Chapter 26: Lu Yufei’s Despair

Just outside the president’s office, Lin Xiao sat in his chair, a picture of boredom, utterly unaware of the office’s happenings.

With his capabilities, it wouldn’t be tough to glean what was happening inside, but curiosity was not in his nature, especially when it involved Wan Caixuan and Ning Xi’s privacy. Thus, he consciously used his abilities to suppress his hearing to the level of an ordinary individual.

Suddenly, an irritating voice echoed in his ears.

“Ah, if it isn’t our company’s star, the president’s personal bodyguard? Why are you loitering outside the office all alone?”

Looking up, Lin Xiao was met with Lu Yufei’s contemptuous smirk.

Upon arriving at the top floor to report to Wan Caixuan, Lu Yufei felt a surge of anticipation seeing Lin Xiao standing alone. His moment had finally come.

Given the president’s well-known intolerance for lateness, and seeing that this country bumpkin was not only half an hour late but also left standing outside alone, Lu Yufei was convinced he had been dismissed on the spot. Unable to contain his glee, he couldn’t resist sneering at Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao frowned. Just this morning, Lu Yufei had been cautious and reserved. Now, out of nowhere, he was acting smug and overconfident.

Regardless, he didn’t dwell on it. He had always detested Lu Yufei. Lin Xiao responded in a frosty tone, “It’s not your concern. What do you want?”

“Me? I’m here to submit my report to the president,” Lu Yufei declared smugly. “You’re just a lowly bodyguard, you don’t need to know. Besides, you won’t be here much longer. You should go back to your rightful place, scuttle back to the construction site to lug bricks. Brilliant Aya is no place for laborers like you.”

Lin Xiao studied Lu Yufei, completely perplexed as to why he thought he would be leaving the company.

Regardless of his confusion, he wasn’t going to show any courtesy towards this lowlife.

“Beat it.”

“Haha, the one who should beat it is you. Don’t assume your bluster still holds any sway here. Just so you know, I’m privy to all your secrets.”

Growing impatient with Lin Xiao’s stubbornness, Lu Yufei decided to reveal everything, ready to shatter Lin Xiao’s façade of composure.

“You’ve got quite the nerve, showing up half an hour late to pick up the president. Did you think knowing Assistant Ning would let you run amok in Brilliant Aya? Haha, you’re paving your own path to destruction. Even assistant Ning can’t bail you out now.”

That’s when it clicked for Lin Xiao. Lu Yufei’s renewed arrogance stemmed from his belief that Lin Xiao was about to be ousted by Wan Caixuan.

Lu Yufei brimmed with satisfaction. He felt an immense sense of delight, like savoring an ice pop in the heat of summer.

“How does it feel? Exposed now, aren’t you? Haha, a laborer like you will always stay just that. I bet working at Brilliant Aya must have been the highlight of your life. But, alas, it lasted just a day. Tsk tsk… Back to your construction site, where you belong.”

“What if you’re wrong? Aren’t you afraid that I haven’t been fired?” Lin Xiao asked calmly.

Lu Yufei laughed scornfully, “Haha, are you trying to make a joke? Who do you think you are? If you weren’t fired, I, Lu Yufei, will walk out of Brilliant Aya this instant.”

“Is that so? Then, you can leave now.”

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang in Lu Yufei’s ears.

Lu Yufei’s face fell, and upon looking up, he found Ning Xi giving him a frosty stare.

“Assistant Ning, good to see you. I was just giving Lin Xiao, that country bumpkin, a piece of my mind. He showed up a whole half-hour late to pick up our president and made her furious.”

Lu Yufei’s words intensified when he spoke of the president’s anger.

Lu Yufei didn’t dare act arrogant in front of Ning Xi. Knowing she was close to Lin Xiao and fearing backlash, he quickly reported Lin Xiao’s tardiness, hoping to gain favor instead.

He believed that even if Ning Xi tried to defend Lin Xiao, the Brilliant Aya Limited—being a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Brilliant Group—operated under strict rules. Ning Xi, after all, was just an executive assistant, not the president. He couldn’t imagine her openly defying a direct order from above.

“Alright, I understand.”

Ning Xi’s response lit up Lu Yufei’s face. Indeed, even as an executive assistant, she wouldn’t dare to cover up for someone. But her next statement froze his smile instantly.

“You can start packing. Your time at Brilliant Aya Limited is over.”

“What?” Lu Yufei looked dumbfounded. “Assistant Ning, there seems to be a misunderstanding. The president told me herself that she was very upset with Lin Xiao being late.”

“Do I need to repeat myself?” Ning Xi retorted coldly. “I said you can start packing and leave.”

“Assistant Ning, I won’t stand for this. I demand to see the president.” Lu Yufei shot Ning Xi an indignant look. “I know you’re acquainted with Lin Xiao, but the president is clearly displeased with him. Assistant Ning, please don’t make a mistake.”

“You wish to see the president?” Ning Xi teased.

Lu Yufei, sensing something amiss in Ning Xi’s expression, adamantly affirmed his stance.

“Yes, I want to see the president and clear this situation up.”

Lu Yufei still assumed that Ning Xi was trying to shield Lin Xiao because of their acquaintance. He even considered reporting Ning Xi’s favoritism to president Wan Caixuan, hoping it might earn him a nod of approval and further his advancement in the company.

“Enough, I’ve heard all I need to. Now, I demand that you immediately disappear from Brilliant Aya Limited.”

At that moment, the door to the president’s office unexpectedly swung open. Wan Caixuan emerged, her face icy as she stared at Lu Yufei.

Staring at Lu Yufei, Wan Caixuan was seething. She couldn’t believe that, not long after Lin Xiao had saved her life, someone in the company was already trying to push him out.

“Pres… President…”

Stunned by Wan Caixuan’s sudden appearance and her icy words, Lu Yufei stumbled over his words, feeling a cold shiver run down his spine. Only then did he realize he had completely misjudged the situation.

“From now on, you’re no longer part of Brilliant Aya Limited. Don’t bother addressing me as president,” Wan Caixuan said coldly.

“Misunderstanding… President… It’s all a misunderstanding. I assumed… I assumed…”

“Assumed? Assumed what? Let me clarify for you. As long as Lin Xiao wishes to continue, he will remain my personal bodyguard.”

“I….”

Lu Yufei fell into utter despair. Only then did he realize the depth of trust Lin Xiao held. Unfortunately, this realization came too late.