Tanned as Dark as Charcoal

Lin Xuan stepped out of the office, heading to the lounge area for a refreshing soda.

In the scorching summer heat, nothing beat the exhilarating feeling of gulping down an ice-cold fizzy drink.

As soon as he walked out, he spotted a man whose skin had been darkened by the sun.

Lin Xuan froze.

He had no idea Su Corporation had someone this tanned.

Was he a newly hired foreigner?

An African? Not quite—this man wasn’t as dark as someone from Africa.

Still, something about him felt oddly familiar, as if Lin Xuan had seen him somewhere before.

Especially that smirk—it carried the same slyness as the grin Lei Hui wore whenever he handed Lin Xuan paperwork.

Lin Xuan couldn’t help but rub his arms, feeling a strange unease.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Need something?”

The man’s gaze made Lin Xuan’s skin crawl.

“Young Master Lin.”

Shao Xingfan greeted him with a bright, toothy smile that starkly contrasted his sun-darkened complexion.

Lin Xuan: “!!!”

That voice—!

“Holy crap!” Lin Xuan jumped in shock. “You’re Shao Xingfan?”

“Yes.” Shao Xingfan nodded.

Lin Xuan frowned. “How did you get so tan?”

At this, Shao Xingfan’s face twisted into a pout.

Ever since returning to Su Corporation from Tianmu Group, he had missed his time there dearly.

First, Tianmu Group was pioneering in game development.

Second, their computer technology was cutting-edge.

Working there had given him a sense of accomplishment.

But most importantly—Young Master Lin’s computer skills were unmatched.

Whenever Shao Xingfan hit a roadblock, he could always turn to Lin Xuan for help. During his temporary assignment at Tianmu Group, he had learned so much.

Though Lin Xuan occasionally visited Su Corporation, Boss Su monopolized his time, leaving Shao Xingfan no chance to ask for help.

So, he pleaded with Boss Su to transfer him back to Tianmu Group.

Instead, Boss Su sent him to Africa—to haul bricks under the blazing sun.

After months of labor, was it any surprise he had turned this dark?

“I made a mistake and got sent to Africa,” Shao Xingfan mumbled dejectedly.

“Ah, I see.” Lin Xuan nodded.

Shao Xingfan perked up. “Young Master Lin, do you have a moment?”

Lin Xuan: “…”

Could he say no?

But Shao Xingfan’s questions were work-related, and solving them would benefit Su Corporation.

Fine. Hua was still napping anyway, and he had nothing better to do.

“I’ve got time,” Lin Xuan agreed.

Shao Xingfan beamed. “Then please come to my office!”

His enthusiasm was overwhelming.

Once, he had scoffed at Lin Xuan, believing him unworthy of Boss Su.

Now, he was practically a devoted fanboy.

He’d gladly tie Young Master Lin and Boss Su together—forever.

If they ever broke up, who would solve his computer problems?

Lin Xuan sat at Shao Xingfan’s desk, where the computer was already on.

“Young Master Lin, just a second.”

Shao Xingfan clicked rapidly, pulling up a screen filled with lines of unresolved technical issues.

Lin Xuan’s jaw dropped.

“This many?”

He suddenly regretted agreeing.

Shao Xingfan coughed. “I’ve been saving these up for months. Of course there’s a lot.”

“Young Master Lin, I appreciate your help. Let me give you a shoulder massage while you work.”

Lin Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose. “No need. Just get me an iced cola.”

“Right away!”

Shao Xingfan hurried out.

Lin Xuan sighed and resignedly began typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard at lightning speed.

Outside, Shao Xingfan bumped into Jiang Qing.

Even though she knew about his drastic tan, she still paused in surprise.

Guilt gnawed at her.

She had been the one to suggest he ask Boss Su for a transfer to Tianmu Group—knowing full well it would backfire. Yet, he remained oblivious to her mischief.

Shao Xingfan greeted her warmly. “Secretary Jiang, good afternoon.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Qing avoided his gaze, too ashamed to meet his eyes.

“Have you had lunch yet?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“I thought you might still be working. Boss Su is such a workaholic—her poor secretary suffers alongside her.”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Qing deflected. “Assistant Shao, where are you headed?”

“Oh, Young Master Lin is helping me with some computer issues. I’m fetching him a cola.”

Jiang Qing checked the time—1 PM.

Since Lin Xuan wasn’t with Boss Su, she must be napping.

And if Boss Su woke up to find him gone…

This time, Jiang Qing didn’t tease him.

“Assistant Shao, Boss Su will want Young Master Lin back by 1:40. Make sure he returns by then.”

“Got it.” Shao Xingfan nodded. “I’ll get that cola now.”

He soon returned, handing Lin Xuan the drink with a grin.

“Young Master Lin, your cola.”

Lin Xuan sighed. “Assistant Shao, you really don’t need to smile at me like that.”

Every time he did, it sent chills down Lin Xuan’s spine.

“Of course, Young Master Lin!” Shao Xingfan flashed his pearly whites—now the only bright spots on his sun-baked body.

Lin Xuan stared at his goofy expression.

“…Never mind.”

He refocused on the screen, his fingers dancing across the keyboard in a blur.

Shao Xingfan watched in awe.

Young Master Lin was a true computer genius—unbelievably skilled.

How had he ever thought Lin Xuan was a slacker? If Lin Xuan was unaccomplished, then no one in the world could claim to be.

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