30: Where is it rough?

His Adam's apple bobbed for a moment, and he immediately collected his thoughts.

"Speaking of which, the situation was urgent just now, and I didn't even have time to wash my hands."

He smiled, his voice regaining its usual steadiness: "I'll go now."

With that, he turned and walked into the restroom attached to the lounge.

Lan Yanran finally breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling her tense nerves finally relax.

She quickly straightened her shirt and blazer, every movement carrying a trace of imperceptible fluster.

By the time Lin Chao walked out of the restroom, shaking the water droplets from his hands, Lan Yanran had already sat up straight, regaining her usual cold and dignified demeanor.

However, those clear, beautiful eyes couldn't help but dodge for a moment the instant she saw Lin Chao.

A faint blush also quietly crept onto her cheeks.

"At noon... shall I treat you to lunch?"

Lin Chao laughed heartily.

"Sure, then I'll accept your kindness and sponge another big meal off CEO Lan."

Hearing the title 'CEO Lan,' for some reason, a sense of distance arose in Lan Yanran's heart.

She lightly bit her full lower lip, as if she had made a decision.

"Um... don't call me CEO Lan anymore."

"Call me by my name."

Lin Chao was slightly stunned, then nodded readily.

He looked at the woman before him, who was both noble and carried a hint of vulnerability, and felt a warmth in his heart.

"Okay."

"Then from now on, I'll call you Sister Yanran!"

This form of address both shortened the distance between them and maintained the proper respect.

A gleam of satisfaction flashed in Lan Yanran's eyes.

"Mhm," she responded softly.

The two walked out of the lounge one after the other.

Returning to the spacious and bright CEO's office, Lan Yanran pointed to the expensive leather sofa.

"Sit over there for a while and rest."

"What would you like to drink?"

Lin Chao waved his hand casually.

"Anything is fine, I'm not picky."

Lan Yanran nodded, picked up the intercom on her desk, and dialed.

Her voice instantly switched back to CEO mode, cold and efficient.

"Zhong Xiao, brew a pot of the best Da Hong Pao and bring it in."

"Yes, CEO Lan."

Zhong Xiao's respectful response came from the other end of the line.

Within two minutes, there was a light knock on the office door.

Zhong Xiao walked in carefully, carrying an exquisite tea set.

She first respectfully placed the tea on the coffee table, then poured a cup for Lin Chao.

However, when she handed the steaming cup of tea to Lin Chao, her gaze was filled with unconcealable admiration, amazement, and even a hint of... worship?

That look seemed to say: Boss, you're too awesome! You actually gave our eternal iceberg a... princess carry!

Lin Chao took the teacup, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at her gaze.

He instantly understood what was going through Zhong Xiao's mind.

This misunderstanding was truly massive.

However, Lin Chao didn't bother to explain.

After setting down the tea set, Zhong Xiao tactfully bowed and withdrew, gently closing the office door behind her.

Lin Chao raised the teacup and took a sip, feeling the fragrance linger on his palate.

On the other side, Lan Yanran had already sat back in her CEO's throne and begun handling official business.

She picked up the phone, issuing orders one by one in an orderly fashion.

"Legal Department, immediately draft a warning letter to Tianyu Technology. Their infringement has crossed our bottom line. I want to see results by five PM."

"Send out a notice: an online executive meeting will be held in half an hour. I want to hear the financial summary report for the first half of the month."

On the phone, she spoke very quickly and clearly, every word carrying an unquestionable authority and power.

The woman who had blushed and been vulnerable before him just moments ago had vanished without a trace.

As if sensing his gaze, Lan Yanran looked up at him.

Lin Chao also seemed to feel a bit embarrassed and smiled sheepishly.

Lan Yanran was slightly stunned, and a blush once again rose to her face.

Had Lin Chao... been watching her this whole time?

Was she... that good-looking?

She cleared her throat and quickly lowered her head, forcing herself to focus on her work.

An hour later.

The online executive meeting finally ended.

Lan Yanran hung up the last video call, and her entire aura instantly relaxed.

She leaned back somewhat tiredly in her large CEO chair, reaching out with her slender fingers to gently pinch the space between her brows.

The continuous high-intensity work caused a trace of imperceptible fatigue to appear on her stunningly beautiful face.

But just two seconds later, when her gaze turned toward Lin Chao on the sofa, that hint of fatigue was quickly reined in.

In its place was a soft smile.

"What do you want to eat for lunch?"

Her voice was gentle, carrying a hint of inquiry.

"How about... we go to that restaurant from last time again?"

Lin Chao stood up from the sofa, stretched his muscles, a habitual hearty smile on his face.

"Anything works. I'm just a rough man; I'm not picky about food."

Hearing the words 'rough man,' Lan Yanran let out a 'pfft' and laughed.

The laughter was crisp, like swaying wind chimes, diluting the serious atmosphere in the office.

"You're so handsome, where are you rough?"

Her beautiful eyes held a bit of sincere laughter as she looked Lin Chao up and down.

Lin Chao had a tall and straight build, handsome features, and a unique temperament that mixed sunshine and steadiness.

The word 'rough' really had nothing to do with him at all.

Being praised so directly by her, Lin Chao rubbed his nose and chuckled as well.

"Then thank you for the compliment, Sister Yanran."

The phrase 'Sister Yanran' was said naturally and smoothly.

The smile at the corners of Lan Yanran's mouth deepened.

The two walked out of the Lantu Group headquarters building side by side.

This caused the other employees of Lantu Group to start gossiping.

"Who is that guy? It seems his relationship with CEO Lan is unusual..."

"Could he be a toy boy kept by CEO Lan?"

"CEO Lan wouldn't go as far as bringing a toy boy to the company, would she?"

"But that man is quite handsome... I think the possibility is high..."

Zhong Xiao happened to be passing by, and hearing these discussions, her face darkened: "What are you all blathering about! Is CEO Lan someone you can gossip about?"

The others immediately fell silent.

A smug smile appeared on Zhong Xiao's face, however.

What do you guys know! I saw CEO Lan being princess-carried with my own eyes!

It was still that high-class, top-tier restaurant.

Still the same old spot by the window.

Just as the two had finished ordering, the restaurant door was pushed open again.

Lin Chao glanced over casually, and his gaze paused slightly.

He saw Xie Mengya walking in gracefully, surrounded by a group of people.

She also spotted Lin Chao and Lan Yanran by the window at a glance.

Xie Mengya's charming eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

Then, a warm smile blossomed on her face, and she walked straight toward them in her high heels.

The several people behind her immediately followed.

"CEO Lan, what a coincidence."

Xie Mengya's voice carried a hint of perfectly timed surprise.

"Are you and Little Brother Lin Chao eating here too?"

Her gaze fell on Lin Chao, her tone sounding as if she were declaring a sort of ownership.