Chapter 490: Making Things Difficult for You

Chapter 490: Chapter 490: Making Things Difficult for You

Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport.

After a flight of over ten hours, the plane landed smoothly. Although it was already night in the scorching summer back home, due to the time difference, France was just experiencing a typical afternoon. The warm sunlight bathed the picturesque land, accompanied by a gentle breeze.

Lin Ruoxi, who had napped briefly on the plane, felt little fatigue. Compared to her usual work routine of meetings and office tasks, flying wasn't that tiring. Yang Chen, naturally, showed no signs of exhaustion either. Stepping onto European soil, his previously jovial expression vanished, and uncontrollable memories from the past flooded his mind, filling him with nostalgia.

The two walked together from the terminal towards the international arrivals exit. Lin Ruoxi carried only a Prada shoulder bag. Since there was a branch office in Paris, most necessities could be arranged on-site, eliminating the need for luggage. Yang Chen, on the other hand, carried nothing, making them a relaxed pair.

Throughout the flight, Yang Chen had been telling crude adult jokes, but upon landing, he fell silent, walking quietly. Lin Ruoxi easily noticed this change in him. Turning her head to look at the man beside her, whose expression had suddenly turned complex, Lin Ruoxi had a feeling that this was the more authentic version of him.

Unconsciously, Lin Ruoxi asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Instinctively, Yang Chen reached into his jacket pocket for a pack of cigarettes, but realizing he was at the airport where smoking wasn't allowed, he smiled and said, "Nothing much, just some ridiculous things from the past. But it's all over now."

Lin Ruoxi didn't press further. She knew that the "ridiculous" things Yang Chen mentioned were probably past events he didn't want to recall.

"By the way, who's picking us up?" Yang Chen asked casually.

Lin Ruoxi, leading the way, replied, "The director of the European branch, his name is Goodman."

"Goodman? Goodman? Interesting name. Is he a man?" Yang Chen asked.

"Of course, a woman wouldn't have such a name," Lin Ruoxi said. "His mother is from China, and his father is French. He was born in the UK and spent many years in China. He was once my senior. Although his noble status has faded, he still has aristocratic lineage. My grandmother personally promoted him when she was alive. After working in Zhonghai for a year, he was appointed director of the European branch. Since I took office, I've only met him twice. Because our branch is in Paris, he mentioned early on that he would come to pick us up."

Yang Chen touched his nose, muttering, "Another senior, and a mixed-race one at that. I bet he's handsome, right, Ruoxi darling? Not another Zeng Xinyu, is he?"

Lin Ruoxi frowned slightly. Talking about Zeng Xinyu always made her uncomfortable, as she had cruelly caused the death of that acquaintance.

"Goodman is different from Zeng Xinyu. He doesn't have much ambition in his career. He's more like a romantic Frenchman who enjoys life and values his noble lineage, not caring much about money or benefits," Lin Ruoxi explained.

Yang Chen laughed, "You've only met him twice, and you already know what kind of person he is?"

"I have a keen eye for people," Lin Ruoxi said confidently, adding silently in her mind, except when it comes to understanding you, you thick-skinned rascal.

Yang Chen flashed a mischievous smile but didn't retort.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they finally reached the exit, where many people were waiting to pick up passengers. Despite the crowd, they immediately spotted a sign held high with Chinese characters, which read "Yulei International."

Almost simultaneously, Yang Chen saw the "mixed-blood" Goodman that Lin Ruoxi had mentioned.

Goodman, dressed in a white suit, indeed had striking features. Although his hair was black, his facial contours were distinctly Western, and his eyes had a hint of blue-green. He was tall, towering more than half a head above Yang Chen, with a straight and upright posture.

His face bore a warm, natural smile, exuding a noble aura that drew glances from both male and female travelers of various nationalities.

With Yang Chen by her side, there was no danger at all. Somehow, after witnessing Yang Chen effortlessly resolve numerous crises, Lin Ruoxi always felt safe when he was around.

"Bingo! Found it!" Yang Chen shouted happily, pulling out a bottle of wine from the fridge and immediately unwrapping it.

"If Mr. Yang likes it, that's great. This is a special 1982 vintage Margaux. There are no more than ten bottles in all of Paris. If I weren't acquainted with the winery owner, I couldn't have gotten this," Goodman said proudly.

In no time, Yang Chen had already removed the cap, filling the car with the rich aroma of the wine, clearly not an ordinary vintage.

Though Lin Ruoxi wasn't much of a drinker, she could appreciate the rarity of the wine. She admired Goodman's thoughtful gesture. While she knew there could never be anything between her and Goodman, she couldn't deny that as a woman, she appreciated a man's attentive gestures.

Just as Lin Ruoxi was about to grab a glass to enjoy a small drink with Yang Chen on the way to the hotel, Yang Chen's next move made her abandon the idea entirely.

"Gulp, gulp—"

Under Goodman's astonished gaze, Yang Chen picked up the wine bottle, put it to his mouth, and started gulping it down!

Lin Ruoxi gritted her teeth. It wasn't that she regretted the waste of such an expensive bottle of wine; she just couldn't understand why this guy always managed to do something so completely inappropriate!

Goodman was practically speechless. A priceless vintage wine worth tens of thousands of euros was being guzzled down like cheap soda by this crude man.

"I'm sorry, Goodman. Yang Chen's personality is just like this. He didn't mean to make things difficult for you," Lin Ruoxi said, feeling somewhat apologetic towards Goodman. After all, anyone would be upset seeing their prized possession treated this way.

Goodman, though furious inside, quickly put on a smile and waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine, as long as Mr. Yang enjoys it. I still have two more bottles. Ruoxi, I'll open one for you."

Lin Ruoxi nodded, her peripheral vision catching Yang Chen already having drunk nearly half the bottle, looking completely carefree and satisfied.

"Hehe, sorry about that. I didn't realize the wine was so expensive. How about I pour some for you too? Good things are meant to be shared," Yang Chen said with a drunken hiccup, smiling.

"No, that's okay. This bottle is all yours, Mr. Yang," Goodman said politely, though inwardly cursing, as he reached for another bottle.

Yang Chen licked the red wine that had dribbled down to the corner of his mouth and smirked. "I think you should hold off on opening another bottle. Why don't we focus on where this car is heading? I have a feeling we're not on the road to the Sofitel Hotel."

Goodman's expression faltered for a moment. He looked out the window and realized Yang Chen was right; the scenery wasn't familiar, and they weren't on the usual route to the Sofitel Hotel.

"Driver, where are we going?" Goodman asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

The driver, without turning back, replied, "Sir, there's been a diversion due to roadworks. We're taking an alternate route."

Yang Chen raised an eyebrow, his expression sharp. "An alternate route? That's convenient. I hope this alternate route isn't leading us into trouble."

Lin Ruoxi, sensing Yang Chen's unease, grew more alert. Despite her confidence in Goodman's arrangements, she knew better than to ignore Yang Chen's instincts.

Goodman, trying to maintain calm, nodded. "Yes, let's remain cautious. I'll call the security team to ensure everything is alright."

He took out his phone and began making a call, while Yang Chen kept his eyes on the road ahead, his demeanor suddenly serious.