Chapter 299 - 231: Beast in Human Clothing

Chapter 299: Chapter 231: Beast in Human Clothing

「December 19th, Friday, 5:30 PM.」

As quitting time approached, Chen Lin gathered everyone in the conference room.

"Everyone, I’m heading to the Imperial Capital for a very important meeting next Monday. I’ll probably be back on Thursday or Friday."

Chen Lin stood before the whiteboard, his gaze sweeping over each person present.

"For the next few days, I’ll leave the company’s daily affairs to Huang Yiyi and Yunqing. If anything requires external communication, you two can discuss it and handle it together."

Huang Yiyi nodded and took out her notebook to start taking notes.

Yunqing, however, tilted her head and said half-jokingly,

"Boss, you’ll be gone for a whole week. Can the two of us really handle it?"

"You’ll have to manage whether you can or not." Chen Lin gave her an exasperated look. "It’s not like I’m asking you to go out and drum up business. You’re just handling some routine administrative tasks."

"As for technical issues..."

Chen Lin turned to Bai Qian and Pan Si.

"You two are in charge. Keep a close watch on the 1.5B model’s training. If there are any abnormalities, call me immediately."

"Understood!" the two replied in unison.

"Also..."

Chen Lin’s expression grew serious.

"While I’m away, ignore any unexpected visitors or anyone who calls trying to cozy up to you and ask for technical details."

"Especially that reporter from *Nature*. If she actually shows up, just tell her I’m on a business trip and you’re not sure when I’ll be back. Tell her to go home and wait for news."

"In short, before I get back, not a single word about the company’s core technology gets out."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The short meeting ended quickly.

Chen Lin gathered his things, preparing to head back to his rented apartment.

Just as he reached the door, Shen Yan suddenly called out to him.

"Chen Lin, wait a second."

Chen Lin turned around. "Hm? What’s up?"

Shen Yan walked up to him and lowered her voice.

"For your trip to the Imperial Capital... do you need to buy a suit?"

Chen Lin froze for a moment.

He looked down at his own hoodie and jeans and suddenly realized something.

The National Science and Technology Award Conference...

Showing up dressed like this...

’That really does seem a bit inappropriate.’

"Uh... I guess I do need to get one."

Chen Lin scratched his head, looking a little troubled.

"But I’ve never bought a suit before. I wouldn’t even know how to pick one out."

Hearing this, Shen Yan’s eyes lit up slightly.

"Then... how about I go with you on Sunday afternoon?"

Her tone was calm, as if she were suggesting the most ordinary thing in the world.

But Chen Lin noticed that the tips of her ears seemed to be turning a little red.

"Sure, I’ll have to trouble you then."

Chen Lin didn’t think much of it and readily agreed.

...

「December 21st, Sunday, 2:00 PM.」

Chen Lin arrived at the entrance of the large downtown shopping mall at the appointed time.

Shen Yan was already there waiting.

Today, Shen Yan was wearing an off-white cashmere coat over a light gray turtleneck sweater, with a pair of dark, wide-leg trousers.

She looked cool, reserved, and elegant.

But her delicate face held a trace of something different from her usual expression... anticipation?

"Have you been waiting long?" Chen Lin asked, walking over quickly.

"No, I just got here too."

Shen Yan shook her head, her gaze sweeping over Chen Lin.

Today, Chen Lin was once again in his favorite black down jacket, paired with dark blue jeans.

Although it was very casual, when combined with his handsome face, it didn’t look shabby.

"Let’s go. I know a few good menswear stores upstairs."

Shen Yan said, about to head into the mall.

But just then—

"Hey—! Wait for me—!"

A clear female voice called out from behind them.

Chen Lin and Shen Yan turned around at the same time.

They saw Yunqing jogging toward them in a pair of white sneakers.

Her outfit today was a completely different style from Shen Yan’s.

She wore a bright red, short down jacket over a tight white turtleneck, with a pair of black leather pants that tightly hugged her long, slender, and straight legs.

With light makeup and lipstick, she looked bright, beautiful, and full of life.

If Shen Yan was the first snow of winter, falling silently, then Yunqing was a red plum blossom blooming in that snow.

The two of them standing together drew the gazes of countless passersby.

"Senior? What are you doing here?"

Chen Lin was completely bewildered.

Yunqing ran up to them, bent over to catch her breath for a few moments, then straightened up and flashed Chen Lin a brilliant smile.

"Hehe, I heard you were buying a suit, Boss, so I thought I’d come and help give my opinion."

"Who told you?"

