Chapter 29 — Three Heroes Come To Save the Beauty

An Chi's mind was in complete turmoil.

Sure, there are plenty of people who are mature, successful, handsome, intelligent, and upright—but someone with all those qualities who has never been in a relationship, remaining pure and untouched by worldly flirtation? Looking around for miles, besides me, who else could it be?

After all, given basic biology, most men with decent looks and good conditions wouldn't stay single for very long...

His heart pounded.

My God, I'm such a sinful man! Why do I embody both sexiness and innocence, maturity and naivety? Someone like me must be the ultimate dream guy in the gay community! Sigh! I can't even blame Yan Dun. I'd want to sleep with myself too!

As Chi An recalled all their past interactions, everything seemed to make sense.

Why is he always by my side? Is it really just because he's a dedicated secretary? No. He arrives before me and leaves after me every day, all just so he can look at me a little longer. Such are the feelings of youth.

When I'm cold, he brings me clothes. When I'm thirsty, he pours me tea. When I'm upset, he cheers me up. Is that because he's worried about his boss's mood? No! It's because he loves me!

Ah!

Love!

How heavy it is!

Unfortunately...

I'm straight!

I can't return such devotion!

Yan Dun had no idea that An Chi had already imagined an entire tragic romance in his head. He only noticed that An Chi's expression had become increasingly strange.

An Chi lowered his head, lost in thought. Sometimes he frowned deeply; sometimes he sighed heavily. After several minutes, he finally raised his dark eyes and stared directly at Yan Dun.

"You know," An Chi said solemnly, "what you want from me... I can't give you."

Yan Dun blinked.

"Huh?"

An Chi replied, "Starting today, you no longer need to appear before me."

Yan Dun was stunned.

"Am I being fired?"

"You can understand it that way."

It felt like a bolt from the blue.

Did I just lose a nine-to-five job that pays a million yuan a year?!

Yan Dun nearly burst into tears.

"No! I don't want to leave the company! I can work another five thousand years!"

Seeing him so distressed, An Chi felt a pang of guilt.

Looks like his feelings for me really run deep...

Meanwhile, Yan Dun was thinking only one thing:

I absolutely cannot lose this job!

"President An!" he pleaded desperately. "What did I do wrong? I can change! Maybe I'm not perfect, but my loyalty to the company is real! I live for the company and I'll die for the company! Even if you drive me away, I won't leave!"

As a veteran office worker, Yan Dun knew perfectly well that a job with a million-yuan salary, regular hours, and a boss who's annoying but still has a conscience was about as rare and precious as a 203.04-carat Millennium Star diamond.

But in An Chi's eyes, Yan Dun's desperation only proved how deeply he loved him.

An Chi felt conflicted.

What did Little Yan do wrong?

Nothing except fall in love with me!

He's merely made the same mistake that every gay man with good taste could make!

Yan Dun's mind raced.

Why does An Chi suddenly want to fire me?

Then he remembered that, as a stereotypical domineering CEO, Chi An often blurted out things like:

"You're fired."

"Don't come to work tomorrow."

Without reason. Without logic. Completely disregarding labor law.

But then again, talking about labor law in a CEO novel world was pretty pointless.

After some thought, Yan Dun concluded that he hadn't done anything wrong. An Chi was simply one of those people who acted on random impulses. Maybe he'd just had a temporary brain malfunction.

The key now was to soothe him.

So Yan Dun softened his tone.

"If President An wants to dismiss me, then I must have done something poorly. I won't argue. But I still have a lot of unfinished work. I can't just stop immediately. Let me finish this month, complete the handover, and then resign. How does that sound?"

An Chi already valued Yan Dun highly. Hearing such reasonable words only made him feel more guilty.

He sighed.

"As long as you know your place. You may go."

Yan Dun noticed his attitude softening and inwardly rejoiced.

My tactical retreat worked perfectly!

──── ୨୧ ────

Watching Yan Dun continue working diligently, An Chi felt increasingly uncomfortable.

Little Yan has always been dependable...

If only I could make him give up and stay by my side as a normal employee.

Thinking this, Chi An opened a Q&A website and searched:

『 How can I subtly make my admirer give up? 』

The top answers were:

Pick your feet in front of him.

Flaunt your romance with someone else.

An Chi considered it.

The second option seemed better.

Though for a brief moment he thought:

Wouldn't flaunting a romance while picking my feet be twice as effective?

No.

