32: A touch more appreciation

But as luck would have it, things got stuck.

Lan Yanran's side simply refused to budge.

Zheng Guangzhi was so worried his hair was turning white.

He couldn't figure it out!

Why would Lan Yanran turn down a profit handed to her on a silver platter?

To show his sincerity, he had even offered to give up a portion of the profits.

But Lan Yanran's response remained that airy phrase—"I'll think about it some more."

Think about what?

What on earth was there to think about?!

Hadn't the intent to cooperate already been established? They were at the critical moment of signing the contract!

Zheng Guangzhi knew, of course, that Lan Yanran and Xie Mengya were very close, practically best friends.

But he hadn't linked this fact to the cooperation at all.

The business world is like a battlefield.

How could Lan Yanran, who built the massive Lantu Group single-handedly, be someone who let emotions rule her?

Giving up hundreds of millions in profit for a friend?

What kind of ridiculous joke was that!

Thus, Zheng Guangzhi hadn't even considered that possibility.

He never would have dreamed that the problem lay exactly there.

If it wasn't for that kid Lin Chao fanning the flames... if it wasn't for his own eagerness for success, wanting to secure the cooperation as quickly as possible to weaken Xie Mengya's influence in the company... if it wasn't for him being so "clever" as to specifically pick the day when Lan Yanran was most uncomfortable during her period to aggressively push for the final details of the cooperation... Lan Yanran would never have suddenly changed her mind at the last moment.

One could only say that one wrong step leads to many more.

Naturally, the neutral executives had no way of knowing these inner details.

They only saw the result.

They saw that the tough nut Zheng Guangzhi couldn't crack despite his best efforts was nothing more than a few jokes to Xie Mengya.

They saw that the iceberg-like female CEO who had given Zheng Guangzhi such a headache would bicker and act jealous like a sister next door in front of Xie Mengya.

The contrast was far too stark!

In an instant, the scales in everyone's hearts began to tilt visibly.

A department manager who had originally been a staunch supporter of Zheng Guangzhi couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"It seems..."

"The winds of change might really be blowing at Hongzhi Group."

The atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly quieted down after Xie Mengya's group left.

Having finished her meal, Lan Yanran elegantly set down her chopsticks and lightly dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

"I should head back to the company," she said, looking at Lin Chao. "What about you? What are your plans for the afternoon?"

Lin Chao answered honestly, "I... I plan to wait here for a bit for Sister Mengya."

Lan Yanran's beautiful eyebrows arched slightly as she looked at him with some surprise.

"You really are..." She seemed to want to laugh but held it back. "Too honest."

"You can't hide a single thing in your heart."

Lin Chao just gave a silly laugh and scratched his head, looking quite simple and honest.

But in his heart, he was crystal clear.

What was the use of hiding such a thing?

When Xie Mengya came out later and he left with her, Lan Yanran would only need to ask the restaurant staff to know everything.

At that point, it would instead make him seem guilty and not upright enough.

Rather than letting a knot form in her heart, it was better to admit it openly now.

Not only would it avoid future trouble, but it would also score some "honesty" points with her.

As it turned out, he had gambled correctly.

Although Lan Yanran said that, a hint of appreciation clearly appeared in her cold eyes.

She liked smart people, and she liked honest smart people even more.

"Alright then."

Lan Yanran stood up and looked down at him.

"Then I'll look for you again during my period next month."

Lin Chao was instantly stunned by these words.

"Huh?" He looked up subconsciously. "Does it have to be next month?"

He blinked. "Is it not possible to meet with CEO Lan normally?"

Lan Yanran was stunned again.

In the next second, the iceberg female CEO's fair, pretty face was instantly flushed with a beautiful blush, looking like a ripe peach.

"What I meant was..." She cleared her throat somewhat unnaturally. "If I ever want to have a meal with my little brother, I'll contact you."

Hearing this, Lin Chao finally broke into a brilliant smile, like a child who had been given candy.

"Great! Then I'll be waiting for Sister Yanran's call!"

Seeing his carefree and happy appearance, Lan Yanran's slight embarrassment vanished in an instant.

In its place was a trace of sweetness she hadn't even noticed herself, along with a bit of smugness.

"I'm leaving."

"Be careful on the road, Sister Yanran."

Lan Yanran nodded, turned, and strode out of the restaurant on her long legs without looking back.

Only when that tall and beautiful figure disappeared through the door did Lin Chao withdraw his gaze, leaning back against the soft sofa and letting out a long breath.

"Whew..."

He picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.

Hmm, when should I get Sister Yanran to order a batch of massagers too?

After all, I can't neglect my day job.

Lin Chao waited in his seat for quite a while.

Long enough that he had almost finished a whole pot of tea.

Only then did Xie Mengya lead those few executives out of the restaurant's inner room in a leisurely manner.

As soon as she came out, Xie Mengya saw Lin Chao still sitting in his original spot, and a flash of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes.

She had thought he would have left with Lan Yanran long ago; she hadn't expected Lin Chao to still be there.

The Hongzhi Group executives behind her followed her gaze, their faces breaking into amused expressions.

The corners of Xie Mengya's mouth curled up as she walked straight over in her high heels.

"Oh? Why is my little brother still here?"

Her voice carried a hint of lazy teasing.

Lin Chao looked up, revealing a flash of white teeth. "Waiting for you, Sister Mengya."

When he said this, not only Xie Mengya but even the executives behind her were stunned for a moment.

For no reason at all, Xie Mengya's heart skipped a beat.

She steadied her nerves and looked at him with great interest.

"Waiting for me?"

"Waiting for me to do what?"

Lin Chao's gaze was clear and earnest, without the slightest hint of impurity. "I don't know."

Xie Mengya: "???"

The executives behind her also looked completely bewildered.

What kind of game is this kid playing?

Seeing her puzzled expression, Lin Chao added another sentence.

"I just felt like I should wait for you here for a bit."

No reason.

No purpose.

Just felt like I should.

This nonsensical sentence was like a warm current, crashing into Xie Mengya's heart without warning.

Having dominated the business world for so many years, she had seen too many people approach her with various agendas.

But someone like Lin Chao, who said he was waiting for her for such a pure reason, was the very first.

An inexplicable sweetness quietly welled up from the bottom of her heart, instantly spreading through her entire body.

"Heh..."

She gave a light chuckle, masking her momentary lapse in composure.

"This big sister has to go back to the company to handle business."

"I'm afraid I don't have time to play with you, little brother."

Lin Chao nodded immediately, like an obedient student.

"I know."

"I just wanted to wait for you to come out."

"Now that I've seen you, I'm relieved."