20: Chapter 20 The Favor of the Beautiful Boss!
Along with Shen Zhou came the receptionist from earlier and several uniformed security guards.
"Why can't I be the owner of the Haoqing Grand Hotel?"
"Mr. Wan, you're in the investment world, not the hotel industry. It's quite normal to occasionally look down on others with those snobbish eyes of yours. I'll forgive you!"
As he spoke, Shen Zhou pointed at the dumbfounded Wan Yiquan before shooting a glance at the receptionist beside him.
"Escort Boss Wan out! Oh, right, remember not to throw him; just toss him out!"
...
He arranged for people to 'politely' see Wan Yiquan off.
The next thing to do, naturally, was to take Lin Lan home.
Truth be told, Lin Lan had indeed drunk a bit too much today.
Even though Shen Zhou had poured a lot of pure water into the Maotai bottle filled with Erguotou when he swapped the drinks...
...the three bottles of watered-down Erguotou still contained a significant amount of alcohol after all.
So, not long after Wan Yiquan had been escorted away, while Lin Lan still had no idea what was happening...
...she already felt waves of dizziness washing over her entire body.
Her footsteps began to grow unsteady and wavering.
"Shen... Shen Zhou, what... what happened just now?"
"Wh... why did they call you 'boss'?"
"Tell me, are you hiding... hiding other part-time jobs from me? Quick, tell me!"
Seeing that the alcohol had gone to Lin Lan's head, Shen Zhou immediately stepped forward and caught his beautiful boss in his arms.
Almost at the same instant, Shen Zhou's nose caught a faint, unique scent—a mix of a mature woman's fragrance and the aroma of alcohol.
Inadvertently glancing at Lin Lan's chest, he was suddenly struck by the sight of her magnificent, undulating curves.
"Hiss... Cao Cao, oh Cao Cao, I truly understand you now. I used to think your taste was questionable, but now I realize you actually had great taste!"
"In the rainy Three Kingdoms Era, Aman's taste was truly extraordinary!"
While lost in his thoughts, Shen Zhou gave a look to the staff member nearby, signaling the lobby manager he had just appointed to help him get Lin Lan into the car.
Yes, thinking is one thing, but Shen Zhou wasn't the type of person to take advantage of someone in a vulnerable state!
At the very least, without her consent, Shen Zhou wouldn't be as despicable as Wan Yiquan.
Lin Lan's car was a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Although Shen Zhou had never owned a car of his own...
...he had specifically learned how to drive and had obtained his driver's license a long time ago, so driving wasn't difficult for him.
About twenty minutes later, Shen Zhou arrived at the residential complex where Lin Lan lived.
Zizhuyuan Residential District.
This was a relatively high-end complex in Shanghai, and its security facilities were quite comprehensive.
Fortunately, the security guard was familiar with the owner's vehicle. After taking a careful look at the passenger seat, he signaled Shen Zhou to drive directly into the underground garage.
The garage had an elevator that led directly to Lin Lan's luxury flat.
Naturally, he parked the car in the garage, then half-supported and half-carried Lin Lan into the elevator.
Shen Zhou had finally managed to get his beautiful boss home.
Taking the keys from Lin Lan's bag, Shen Zhou gently held her and laid her down on the sofa.
Since the alcohol had already hit Lin Lan by now, Shen Zhou didn't bother explaining anything to her.
He simply took the care to find a blanket and covered her with it.
Then, he went to the kitchen to pour her a glass of warm water and placed it on the coffee table.
After finishing these tasks, Shen Zhou actually hesitated.
The slight tipsiness combined with her moving figure made her look like a perfect oil painting created by the heavens for the mortal world.
The 'spring scenery' before him was indeed a bit too much for a twenty-year-old full of vigor like Shen Zhou to handle.
He couldn't help but steal a few glances at the drowsy Lin Lan on the sofa.
In the end, Shen Zhou took a deep breath, reined in his willpower, and turned to leave.
Right as Shen Zhou turned around and was only two or three steps from the door...
...a soft, drunken voice came from behind him without warning.
"Don't go! Promise me, don't go, okay?"
"I feel so miserable inside!"
"Can you stay with me?"
"[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have triggered a surprise system reward!]"
"[The Host's gentleness and thoughtfulness have successfully earned the beautiful boss's extra favor!]"
"[Congratulations, Host! At this very moment, your female boss has fallen in love with you!]"
"Hmm? There's such a good thing?"
Lin Lan's gentle voice combined with the system's timely notification made Shen Zhou feel as if a blessing had suddenly dropped from the sky.
Life is truly unpredictable!
Just a few hours ago, Shen Zhou was actually feeling regretful about not having anything happen with Han Bingqing.
Even though Han Bingqing had dropped such obvious hints, a sudden mess had cropped up on his end, causing him to miss a perfectly good opportunity.
In the end, he never expected this—never in his wildest dreams.
His actions had actually mirrored the old saying: 'What is lost in the elms is gained in the eastern corner!'
Today's experience was simply... thrilling, so thrilling!
This system reward was indeed a hundred times more satisfying than winning the lottery!
But then again, Shen Zhou still had a bit of that underdog attribute in him.
Now that the opportunity was right before him, Shen Zhou's heart actually began to waver.
Considering that Lin Lan was currently drunk, Shen Zhou actually forced down his restless thoughts.
After pausing for just a moment, he turned back around, looked at Lin Lan, shook his head, and gave an inexplicable, self-deprecating chuckle.
"Whoosh..."
Just then, a cool breeze blew into the room through the windows of the luxury flat.
Feeling that Lin Lan might catch a cold, Shen Zhou shrugged his shoulders, walked forward gently, and picked her up from the sofa.
"Sigh, Shen Zhou, oh Shen Zhou, what's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly being so noble at a time like this?"
"To actually be worrying about whether she'll catch a cold."
"Forget it. If you're going to do a good deed, see it through to the end!"
Thus, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind, Shen Zhou carried Lin Lan, gently laid her on the bed, and carefully tucked her in.
Just as he was preparing to leave once again...
...something unexpected happened very suddenly.
"I won't let you leave!"
"Don't go! Shen Zhou!"
"They're all bad people. I need you!"