America: I came here to study, not to show mercy.

The evening breeze rustled, blowing away the day's heat and leaving behind a desolate scene.

The colorful neon lights shimmered hazily through the glass panels, creating a bizarre and dazzling scene.

There was a moment of silence on the high-rise terrace. The smiles on everyone's faces quickly faded, and they silently looked at the young man sitting calmly on the sofa.

"Sean, you rejected Vanguard and BlackRock, didn't you?"

Jasper frowned slightly and quickly spoke.

"I don't think there's a conflict, right?"

Li Xiaoen smiled and shrugged. "Besides, I'm Chinese, and dual citizenship isn't recognized..."

"Sean, that's not the point."

Henry sighed, patted Sean Lee on the shoulder, and said in a rather meaningful tone, "The important thing is capital."

"capital?"

Sean Lee raised an eyebrow. "My company was just a startup."

“Right now, nobody sees it as a typical startup.”

Just then, Christine chimed in, a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked at Sean Lee, "Sean, your company is growing so fast, there are a lot of people watching closely."

These words were both a compliment and a wake-up call. No one present was a fool, and they all silently looked at Li Xiaoen, waiting for his response.

“Actually, Sean, whether it’s Sophie, Serafina, or Mary, they all have this background because of their families. Since you have such a good and close relationship with them, in other people’s eyes you are already on our side.”

Seeing Sean Lee's helpless smile, Christine quickly added, then turned to signal to the secretary whom Sean Lee had met once before, and a document was handed to him.

"Now that you're already so close to these girls, just say the word and we can help you in any way!"

Silently glancing at the report in his hand, Li Xiaoen did not open it. Instead, under their gazes, he placed it and the glass of wine on the table, still shaking his head.

"I am just a student from China who came to the United States to study and start a business. I really don't want to get involved in your own people's struggle."

Li Xiaoen smiled helplessly, "Don't worry, I've already refused all of you friends, and I certainly won't interfere too much with their side."

"friend?"

Jasper's expression turned strange. "Sean, if they heard you say that, they would definitely assume you're on our side."

"Ha ha……"

Li Xiaoen suddenly laughed twice, and waved his hand as everyone looked on in astonishment, "That's their business. I consider you all friends, that's a fact, and it has nothing to do with any other interests."

"To be honest, I'm actually quite traditional, haha."

In closing, Li Xiaoen added with a smile that he remained as calm and composed as ever, even under the watchful eyes of several high-ranking political and business figures in the United States.

"I can't stay away from the company's celebration banquet for too long. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

After speaking, seeing that no one else spoke, Li Xiaoen stood up and said goodbye.

"Hey Sean, let me give you a ride..."

Coming to his senses, Jasper quickly nodded and followed Sean Lee.

"Christine, what should we say to your family?"

Watching the two figures walk away, a woman turned to Christine and asked her a question.

"What else can I say but to tell the truth?"

Christine shrugged casually, her tone relaxed and at ease, a stark contrast to the bewilderment of the others. Leaning back on the sofa, her gaze followed Sean Lee's retreating figure, a slight smile playing on her lips as she murmured, "I really look forward to the day he truly stands at the very top..."

“Sean, actually, your relationship with us as friends is secondary. Based on your relationship with Suffer, in those people's eyes, you are already on our side.”

In the back seat of the car, Jasper finally found an opportunity to speak.

"I'll say it again: what they think is their business, I can't control that."

Li Xiaoen shook his head again, still not wanting to get involved in their struggle.

"Sean, do you know what this means?"

Jasper was getting anxious. "For example, what if our family, because of our parents, or something about me, gets involved with Sophie? What would you do then?"

The words were quite serious, and Jasper had to carefully consider the worst-case scenario for Sean Lee.

“I will help Sophie, and I will help you.”

"Then in their eyes, wouldn't you be one of us?"

"If that's what they think, then so be it."

"What if they then cause you trouble?"

"Then resist and fight back."

