Chapter 10: Mu Qiang

At lunch, the product manager, Liang Meiqi, carrying a plate, skipped happily to sit across from Lin Ran.

She grinned, “Lin Ran, I heard you went to Yutou Group with President Zhou yesterday?”

Liang Meiqi was two years younger than Lin Ran, graduated from a top financial school in the UK, and entered Xinruan Technology right after graduation. She was just promoted to the position of product manager this year, and her last project was partnered with Lin Ran.

Lin Ran nodded, “Yes.”

Liang Meiqi’s eyes sparkled, “Did you meet Fu Xingjian in person? They say he’s incredibly handsome—Is that true?”

Lin Ran’s mouth twitched, “He is handsome, but not that exaggerated, not handsome to the point of falling apart—he’s not tofu.”

Liang Meiqi got even more excited, “It’s rare to hear you compliment a man’s looks. Seems like Fu Xingjian really deserves his reputation.”

Lin Ran: …

Lin Ran poked at the rice in her bowl and calmly asked, “Aren’t you secretly in love with Zhou Xu? Why are you suddenly interested in another man?”

“You…???” Liang Meiqi was taken aback, looking around before lowering her head and squeezing out a voice from her chest, “Did you notice?”

Lin Ran smiled lightly. “Who hasn’t noticed in the entire project team?”

Liang Meiqi hung her head, speaking weakly, “I did like Zhou Xu before. His family background is good, he’s good-looking, and we’re both overseas students. But, well…”

Lin Ran put a piece of food in her mouth, “But what?” What fatal flaw could Zhou Xu have?

Liang Meiqi put down her chopsticks and seriously said, “But women are drawn to strength. With a stronger man like Fu Xingjian around, if I don’t pursue him, I’d be letting myself down.”

She counted off on her fingers, “Fu Xingjian has first-class looks, first-class temperament, first-class family background, first-class wealth. If you compare him to someone who’s just okay, who would you choose? You would definitely pick Fu Xingjian!”

Lin Ran also put down her chopsticks, “No, that’s just an excuse because you don’t like Zhou Xu enough.”

Liang Meiqi raised a finger and shook it, “No, just tell me, between Zhou Xu and Fu Xingjian, who would you choose?”

“I wouldn’t choose either.”

After saying that, she got up and left the cafeteria.

Liang Meiqi thought it was strange. It seemed like Lin Ran had never liked anyone. Could it be that she… liked women?

She shivered and then took a few more bites of her food before leaving.

…

On the day of the project kickoff meeting, it was raining heavily in Xicheng again. Lin Ran and Liang Meiqi took Zhou Xu’s car to Yutou Group.

The technical colleagues followed closely behind.

Liang Meiqi excitedly rubbed her hands together, full of anticipation, “Lin Ran, we’re about to see Fu Xingjian, right? Ah, I’m so nervous! Am I dreaming? Pinch me!”

Lin Ran gave her arm a firm pinch, and Liang Meiqi screamed, “Ouch, ouch, ouch!”

Before getting on the elevator, Lin Ran couldn’t help but crush her fantasy, “Fu Xingjian won’t be attending the kickoff meeting today.”

???!!!

Liang Meiqi was stunned, “What?!”

But then, with teary eyes, she comforted herself, “Even if I can just see him from a distance, I’ll be content.”

Lin Ran was speechless. What kind of charm did Fu Xingjian have to make these young girls so obsessed?

A thought crossed her mind, and she sighed inwardly.

Wasn’t she once completely smitten too in college? Sending him breakfast, saving seats for him—it wasn’t even a crush, it was a blatant infatuation.

Sigh, thinking back, she just wanted to bury herself in a hole.

The project kickoff meeting was held on the 25th floor. The manager of the Yutou subsidiary fund company, the project manager, and the head of the technology department all attended.

During a break in the meeting, Lin Ran carefully observed the meeting room. The decor in this room was actually different from the top floor—compared to the top floor, this one was much warmer, though the materials used weren’t as high-end.

She went to the restroom, and when she returned, she saw Fu Xingjian sitting at the head of the table in the meeting room.