mind racing through the various "anomalies" she'd noticed in the two months since moving in—the luxurious daily necessities, the understated, exorbitantly priced furniture, Zhao Chen's fluid coding skills, the coincidence of Wang Tao being assigned to "Group Headquarters"... and the security guard who had suddenly "upgraded," whose aura rivaled that of a presidential bodyguard...

Doubts grow like vines.

The elevator reached the first floor. The doors opened, and Yu Ling stepped out. The feeling of being scrutinized finally vanished. Outside the apartment building, the sun, after the rain, was a bit glaring. She took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing her doubts, and walked towards the nearby convenience store.

After shopping, she walked back slowly, carrying her bags, enjoying the rare leisure time in the sunshine. Just as she reached the door of her apartment, she heard a low and rhythmic roar of an engine approaching from afar.

Yu Ling looked up subconsciously.

I saw a Rolls-Royce Phantom with smooth and elegant lines, shining with deep emerald green all over, gliding silently in front of the unit door like a noble king.

The shiny paintwork shone a dreamy luster in the sunlight. The driver, dressed in a neat uniform and white gloves, quickly got out of the car, trotted around to the back seat, and respectfully opened the heavy double doors.

A middle-aged woman, wearing a sophisticated camel-colored cashmere coat, delicate makeup, and a graceful demeanor, gracefully stepped out of the car. She carried a small, caramel-colored handbag emblazoned with the Delvaux logo in gold. She paused, her gaze casually glancing at Yu Ling with a condescending, indifferent air, as if Yu Ling were just another unremarkable plant on the side of the road.

Soon after, a young woman wearing a dark grey suit, gold-rimmed glasses, holding a tablet computer, and looking like an elite assistant came down from the passenger seat.

Yu Ling recognized that lady! She was her neighbor who lived on the penthouse floor! She'd seen her once in the elevator and had felt she had a powerful aura, something she must be rich or noble. Now with this Rolls-Royce and this demeanor...it was as expected!

At this moment, one of the two "door gods" security guards at the unit door came out quickly and gave the lady an impeccable nod of respect. His voice was steady and powerful: "Madam, you are back."

The woman simply nodded and gracefully entered the apartment. Her assistant followed closely behind her. The Rolls-Royce Phantom silently glided to the designated parking space nearby.

Yu Ling stood there, clutching a convenience store plastic bag filled with discounted yogurt and fruit on sale. The sun shone down on her, but she felt no warmth, only a sense of absurdity and distance. She felt like Cinderella who had strayed into a wealthy club, completely out of place.

She silently swiped the door open and walked in. The elevator happened to stop at the first floor. She stepped in and pressed the 16th floor. Before the elevator door closed, she saw the woman and her assistant walk to the exclusive elevator to the top floor duplex, which required a separate card swipe.

The elevator ascended. In the cramped space, Yu Ling stared at her own dazed face reflected on the mirror-like walls of the elevator. The convenience store plastic bag scraped softly in her hands. She recalled Zhao Chen's casual remarks about "the landlord has extensive connections," "a gift from a friend," and "a bargain on clearance"... Then she looked at the security arrangements before her, which rivaled those of a top-tier private club, and the grandeur of the neighbors...

This "connection" is a little too "wide"! These "friends" are a little too "rich"!

Back home, Zhao Chen was grinding coffee beans behind the counter in the open kitchen. The retro, priceless hand-cranked grinder emitted a steady rustling sound. The air was filled with the rich, mellow aroma of premium coffee beans.

"Are you back?" Zhao Chen heard the door open, raised his head and gave her a gentle smile. The sunlight fell on his body with a little whale apron, making him feel warm. "Did you buy anything delicious?" His eyes fell on the plastic bag in her hand.

"Yogurt, fruit." Yu Ling placed the bag on the counter, trying to sound casual, but her eyes couldn't help but glance toward the door. "Looks like they've changed security downstairs? He looks quite energetic."

"Oh, you mean Xiao Zhang and Xiao Li?" Zhao Chen didn't stop his movements, his tone as relaxed as if he was discussing the weather, "The property company's new security team is said to be retired special forces soldiers with good quality.

The landlord requested it, saying that several high-end residential areas nearby have recently increased security, and we can't fall behind." His explanation was reasonable, and with that sincere and harmless face, it was impossible to find fault with it.

"The landlord... is quite demanding." Yu Ling curled her lips, picked up an apple and went to wash it in the sink. Then, seemingly casually, she asked, "Just now, downstairs, I saw the lady from the top floor come back. She was driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom... She had such a strong aura."

"Yes, Mrs. Chen." Zhao Chen nodded and poured the ground coffee powder into the uniquely shaped siphon pot, which was obviously valuable at first glance. His movements were elegant and focused. "Her husband is in the energy business, and the family business is quite big. He is a very friendly person, but he doesn't like to talk much." His tone was flat, as if he was talking about Lao Wang next door.

Energy tycoon? Yu Ling tightened her grip around the apple. She thought of Zhao Chen's Bentley keys, carelessly tossed in a drawer, and all his "friends' cars"... This neighborhood was filled with hidden talents, far beyond her imagination! And how had Zhao Chen, an "ordinary employee," managed to "rent" here without incident, seemingly getting along peacefully with these neighbors?

The vines of doubt entangled even tighter.