Chapter Ninety-Nine: Warning

Bringing Han Chen and He Xinwen into the office, Zhao Fan’s gaze swept over their faces.

“Speak. What’s really going on?”

He Xinwen’s expression shifted slightly. “It’s... it’s just like what was said during the meeting.”

Zhao Fan sneered, “He Xinwen, are you stupid, or do you think I am? Just what was said at the meeting? For a publicity assignment, would a newcomer dare to challenge Han Chen?”

Newcomers and interns entering the company always started out assisting Han Chen, and even He Xinwen was no exception. That intern couldn’t have been unaware of this, so there had to be more to the story.

“He Xinwen, you’re capable, that’s true, but my company is just getting started. I don’t need any messy scheming or intrigue, understand?”

As Zhao Fan spoke, Han Chen remained silent.

He Xinwen’s face grew darker. “President Zhao, it takes two hands to clap. Before you accuse me of scheming, shouldn’t you call in everyone else?”

“Everyone else?” Zhao Fan found it amusing. “How much responsibility do you think the others bear in this matter?”

“This…”

He Xinwen didn’t have the cunning that Zhao Fan knew from his previous life. A little provocation and his emotions spilled out.

Zhao Fan’s gaze sharpened. “Can’t say?”

He Xinwen looked at Zhao Fan, anger surging up only to be forcibly suppressed.

“President Zhao, I think you’re mistaken. This was just an argument. If it hadn’t gotten physical, it wouldn’t have been an issue.”

Zhao Fan said, “I wish it hadn’t been an issue.”

He Xinwen was frustrated. What was wrong with Zhao Fan? Why did he keep pressing this?

“Is it that you just don’t like me, President Zhao?”

Zhao Fan’s expression remained calm. “You could think so.”

Han Chen took a deep breath. “President Zhao, let it rest. The fault lies on both sides. The meeting is over; there’s no need to keep digging.”

Glancing at him, Zhao Fan said, “If my company hadn’t been affected, I wouldn’t keep digging. Han Chen, He Xinwen, whatever disagreements you have, don’t bring them into work. Otherwise…”

Leaving his sentence unfinished, Zhao Fan walked out.

The conflict between Han Chen and He Xinwen wouldn’t end so easily. This was the first time, and just the beginning.

“Bang!”

The office door closed, and Zhao Fan strode away.

Inside, Han Chen looked at He Xinwen. “This is the last time.”

He Xinwen remained silent.

The internal strife at Feiteng was temporarily settled. Zhao Fan didn’t investigate further, but also didn’t keep the intern who had gotten physical. He gave him a full month’s stipend and persuaded him to leave.

After that, Feiteng was quiet for a long while, allowing Zhao Fan to focus on his studies.

Time shifted, and the school’s winter break arrived.

On the last day, Zhao Fan, Chen Tianyu, and Duan Gaoxuan each carried a stack of books, heading toward the school gate.

Chen Tianyu complained, “This winter homework is way too much. It’s unbearable.”

Ten books in a stack—enough to keep them busy the whole break.

Duan Gaoxuan hung his head. “Fan, I’m just hopeless. You don’t have to force me to study, do you? This is just…”

With a single glance from Zhao Fan, both Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan held their breath, glancing around but not daring to meet his eyes.

“Don’t think I’m oppressing you. When the college entrance exam is over, you’ll realize how worthwhile it is to give it your all.”

Since it was the start of the break, Zhao Fan had parked his car near the school entrance for convenience in loading their things.

Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan boarded students, so they had especially much to take home.

“Hurry up, there’s more to carry.”

“Got it.”

Both responded weakly.

Half an hour later, Zhao Fan delivered the two and their belongings to their homes, reminding them that he’d pick them up in a couple of days.

“I plan to find someone to help you improve your grades.”

Whatever expressions Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan made, Zhao Fan didn’t bother to look, driving away without pause.

Zhao Fan headed to the company, asked around, and settled on Han Chen as his target.

“How much do you remember from high school?”

Han Chen: “…”

After a brief silence, he rubbed his forehead. “President Zhao, are you planning to have me tutor them?”

Zhao Fan coughed. “Exactly, I want you to tutor them. I have two friends whose basics are a mess. I need a teacher to help them. It’s not unpaid—I’ll pay you a tutoring fee. If you agree, I’ll give you two hundred an hour. How about it?”

Given Han Chen’s qualifications, the rate was low, but Zhao Fan wanted long-term help—until the college entrance exam.

So the price couldn’t be higher.

“I know it’s a bit low, but it’s a long-term thing…”

“No problem.” Han Chen agreed without hesitation. “Consider it a break.”

Consider it a break.

That phrase struck Zhao Fan hard.

He was still struggling to master high school courses, yet…

He cast a gloomy glance at Han Chen, and as the latter looked puzzled, Zhao Fan quietly walked away.

“The day after tomorrow, we’ll start.”

“Alright.”

The next day, Zhao Fan brought Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan to the company.

Just as the morning meeting ended, Zhao Fan shoved them into the conference room.

“Do practice problems for two hours. After that, I’ll bring your teacher.”

Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan wore bitter expressions, struggling with the problems for two hours straight.

After two hours, Zhao Fan and Han Chen entered.

“These are the two.”

Han Chen sized them up: one plump, one thin, a stark contrast. What they shared was the same wretched look, scratching their heads in frustration.

“Hello, I’m Han Chen. From now until the college entrance exam, I’ll be responsible for you both. How did the practice go?”

Han Chen greeted them, took the exam papers they handed over hesitantly, and fell silent after reading.

The next moment, Han Chen stood up.

Zhao Fan had been watching him, and seeing Han Chen abruptly rise, he quickly asked, “How is it?”

Han Chen nearly lost composure. “President Zhao, did these two ever pay attention in high school?”

It was a math test, yet they managed to produce two answers, both wrong.

Zhao Fan coughed. “Well, their basics are indeed lacking, but there’s still time before the exam for them to catch up, right?”

“There’s certainly time to catch up, but with this foundation, even remedial work will be tough.”

Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan listened quietly, and unknowingly, a fire sparked in their hearts.

What did he mean, ‘even remedial work will be tough’? Sure, they were weak, but not hopeless.

Duan Gaoxuan said, “We did miss a lot of questions, but our basics aren’t bad. Look further—anything fundamental, we got right.”

Chen Tianyu nodded in agreement. “That’s right, our basics are fine.”

Han Chen gave them a cool glance. “The basics are fine, but all the answers are wrong.”

But all the answers are wrong!

Crushed, Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan couldn’t lift their heads, feeling miserable.

“Let’s begin the lesson.”