Has the Boss Bost His Temper Today? - Chapter 12

Kids are quietest when they’re up to no good.

In the end, President Chu used his “poor health” as an excuse to kick the person out.

With a sharp thud, the door slammed shut, showing no mercy whatsoever.

Duan Shiming stood in the hallway, the wind from the door still hitting his face. “…”

He stared at the door, his lips moving silently as he cursed under his breath. If you dare try to drag me down with you again, you’re dead meat for the next business trip. You can just stand the whole way!

Just as he was about to head back to his own room, the phone in his trouser pocket vibrated. He pulled it out and saw yet another call from an unknown number. He hesitated for a moment before answering out of politeness. “Hello?”

A gentle voice came through the line. “Good afternoon, Secretary Duan. Have you considered my offer?”

Hearing that voice made Duan Shiming’s ears itch instantly. He pulled the phone away, rubbed his ear vigorously, and then replied, “I’m sorry, Mr. Ji, but I cannot accept.”

“I can offer you more money, or you can give me a figure you’re satisfied with.”

“It’s not about the money.” Duan Shiming walked toward his room. “I am President Chu’s secretary. Naturally, I cannot do anything improper or detrimental to him. Please stop contacting me, Mr. Ji. Goodbye.”

He hung up quickly and blocked the number, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Look at you, Duan Shiming, so principled and incorruptible! My ancestors must be proud! Chu Yanzhou should be thanking his lucky stars to have a secretary like him.

At lunchtime, VIP guests were invited to dine in the high-end restaurant, complete with private chefs. In the private dining room, over a dozen dishes—rich in color, aroma, and flavor, were spread across the table.

Chu Yanzhou: “…”

If he didn’t know better, he’d think they were at a wedding banquet. The kid was definitely getting revenge on his wallet again.

“Mmm~ this is exactly the taste!” Duan Shiming popped his favorite tomato-honey shrimp into his mouth. His eyes lit up as he pointed to the dish. “This! This one is incredible!”

Seeing him eat with such gusto, Chu Yanzhou looked at the dish skeptically. “Is it really that good?”

“It’s great! It’s sweet!” Duan Shiming spun the lazy Susan toward Chu Yanzhou. “Try it.”

Chu Yanzhou couldn’t imagine the texture of shrimp cooked with honey and tomato. Doubtingly, he used his chopsticks to pick up a Black Tiger shrimp coated in thick sauce. Under Duan Shiming’s expectant gaze, he put it in his mouth.

The moment it hit his tongue, the flavor profile was surprisingly complex. He couldn’t taste the honey as he expected; instead, his palate was greeted by a refreshing acidity, like tomato infused with the brightness of lime.

The lime flavor was particularly prominent. This taste… Chu Yanzhou froze slightly.

Seeing him savoring it, Duan Shiming asked excitedly, “Isn’t it good? Did you taste the lime?”

Chu Yanzhou looked at him.

Duan Shiming continued, “My dad makes this dish. He says adding a bit of calamansi lime neutralizes the sweetness and keeps it refreshing. He also says the lime smells exactly like my pheromones.”

“I can’t smell my own pheromones, but I can certainly taste them, hahaha!”

The young man’s cheerful laughter filled the room, as if joking about one’s pheromones was a casual matter. However, for Alphas and Omegas, pheromones weren’t a natural topic for conversation because they were usually tied to sex, rut, or heat cycles.

Seeing him so carefree, Chu Yanzhou remarked, “Secretary Duan, if you said that in front of anyone else, it would be considered sexual harassment.”

“How is that harassment?” Duan Shiming was busy stuffing his face, eating happily.

“You are an A-class Beta. You aren’t affected by biological cycles, but you should be mindful of those who can smell your pheromones.”

Duan Shiming swallowed his food. “My pheromones don’t cause a reaction in people. They don’t do anything; they’re just a scent. It’s no different from wearing perfume. Besides, what’s shameful about being open about your own scent?”

“President Chu, you are so traditional.”

It was just like the “fake engagement” situation. Even though it was a contract with no real substance, the other party seeing other men still made Chu Yanzhou feel insulted and vengeful.

Chu Yanzhou didn’t get angry. “I’m just reminding you. Even as a Beta, you should have some sense of self-protection.”

Duan Shiming laughed. “Don’t worry, I can hold my own in a fight.” He winked at Chu Yanzhou and patted his chest. “If you ever need it, I can work part-time as your bodyguard.”

Chu Yanzhou looked at his slender frame. “With that build, would you be protecting me or just offering yourself up to get beaten?”

“Hey!” Duan Shiming put down his chopsticks, his face turning serious as he glared. “I’m 180cm tall! Are you looking down on me?”

“Eat more then, Mr. 180cm.” Chu Yanzhou spun the shrimp back to him. “Finish it.”

Duan Shiming: “^_-“

“And then,” Chu Yanzhou added, “consider my request.”

Duan Shiming buried his head in his food, pretending to be deaf.

The table was soon cleared. Chu Yanzhou realized his little secretary had a staggering appetite. No wonder the logistics department mentioned that food waste in the cafeteria had decreased lately. He was like a little piglet.

Neither of them brought up the “ten million” again to avoid another argument. After lunch, they gathered to organize materials for the afternoon seminar.

“Many industry experts will be attending. Listen and observe; this is a great learning opportunity,” Chu Yanzhou said, sitting on the sofa and handing him a file.

Duan Shiming was too full to move, lounging lazily on the couch. When the file was offered, he poked out his rounded stomach, indicating it should be placed there.

Chu Yanzhou set the file on his belly. “Where does all that food go? Your stomach doesn’t even look bloated.”

Duan Shiming sat up slowly and set the papers aside, thinking about a project the company was preparing. “President Chu, is our ‘Guiding Tablet’ really that effective?”

