Velvet Chains of a Tycoon

After hearing Qin Jian's explanation, Shui Qingying furrowed her brows and reached for her phone to call the finance department. "What's the total loss from the misinstallation of the gas pipelines in those three buildings? Have we got a figure yet?"

The finance team on the other end replied, "Yes, we've tallied it up. The total loss comes to 200,000 yuan. We submitted the report to the gas company three days ago."

Hanging up, Shui Qingying turned to Sun Guoping with a sharp gaze. "Who claimed our company was demanding 500,000 yuan in compensation?"

Sun Guoping hesitated, caught off guard. "I'm not sure. The notification I received stated 500,000 yuan."

Shui Qingying's tone hardened. "If your gas company has assessed our property's loss at 500,000 yuan, then transfer that amount to our company account immediately—every penny of it."

Sun Guoping nodded nervously. "Let me make a call to Manager Zhang."

Stepping aside, Sun Guoping dialed Manager Zhang, briefly explaining the situation: Qin Jian had come to pay the 500,000 yuan compensation, coincidentally just as Shui Qingying arrived.

Manager Zhang hadn't anticipated Shui Qingying would personally visit the gas company, let alone interfere with his plans.

After finishing the call, Sun Guoping returned to Shui Qingying. "Manager Zhang confirmed that your company didn't request such a high compensation. However, considering the trouble caused, our company decided to offer additional compensation as a gesture of goodwill—for your inconvenience, Ms. Shui."

Shui Qingying accepted the explanation but quickly shifted her focus to Qin Jian. "Give me your bank account number."

Qin Jian, still bewildered, stammered, "Ms. Shui, shouldn't you be giving me your account details? I'll settle the payment once the property sells…"

Shui Qingying, clearly preoccupied, cut him off impatiently. "Enough. Just give me your account number."

"Alright," Qin Jian muttered, hastily pulling out his bank card. Shui Qingying snapped a photo of it with her phone and saved the details.

"Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"Qin Jian. Qin as in the Qin Dynasty, and Jian as in construction."

Shui Qingying nodded in acknowledgment. As she turned to leave, she paused to address Sun Guoping one last time. "It's not my place to comment on how your company handles its employees, but in this day and age, employees like Qin Jian—who take full responsibility—are rare indeed."

"You're firing him, and on top of that, discrediting him across the industry. Are you trying to broadcast your company's blunder during construction? Shall I help spread the word?"

Sun Guoping's face paled. "I… I'll relay this to Manager Zhang."

Seeing Shui Qingying about to leave, Qin Jian hurried after her. "Ms. Shui, you haven't given me your business card yet."

Shui Qingying rummaged through her bag. "I seem to have forgotten my cards. Tell you what—give me your number, and I'll call you. You can save my contact that way."

"Sure. My number is 136…"

Sun Guoping stood frozen, watching the employee his company had dismissed moments ago now casually connect with the president of Mercury Group.

Once outside the gas company, Shui Qingying climbed into her car and drove off without a second glance.

Her intervention on Qin Jian's behalf had been minimal, but his actions had left a deep impression on her. She had assumed he would discard her business card after their initial meeting, yet here he was today, actively seeking her contact information.

As for the gas pipeline mishap, she found it hard to believe Qin Jian bore sole responsibility while the company escaped blame entirely. Yet, despite facing termination, he had shouldered the entire burden without complaint.

What troubled her most was that her company had reported a mere 200,000 yuan in losses, yet the gas company demanded 500,000 yuan from Qin Jian. Naively, he hadn't questioned the discrepancy or verified the actual damages, agreeing instead to pay the inflated sum.

The gas company's greed knew no bounds—they scapegoated Qin Jian, fired him, and even attempted to squeeze an extra 300,000 yuan out of him. If she hadn't happened to drive by and check on the project's progress, she might never have uncovered their corruption.

---

Meanwhile, Qin Ran and Lu Sheng accompanied the elderly patriarch on a fishing excursion.

The old man was in high spirits. Once the boat set sail, he stood at the bow, animatedly discussing fishing techniques with the boat owner—how to cast nets, where to find the best catch.

The boat owner, equally enthusiastic, assured them that deep-sea fish were the tastiest. He proudly pointed out the cooking equipment onboard, suggesting they could prepare a fresh seafood feast right there on the boat.

Thrilled by the idea, the patriarch declared, "Tonight, we dine on the finest seafood under the stars!"

Qin Ran gently interjected, "Lu Sheng, your mother is still waiting at the family estate. Won't she expect us back for dinner?"

Lu Sheng pulled out his phone. "I'll send her a message. We're having seafood on the boat tonight—she can head back to Binhai City ahead of us."

Qin Ran hesitated. "Won't that seem rude?"

Lu Sheng shook his head. "Not at all."

Mrs. Yin, eager to leave, had no intention of waiting for their return.

Qin Ran smiled faintly. "Well, if that's settled…"

Unlike net fishing, Qin Ran preferred angling. Spotting some deep-sea fishing gear, she borrowed a rod and began casting her line with practiced ease.

Intrigued, Lu Sheng approached to lend a hand. "Do you know how to fish?"

Qin Ran chuckled, shaking her head. "Not really, but I'm learning. The boat owner says it's not difficult—after all, no one is born an expert."

Lu Sheng raised an eyebrow. "You enjoy picking up new skills?"

Qin Ran shrugged. "Life's all about learning, isn't it? I'm young—I can't afford to sit around doing nothing."

Lu Sheng nodded thoughtfully. "True, though not everyone shares your enthusiasm."

"Besides," Qin Ran added with a grin, "I'm bored. Might as well try catching something—it'll give me a sense of accomplishment."

She baited her hook, stood up, and cast her line into the sea. But the wind was strong, and instead of landing in the water, the line whipped back and snagged Lu Sheng's shirt.

Lu Sheng frowned, but Qin Ran burst into laughter. "Oops! Sorry, Mr. Lu. I was aiming for a big fish in the sea, but I seem to have caught a landlubber instead."

Lu Sheng shot her a mock-offended look. "A landlubber? I'm a returnee from overseas, thank you very much."

Qin Ran stepped forward to untangle the hook, only to notice the bait was missing. "Haha, you really are a landlubber—you even ate my bait!"

Lu Sheng bristled. "Who ate your bait? I'm not a fish! It was the wind that blew it off!"

Without arguing further, Qin Ran re-baited the hook and handed the rod to Lu Sheng. "Your turn to cast."

Lu Sheng accepted the challenge with a confident nod. "Watch and learn—my technique is far superior."

He gripped the rod firmly and cast the line with force. But the wind proved too strong, sending the line veering off course. The hook landed squarely in Qin Ran's hair.

She yelped in surprise. "Ow! What happened? It's caught in my hair!"

Lu Sheng doubled over with laughter. "Grandpa, look! I've caught a mermaid!"