Chapter 41 — A Magnet for Trouble

Seeing the alarm all over Yan Dun’s face, An Zao found it both exasperating and amusing.

“What are you panicking about?” he asked.

Crushed beneath the overwhelming aura of a domineering CEO, Yan Dun could barely breathe.

“I—I don’t know either!”

The answer was like a needle popping a balloon, instantly puncturing the tense atmosphere inside the car. The mood lightened at once.

Tapping his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, An Zao said with a half-smile,

“I’m only asking you a few questions. There’s no need to be nervous.”

“O-Okay.”

Yan Dun rolled down the window, letting the cold air rush in and clear his muddled thoughts.

An Zao asked,

“Why did you come here today?”

Yan Dun froze.

“Why? Why are you asking?”

“You’ve never cared about wine,” An Zao replied. “Unless it’s for business, you never attend wine tastings, and you’re not a member of the White Dragon Club either. Yet you suddenly appeared at a wine-tasting event and got mixed up with President Hua and the others. There must have been a reason.”

Yan Dun’s face stiffened.

He hadn’t expected An Zao’s insight to remain as sharp as ever. With just a few sentences, he had essentially guessed the truth.

Seeing Yan Dun’s expression, An Zao became even more certain he was right.

At the same time, he became more convinced that Yan Dun was hiding something.

Yet An Zao couldn’t bring himself to press him too hard. Softening his expression, he said with a faint smile,

“If you have your own reasons, you don’t necessarily have to tell me.”

The pressure he radiated suddenly eased, and Yan Dun finally relaxed.

For a moment, he wasn’t sure what to say.

But An Zao asked nothing more. He simply started the car and drove Yan Dun home.

The entire ride passed in silence.

An Zao didn’t say another word.

Neither did Yan Dun.

Only after arriving home did Yan Dun replay the atmosphere in the car in his mind.

After a long while, regret suddenly struck him.

Was Boss Zao upset just now?

Because I hid my motives from him?

Damn... when I’m doing missions, I really do look suspicious, don’t I?

Anyone with a brain would think there’s something wrong with me!

Rubbing his head, Yan Dun felt a throbbing pain in his temples.

He messaged Customer Service.

Yan Dun: Can I tell him that I’m doing missions?

Customer Service: Sorry, Customer, that’s not allowed.

Yan Dun lowered his head in disappointment.

Of course it’s not allowed...

No wonder pursuing An Zao is considered an hard-level difficulty mission!

──── ୨୧ ────

For several days afterward, Yan Dun didn’t have to go to work, which naturally meant he didn’t get to see An Zao.

And he suffered because of it.

Back when he was An Zao’s secretary, seeing him every day felt normal.

Now that he couldn’t see him, every single day felt uncomfortable.

Love truly was a troublesome little demon.

Yan Dun had nobody to talk to.

Since arriving in this world, he hasn't made any friends.

After thinking it over, the only person he was somewhat close to—the only one he could confide in—was actually Bai Lisu.

So Yan Dun took the initiative and invited Bai Lisu out.

She happened to be free, so she agreed.

The two met for a meal.

Noticing Yan Dun’s gloomy expression, Bai Lisu asked,

“What happened?”

Yan Dun hesitated for a long time before finally saying,

“If you ignore my ‘protagonist halo,’ do I seem suspicious? Like some scheming white-lotus manipulator?”

Bai Lisu answered immediately,

“You’re not like one. You are one.”

“...”

Yan Dun choked.

Spearing a piece of cake with her fork, Bai Lisu continued,

“I don’t mean you personally. I mean your character setup. Think about it: you’re constantly getting into trouble, relying on men to clean up your messes, and maintaining ambiguous relationships with several men at once despite having no special abilities yourself.”

Yan Dun lowered his head and sighed.

Bai Lisu laughed.

“Don’t worry. You have protagonist halo protection. Everyone will think you’re pure and innocent no matter what. What are you afraid of?”

“But what if my protagonist halo doesn’t work on that person?”

“That person?”

Confusion flashed across Bai Lisu’s eyes.

“Who?”

After thinking for a moment, Yan Dun said vaguely,

“I have another mission. I need to win over someone. The difficult part is that my protagonist halo has no effect on him. What he sees is the real me. No beauty filters. No white-lotus effect.”

Bai Lisu gasped.

“There’s a mission like that? Why didn’t I get one?”

Yan Dun didn’t dare tell her that he’d volunteered for it.

Assuming it was a special mission unique to the protagonist, Bai Lisu didn’t pry further.

Instead, she asked,

“Is he smart?”

“Extremely smart,” Yan Dun replied. “He sees through everything. In front of him, I’m probably just a suspicious troublemaker.”

Bai Lisu sighed.

“So what’s your problem now?”

“He’s suspicious of me,” Yan Dun said. “And I can’t explain myself. You know I’m not allowed to tell him about the missions.”

Bai Lisu thought for a moment.

“Can’t you make up another reason?”

“What reason?”

