Xu Changjin was incredibly nervous.
Before coming to see Ye Qiu tonight, she had prepared herself to make a sacrifice. But now, hearing his words, her heart couldn’t help but pound wildly, “thump, thump.”
What should she do?
Stay the night?
Ever since meeting Ye Qiu at the Confucius Temple, Xu Changjin had been smitten. After watching two days of the competition, she was utterly captivated by his medical skills and charisma.
Her heart had already fallen for him.
But earlier, despite her bold move, Ye Qiu hadn’t acted on it. Now, asking her to wait, her heart, which had sunk, was suddenly lodged in her throat again.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess.
Yet, there was also a hint of excitement and anticipation.
Just as Xu Changjin was gripped by anxiety, Ye Qiu said, “It’s late, and it’s not safe for you to go back alone. I’ll arrange for someone to escort you.”
In an instant, her tension turned to disappointment.
“So I was overthinking it. Dr. Ye didn’t have that intention at all.”
After the disappointment, Xu Changjin felt a sense of relief.
“Dr. Ye is truly different from other men.”
“If it were someone else, they probably couldn’t resist trying to take advantage of me, but Dr. Ye stays true to his principles.”
“This shows he’s a man of integrity.”
“A man like this is worth my affection.”
“Dr. Ye is so skilled, so handsome, and such a warm person. I really want to marry him and be his wife…”
Thinking this, Xu Changjin’s cheeks flushed hotter.
Summoning her courage.
She looked up at Ye Qiu.
Xu Changjin said, “Dr. Ye, can I call you something else from now on?”
Ye Qiu was a bit curious and asked, “What do you want to call me?”
Xu Changjin said, “Oppa…”
Oppa?
Ye Qiu burst out laughing.
He’d heard female leads call male leads this in Korean dramas, but he never expected a Korean girl to call him that in real life.
It was quite amusing.
“Sure, if you like calling me that, go ahead!”
Ye Qiu smiled, pulled out his phone, and called Han Ryong.
A short while later, Han Ryong arrived.
Ye Qiu instructed, “Han Ryong, arrange for someone to escort Changjin back to Jinling University. Come find me afterward, I have something to discuss.”
“Yes, sir.”
Han Ryong nodded, making a welcoming gesture, “Miss Xu, this way.”
“Ye Qiu Oppa, I’m heading back. See you tomorrow.” Xu Changjin waved, turning to leave.
Just then, Ye Qiu suddenly said, “Wait a second.”
Xu Changjin turned back, looking at Ye Qiu with confusion.
Ye Qiu walked over, leaned in, and whispered in her ear, “You’ve got a great figure.”
Whoosh!
Xu Changjin’s face turned bright red.
“Ye Qiu Oppa, you’re so bad, I’m ignoring you!”
Xu Changjin shot him a playful glare and fled the room.
Ye Qiu laughed heartily.
Five minutes later.
Han Ryong returned, saying, “Boss, I’ve arranged for someone to take Miss Xu back to school.”
“Mm.” Ye Qiu nodded.
Han Ryong continued, “Boss, I’m more and more impressed with you. No matter where you go, beautiful girls always fall for you.”
“Boss, when are you going to teach me a few tricks?”
“I’m still a bachelor, you know.”
Ye Qiu said seriously, “Do you know why they like me?”
Without thinking, Han Ryong replied, “Because you’re capable, Boss.”
“Wrong.” Ye Qiu grinned, “Because I’m handsome.”
Instantly, Han Ryong looked dejected.
What’s that supposed to mean?
Calling me ugly?
Ye Qiu’s expression turned serious as he asked, “Any updates on Lee Jung-hee’s side?”
Han Ryong said, “Nothing unusual for now.”
Ye Qiu instructed, “Until this medical contest is fully resolved, keep a close eye on Lee Jung-hee and his son. Don’t let them slip away.”
Han Ryong grinned, “Don’t worry, Boss. I’ve got people watching them. I’ve stationed over a hundred men inside and outside their hotel.”
“Good.” Ye Qiu then asked, “Have you looked into Xu Changjin’s background?”
“I have.”
Han Ryong said, “Xu Changjin is a 20-year-old international student in the Chinese language programme at Jinling University.”
“She’s the campus belle and loves doing charity. She founded a mutual aid society at Jinling University.”
“The society mainly helps poor students by providing part-time job opportunities. She’s also a volunteer, spending holidays at orphanages and nursing homes…”
Ye Qiu wasn’t interested in this and interrupted, “What about her family background?”
“I’ve got that too.” Han Ryong teased, “Boss, guess what kind of background Xu Changjin has?”
Ye Qiu said, “Her family probably has some money.”
Earlier, Xu Changjin mentioned her grandfather bought the Tiansheng Bronze Man for over ten million US dollars years ago, which suggested her family was wealthy.
“Boss, you’re wrong.”
Han Ryong laughed, “Xu Changjin’s family doesn’t just have some money—they have a lot of money.”
“Her grandfather is the founder and chairman of Tianxing Group.”
What!
Ye Qiu was stunned.
Tianxing Group was a world-renowned multinational conglomerate with businesses in electronics, finance, machinery, and chemicals, ranking 15th among the global Fortune 500.
Its phones, TVs, and computers had once taken the world by storm.
Even now, Tianxing Group’s products could be seen everywhere in China.
As Korea’s largest enterprise, Tianxing Group had assets exceeding 800 billion, over 200,000 employees, and nearly 300 subsidiaries in 70 countries and regions.
After years of growth, Tianxing Group was undeniably Korea’s top conglomerate.
Ye Qiu never imagined Xu Changjin’s grandfather was its founder.
Han Ryong added, “Although Xu Changjin’s grandfather is still the chairman, the company’s operations are now managed by her father.”
“And Xu Changjin is the only girl in the third generation of the Xu family.”
“Because of this, she has a nickname in Korea that everyone knows.”
Ye Qiu asked curiously, “What nickname?”
“The First Princess!”
Ye Qiu smiled. Tianxing Group was a vast commercial empire, and Xu Changjin was indeed a princess.
Han Ryong said, “Many wealthy heirs and sons of powerful families in Korea want to marry Miss Xu, but it looks like they’re out of luck.”
“Boss, I’m so jealous. You’ve won over the princess of Tianxing Group.”
Ye Qiu shook his head, “You’ve got it wrong. I didn’t pursue her—she’s the one trying to pursue me.”
At that, Han Ryong felt like a knife had pierced his heart.
We’re both men, how’s the gap so huge?
Beep, beep, beep—
Suddenly, Ye Qiu’s phone rang urgently.
