TMCOC CH 5

Chapter 5: The Relationship Between Presidents (I)

What does the system mean by this?

Wei Gaochen wondered inwardly, but he didn’t have the leisure to think it through, because Du Linghe pressed on his hand, forcing him to turn and face him.

“You’re distracted,” Du Linghe said, staring into Wei Gaochen’s eyes. “I thought you’d be a little more nervous.”

Confronted with the face so close in front of him—close enough to see the small mole on his cheek—Wei Gaochen froze, belatedly realizing it, and then moved his mouth.

“…I am nervous.”

Du Linghe actually smiled this time. It was that familiar, cold look in his eyes. With a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes, he continued, “President Wei, do you really think coming to Du Corporation means you can leave easily?”

Wei Gaochen blinked slowly, a little unsure.

“I thought I could…?”

“….”

For a moment, Du Linghe looked like he was about to throw Wei Gaochen out.

Wei Gaochen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then Du Linghe released his hand.

“Since you’re here, I want to know what you’re thinking.”

Wei Gaochen rubbed his wrist, which still ached a little from being squeezed, and replied with mild curiosity:

“What do you mean, thinking?”

“Why exactly are you targeting me?”

Yes, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Wei Corporation always seemed to clash with Du Corporation on various cases. Most people would still think it was just industry competition, since all of Wei Gaochen’s little schemes were primarily aimed at Du Corporation.

But standing at the eye of the storm^[1], Du Linghe could directly feel that this person—was genuinely targeting him.

He didn’t understand why Wei Gaochen always liked to do this. In the short term, it might seem like a small company provoking them, but over time, and considering this company had grown enough to threaten them, Du Linghe could no longer treat the matter casually.

Wei Gaochen, for his part, made a small “oh” sound. He felt the place where Du Linghe had just pressed on his hand still ache faintly. Rubbing it didn’t help, so he placed his wrist behind his back.

“For many, many reasons. But you don’t need to overthink it,” Wei Gaochen said, raising his head to look at the man in front of him. “You just need to focus on being a good President Du.”

Du Linghe stared at the man who never answered directly. After a moment, he finally spoke:

“Have you ever thought about us cooperating properly?”

“No.”

Wei Gaochen refused outright. If they were cooperating nicely, how could he complete his mission?—he was the ultimate villain, after all!

Wei Gaochen was about to say more, but the door to the president’s office was suddenly knocked.

It was Du Linghe’s secretary, delivering a document from outside. Wei Gaochen’s own secretary signaled through the door slit, holding up a phone.

Wei Gaochen originally wanted to use the opportunity to sneak out, but a single glance from Du Linghe froze him in place. Hands behind his back, he looked like an obedient child.

Du Linghe spoke with his secretary, leaving the distinguished President Wei as nothing more than background air in the office. Wei Gaochen’s phone vibrated twice in his pocket. He picked it up to see a message from Anna.

It contained the tightly packed schedule for the next week. Wei Gaochen smiled gently and switched off his phone.

A mature president didn’t need to memorize these schedules.

After turning off his phone, Wei Gaochen grew a little bored, so he wandered around Du Corp’s president office a few times.

He had looked around a few times before and remembered that, in the system’s story scripts, this office often served as the place where the main character and female lead went on dates, with every corner tied to romance…

He clapped his hands.

Relishing the scene with great enjoyment, Wei Gaochen wandered through the office as if it were his own home, occasionally letting out soft “hmph” noises and the gentle shuffle of his footsteps.

Du Linghe’s secretary couldn’t help but exchange a glance with his superior, silently asking whether they should get this intruder out.

Du Linghe didn’t look up. He took the next document and said, “Ignore him. I’ll handle this in a moment.”

Time ticked by. Eventually, Wei Gaochen ran out of things to look at and, bored, sank into the sofa to watch Du Linghe work.

Meanwhile, his system started screaming alarms—but Wei Gaochen had no intention of completing this strange mission anymore.

He propped his chin on his hand and called out to Du Linghe.

Like a cat seeking attention, lazily flicking its long tail, he stretched out the sound: “Meowww~”

“Can I leave now?”

Du Linghe glanced at him. “State your reason clearly, and then you can go.”

His suit had creased slightly from his slouched posture, but Wei Gaochen didn’t care. He thought for a moment and answered:

“If you want to know why I’m targeting you… it’s because I really like you.”

“You like me?” Du Linghe’s expression was as if he had just tasted something revolting. “Using billions to joke around?”

The affection Wei Gaochen expressed was different from simply liking the protagonist’s character—it was genuine. Even now, his annoyed expression was still attractive.

After appreciating the view for a moment, Wei Gaochen feigned a sigh:

“After all, a rich person’s feelings are often tied to money. But it’s just a few billion—does it really matter that much? So, I’ve answered your question. Now can I leave?”

Du Linghe, who had been leaning against his desk, pressed his lips together, set down the documents, and walked over to Wei Gaochen, who was nearly sinking into the sofa.

Wei Gaochen hadn’t yet noticed the suppressed anger in Du Linghe. He was still savoring the words he had just spoken, feeling like a classic CEO Mary Sue^[2]. Joking about a few billion, he had actually done it several times.

He even flashed Du Linghe a harmless, charming smile, letting his thoughts wander. The countdown for his mission was ticking, though he didn’t know what punishment awaited if he failed this time.

Then, suddenly, Du Linghe yanked on his tie.

In the next moment, Du Linghe’s face was nearly pressed against Wei Gaochen’s, his breath warm against his cheek. In a low, deadly tone, he delivered his final verdict:

“You’re finished, Wei Gaochen.”

Du Linghe’s expression was one of pure intent to kill. He pinned Wei Gaochen down on the sofa, leaving those around stunned by the sudden move. Wei Gaochen looked like a cat caught off guard, staring blankly at the man above him.

Du Linghe loosened his tie and deliberately messed up the handsome man’s suit beneath him. Narrowing his eyes, he watched Wei Gaochen’s panic grow.

“I won’t let you off this easily.”

(To be continued…)