Chapter 57: Candid Shot

Jiang Lai the next morning went to work as usual; the others were busy bidding on the latest project, while she was relatively idle, arranging a business‑trip schedule for Ke Zhongyu.

Because she had just become a secretary with little experience and didn't know Ke Zhongyu's habits, she packed the itinerary tightly, the only rest time being on the plane.

After finishing that, she began to submit the afternoon leave request; their secretaries' leave process is fast, directly submitting to the president and copying HR.

Half an hour later, Jiang Lai saw no movement on the leave request, got up and knocked on Ke Zhongyu's office door.

Ke Zhongyu looked up, saw Jiang Lai standing at the doorway, and fell silent for a moment.

Jiang Lai saw that they neither invited her in nor let her leave, her gaze slightly puzzled.

Huh?

A head tilted a little, like a quiet kitten peeking out with wide eyes.

Ke Zhongyu let out a soft breath, nodded to signal her to come in.

"President Ke, I have something this afternoon and need to ask for leave."

"Where to…" Before finishing the sentence, Ke Zhongyu realized they had asked too much; it was Jiang Lai's private matter, so they quickly corrected, "Personal leave, salary will be deducted."

"Alright." The Ke Group's salary has always been just a front for Jiang Lai, so a deduction doesn't matter.

Hearing her indifferent attitude, Ke Zhongyu felt an inexplicable irritation rise, but held it back.

Ms. Nian's words hung over their head like a sharp knife, constantly reminding them.

If you haven't firmly decided your feelings, don't meddle lightly in the other person's life.

They endured.

At lunch break, they happened to hear Jiang Lai on a phone call; the other party was unknown, but seemed to mention a "backer."

Jiang Lai said, "You mean, they're calling me over this time, maybe to make things difficult again? Because I no longer have a backer behind me."

Ke Zhongyu frowned.

After ending the call, Jiang Lai turned around and happened to see them holding a coffee, standing there.

The two locked eyes.

Jiang Lai gave a slight nod, "President Ke."

Then she slung her bag and prepared to leave.

"Wait." Ke Zhongyu called her, eyes briefly flashing, apparently not expecting themselves to lose composure, "If anyone gives you trouble, have them call me, and I'll speak with them personally."

Jiang Lai was stunned.

"You heard that."

Ke Zhongyu gave a slight nod, "Jiang Lai, as long as you're with the Ke Clan for a day, the Ke Clan protects you for a day."

"Don't overthink it, the Ke Clan has always treated its employees with deep affection."

Jiang Lai looked at their sturdy face and suddenly understood why Secretary Cen and Secretary Guan revered them so much; indeed they are good to staff.

"Thank you, President Ke."

"Mm." Ke Zhongyu nodded, then asked, "Is my tonight's business trip all arranged? The schedule must be tight; I need to go fast and return fast."

"All set." Jiang Lai nodded, "The detailed itinerary and flight info have been sent to your mailbox."

The man strode away.

Walking into the office and opening the schedule, the itinerary was indeed packed tightly, indeed fast go and fast return, because there was no time allocated for sleep at all.

Ke Zhongyu: "…"

Headache.

Never mind.

Jiang Lai's first time as a secretary.

Endured.

……

1:30 p. m.

Jiang Lai appeared at the institute entrance.

It was already deep autumn, the wind was strong; after completing the iris scan she entered, lowered her head to pull a mask from her bag, put it on, and tied her hair into a low ponytail with a hairband.

Professor Cheng seemed to have been waiting for her, raised a hand to signal her over.

The two walked side by side into the office.

Professor Cheng got straight to the point: "Ji Lao is looking for you, probably because of Lin Shutong."

Since the last time at the banquet when they personally saw and heard about Lin Shutong and Shen Xun, Professor Cheng was too lazy to call Lin the expert, just calling them by name.

"They've already given Lin Shutong a share, what else do they want from me?" Jiang Lai couldn't think of an answer at that moment.

Professor Cheng hit the nail on the head: "The paper, the project paper must include the whole team, but Ji Lao and Lin Shutong probably aren't satisfied with that."

Jiang Lai's body froze, "She already holds the position of distinguished expert, her name is already ahead of several people, why does she still want the first‑author spot?"

Professor Cheng was silent.

Because it's truly unpredictable.

"The first author probably wouldn't dare to snatch; your data has already been submitted." Professor Cheng assured her, "Rest assured, this won't happen, especially with me around."

"I'm not worried; if Lin Shutong dares to be first author and claim credit, I can take the core data and leave."

Professor Cheng was startled; this really challenged his bottom line, but after thinking it over, it wasn't impossible.

After all, Jiang Lai's solid strength was evident here.

Compared to that, Professor Cheng was more concerned about her life.

"Jiang Lai, may I ask boldly, are you and Shen Xun divorced or still in the process of divorce?"

"Divorced." Jiang Lai knew he cared about this, probably since that night at the banquet, and felt a bit awkward for the elder.

"The divorce agreement has been signed; we just wait for the certificate."

"That's good then." Professor Cheng said coldly, "At least he has some conscience, knows how to sign the divorce papers properly. But you two haven't divorced yet, and he and Lin Shutong are already flaunting it in public."

"That's fine." Jiang Lai knows that Lin Shutong is using external approval to achieve the goal of marrying Shen Xun.

It also suits her.

"All these years you've worked hard, running back and forth, doing his laundry and cooking, caring for his parents and sister, and he still sneaks abroad each year to see Lin Shutong behind your back? Beast."

Jiang Lai was startled; Shen Xun not only sends money to Lin Shutong each year, but also flies abroad to see her annually?

On second thought, indeed—if the money's already given, flying off to meet someone isn't surprising.

It's just that she was kept in the dark far too deeply.

Jiang Lai lifted her gaze to the window; from this spot she could see the institute's main gate. A black lead car drove in, and minutes later Lin Shutong entered, stepping in high heels.

Lin Shutong immediately asked the guard, "Has Dr. Jiang arrived?"

"Good day, Expert Lin," the guard said after greeting, without answering her question.

Jiang Lai's comings and goings are not to be disclosed to anyone.

Lin Shutong pursed her lips; if she couldn't get an answer, she would simply wait outside her grandfather's office.

Lin Shutong looked left and right, found a completely concealed spot, stood there sideways, her gaze fixed unblinking on the door.

First she saw her grandfather's assistant go out, presumably to summon Dr. Jiang.

Lin Shutong's heart lifted.

She was determined to find out today who this aloof Dr. Jiang really is.

Ten minutes later.

Three people approached from a short distance: one was her grandfather's assistant, another was Professor Cheng.

Clearly another person trailed behind Professor Cheng, but no matter which angle she looked from, she saw no one's face.

Perhaps it's just the distance. She thought she'd wait until they got closer.

As they drew nearer, Lin Shutong could see the other's shoes and clothing clearly.

At the moment the three turned, Lin Shutong lifted her phone and immediately pressed the shutter for a burst shot.

At least one shot would capture it.

After shooting, she hurriedly opened the picture and zoomed in.