Chapter Three: The Stock Price

“Have you heard? The president has taken a young pretty boy as a kept man.”

“What? How could the president do something like that?”

“Everyone has needs, even the president. With that much money, keeping a few young men is hardly surprising.”

“Nonsense! The president is a goddess—how could she be as depraved as the rest of you?”

The group chat for Ye Liu Corporation had exploded. Over a thousand people were eagerly discussing the latest scandal.

The head of security watched as even his own subordinates chatted excitedly in the group. He felt unbearably stifled.

He knew he wasn’t worthy of Liu Yiran, only wishing to protect her from afar, but seeing his goddess so close with that pretty boy, Wang Qiang couldn’t suppress the anger boiling within him.

Bang.

He smashed his fist heavily into the wall, his face twisting with rage.

Hmph.

If I can’t have her, that pretty boy shouldn’t dream of it either.

Wang Qiang left the security room and took out his phone, dialing a number. “Young Master Zhang, there’s a new pretty boy at the president’s side, even daring to put his arm around her shoulders.”

…

“You brat, you finally came back. Ten years! Not even a phone call.”

Liu Yiran pulled Ye Qiu down to sit, pouring water for him, fetching snacks—just like when they were children. She always saved the best for him.

Ye Qiu hurried to explain, “When I left, I did call the orphanage, but the line wouldn’t connect. Later, I heard the orphanage had closed, and after that, I…”

As he spoke, the tiny earpiece in his ear crackled with Yun Yan’s voice. “Master, I’ve detected signal interference in the office. There are listening devices on different channels.”

“Find their locations.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Leaf, who are you talking to?” Liu Yiran asked.

“Big sis,” Ye Qiu replied, motioning for silence. He had just stood up when suddenly, with a bang, the office door was violently flung open.

A rich playboy strode in, his designer suit and Bulgari watch gleaming with a show of wealth, eyes blazing with hostility toward Ye Qiu.

“President Liu, who is he?”

Ye Qiu frowned deeply.

The newcomer was pale and handsome, but his unsteady steps betrayed a body hollowed out by drink and pleasure.

Liu Yiran’s elegant brows knit together. She fixed her face in a stern expression. “It’s none of your business and has nothing to do with you. Get out.”

“Liu Yiran, I’ve pursued you for so long.” Zhang Jun glared menacingly at Ye Qiu. “How am I any worse than this pretty boy?”

Zhang Jun had chased Liu Yiran for ages, even bribing the company’s security staff to spy for him, but she had never shown him the slightest warmth. Yet, she was cold to everyone—so Zhang Jun assumed she was simply born aloof as ice.

Ye Qiu’s appearance, however, triggered a sense of crisis in him.

“You’re not even close,” Liu Yiran replied coldly, her gaze frosty. “You’re in no position to compare yourself to Ye Qiu, and you certainly have no right to question me.”

Zhang Jun’s fierce stare bored into Ye Qiu, the air around them growing taut and heavy.

“Liu Yiran, I advise you to think carefully before you speak,” Zhang Jun threatened, his face contorted with anger.

“My sister doesn’t need your permission to speak her mind. Who let you out of the gutter anyway?” Ye Qiu stepped protectively in front of Liu Yiran. Once, his eldest sister had shielded him; now, it was his turn to protect her.

“You pretty boy, do you even know who I am?” Zhang Jun sneered, his gaze full of contempt, then looked at Liu Yiran with open provocation.

Ye Qiu dug a finger in his ear, answering with a bored tone, “Go on, let’s hear it. Make sure it’s something really intimidating.”

“Hmph.” Zhang Jun snorted. “Let me tell you, our company holds the vice presidency of the Cosmic Association and has veto power. If Ye Liu Corporation wants to join, it won’t happen without our approval. Without us, you’ll never be admitted.”

“What’s going on here, Young Master Zhang?” A shrill voice sounded behind them as a curvaceous woman strutted in on high heels, her every step causing a ripple. She affectionately took Zhang Jun’s arm. “Who’s upset our Young Master Zhang?”

She shot Ye Qiu a sidelong glance and huffed, “So you’re the one angering Young Master Zhang? Hurry up and apologize.”

As she spoke, she pressed herself against Zhang Jun’s arm, making her intentions clear.

“What kind of nonsense is this ‘Young Master Zhang’? Since when do any random riffraff get to call themselves young masters? It’s an insult to alley cats and stray dogs everywhere.” Ye Qiu shrugged. “It’s just some useless Cosmic Association. Better not to join; saves trouble later when you have to quit.”

The three-dimensional universe was still in its infancy, but Ye Qiu’s lab had already mastered artificial intelligence and was now tackling the challenge of integrating the 3D universe with human neural interfaces—a technological lead of decades.

But to Chu Shu, this was infuriating enough to make her want to eat Ye Qiu alive.

Ye Liu Corporation’s stock price had just hit a sixty-day low, dropping to three yuan per share. The company was counting on the hype of joining the Cosmic Association to boost the price and cash out in the wave. Anyone who angered Zhang Jun now would be making enemies with her and the entire board of directors.

Chu Shu glared at Liu Yiran. “President Liu, I don’t care how that pretty boy satisfies you, but if the company can’t join the Cosmic Association, don’t blame me for calling a board meeting to remove you.”

She wasn’t afraid of Liu Yiran. Though Liu Yiran was the president, Chu Shu was the capital’s representative. She barked, “Pretty boy, apologize to Young Master Zhang and get out—now.”

“Get out.”

Ye Qiu grabbed Chu Shu by the neck as if she were a chick and hauled her straight to the door. “A gaudy vulgarity like you daring to boss my sister around—that’s the greatest insult to her.”

“You… how dare you…”

Chu Shu was utterly stunned. How could this pretty boy be so rude? Worse, he didn’t so much as glance at her “assets.”

“Wang Qiang, what are you waiting for? Throw this pretty boy out for me!”

“Enough!” Liu Yiran’s expression had become icy beyond measure.

“Xiao Li, have finance settle Wang Qiang’s wages,” she ordered, pointing at Chu Shu. “And you—get out of the company now. I’ll negotiate with Tong Dong to send a new representative. As for joining the Cosmic Association, that’s not for the Zhang family to decide.”

“Liu Yiran, the moment I walk out this door, I’ll announce the immediate severance of all business with Ye Qiu Group,” Zhang Jun sneered. “Think carefully—if I break the news, your company’s stock will plummet further, and you’ll be out of the president’s chair in no time.”

Wretched woman, always pretending to be pure and untouchable—now that she’s been pleasured by some pretty boy, she dares to cross me? Once I’ve dealt with that pretty boy, I’ll show you what a real man is.