A domineering CEO must maintain his dignity.

Foot-picking was absolutely unacceptable.

As for showing off a romance...

As a lifelong bachelor, Chi An had no idea how to do that.

Just then, Secretary Zhou happened to report:

"Miss Bai Lisu is trying to contact you again. Do you still refuse to see her?"

After the previous scandal, An Chi had publicly clarified his relationship status and cut off contact with Bai Lisu. She had been devastated but continued trying to reach him.

Secretary Zhou had secretly accepted money from her and constantly spoke on her behalf.

"Ever since our company announced that you're single," Zhou said sympathetically, "Miss Bai has received a lot of online harassment. People call her manipulative and accuse her of using you. But we know that's not true..."

An Chi frowned.

"That's true. We were genuinely on a blind date. She wasn't lying."

Seeing An Chi wavering, Zhou pressed on.

"Exactly. Miss Bai has suffered unfairly. It's really tragic."

Feeling sorry for her, An Chi relented.

"Fine. I'll meet her."

Besides, he needed someone to help him "show affection" in front of Yan Dun.

Bai Lisu seemed suitable.

──── ୨୧ ────

Bai Lisu's situation wasn't good.

She was being mocked online and ridiculed by relatives. As a newly acknowledged daughter in the Bai family, her position was already unstable.

For her, An Chi wasn't just a good marriage prospect.

He was a lifeline.

When she asked Madam Bai to borrow a diamond necklace, her mother was initially reluctant.

But the moment she mentioned she was meeting An Chi, Madam Bai's attitude changed completely.

"Then borrow the whole diamond set! Wear the earrings too!"

Bai Lisu desperately wanted to roll her eyes.

Instead, she smiled sweetly.

──── ୨୧ ────

After five hours of preparation under her mother's supervision, Bai Lisu finally arrived at the restaurant.

To her surprise, Yan Dun was also there.

An Chi had intentionally brought him along.

The whole point was to make Yan Dun give up.

Yan Dun, meanwhile, looked worried.

An Chi thought:

He really cares about me.

Yan Dun thought:

Hopefully he doesn't still want to fire me.

After some conversation, the system suddenly chimed in inside Yan Dun's head:

Plot Trigger: "Humiliate the Mary Sue — Mercilessly mock Bai Lisu."

Yan Dun immediately carried out the task.

Expressionless, he said:

"Miss Bai, the rumors involving you and President An caused significant trouble. The PR department had to issue a statement. President An stopped contacting you after considering multiple factors. I hope you'll understand."

Bai Lisu's smile froze.

An Chi was shocked.

He's jealous!

Bai Lisu fought back with the confidence expected of a villainess.

"President An chose not to continue seeing me? Then what is this now?"

She gazed at An Chi with sparkling eyes.

"President An, do you truly not want further contact with me? Because I would very much like to continue getting to know you."

An Chi coughed awkwardly.

"I think... we can continue getting to know each other."

Yan Dun was stunned.

An Chi continued:

"I've gone on quite a few blind dates. You're the only one I felt was worth continuing to see."

Bai Lisu blushed.

"Does that mean I'm special?"

After a moment's thought, An Chi nodded.

"You could say that."

Bai Lisu covered her mouth and smiled while secretly shooting Yan Dun a triumphant glance.

Yan Dun suddenly had no idea how to continue the plot.

Eventually, An Chi sighed.

"Yan Dun. You know I'm straight."

"Yes, President An."

"Go home. I want to spend some time alone with Miss Bai."

Bai Lisu's smile widened.

Yan Dun could only leave.

Once he was gone, Bai Lisu boldly reached for An Chi's hand.

An Chi recoiled like a virtuous maiden.

"What are you doing?"

She froze.

"Nothing, I..."

An Chi waved a hand.

"Forget it. Right now, I need a female companion to deal with outsiders. You seem well-behaved, so I chose you. Understand?"

Bai Lisu's face turned pale.

After a long pause, she nodded obediently.

"I understand. I'll be your 'female companion.'"

She then asked carefully:

"If it's for appearances, can I hold your hand in public?"

An Chi considered.

"In public, you may hold my arm. Nothing more."

"I understand."

Then he added:

"In private, don't touch me."

"Not even your hand?"

"Not even my hand."

Bai Lisu smiled sweetly.

As if I even want to touch you. I'm worried your stupidity might be contagious.

──── ୨୧ ────

She suggested posting a photo together online.

"That way everyone can see it."

