1.2: So it's you.

It's been 4 days since Li Jinshen arrived in this world, and he was BUSY.

If he wasn't in a meeting, he was signing documents, and if he wasn't doing that, he was back in another meeting. By the time he got home, it was always late, so it wasn't surprising that he hadn't run into that man from the elevator again. Not that it mattered—he didn't even know the guy's name and wasn't particularly interested in finding out.

Now, it was the day before Zhang Wei's birthday party, and he found himself dragged into a task he didn't particularly enjoy: shopping for new clothes. Grandma Li had insisted that both he and Li Jianyu needed fresh, formal attire, and when she insisted, there was no room for debate.

Li Jinshen stood in front of a mirror, adjusting the cuff of a crisp white shirt under a sleek black suit jacket. Next to him, Li Jianyu was slouched on a chair, fiddling with his phone.

"Are we seriously doing this?" Jianyu drawled, looking up with an exasperated expression. "It's a birthday party, not a red-carpet event. Who even cares what we're wearing?"

"Grandma cares." Jinshen replied calmly not even glancing at him. "And you know how she gets."

Li Jianyu sighed dramatically, leaning back in his chair. "I'm just saying, we're grown men. We should be able to pick our own clothes without being forced into a fitting."

"You wouldn't have gone shopping at all if she hadn't forced you." Li Jinshen pointed out.

"Exactly." Li Jianyu shot back, smirking slightly. "I'm not the one walking around like some perfect poster boy for the Li family."

Li Jinshen didn't reply, instead he turned slightly to examine his outfit. The tailored suit fit him perfectly, the dark material hugging his broad shoulders and circling at his waist.

"Do you like this one?" He asked, ignoring Jianyu's comment entirely.

"It's fine." Li Jianyu said with a lazy wave. "You could wear a potato sack, and people would still think you're perfect."

Li Jinshen adjusted his collar, unbothered by his comment. "I'll take that as a yes then."

Li Jianyu groaned and finally got up from his chair, heading toward the rack of suits the sales associate had brought in.

"Fine, my turn. Let's get this over with."

He picked up a navy-blue suit and held it up, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think? Too flashy, or will it make me look like the CEO of the year?"

"It's appropriate." Li Jinshen said simply.

Li Jianyu rolled his eyes. "God, you're no fun. Appropriate, he says. Why don't you ever just say something like 'That looks good' or 'Wow, you're so handsome, Jianyu'?"

"You already know you're handsome" Li Jinshen replied calmly, sitting down in the chair Li Jianyu had vacated. "You don't need me to tell you."

Li Jianyu smirked, slipping on the jacket and checking himself out in the mirror. "True. But still, a little enthusiasm wouldn't kill you."

"Grandma would appreciate it if you focused less on fishing for compliments and more on actually looking presentable." Li Jinshen said, leaning back slightly.

Li Jianyu turned, grinning as he struck a pose. "Presentable? I'm more than presentable—I'm a masterpiece."

Li Jinshen didn't even blink. "If you're done admiring yourself, we still need to pick shoes."

Li Jianyu let out a dramatic groan, throwing his head back. "I can't believe this. The great Vice President Li Jinshen, dragged into a shopping trip like some regular office worker."

"And who would have guessed he would be accompanied by the great CEO Li Jianyu?" Li Jinshen said before standing up. "We're both stuck here until we get our clothes."

Li Jianyu sighed, shaking his head as he turned back to the mirror. "Fine, fine. Let's finish this. But next time, I'm sending you on my behalf."

"I'm sure she'll love that." Li Jinshen replied dryly, already heading toward the shoe section.

***

After shopping, they both went back to the company while the things they picked out will be sent to their houses by the shop's delivery.

Since tomorrow was a special day, Li Jinshen left work early, something he rarely did. The drive back to his apartment was quiet his thoughts wandering to the story this world's novel.

"He got obsessed with the Female Lead and acted completely stiff around her." Li Jinshen mused, gripping the steering wheel lightly. "That's surprising, considering how Jianyu behaves. With the way he is, it's a miracle if he's not shamelessly flirting with someone. Let alone acting like some awkward robot."

