The end of the month was still more than two weeks away.

Xu Ye wasn't planning to make any noise about this. As long as the company's taxes were clean, it didn't matter if business stopped for a few days. The dumber he acted in the meantime, the more Zheng Bin would let his guard down. He might even decide Xu Ye would never figure out who was behind it.

Let things play out for a while. It was only a matter of time.

On Wednesday night, Xu Ye posted in the group chat: "Comrades, the tax review should wrap up around Friday. Except for our comrades in finance, who'll stay in the office to help, everyone can stay home for the next two days. No need to come in this weekend either. If anything comes up, talk it over in the work chat."

"Long live the boss~"

"Yay~"

Early the next morning, Xu Ye drove straight to the Conservatory. On the way, a WeChat message came in from Second Aunt. She said Wang Manning always wore too little in winter because she wanted to look cute. At home, Second Aunt could keep an eye on her, but now that she was in college, there was nothing she could do.

Second Aunt didn't spell it out, but Xu Ye knew what she meant. He quickly sent back a voice message. "Okay, Second Aunt. I happen to be free the next couple of days. I'll swing by her school and check up on her."

"Mm. You keep her in line. She listens to you now."

Wang Manning listened because Xu Ye wasn't only her cousin. He was also her creditor, and someday he might be someone she could lean on. That was why his word carried weight with her.

Xu Ye had lunch with Chen Qingqing at the cafeteria. She had a required class that afternoon and couldn't skip it, so she told him to rest at the hotel and come get her when class let out.

He showed Chen Qingqing his chat with Second Aunt from that morning and grinned.…