Volume One, Chapter 12: Dr. He, What Are You… Planning?

She looked up and saw Yean Chen He dressed in a sharply tailored dark suit, his tie perfectly knotted, giving him an air of elegance and refinement. He walked in with calm composure, his strong features carrying a trace of coldness, and his gaze bore a profound sense of detachment and indifference.

“A trivial matter, yet you’ve been dragging it out for so long?”

The principal understood Yean Chen He’s meaning. There were only four people present in total, including the teachers. This was just a dispute between two children, yet it had been delayed for so long without resolution. How could there be no blame?

The principal suddenly panicked, pointed at the teacher, and ordered, “What’s going on? Hurry up and report to the school board!”

The teacher bit her lip, shifting awkwardly in her high heels, about to answer the principal’s question. Meanwhile, although Xie Huaijin was a shareholder of the school, their superior never attended shareholder meetings in person—either communicating through mysterious voice messages or relayed by the principal. He had never imagined it would be Yean Chen He!

But that was fine; they had met before and even had cooperative investment projects, making them allies of sorts.

When Xie Huaijin saw Yean Chen He again, he was less nervous than the last time. He stepped forward and, somewhat obsequiously, pulled a cigarette from a case and offered it to him.

“Mr. He, this minor matter really didn’t require your personal intervention. I’m also a shareholder here and fully understand the situation. It was just some childish horseplay between two kids, a misunderstanding between their parents, which I have already explained. They both understood.”

Yean Chen He didn’t take it but instead fixed his gaze on her, looking down with a slightly stiffened jawline. “You understand?”

Ji Yao was as shocked as Xie Huaijin. She hadn’t expected his business empire to be so widespread throughout the city, present everywhere. Biting her lip, unwilling to accept the outcome, she began to defend herself.

“I don’t understand… The situation is completely different from what Xie Huaijin said. I requested to see the school surveillance footage, but he refused. Since you’re a board member, can you restore my brother’s innocence?”

Xie Huaijin had assumed Ji Yao had met Yean Chen He and knew about his cooperation with him, as well as his distinguished status, so she wouldn’t dare undermine him. He never expected her to directly contradict him in front of everyone, which was quite humiliating!

Not wanting to appear heartless, Xie Huaijin quickly defended himself. “Mr. He, my wife has stayed home since graduating college and rarely goes out. She’s good at housework but not adept at handling matters like these, so her idea might have been naive. Please don’t hold it against her.”

“Show the footage.”

Yean Chen He’s cold gaze sliced through the air, the terse command loaded with authority.

With their superior’s word, the principal had no choice but to comply. Qin Zhenzhen stood not far away, feeling a strange unfamiliarity as she looked at Yean Chen He’s handsome face, yet she couldn’t bring herself to hate him. She never imagined there was a man even more powerful than Xie Huaijin. How she wished she had met him sooner!

---

After reviewing the footage, the truth was laid bare. Xie Huaijin’s head sank lower and lower, embarrassed, though he remained composed enough to break the silence first.

“Mr. He, about this matter—”

“Your so-called explanation is just twisting the facts?”

Xie Huaijin hadn’t even finished speaking before Yean Chen He ruthlessly cut him off, leaving him gasping, nearly choking from the shock. His mind raced, wondering how Yean Chen He intended to handle the situation, when the man’s voice, cold as ice, struck him.

“Expel that child. No troublemakers among parents or students on my turf.”

Xie Huaijin’s heart finally sank. Qin Zhenzhen’s eyes reddened with frustration. If not for the crowd, she would have rushed forward to clutch Xie Huaijin’s arm, pleading to reverse the outcome. But now, with things at this stage, she couldn’t bring herself to beg.

Clenching her teeth, Qin Zhenzhen’s eyes glinted with suppressed hatred. “Expel him if you must. This city is huge; it’s not like your kindergarten is the only one! My son won’t be left without a school! Hmph!”

Angrily, Qin Zhenzhen stormed off. Xie Huaijin was also displeased with the decision, harboring resentment toward Ji Yao, unwilling to maintain a friendly face.

“I’ll go and explain to Ms. Qin to prevent her from spreading rumors that could damage our school’s reputation.”

Once they left, only the two of them remained in the small conference room.

Ji Yao’s heart clenched painfully. With this matter resolved, another major issue awaited her, leaving no time to linger. She took a deep breath and, struggling, spoke.

“Thank you for earlier. I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave now.”

She walked straight ahead, brushing past Yean Chen He, when suddenly his cold fingers grasped her. His dark brows and sharp eyes locked onto her with an icy stare.

“The house—you don’t want it anymore?”

Ji Yao shivered involuntarily, looking up in surprise. “What do you mean? That big boss… is that you?”

“It is.”

Yean Chen He never denied it. His jawline was defined and smooth, his adam’s apple moving as he spoke. The light fell across his brow, nose, thin lips, chin, and throat with perfect clarity.

Ji Yao thought for a moment before saying, “Why are you doing this? Could it be… when you bought my parents’ house before, claiming it was a gift, you were actually eyeing our old family home all along?”

---

That made sense. Yean Chen He had used the pretense of repaying a debt to buy her parents a new home, forcing them to move, so he could seize the old family estate!

Yean Chen He casually replied, “That location is prime. Even if I didn’t buy it, someone else would. Like… Xie Huaijin.”

She hadn’t expected that Yean Chen He even knew about this, but it wasn’t surprising; they were both in the business circle, and such information was easy to uncover.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to say, “I know. Even if he wanted to buy it, as long as my parents refuse to agree, he won’t get it.”

The man seemed somewhat satisfied with her answer. He studied her briefly and coldly said, “I can return the house to you, on one condition—you add me back on WeChat.”

Reflecting on blocking him on WeChat, she later regretted it. She thought it was too impulsive at the time and that perhaps she should have waited until they had less contact before quietly removing him. But that was hindsight.

Just moments ago, seeing how Xie Huaijin treated Qin Zhenzhen and how his demeanor changed after Yean Chen He’s arrival, all within mere minutes, she realized one thing—

Xie Huaijin underestimated her abilities, so she was determined to accomplish something big just to prove him wrong!

Since Xie Huaijin was merciless toward her, she would show no mercy either!

If Xie Huaijin wanted something, she would refuse to give it and would even make him pay a bitter price!

Lost in thought, after a few seconds, she blurted out, “You want to build a branch office on that land, right? I have a proposal: I’ll give up the house. Use it to convert into a studio. I’ll work for you, and the money I earn can count toward repaying the medical expenses you covered for me.”

Each injection she took cost half a million; she had never forgotten that debt and didn’t want to use Yean Chen He’s generosity without returning the favor. This plan would allow her to interact with people in the business world and discreetly investigate Xie Huaijin’s company assets, while also repaying Yean Chen He—a win-win situation.

Yean Chen He lowered his voice, each word deliberately enticing, “Working off debt—don’t you think that will take a long time?”

“What do you want, then?” Ji Yao frowned.

His deep eyes lowered to meet hers, a clear smile playing on his lips that carried a hint of wild abandon.

“Repayment in kind… not impossible.”