The more Li Jinshen thought about it, the more inconsistencies he noticed. The Li Jianyu he knew was confident, bold, and even cocky. The idea of him stumbling over his words, fumbling through interactions with someone he liked? It didn't add up.

"And it's not just that-" he continued, his gaze flickering to the rearview mirror as he made a turn. "The company. His accident. The way things played out in the novel—it was all too... convenient. "

Li Jinshen tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, his mind racing. Something didn't sit right. The gaps between the Li Jianyu he knew and the one from the story were too wide, the circumstances too. It was almost as if the world had bent the narrative to fit an entirely different character.

"Fishy doesn't even begin to cover it." he thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Maybe there's more to this plot derailment than what 49 told me."

His thoughts were interrupted when he reached his building. Pulling into the underground garage, he parked his car in his usual spot.

Just as he was about to step out, another car pulled into the space right next to his. Jinshen glanced over, curious.

The car door opened, and the man from the elevator stepped out.

"It's that man." Li Jinshen thought, his expression calm as he gave the man a small nod of acknowledgment.

The man returned the nod, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he shut the car door. "Fancy seeing you here."

Li Jinshen didn't respond immediately, his sharp eyes observing the man briefly. Then, with his usual composed tone, he said, "We seem to live in the same building. It's bound to happen."

The man chuckled lightly. "True enough. Still, it's nice to finally run into you again."

Li Jinshen didn't linger on the words. He simply adjusted his cuffs and turned toward the elevator. "Excuse me."

The man watched him go, his smirk deepening slightly as he followed at a leisurely pace.

They both stepped into the elevator, Li Jinshen pressing the buttons for the fifth and seventh floors. The man leaned against the back wall casually, his posture relaxed as he studied Jinshen with an unreadable smile.

"Are you always this composed after work?" He asked, his tone light but teasing.

Li Jinshen glanced at him briefly. "It's a habit."

"Good habit to have, I guess." He said, his smile widening slightly. "You're like one of those unshakable types, nothing fazes you. Not even running into strangers in elevators."

Li Jinshen's lips curved faintly. "Politeness is also a habit."

He let out a quiet chuckle. "That it is. I'm Qi Han, by the way." he said, extending a hand. "Figured we might as well introduce ourselves, seeing as we keep running into each other."

After a brief pause, Li Jinshen accepted the handshake. "Li Jinshen."

"Li Jinshen." Qi Han repeated, as though savoring the name. "It suits you."

"Thank you." Li Jinshen replied simply, withdrawing his hand.

Qi Han stepped back, his expression casual but his gaze lingering. "You have the kind of presence that sticks with people. Hard to forget."

Li Jinshen glanced at him briefly before returning his gaze to the doors. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely." Qi Han said smoothly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "I'd say you're hard to miss."

The elevator hummed softly as it continued upward. When the it finally stopped and the doors opened on the fifth floor, Qi Han stepped out, pausing for a moment. "Have a good evening, Li Jinshen. I'm sure I'll see you again soon."

"You too." Li Jinshen replied politely, his tone steady.

As the doors slid shut, Li Jinshen leaned back slightly against the elevator wall his thoughts briefly flickered to the name Qi Han. It felt familiar but he didn't dwell too much into it. There were plenty of people with notable names, and it wasn't worth overanalyzing.

Had he cared to it, he might have recalled that he once saw Qi Han's picture when he was searching for the president of Tianhua Group, the biggest rival of Liwei Group. But at this moment, he simply filed the name away as unimportant.

When Li Jinshen arrived at his apartment, he headed straight for the bathroom, as was his routine. The hot water helped ease the tension from the day, and by the time he stepped out, he felt much more relaxed.

After drying off and changing into a comfortable set of clothes, he went to his bedroom and settled on the edge of the bed.

"49, come out." He thought, and a soft ding immediately followed.

[Hello, Host! Finally, you called me!] 49 chirped as it appeared in its usual squishy, glowing form, bouncing around excitedly.

"You didn't explain the system properly earlier," Li Jinshen said, pointing to a floating screen that had appeared when he entered this world. "Especially the points and… all of this."