"Is this any different from you nodding in agreement and joining us now? Your company can get a lot of help and grow rapidly as a result, right?"

“It’s different, I’ve said it many times. I don’t want to get involved in your struggle.”

"..."

This time, Jasper stared blankly at Sean Lee for a long time before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

"Sean, sometimes I really envy you, you live such a clear-headed life."

"Um……"

Li Xiaoen pondered for a moment, "Perhaps some people will think it's foolish?"

"Is it Sophie?"

Jasper raised an eyebrow, amused, and somewhat surprised. "Did Sophie mention these things to you too?"

"No, it's just a guess that some people might view my actions in that way."

Li Xiaoen nodded and answered honestly, "However, given Su Feier's personality, she will definitely say I'm stupid..."

Upon hearing this, Jasper and Sean Lee exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

Perhaps Suffer didn't want Li Xiaoen involved either?

Knowing his sister as he did, Jasper couldn't help but ponder to himself, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Right, Sean."

As if he had thought of something, he frowned and looked at Sean Lee, "Tell me the truth, you neither joined them nor accepted our invitation, is it because of Catherine?"

Little did he know that Catherine worked at Sean Lee's company, and the two had a close working relationship.

"What does this have to do with Catherine?"

Li Xiaoen asked in confusion, then his eyes widened in surprise, "You mean, Catherine's family is from the opposing faction?"

Upon hearing this from Sean Lee, Jasper put aside his doubts and could only nod in affirmation, taking a deep breath and sighing, "Actually, Catherine's family was initially biased towards us."

"..."

This is very interesting.

Subconsciously recalling the atmosphere between Suffer and Catherine over the years, Li Xiaoen felt increasingly conflicted.

On second thought, the factional shifts within a family, which in turn affect relationships between individuals, mean that being a second-generation member of a powerful family isn't all good.

After saying goodbye to Jasper, when Sean Lee returned to the cafeteria, the spot she had been sitting with Catherine by the window was now occupied by other colleagues from the company.

They must have eaten their fill; they chatted and laughed while drinking, creating a lively atmosphere.

"What are you talking about now?"

Li Xiaoen walked closer and teased with a smile, "Let me tell you, drink less today, you still have to be on time for work tomorrow..."

Upon hearing this, several girls let out a wail, while the male colleague remained calm, a smile playing on his lips.

Are programmers generally more reserved?

Li Xiaoen couldn't help but think to himself, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the girls in the personnel and administration department. The girls were all smiles and in high spirits, their contrasting expressions clearly distinguishing them.

Perhaps we should bring in more lively programmers? Lucas from Professor Sedgewick's lab is quite good.

If we go to Professor Sedgewick to ask for his return, will it drive him crazy again?

Thinking about this, Li Xiaoen felt a little strange.

"Sean, Sean..."

Noticing Sean Lee's gaze, Valerie and the other girls chuckled and shoved each other to make room for Catherine next to them, saying, "Here, you can sit here."

Li Xiaoen smiled helplessly and shook his head. He didn't refuse the other party's kindness, nor was he bothered to explain anything. He moved and sat down in the crowd.

"Here, cheers."

Her gaze remained fixed on the young man from beginning to end. Catherine finally spoke her first words upon their reunion, holding a glass of red wine in one hand and pushing a cup of black tea in the other towards Li Xiaoen with a faint smile.

Shall I clink glasses with your wine glass?

Picking up the white ceramic coffee cup, Li Xiaoen muttered a complaint, but still reached out to Catherine and clinked hands with her.

He took a sip, and then Li Xiaoen raised the cup high again.

"Come on, everyone, let's celebrate the perfect conclusion of our exhibition."

"cheers--"

……

After a satisfying meal, the group sat and chatted, drinking until 10:30 p.m., when they finally left the hotel.

After handing the girls over to a few sober colleagues who would drive them back to the staff apartment, Li Xiaoen drove Catherine back to her villa. By the time they arrived at their destination, it was already 11:10 p.m.

