109: Women understand women better.

Lin Ran's face turned crimson in an instant, just like a ripe snake fruit. Her usual composed and elegant demeanor vanished completely, replaced by a look of panic and bewilderment.

She scrambled to grab a box of tissues from the coffee table and quickly covered her nose, trying to hide that embarrassing nosebleed.

She felt incredibly annoyed and kept blaming herself in her heart.

"How could I lose my composure like this in front of my crush? It's just the BOSS wearing a bikini!"

"It's not like I haven't seen women wearing bikinis before; to actually have a nosebleed because of this! And to be misunderstood by my crush as having done something with another woman—it's just mortifying."

"This, this, this... I don't even know where to start complaining. I'm speechless!"

Watching Chief Assistant Lin's flustered reaction, Shang Wan Ning couldn't help but form a suspicion that any normal person would have.

Although she had coincidentally stumbled upon such an awkward situation, the warm-hearted Shang Wan Ning still hoped that her Subordinate could face her physiological needs squarely.

Therefore, she spoke earnestly to Lin Ran, "Women understand women better, and a lover understands your sensitive spots better. We are all adults; you should face these needs."

"Besides, cherishing the person in front of you is the most important thing. Don't always be shy, or she might get jealous."

Shang Wan Ning leisurely picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and reminded her with great interest.

"BOSS, you've misunderstood. Captain You and I are perfectly innocent. The day before yesterday, she was drunk from spiritual wine, and I just helped her back to her dormitory. That's all."

Lin Ran threw away the blood-soaked tissue and pulled out two more to cover her nose, her tone having returned to composure.

There was even a hint of helplessness, as if it were all because of Shang Wan Ning.

"Drunk? Then why the nosebleed and blushing?" Shang Wan Ning raised her chin, looking a bit gossipy.

"Should I just tell the BOSS... it's just that thinking about you wearing a bikini, your figure is so good, that's why I couldn't help but have a nosebleed."

Lin Ran lowered her eyes, clutching the hem of her clothes, and complained in her heart.

"Chief Assistant Lin! Why are you acting so strange today?" Seeing that Lin Ran didn't reply, Shang Wan Ning pressed on.

Lin Ran's expression suddenly turned serious, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"Perhaps it's because work has been too tiring lately, combined with internal heat—your Subordinate is worrying for only one salary," she said solemnly.

Shang Wan Ning nodded thoughtfully, seemingly accepting the explanation, but couldn't help teasing, "Oh~ so that's it. But looking at your condition, you need to get some good rest." After saying this, she smiled with a deeper meaning.

Lin Ran felt speechless, thinking she really couldn't clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River. Who could have expected she would suddenly have a nosebleed, and that the BOSS would see it?

However, since things had come to this, she could only bite the bullet and continue to play along.

"Yes, BOSS, I will be careful to rest," Lin Ran nodded obediently.

Looking at Lin Ran's serious expression, Shang Wan Ning couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Haha, alright, I was just joking with you, don't be so nervous."

Lin Ran breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Fortunately, Shang Wan Ning didn't pursue the matter further, otherwise, she really wouldn't know how to end this.

Shang Wan Ning unconsciously leaned closer to Lin Ran, and her attention shifted entirely to the matter of the "salary."

"Is the compensation in the Xia Kingdom very poor?" Her tone carried a bit of curiosity, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Lin Ran.

"Wait a minute! Lin Ran is currently in the civil service system. Based on a first-tier city like C City and her rank, her annual salary plus bonuses should be around 450,000, right!"

A suspicion suddenly flashed through Shang Wan Ning's consciousness.

"Could it be because of me??? No way!"

"Do I really have that much charm, that everyone likes me?"

"It's not poor! It's just that because finances are tight, they cancelled the performance bonuses."

Hearing this, Shang Wan Ning blinked a few times in confusion. "Just the performance bonus is gone? Then why the nosebleed and blushing?"

"Chief Assistant Lin, could you really be this fragile?"

Seeing that the topic kept going around and around, and finally returned to the starting point, Lin Ran steeled herself and swallowed hard.

She sat down on the sofa, her face very close to the BOSS's.

"Your Majesty, do you really not know that the person I have always liked is actually you?"

"Or were you just trying to trick me after you misunderstood that I was with Xiao Qian?"

Shang Wan Ning was taken aback by Lin Ran's sudden confession, her body involuntarily moving to the side a little.

"Lin Ran, you need to understand that the Special Affairs Bureau arranging for you to approach me and you actually liking me are two completely different things."

A sudden feeling of bitterness welled up in Lin Ran's heart, and her eyes grew slightly hot.

"BOSS, you don't need to be so guarded against me. Actually, I submitted my resignation to the Special Affairs Bureau last week, but it was rejected."

Shang Wan Ning gently lifted Lin Ran's chin, returning to her usual lazy demeanor.

"Tsk!"

"How boring!"

"So, you intend to give up your ideals for me?" A trace of coldness flashed in Shang Wan Ning's eyes.

Lin Ran shook her head vigorously, then nodded. "No, I haven't given them up, because if I gave them up, I would no longer be the complete Lin Ran. But I don't want to face the BOSS as an agent of the Special Affairs Bureau anymore."

"Your Subordinate wishes to join the core layer of the Underworld."

Shang Wan Ning was silent for a moment, her eyes deep and sharp, as if she could see through everything.

Finally, she spoke slowly, "Is this your ambition? It seems our Chief Assistant Lin is not as simple as she looks on the surface."

Shang Wan Ning's voice carried a hint of inquiry and scrutiny.

Lin Ran's heart trembled, but she quickly calmed down, smiled faintly, and replied, "Human nature is complex."

"Is that so? I'm starting to not be able to see through you."

Shang Wan Ning wrapped her arm around her back and pulled her to the right, and Lin Ran fell into her arms accordingly.

The distance between the two closed instantly, and their breaths intertwined.

Shang Wan Ning's gaze was like a torch, locking onto Lin Ran, and she said in a low voice, "Liking, admiration for strength, ambition. Chief Assistant Lin's love is mixed with so many things."

Every word was like a sharp sword, piercing Lin Ran's heart.

Lin Ran's heart was pounding, as if it were about to jump out of her throat.

Her hands unconsciously climbed around Shang Wan Ning's neck, trying to find some support. Her tone trembled slightly as she replied, "Doesn't the BOSS like people who tell the truth?"

"Besides, your Subordinate doesn't believe that I can deceive you."

Shang Wan Ning smiled slightly, her fingertips brushing across Lin Ran's cheek, feeling the delicacy of her skin.

"I like smart people."

Lin Ran took a deep breath, her fingertips touching Shang Wan Ning's lips, awkward yet passionate.

She said softly, "BOSS, the Secretary-General has gone to the Finance Department to organize the tributes submitted by various countries." After saying this, she kissed Shang Wan Ning's lips.