[Oh, right!] 49 said, spinning in the air. [Let me show you your character profile. One second...]

A translucent screen popped up in front of Li Jinshen, displaying neatly organized information.

---

{Character Profile}

Host: Yu Zihan

Level: 1

Points: 0

Current Body: Li Jinshen

Age: 34

Skills:

-Corporate Strategy (Advanced)

-Social Perception (Advanced)

-Negotiation (Intermediate)

-Combat Basics (Intermediate)

Store: Available

Missions: Stabilize the world of [The CEO's Runaway Wife]

Side missions: ???

---

"What's the purpose of all this?" Li Jinshen asked, his eyes scanning the profile.

[Easy! This is your progress tracker,] 49 explained brightly. [Let me break it down for you.]

[Level: This shows your current level in the system. Completing missions and earning points will help you level up.

Points: You earn these by completing tasks and missions successfully. Points can be spent in the store for items, skills, or upgrades.

Skills: These are abilities tied to both you and the body you're inhabiting. You can improve or add to them using points.

Store: This is where you can spend points on useful things! Items, temporary boosts, even special skills tailored to your mission and many others things.

Missions: This section keeps track of your objectives in each world. Right now, your mission is to stabilize the plot of this world and prevent its collapse.]

Li Jinshen nodded slowly, taking in the information. "So, points are essentially currency for the store. And missions are how I earn them?"

[Exactly!] 49 said, spinning happily. [Think of it as a game, but with real-world consequences. The more points you have, the better tools and skills you can get to make things easier.]

"And this level?" Li Jinshen asked, raising an eyebrow.

[Your level reflects your progress across all worlds. As you level up, new features and store items unlock. It's also a good way to see how far you've come.]

Li Jinshen hummed thoughtfully, leaning back against the headboard. "And what's in the store?"

[Oh, all sorts of things!] 49 said eagerly. [There are general items like disguises, temporary boosts like charisma or strength, skills like martial arts or seduction and too much things. But you'll need points for any of it.]

"And I have none right now." Li Jinshen said flatly, glancing at the big, glaring "0" next to his points.

[Not yet.] 49 said cheerfully. [But don't worry! Completing your first mission will give you a nice chunk of starting points. You're just getting started, Host!]

Li Jinshen sighed, dismissing the screen with a wave of his hand. "Fine. At least I know what I'm working with now."

[That's the spirit!] 49 said, bouncing once before settling into a calmer glow. [Anything else you want?]

"Yes," Li Jinshen said calmly, his sharp eyes observing the system closely. He tilted his head slightly. "The plot you gave me at the beginning and the way things are going right now don't match up."

49 froze mid-air, its glow dimming slightly. For a moment, the little orb didn't move, then it flickered strangely, a pulse of light passing through its body before it quickly resumed its usual brightness.

[Well, Host.] 49 began, its voice just as cheerful but with a faint edge of something Li Jinshen couldn't quite place, [that's because this is a real world. The people here aren't just characters, they're real individuals with their own thoughts and decisions. So, naturally, the plot will… shift a bit.]

Li Jinshen raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Is that so?"

[Of course!] 49 chirped, spinning in place as though to reinforce its enthusiasm. [Real people aren't confined to a script. They have free will, so things don't always play out exactly like the original storyline.] It paused for a moment, its glow dimming just slightly. [But don't worry! The core elements of the plot are still there, and your mission remains the same—to stabilize the world.]

Li Jinshen hummed thoughtfully, his gaze steady on the system. He'd already suspected as much. The obvious inconsistencies between the Li Jianyu of the novel and the Li Jianyu of this world weren't just differences in interpretation—they felt deliberate, like there was something deeper at play.

Still, he didn't let his thoughts show. Instead, his lips curved into a small, faintly amused smile. "That's a reasonable explanation," he said smoothly.

[See? Nothing to worry about, Host!] 49 said quickly, its cheerful tone back in full force. [Just focus on your mission, and everything will work out!]

"Of course," Li Jinshen replied lightly, leaning back against the headboard. "Thank you for the clarification."

[You're welcome!] 49 said, bouncing once more before settling into a soft glow.

