Chapter 75: Met her again

Lin Dongfan waited in the VIP reception room for ten or so minutes, but didn't see the big-name star.

He also didn't wait for Shang Keqing, who could embody the anti-corruption sword.

The front desk lady, face full of shame, reported to Lin Dongfan: "Very sorry, Mr. Lin, our boss Shang is currently receiving medical treatment abroad due to health reasons."

Receiving medical treatment abroad?

Damn, receiving medical treatment abroad—didn't you know earlier? Make me wait ten or so minutes here.

Shang Keqing probably isn't deliberately avoiding me, right?

A strong sense of doubt instantly occupied Lin Dongfan's entire mind.

Lin Dongfan flashed his work ID again, his tone much more serious: "You will be legally responsible for what you say; please repeat it—where is Boss Shang?"

"Mr. Lin, Boss Shang is really receiving medical treatment abroad; I'm not lying to you."

The front desk lady replied firmly.

Lin Dongfan pressed: "Then why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Boss Shang doesn't often come to the company; I didn't know where he was either. This is what Director Ye just told me." The front desk lady replied.

Lin Dongfan said: "Then have that Director Ye come over."

"Sure, please wait a moment."

The front desk lady dared not say more, turned and went to make the call.

This time it was quick.

Lin Dongfan had only drunk half of his coffee when Director Ye walked in.

What a beautiful woman.

She had a head of fluffy wavy long hair, wore a white petite blazer on top, a tight mini skirt and flesh-colored stockings below, and her red high heels had heels about seven centimeters high.

Tall stature, mature demeanor, giving the impression of a career woman.

To show courtesy.

Lin Dongfan set down his coffee cup and rose to greet her.

And at that moment:

Director Ye's face showed shock; at the moment she saw Lin Dongfan, she seemed to recall some unforgettable past event, and her eyes gained a hint of resentment.

However, she quickly composed herself.

And she warmly extended her hand in greeting: "Hello, Mr. Lin, sorry for the wait—I am Ye Jiaying, Administrative Director of Shang Media."

Lin Dongfan politely replied: "Hello."

"Please have a seat, Mr. Lin."

Director Ye gestured to the seat, then sat down opposite Lin Dongfan.

Lin Dongfan looked her over; the more he looked, the more familiar she seemed, as if he'd seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't recall it just then, the impression hazy.

Lin Dongfan bluntly said: "I came today to see Boss Shang on official business. His hiding like this isn't proper."

"Mr. Lin, you misunderstand; Boss Shang is really receiving medical treatment abroad—look at the itinerary."

As she spoke, Ye Jiaying pulled up on her phone the record of purchasing a ticket for Boss Shang; the ticket showed Shang Keqing had left the country five days prior.

Lin Dongfan said: "That only proves he left the country five days ago; it doesn't prove he's still abroad. Give me his phone number—I'll ask him myself."

"This is Boss Shang's business card."

Ye Jiaying acted respectfully, presenting the card with both hands.

Lin Dongfan took out his phone and dialed Shang Keqing's number on the spot, only to hear: "Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service..."

That heartbreaking voice message instantly plunged Lin Dongfan's mood to rock bottom.

Lin Dongfan put away his phone and asked Ye Jiaying: "When will Boss Shang return to the country?"

"I can't say for sure; he has liver cancer, treatment could be as short as a month or as long as a year and a half." As she said this, Ye Jiaying's expression also grew solemn.

She still had half a sentence unsaid: the worst possibility is that he might never come back.

Well, that's just great.

Lin Dongfan's mood had merely hit rock bottom, but now it plunged straight into Avīci hell; regardless of being a gentleman or not, he pulled out a cigarette and lit one.

On the table sat a crystal-clear water pipe ashtray.

Ye Jiaying's service was thorough and meticulous; she moved the ashtray before Lin Dongfan, then got up and poured him a cup of water.

After sitting down, she tentatively asked: "Mr. Lin, Boss Shang hasn't done anything wrong, has he?"

"Give me his address."

Lin Dongfan did not answer Ye Jiaying's question.

Ye Jiaying also dared not press further.

