Chapter 2. Director Xu is frequently followed? ...

When Xu Yan arrived at the private room, the atmosphere inside was already incredibly lively.

Most of them had a few drinks and were no longer restrained at the company, so they were basically dancing wildly.

But Xu Yan immediately spotted the new colleague in the middle of the sofa, who seemed to be the center of attention.

Surrounded by others, he seemed to be able to chat skillfully about anyone's topic, making everyone smile.

"Director Xu, over here." Lin Weiwei waved from the corner, and everyone noticed that Xu Yan had arrived.

Xu Yan concealed the impatience in her eyes, nodded slightly, and walked to the corner to sit next to Lin Weiwei.

"I didn't expect you to actually come." Lin Weiwei was still a little surprised and handed him a glass of ice water.

"Yes, the higher-ups specifically asked me to take care of him." Xu Yan leaned back on the sofa and rubbed his temples; the noise here made him very uncomfortable.

“Look.” Lin Weiwei gestured with her chin. “The kid you asked me to keep an eye on is over there, but I think he’s adapting very well.”

"I saw it." Xu Yan didn't look over; he couldn't handle someone like that.

Lin Weiwei, who was considered to have a good relationship with Xu Yan in the company, suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice, "That Wang Zhengning guy has a nose as sharp as a dog's. Look at how attentive he is. I heard that Chi Chen has quite a background. Do you think he might be the son of some big shot from headquarters who came down to have some fun..."

Xu Yan took a sip of ice water, briefly suppressing the irritation in her heart. "It's not important."

His attitude is clear, and it has always been so.

Lin Weiwei shrugged helplessly. Knowing Xu Yan's personality, she stopped discussing the topic and instead started talking about some unimportant things.

Xu Yan responded half-heartedly, but didn't actually listen to a word he said.

All he could hear was a buzzing sound; he was almost entirely focused on blocking out the noise.

But soon, Lin Weiwei nibbled at him with her elbow, "Damn it, that bastard brought someone over!"

Xu Yan snapped out of her daze and instinctively looked at the two people walking towards them.

Wang Zhengning probably felt that he had become familiar with Chi Chen, and his smug gaze fell on Xu Yan.

However, Chi Chen, who was standing next to her, still had an impeccable smile on his face, but Xu Yan keenly noticed the impatience that flashed in his eyes.

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow imperceptibly, her opinion of this seemingly naive and innocent rich second-generation heir changing slightly.

But it's not a good direction.

Wang Zhengning clearly didn't intend to leave Xu Yan uninvolved. His smile was gentle, and his tone carried just the right amount of familiarity. "Did I disturb your conversation? I brought Xiao Chi over to say hello."

As he spoke, he stepped aside to introduce Chi Chen, "This is Director Xu from our department. He is very professional and you can learn a lot from him in the future."

The natural praise subtly elevated Xu Yan in front of Chi Chen.

Many leaders' sons wouldn't like this feeling.

Chi Chen's gaze fell on Xu Yan, and the corners of his lips curved into a beautiful arc. "Director Xu, I've heard so much about you."

The moment she stood up, Xu Yan felt a faint, scrutinizing gaze.

This made him feel slightly offended and displeased.

But when I looked at the other person, their expression had returned to normal.

Their hands clasped briefly, then parted.

"Hello." Xu Yan's tone was distant.

Wang Zhengning was not surprised by Xu Yan's reaction, which was also his objective.

"Our Director Xu is just quiet by nature. Don't mind that he doesn't talk much, Xiao Chi. He's like that with everyone," Wang Zhengning added with a smile, seemingly trying to defuse the situation, but actually emphasizing once again that Xu Yan didn't take him seriously.

Chi Chen seemed oblivious to his implied meaning, took out his phone, and smiled sincerely, "Would it be convenient for Director Xu to add me on WeChat? I'll inevitably need to trouble you with work in the future."

Xu Yan didn't move, but simply raised her eyes and glanced at him indifferently. Her cold voice seemed to chill the air, "It's best not to bother me. If you need anything, post it in the work group."

The air froze for a moment; even if those words were said to an ordinary intern, they would be enough to provoke resentment.

A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Zhengning's eyes, which quickly turned into amusement as he watched the spectacle unfold.

Xu Yan's ruthlessness even exceeded his expectations.

However, Chi Chen's smile only paused slightly, and a deep smile flashed in his amber eyes.

He casually put his phone away, showing no embarrassment whatsoever. "Director Xu is right."

"Then we'll head over first," Wang Zhengning said, once again helping Chi Chen out of the predicament.

Xu Yan didn't say anything more, and the two people opposite her finally turned around and blended into the crowd.

However, he noticed that Chi Chen seemed to tilt his head slightly and glance at him.

Disturbed by the two of them, Xu Yan felt even more irritated, especially by Chi Chen's impeccable attitude.

But...

He appreciated it.

This made him feel vaguely uneasy.

"I get the feeling you don't really like that kid. Wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate to be so direct?" Lin Weiwei leaned closer, saying this, but her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

"Yes." Xu Yan did not deny it.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket.

This is a platform that Xu Yan has set up to pay special attention to.

He said to Lin Weiwei, "I'm leaving now."

After saying that, he left the private room and took out his phone to call back.

Unexpectedly, just as Xu Yan took out her phone and before she could even open the app, the door behind her opened.

"Yan, are you leaving?"

The boy's tone was exaggeratedly surprised, and there was no malice in it, but the sensitive monosyllable sound was like an icicle, piercing his eardrums with an undeniable force.

Xu Yan felt a chill run down his spine for no reason, and his usually calm mind went blank for a moment.

