She hastily lowered the broom resting on Zhao Min’s neck, a smile flickering across her face, and whispered, “Why didn’t you say you were looking for the Young Master sooner? What is your name, I’ll go announce you right away!”

As she spoke, Qu Meilan felt a slight tremor of apprehension.

What if this person was someone important to Zhang Yang? If so, she was finished. Having only been here a day, she had already offended a key guest, and Zhang Yang would surely be furious.

The mere thought of Zhang Yang’s terrifying nature caused her heart to suddenly race.

“Young Master, announce?”

Zhao Min glanced at her with confusion, then quickly added, “Please tell him that Secretary Zhao Min has come to call, and he will know.”

Zhao Min looked curiously at Qu Meilan as he spoke.

There were many young masters around these days, but few who addressed someone simply as "Young Master," requiring an announcement. This girl’s demeanor looked entirely like that of a servant.

“Wait a moment!”

Qu Meilan was unaware of his thoughts and immediately returned inside the villa to announce Zhang Yang.

Even if she had known his thoughts, she wouldn't have said much; she had defined her role as a maid, a servant, and serving Zhang Yang brought her no sense of grievance; rather, she felt a sense of pride.

When Qu Meilan entered, Zhang Yang was sorting medicinal herbs—all raw Chinese medicinal materials that could be compounded into medicine or used directly to heal the sick.

Zhang Yang’s current possessions were quite abundant, containing many high-grade and rare herbs, far better than in his previous life. In that life, he had been too busy and never had time to acquire such materials.

“Zhao Min, Secretary Zhao?”

Upon hearing Qu Meilan’s report, Zhang Yang’s brow knitted together sharply, while Qu Meilan stood frozen, watching him.

After a moment of silence with no reaction from Zhang Yang, Qu Meilan quickly added, “Young Master, perhaps this person is falsely claiming to be your friend; he must have other motives. Wait here, I’ll go fetch him!”

Saying this, Qu Meilan started to walk out.

Poor Zhao Min, Secretary Zhao, was mistaken for a charlatan due to Zhang Yang’s contemplation, and Qu Meilan was now filled with genuine anger. If Zhao Min were outside, she would certainly give him a good dressing down.

How dare he trick her and make her look foolish in front of the Young Master—he absolutely couldn't be let off easily.

“Come back, invite him in!”

Zhang Yang suddenly commanded sharply. Qu Meilan’s movement instantly halted, and she turned back to look at Zhang Yang with surprise. She nodded silently, then slowly walked out.

Zhang Yang’s attitude left her somewhat frustrated. A moment ago, he seemed to not even know the person, and now he suddenly wanted to bring him in. She couldn't fathom what Zhang Yang was thinking.

However, she decided she must suppress these questions for the time being and prioritize obeying Zhang Yang’s command.

In less than a minute, Qu Meilan brought Zhao Min into the villa.

The driver who had brought Zhao Min in wanted to follow, but Qu Meilan left him outside. Zhao Min had come to request Zhang Yang’s time, and Zhang Yang was not easy to approach; he needed to adopt the proper decorum. How many people entered actually didn't matter much.

Bringing too many people might actually have the opposite effect.

The new villa had a study, though it appeared somewhat sparse and lacked atmosphere.

This was typical of a new residence. In truth, this study was the very first time Zhang Yang was using it.

“Go brew two cups of tea?”

After inviting Zhao Min to sit, Zhang Yang immediately instructed Qu Meilan. Qu Meilan paused momentarily, then quickly hurried out.

Qu Meilan's heart settled. Zhang Yang asking her to make tea proved he wasn't treating her as an outsider and wouldn't dismiss her because of her earlier misstep.

She had worried quite a bit before, fearing Zhang Yang would be angry and send her away.

“Secretary Zhao, you have quite the fast intelligence network. I just moved in and haven't even settled down, and you’ve already found the place!”

Zhang Yang chuckled, his tone pleasant, but the underlying meaning was far from cordial.

His point was clear: you are prying too much, investigating too much. Anyone who just moves to a new place and is immediately found would likely have similar thoughts.

“Zhang Yang, the Boss is very concerned about you; he has been watching over you, worried you might suffer a loss!”

Zhao Min hurried to explain, having caught the sarcasm in Zhang Yang’s voice. If he didn't clarify now, he feared the misunderstanding would deepen.

“That’s unnecessary. I believe you wouldn't come here without reason. Tell me, what is the matter this time?”

Zhang Yang said coolly. Zhao Min managed a slightly helpless smile; it seemed Zhang Yang treated him with this same attitude every time they met.

He was merely the messenger between this father and son, and Zhang Yang harbored deep resentment toward his father, naturally not affording him any courtesy.

Of course, Zhao Min understood that this treatment was already quite good. If his superior, Zhang Keqin himself, had come, he probably wouldn't have received such consideration.

With a light sigh, Zhao Min slowly began, “Zhang Yang, after so many years, it’s time to let go of the grudges in your heart!”

“When I let go of my grudges is none of Secretary Zhao’s concern!”

Zhang Yang spoke softly just as Qu Meilan returned with the freshly brewed tea.

