C15 Chapter 15

"Brother-in-law, where are you headed?" Lee Sujin's face soured as she caught up to him.

Chen Dong glanced back at his sister-in-law, his expression revealing little emotion. "Where I go is my own business. Even your sister doesn't bother with me."

His implication was clear: Lee Sujin was being nosy.

What's there to be smug about? Lee Sujin thought, arms folded across her chest, her eyes brimming with scorn.

At the Lee family home, Chen Dong was without a car. To meet Yang Guogang at the agreed-upon spot, his only option was public transportation. To his surprise, Yang Guogang showed up at his doorstep early in the morning, the Maybach parked conspicuously at the curb. Chen Dong ducked into the car.

"Take a look at this." Yang Guogang handed a file to Chen Dong, his eyes shadowed with dark circles from a sleepless night. "I put this together last night."

Chen Dong accepted the file, which detailed everything about Yang Qi—her interests, her height, her weight—all meticulously noted. Naturally, he knew his daughter well.

Yang Guogang truly was an exemplary father.

Chen Dong, with his excellent memory, quickly absorbed the information. Yang Guogang stopped the car in front of Susu Fashion and instructed him to get out. Standing on the commercial street, Chen Dong was puzzled as he faced the Susu Fashion building.

Protecting Yang Qi meant frequent encounters with Lee Susu, which gave Chen Dong a headache. Steeling himself, he entered the building, immediately becoming the focus of attention. Wasn't his presence in the company well-known to everyone?

"Do you think Chen Dong can really come up with a million yuan to pay back Director Zhang in just three days?"

"Do you actually believe that?" The respondent scoffed dismissively, "What else would he be here for, if not for money?"

It was common knowledge throughout the company that Chen Dong's visits were solely for financial gain. No one expected him to repay that million yuan; ultimately, it would likely fall on Lee Susu to cover it.

Chen Dong pressed his lips together, giving the impression he hadn't heard their conversation at all.

He had never set foot in the model lounge before. As he walked in, he accidentally bumped into someone, causing their armful of documents to scatter across the floor. Chen Dong quickly apologized, gathering the papers and handing them back to the individual.

Upon closer inspection, he recognized the girl with delicate features, the kind you'd find in a quaint family home. She was the same girl who had spoken up for him the day before. Her name was Tao.

Tao recognized Chen Dong as well, offering a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Chen."

"Thank you for your help yesterday." Chen Dong appreciated her willingness to step forward when everyone else simply watched from the sidelines.

Tao's smile turned shy, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushing as she stammered, "It was... nothing, really..."

"Do you know where the model lounge is?" Chen Dong inquired, relieved to have someone to ask for directions.

Tao spun around, pointing out the way. Mr. Chen was supposed to be meeting with Director Lee, wasn't he? Why was he heading to the model's area? Curiosity aside, Tao didn't ask.

After expressing his gratitude, Chen Dong promised to treat her to a meal next time, then headed in the direction Tao had indicated. Tao wondered if she had misunderstood—was he really going to treat her to a meal?

Chen Dong was genuinely a nice guy.

Turning a corner, Chen Dong found himself at the model lounge, which was divided into several numbered restrooms, likely corresponding to the models' ID numbers. Yang Guogang had mentioned that Yang Qi's room was number five.

Opening the door, he stepped into a bright and spacious lounge with a tall mirror at its center, flanked by rows of dazzling wardrobes. Off to the side, a dressing table stood next to a woman in a flowing white gown, her fair back bare, her makeup impeccable.

Catching sight of Chen Dong in the mirror, Yang Qi asked indifferently, "Is my father assigning me a new bodyguard?"

The woman exuded an air of elegance. Chen Dong withdrew his attention, musing that beautiful women often had fiery tempers. He touched his nose and acknowledged, "Yes."

"Oh." Yang Qi responded indifferently, setting aside her face brush and gesturing dismissively, "You may leave now."

What?

Chen Dong remained rooted to the spot, prompting Yang Qi to rise from her chair and approach him. She sized him up and remarked, "With your slight build, just forget it."

Was Chen Dong really that frail-looking? His mouth twitched slightly as he replied with measured indifference, "I've already accepted Mr. Yang's payment, so it's my duty to ensure Miss Yang's safety."

"Come in," Yang Qi signaled with a clap of her hands, as if cueing someone outside.

Instantly, two towering bodyguards materialized behind Chen Dong. Their sheer size was imposing, casting a heavy shadow over him.

Chen Dong, unfazed, touched his nose again and inquired, "What exactly are you implying, Miss Yang?"

"Take him away," Yang Qi commanded the bodyguards with a glance, then turned and settled back into her chair, acting as if the incident was of no consequence.

"There's no need," Chen Dong interjected, extricating himself from the grasp of the two men who were about to lay hands on him, his expression unreadable. "I'll leave on my own."

Exiting the model's lounge, Chen Dong took a seat. The three million yuan transfer was complete; there was no turning back from the job now. He had to see it through. Lost in thought, he was interrupted by a man who approached and inquired, "Is this the model's lounge?"

"Yes."

This man was even more imposing than Yang Qi's bodyguards, dressed in a suit that revealed a tattooed wrist, the ink sprawling up his entire arm.

As he passed by, his presence was commanding, but Chen Dong wasn't intimidated. He couldn't help but wonder if this was yet another bodyguard hired by Yang Qi.

To his surprise, after the tattooed man entered Yang Qi's lounge, the two bodyguards were abruptly ejected, offering no resistance. The sounds of an argument between the man and a woman spilled out, the door still ajar, drawing curious models from the lounge to investigate the commotion.

"Qiqi, come with me," the tattooed man demanded as he tightly grasped the woman's slender wrist, dragging her towards the exit without patience.

Yang Qi was clearly outmatched. She attempted to wrench her hand free several times, but she couldn't break his grip. "Let me go! Let me go!"

The crowd outside grew, drawn to the spectacle. The tattooed man's agitation heightened, and he yanked at Yang Qi's wrist until it reddened. "Obey me!"

Enraged, Yang Qi leaned in and bit down hard on the tattooed man's arm. Seizing the moment as he recoiled in pain, she swiftly withdrew her hand.