In the evening, Chen Yan coaxed He Mengxue to sleep.

Today, it was clearly Chen Yan who had encountered trouble.

But He Mengxue was even more anxious and worried than Chen Yan.

Especially after Chen Yan told her about Zhao Qingtian, her worry was almost fully displayed on her face.

This made Chen Yan regret telling her about it while laughing and crying at the same time.

After all, Chen Yan might have overlooked the deterrent power of the name Zhao Qingtian for these family scions.

This man, who reversed his fortunes to become the Head of Zhao Family with his iron-fisted ruthlessness, had almost become the bane of every family scion's growth.

So, when she knew that Chen Yan was going to be Zhao Qingtian's enemy, even though He Mengxue didn't say anything, her actions showed that she was still very worried.

After coaxing He Mengxue to sleep, Chen Yan left his bedroom and went to the study next door.

Once in the study, Chen Yan closed the door and took out the Strong Buy Card from his pocket.

Playing with the black card in his hand, Chen Yan pondered.

Although Zhao Xuan was currently wavering, he knew he must stand firm.

After all, his situation was different from Zhao Xuan's.

Zhao Qingtian could give the position of Head of Zhao Family to Zhao Xuan, could apologize with his death, whether those were empty words or sincere.

Ultimately, it was about what Zhao Qingtian had said: lineage.

They were family. No matter how great the grievance, it could be mediated.

But there was no blood relation between Chen Yan and Zhao Xuan.

Chen Yan certainly wasn't his father. He would not forgive him time and time again.

Therefore, Chen Yan had to fight to the end.

Having the system and the support of his Virtual Girlfriend, Chen Yan did not doubt that the ultimate victory would be his.

So, all he had to do was to carry on methodically.

The first thing, then, was to take complete control of Headline Technology.

With Douyin and Weibo, two top five national social and media platforms, Chen Yan might have a chance to fight Zhao Qingtian.

Thinking this, Chen Yan stopped fiddling with the Strong Buy Card and silently muttered, "Use the Strong Buy Card."

With Chen Yan's silent command, the mobile phone on the desk vibrated slightly and the screen lit up.

Chen Yan put down the Strong Buy Card, picked up the phone, unlocked the screen, and opened the game.

A system prompt popped up on the screen: [Please select the target of the use.]

Chen Yan opened the selection list, searched for Headline Technology and Zhang Yonghao.

After confirming his choice.

Another prompt appeared on his phone screen.

[Please select the amount for the strong buy.]

Chen Yan didn't hesitate and used the entire 4 billion originally planned for Weibo on this instead.

With Chen Yan's confirmation, the phone vibrated twice and a line of text appeared on the screen, [Item used successfully. Please wait patiently.]

After the prompt displayed, it disappeared automatically.

Having used the Strong Buy Card several times before, Chen Yan knew it had taken effect.

Because when he picked up the black card in his hand, the number that was originally 4 billion had returned to zero.

Chen Yan knew that all he had to do was to wait patiently to realize his wish of acquiring that share of stock.

It must be said, the system really is a magical thing...

As Chen Yan felt amazed, he tidied up the "crime scene" and went back to his room to sleep.

He Mengxue might be a light sleeper; when Chen Yan got into bed, he woke her up.

She yawned, half-asleep stretched out her fair arm, then gently wrapped it around Chen Yan, her eyes not even open, asked drowsily, "Chen Yan, where did you go?"

Chen Yan smiled and gently embraced her, then said, "It's nothing. Just went to the bathroom."

"Oh..." He Mengxue murmured a reply, then snuggled her head into Chen Yan's chest, and drifted back to sleep...

The next morning, Chen Yan was wakened by the sound of his phone.

Still groggy, his hand reached out from under the covers, searched on the table, and then picked up the phone.

Pulling the phone under the covers and to his ear, Chen Yan answered the call, voice full of sleepiness, "Hello? Who is it?"

From the other end of the phone came Song Chuang's somewhat anxious voice, "President Chen. There's been a bit of trouble."

Hearing Song Chuang's words, Chen Yan instantly woke up.

He regained his clarity, lifted the blanket off of himself, and asked softly, "What's happened? Is it something with Weibo?"

Having just agreed on terms with Weibo the day before yesterday, but still in the process of finalizing everything, Chen Yan's first thought was that an issue had arisen there.

Unexpectedly, it wasn't Weibo.

Song Chuang said, "It's not about Weibo."

Chen Yan, "Then what is it...?"

Song Chuang spoke in a low voice, "I was just now liaising with the film and television company about business and was thinking of having Lu Man assist with the upcoming publicity for 'Wandering Planet'."

"But I incidentally found out that Lu Man has a fashion magazine shoot tomorrow in Tiandu. She... boarded the high-speed train this morning and is on her way to Tiandu."

"She'll be arriving soon."

Song Chuang didn't finish his sentence, but Chen Yan understood his meaning and incidentally... broke out in a cold sweat.

My god, Lu Man is coming to Tiandu?

Chen Yan believed that Lu Man definitely knew about his trip to Tiandu.

And her coming over now, nobody would believe she wouldn't try to contact him.

Moreover, considering her interview wasn't until tomorrow, yet she arrived in Tiandu today.

Chen Yan felt... she might want to arrange a meeting with him and then, taking advantage of Yu Qiao Qiao's absence, enjoy some alone time.

And the most logical thing for enjoying some alone time would be for the two of them to stay together, right...?

Chen Yan came to Tiandu first, Lu Man after, so surely she would stay with Chen Yan, right?

Chen Yan glanced at the still slumbering He Mengxue, "gulp" swallowed dryly.

All of a sudden, he had a daring... spit, he wouldn't dare no matter how bold he was!

