Chapter 523: Confessing to Shen Nan Zhi

Lin Yuan was dumbfounded, and hurriedly refused: "Director Su, this won't do, I'm ten years younger than Director Shen! We're not suitable!"

Su Monong: "I didn't insist that you become a couple; even if you just become secret lovers, that's enough."

"For example, I'm the same as you."

"Older sister, I'm also older than you."

Lin Yuan: "......"

Lin Yuan: "But Director Shen will definitely not agree."

Su Monong: "So, you need to put in the effort."

Lin Yuan had wanted to refuse, but Su Monong crawled into the blankets again, pressing her warm body against his arm.

"Lin Yuan, how important is the X Vaccine to the Su Group? No need for me to say more."

Her voice carried a hint of grievance, yet also concealed an unquestionable dominance.

"If the project is messed up by Sun Licheng's interference, not only will the company suffer heavy losses, but all your hard work these past days will be wasted."

Lin Yuan's brows furrowed tightly; he knew Su Monong was speaking the truth.

These days of day-and-night effort in the lab, he cherishes this achievement more than anyone.

Su Monong saw him wavering, reached out to stroke his cheek: "As long as you help me win over Shen Nan Zhi, once the X Project succeeds, sis will give you a promotion, okay?"

Lin Yuan's heartbeat quickened slightly; this condition was indeed tempting.

But what he cared more about was Shen Nan Zhi's feelings.

"Director Su, this isn't a matter of interest; feelings can't be used as a bargaining chip."

Su Monong let out a cold snort, rolled over and pressed herself onto him: "In the business world, there's nothing that can't be traded."

"If you don't agree, starting tomorrow you're not allowed to touch me anymore. Moreover, from now on, my sister's company won't be entrusted to you to manage." Su Monong threatened.

Lin Yuan froze.

"Director Su, I also didn't intend to take over your company." Lin Yuan said.

He actually didn't care about taking over the company.

Lin Yuan lacked money, but had no ambition.

"You……" Su Monong was also speechless at this young man.

So, in order to get this young man to help her, Su Monong could only lift the blankets again and slowly crawl into the bed.

Then a few minutes later, Lin Yuan's body jerked.

He felt like he was about to be cut off from having descendants.

"Director Su, what are you doing!" Lin Yuan asked.

From inside the blankets came Su Monong's muffled voice: "Stupid little brother, sis is giving you another chance now—will you agree or not? If you don't agree to sis, sis will bite you off right now."

Lin Yuan: "......"

Lin Yuan was really panicked—this woman really would do that. His eyes were full of shock.

Silence spread through the room, only the two of their breaths intertwining.

Finally, Lin Yuan could only resign himself: "Eh, okay, Director Su, I agree. I, I'll give it a try."

From inside the blankets came Su Monong's charming laugh: "Stupid little brother, you're really obedient—come, sis will reward you~"

Saying %......

"Director Su, don't……" Lin Yuan tried to refuse in panic, but it was already too late.

【The following scenes omitted, 30,000 words……】

8:30 a. m.

Lin Yuan arrived at the company's experimental building ten minutes early.

After changing into sterile work clothes, he went straight into the core laboratory of the experimental building.

Shen Nan Zhi had already arrived.

She wore a white coat, her graceful figure like polished jade.

She was standing before precision instruments, intently recording data.

Sunlight streamed through the lab's blinds, casting dappled light and shadow on her…… outlining her slender, upright figure.

"Good morning, Nan Zhi sis." Lin Yuan put down his backpack and hurried forward.

"Morning," Shen Nan Zhi turned her head, pushing up the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose bridge.

Behind the lenses, her beautiful eyes curved as she said, "The herbal extraction plan you mentioned yesterday—I ran a preliminary simulation overnight, and the data looks promising."

The two gathered around the instrument.

Shen Nan Zhi's slender fingers slid across the operation screen, patiently explaining the simulation results to Lin Yuan.

