105: Received 1.2 million

Lan Yanran's pretty face, which usually maintained a business-elite-like calm, suddenly flushed with a captivating blush.

That crimson spread from her delicate neck all the way to the tips of her ears, making her look quite charming.

"Little Brother, you still have such a way with words."

Her voice carried a hint of shyness and a touch of mock-reproach, but more than that, it was filled with the joy of being soaked in sweet talk.

She also seemed to realize that taking the initiative to hold a young man's hand just now was a bit too reckless for the Chairwoman of Lantu Group.

Her heart skipped a beat; as if she had been burned, yet with a trace of reluctance, she gently and slowly withdrew her hand.

Lin Chao didn't try to keep her hand, just looking at her with a smile, while the incredible softness and warmth seemed to linger in his palm.

To hide her loss of composure, Lan Yanran picked up her phone from the side again, unlocked the screen, and her fingertips tapped quickly.

She lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyes, as if she were seriously replying to some important message.

Lin Chao didn't rush her, either; he just quietly picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.

A few seconds later, as if she had finished her task, Lan Yanran turned her phone screen down and placed it gently on the table.

She looked up, her eyes having regained some clarity, but that blush had not yet completely faded.

"While I was waiting for you, I received a screenshot from a business partner."

"His son has Qingyu's wechat and saw the post she made on her moments."

Lan Yanran's tone carried a hint of helplessness: "Then, that kid went and asked his father if something had happened to our Lan Family, wondering why Lan Qingyu had started doing micro-business."

At this point, she gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Although this partner knows Lantu Group is doing very well, he was also worried whether Qingyu was being scammed outside. That's why he sent me the screenshot and asked me to check on the situation."

"So, I replied to him just now..." Lan Yanran looked at Lin Chao and explained frankly, "I said that because I'm using this brand's massager myself and find the effects to be very good, Qingyu was just helping to recommend it on her moments."

This explanation was airtight; it both protected Lan Qingyu and indirectly endorsed the product, showcasing the PR finesse of a mature entrepreneur.

"I've troubled you, Sister Yanran," Lin Chao felt quite embarrassed.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, the atmosphere became completely relaxed.

Lan Yanran breathed a soft sigh of relief and called out toward the door.

"Waiter, you can serve the food now."

Soon, exquisite dishes like works of art were brought out, perfect in color, aroma, and taste, showcasing the extraordinary quality of this Private Kitchen Restaurant.

The two chatted casually as they ate, the atmosphere as harmonious as that of friends who had known each other for years.

Halfway through the meal, Lan Yanran put down her chopsticks and gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, as if suddenly remembering something.

"Look at me, I was so busy chatting with you that I forgot today's main business."

Her expression became serious, regaining some of CEO Lan's aura.

"During this time, the cooperation between Lantu Group and those small companies you connected us with has fully gotten on track and is very stable."

She looked at Lin Chao, her gaze filled with unhidden admiration.

"One could say, Little Brother, that the task you gave me has been more than fulfilled."

"So..."

Lan Yanran smiled slightly, her tone carrying the decisiveness of a final verdict.

"It's time to pay you the reward we agreed upon earlier."

Lin Chao didn't pretend to be magnanimous by declining it.

He met Lan Yanran's gaze frankly, a bright smile appearing on his face.

"Then, thank you, Sister."

Lan Yanran gave a charming smile, full of grace.

In that smile, there was both the efficiency of a female business leader and the intimacy of an older Sister.

She picked up that exquisite phone again, her slender fingers tapping on the screen a few times as if performing some operation.

"Done."

In just a few short seconds, she put down her phone and picked up her teacup again.

Almost at the same time, the phone in Lin Chao's pocket vibrated slightly.

He calmly took out his phone and lit up the screen.

A bank notification for a deposit appeared prominently in the notification bar.

Lin Chao's gaze fell on the content of the message, and his pupils constricted imperceptibly.

"[Dear customer, your savings account ending in XXXX received a transfer of 1,200,000.00 yuan on Month X, Day X at XX:XX. The current account balance is...]"

1.2 million!

It wasn't the one million they had agreed upon before.

Lin Chao looked up, his eyes showing a well-timed hint of surprise as he looked at Lan Yanran, who was elegantly sipping her tea across from him.

"Sister Yanran, is this... a bit too much?"

There was a touch of confusion in his tone.

Lan Yanran set down her teacup, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

"It's not."

She looked at Lin Chao with sincere eyes.

"One million is the reward for acting as a bridge for Lantu Group and facilitating the cooperation; that's what we agreed on."

"As for the other 200,000..."

"Consider it a thank-you gift from me for helping Qingyu resolve that big trouble."

Upon hearing this explanation, Lin Chao understood immediately.

A sincere, bitter smile appeared on his face as he placed his phone on the table and pushed it back toward her.

"Sister Yanran, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can't accept this 200,000."

"To help Qingyu, I only spent 2,000 yuan on an information fee."

Lin Chao met her gaze frankly, saying each word clearly.

"You're giving me a hundred times that amount in one go; how could I possibly feel right taking it?"

"2,000 yuan?"

Lan Yanran was truly stunned this time.

For the first time, undisguised surprise appeared in her clear eyes.

She knew Lin Chao's basic monthly salary was 3,000 yuan at most, yet he was willing to pay 2,000 yuan out of his own pocket to help Qingyu solve her trouble.

More importantly, from beginning to end, he hadn't mentioned this to her, or even to Qingyu.

If she hadn't happened to hear about it from her business partner today, he would probably have kept it to himself forever.

This man not only handled things flawlessly but was also responsible and didn't seek credit.

In an instant, Lan Yanran's heart felt as if it had been gently touched by something, and a warm ripple spread through it.

A mere 200,000 was just a drop in the bucket for her.

But in her eyes, Lin Chao's sentiment was far more precious than that 200,000.

She looked at Lin Chao, the smile on her face becoming increasingly soft, carrying an air that brooked no argument.

"Precisely because you only spent 2,000, I have to give you the rest even more."

"Money is a small matter, but I acknowledge your sincerity."

"Accept it, or else I'll get angry."

Since things had been put that way, it would have seemed pretentious if Lin Chao continued to decline.