Outside the conference hall doors.
Luo Kai tapped a cigarette out of its pack.
A colleague sidled up eagerly, offering him a light.
"Bro, your team stole the spotlight today—two projects secured sponsorships in the tens of millions."
Luo Kai smirked with pride.
Just as he was about to boast about his connections, his hand holding the cigarette froze.
His gaze landed on a woman with a TV station ID badge climbing into a luxury car parked nearby.
Luo Kai: "Holy shit, Sang Lu?"
Colleague: "Where? That pretty girl from Group D?"
As the luxury car started, the two men exchanged a knowing look.
Luo Kai sneered: "Tch. Always putting on that sweet, innocent act, and now she’s hopping into some rich guy’s car. Probably some investor big shot."
The colleague chimed in with a lewd tone: "You know how it is, bro. The ones who look the purest are the wildest behind closed doors."
Luo Kai: "Must be nice being a woman. Here I am, busting my ass drinking and schmoozing with bosses, while all they gotta do is slide into a car and spread their legs. Easy life."
Colleague: "Shh, keep it down. Don’t let anyone hear you."
Luo Kai: "So what if they hear? What’s there to be scared of? If Sang Lu’s bold enough to do it, she should be bold enough to take the heat."
Behind them, a woman brushed past.
Guan Shiqing clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
Her eyes burned with resentment as she stared at the black sedan.
She recognized it—Feng Yan’s car.
A sharp ringtone cut through the air.
Guan Shiqing numbly picked up her phone.
The moment the call connected, her boss coldly informed her she was no longer needed in the secretary department starting tomorrow.
"Why?!"
"You dare ask me why? Let’s not drag this out. Considering your years of service without major mistakes, you’re being transferred to the Nanfeng branch. Report there tomorrow. Don’t show your face at headquarters again."
"Nanfeng? That’s so far, I—"
Before she could finish, the line went dead with a click.
Guan Shiqing gritted her teeth.
Tears streaked down her cheeks.
Ahead, the taillights of the black sedan had already blurred into the distance.
Bitterness and anguish swirled in her chest, threatening to spill from her eyes.
She didn’t regret trying to get close to Feng Yan earlier.
Only hated that she’d been so close, yet still fell short.
And Sang Lu—
It was always Sang Lu!
Why did she get to waltz into his life so effortlessly?
---
Inside the car.
The moment Sang Lu settled in, she couldn’t resist asking Feng Yan:
"Were you waiting to leave with me?"
Feng Yan neither nodded nor shook his head.
Instead, he typed a message on his phone with deliberate calm:
"No. I had unfinished business, so I hadn’t left yet."
Huh?
Unfinished business?
CEOs really were busier than ordinary people.
Sang Lu beamed.
Happy to chalk it up to good luck.
"You’re a lifesaver! I didn’t ride Orange today, and it’s impossible to get a cab at this hour."
Then, turning to Fang Assistant at the wheel, she chirped:
"Hey there, Fang! Long time no see~"
Fang Assistant paused, then grinned:
"Likewise, Mrs. Feng!"
Sang Lu had always been outgoing and warm by nature. Last time they’d met, she’d been under the influence of the plot’s "mean girl" persona. Now, back to her true self.
Sang Lu: "Thanks for helping me with my stuff earlier!"
Fang Assistant: "No problem at all, just doing my job."
Fang Assistant was surprised.
He hadn’t expected the CEO’s wife to be this approachable and cheerful.
Nothing like the cold impression she’d left last time.
Through the rearview mirror, he stole a glance at Feng Yan.
The CEO’s expression was as composed as ever.
But oddly, he hadn’t closed his eyes to rest like he usually did after the car started moving.
Instead, he seemed to be quietly listening to their conversation.
Interesting.
Fang Assistant grew more convinced of his theory: The boss is in a good mood today.
Just as he was puzzling over why, a phone rang sharply.
Sang Lu pressed her phone to her ear.
Yu Xiaoke’s voice exploded through the speaker:
"Lu!!! Your mouth is legit blessed!"
"Huh?" Sang Lu wracked her brain for what she’d said earlier.
Yu Xiaoke: "A sponsor actually took notice of our project! Exclusive naming rights, 80 million in funding!"
"!!!"
Sang Lu shot upright in her seat so fast she nearly smacked her head on the roof.
Feng Yan’s gaze flicked to her, then to the ceiling.
Yu Xiaoke wasn’t done: "And that’s not all. Take a deep breath first."
Sang Lu obediently inhaled three times: "Okay, I’m ready. Hit me, Teacher Yu."
Yu Xiaoke: "The station director just announced—our new variety show is rated S+. Top-tier production and marketing teams."
"S+???"
Sang Lu’s voice trembled.
She’d never dared dream of this—her past projects had maxed out at A-tier.
"Happy? Excited? If I tell you who the sponsor is, you’re gonna jump up and start shadowboxing."
"Don’t test me, I will break out the military boxing—"
Sang Lu squirmed in her seat, punching the air in excitement. "—Who is it? Spill!"
In her exhilaration, she bonked her head against the roof again without noticing.
Feng Yan glanced over once more.
Yu Xiaoke announced like a game show host: "Feng Corporation. Feng Yan." Then, dramatically: "Regrets! If I’d known that tycoon was watching, I’d have kneeled and kowtowed earlier."
The words carried clearly through the phone—straight into a certain man’s keen ears.
Sang Lu froze.
Like she’d been hit with a paralysis spell.
Several seconds passed before she slowly turned to the man beside her.
Feng Yan leaned against the window, face serene.
The stark black shirt accentuated his sharp features, adding a dangerous edge.
Noticing her stare, he lifted his gaze.
Sang Lu’s eyes sparkled with astonishment.
Her smile was so bright it could rival peach blossoms in spring.
She tapped her phone, mouthing: "Hold on, one sec~"
She’d thank him properly after the call.
Feng Yan’s brow arched slightly: "…?"
Baffled.
For the next few minutes, Sang Lu chattered animatedly with Yu Xiaoke, arms flailing in excitement.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Feng Yan lower his head to type something.
The moment she hung up, he wordlessly extended his phone toward her.
Sang Lu: ?
His palm faced up, fingers slightly curled—knuckles defined but not harsh, veins faintly visible beneath his skin.
On the screen:
"No military boxing in the car."
(Safety hazard.)
Sang Lu blinked.
……
???
Meanwhile, Feng Yan remained utterly unruffled. Having confirmed she’d read it, he calmly withdrew his phone.
Pfft—
Sang Lu couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing.
Oh my god.
How did this ice block manage to be so deadpan and hilarious at the same time?
