HADES, THE URBAN LEGEND - Chapter 658 - 661: Can We Meet?
Chapter 658: Chapter 661: Can We Meet?
The next morning, in the Cai family backyard.
Yang Chen stretched his arms while yawning as he walked out of Cai Yan’s boudoir. After sending Hui Lin home last night, he intended to come over and get intimate with Cai Yan since he hadn’t seen her for quite a few days. He missed her flexible and full body. However, to his surprise, Cai Yan went to sleep with Cai Ning instead.
Feeling embarrassed, Yang Chen didn’t want to barge into their room on his first visit to the Cai family. He ended up spending the night alone.
In the living room, the servants had already prepared breakfast. Cai Yun Cheng and Jiang Shan were eating. Seeing Yang Chen come out, Jiang Shan beamed and said, “Yang Chen, come and eat. Why did you get up so early? You should rest more.”
Yang Chen, still not used to his mother-in-law’s changed attitude, smiled awkwardly, “Auntie, I should spend more time with you all, but I have some urgent matters to handle back in Zhonghai. I’ll be leaving after breakfast and will come back in a few days.”
“So eager?” Jiang Shan said with a bit of regret, then added, “Well, young people like you must have a lot of work to do. I understand.”
Cai Yun Cheng grumbled, “Work, it’s just about women and nothing else.”
Jiang Shan lightly slapped her husband’s shoulder, rebuking, “What are you saying? How can you talk about your son-in-law like that?”
Cai Yun Cheng snorted, but had nothing else to say.
Jiang Shan, losing her appetite, mused, “Yang Chen, you and your mother stay in Zhonghai, and Old Mr. Yang is in Yanjing. Isn’t he very lonely? As far as I know, General Yang Pojun and your brother Yang Lie seldom go home. How about I often visit him? Maybe Ning’er can visit frequently too? Yan’er will return to Zhonghai soon, but Ning’er has nothing to keep her here.”
“Enough, why do you always think about these things?” Cai Yun Cheng felt embarrassed.
Yang Chen smiled noncommittally, not wanting to explain too much to Jiang Shan.
At this moment, Cai Ning and Cai Yan walked out together. Cai Ning seemed fine, but Cai Yan’s eyes sparkled with mischievous delight as she looked at Yang Chen.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Cai Yan asked, hugging Yang Chen from behind with a bright smile.
Yang Chen knew Cai Yan deliberately made him miss out and said with a bitter smile, “Was it necessary? I left for a legitimate reason last night. Besides, you might avoid me once, but you can’t avoid me forever.”
“You left suddenly at night. Didn’t you know someone would worry? You bad guy,” Cai Yan pouted, pinching Yang Chen’s cheek from behind.
Jiang Shan quickly stopped her, saying, “Yan’er, what are you doing, pinching Yang Chen’s face so early in the morning?”
“Mom, why are you taking his side?” Cai Yan complained.
“What kind of girl are you? Be gentle. Learn from your sister. It’s fortunate Yang Chen wants you; otherwise, I wouldn’t know who you’d marry,” Jiang Shan scolded.
Gentle? Hearing this, Yang Chen couldn’t help but glance helplessly at Cai Ning, who had been quietly sipping her porridge. Under the table, Cai Ning’s shoe was firmly pressing on Yang Chen’s toe.
Breakfast was a bittersweet affair, like living between fire and ice with the two sisters. In the end, it wasn’t pleasant at either end.
After bidding a somewhat embarrassing farewell to the Cai family, Yang Chen hurried to Yulei Entertainment’s branch office. He had arranged to meet the team from Europe that morning. Even though these people were hired specifically for Hui Lin and had no direct connection to him, it would be impolite not to meet them.
However, upon arriving at the company’s building, Yang Chen found that getting in wasn’t simple. The place was surrounded by reporters and cameras, with several TV station vans parked outside, seemingly to broadcast some major news.
Yang Chen wondered if the previous murders had been leaked. But that couldn’t be; the media wouldn’t dare defy the state. That news was suppressed by the security bureau, so it must be something else.
Puzzled, Yang Chen got out of the car and called Zhuang Feng.
As soon as the call connected, Zhuang Feng exclaimed, “Director Yang! I was just about to call you. This is insane!”
“Calm down and explain clearly,” Yang Chen said, annoyed.
Zhuang Feng took a breath and said, “Director Yang, a bus just arrived with foreign guests claiming to be here on your invitation. But as soon as they arrived, the reporters and cameras swarmed in. I just realized they’re all world-renowned masters! Director Yang, how did you manage to invite all these great masters here?”
Masters? What masters? Yang Chen thought for a moment and then slapped his forehead. It seemed Ron had taken his orders too seriously and gathered a team of world-class masters for Hui Lin!
Just then, a reporter and cameraman approached Yang Chen and started broadcasting.
“Viewers, late last night, an international flight landed at Yanjing International Airport. To everyone’s amazement, a group of foreign friends arrived, including numerous world-renowned masters!
German makeup artist Daniela, French fashion master Benjamin, renowned stage lighting designer Sean Steve, and the hottest music video director Marcus Kevin in recent years, among others, arrived in Yanjing!
This morning, these irresistible masters entered Yulei International’s Yanjing Entertainment branch. According to our investigation, their arrival is likely related to Yulei Entertainment’s upcoming superstar, Lin Hui.”
Yang Chen couldn’t help but laugh. This unexpected situation was both good and bad, but it was clear Hui Lin’s fame was about to skyrocket.
Though the building was swarmed with reporters, Yang Chen easily made his way in. The security, already briefed, recognized Yang Chen and did not stop him.
