Chapter 8: Executive Vendetta

"Anye, get ready. I need to head to the mall immediately." Xin Wen massaged his temples as he spoke wearily into the phone.

"Understood, Mr. Xin. I'll brief the new staff and be there right away." Anye replied crisply, his tone professional.

"Wait..." Xin Wen suddenly remembered something, paused for a moment in thought, then immediately said sternly, "The training of the new staff is critical. Focus on your tasks - send that Lan Nian out to gain some field experience."

"Mr. Xin, my junior sister is still green to the team. She's never worked in this industry before..." Anye wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice tinged with urgency. "Our collaboration with Shangyin is the cornerstone of this year's operations. I'm concerned she might not be ready for such a critical task."

"Anye, I've made my decision. It's final. Have her wait for me in the garage in five minutes." Xin Wen stated firmly before hanging up the phone irritably.

"Unbelievable. Any subordinate dares to lecture me on principles these days." Xin Wen muttered to himself, clenching his jaw as irritation flared in his eyes. "Looks like I need to tighten up the ideological and political education for all staff immediately."

"Five minutes? Holy crap!" Anye froze, then froze again. Suddenly snapping to attention, he didn't dare delay even a second. Bolting off at top speed, he raced to locate Lan Nian.

"Move, quickly..." Without another word, Anye grabbed Lan Nian by the arm and practically dragged her outside.

"Hey, Senior Brother! Watch your image!" Lan Nian protested with a grin, trotting to keep up. "What's the big hurry?"

"Exactly. A matter of utmost urgency! You've got a mission!" Anye rattled off the words like rapid gunfire.

"Seriously? Where? With whom?" Lan Nian exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. Finally! she thought. These past few days, Senior Brother had been hovering like a mother hen, keeping her on a tight leash. At the prospect of breaking free, every cell in her body hummed with anticipation.

"Shangcheng Mall? Of course, you'll be going with... Mr. Xin!" Anye hesitated before blurting it out, then quickly warned sternly, "This is serious business. You'd better behave yourself this time!"

"Um, okay, so now we're—"

"To the garage. Mr. Xin gave you five minutes. No, now it's probably down to just over two minutes. You—you better not embarrass your Senior Brother!" Anye urged anxiously, his voice tight with worry.

"Relax. Don't you know who I am?" Lan Nian waved dismissively, motioning Anye back to his tasks. "Go on, I promise I'll get the job done!"

"Remember the key points I've drilled into you. Don't slack off!" Anye urged anxiously.

"Stop babbling on! If I'm late because of you, you'll be responsible!" Lan Nian snapped irritably, shooing him away. Only then did she saunter toward the garage, her steps lazy and carefree.

Lan Nian's languid stroll drew curious double-takes from the cleaning staff, but she nonchalantly accepted their stares as her due.

When you're already drowning in debts, a little more won't sink you. She shrugged mentally. If rushing or taking it slow both lead to rough seas, might as well embrace her true nature.

"By the time she reached the garage, Lan Nian's nostrils flared with indignation. As expected, he had ulterior motives. The agreed time had long passed... yet the great CEO was nowhere to be seen, probably cooling his heels somewhere."

"Finally spotting that tall, imposing figure, Lan Nian snorted. Heh, this guy really outdoes himself. Taking his sweet time, he sauntered in a full ten minutes later than her."

"Upon spotting Lan Nian's slender, graceful figure leaning casually against the car door, staring vacantly into the distance, Xin Wen's lips immediately curled into a smug smile. He gave an imperceptible nod of approval:

Stubborn as she is, this girl has a certain allure. Simple jeans hugged her long, shapely legs while one foot idly scuffed the ground, exuding a subtle femininity. Who knew she could radiate such an indescribable charm when she wasn't causing mischief?"

"Let's go. Get in." Approaching her without a word, Xin Wen gestured to the driver's seat and stated matter-of-factly.

"Aren't you going to explain yourself, Mr. Xin?" Lan Nian demanded irritably, raising an eyebrow.

"Explanation?" Xin Wen retorted, deliberately evading the question. "I'm going on a business trip. You'll handle security. That doesn't violate your 'Four No's' principle, does it?"

Lan Nian rolled her eyes at his near-insolent smirk, choosing to ignore his petty retaliation. Just as she reached for the door handle, she froze. "No driver?"

"Companies need to streamline human resources. With a versatile bodyguard like you, keeping a driver would be a waste, wouldn't it?" Xin Wen lowered his gaze, his tone dripping with provocation.

"Lan Nian glared silently, her eyes blazing with indignation. Using a business trip as cover to settle personal scores? Deliberately humiliating me?

Xin Wen met her gaze with a smirk so arrogant it bordered on insolence. Exactly. This is what you get for thinking you're untouchable. His eyes practically shouted, I'll use your own tactics against you—what Confucius called 'borrowing barbarians' skills to subdue barbarians.'"