Chapter 13: Commonly Known as a Security Guard

This old fox is vicious! Ye Chenghuan glanced worriedly at Lin Peishan, but her expression remained unreadable—calm as moonlit water, eyes glinting with frost.

Zhan Shu tapped his cigar ash rhythmically onto the table, a smirk freezing on his lips as he awaited her final decision.

Lin Peishan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice steady. "You know me well, Uncle Zhan. I never retract my decisions."

"So you're choosing to sever ties with the company?"

She laughed coldly. "Since we disagree, let's hear the board's opinion."

Zhan's eyes lit up. "You're initiating a formal vote?" Perfect. Once the board voted, the outcome would be irreversible. With most directors under his thumb, this would exile Lin Peishan from Eastern International forever. You may be shrewd, girl, but you're no match for decades of cunning.

Just as triumph swelled in his chest, Lin Peishan struck. "Per board bylaws, the proposer must recuse himself during voting. Please step out, Uncle Zhan."

His face stiffened. The rule existed—he'd forgotten. Without his presence to steer the room, chaos might erupt. Reluctantly, he stood. "I'll comply. But remember: Eastern International's fate rests in your hands. Vote wisely."

Once the door closed, Lin Peishan's gaze turned glacial. "I know what you're thinking. Let me remind you: The chairman alone holds veto power over voting procedures. I declare this proposal invalid. My marriage is personal, not subject to board approval. Uncle Zhan's theatrics today were a distraction. His words hold no weight here."

She paused, voice sharpening. "‌I am Eastern International.‌ Hardships we face stem from sabotage, which I will root out. Support me, and your shares remain safe. Oppose me…" She left the threat hanging.

A gray-haired director chuckled nervously. "We old relics just want our dividends. Under your leadership, we trust the storm will pass." The room erupted in sycophantic applause.

Outside, Zhan seethed. He flung the door open, jabbing a finger at Lin Peishan. "You've defied the founder's rules!"

"Which rule, exactly?" she replied without turning.

He faltered. She'd outmaneuvered him, twisting bylaws into armor.

"The resolution stands, Uncle Zhan. You may stay as an observer—or leave."

Grudgingly, he slumped into his seat. Then, a smirk crept back. "Out of concern, we deserve to know: ‌Who is the groom?‌"

All eyes followed Lin Peishan's gaze to Ye Chenghuan.

"Him?" Zhan drawled, dripping disdain. The room buzzed with shock, scorn, and morbid curiosity.

"And you are…?" Zhan sneered, certain this nobody would crumble.

"Ye Chenghuan."

"What enterprise do you helm? Or perhaps a government role?"

Before Lin Peishan could intervene, Ye Chenghuan grinned. "Ever heard of Shangri-La Hotel?"

Zhan nodded dismissively—a mid-tier establishment beneath his notice. "Ah, hospitality magnate?"

"Security guard."

Silence.

Lin Peishan massaged her temples. Zhan burst into mocking laughter, soon echoed by the room. Only one man remained stone-faced: a young director in an immaculate white shirt, seated second to Lin Peishan. His brow barely twitched.

Undeterred, Ye Chenghuan lit a cigarette. "How did we meet? Let's summarize: ‌drunken mistake‌."

Gasps. Whispers coiled like smoke.

Zhan leaned in, savoring the humiliation. "Care to elaborate for the board?"

Lin Peishan shut her eyes, jaw clenched.

Ye Chenghuan leaned back. "A lonely night, a bar, too much liquor… Woke up tangled in sheets. Ever had that happen, Uncle Zhan?"

"I'm a married man!" Zhan spat, face reddening.

"Afterward, we vanished from each other's lives—until my boss stiffed my pay. I… persuaded the safe to open. Police dragged me in, but here…" He gestured to Lin Peishan. "My angel bailed me out. We pledged eternal devotion."

The room boiled with scandalized murmurs. Lin Peishan's aura of invincibility cracked.

Zhan pressed harder. "A security guard and our CEO? This farce jeopardizes Eastern International's future!"

Ye Chenghuan blew a smoke ring. "Farce? Let me ask: How many here built empires from nothing? How many inherited seats?" His gaze swept the room. "You sneer at 'security guard,' yet who among you could survive a day in my shoes?"

The young director in white finally spoke, voice crisp. "Irrelevant. The board's concern is stability."

"Stability?" Ye Chenghuan smirked. "Or your fear that a 'nobody' might expose how hollow your titles are?"

Lin Peishan stood abruptly. "This meeting adjourns."

As directors filed out, Zhan lingered, triumph curdling into unease. The game wasn't over—but the pawn had just become a wildcard.

Ye Chenghuan winked at the stoic young director. "You didn't laugh."

The man adjusted his tie. "Laughter is for fools who underestimate storms."