As 49 continued to talk about points and missions, Li Jinshen's smile lingered, but his thoughts remained sharp. Something about the system's behavior felt off—the hesitation, the flicker of light, the way it had repeated itself.

"It's hiding something." he thought even though his expression remained calm. "But for now, I'll play along."

[Anything else you want to ask, Host?] 49 asked brightly, completely unaware of the scrutiny it was under.

"No, that will be all for now." Li Jinshen said with a dismissive wave. "You can go."

[Okay! Don't hesitate to call me if you need me!] 49 said, vanishing with a cheerful ding.

As the room fell silent once more, Li Jinshen's faint smile faded. His gaze rested on the spot where 49 had disappeared, his mind already working through the strange behavior.

"This situation really is more than it seems..." he muttered to himself before closing his eyes, letting the thoughts settle for now.

***

The next morning, Li Jinshen didn't go to the company. Instead, he drove straight to Li Jianyu's house, as instructed by Grandpa Li. Apparently, it was essential for the two of them to arrive together, and he would meet them at the venue later.

When Li Jinshen arrived, Jianyu was already pacing back and forth in the living room, looking like he'd been up far too early for his liking.

"Dammit! Is this because of all the bad stunts I pulled when I was younger?" Li Jianyu muttered, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Why does grandfather hate me?"

"He doesn't hate you." Li Jinshen replied calmly, sitting down at the dining table where a neatly set breakfast awaited him. He picked up a piece of toast and began buttering it. "You're just his favorite target for discipline because you make it so easy."

Li Jianyu shot him an incredulous look. "Easy? I'm running the company, aren't I? Do you have any idea how hard that is? And now he wants me to play nice at some party?!"

"Hard to imagine." Li Jinshen said dryly, taking a sip of his coffee. "Especially with all the time you spend dodging his calls."

"That's called survival." Li Jianyu said defensively, throwing his hands up. "I'm still alive, right?"

"For now." Li Jinshen replied with a faint smirk, setting his cup down.

Li Jianyu groaned dramatically and started pacing again. "I don't get it. Why do we even have to go to this party? Zhang Wei doesn't even like me. Last time we talked, he told me I look like I haven't slept in ten years."

"He's not wrong." Li Jinshen commented, glancing at Jianyu's disheveled appearance. "And it's not about you. It's about maintaining relationships for the family. This is basic."

Li Jianyu stopped pacing to glare at him. "Says the perfect Vice President who never has to deal with people insulting his dark circles."

Li Jinshen ignored the jab, calmly spreading jam on his toast. "Sit down, Jianyu. You're exhausting to watch."

Li Jianyu flopped into a chair across from him, sighing loudly. "Fine. But I'm not happy about this."

"Noted." Li Jinshen said, taking a bite of his toast. "And utterly irrelevant. You're going anyway."

Li Jianyu grabbed a piece of apple from the table, leaning back in his chair. "You know you sound more like a very annoying older brother right now."

"That's because I am." Li Jinshen replied smoothly.

Li Jianyu huffed but didn't argue, chewing on the apple in silence. For a moment, the room was quiet except for the faint clinking of dishes.

"Do you think Zhang Wei is going to lecture us about 'youth' again?" Li Jianyu finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Without a doubt." Li Jinshen said. "Brace yourself."

"Great." Li Jianyu muttered. "Just great."

Li Jinshen didn't bother replying, finishing his coffee and standing up. "Get yourself together. We leave in an hour."

Li Jianyu groaned but didn't move. "Do I have to wear a tie?"

"Yes."

"Figures." Li Jianyu grumbled, slouching further into his chair.

Li Jinshen just shook his head with a smile before going to the living to spend the next hour watching shows.

An hour later, Li Jinshen and Li Jianyu were in the car, both sitting behind the driver, heading to the party. Li Jianyu wore a perfectly tailored suit and a cold expression to match.

"If I have to be here, I might as well make an impression." He'd muttered, adjusting his tie with a self-satisfied look.

Li Jinshen, seating next to him, merely shrugged. "Whatever helps you cope."