Occasionally a strand of hair fell, and she would instinctively sweep it behind her ear with the back of her hand, revealing her fair neck.

Lin Yuan listened, yet couldn't help but recall Su Monong's demand……

Su Monong had him pursue Shen Nan Zhi.

But, Nan Zhi sis is so good.

Lin Yuan truly couldn't bear to deceive Nan Zhi sis and hurt her.

Lin Yuan's heart felt like a weighty stone, heavy and oppressive.

The experiment continued until noon, when the two finally stopped work, sat in the rest area, and ate boxed meals.

Shen Nan Zhi bit her chopsticks, watching Lin Yuan's obviously distracted state.

Shen Nan Zhi asked concernedly: "What's wrong? Didn't you rest well last night? Your complexion doesn't look good."

Lin Yuan snapped back to attention, meeting her clear gaze, his heart gave a sudden jump.

Lin Yuan quickly shook his head: "No, maybe I'm just a bit tired."

He hesitated for a full three minutes, his fingers secretly clenching on his knee.

After a long while, Lin Yuan finally gathered the courage to speak: "Shen Nan Zhi, tonight… may I treat you to dinner? Just consider it thanks for your help in the lab these past days."

Shen Nan Zhi was visibly startled by the words, her chopsticks pausing mid-air.

She obviously hadn't expected Lin Yuan to suddenly extend an invitation.

Shen Nan Zhi's cheeks flushed with a barely perceptible blush.

She avoided Lin Yuan's gaze, gently stirring the rice in her boxed meal: "This is just what I should do; no need to be so polite."

"It's not the same," Lin Yuan hurriedly said, "Many key ideas were your pointers; I truly want to thank you."

Looking at Lin Yuan's sincere eyes, Shen Nan Zhi finally nodded lightly, her voice softening a bit: "All right, then don't go overboard."

…

7 p. m.

Lin Yuan had reserved a private small room for two at the Haidilao near his company in advance.

She also specially instructed the staff to prepare the sour plum tea that Shen Nan Zhi loves.

Shen Nan Zhi arrived promptly after work.

She changed into a milky-white dress and removed her light lab makeup.

Her black long hair was loosely tied back, losing some of its workday coolness and gaining a gentle, graceful aura.

Upon seeing Shen Nan Zhi's delicate makeup, Lin Yuan's heart gave a slight jump.

Because, she really is beautiful.

Although Lin Yuan harbored no ill intentions toward Shen Nan Zhi,

but being a man, he, like all men, cannot help but appreciate beautiful things.

Shen Nan Zhi is stunningly beautiful, like a movie star.

As a man, Lin Yuan couldn't help but steal a few extra glances, after all, everyone likes beautiful things.

Shen Nan Zhi is a feast for the eyes.

"I didn't expect you to pick this place," Shen Nan Zhi said after sitting down, looking around at the lively surroundings and smiling, "I thought you'd choose a quiet Western restaurant."

"I heard you like hot pot, especially the red-oil broth," Lin Yuan said, a little embarrassed, scratching his head, then quickly picked up the menu: "See if there's anything else you want, order whatever you like."

Shen Nan Zhi took the menu, her fingertip gliding over the dish names, and ultimately added only a serving of shrimp paste and a portion of greens: "That's enough; for two people this is about right."

The red-oil broth was soon brought to the table, boiling and rolling, sending up waves of fragrance.

The steaming haze… blurred Shen Nan Zhi's cheeks, making her already delicate features appear even softer.

Lin Yuan, while cooking the vegetables, struggled to find a topic.

From the lab's progress… to talking about his childhood studying traditional Chinese medicine.

Shen Nan Zhi listened attentively, occasionally sharing her own experiences, speaking of the days she conducted experiments until dawn while studying abroad.

In Shen Nan Zhi's beautiful eyes, there was a fullness of passion for medical research.

Just as the two were chatting happily, Lin Yuan's phone suddenly vibrated beneath the table.