"Fine."

Excited, she immediately took out her phone and moved closer for a selfie.

An Chi frowned.

"Do you have to get so close?"

"So both our faces fit in the frame..."

"Oh. So it's because your face is large?"

Bai Lisu nearly punched him.

Instead she smiled.

"Yes, President An."

"Then that's your problem. You should solve it yourself."

...I curse your entire family.

Eventually An Chi proposed:

"Let's each take separate photos. You can Photoshop them together later."

Bai Lisu felt utterly exhausted.

──── ୨୧ ────

Yan Dun wasn't doing much better.

Rumors that An Chi planned to fire him spread rapidly through headquarters.

Even the HR director heard about it and cautiously called An Chi.

"Should I prepare Secretary Yan's handover?"

"Yes."

The HR director was shocked.

Then she called Yan Dun.

Yan Dun was equally shocked.

He already informed HR?!

Now things seemed serious.

Am I really leaving the company?

Not long after, his phone rang again.

"Hello?"

"Little Yan'er, it's me."

It was Hua Daimao.

The nickname made Yan Dun physically cringe.

"How may I help you, President Hua?"

"I'll get straight to the point. I heard An Chi is blind and plans to fire you. Have you considered leaving the heavy workloads of An and joining Hua?"

Yan Dun froze.

Seeing his hesitation, Hua Daimao continued:

"Whatever Chi gives you, I'll pay double."

"My annual salary is one million."

Hua Daimao laughed.

"Good joke."

Nobody would believe a secretary earned a million a year.

Normal people certainly wouldn't pay that much.

Unfortunately, An Chi wasn't normal.

After some awkward explanation, Hua Daimao finally believed him.

After a long silence, he asked:

"So... are you and An Chi actually sleeping together?"

Yan Dun exploded.

"President Hua, that's a serious insult—to both me and President An."

Realizing he'd gone too far, Hua Daimao apologized immediately.

"I'm sorry. It was a joke."

"It's not funny."

"You're right. Please accept my sincere apology."

Yan Dun accepted but tried to end the call.

Before hanging up, Hua Daimao added:

"My offer still stands. Whatever An pays, Hua will pay double."

Yan Dun was surprised.

"You don't think that's too much for a secretary?"

"I'm not looking at the position," Hua Daimao replied gently. "I'm looking at the person. People are the most valuable asset. If An Chi thinks you're worth that amount, then you're worth much more."

The words sounded wonderful.

But Yan Dun wasn't impressed.

He politely promised to consider it and ended the call.

In truth, he had no intention of joining Hua Company.

No matter how much money they offered.

Not because he didn't care about money.

If money were dirt, he'd happily be a dung beetle.

The problem was Hua Daimao.

Someone like him never gave without expecting tenfold returns.

If Hua Daimao was willing to pay him two million, the future price would probably be terrifying.

──── ୨୧ ────

Saturday passed in complete laziness.

On Sunday, Yan Dun finally sat down to update his résumé.

Then his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"It's me, Bai Lisu."

Her voice was straightforward, carrying none of the fragile white-lotus image she normally projected.

"Miss Bai?"

"Are you looking for a job?"

"...Even you know?"

"Of course. I'm the evil supporting female character. My ears are very sharp."

"..."

"I'm planning to lure you out with the promise of a job and then harm you. Are you free?"

She added thoughtfully:

"I specifically chose the weekend."

Yan Dun sighed.

"Fine. I'll come."

Before leaving, he asked the system:

No danger, right?

The customer-service agent replied:

Don't worry, Dear Customer. You're the protagonist. She's the villainess. No matter how she tries to harm you, she'll only end up humiliating herself.

Yan Dun suddenly felt sympathy for Bai Lisu.

Everyone's just trying to complete their missions...

──── ୨୧ ────

Soon he arrived at White Dragon Club.

Bai Lisu greeted him warmly.

As they walked in, she casually explained:

"Later I'm introducing you to a lecherous, pot-bellied, bald middle-aged businessman. Any objections?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Can you find someone handsome instead? I don't want a bald guy."

"Are you stupid? I'm the evil supporting female character. If I knew any handsome men, I'd keep them for myself."

"...Fair point."

Inside the VIP lounge sat exactly the sort of man she had described:

A bald man with a huge beer belly.

The moment he saw Yan Dun, his eyes lit up.

Like a starving wolf spotting fresh meat.

Yan Dun forced a smile.

