16: What are you trying to say?

Seeing Lin Chao's look of shared indignation, the ice in Lan Yanran's eyes seemed to melt a little.

She smiled lightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"The business world is like a battlefield; one must use every means possible."

She shifted the topic, looking at Lin Chao with interest.

"Do you know whose company this Hongzhi Group is?"

Lin Chao's heart stirred, and he immediately feigned a blank look, shaking his head honestly.

"I don't know."

Lan Yanran's gaze became somewhat playful.

"President Xie didn't mention it to you?"

"Hongzhi Group is her company."

"What?!"

Lin Chao's acting reached its peak at this moment; his eyes widened, and his face was full of disbelief.

"President Xie's company?"

"This... how is this possible?!"

He took a step forward and asked urgently, "How could President Xie do something like this? CEO Lan, aren't you good friends? Weren't you drinking together just a few nights ago?"

Looking at Lin Chao's "sky is falling" shocked expression, the smile at the corner of Lan Yanran's mouth became a bit more genuine.

"We are indeed friends, of a sort."

She picked up the coffee on the table and took a light sip, her posture elegant.

"But in business, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests."

She paused, put down the coffee cup, and looked into Lin Chao's eyes.

"And strictly speaking, the one leading this matter isn't her."

"The one responsible for this project is her husband."

Lin Chao's pupils shrank suddenly!

A wave of undisguised disgust instantly crawled onto his face.

"You mean... him!"

His tone was filled with contempt and disdain.

It was as if he had heard something utterly filthy.

He looked at Lan Yanran, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Who was Lan Yanran?

Her ability to read expressions was already master-level.

She immediately caught the anomaly in Lin Chao's expression.

Her beautiful eyebrows arched slightly, she leaned forward, her sharp eyes locking onto Lin Chao.

"What?"

"You seem... to know something?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an irresistible sense of pressure.

"What do you want to say?"

Facing Lan Yanran's sharp eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything, Lin Chao's mind raced.

He took a deep breath, as if suppressing his previous indignation and hesitation.

He glanced around the spacious and luxurious CEO's office, a hint of just-right difficulty appearing on his face.

"It's nothing."

He shook his head, his tone becoming very professional.

"I was just thinking, CEO Lan, you are currently unwell, and here... it might not be very convenient."

"Where should I give you the massage so that you can get the best relaxation?"

Lan Yanran looked at him, the pressure in her eyes slowly fading, replaced by a faint scrutiny.

She was so shrewd; how could she not see that Lin Chao was beating around the bush?

His expression of utter disgust toward Zheng Guangzhi just now was definitely not an act.

This young man had secrets.

However, she didn't press him.

Sometimes, not asking gets you more than asking.

She stood up, her slender figure casting a beautiful silhouette against the massive floor-to-ceiling window.

"There is a lounge in my office."

Her voice returned to its usual coldness.

"Follow me."

After saying that, she stepped into her high heels and led the way to an inconspicuous hidden door in the corner of the office.

Lin Chao immediately followed.

The lounge wasn't large, but it was decorated warmly and elegantly, with a soft large bed taking up most of the space.

In the air, there was a faint, elegant fragrance, the same as the one on Lan Yanran.

Lan Yanran turned around, and a rare blush actually appeared on her stunningly beautiful face.

Her gaze was somewhat erratic, not daring to look directly at Lin Chao.

"Do I need to take off my clothes?"

She asked softly, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible shyness and nervousness.

Lin Chao saw her like this and laughed secretly in his heart.

No matter how strong a female CEO is, she is still a woman in the end.

He immediately adopted a professional and rigorous attitude to put her at ease.

"Please rest assured, CEO Lan, it's not necessary."

He pointed to the bed.

"Just lie down."

"I'll go wash my hands and be right back."

He paused and then added.

"Undo the bottom two buttons of your shirt and pull your skirt down a little to expose your lower abdomen."

His tone was calm and frank, without a shred of stray thought, just like a doctor giving instructions to a patient.

Lan Yanran's tense nerves instantly relaxed.

She gave a soft "mm," nodded, and obediently walked toward the bed.

Lin Chao turned and walked into the lounge's attached bathroom.

Turning on the faucet, the cold water washed over his palms.

But his mind was like a pot of boiling water, churning wildly!

How could he subtly badmouth Zheng Guangzhi again?

How could he deepen Lan Yanran's disgust for that man?

Lan Yanran had already become suspicious herself; this was a perfect opportunity!

He had to strike home in one go!

He looked at himself in the mirror as a bold plan gradually took shape.

Lin Chao dried his hands and walked out of the bathroom.

As he looked up, his breath hitched for a moment.

Lan Yanran was already lying on her side on the bed.

Two buttons of her white silk shirt were undone, and her black pencil skirt was also pulled down a bit, revealing a section of her flat, dazzlingly white lower abdomen.

That perfect waistline, under the soft light, traced a heart-pounding curve.

Lin Chao quickly withdrew his gaze, silently reciting a Heart-Clearing Mantra.

He walked to the bedside and said softly, "CEO Lan, I'm starting."

Saying that, he gently placed his warm palm on her lower abdomen.

Lan Yanran's body instinctively tensed for a moment, but soon, a steady stream of warmth flowed from Lin Chao's palm, making her relax instantly.

While massaging her with professional techniques, Lin Chao spoke in a calm tone.

"CEO Lan, besides avoiding fatigue and emotional excitement during your period, you should also pay special attention to your diet."

"Especially, you must not touch raw or cold things."

Lan Yanran closed her eyes and responded comfortably, "Mm, I know that. No ice, no cold drinks."

Lin Chao smiled.

"That's only the most superficial level."

"In the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the definition of 'raw and cold' is much broader."

Lan Yanran's interest was indeed piqued, and she opened her eyes slightly.

"Oh? How so?"

"Many fruits and vegetables we usually think are healthy are actually cold in nature."

Lin Chao gave examples unhurriedly.

"For example, bitter melon, winter melon, watermelon, pears, mung beans, and so on."

"Eating these things during your period can easily lead to cold energy invading, worsening the Womb cold, and making your condition even worse."

Lan Yanran was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"So that's how it is. I really never noticed it before."

Lin Chao's massage continued, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy, just right.

That feeling of bloating and soreness was being dispelled bit by bit, replaced by waves of warm comfort.

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Chao withdrew his hands.

"Alright, CEO Lan."

Lan Yanran slowly sat up and moved her body; she felt refreshed, and the previous feeling of grogginess and weakness had vanished.

She looked at Lin Chao with undisguised admiration in her eyes.

But she discovered that Lin Chao's brow was furrowed tightly once again.

That look was again one of wanting to say something but hesitating, as if he were hiding something huge.

Being who she was, Lan Yanran immediately linked it to the scene before the massage.

Her red lips parted slightly as she asked directly, "What exactly do you want to say?"

"Speak up."

"I promise I won't be angry."