He'd spent the drive finishing some last-minute work on his laptop, typing efficiently while letting Li Jianyu sulk.

As they arrived, Li Jinshen closed his laptop and placed it neatly in the compartment before stepping out. Li Jianyu followed, his cold demeanor firmly in place.

The two were immediately greeted by Grandpa Li, who stood at the entrance, his arms crossed and a sharp look in his eyes.

"You're late." He said, his tone firm but not without warmth.

"We're on time." Li Jinshen replied smoothly, his voice calm as always.

"Barely." He huffed before turning to Li Jianyu. "And you, straighten up. You look like you're attending a funeral, not a party."

Li Jianyu frowned, clearly unimpressed. "I'm here, isn't that enough?"

Grandpa Li's eyes narrowed. "Don't take that tone with me, boy. If I hadn't insisted, you'd have skipped this entirely."

"Which would've been fine." Li Jianyu muttered, crossing his arms.

"Watch it." He warned.

Standing slightly to the side, Li Jinshen observed the exchange with faint amusement. He said nothing, letting the back-and-forth between his father and nephew play out. Li Jianyu, now absolutely grumpy, scowled and turned slightly away, muttering something under his breath.

"Enough!" Grandpa Li finally said, exhaling heavily. "Let's go inside before you embarrass me any further."

With that, they all walked toward the entrance, the sound of laughter and conversation spilling out from the house.

The house itself was a beautiful blend of traditional and modern design. The main structure featured clean lines and large glass windows, but the details—wooden beams, intricate carvings, and traditional roof tiles—added a classic touch. A sprawling garden surrounded the property, filled with vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. It was easy to see how much care had gone into it.

"Uncle Zhang's garden." Li Jinshen murmured, his eyes taking in the lush greenery as they approached. "He's improved it since last time."

"Ever since his wife passed..." Grandpa Li sighed softly. "He spends most of his time here, I guess it reminds him of her."

They stepped into the house, where the party was in full swing. The large living area was filled with people chatting and laughing, their voices mingling with the soft sound of classical music playing in the background.

As soon as the Li family entered, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Heads turned, and a handful of people made their way over to greet them.

The attention, predictably, was focused on Jianyu. As the CEO of Liwei Group, he was a figure of interest, even in social settings.

"President Li, it's a pleasure to see you again," one man said, holding out his hand.

Li Jianyu accepted the handshake, his expression cool but polite. "Likewise."

Another guest joined in, offering a warm smile. "It's rare to see you at these kinds of events. How have things been at Liwei Group?"

Li Jianyu responded with his usual curt efficiency, giving enough information to satisfy without inviting further conversation. "Busy, as always. Excuse me."

He moved on quickly, his demeanor making it clear that small talk wasn't high on his priority list. Li Jinshen, watching from a step behind, felt a flicker of amusement. Li Jianyu was only this cold and reserved with people outside his inner circle. The contrast to his earlier grumbling was stark.

Eventually, Zhang Wei himself appeared, his presence moving the attention to him as he walked toward them with a warm smile. Despite his age, he was energetic, his sharp eyes bright as he greeted the Li family.

"Li Zhiyuan!" Zhang Wei called out, his voice full of warmth. "You old fox, it's been too long!"

"Zhang Wei!" Grandpa Li replied with equal energy, stepping forward to clasp his friend's hand. "Still as loud as ever, I see."

The two men laughed heartily, their bond obvious as they exchanged pleasantries.

Li Jinshen and Li Jianyu stepped back slightly, allowing the two old friends to talk. Zhang Wei gave them a nod of acknowledgment before turning his full attention back to Grandpa Li.

"Well, we've done our part." Li Jianyu muttered, glancing at Jinshen.

"For now." Li Jinshen replied calmly, his gaze sweeping the room.

Unknowingly to both of them, a sleek black car pulled into the garage, parking hastily in an empty spot. The driver's door swung open, and a tall man stepped out, adjusting his glasses with an exasperated sigh. His features were refined, with a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, giving him an intelligent look. He tugged at the cuff of his crisp white shirt, muttering under his breath.

"Fuck! Uncle is going to kill me." He groaned, running a hand through his slightly messy hair.