Chen Lin subconsciously glanced at Shen Yan.

Shen Yan also shook her head with a puzzled look, indicating it wasn’t her.

Yunqing blinked.

"When we were getting off work yesterday, I overheard you and Yanyan talking about going to buy a suit on Sunday."

Chen Lin and Shen Yan: "..."

But since she was already here, Chen Lin didn’t have the heart to send her away.

"Alright, then let’s all go together."

He shrugged and led the way into the mall.

Behind him, Shen Yan and Yunqing exchanged a look.

Yunqing’s smile was sweet.

Shen Yan, however, coolly retracted her gaze, her expression still calm, but her fingers clutching her phone tightened slightly.

Once inside, the three of them took the elevator to the menswear section on the fourth floor.

Along the way, people constantly cast glances in their direction.

Two absolutely stunning women flanking a tall, handsome man.

It was a scene that was hard to ignore.

As Chen Lin walked in front, he could occasionally hear the whispers of passersby:

"Damn, those two women are gorgeous..."

"The one on the left has such an incredible, cool and elegant vibe!"

"The one on the right is so radiant! I bet it feels warm just being near her."

"Who’s the guy in the middle? What kind of luck is that?"

"I don’t know... he’s handsome, sure, but... why is he dressed like a college student?"

"He couldn’t be a kept man, could he?"

Chen Lin: "..."

’Fine, dress a little casually and suddenly I’m a kept man.’

’Just wait until I change into a suit. Then you’ll see what a wolf in sheep’s clothing looks like.’

...

The fourth-floor menswear section had a lot of brands.

Shen Yan led Chen Lin and Yunqing straight into a very high-end looking store.

The sign at the entrance read: Armani.

The store’s decor was simple, yet it exuded an air of understated luxury.

Rows of suits hung neatly on racks, with dedicated fitting rooms nearby.

The moment the sales associate saw the trio’s demeanor and attire, they immediately came over to greet them.

"Welcome. How may I help you?"

"Help him pick out a suit," Shen Yan said, pointing to Chen Lin. "It’s for a formal event. It should be distinguished and elegant, but not too old-fashioned."

The associate’s eyes lit up. They sized Chen Lin up and down, already getting an idea of what would work.

"Of course. The gentleman has a very standard build. I have a few new autumn/winter models that should suit you perfectly. Please, follow me."

For the next hour, Chen Lin felt like a mannequin being manipulated.

The associate kept bringing him clothes, while Shen Yan and Yunqing sat to the side like two judges, commenting on every outfit he tried on.

"That color is too dark. It makes him look old."

"The cut isn’t very form-fitting. The shoulders look a bit slumped."

"The design of that collar isn’t very nice..."

Chen Lin changed from one suit to another, utterly exhausted.

Finally, when he put on a slim-fit black suit, paired with a pure white shirt and a dark blue, fine-striped tie—

Shen Yan and Yunqing both fell silent.

The sales associate also stared, stunned.

The fitting room door was open. Chen Lin stood before the full-length mirror, looking at his reflection, also a little dazed.

The man in the mirror was completely different from the self he was used to seeing.

The black suit fit his form perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and upright posture.

The pure white shirt peeking out from the collar made his face seem even fairer and more handsome.

The dark blue tie added a perfect touch of maturity and restraint.

He looked...

Handsome, sharp, mature, and confident.

Like a young, successful elite, or a domineering CEO from a TV drama.

"This..."

’All I can say is that Little Champion must have been subtly optimizing my physique. Even my dad noticed that I was in much better shape when I went home before.’

Chen Lin tugged at his collar, feeling a bit unaccustomed to it.

"Why do I feel like an insurance salesman..."

he muttered to himself.

"You’re not."

A soft voice came from behind him.

Chen Lin turned his head.

Shen Yan had walked up behind him at some point and was now looking up at him.

Her eyes were brighter than usual, and a faint blush had appeared on her cheeks.

"Very handsome."

she said softly.

Just two words, spoken in a calm tone.

But Chen Lin could clearly see that the tips of her ears were completely red.

In that instant, Chen Lin’s heart skipped a beat.

He had never seen this kind of expression on Shen Yan before.

That look, like a fawn’s, a little shy yet also full of anticipation...

It sent an indescribable thrill through him.

"R-Really?"

Chen Lin asked, stumbling over his words a little.

He realized he was actually a little nervous.

Shen Yan nodded gently, then, as if sensing something, quickly averted her gaze and pretended to look at a nearby rack of ties.

Just then—

"Here, let me see."