He furtively pulled it out and saw it was a WeChat from Su Monong Fa, messages popping up one after another:

【You guys must be almost done eating. The timing is perfect—quickly confess!】

【Don't dawdle, secure her project or you won't be stable!】

【Remember your promise, don't let me down…】

【If the confession succeeds, tonight you'll win Shen Nan Zhi…】

In the WeChat, Su Monong sent one message after another.

Lin Yuan's fingers clenched tightly around the phone as he drew a deep breath.

The screen's light illuminated his face, making his expression especially complex.

He lifted his gaze to look at Shen Nan Zhi across from him…

Shen Nan Zhi was lowering her head, blowing on the freshly cooked tripe.

Her long lashes fluttered like tiny fans, and the corners of her mouth still held a faint smile.

Lin Yuan recalled yesterday in the lab…

Shen Nan Zhi stood for three whole hours to help him debug a datum, her legs going numb yet she uttered not a single complaint;

He recalled how, when he stayed up late and grew drowsy, she quietly placed bread and coffee on his desk;

He remembered her speaking of the R&D goal, her eyes flashing with light…

Faced with such a pure and lovely older sister, Lin Yuan truly could not bring himself to deceive her.

"Here, the tripe you like, cooked just right." Shen Nan Zhi placed the tripe into Lin Yuan's bowl, smiling, "Don't just stare at me—you eat too."

Lin Yuan's heart softened sharply, as if struck hard by something.

He silently put away his phone and picked up the public chopsticks.

He dumped the shrimp paste and fatty beef that Shen Nan Zhi loves into the pot.

After they cooked, Lin Yuan carefully scooped out the ingredients, removed the Sichuan pepper and chili, and placed them in her bowl: "Eat quickly, or it won't taste good when cold."

In the end, Lin Yuan still couldn't bring himself to utter that insincere confession.

Shen Nan Zhi's sincerity and purity made it truly unbearable for him… to deceive her with a purpose‑driven "pursuit."

This meal was especially warm and cozy.

Around 9 p. m., dinner ended.

Lin Yuan drove Shen Nan Zhi home, the car steadily stopping in front of her residential complex.

"Thank you so much today, I really enjoyed the meal." Shen Nan Zhi unfastened her seatbelt but didn't get out right away; she turned to look at Lin Yuan, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, "Actually… I also have something I want to thank you for."

She took out a delicate little box from her bag and handed it to Lin Yuan: "I noticed you always use a notebook to record data during experiments, which gets dirty easily, so I bought you a leather cover and a fountain pen."

Lin Yuan took the box and opened it to find a dark brown leather notebook cover, with a tiny embroidered "Lin" character, the stitching fine—clearly prepared with care.

There was also a rose-gold fountain pen; at a glance it was clearly valuable.

"This… is too valuable, I can't accept it." Lin Yuan hurriedly tried to push it back.

"It's not that valuable, just a token of my appreciation," Shen Nan Zhi said, pressing his hand, her cheeks slightly flushed, "You've helped me so much—I can't keep taking advantage of you."

Lin Yuan held the cover still warm from her touch and the pure gold fountain pen.

His heart was a jumble of emotions, his throat felt blocked, and he couldn't speak for a long while.

"Well… I'm heading up now," Shen Nan Zhi said, opening the car door and stepping out.

She didn't forget to add, "Lin Yuan, be careful on your way back."

"Sister Shen Nan Zhi," Lin Yuan suddenly called out to stop her.

Shen Nan Zhi turned back, looking at him puzzled.

Lin Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but all he managed was, "Get some rest early, don't stay up late."

Shen Nan Zhi smiled, nodded, and turned to walk into the hallway.

Lin Yuan sat in the car, watching her silhouette disappear at the elevator entrance before starting the car and driving away.

……

At ten-thirty in the evening, Lin Yuan drove back to his residential complex.

Just as he turned into the parking spot downstairs, he saw a familiar black Mercedes-Benz parked at the curb.

It was Su Monong's car.