The passenger door opened next, revealing a man who moved with an effortless confidence. It was Qi Han, his suit immaculate as always, a sharp contrast to Chen Yu's slightly disheveled appearance.

"Well, I'll be sure to attend your funeral." Qi Han said leaning casually against the car. His lips curved into a smirk as he added, "And don't worry I'll make sure to write on your tombstone 'Here lies Chen Yu, killed by his own uncle because he didn't know which way was left or right'."

Chen Yu shot him an incredulous look, one hand still adjusting his glasses. "Excuse me? I was perfectly aware of where I was going. I just took a few... creative detours."

"Creative detours?" Qi Han raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Is that what you're calling 'getting lost for thirty minutes before somehow finding ourselves in a beach at the complete opposite part of the city' now?"

Chen Yu gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "I am offended. Offended, I tell you! I'm a genius doctor, not a navigator."

"Clearly." Qi Han drawled, rolling his eyes. "Remind me to never let you near a GPS again. You'd probably program it to diagnose the road instead of giving directions."

Chen Yu pointed a finger at him, his expression a mix outrage and amusement. "I'll have you know, my patients call me a miracle doctor!"

"Miracle doctor or not, I'm still the one who had to guide you here like a lost puppy." Qi Han smirked. "Should I get you a leash next time?"

Chen Yu huffed, straightening his glasses as if to reclaim some dignity. "You're just jealous you can't pull off the 'intellectual charm' look like I can."

Qi Han's smirk widened. "Please. I don't need glasses to be charming. My natural charisma does all the work."

"Natural charisma, huh?" Chen Yu gave him a once-over, pretending to scrutinize. "Looks more like natural arrogance to me."

"Call it what you like." Qi Han replied, his tone dripping with pure sarcasm. "But at least I don't need an excuse to get lost to make an entrance."

Chen Yu let out a laugh despite himself, shaking his head as he grabbed his jacket from the car. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"And yet, you keep inviting me to places." Qi Han quipped, pushing off the car with an easy grace. 'Now, come on. I'm not about to let you face your uncle alone. Watching him tear into you might just make my night."

"Some friend you are." Chen Yu muttered, but his tone was light as the two of them headed toward the house.

When they finally walked into the hall, the chatter died down, and all eyes turned toward the latecomers. For a brief moment, people seemed curious about who dared to arrive so late. But when they saw Chen Yu—Zhang Wei's famous nephew—and Qi Han, the president of Tianhua Group, the curious glances turned into polite smiles.

Don't joke with them! Who would dare comment on their tardiness, one was the country's top doctor, whose patients always left his care alive and well, and the other was one of the richest and most powerful men in the world. If anyone had the right to stroll in whenever they wanted, it was them.

Chen Yu barely acknowledged the crowd, his focus locked on finding his uncle as quickly as possible. He didn't want to risk being scolded in front of everyone. Qi Han, however, was in no rush. He walked beside Chen Yu, taking his time, his relaxed smirk making it seem like being late was part of his plan all along.

By the food table, Li Jinshen noticed the sudden quiet and glanced up briefly. He couldn't see the source of the commotion; too many people were blocking his view. All he caught were bits of whispered conversations from the guests nearby.

"Isn't that the president of Tianhua Group?" someone murmured.

"Of course it is!" another replied. "He's even more impressive in person."

"And with Chen Yu, no less. What a pair."

"Well, he's practically untouchable," someone added. "He's made Tianhua Group into an empire. They say he's a genius—everything he touches turns to gold."

"And Chen Yu? He's just as incredible," another voice chimed in. "He's the best doctor in the country. No one else can match his success rate. They say no patient has ever died under his care. Ever."

"Seeing as both of them came together it seems that the rumors are true" someone whispered in curiosity.

Li Jinshen listened quietly, his face calm as he focused on his food, But internally, he couldn't help but think

"Seriously? Who whispers this loudly?"

He couldn't believe he was witnessing the classic "background characters explaining the important ones" moment in real life. His lips twitched slightly in amusement before he quickly brought his expression back to normal.