She served a large cup to each man, then stepped aside, ready to serve at any moment.

Zhang Yang turned, secretly shooting her a few stern glances. Qu Meilan showed a slight surprise but quickly retreated.

She understood Zhang Yang’s intention perfectly. She had overlooked an issue—a very important one.

Zhang Yang was not like her previous mistress, the old hag, who liked to have several people present during meetings to put pressure on visitors.

Realizing this, she immediately left the study, putting as much distance between herself and the room as possible, fearing Zhang Yang might think she was eavesdropping and subsequently punish her.

“Zhang Yang, the Boss truly misses you; he is always keeping track of you,” Zhao Min continued after Qu Meilan left, sounding somewhat anxious.

“I know. I only have five minutes, and three have already passed,” Zhang Yang smiled faintly, looking gently at Zhao Min.

Zhao Min stared at Zhang Yang in astonishment. He suddenly felt a wave of intense, undeniable, and irresistible pressure emanating from him.

This was not an unfamiliar feeling to Zhao Min; in fact, he experienced it often.

When Zhang Keqin was angry or intensely focused on work, he often exerted this kind of pressure. At those times, Zhao Min naturally attributed it to Zhang Keqin’s official rank—simply put, the innate authority of a superior.

He had always believed that only someone of higher rank could instill such a feeling in him.

Now he realized he had been wrong, completely wrong all along. Not just those in high positions could generate this feeling; people without rank could too.

Zhang Yang was doing it now. The pressure Zhang Yang was exerting was no less imposing than that of Zhang Keqin; he even felt a slight difficulty in breathing.

“Zhang Yang, the Boss wants to see you!”

Zhao Min spoke rapidly, fearing he wouldn't be able to articulate it if he waited longer. Zhang Yang’s oppressive aura was simply too terrifying.

This pressure felt almost tangible, and in that respect, it seemed even greater than the pressure Zhang Keqin usually imposed.

This realization shocked him immensely, and he continued to gaze at Zhang Yang with lingering awe.

Zhang Yang frowned deeply and asked directly, “Wants to see me? Why does he want to see me?”

“I don’t know that, but he said it must be for something important. He mentioned that you can set the time and place, as long as you agree to meet him!”

Zhao Min spoke urgently, feeling a touch of misery himself. He was caught in the middle, receiving complaints from both sides, over a dispute between father and son.

But he couldn’t help it; he served his leader’s secretary, and everything he had stemmed from Zhang Keqin. His job was to help Zhang Keqin resolve difficulties, including personal matters.

“Go back and tell him I’m busy,” Zhang Yang said, picking up his teacup and starting to rise.

Serving tea and showing the guest out—Zhang Yang’s signal was perfectly clear. Zhao Min’s face grew even more anxious.

Looking at Zhang Yang, he urgently pleaded, “Zhang Yang, regardless of everything, you are father and son. Moreover, the Boss was truly worried when you had trouble at the [Police] Bureau; he ordered me to personally warn the Chief of the Police Department!”

At this point, Zhao Min was genuinely desperate. If he failed to complete this mission, he couldn't report back to his superior, so he had to try another angle to sway Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang suddenly looked up and shot Zhao Min a cold glare.

Struck by that look, Zhao Min instantly felt a bone-chilling cold wash over him, rendering him unable to move.

Zhang Yang’s gaze was terrifying. He stared back, his heart trembling, filled with confusion.

This wasn’t his first time seeing Zhang Yang. Over the years, he had seen him far more often than Zhang Keqin and even had a few conversations. The formerly unremarkable Zhang Yang now seemed utterly terrifying.

He couldn't pinpoint why he was terrifying, but Zhao Min understood that Zhang Yang could deal with him with frightening ease.

“Twelve sharp, Nanshan Café!”

Zhang Yang stared at Zhao Min for a full minute, until the man was sweating profusely and close to breaking, before he finally spoke calmly.

Zhao Min blinked slightly, then looked up at Zhang Yang in surprise, immediately nodding frantically.

Zhang Yang had agreed! He had actually agreed!

The agreement meant his mission was complete, and he could return to his superior with good news.

“Yes, twelve sharp, Nanshan Café. We’ll see you there!”

Zhao Min repeated the details, and only after Zhang Yang nodded did he quietly excuse himself and quickly leave Zhang Yang’s villa.

He had to get back and deliver this good news to his boss—Zhang Yang had finally consented to a meeting.

Zhao Min had followed Zhang Keqin for eight years; he had been his secretary since the beginning. He was intimately aware of the long-standing conflict between the father and son, making Zhang Yang’s agreement to meet a truly rare event.

Leaving the villa, Zhao Min couldn't help but cast a lingering, wary glance back at the house.

No one in the Zhang family was simple. He had always assumed Zhang Yang was just a spoiled young man nursing resentment toward his father. Although he had always shown respect when visiting Zhang Yang, deep down, he hadn't taken him seriously.

Now he finally understood how fearsome Zhang Yang was. It felt as if he were meeting Zhang Yang for the very first time today.

Third update, supplemental chapter for the hundredth chapter, Chapter Forty-Two! (To be continued)