She replied,

“Just tell him you’re naturally irresistible. Men can’t help orbiting around you. If jealous women like me try to sabotage you, that’s perfectly normal. You’re not flirting with everyone—it’s just because you’re breathtakingly beautiful. You’re not causing trouble—it’s because outstanding people naturally attract attention.”

“...”

Yan Dun felt his skin wasn’t thick enough to say anything like that.

Blinking, Bai Lisu added,

“But that’s not even a lie. Isn’t that exactly how your protagonist halo works?”

Yan Dun thought about it.

And somehow, he was convinced.

Isn’t that exactly how it works?!

Slapping the table, he exclaimed,

“A Mary Sue really is a Mary Sue! You’re experienced!”

“Too kind, too kind,” Bai Lisu said modestly.

Then she added:

“You’re paying for this meal, right?”

Displaying the confidence of someone earning two million a year, Yan Dun declared,

“Of course. How could I let a beautiful lady pay?”

Bai Lisu smiled and immediately ordered two servings of bird’s nest soup, a giant lobster, and premium abalone.

Yan Dun stared.

“Can you even finish all that?”

“If I can’t, I’ll take it home.”

“...”

Apparently Bai Lisu no longer bothered maintaining her delicate-white-lotus image around him.

Afraid she would keep ordering until half his monthly salary disappeared, Yan Dun hurriedly stopped her.

“That’s enough. I still have to meet the person I’m pursuing. I need to clear up a misunderstanding—and maybe flirt with him a little.”

Bai Lisu smiled charmingly.

“And how exactly are you planning to do that? Walk up and say, ‘Hey bro, I’m here to explain myself’?”

Yan Dun froze.

Right... that would be weird.

Waving her hand, Bai Lisu said,

“This is why you’re inexperienced. A complete rookie. Looks like Big Sister has to teach you.”

Yan Dun immediately listened attentively.

By the end of the meal, he had learned a lot.

He had also eaten an entire banquet’s worth of food.

And when he paid the bill, he discovered that half a month’s salary was gone.

Yan Dun sighed.

Inviting Bai Lisu out today was absolutely worth it.

I learned a lot.

But the tuition fee was just a little expensive.

And I’m a little too full.

The two left the restaurant together.

Unexpectedly, they walked straight into a pack of paparazzi.

Camera flashes exploded around them.

Even a seasoned actress like Bai Lisu was startled.

As for ordinary civilian Yan Dun, he was completely stunned.

The paparazzi didn’t give them time to react.

Questions fired like machine-gun rounds:

“Rumor says you two are rivals in love. Why are you having dinner together?”

“You were both seen at the wine-tasting event involving An Chi and Hua Daimao. What exactly happened?”

“What are your thoughts on the rumors that An Chi is a closeted homophobe?”

“...”

Yan Dun’s brain completely stopped working.

Bai Lisu, however, instantly switched into professional celebrity mode.

Wearing a perfect smile, she laughed.

“What are you talking about? I have no idea what any of that means! Yan Dun and I are good friends. Don’t make things up! Hahaha!”

Then she grabbed Yan Dun and ran.

Moving with incredible agility, she dashed into her van and sped away.

Yan Dun was still dazed.

He had never imagined he would one day be chased by paparazzi.

Bai Lisu simply said,

“You’re the protagonist. You’ll have to get used to this.”

Yan Dun collapsed into his seat.

“I’d rather not be some damn protagonist at all.”

He didn’t want all this drama.

He only wanted to quietly be Boss Zao’s employee.

Bai Lisu then said,

“I’m heading to An Corporation to see An Chi. What about you?”

“I’m going there too.”

“You’re going too...?”

She paused.

“Your target is someone from An Corporation... isn’t it?”

Then she gave him a sly grin.

“It’s An Zao, isn’t it?”

Yan Dun froze.

He hadn’t expected to be tricked into revealing it so easily.

At least he could be grateful Bai Lisu wasn’t really an evil female supporting character anymore.

The two arrived together.

Bai Lisu headed straight for the president’s office, dutifully continuing her “villainess chases the CEO” storyline.

Yan Dun, however, felt too awkward to go directly to the chairman’s office.

Given his current status, it would be strange.

So he sat in the café downstairs and sent An Zao a message:

『 Boss Zao, I’m in the café downstairs. Could I come up and talk to you for a moment? 』

Not long afterward, An Zao replied:

『 Give me five minutes. 』

──── ୨୧ ────

An Zao had been in a meeting.

Within five minutes, he ended the meeting, fixed his hair, adjusted his tie, and—for reasons even he didn’t fully understand—used some mouth freshener.

Then he arrived at the café.

Calm and composed as ever.

The moment Yan Dun saw him, his heart skipped a beat.

How is Boss Zao handsome from every angle?

An Zao smiled lightly.

“What is it?”

Following Bai Lisu’s advice, Yan Dun knew not to jump straight into explanations.

So he began with:

“I had lunch with Bai Lisu. She came here afterward, so I came along too. Then I remembered your stomach isn’t very good, so I packed some sea cucumber millet porridge for you. They say it’s good for the stomach, though I’m not sure.”