“Hey, Catherine…”

After parking the car in the open space in front of the villa, Li Xiaoen did not get out of the car immediately. He first turned his head to look at Catherine, who was sitting there in a dazed state, to confirm whether she was still conscious.

However, under his helpless gaze, Catherine seemed oblivious, turning her head to the window as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

"You're just getting revenge by drinking heavily now that I'm back, aren't you?"

Sean Lee rolled his eyes and couldn't help but complain, "When I returned, Catherine was still fully conscious."

Without wasting any time, Li Xiaoen got out of the car, opened the passenger door, bent down and picked up Catherine as before, closed the door and walked towards the villa.

The key was still in the same spot in the bag. Having learned from the last experience, Li Xiaoen entered the villa, turned on the lights, and immediately headed upstairs to the master bedroom.

"Given this condition, I don't know if I'll be able to come to work tomorrow?"

After placing him on the bed, Li Xiaoen looked down at him and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

After hesitating for a moment, he went back and forth to the bathroom in the room, took out a hot, damp towel, and as usual, wiped the other person's face quickly with a mask on. When he saw Catherine struggling with her limbs because she was having trouble breathing, he felt much better.

By the way, can hot water wash off makeup from the face?

Suddenly realizing this, Li Xiaoen bent down and peered closely at Catherine's fair skin, but unfortunately he couldn't see anything blemish or unusual.

Waterproof cosmetics?

Suspicion lingered in his mind, but he couldn't help reaching out and pinching the other person's slightly chubby cheek with two fingers, tugging at it.

The skin feels smooth, soft, and bouncy to the touch, with no powdery feel.

This action seemed to startle Catherine, who finally opened her dazed and confused eyes and looked over.

"Hey, you're finally awake?"

Li Xiaoen smiled and raised his chin, but before he could say anything more, Catherine suddenly raised her hand, grabbed his hand that was still in his hand, and pulled it down forcefully.

Just as Li Xiaoen became alert, Catherine's body and limbs tightened around him like an octopus, and her full, red lips pressed against his.

"Hey……"

Li Xiaoen could only let out a sound through the gap between their lips as they kissed, before it was immediately silenced again.

The intoxicating fragrance filled his nostrils, and the softness he felt on his lips and body was irresistible. He couldn't help but take a deep breath and try his best to control the restlessness in his heart.

Just as he was thinking of getting rid of the other party's entanglement, at a certain moment, Li Xiaoen's body suddenly stiffened, and he opened his eyes wide in shock.

“Catherine, you asked for this…”

His breathing suddenly became rapid and hot. Li Xiaoen calmed down, ignoring Catherine's teasing hands beneath him, and finally began to respond passionately to her initiative.

He passionately kissed her red lips, their tongues intertwining and vying for hers. Li Xiaoen's hands began to roam over Catherine's body, one hand upward and the other downward, caressing her beautiful curves.

The soft touch of his hands was irresistible. Skillfully unbuttoning the white shirt, Lee Shawn kissed his way down, from his cheeks, neck, shoulders, and collarbone...

"Catherine..."

Unfortunately, under his gaze, Catherine remained with her head turned to the side, seemingly fast asleep and completely unaware of anything. It was as if his earlier actions had caused her to grip the sheets tightly with both hands, instantly extinguishing his previously agitated heart.

Snapped.

Li Xiaoen clapped his hands and slapped himself, cursing himself inwardly. He quickly reached out and put Catherine's clothes back on, then covered her with the blanket.

Only after completing all this did his self-reproach lessen slightly.

He wasn't usually a womanizer, so the last time could be considered an accident. But this time he's gone even further. They spend every day together at the company, so does he really have designs on Catherine?

Unable to contain his inner turmoil, Li Xiaoen looked down at Catherine, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed, and his expression became complicated.

Li Xiaoen reached out to tidy the girl's slightly messy long hair, wiped her face, and then, after confirming that the villa was securely locked, got up and left. (End of Chapter)