When Nan Yu heard Tan Linyuan was going to take her to the chamber of commerce hall, she didn't show much reaction. She just asked him, "What will happen if you take me there?"
Tan Linyuan was concentrating on driving. He spared a bit of attention to answer her question. "Consequences? There won't be any serious consequences."
Nan Yu turned her head to look at him.
He continued in a calm tone, "At most, people will gossip about you in private, saying that you're a social butterfly and I'm your backer."
Hearing this answer, Nan Yu nodded as if seriously. "If that's the case, they're telling the truth. Let them talk."
Tan Linyuan couldn't help but smile for no reason.
Sometimes he thought Nan Yu was much stronger than he expected.
Although she grew up in a greenhouse, she still had a wild streak that showed up from time to time.
It made him feel that she was really fighting against fate.
She said she didn't believe in Buddha because she only believed in herself.
Even so, he had no intention of letting her be wronged again.
"Maybe those people will also blame me, saying that I shouldn't have brought you here on such an occasion."
Tan Linyuan pretended to be in a difficult situation and said in a deep voice, "Then they'll make things difficult for me in the chamber of commerce, trying to make me lose my footing."
"Will they make things really hard for you?" Nan Yu asked tentatively.
"Maybe it'll be a bit tricky."
Nan Yu saw that although he said it was troublesome, there was a confident smile in his eyes. She understood.
The old fox was used to using such tricks to gain her sympathy.
She wasn't going to be fooled.
So she also dragged out her tone, with apology and regret in her voice. "It seems that you're not such a good host of the chamber of commerce, Uncle Tan."
Tan Linyuan turned his head to look at her.
"If you're held back by such a small thing, it's only a matter of time before you lose your footing in the chamber of commerce."
When she said this, her puppy - like eyes stared straight at him, and her expression was extremely innocent.
Addressing him as "sir" one after another, it seemed to be respectful, but actually it was a provocation to his authority.
Tan Linyuan really wanted to record it and play it for her to listen to how disrespectful her seemingly polite words were.
Tan Linyuan twitched his lips and said in a warning tone, "You're so talkative. I know what to feed you for tonight's midnight snack."
... Nan Yu immediately shut up.
She had seen Tan Linyuan go crazy. It was no different from drowning.
She just wanted to have some fun with her words. She didn't intend to risk her life with him tonight.
...
Although she had agreed, when they got to the door of the chamber of commerce hall and saw the layers upon layers of black business cars, Nan Yu began to hesitate.
It wasn't that she was backing out at the last minute. She just thought she didn't need to court trouble.
It was clearly a matter of the chamber of commerce. Why should she, an outsider who couldn't get a word in, go and join the fun?
"Maybe you should go in by yourself. I'll wait for you in the car." Nan Yu looked at the dense bodyguards outside and suggested to Tan Linyuan.
"Isn't it a bit too late to back out now?"
Tan Linyuan spoke up on his own. He slowly lifted his chin. "Since we're here, we're in the same boat."
Nan Yu sensed something was wrong.
The next second, the door on her side was opened.
The black - suited bodyguard outside, wearing white gloves, nodded to Tan Linyuan in the driver's seat. "Mr. Tan."
Tan Linyuan nodded. "Help Miss Nan out of the car."
Nan Yu was dazedly led out of the car. She looked back and saw Tan Linyuan also getting out and closing the car door.
"Mr. Tan, all the members of the chamber of commerce have been waiting for you. Please go directly to the hall." The bodyguard said respectfully and made way for him.
Nan Yu took small steps to follow Tan Linyuan and whispered, "Tan Linyuan, did you secretly scheme against me again?"
She could clearly tell that those bodyguards had made full preparations, forcing Tan Linyuan to give in.
Even though they were polite just now, Nan Yu could feel that their stance was firm. It seemed that if they didn't get out of the car today, they wouldn't be allowed to leave.
It was okay to force Tan Linyuan, but she didn't want to be a scapegoat.
Tan Linyuan's steps paused slightly. He glanced at her. "It seems that I have a very bad impression in your heart."
Nan Yu gave a non - committal snort.
Glad you know.
"It's okay. I just brought you here to watch the fun." Tan Linyuan smiled. He didn't argue with her and whispered to comfort her.
He walked steadily and calmly. To match her pace, he deliberately slowed down.
When they reached the chamber of commerce hall, there were two bodyguards guarding the door. When they saw him, they bowed their heads and opened the door for him.
"Good day, Mr. Tan."
From just now until now, Nan Yu noticed a detail: those people didn't call Tan Linyuan "Young Master Tan" or "General Manager Tan". They called him "Mr. Tan", a title without any status symbol.
Even without those titles, the man's thin and noble temperament remained the same as ever.
For some reason, Nan Yu, who was following behind, suddenly had an illusion.
It seemed that from the moment the door opened, the man in front instantly became cold, like the approaching snowstorm, making people shiver.
The chamber of commerce hall was extremely quiet. Everyone looked in the direction of the door in unison.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Tan Linyuan stepped in. His tone was still as calm as ever, and his expression was cold and compelling.
A faint, bitter smell filled the air, mixed with the smell of incense ash that could only be found in temples, making people feel in awe.
Because of his appearance, some members of the chamber of commerce changed their expressions. Their gazes gradually shifted from him to Nan Yu behind him.
"Isn't today for everyone to sit down and talk about the chamber of commerce? Why did Mr. Tan bring a woman here?"
"Mr. Tan is a Buddhist disciple. Don't talk nonsense..."
"I think this woman looks a bit familiar. Take a look. Is she the daughter of some family..."
"... "
The members began to whisper. Tan Linyuan never explained anything about Nan Yu.
He crossed his arms and calmly waited.
Maybe his cold and calm aura was too intimidating. The whispering gradually died down, and no one dared to make a sound anymore.
But this didn't mean that the speculation about Nan Yu decreased.
Tan Linyuan walked to the main seat reserved for him and turned to glance at Nan Yu.
He almost couldn't help laughing.
Nan Yu had her head down. Although she seemed calm on the surface, in fact, she was shrinking like a quail.
His tense and depressed mood eased a bit.
Tan Linyuan stood still. He just tapped his fingers on the table lightly, and someone voluntarily brought a chair and placed it beside him.
Tan Linyuan lifted his eyelids slightly and ordered Nan Yu, "Sit next to me."