He took out a thermos.

Hearing that Yan Dun and Bai Lisu had gone out to eat together only made An Zao more suspicious.

Those two should have been mortal enemies.

How had they become friends?

Still, none of it showed on his face.

He merely smiled.

“That’s very thoughtful of you.”

Yan Dun could sense the distance in his tone.

It was faint.

But it was enough to make him uncomfortable.

When had he ever felt distant from An Zao?

Sighing, Yan Dun asked,

“By the way, how’s the investigation into the leaked company information going?”

At that, An Zao frowned.

“The whole thing is strange. We haven’t found anything yet.”

Logically speaking, An Corporation—the number one conglomerate in the CEO novel world—should have uncovered the truth long ago.

But because “Yan Dun is framed” was a main storyline, the power of the plot prevented An Zao from discovering anything.

“I found something,” Yan Dun said.

He took a voice recorder out of his pocket.

“This was recorded at the wine-tasting event.”

As every CEO novel knows, ninety percent of villain exposés are accomplished through audio recordings.

This story was no exception.

Yan Dun himself had never thought to record anything.

Fortunately, the system had automatically created a backup.

An Zao looked surprised.

“So it really was Hua Daimao?”

“Yes.”

Yan Dun pressed play.

The conversation from the restroom played aloud.

──── ୨୧ ────

Yan Dun: “You’re framing me. Are you trying to send me to prison?”

Hua Daimao: “How could I bear to send you to prison? Just give in and come to my side. I’ll clear your name immediately.”

Yan Dun: “How? Are you going to admit you framed me for leaking trade secrets? Admit you hacked my email? Admit you transferred 500,000 into my account?”

Hua Daimao: “Of course not. But I’ll find someone suitable to confess instead.”

Yan Dun: “So you’re finding a scapegoat.”

──── ୨୧ ────

An Zao’s expression darkened.

Yan Dun assumed he was angry over Hua Daimao framing him.

In reality, that wasn’t the reason at all.

An Zao had already suspected Hua Daimao.

What irritated him was the blatant flirting in Hua Daimao’s words.

“How could I bear to send you to prison?”

“Just give in and come to my side.”

It sounded like a scoundrel teasing an innocent young woman.

Despicable.

Detestable.

Infuriating.

At that moment, An Zao finally understood why An Chi was always trying to punch Hua Daimao.

The man really was a menace.

Still, despite his irritation, An Zao remained outwardly calm.

After a pause, he asked:

“So you went to the wine-tasting event specifically to get him talking and record him?”

Yan Dun wanted to say:

No.

I’m not that clever.

There’s no way I could have orchestrated all that.

But then he realized:

If he said yes, it would explain all his suspicious behavior.

And he wouldn’t have to worry about clearing his name anymore.

So he replied,

“You could say that.”

An Zao nodded.

“So that’s what happened.”

Then he added:

“That means I failed you. I promised I would investigate for you, but I found nothing. Meanwhile, you were clever enough to expose Hua Daimao yourself.”

Yan Dun felt undeserving of the praise.

Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose.

“Not at all. I’m already very grateful for everything you’ve done for me, Boss Zao.”

An Zao continued,

“Still, you should have told me beforehand. If I’d gone with you, you could have avoided a lot of trouble.”

“I originally wanted to.”

But the damn system wouldn’t let me!

Yan Dun forced a smile.

“Besides, Boss Zao is such an imposing figure. If you’d come with me, wouldn’t Hua Daimao have been on guard? It would’ve been harder to get him talking.”

That finally made An Zao laugh.

Holding the recorder, he asked:

“Should I handle the rest?”

Yan Dun nodded.

“Yes. Thank you, Boss Zao.”

Then he felt he should explain himself a little more.

“Boss Zao... do you think I’m strange?”

An Zao blinked.

“How so?”

Taking a deep breath, Yan Dun said:

“I seem to attract trouble wherever I go. I keep getting entangled with Hua Daimao and the others. My whole life is full of drama.”

Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose again.

An Zao smiled.

“What do you think?”

What could Yan Dun possibly say?

Was he supposed to repeat Bai Lisu’s advice?

I’m not flirting with everyone—it’s because I’m breathtakingly beautiful.

I’m not causing trouble—it’s because outstanding people naturally attract attention.

He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

So he only replied:

“That’s not the truth.”

An Zao said:

“I used to think you were suspicious. And to be fair, there are reasons for that.”

“But after thinking it through, I decided to trust my own judgment.”

“You’re a genuinely simple and sincere person.”

Yan Dun froze.

With An Zao speaking so gently, all the excuses he had prepared vanished instantly.

“I think I’ve figured it out,” An Zao continued.

“It’s not that you go looking for trouble.”

“Trouble comes looking for you.”

The words “It’s not that you go looking for trouble. Trouble comes looking for you.” sounded very much like a parent saying to a child who had fallen down:

“It’s the floor’s fault for hurting my precious baby.”

It wasn’t reasonable.

It didn’t make sense.

And yet it carried the warmth of being cherished and protected.