After taking the elevator to the company, Zhuang Feng and others were waiting. Seeing Yang Chen, they eagerly approached, “Director, the masters are waiting for you in the conference room. Please go ahead.”
The branch management team looked starstruck, already envisioning a brilliant future and excitement.
For an artist, fame is the ultimate advantage. Hui Lin, yet to debut officially, had already amassed significant popularity. First, the buzz from judges Christine and Liu Yanxi, and now the support of these international masters, coupled with Hui Lin’s innate talent, made it almost impossible not to become a global sensation.
Unconcerned, Yang Chen leisurely entered the conference room. Inside, a group of foreigners with colorful hair was waiting. Laura, who he met last night, was also there, though she seemed lower in rank and somewhat reserved.
Upon seeing Yang Chen, everyone stood up, excitedly bowing. Some were old enough to be Yang Chen’s grandparents, yet they seemed like fans meeting their idol, with eyes glistening with excitement.
Hui Lin, already seated, felt awkward with so many foreigners and was fidgeting until Yang Chen arrived.
Zhuang Feng and the others stood outside the conference room, holding their breath.
A staff member quietly asked, “Deputy Manager Zhuang, are we dreaming? I’ve only seen these masters in magazines, and they’ve never been to China before.”
“Like legendary figures, Master Daniela is said to do makeup for royal brides, and Director Marcus shoots music videos for superstar Christine. Just one of these individuals likely requires an invitation fee in the millions.” VịSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)c𝒐m for new 𝒏ov𝒆l𝒔
“Stop talking and listen!” Zhuang Feng scolded, making everyone focus.
Meanwhile, Yang Chen had already signaled everyone to sit down. He smiled and spoke in English, “I know you’re all from different countries, but to make things easier, I’ll speak in English. However, after today, I hope you’ll all take some time to learn Chinese, as you’ll likely be spending a lot of time working in China over the next few years.”
Seeing no objections, Yang Chen continued with a mischievous smile, “Ron and Katherine misunderstood my original intent. I merely wanted to send an elite team to China to help my sister, Miss Lin Hui, become a qualified entertainer. But they invited all of you here. Since you’re here, I assume you’re prepared, right?”
Everyone eagerly nodded, expressing their sincerity. “Sir, it’s an immense honor to serve you in my lifetime,” Daniela, a leading woman, said with a smile. “Your image is far kinder and gentler than we imagined. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.”
Yang Chen chuckled, “What, did you think I was a monstrous demon who would slap you around upon meeting you?”
Daniela’s face stiffened, and she hurriedly smiled and shook her head, “No, sir, please don’t misunderstand. We owe our success to your protection. Our families and companies thrive under your grand wing. We are willing to use the rest of our lives to express our gratitude for your selfless help.”
Yang Chen waved his hand, “No need for such formality. To be honest, I’m not sure what exactly I did to help you. I suspect you owe me a favor because Ron invested my money for you, or Sauron and his men resolved some troubles for you. I don’t concern myself with such things.”
“Although you may not remember us, we always remember your kindness,” said Marcus, the slender-faced director, humbly.
Yang Chen pulled Hui Lin, who had been sitting quietly, to stand beside him. “I personally don’t need your skills, but my wife’s sister is entering the entertainment industry. She is about to release an album and hold concerts. Among you are musicians, producers, dance choreographers, music video directors, lawyers, agents, and more. I hope from today, you’ll give your best to help Miss Lin, as a token of gratitude to me.”
Hui Lin, not fully understanding Yang Chen’s words, still smiled shyly and waved to everyone.
Everyone immediately responded with friendly greetings, expressing their enthusiasm for the job.
Yang Chen then said, “I don’t like owing people. I know many of you here are influential figures internationally. Asking you to come to China for a single girl may seem like an overuse of talent. So, I promise you today that as long as you work for Miss Lin, I will offer free protection for you, your families, and your businesses for life.”
Upon hearing this, everyone excitedly thanked him repeatedly, like children who had received candy, far from the demeanor of successful individuals.
Outside the conference room, Zhuang Feng and others were puzzled, not understanding Yang Chen’s talk of protection.
However, Daniela and others knew that if this man offered “protection,” it was like having a pass that allowed them to traverse both the underworld and legitimate sectors unchallenged in Europe and the US. Even national security departments would have to think twice before acting against them.
As the room quieted down, Yang Chen smiled coldly, “Everyone seems very happy, but I must warn you. If I find that anyone here fails in their duties or looks down on my sister because of their status, you won’t want to know the consequences.”
A bone-chilling fear swept through everyone, erasing their previous joy, leaving them genuinely fearful.
Yang Chen, sensing the right atmosphere, softened his tone and smiled, “Alright, let’s not dwell on that. I want to assure you that your living expenses and salaries will be fully covered by me. Though I know you don’t need money, we’re a legitimate enterprise, and you will be paid accordingly.”
“Rest assured, sir, we will do our utmost,” Daniela and the others echoed.
Just as Yang Chen was about to encourage Hui Lin to get more familiar with them, his phone vibrated. Thinking it might be Tang Wan who hadn’t seen him for a day, he was surprised to find an unfamiliar number.
Almost every time it was an unknown number, it wasn’t good news, but Yang Chen still answered.
“Who is this?” Yang Chen asked.
The voice on the other end was familiar, a middle-aged man, “Yang Chen, do you remember me?”
Yang Chen thought for a moment, recognizing the voice, and hesitantly asked, “Prime Minister Ning?”
“Yes, it’s me. I heard you’re in Yanjing. I’d like to meet you. I wanted my secretary to call, but I thought it would be more sincere if I did it myself. So, what do you say? Can we meet?” Ning Guangyao asked, laughing abruptly.