"Hello. I'm Yan Dun."

The man grinned.

"Lisu talks about you often. Now that I've met you, you're truly an outstanding young talent."

Bai Lisu introduced him as President Shi.

President Shi stared at Yan Dun greedily and said:

"Our company definitely needs talents like you."

Yan Dun felt deeply uncomfortable.

But the system required him to follow the plot.

Soon wine was served.

Yan Dun immediately understood.

So this is the part where they get me drunk.

Bai Lisu gave him a subtle nod.

Yan Dun sighed.

After two drinks, he pretended to be intoxicated.

President Shi's eyes gleamed even more.

"Looks like Xiao Yan has had too much."

Bai Lisu smiled like a professional villainess.

"He doesn't look well. Why don't we let him lie down and rest?"

President Shi eagerly agreed.

Then he told Bai Lisu:

"You can leave. I'll take care of him."

She understood instantly and left.

Outside, the system assigned Bai Lisu another mission:

Inform the domineering CEOs so they can save the beauty.

Her jaw nearly dropped.

"First you tell me to set him up, then you tell me to call for help?"

The system explained:

There are only two mission-holders in this world...

After some discussion, she was given a high-tech anonymous phone.

Rather than calling individually, Bai Lisu efficiently created a group chat.

Group name:

Guardian Angel of Yan Dun

She forcibly added several CEOs and sent one message:

『 Yan Dun is drunk in a VIP room at White Dragon Club with a creepy old pervert. Situation critical. Come quickly. 』

Then she turned off the phone.

──── ୨୧ ────

Back inside, President Shi was losing patience.

He reached out toward Yan Dun.

Yan Dun suddenly opened his eyes.

President Shi stopped pretending.

"Little beauty, follow me and you can have anything you want."

I want your life, Yan Dun thought.

Aloud he declared righteously:

"Impossible! I would never sell my body!"

President Shi sneered.

"You don't get a choice! Whether you agree or not, you'll agree!"

Yan Dun froze.

But not because he was scared.

He was talking to the system.

Doesn't that count as a CEO line?

The system replied:

It's a CEO line, but he's only a cannon-fodder character. Therefore it's not a true CEO declaration—just a mad dog barking.

Yan Dun looked disappointed.

President Shi misread the expression as despair.

He rubbed his hands together.

"Don't worry. I'll be gentle..."

As he reached out again, Yan Dun finally lost patience and shoved him away.

The man stumbled.

The system immediately complained:

Sorry, Dear Customer. You were supposed to get pushed down.

How would a healthy young man get overpowered by this flabby middle-aged guy?

The protagonist-bottom setting requires you to be delicate and weak. Being touched should leave you breathless.

So now I have to pant?

Maybe get pushed down first. Then pant. It'll be more logical.

Yan Dun had long since given up on logic.

President Shi shoved him.

This time Yan Dun cooperated.

He fell dramatically onto the sofa and began panting.

President Shi stared.

Is this... insurance fraud?

At that exact moment—

The door burst open.

An Chi appeared.

He saw:

1. Yan Dun sprawled on the sofa, face flushed from alcohol.

1. Heavy breathing (entirely fake).

1. President Shi looking extremely suspicious.

An Chi exploded.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

President Shi panicked.

"I didn't do anything! He's framing me!"

An Chi punched him so hard that a front tooth flew out.

Being a minor character, President Shi naturally couldn't fight back against a CEO protagonist.

He fled miserably.

──── ୨୧ ────

Outside the room, however, he immediately ran into another person.

An Zao.

President Shi froze.

An Zao smiled politely.

"I heard you invited Yan Dun here?"

Covering his missing tooth, President Shi stammered:

"I-I didn't do anything..."

"Where is Yan Dun?"

"In there! President An is with him!"

An Zao nodded.

"You wait here."

The three simple words sounded like a death sentence.

Far more terrifying than a punch.

President Shi fled in terror.

I've offended both An brothers! Do I still have a future in this country? I'd better buy a plane ticket and run!

──── ୨୧ ────

As he rushed toward the parking lot to escape, he encountered a third person.

Hua Daimao.

Hua Daimao smiled warmly.

"Hello."

Cold sweat poured down President Shi's face.

A horrifying possibility occurred to him.

Stammering, he asked:

"P-President Hua... are you here for Yan Dun too?"

Hua Daimao didn't answer.

Instead, he smiled gently and asked:

"Do you prefer the sea... or the sky?"