Duan Sheng's Purpose

Yu Shenqi. Next to no one in the country would miss out on such a name. Yu Shenqi was one of the most beautiful faces in the country, earning a standing of a supermodel for multiple designer brands. However, all humans age and grow old. Yu Shenqi had long retired from the limelight, settling down with a man she met in a fund-raising event.

By the way the news was delivered, it would sound like Yu Shenqi was now basking in her retirement. Only a few knew that her very non-showbiz husband was a business giant... Lai Julong.

Right, Yu Shenqi—a fairy that descended from the heavens as she was dubbed—gave birth to the vessel of a demon king that was once feared by the heavens.

Yu Shenqi wasn't benevolent; she was a venomous black mamba if someone would dare describe her personality. She only kept her mouth shut and her lips curled when she was famous. Right now, she was full-on bitch mode, making sure that her husband's ducks were in a row. That included Director Huang who her husband could not kick out for some reason. They might not be able to get him to leave, but it didn't mean she couldn't terrorize him.

The black mamba only stared and pinched on that finger she was holding. Director Huang took his hand away and cussed inwardly; his finger had fallen prey to another's claws again.

"Madam Lai, fancy seeing you here." Director Huang only kept his grim smile. He then turned to Lai Mingjie to excuse himself. "I'll see you around, Director Lai." He immediately vanished as if he was walking three times faster than normal.

"That goat. Your father should just get rid of him." Yu Shenqi huffed before looking at the son who was caging his rage. She then hummed as she used a hand to hold his arm and take him away. "Jie, is it true? You have a new secretary? Why didn't I know of this?"

Lai Mingjie made a sour face at his mother. She was already the mother of a twenty-seven-year-old, but she looked like they were siblings instead. How awful was it for his father to be with a woman looking twenty years younger than him? Then again, it wasn't the reason why he was making such a face towards her. "Mother, no need to worry. It's not a young woman."

Right, the reason why Lai Mingjie's secretary was an auntie... was that his mother didn't want him to mingle with young people. Young men and women would lead to places where he might meet other single ladies. An older man could also sympathize with him and let him have fun. Lai Mingjie was already promised to another family's daughter so Yu Shenqi couldn't risk him falling for someone else. Her son wasn't fond of the daughter so she needed to fence him herself. She was already happy when Lai Mingjie said he'd marry the daughter after he turned thirty.

"Oh, isn't it?" Her knife-sharp eyeliner made her already-sharp eyes viable to kill. "It was a twenty-three-year-old male. Tell me, does he take you drinking to places? Does he introduce women to you?"

"No..." Lai Mingjie could only chuckle. He was the one bringing people to drink instead.

"I heard he was unbelievably charming. Is he in?" His mother began asking questions Lai Mingjie didn't want to answer. Liu Qiu was following them, and he already knew what she was thinking even without her opening her mouth.

It was troubling nonetheless. What if his mother caught Xu Rouguang's advances? What if Liu Qiu caught it as well? He just hoped Xu Rouguang would remain behaved as he was for the last few weeks. Right, he hadn't heard much from Botangca for the past few days...

Ever since Xu Rouguang started living with him, he had never gone to Bloodvein Café again. Xu Rouguang was cooking his meals day in, day out. He would even make meals for them three to eat in the office. To think about it, the food always tasted so delicious compared to everything laced with bloodvein. What if Xu Rouguang was putting something in his food?

A slap came to his forehead, which woke him up from his daze. He turned to his glaring mother from whom he must have inherited such a pointed look.

"Jie, I said... do you know if he has a girlfriend?"

"Mother, you know that's not a good thing to ask. Besides, it's not like it should matter." He waved his hand. Was she thinking about how the girlfriend could bring food to them and grow a little too close to him? Heh, if anything, Xu Rouguang could be the girlfriend himself.

They arrived at the office of the Finance Director, and Xu Rouguang greeted them with a smile. They were just in time for lunch. Then again, Lai Mingjie gave him a glare as if silencing him, and it confused the general. He then saw Yu Shenqi stare at him, which he had to greet with respect as well.

Yu Shenqi didn't even mask her business and circled the young man. She had read his file, and she knew that the Duan family kicked him out of their estate. This kid was referred by that strangely ever-kind old man, Duan Sheng. His daughter was already married, and a grandchild would be too young. What was his purpose of sending such an attractive, friendly man to Lai Mingjie?

The mother only snorted softly. She was suddenly disgusted by her thoughts... as if Duan Sheng was the one who presented those ideas to her personally. Yu Shenqi didn't come to the old man's funeral just because she didn't trust him at all. In fact, she never trusted anyone from getting too near her Mingjie. Even Liu Qiu was barely safe from her.

"Rouguang, this is my mother. Mother, that's my new secretary." Lai Mingjie only made a short introduction before entering his inner office. Liu Qiu settled on her desk and worked for the remaining minutes before twelve strikes.

"Greetings, Madam Lai. Would you like some tea?" Xu Rouguang was wise to lead her into Lai Mingjie's office. Of course, she wanted to sit down; and the best place would be the guest couch inside Lai Mingjie's office.

"Hm, no thanks." Yu Shenqi couldn't help but sneer at the secretary as she walked to the door. Xu Rouguang didn't take it to heart since she wasn't blocking his path yet. No one knew how he would react if she started stopping him from getting near Lai Mingjie.

"Jie, have lunch with me and your father." Yu Shenqi called out as soon as Xu Rouguang opened the door for her. She saw Lai Mingjie loosening his tie and piling his work on one side of his desk. Even his begrudging hiss didn't escape her ears. Then again, there was no point in calling out her son in his behavior; she was the one who had given birth and raised this devil after all.

Hearing so made Xu Rouguang's eyes dim. He prepared something for Lai Mingjie's lunch today, but it's a pity he wouldn't be able to eat it. However, he was aware that he shouldn't make a fuss over it. It would heavily implicate Lai Mingjie and Duan Sheng. He could only step back, letting Yu Shenqi spin on her heel to head out.

Lai Mingjie knew Xu Rouguang's temperament. He whispered to him as he passed him by, "Save my share, or else..."

"I will, Jie. Have a great lunch, director." The general almost giggled before bowing lightly. However, as he lifted his face, Yu Shenqi was staring at him with wide eyes.

Was it something he said?