The car window slowly lowered, revealing Su Monong's face in the light.

Her pretty face was cold, her beautiful eyes gazing fixedly at Lin Yuan.

"Director Su? What are you doing here?" Lin Yuan saw Su Monong, startled, and asked in surprise.

Su Monong's beautiful eyes gazed at him as she said, "I want to see how far you can get tonight. Looking at it now, huh? Your progress isn't going well."

Su Monong raised her wrist, glanced at her watch, and said, "This time, it's ten-thirty at night, and you're already back? You didn't manage to secure Shen Nan Zhi tonight?"

Su Monong asked in a low tone.

"Um…" Lin Yuan didn't know how to explain.

"Get in the car." Su Monong said, her voice devoid of any warmth.

Lin Yuan took a deep breath, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.

He had just closed the door when he sensed a oppressive atmosphere filling the cabin.

"How did things go?" Su Monong didn't look at him, her eyes fixed on the darkness ahead, her tone clearly questioning, "Did you confess? Did she accept?"

Lin Yuan replied helplessly, "Director Su, sorry, I really can't do it."

"Shen Nan Zhi is genuinely devoted to her research; she has no other feelings toward me. I can't deceive her this way, nor can I drag her into factional struggles."

"You can't?" Su Monong's pretty face snapped toward him, her beautiful eyes coldly fixed on Lin Yuan, "Lin Yuan, do you know what you're saying?"

"I had you approach her to stabilize the X Project for the company—not to indulge in pity and tenderness!" Su Monong said, frustrated.

She burst with uncontainable anger, "Lin Yuan, you're far too soft-hearted! Being kind and weak won't achieve great things! Do you know how important the X Vaccine is to the Su Group? This determines whether we can gain a foothold in the pharmaceutical sector and whether we can completely kick Sun Licheng out."

"I gave you the opportunity, the resources, and even promised such generous returns—yet this is the result you bring me?"

Su Monong was very angry.

The consequences would be severe!

She flung the document bag at Lin Yuan, "Do you deserve my trust in you? Do you deserve the effort you've put in these days in the lab?"

The documents inside the bag scattered everywhere—all core data reports of the X Project.

Lin Yuan retorted, "Director Su, even for the project's sake, we can't resort to deception!"

"Director Shen isn't a tool for us to vie for power and profit! She's wholly devoted to R&D; for this project she's slept only four hours a day for a month straight—her dedication is no less than mine!"

"Sincerity? Dedication?" Su Monong snorted coldly, her eyes icy and piercing, "In the business world, what are those worth?"

"Do you think Sun Licheng will let her go just because she's 'earnestly doing research'?"

Su Monong leaned in toward Lin Yuan, her voice lowered but full of oppressive pressure, "As long as she remains someone Sun Licheng promoted, and as long as she controls the core technology of the X Project, sooner or later Sun Licheng will use her against me—by then not only will the project be ruined, she'll become a sacrifice!"

"I had you take her down not to harm her, but to help her—and to help yourself too!"

At that moment, Lin Yuan froze.

Su Monong's explanation, well, actually made sense.

"Director Su, sorry, this is my fault," Lin Yuan sighed.

"You brat, you don't listen to your sister—really, you're making her angry. Tonight, just an apology won't dispel her resentment."

Su Monong lightly bit her lip and said coldly.

"Director Su, what do you want then?" Lin Yuan suddenly asked, wary.

But before Lin Yuan could finish speaking, he was dazed.

Because.

Su Monong suddenly grabbed his collar.

Then she pulled Lin Yuan entirely under her pomegranate skirt…

"You brat, tonight if you don't serve me well, I won't forgive you. Get ready—be my little ghost under my pomegranate skirt~" Su Monong said in a soft, icy voice.

She gave Lin Yuan no chance to resist at all…

Then Lin Yuan's face was covered.

Because, Su Monong's figure was too perfect…

The contact area is too large.

Lin Yuan couldn't breathe...