LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 14:
Chapter 14: Conscience Enterprise:
After a long day at work, Wang Zhenxing went out to have dinner alone. Unlike usual, he didn’t invite Feng Qianqian to join him, as he had something important to handle. Earlier that day, he had reviewed the personal information Lin Keqing had submitted during her onboarding and discovered her mother’s name: Liu Fang. Using his connections, he gathered some details about Liu Fang through the housekeeping company she worked for.
After finishing dinner, he visited a private detective agency to hire someone to investigate Liu Fang’s daily activities. Money made everything easier, and two days later, he received the report.
As he reviewed the details sent by the private detective on his phone, a plan began to form in his mind.
Meanwhile, Lin Keqing continued to face criticism at work. However, the frequency of scoldings had significantly decreased since her first day. The strict mentorship from Wang Zhenxing had accelerated her professional growth.
Within just a few days, she had started managing basic company tasks, reducing his workload and making his days much more manageable.
“Finally, you didn’t disappoint me too much. You’ve done well,” Wang Zhenxing remarked as he reviewed the documents Lin Keqing had processed.
Lin Keqing was momentarily stunned. It was the first time since joining the company that her boss had spoken kindly to her, and she felt flattered.
“This is all thanks to your excellent teaching, Mr. Wang,” she replied cautiously.
“I’ve been scolding you constantly these past few days. Don’t you harbor any resentment?” he asked, testing her reaction.
“Boss, you’ve been doing it for my own good. Why would I resent you?” Lin Keqing shook her head earnestly. Although she had been reprimanded repeatedly, she had also learned a great deal. As an upright and kind-hearted person, she understood the difference between good intentions and malice.
Glancing at his gold watch, Wang Zhenxing said, “It’s time to clock out. There’s no need to maintain a formal boss-subordinate dynamic outside of work. You can treat me like an ordinary friend.”
“How could I possibly do that?” Lin Keqing exclaimed, shaking her head firmly. “To me, you’re not just my boss but also my teacher and elder. I wouldn’t dare treat you as a peer.”
Her serious response left Wang Zhenxing momentarily speechless, then he burst into laughter. The age gap between them, combined with their professional relationship, made her reaction entirely natural. He wasn’t in a hurry to change her perspective. After all, despite being 37 years old, he still looked youthful. Walking hand in hand with a younger woman wouldn’t seem out of place—they could easily pass as a couple. With Lin Keqing as his secretary, there would be plenty of opportunities to influence her perception.
“By the way, Mr. Wang,” Lin Keqing said suddenly, “I heard from my colleagues that you often say something during interviews: ‘You can’t make more money if you lose your conscience.’ But I never heard the full sentence. What’s the rest?”
For a moment, he was tempted to answer honestly: If your conscience is gone, you can make even more! But to maintain his positive image, he responded solemnly, “If you lose your conscience, you’ll face retribution. Entrepreneurs must have social responsibility and a sense of conscience.”
His words were spoken with conviction. Lin Keqing listened intently, admiration shining in her eyes. “Is this why, despite the company’s declining efficiency in recent years, you still insist on doing charitable work?”
Over the past few days, while handling company affairs, Lin Keqing had learned about Zhenxing Group’s commitment to philanthropy. Even as the company’s profits dwindled, its charitable investments remained unwavering.
“Yes,” he affirmed with a brave expression.
“Mr. Wang, you’re amazing!” Lin Keqing said excitedly, feeling honored to work for such a conscientious company.
[Lin Keqing’s favorability towards the host increased by +3. Current favorability: 40 (Closeness).]
[The host affects the direction of the plot and gains 200 counterattack points. The protagonist Qin Yi’s luck value decreases by -40, while the host’s luck value increases by +40.]
Two system notifications soon appeared.
Deep down, Wang Zhenxing mused that if given a choice, he’d prefer to make more money without regard for conscience. A better car and house would be far more appealing. But Zhenxing Group’s well-established culture of corporate responsibility wasn’t something he could change easily, even as president and chairman.
The company’s declining performance wasn’t due to poor management but external suppression—an issue indirectly tied to Qin Yi. Because Qin Yi had provoked a super-rich second generation, Zhenxing Group had stepped in to protect Qin Yi’s mother, Xu Yourou. This act of protection earned the ire of the richest woman in Qingling, the mother of the second generation. She was a powerful and unyielding woman who refused to mediate, despite his attempts.
Reflecting on the situation, he had a sudden thought: If my villain aura becomes strong enough, could I recruit her as an ally? The richest woman, widowed at a young age, was around the same age as Xu Yourou. She had maintained her beauty well, exuding a captivating charm.
Later that evening, Lin Keqing met Feng Qianqian for dinner.
Feng Qianqian had recently moved to a new place to be closer to work and, perhaps more importantly, to better stay in touch with Wang Zhenxing. The two friends hadn’t seen each other in days. Over their meal, they shared updates about their respective jobs, congratulating each other on their progress.
“Hey, Qianqian, what happened to your knees?” Lin Keqing noticed her friend’s reddened knees and asked with concern.
“Oh, I accidentally fell,” Feng Qianqian replied casually, quickly changing the subject. “Keqing, I envy you so much. You get to work with the famous Diamond King Laowu. Just seeing his handsome face every day must be a treat!”
Her eyes sparkled with envy as she spoke.
To her, there was nothing flawed about Wang Zhenxing’s appearance. He matched her ideal aesthetic perfectly, and she couldn’t help but admire him. During the day, her thoughts often wandered to him, like a young girl infatuated with her first love. Watching her dreamy expression, Lin Keqing couldn’t help but smile, though she remained silent.