So, Chen Yan immediately understood why Lao Song called him so early in the morning and was so anxious.

He hastily got up, started to walk outside while lowering his voice, "Lao Song, you have to help me out."

Song Chuang asked, "What do you need?"

Chen Yan said, "You need to use your connections now, book a presidential suite for me in the hotel next door, or somewhere nearby."

Song Chuang was a high-caliber individual himself.

As soon as he heard Chen Yan's words, he understood Chen Yan's intention.

Chen Yan wanted to play a game of "the king does not see the king," keeping busy on both sides.

However, that would be simply unmanageable.

So... he couldn't help but ask, "Boss Chen, booking a hotel is no problem. But even if you book the hotel, what about your stuff?"

"If Lu Man goes to your place and finds not a single piece of clothing, not a suitcase in the room. How do you explain that?"

As he spoke, Chen Yan had already walked outside the bedroom.

Chen Yan carefully closed the door, then coughed before saying, "Xiao Yun is staying at my place. I have lots of toiletries and clothes at home. If I have her bring some over, wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Song Chuang suddenly realized, "So that's the plan!"

Song Chuang felt Chen Yan's brain was truly exceptional. He could even come up with something like this.

However, he still had some doubts, "Cough cough. But Boss Chen, even if you've got the hotel setup right and Lu Man checks it without suspicion."

"What about the night..."

At this point, he suddenly realized he had asked a question he shouldn't have. He coughed and said, "I'm talking too much. Lu Man will go back to her own hotel at night."

"It shouldn't be a problem."

Hearing Song Chuang's words, Chen Yan also paused for a moment because he understood he had overlooked the biggest issue: he was only one person, what to do at night?

But right now, Chen Yan couldn't concern himself with that.

He decided to take it one step at a time!

The boat will straighten when it reaches the bridge, right?

Chen Yan had also considered whether to come clean to one of them.

But to whom?

To Lu Man?

"Lu Man, though Yu Qiao Qiao hasn't accepted you yet, but... I've found you a new sister!"

Chen Yan felt he could almost imagine the expression on Lu Man's face at the time.

As for He Mengxue...

Chen Yan thought it was just too cruel.

After all, telling her meant asking her to "understand," to stay alone in an empty room, to "sacrifice."

He had already put He Mengxue through this for over half a year, and now when he finally gave her a taste of sweetness, when she had just accepted the idea of coexisting peacefully with someone else for a while.

Before she could even enjoy two days of love, Lu Man arrives, and he leaves her behind. It was too heartless, too likely to chill her heart.

So, Chen Yan boldly wanted to try to keep this a secret.

It's just for these next few days.

He was going all in!

He would strive not to reveal any flaws and to satisfy both girls!

Thinking this way, Chen Yan walked to the study, then took out a sticky note and left a message saying "I've gone to buy breakfast" on the table. After that, he got dressed and left the hotel suite...

Song Chuang was highly efficient. No sooner had Chen Yan left the hotel than the hotel booking information Song Chuang had reserved came through.

The hotel Chen Yan was staying at was in a prime location, right next to Tiandu's business district, hence the abundance of hotels nearby.

This was also why Chen Yan dared to make such a bold attempt.

The hotel Song Chuang booked for Chen Yan was right next door to Chen Yan's current hotel, also an international five-star hotel, equally lavish.

Chen Yan jogged over, went straight to the front desk, and checked in.

Normally you can only check into hotels in the afternoon, but Chen Yan had booked the Presidential Suite, which was almost never occupied, so he was able to check in so smoothly.

With the room card in hand, Chen Yan took the elevator to go upstairs and then began to arrange the hotel room.

What he needed to do was make the room look lived-in and used.

Only then could he deceive Lu Man upon her arrival.

To make the room appear as if someone really had stayed there, Chen Yan even took the trouble to roll around on the bed and went to the bathroom to use the toothpaste, shampoo, and shower gel.

After half an hour of this preparation, Chen Yan's phone rang.

He picked it up to find it was Lu Man calling.

Chen Yan quickly composed himself, cleared his throat, and answered the phone.

As he answered the call, Chen Yan adopted a voice as if he had just woken up, imitating that hoarse, sleepy tone, "Hello? Who is this..."

From the other end of the line came Lu Man's cheerful voice, "Guess who~~"

Chen Yan, pretending to be groggy, replied, "Man Man..."

"How is it? Missing me?"

Lu Man chuckled twice, then said, "I'm not missing you at all. What's there to miss about you, you big dumb pig."

Chen Yan helplessly touched his nose, but he had to continue the act, so he replied indulgently, "Alright, alright. I'm the big dumb pig."

"Am I the one missing you, happy now?"

Seeing how "obedient" Chen Yan was, Lu Man instantly felt happy and proudly said, "Fine~ since the big dumb pig misses Her Majesty the Queen. Then hurry up, wash up, and get ready to receive me! I'm coming to find you now!"

Hearing Lu Man's words, Chen Yan's acting skills erupted. He acted genuinely surprised to hear Lu Man was coming, asking, "You're coming to see me? Where are you now?"

Chen Yan helplessly touched his nose, but he had to continue the act, so he replied indulgently, "Alright, alright. I'm the big dumb pig."

"Am I the one missing you, happy now?"

Seeing how "obedient" Chen Yan was, Lu Man instantly felt happy and proudly said, "Fine~ since the big dumb pig misses Her Majesty the Queen. Then hurry up, wash up, and get ready to receive me! I'm coming to find you now!"

Hearing Lu Man's words, Chen Yan's acting skills erupted. He acted genuinely surprised to hear Lu Man was coming, asking, "You're coming to see me? Where are you now?"

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