Is it Yan, or is it disgust?

When there are other people around, he is still being called Director Xu.

Xu Yan looked up and met Chi Chen's gaze, but did not speak immediately.

My mind raced, trying to figure out whether the other person's words were intentional or unintentional.

After all, his live streams are broadcast on external websites.

There is indeed a chance that you will see Chi Chen's profile picture while he is abroad.

But that was a gay live streaming platform.

Chi Chen appears to be as straight as can be.

Thinking of this, Xu Yan quickly calmed down and said coldly, "Are we that close?"

Chi Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes. "Sorry, I'm used to it abroad."

Xu Yan didn't say anything more and turned to leave.

They seemed unwilling to stay even a second longer.

It wasn't until she stepped out of the bar and felt the cool night breeze on her face that Xu Yan felt the stuffy air in her chest dissipate a little.

Although it was already past midnight, the streets were still crowded, and the late-night food stalls were still bustling with activity.

He looked out of place walking alone on the street.

Xu Yan picked up her phone and looked at her only pinned friend.

Xu Yan: I'm back.

Yan seems to be slower this time than before. Could it be that she's taken a liking to a new colleague?

Xu Yan pictured Chi Chen's face in her mind.

His curly, glossy brown hair made him look like a teddy bear.

His light-colored eyes, which always held a smile, made him feel that perhaps that was how he imagined her to look.

However, that abrupt "yan" and the ever-present, almost scrutinizing gaze were not endearing.

Xu Yan: No, I don't really like him, but my superiors asked me to take care of him.

My wife is lying.

Xu Yan paused, her brows furrowing in displeasure.

Xu Yan: Why would I need to lie?

I replied very slowly just now, probably because the other person's face was in my mind.

Xu Yan pursed her lips, admitting that she had indeed thought about it just now.

But I could tell just by looking through the phone.

Xu Yan dislikes the feeling of being guessed at and understood by others.

Just as he was about to continue typing, another message came in.

Just kidding, I have to go to class now, I'm logging off.

Xu Yan: Hmm.

Xu Yan: I just hate being doubted by the person I like. Please don't do that again next time, okay?

Okay, honey. [kiss]

After watching Xu Yan finish her tantrum, Chi Chen tried to appease her by saying something coaxing, and couldn't help but smile.

You heartless ingrate.

Even after two years of companionship and numerous gifts, he still lacked patience.

Most of the time, he was the one comforting her.

The other person's current cold demeanor is hard to reconcile with the person who flirted with him so effortlessly online.

Chi Chen's fingertips twitched slightly, unable to resist fantasizing about grabbing that fair neck with his own hands and pressing him down onto the messy bed.

Alone, I admire those beautiful eyes now soaked with pathetic tears.

Tsk, he needs to go out and calm down.

...

Xu Yan deliberately walked to a place a little further away to hail a taxi.

This time of day is considered peak hours, a characteristic of this busy city.

He stared idly at the ride-hailing app on his phone, unaware that someone was approaching.

"Hey buddy, all alone?"

A sleazy voice, mixed with the sour smell of alcohol, wafted towards us.

Two swaying men blocked his view.

Her gaze swept over his face with ill intent, then fell on his waist.

Xu Yan felt a churning in her stomach and frowned in disgust. "Get out of here."

"Pretty boy, what are you pretending for?" One of the men menacingly tried to grab him. "You're more seductive than a woman, you've probably been fucked to death by now."

Xu Yan quickly took a step back, barely dodging the insults. The foul language around him made his face turn pale, and he inevitably recalled some disgusting things.

Perhaps it was Xu Yan's arrogant attitude that angered him, because he suddenly became agitated and shouted, "Damn it, I'm going to make you feel good tonight!"

Xu Yan instinctively dodged, but unexpectedly, the person next to her suddenly pounced on her.

Just as his arm was about to be grabbed, another large, well-defined hand reached out and quickly seized the drunkard's wrist.

"Get your filthy hands off me."

The not-so-standard Chinese that rang in my ears brought a sense of security amidst the comicality.

Xu Yan subconsciously turned her head and saw that Chi Chen had appeared behind her at some point. The refreshing scent of cedar on his body briefly dispelled the nauseating smell of alcohol.

"Who are you?" The drunkard, who was being grabbed, grimaced and still argued back rudely, "So you've got someone else now. Fine, I'll leave."

The other drunkard, probably seeing Chi Chen's tall figure, turned and ran away without caring about his companion, leaving the drunkard in his arms dumbfounded.

Chi Chen released his hand, his nonchalant stance carrying an intense sense of pressure. "Need me to treat you?"

"No, no need..." The drunkard took two steps back in fear and ran away as fast as he could.

They were the only two people left on the street at that moment.

Xu Yan relaxed slightly and looked at Chi Chen, who also looked back at her.

"Are you alright?" Chi Chen's imposing aura vanished instantly. He touched his head somewhat embarrassedly, and his innocent eyes looked silly when he looked at him.

But Xu Yan was not fooled by such appearances. He stared into the other person's eyes with extreme calmness, trying to see something.

Chi Chen, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, chuckled and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Why are you here?" Xu Yan had suppressed the subtle fluctuations she felt when she was being protected, maintaining the distance between superiors and subordinates in her tone.

Chi Chen paused, but only leaned forward slightly, intentionally or unintentionally crossing the boundary of social distancing.

His direct gaze traveled from Xu Yan's beautiful eyelashes down to her tightly pursed lips.

"Director Xu is so vigilant..."

He seemed completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere, tilting his head slightly with an innocent air, his voice becoming increasingly soft and gentle.

"Are you often followed?"