Chapter Fifteen: No, Absolutely Not

“Personal secretary?” Xia Xin frowned.

Leng Shuang looked at Chen Fan with a playful glance and explained, “That’s right. The job is to help the boss with anything they need—including physical needs.”

“Ahem!”

Chen Fan, who was in the middle of sipping his coffee, immediately choked and coughed violently at those words.

Xia Xin looked at both Chen Fan and the composed Leng Shuang with suspicion, sensing something unusual about their relationship. Leng Shuang, in particular, defied her initial impression—she’d thought her cold and aloof, but such a casual remark was far beyond what she expected.

After some thought, Xia Xin forced a smile and tentatively asked, “Of course I know what a personal secretary means. It’s just that I heard Qin Sen’s secretary was a man.”

Unfazed, Leng Shuang took a sip of her coffee, set down her cup, and replied lightly, “He’s no longer the boss as of this morning. The new boss has already completed the handover with him. After our meal, I still have official business to attend to.”

At these words, Xia Xin’s eyes widened in shock. The boss had already changed? Such major news, yet she hadn’t heard a single whisper about it!

Just then, she felt a nudge to her foot—Chen Fan was signaling her. After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke up, “Miss Leng, would you be able to share anything about the Old Town redevelopment tender?”

Leng Shuang put on an exaggeratedly surprised expression. “Chen Fan, I thought you invited me out to spend a romantic evening, but it turns out you’re here to help your fiancée ask about the tender!”

Then she turned to Xia Xin with a faint smile, sighing, “To be honest, I envy you. You’ll get to be with Chen Fan from now on. Don’t misunderstand our relationship—we’re just friends.”

“As for the tender, the new boss doesn’t want to abuse his power. Originally, Qin Sen decided to give it to the Qin family’s Guanghua Group, but the new boss firmly vetoed that plan.”

Xia Xin grew excited. “He vetoed it? Does that mean there’ll be a new round of bidding?”

If that were true, there might really be a chance.

“I’m not sure about that part.”

“Shuang, could you do me a favor and mention to the new boss that Xia Xin’s Meiting Group is very capable? She could handle the Old Town redevelopment well. If it works out, I’ll buy you anything you want,” Chen Fan said, immediately putting on an ingratiating tone.

Leng Shuang shot him a cold, meaningful glance. “I never thought I’d live to see the day you’d act like a sycophant!”

Chen Fan’s mouth twitched, and his face darkened instantly.

Seeing this, Leng Shuang’s lips curled into a subtle smile, and she nodded, “Fine, since you’re so earnest in helping your fiancée, I’ll put in a word with the new boss. Whether it works out or not is out of my hands.”

“Thank you so much, Miss Leng!” Xia Xin didn’t read too much into her words, thinking there was now hope for the matter.

After the meal, Leng Shuang, clearly satisfied, found an excuse to leave early.

As soon as she left, Xia Xin pulled out her phone to browse the news. Sure enough, there was breaking news about the change in leadership, and the photo was of Leng Shuang herself.

She put the phone down, unable to calm herself for a long time. How did a woman like that come to know Chen Fan?

Judging from their interaction, could it be that Leng Shuang was Chen Fan’s former lover?

Xia Xin crossed her long legs, suspicion in her gaze as she stared at Chen Fan. “This Leng Shuang is the boss’s secretary—so how do you know her?”

Chen Fan had clearly noticed the look on her face earlier. He smirked, “You already have the answer in your heart, don’t you? But I swear, things ended between us long ago. Now we’re just friends.”

“I don’t care how many friends you have. I just care whether she’s actually useful!” Xia Xin raised her eyebrows, folding her arms as if indifferent to whatever relationship Chen Fan and Leng Shuang might have.

Chen Fan answered at once, “She’s so beautiful—of course she can help!”

Xia Xin snorted coldly, “You’re just hoping she’ll help, so you’ll have more chances to see her. But don’t flatter yourself—how could you possibly be good enough for her now?”

“...You’re absolutely right!” Chen Fan replied with an awkward laugh.

They paid the bill and left the restaurant. By now, evening had fallen. Couples strolled hand in hand, close and affectionate, while groups of friends discussed dinner plans.

Chen Fan smiled faintly and suggested, “How about we take a walk?”

Xia Xin intended to refuse, but for some reason, she found herself agreeing against her better judgment.

“Don’t get any ideas, Xia Xin. You’re only walking to help digest your dinner, not because you like Chen Fan,” she frantically reminded herself.

Just then, Chen Fan asked seriously, “If your company really won the bid, what would your plan for the Old Town redevelopment be?”

Xia Xin was taken aback, worry clouding her face. “Honestly, I haven’t thought that far. Even if we do win, Meiting Group only has three or four hundred million at most. Redeveloping Old Town would take at least two billion. I’d probably have to ask my grandfather and uncle for help.”

“No, absolutely not!” Chen Fan blurted out without a second thought.