Chapter 1578: The Fake Young Master Is About to Be Pampered by the Real Young Master 08

Zhu Suisheng turned in surprise, coming face‑to‑face with Jin Chen, who had just stepped out of the elevator; in the splendid corridor everything fell silent, not even a footstep could be heard.

This was the first time Zhu Suisheng saw Jin Chen wearing a tailcoat performance outfit, his mask swapped for a half‑face platinum line mask that just covered his brows and eyes.

In response to Zhu Suisheng's surprised gaze, the man replied with an overly icy chill and a measured nod.

"You…"

Zhu Suisheng remembered his parents next door, his heart skipped a beat, and he hurried over to Jin Chen, asking, "What are you doing here?"

"Work." Jin Chen's reply was brief, and he glanced at Zhou An behind him.

That glance reminded Zhu Suisheng of the classroom misunderstanding, and he flared up: "I told you it's not what you think! Don't look at me like that!"

Jin Chen didn't understand what he was saying and asked, bewildered, "What's wrong with me?"

"You… I, uh, come with me."

Zhu Suisheng pulled him toward the edge of the corridor, then turned to warn Zhou An: "Don't follow; go back there first."

Zhou An stopped, though he didn't understand why.

They seemed to be on good terms, so why was Zhu Suisheng doing this?

—

The corridor was carpeted thickly, muffling steps; Jin Chen retreated half a step, only to be pressed against the wall by Zhu Suisheng, who frowned and looked down at him, asking, "What are you trying to do?"

"I have questions; you're not to speak first."

This was the first time Zhu Suisheng had seen Jin Chen since learning his identity; he felt a bit uneasy but remained gruff.

Yet his fierceness in front of Jin Chen looked completely lacking in intimidation.

Jin Chen looked at him, then sighed and nodded, saying, "Go ahead."

Without the mask muffling his voice, Jin Chen's clear tone seemed less cold than before; Zhu Suisheng glanced at him again, sure it wasn't his imagination.

Consequently, he felt surprisingly less nervous about what he was about to ask.

"What kind of work could you have here?"

Jin Chen: "Orchestra performance."

"Oh… right." Zhu Suisheng then remembered the top floor's specialty was the orchestra dinner, and he took a deep breath.

That meant they'd soon hear Jin Chen play, with Dad and Mom able to see… Ah, Jin Chen was wearing a mask, so it should be fine.

With a pink‑tinged fingertip he poked Jin Chen's mask from afar, no longer as confrontational, and asked, "Why do you always wear a mask or a mouth mask? You're so handsome—surely you're not insecure?"

Jin Chen sensed his probing and replied flatly, "Social anxiety."

Zhu Suisheng: "... Oh."

As expected, nine out of ten ice cubes are social anxiety.

"There's still one more question," Zhu Suisheng pressed his lips, unsure whether he was probing or feeling something else, "Zhou An is actually… no, he's the Zhu family's long‑lost child. What do you think?"

Jin Chen had no opinion on the matter; he just wished Zhou An would take more of the villain's abuse plotline, and they could talk later when the side quest was nearly done.

"Speak up, don't be mute," Zhu Suisheng frowned, displeased, appearing arrogant and willful, yet somehow not annoying.

Jin Chen slipped his left hand into his pocket, then, facing Zhu Suisheng, opened his palm to reveal several mint candies—the standard stock kept at the hotel banquet hall front desk.

Zhu Suisheng stared at his palm, his lovely eyes freezing for two seconds, then lifted his gaze and asked, bewildered, "What are you doing?"

"You're not happy."

"I…"

Zhu Suisheng's heart gave a twitch; he averted his gaze, avoiding Jin Chen's earnest eyes, and muttered softly, "Just be stupid and die."

In any case, it seemed Jin Chen truly didn't know he'd been replaced by Zhou An, nor did he know what the jade pendant signified.

He took the mint candy and drew a deep breath.

"Thank you."

"Mm."

【Villain trigger detected, Heartbeat Value +5, total 5!】

Zhu Suisheng watched Jin Chen's tall, slender back as he departed with his instrument case, then glanced down at the candy in his palm, feeling even more unsettled inside.

Flourishing Star's recommendation students are exempt from all fees; Jin Chen working here surely means he has no living expenses either.

Zhu Suisheng decided to go back and ask Jiang Shui how to give someone money without leaving a trace, while still not suspecting any ulterior motive behind it.

Orchestra lounge.

The conductor saw someone enter, initially thinking it was a staff member urging the show, but the person was tall and graceful, still wearing the signature mask.

He jumped up in surprise; despite being in his thirties, he showed not a hint of composure.

"Are you the legendary chief hired by the boss?!"

"You look so young!"

Jin Chen entered the lounge amid the orchestra members' surprised or doubtful gazes; after a few brief pleasantries, he glanced at his watch and said softly, "The manager said you have a performance later."

"Yes," the conductor felt a bit regretful, "but we've already applied to change the orchestra, and training is more important."

This is currently the only disciple of that master! Even foreign royal orchestras might not be able to secure him; though the chance to play for a tycoon is rare, such a training opportunity is even rarer.

Only then did Jin Chen relax; objectively speaking, although he currently sees his wife infrequently, he also didn't want to be recognized by Zhu Chengde so soon.

He certainly didn't want to become an adversarial‑route couple with Zhu Suisheng, dragged along by the plot.

Meanwhile, after lengthy discussion with Jiang Shui, Zhu Suisheng finally found a good method, convinced that no one could refuse it.

"Even if Jin Chen were a pretentiously aloof, pitiful social‑anxiety case, it still wouldn't work!"

Winter passed in a flash, and before he knew it, it was after New Year's Day.