Chapter 3 – The Beginning

"Xiao Qi, you can head out for the day," Chen Xinyu said, poking his head over the partition. "For the next two days, just review these work papers. Mark any discrepancies you find."

Qi Yanze looked up from the screen. "Is it that early?"

"Is there actually someone who thinks getting off work early is a bad thing?" Chen Xinyu’s eyes widened. "You are an intern, after all, and the projects aren't too hectic at the moment. Cherish this rare moment of peace. Once the frequent business trips and site stays start, you will find it hard to even dream of leaving on time."

"Understood." As Qi Yanze packed his things, he glanced back at the closed door of Xie Chengyun’s office. "By the way, when do Lawyer Xie and the others usually finish up?"

"Lawyer Xie? He is incredibly busy. He has been in meetings with the client all day. The business structure of this new IPO candidate is a bit too simplistic; they will likely be rejected. They are still discussing it now." Chen Xinyu was typing away on his computer while simultaneously replying to his girlfriend on WeChat, his mind clearly drifting. "Aren't you in a hurry to get off work and go on a date?"

"A date?" Qi Yanze laughed at the question. "I don't have a partner, Brother Chen."

Now it was Chen Xinyu’s turn to look up in disbelief. "Sorry, I just assumed. But for someone as handsome as you to be single… is it because your standards are too high?"

"No, I already have a target."

"Oh, I see. She must be a real beauty then." Chen Xinyu scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward at having stumbled into gossip. Looking at the young man’s flawless face, he couldn't help but sigh. "Well, it should be easy for you to pursue them."

Qi Yanze caught a glimpse of Xie Chengyun out of the corner of his eye. The lawyer was walking toward the pantry to get water while still on the phone. Qi Yanze’s lips curled into a smile. "I hope so."

"It will definitely be no problem."

"By the way, Brother Chen, could you push Lawyer Xie’s WeChat contact to me? He mentioned there might be things for me to do later, so I thought it might make handovers more convenient."

Chen Xinyu looked up. "Oh, sure. I’ll also add you to our group chat."

"Great. I’ll be heading out then. Thanks for everything today, Brother Chen. If you need me for anything, just let me know."

Qi Yanze picked up his bag and bid Chen Xinyu goodbye. However, he didn't leave immediately. He turned and entered Xie Chengyun’s office, placing a gift box on his desk.

As he passed the front desk on his way out, the receptionist, who was busy logging entries, caught his eye. Qi Yanze tilted his head and offered her a smile. After seeing her blush and shyly lower her head, he turned and walked toward the elevators.

…

At 8:30 PM, the law firm was still ablaze with lights. Aside from the empty desks of those away on business trips, nearly everyone else was still seated before their computers.

Chen Xinyu checked the time and prepared to head downstairs to the convenience store for a bento. When he knocked on Xie Chengyun’s office door, he saw the man rubbing his temples, having just finished a call.

"Lawyer Xie, do you want anything to eat? I am going down to grab something. Shall I bring something back for you?"

"No need. I am getting ready to head home. Are you not leaving yet?" Xie Chengyun stood up, draping his blazer over his arm.

"I want to finish today’s work before I go. I’ll be too lazy to do it once I get home."

"You are far too competitive," Xie Chengyun chuckled softly. "By the way, how is the intern performing?"

"He was a quick learner today. The tasks I gave him were handled very efficiently, so I let him leave on time."

"That is good."

Xie Chengyun hadn't had much time to look after him today. He had initially worried that Qi Yanze might have the pampered flaws of a rich second-generation kid, but so far, he seemed as capable as Wang Zhihe had claimed.

"By the way, Lawyer Xie…" Chen Xinyu began, his tone suggestive. "Where did you dig up this intern? He is so handsome, and he just happens to be in our group."

As he spoke, he noticed the exquisitely wrapped gift box on Xie Chengyun’s desk. Inside was an expensive brand-name fountain pen. Tucked beneath the box was a card. He couldn't see the specific message, but the elegant signature at the bottom was visible.

"Did Xiao Qi give you that?"

"Yes. I suppose it is a sort of introductory gift." This was the first time Xie Chengyun had encountered an intern so meticulous. He had been quite surprised when he saw it upon returning from the pantry. The card mentioned that he had heard yesterday was Xie Chengyun’s birthday and offered this as a small token of his regard.

"Oh… " Chen Xinyu rarely saw such unprompted kindness. He let out a suggestive, elongated hum. Just as he was about to tease him, he remembered Qi Yanze saying he already had a target. Perhaps the kid was just being exceptionally thoughtful.

Xie Chengyun’s sexual orientation was common knowledge. He raised his hand and shook his head with a smile. "Stop right there, Xiao Chen. This is Lawyer Wang’s person; he just doesn't have the time and handed him over to us. Besides, he is not my type. Even if he were, how could I ever lay a hand on a college student in the office?"

"I was just joking, Lawyer Xie. It is just that you haven't had a romantic life in a long time." Xie Chengyun had a good temperament and was close with everyone, so they often teased each other. Chen Xinyu hadn't realized that the intern was originally assigned to another group. "Ah, so he was originally Lawyer Wang’s? I was wondering why I hadn't heard you mention hiring an intern… but Lawyer Wang usually doesn't recruit people personally."

"True. Once I have a bit more free time in a few days, I will have him follow me."

"Directly following you?"

"Lawyer Wang called me again this afternoon and asked me to have him work under me," Xie Chengyun said, picking up his briefcase. "Think of him as an extra assistant."