"Real world or not-" he thought dryly. "Some things really are straight out of a novel."

But still, Li Jinshen couldn't help but think about it. "Tianhua Group, huh?"

It was their biggest rival, always competing with Liwei Group for the top spot.

Sometimes, Liwei Group came out ahead, especially when it came to creating new and exciting products. Their ideas often set the trends in the industry, and other companies, including Tianhua, had to catch-up to them.

But Tianhua Group wasn't easy to beat. They were massive, with a reputation for being aggressive. Their clever marketing and ability to sell at lower prices often gave them the upper hand, especially in overseas markets. It was a constant back-and-forth—one moment Liwei Group was on top, and the next, Tianhua Group had taken the lead.

Li Jinshen let out a quiet breath and decided not to dwell on it. This wasn't the time to think about business strategies. He continued eating, nodding politely as people came by to greet him.

Meanwhile, Li Jianyu, seated next to him, was in the middle of a lively discussion with a group of guests. They were clearly curious about Liwei Group's latest project, and Li Jianyu seemed to enjoy explaining it to them, without giving out too much.

Li Jinshen caught a few pieces of the conversation but stayed out of it. Jianyu's confidence and ability to win people over were shining through. It was moments like these that reminded Li Jinshen why Li Jianyu was CEO. His ability to charm and convince was a skill few could rival.

As Li Jianyu held their attention, Li Jinshen focused on his own interactions, handling the social demands.

At the other end of the hall, Chen Yu was struggling to keep a straight face as his uncle gave him a thorough dressing-down.

"Late again?" Zhang Wei muttered, crossing his arms. "Do you enjoy embarrassing me in public? You could've at least tried to be on time."

"I know, Uncle." Chen Yu replied, his voice low. "It won't happen again."

"It better not!" Zhang Wei said sharply before turning to Qi Han who stood nearby. "And you, Mr. President, what excuse do you have for being late?"

Qi Han's lips curved into a faint smile. "I was helping Chen Yu arrive on time." He said giving a shrug. "Surely that's a good enough reason uncle Wei?"

Zhang Wei stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "You're lucky I don't have the energy to deal with you." he muttered before walking off.

The moment he left, Qi Han turned to Chen Yu, his expression unreadable. Then he shook his head, muttered something under his breath, and gave Chen Yu a sideways glance.

"What?" Chen Yu asked, his voice defensive.

Qi Han didn't answer. Instead, he just turned and made his way toward the food table. "I'm starving." he called over his shoulder.

Chen Yu let out a huff of annoyance. "Unbelievable." he muttered, following after him.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Li Jinshen was deep in conversation with Kang Ming, a potential partner who was eager to discuss one of Liwei Group's newest projects. Li Jinshen was patiently explaining the project's potential impact when the sudden whispers nearby caught his attention.

"Wait, is he coming here?"

"Seriously? Qi Han is heading this way!"

Kang Ming stiffened at the mention of Qi Han's name, then quickly excused himself, mumbling something about needing to check on someone. Li Jinshen raised an eyebrow at Kang's hasty retreat before turning toward the source of the commotion.

"Qi Han? Isn't that the name of—" His thoughts stopped when the man in question appeared, standing just a few feet away.

Qi Han, plate in hand, spotted Jinshen almost immediately and smirked.

"Li Jinshen." he said in a low, teasing tone.

"Qi Han." Li Jinshen replied evenly, though there was a flicker of recognition in his gaze. "No wonder his name seemed familiar."

Qi Han took a moment, his eyes scanning Jinshen's suit and face. "Didn't think I'd be running into you here."

"Same here." Li Jinshen admitted. His tone was polite but distant, as though this was just another brief social interaction.

Qi Han tilted his head, clearly amused. "Let me guess. You're not here to eat, are you?"

Li Jinshen gave him a faint smile. "Some of us came here to work."

"And some of us know how to multitask." Qi Han shot back lightly, lifting his plate as if to prove his point.

Their eyes met briefly, the tension in the air hard to miss. Chen Yu and Li Jianyu, who had just walked over after spotting Li Jinshen with that irritating president, exchanged puzzled looks, glancing between the two men.