After Xiao Chen's patient guidance, Su Xiaomeng's mood improved, and the atmosphere in the private room lightened up with occasional chatter and laughter.
Once they finished eating, Xiao Chen paid the bill and drove with Su Xiaomeng to the company.
"Xiao Chen, can you really keep my sister safe?" Su Xiaomeng suddenly asked seriously as they neared the building.
"Of course," Xiao Chen nodded. "I promised your brother I'd protect you both."
"Then I won't drive you away for now," she replied firmly.
"Heh, really? That means I can finally relax—being on guard all the time is exhausting!" Xiao Chen chuckled, though a sharp glint flickered in his eyes. Once he helped Su Qing resolve her troubles, he would leave on his own—after all, he still had his own mission: revenge.
"But let me warn you," Su Xiaomeng added sternly, "don't even think of messing with my sister, or I won't forgive you!"
"I wouldn't!"
"And don't get any ideas about me either!"
Xiao Chen rolled his eyes, then glanced at her chest before smirking. "Well, I'll say it again—I'm not interested in flat-chested girls."
"What did you just say?!" Su Xiaomeng's face flushed with anger. This guy never missed a chance to rub salt into her wounds.
"Ahem, nothing—I meant you're young and cute. Anyway, when we see your sister later, don't bring this up, got it?" Xiao Chen quickly changed the subject, reminding himself never to touch on her sore spot again.
"Hmph! Since you praised me, I'll let it slide," she sniffed. "But if you slip and tell her about our racing, we'll both be doomed!"
Their Maserati soon rolled into the company and stopped at the office building. They took the elevator up and found Su Qing in her office, still in her lab coat.
"Xiaomeng, why are you here?" Su Qing asked with a smile, though fatigue was written all over her face.
"Sister…" Seeing how tired she looked, Su Xiaomeng's heart ached, and her eyes welled up.
"What's wrong?" Su Qing hurried over in alarm. "Did someone bully you?"
Su Xiaomeng shook her head, holding back tears. "Why didn't you tell me… about the threats?"
Su Qing froze, then glanced at Xiao Chen with a frown. "You told her?"
Xiao Chen shrugged helplessly. "It slipped during dinner. Anyway, there's no harm in her knowing."
Su Qing sighed, hugged Xiaomeng gently, and comforted her. "Don't cry. I'll protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"But sister, I want to help. I don't want you to be in danger…"
"Silly girl," Su Qing smiled faintly, though her heart was heavy, "you're too young to worry about these things. Leave it to me and Xiao Chen."
Watching the sisters embrace, Xiao Chen felt a pang of envy. Quietly, he left to give them space.
He headed downstairs to the security department, where the guards quickly stood at attention. Xiao Chen nodded and handed out cigarettes. "Thanks for your hard work tonight. Stay alert."
Just then, Ding Li entered.
"Brother Chen, here to pick up President Su?"
"Yeah. What about you? You're not on duty tonight, are you?"
Ding Li scratched his head. "We're short-staffed lately, so I stayed."
"Hah, setting an example, huh?" Xiao Chen laughed, offering him a cigarette. "Come with me to the monitoring room."
They went in, where live feeds played across the screens. Xiao Chen studied them carefully.
"Brother Chen, what are you looking at?" Ding Li asked curiously.
"The blind spots and rotation frequency," Xiao Chen murmured. "There are over a dozen dead angles… at least five routes where someone could sneak into the building unnoticed—even into the president's office."
Ding Li was stunned. "Huh? Really? But Director Liu set those up."
"Liu Dakui?" Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes but didn't elaborate. "Never mind. Just stay sharp. The Flying Eagle Gang's been quiet all day—something's brewing."
"Could they attack tonight?" Ding Li asked nervously.
"Maybe, maybe not. Just be cautious. If anything happens, call me—or better yet, call the police."
Ding Li nodded uneasily.
Xiao Chen checked his watch. "Go rest. I'll see if President Su's finished."
When he returned to the office, both sisters were chatting happily, smiles on their faces.
"Xiao Chen, where did you go?" Su Qing asked.
"I checked in at security and the monitoring room. Everything's fine. Are you done with work?"
"Yes, let's head back."
"Alright."