Could it really be stronger than a guiding chip implanted in the body? If so, couldn’t he use it too? It would be much better than the chip, which hurt like crazy to get.

“Yes. Our R&D team combined pheromone guides and chips, refining the digestible components that effectively lower pheromone concentration into a tablet. It’s meant to supplement the chips and liquid guides.”

Duan Shiming was impressed. “So people could manage without a chip?”

“The functions are different. The chip is the most comprehensive, healthy, and effective method, but it has limitations. It’s for those with severe pheromone disorders or loss of control, and it’s incredibly expensive. For an average family, one chip can cost tens of millions, not to mention maintenance.”

Chu Yanzhou paused. “And the chips have side effects.”

Duan Shiming noticed a shift in his tone and glanced at him.

“This tablet has fewer side effects. It can stabilize pheromone fluctuations quickly for people who haven’t had a chip implanted yet. Ideally, it will be available in all pharmacies at a price everyone can afford.”

The Alpha’s voice was calm and professional as he explained the project. In work mode, he was refined and steady. Duan Shiming watched him out of the corner of his eye. Usually, he only handled the CEO’s schedule, not the project details.

So Chu Yanzhou actually does real work, he thought. He had assumed he was just a typical “overbearing CEO” who bossed people around. It turned out he actually led research teams personally. A high-level corporate slave of a family business, indeed.

The atmosphere in the room was focused and quiet. Duan Shiming listened as Chu Yanzhou explained that the project had been in development for three years, but a system issue with the pressing process was keeping the preservation rate of the tablets too low.

“Doesn’t headquarters help?”

“I applied, but the results weren’t ideal. The K2 plant system is managed by the Galaxy Research Institute, and headquarters doesn’t have the authorization.”

Duan Shiming’s mental radar pinged. “So you just need the K2 plant system?”

The Galaxy Research Institute belongs to my dad!

Chu Yanzhou nodded. “The system is the key to the project.”

His success in the gambling agreement with the Chu-Luo Group depended on this. Two hundred and eighty billion. He only needed that much to buy his company back. He wouldn’t let the Chu-Luo Group swallow it whole. Even if the obstacles were the market, the Alliance Government, and the Group itself, he would gamble on that 1% chance.

Duan Shiming rubbed his chin. “I think it might work this time.” If he was in a good mood, he might just put in a word for him.

Chu Yanzhou smiled. “I’ll take that as a good omen.”

Duan Shiming held out his hands, palms up, in a “give me” gesture. “If it succeeds, can you waive my room fee as a bonus, Boss?”

Chu Yanzhou sighed at the gesture. Does this guy have any sense of boundaries? Or is he just naturally spoiled? No other secretary would dare speak to a boss like this.

“We’ll see how you perform.”

Duan Shiming pouted and lowered his hands, muttering, “So stingy.”

He’s waiting for my performance? I’m waiting for HIS! I’m the one who can actually help!

Chu Yanzhou let out a faint chuckle. He gave his secretary a hundred-thousand-a-night suite and he was “stingy”? Unprecedented treatment.

**

At 3:00 PM, the seminar began at the H-City Tech Center. It was hosted by the Chu-Luo family and Group, along with the Galaxy Lab, for top global biomedical experts to discuss pheromone control technology. This was a rare public appearance for the Chu-Luo family. They cared deeply about this field because they had family members suffering from pheromone disorders.

Duan Shiming noticed Chu Yanzhou was seated in the second row. Not bad for a high-level corporate slave, he mused.

“If someone comes over, remember to greet them with me. Stay close,” Chu Yanzhou reminded him. The boy was young and might not recognize the industry giants, especially the headquarters’ top brass, it was a field full of traps.

The Chu-Luo Group was like a pack of wolves in the “Biotech” forest. They moved as a family and were ruthlessly goal-oriented. If he hadn’t been careful years ago, even his final 5% stake would have been taken. The family was particularly obsessed with “Pheromone Control” tech, which is why they had shorted his company when it was vulnerable.

“Oh, okay,” Duan Shiming nodded, looking incredibly obedient with his hands clasped in front of him.

Looking at him, Chu Yanzhou had a premonition: Kids are quietest when they’re up to no good.

At that moment, two people walked toward them.

“Director Zheng, Commissioner Chen, long time no see.” Chu Yanzhou stood up to greet them, his posture confident yet respectful. “Thank you both for your valuable suggestions on the guiding tablets today.”

“Yanzhou, the headquarters sees the progress you’ve made in the branch. We also hope the Alliance Government approves it,” the Alpha known as Director Zheng laughed. “And who is this…?”

“This is my secretary, Duan Shiming. I brought him along to learn.”

Chu Yanzhou placed a hand on Duan Shiming’s back, giving him a light pat to prompt him. “This is Director Luo Zhengyu, CEO of our headquarters, the Chu-Luo Group. And this is Commissioner Chen Yubo from the Global Pheromone Guidance Office. The pheromones in the guiding chips worn by patients worldwide come from his donations.”

Duan Shiming took a step forward, chest out, and gave a bold self-introduction. “Hello, Director Zheng! Hello, Commissioner Chen! My name is Duan Shiming. It is a great honor to meet you both!”

Then, he gave them a deep, formal bow.

His biological father, Commissioner Chen: “…”

His biological uncle, Director Zheng: “…”

How did this little troublemaker get here?

Seeing Duan Shiming’s slightly exaggerated greeting, Chu Yanzhou thought he was nervous. He whispered, “No need to be tense.”

Duan Shiming smiled at them. “I am a little nervous, actually.”

Commissioner Chen: “…”

Director Luo: “…”

WE are the ones who are nervous seeing this little ancestor here!

They both spared a sympathetic thought for Chu Yanzhou. It must be hard for him to be the one babysitting their kid.

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