Part-time Vice President

November.

The weather had cooled down slightly again.

Ye Shuang stood with Chen Qin in front of a towering skyscraper—a place he was quite familiar with. The dozens of floors of this building, along with over a dozen office blocks behind it, were all part of the Chen Family’s empire. This was their headquarters.

Watching the suited white-collar workers bustling in and out, Ye Shuang felt an odd sense of familiarity. At the same time, many eyes turned toward them—not because of him, but because of the woman standing beside him.

Chen Qin was in high spirits today. She even hooked her arm through Ye Shuang’s, drawing even more curious and gossip-filled glances from those around them.

"President Chen, please maintain some distance," Ye Shuang said calmly, pulling his arm away. "It’s working hours now."

Chen Qin widened her beautiful eyes, looking at him with an expression that seemed to say, "How could you change like this, you traitor?"

"Putting on airs before you’ve even officially started working here," Chen Qin muttered, pouting.

But she knew all too well that once Ye Shuang entered work mode, it was like he became a completely different person.

"Alright, let’s go," Ye Shuang said, stepping forward. Chen Qin quickly composed herself and followed with a smile.

Taking the private elevator up to the 36th floor, Chen Qin briefed Ye Shuang on the day’s arrangements. "There’s a board meeting later. We’ll be appointing you as Executive Vice President."

"Vice President? That’s a pretty big position," Ye Shuang remarked, surprised.

"Of course! I plan to assign you the administrative and marketing divisions," Chen Qin said cheerfully. "That’ll cover about fifty or sixty departments."

"But don’t worry, I’ll have the directors coordinate with you directly."

"Mm," Ye Shuang replied without hesitation.

Ding.

When the elevator reached the 36th floor, Ye Shuang followed Chen Qin into the conference room. The moment they stepped inside, dozens of eyes turned toward them. Aside from the board members seated around the large table, there were also mid-level managers sitting in the corners.

Chen Qin took her seat at the head of the table—the Chairman’s position, which technically still belonged to Chen's Father. Even Chen Qin wasn’t the true authority here.

Ye Shuang was guided to a seat beside her by an assistant.

Many of the managers frowned at the unfamiliar face, having already heard the rumors circulating since this morning.

The gist of it was that President Chen had brought in her boyfriend and was giving him a job.

"Everyone’s here, right?" Chen Qin began with a smile. "Before we start the meeting, I’d like to introduce someone new."

"Ye Shuang, former CEO of Zhao Corporation, will be joining our group today to fill the vacancy left by Vice President Yang."

Vice President Yang referred to Yang Wei, the man Ye Shuang had exposed.

Zhao Corporation?

Many exchanged puzzled glances. What kind of company was that?

Compared to the Chen Family’s colossal empire, the Zhao family was insignificant—not even worth mentioning at the table.

"Hello, everyone. I’m Ye Shuang. As President Chen mentioned, I’ll be taking on the role of Vice President to contribute to the company’s growth," Ye Shuang said calmly, offering no further elaboration.

A few on the board clapped in support, but many others remained skeptical. While most chose not to stir trouble, there were always those who couldn’t hold back.

"President Chen, perhaps you could elaborate on this new Vice President’s exceptional qualifications? Mixing personal relationships with work isn’t ideal," one man said, his words barely veiled.

The implication was clear: Date whoever you want, but why shove him into such a high position?

"Do you have a problem with me?" Ye Shuang asked with a faint smile.

He was only here temporarily and had no intention of winning anyone over.

"Not at all. Young people these days are just so impatient," the man chuckled. "I just think you’re too young for such a position. It might be… unstable."

"President Chen and I are the same age. Does that mean you have reservations about her too?" Ye Shuang replied coolly, leaving the man momentarily speechless.

Exactly. If you’re saying he’s too young to hold the position, doesn’t that apply to Chen Qin as well?

Ye Shuang didn’t press further. He had no interest in turning this meeting into a debate.

"I object!" a shareholder suddenly declared.

"Same here," another chimed in.

"Even if Vice President Yang’s position is vacant, we shouldn’t just parachute someone in!"

"Quiet," Chen Qin commanded.

The murmurs in the room instantly died down.

"In case some of you didn’t hear me the first time," Chen Qin continued, her voice steady, "Ye Shuang’s appointment as Vice President is a notification, not a discussion or vote."

"And it was directly appointed by my father."

The room fell silent.

What? The Old Chairman himself appointed him?

The implications sent waves through the room. There was a world of difference between Chen Qin forcing someone in and the Old Chairman’s direct order. Though Chen Qin was the acting Chairwoman, the real authority still lay with her father, which was why many of the company’s old guard didn’t fully defer to her.

But if this was the Old Chairman’s decision, then it was set in stone. With the Chen Family’s controlling stake, there was no room for opposition.

Combined with the morning’s rumors, this could only mean one thing—

Was Ye Shuang the Old Chairman’s chosen son-in-law?

Or perhaps… the future heir to the entire enterprise?

Though many found it hard to believe, given Chen Qin’s position as a woman and her brother’s complete disinterest in the family business, the Old Chairman might very well make such a decision.

Instantly, the way the managers looked at Ye Shuang changed.

"Vice President Ye, you truly are a dragon among men to have earned the Old Chairman’s favor!"

"Indeed, Vice President Ye, not only are you exceptionally handsome, but your talents are clearly unmatched!"

The flattery poured in. For most managers, currying favor with Ye Shuang was a no-brainer. The ones who had opposed him earlier were simply part of Yang Wei’s faction.

Now that they knew it was the Old Chairman’s will, those voices quickly shrank back.

Ye Shuang simply smiled and exchanged a few polite words before the meeting concluded.

With the official announcement circulated, the entire building soon knew about the new Vice President—the one replacing Yang Wei.

After the meeting, Ye Shuang followed Chen Qin back to her office.

"Tired?"

"Not really," Ye Shuang replied. He had expected some resistance when joining a conglomerate like this.

"Ah Ye, here’s your employment contract. T12 level. Since there’s no profit-sharing, the annual salary is just eight million," Chen Qin said, handing him the documents.

"Understood, President Chen."

Hearing him address her so formally, Chen Qin’s lips pursed in displeasure.

As Ye Shuang sat casually flipping through the contract on the chair, he suddenly felt something soft pressing against his back from behind, while a sweet, melting voice whispered into his ear,

"Ye~~~"