23: Chapter 23 Visiting the Car Dealership!

As long as the capital injection was successful, Lin Lan would be able to take back her shares.

However, if Lin Lan was unwilling to do so, Lin Maoming would use the name of the Lin Group's board of directors to permanently freeze her shares, ensuring she would never receive the portion that belonged to her for the rest of her life.

"Now you should know why I came out to run my own business!"

"Even though I, Lin Lan, am just a weak woman, I will never cooperate with someone who betrayed my father and hurt my mother."

"And I certainly won't sell a lifetime of happiness just to get those shares!"

"It was from that time onward that I started to suspect all men."

"Oh, I see. So that's why you've been identifying as a divorcee all these years—you were afraid of bad men setting their sights on you!"

"But it seems that excuse doesn't stop many bad men; it's the good men who are more likely to be kept away!"

After listening to Lin Lan's story, Shen Zhou couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

On one hand, he admired the courage Lin Lan showed as a lone girl fighting in the business world.

On the other hand, he felt that although she wasn't exactly young, she still couldn't help but be a bit too naive at times when handling things.

Could identifying as a divorcee really prevent bad men from targeting her? Obviously not.

Otherwise, Lin Lan wouldn't have nearly fallen for Wan Yiquan's trap yesterday.

"Oh, right, I think I understand now. The secret you wanted me to keep for you... it wouldn't happen to be to prevent your uncle from knowing about your current predicament, would it?"

"If I'm not mistaken, even though you came to Magic City to develop your career, that uncle of yours wouldn't let you off so easily."

"If your current situation got out, he might find a way to kick you while you're down and finish you off! Am I right?"

After a moment of thought, Shen Zhou asked again.

"Shen Zhou, how do you guess everything? Why didn't I see how smart you were before?"

Shen Zhou's question left Lin Lan stunned. Then, with a look of surprise, she reached out both hands to cup Shen Zhou's handsome face.

"Sigh, I always thought you were just a slightly capable pretty boy!"

Lin Lan sighed slightly before breaking into a faint smile.

"Oh, right, I remember that Waitress yesterday called you 'Boss'."

"Shen Zhou, you couldn't actually be some big tycoon hidden among the common folk, could you?"

"How could that be? Have you ever seen a tycoon who works 996 overtime every day? Yesterday, I just used a few little tricks."

Facing Lin Lan's curiosity, Shen Zhou didn't immediately tell her about his situation.

It was better to keep a little bit of suspense regarding such matters.

After all, Shen Zhou wasn't yet wealthy enough to go head-to-head with Lin Lan's uncle.

It wouldn't be good to give Lin Lan hope only to destroy it later.

"Well, that's true. Fine, anyway, you know all about my business now."

"I don't expect much else, I just hope you won't be like my uncle."

"Boss, what kind of person do you take me for? Am I really that outrageous?"

"Well, you look too young; I always feel like you're not very reliable."

"Then why did you last night..."

"Hush, you're not allowed to talk about last night anymore."

...

By the time Shen Zhou drove Lin Lan to the company, it was already around three in the afternoon.

To prevent people in the company from finding out about her and Shen Zhou and wagging their tongues...

Lin Lan specifically told Shen Zhou to wait half an hour before coming up.

She returned to the company first and put on an act in front of everyone, criticizing Shen Zhou for being unpunctual. This finally smoothed over the fact that both of them had arrived half a day late.

However, what Shen Zhou didn't expect was that as soon as he sat down at his desk...

Before he could even catch his breath...

A colleague from the neighboring workstation leaned over to him.

"Hey, Shen Zhou, not bad! Where did you go fooling around this weekend? You actually arrived half an hour later than the Iron Lady."

"The Iron Lady was just scolding you in the office! But it's a bit strange—why didn't she mention docking your pay today?"

"Usually, you'd be looking at losing at least three hundred from your attendance bonus."

The person speaking was Shen Zhou's colleague, who could also be considered one of his few good friends.

His name was Hao Meng. He wasn't tall, but he had a round face, looking like a—well, like a bipedal giant panda.

So, sometimes Shen Zhou would tease him, saying his name really suited him—he truly was 'Hao Meng' (so cute)!

"Go away. Why are you so eager for my pay to get docked? Why don't you wish for your own pay to be docked?"

Shen Zhou replied irritably.

Hao Meng's biggest trait was his love for gossip, which didn't really seem like a manly quality.

However, this personality made it quite easy for him to mingle with other colleagues in the company.

"Hey, you're our group leader; your salary is higher than mine! Of course they should dock yours!"

"My meager salary can't handle any deductions. I'm planning to save up for a car to commute!"

"Oh, right, Shen Zhou, you free after work? Accompany me to look at cars. My girlfriend's been nagging me lately about not even having a vehicle, forcing me to buy one. Come with me and give me some advice!"

To be honest, Shen Zhou hadn't intended to go to any car markets after work.

After all, being up all night had left him somewhat exhausted, and he had planned to get a good night's rest tonight to prepare for—well, for any emergencies!

But that's how people are; you can't resist a buddy's constant pleading.

Especially when Hao Meng was the kind of guy who would be so touched he'd call you 'Godfather' just for buying him a cigarette.

It was hard to refuse such hospitality! Fine, he'd go! He happened to need a car himself anyway, and the Dealerships in Magic City were currently holding a joint car show—a 24-hour non-stop one at that. Going after work was fine; he might even run into a new model he liked.

...

At 5:30 PM, the clock struck for the end of the workday.

Just as Shen Zhou was about to head to the Dealership with Hao Meng, Lin Lan stopped him.

"Is something wrong, Boss?"

"Never mind, it's nothing. You can head off. Oh, right, prepare yourself for tomorrow; I want to take you to meet an investor."

Actually, Shen Zhou could sense that Lin Lan had something else she wanted to say.

However, considering the big-mouthed Hao Meng was right beside them, his beautiful boss didn't feel comfortable saying anything more.