She regretfully replied: "Sorry, Mr. Lin, I only know Boss Shang is in the United States. I'm not sure exactly where he's being treated. For the specific address, you'll need to ask Little Boss Shang."

"Little Boss Shang?"

"That's our Boss Shang's son, Shang Weiliang. While Boss Shang is abroad for treatment, Shang Media is run by Little Boss Shang. If you're investigating company-level matters, you can go directly to Little Boss Shang."

Upon hearing that, Lin Dongfan fell silent again and took a drag of his cigarette.

One could tell at once that Ye Jiaying was still probing, trying to find out whether this was an investigation into company affairs or into Boss Shang's private affairs.

A woman capable of being an administrative director certainly speaks with skill.

One slip and you'll be drawn in.

Lin Dongfan replied: "Where is Shang Weiliang? Have him come over."

"Our Little Boss Shang comes and goes like a dragon—head unseen, tail unseen—I don't know where he is either." Ye Jiaying gave another regretful smile, then took out paper and pen and wrote down a phone number.

She handed the phone number to Lin Dongfan: "This is his contact information."

"Call him."

Lin Dongfan worried that if his phone number appeared on the other's phone, it would be rejected as an unfamiliar number, so he had Ye Jiaying make the call.

Ye Jiaying was cooperative as well, turning on the speakerphone while dialing.

The phone rang for a while before it was answered.

"Hey, Manager Shang, the company has something going on—where are you?"

"All you do is ask where I am—I'm sleeping! My dad pays you such a high salary, and you're just a decorative vase? You call me over every little thing!"

"Manager Shang, today's matter—"

"This is fucking bullshit, shut up! If you can do it, do it; if not, get lost!"

Angry shouting left Ye Jiaying's scalp tingling, with no chance to explain before Shang Weiliang hung up.

When she redialed, the other party had already turned off their phone.

Ye Jiaying spread her hands, wearing a helpless, wry smile: "Mr. Lin, you heard that—this is our Manager Shang. He sleeps by day and parties by night; I really can't get him to do anything."

"Do you know where he lives?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Ye Jiaying shook her head helplessly: "As far as I know, he usually stays in hotels and rarely goes home. With so many star-rated hotels in Nanzhou, finding him isn't easy."

"Thanks."

Lin Dongfan put away the phone number Ye Jiaying had written.

At that moment, Lin Dongfan truly felt sorry for Shang Keqing—he had worked hard, and even if he himself didn't have long to live, it all ended up benefiting this good-for-nothing.

Lin Dongfan stood up and handed Ye Jiaying a business card: "If you manage to contact Manager Shang, please let me know."

"Sure."

Ye Jiaying saw Lin Dongfan to the company entrance.

She watched him go down the steps.

As she watched that man gradually drift away, Ye Jiaying's heart was filled with mixed feelings, and she couldn't help calling out: "Mr. Lin, wait a moment..."

Lin Dongfan turned back, smiling, and asked: "Is there any way to get in touch with Manager Shang?"

"No..."

Ye Jiaying gave an embarrassed laugh.

She then probed: "Five years ago, one night… didn't you rescue a drunken woman outside the Xijing bar, drive off the hooligans, and bring her home?"

"How do you know?"

Lin Dongfan regarded Ye Jiaying with puzzlement.

Ye Jiaying gave a faint, bitter smile: "Important people forget things; it's fine, you may go."

People in power forget things?

Lin Dongfan pondered the meaning of her words, and a memory surged forth, giving him a headache—no wonder this woman looked somewhat familiar.

Ye Jiaying suddenly smiled and asked: "Did you remember something?"

"Well..."

Lin Dongfan indeed recalled some embarrassing incidents.

That night was happy and carefree—not only did he work on the project without a hard hat, but he also bragged without preparing drafts, as if he had promised her something.

Lin Dongfan first lit a cigarette to calm his shock.

He forced himself to respond:

"You're now an administrative director, doing well enough that you probably don't need my help—but if anyone bullies you, feel free to come to me."

"I just didn't expect to run into you again."

Ye Jiaying smiled, though her smile held resentment: "Go on; if I manage to contact Manager Shang, I'll let you know right away."

"Thanks."

Lin Dongfan turned and left, wiping cold sweat as if fleeing for his life.