Leaving Heaven Mansion, Li Yan headed straight to Jie Rui Headquarters.

The headquarters of Jie Rui Security Company was actually the office Jie Rui had previously set up in the city. The former headquarters was at a training base in the suburbs, but because the rent and daily expenses were higher, they only had an office in the city. After the reform, besides changing the management team, they also moved the headquarters to the city, putting up a more impressive sign and renting several more offices. The training base remained as just a training base.

Li Yan didn’t come here often, but every time he did, Li Jie would accompany him. Everyone knew he had an important identity, and later, they also learned he was the company’s honorary advisor. So when they saw him coming up, no one asked him to register, and they all greeted him warmly.

Entering the office, he saw Huang Ying busy and focused at her computer. Li Yan walked directly to her side. He wanted to give her a little scare but then remembered that Huang Ying was easily startled, so he didn’t do it.

Even though Huang Ying was working seriously, she still noticed someone approaching and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Can’t I come to see you even if there’s nothing?" Li Yan said with a light laugh.

Huang Ying initially thought it was a colleague, so she’d just asked casually, without looking up from the screen. Now, hearing Li Yan’s words, she immediately raised her head, looking at him with a bit of surprise and softly said, "What brings you here?"

"Aren’t I the honorary advisor? Isn’t it normal for me to come have a look?" Li Yan said as he glanced around the office, seeing everyone busy. Monday mornings usually are not very leisurely.

Huang Ying thought he might be looking for someone, so she followed his gaze and then quietly asked, "Are you looking for Li Jie?"

Without saying anything, Li Yan leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

Though it was just a quick kiss, it still made Huang Ying’s face blush. Initially calm, she now became flustered and anxious, glancing around as if she had done something wrong.

"Is Zhao Chengyao here?"

"Yes... with Li Jie... in the meeting room." Huang Ying quickly replied.

"Then I won’t disturb you," Li Yan said, smiling as he saw her nervousness, and left for the meeting room, too lazy to knock and directly entered.

"Who is it?" Seeing someone enter without knocking, Li Yan’s displeased gaze immediately looked over.

Zhao Chengyao also looked over, thinking that if someone entered without knocking, it must be something important.

Li Yan saw not just the two of them but also someone he didn’t recognize. Li Jie was seated at the head, with Zhao Chengyao and the stranger facing each other.

Seeing it was Li Yan, Li Jie’s and Zhao Chengyao’s expressions changed, not showing anger or displeasure. However, their reactions were different; Li Jie merely nodded, while Zhao Chengyao, who didn’t have a favorable impression of Li Yan before, was now very grateful and relieved after the incident at the auction. If not for Li Yan influencing Li Jie, according to his plan, Jie Rui would have been in trouble.

"What’s this lack of manners? Having an important meeting with leadership, and any damn shrimp can just barge in?" Before they could open their mouths, the unfamiliar person immediately ridiculed upon seeing that Li Yan not only opened the door but came directly inside.

Upon saying this, the others frowned; it was too crude and disrespectful!

Closing the door, Li Yan calmly asked, "Who might this be?" So arrogant?

He didn’t get angry because both Zhao Chengyao and Li Jie were there accompanying the meeting, guessing this was an important client. Jie Rui needed major deals, so he wasn’t bothered.

Zhao Chengyao quickly got up, pulled out a chair nearby for Li Yan to sit, and began introductions: "This is Zhao Yun, Captain of Team Zhao from First Security Company. Zhao Yun, this is our company’s Advisor Li."

Li Yan sat down and immediately understood the situation. First Security Company, isn’t that the security hired by the auction house? It’s the business Zhao Chengyao handed over to them; now that the business failed, are they seeking compensation from Jie Rui?

...

After Li Yan sat down, Zhao Yun became impatient, picked up the ashtray on the table, and banged it loudly. "Zhao Chengyao! Last time you said you’d help me with this deal because of the family bond, but you tricked me! Now you’ve caused such a negative impact on our company. Just tell me how to compensate us! Don’t mess with me, one minute having a damn boss; are you playing me?"

Many company meeting rooms prohibit smoking, but Jie Rui is a security company, whether it’s the internal security captain, key personnel, or clients; they’re often encountered smoking, and the environment isn’t great, so ashtrays are provided. This ashtray isn’t the small porcelain or plastic ones from restaurants but a large glass ashtray that Zhao Yun now held tightly, banging on the tabletop with an air of ’not satisfied and ready to smack someone.’

His accusations confirmed Li Yan’s guess. The profanity embarrassed Zhao Chengyao and tightened Li Jie’s brow, her expression colder, clearly holding back from hitting someone.

Li Yan initially didn’t say anything, thinking this was a big client. Knowing it’s First Security Company and guessing their intention, his attitude worsened. Now, Zhao Yun has also cursed him and Li Jie together, making him even more displeased. Li Jie is his woman, after all!

"First Security Company, right? Why do I feel like you’re going to become the last soon? Zhao Yun? Zhao Zilong? Calling yourself Zhao Yun like you’re Zhao Zilong? Compensation? Is there something wrong with your head?" Li Yan sneered.

Hearing Li Yan’s words, Li Jie felt a bit of vented frustration. But Zhao Chengyao sighed inwardly, thinking they still couldn’t afford to offend First Security Company. He wanted to negotiate a solution, offer symbolic compensation, but didn’t expect Li Yan to confront Zhao Yun as soon as he arrived.

"Damn it! You punk, pulling this crap in front of me?" Zhao Yun forcefully slammed the ashtray and stood up suddenly.

Well, if not two meters, he was almost two meters tall—what a waste for not playing basketball. Zhao Yun wasn’t just tall but sturdy, standing randomly gave off an imposing presence. Even Li Yan seemed a bit frail in front of him. Li Jie, being slim, appeared even more fragile in comparison. Such a person as a bodyguard is definitely visually impressive.

Seeing him seemingly about to explode, both Zhao Chengyao and Li Jie made eye contact with Li Yan; this is their space, no way to let him cause trouble here.

Li Yan didn’t see it that way; Jie Rui is a security company, shouldn’t be too genteel. Sometimes you need to be passionate and tough. Why didn’t First Security Company send a lawyer but instead sent a seemingly rough negotiator? Clearly, they’re there to intimidate!

"Punk, who are you calling?" Li Yan seemed not to notice their eye contact and also slammed the table.

Zhao Yun saw Li Yan daring to argue with him, knowing he was visibly less intimidating, felt he could almost choke Li Yan’s neck across the table. This made him disdainful, loudly cursing, "Punk, I’m calling you! So what?"

Li Yan suddenly lost his anger and instead smiled, saying, "Oh, turns out it’s really the punk calling me. I thought I heard wrong."

(Thanks to the brothers for their rewards on the 22nd: Haibin Liang, dongmin8061, CP Pampas) (To be continued, for more details, please log in to www.qidian.com, support the author, support genuine reading!)