With the conversation reaching this point, Chen Xinyu understood that the intern was likely a well-connected individual with a significant background. In top-tier firms, people with stellar academic backgrounds were everywhere, and those who got in through connections were not uncommon. Everyone was used to it.

"I am so envious," he sighed.

"What is there to be envious of? He entered through the proper written exams and interviews; he is qualified." Xie Chengyun walked to the door and switched off the office lights. "I will head down the elevator with you."

…

"Theo, how was the internship?"

Smoke swirled through the private dining room. On the round table sat steaming, exquisite delicacies. Five or six young men were gathered around, some picking at food, others smoking.

"It is alright. Just so-so."

Qi Yanze leaned back in his chair, taking a small sip of his drink. He turned a lazy gaze toward the person who had spoken. The dangerous aura he exuded now made him look like a completely different person from the one who had sat in the office that morning.

"What were you thinking? You just got back from the US and immediately rushed off to an internship. I thought your gap year was meant for that startup with Ray, but you ran off to some law firm instead."

"And you can't learn anything from a non-litigation internship anyway. Endless due diligence… it is all just corporate word games. Litigation would at least let you sit in court and hear some gossip."

"Exactly. What was the point of getting a JD from a T14 school if you aren't staying in the US? Isn't it a waste?"

"I have the money and the energy. I wanted the degree, so I got it," Qi Yanze replied indifferently.

Lin Zifan stuffed a large piece of meat into his mouth, knowing that Qi Yanze only followed these paths to appease his father’s demands. "He is brilliant; let him do whatever he wants. We are here to welcome him back, not lecture him. My startup is a minor thing anyway." He quickly stood up, raising his glass. "Come on, let’s toast to our brother’s return to City A. Finally, the group is whole again."

Aside from Lin Zifan, everyone at the welcome dinner tonight was a close friend from his undergraduate years in the US. He had known Lin Zifan since their days at an international high school, and they had attended the same university. Several people in this circle of wealthy heirs were locals from City A. Having money and family businesses to inherit, none of them had pursued graduate studies. They had simply spent a few months playing around after graduation before returning home to live it up.

"There is more money in foreign-related legal work later on," Qi Yanze said, lighting a cigarette. He stood up to clink glasses with the others. "I am not like you guys with family companies to fall back on."

"Your uncle can get you into a brokerage firm. Joining an investment banking department would be much easier than striking out on your own."

"Get out of here!" Lin Zifan waved his hand, rolling his eyes at the grinning faces. "I am trying to get him to partner with me for my startup. You want him in a brokerage? Are you trying to poach my partner?"

"Hahaha! Don't let your startup hold our top student back, kid."

"Following me only leads to fortune. How could I hold him back?" Lin Zifan tilted his chin up proudly.

"Are we going to a club for drinks after this?"

"Don't you have a partner now?"

"We’ll keep it clean—no girls," the man said, swallowing hard. "I know Theo won't go anyway. Every time he sits among women, he is like a statue."

"It is too noisy."

The mere thought of the tacky perfume in those places made Qi Yanze feel nauseous. It wasn't that he didn't like women; he just didn't like the women in those clubs.

Lin Zifan was the only one who knew Qi Yanze’s true purpose and preferences. Once everyone had finished their drinks and sat back down, he nudged Qi Yanze and whispered so only the two of them could hear, "By the way, do you want me to find a few guys for you to practice with tonight? See what the difference is compared to women, get yourself accustomed."

Qi Yanze shot him a glance, his gaze chillingly sharp.

Lin Zifan wisely changed the subject. "Cough. Did you see Xie Chengyun today?"

"I did. It was quite a coincidence—I was assigned directly to him."

"Is that really a coincidence?"

"Of course. I only happened to mention his name during the interview. Lawyer Wang surely understood my meaning." Qi Yanze arched a brow. He didn't mention that after finding out whose group he was in, he had his uncle call to "hint" that Lawyer Wang should take good care of him. This naturally pressured Xie Chengyun into looking after him.

Lin Zifan’s brow twitched. He didn't quite believe Qi Yanze’s words. Having known him for so long, he knew Qi Yanze’s appearance and his methods were entirely unrelated things.

"Do you think it will be difficult? I am telling you, his past partners were nothing like you."

"We only had a brief interaction today; I couldn't tell much." Qi Yanze’s mind replayed the image of Xie Chengyun’s waist. "But he looks even better in person than in photos. He has a very refined, mature aura."

"What? Are you turning gay already?" Lin Zifan teased.

"As if. Even if I were gay, I wouldn't like a man seven years older than me," Qi Yanze sneered.

"What choice do you have? You have to at least pretend if you want him to take the bait." Lin Zifan glanced at his phone notifications and said casually, "You should be grateful Lawyer Xie is such high quality. Otherwise, if it were some greasy man of the same age, you probably wouldn't even be able to fake it."

"True. That is why I am in a good mood. I even specifically prepared a birthday gift to make up for yesterday." Qi Yanze extinguished his cigarette and swirled his glass with interest. "I am actually quite looking forward to it. I have a feeling the process will be very interesting."

"Interesting how?"

Lin Zifan had just finished replying to a message. As he spoke, the young man’s phone suddenly pinged. Qi Yanze took it out and saw that Xie Chengyun had accepted his friend request. A photo of the fountain pen appeared on the screen, followed by a polite message of thanks.

"Look." Qi Yanze flashed the phone screen toward Lin Zifan, a dangerous glint in his eyes. His lips curled into a smirk. "And so, it begins."