Lu Yan’s gaze never once left her. He watched as her once relaxed posture slowly shifted—legs drawn together, fingers gently folded on her lap.

She was hesitating.

Today’s performance had already achieved more than enough.

“Thank you,” Lu Yan said, gently pushing the bank card back toward her. “But I can’t accept a relationship like this.”

Shi Han’s lashes fluttered as she looked down at his long, slender fingers. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought you could use it—for now.”

“I understand. And thank you. You’ve already helped me more than enough today.”

“But what if you lose your job? Don’t you still have a grandmother in the hospital?”

“I’ll find a way.”

He had to be patient.

Holding one copy of the housing contract, Lu Yan stood up. He was almost at the door when a voice called out behind him.

“Wait.”

Shi Han looked at his back as he walked away.

“Can we… get to know each other? I’m Shi Han.”

He didn’t turn around.

“Lu Yan.”

With that, Lu Yan pushed open the door and left.

Shi Han sat there for a moment before stepping out of the meeting room herself. She glanced around the lobby but didn’t see him. After a quick scan, she turned and left the building.

From the top floor overlooking the lobby, Lu Yan quietly watched as she got into a taxi.

Zhang Yu stood beside him, puzzled. With Lu Yan’s status, pursuing any woman should’ve been effortless. So why go to such lengths to disguise himself as some poor nobody?

He didn’t dare ask directly. Instead, he said, “President Lu… Director Zhao—the woman who played the rich lady earlier—she’s still waiting outside.”

“Tell her to keep quiet,” Lu Yan said, eyes still on the contract in his hand. “And get the property title processed as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zhang Yu hesitated, then couldn’t hold back anymore. “President Lu… why didn’t you just say yes to her?”

He was fully prepared for a scolding. To his surprise, Lu Yan actually responded, his voice noticeably gentler than usual.

Staring out the window, Lu Yan said, “She’s forgotten me. And she’s smart.”

Zhang Yu didn’t quite understand what that meant. But maybe Lu Yan’s unusual tone gave him a bit of courage.

Still, he muttered, “This all feels… unnecessarily complicated.”

“She likes it.”

“…What?” Likes what? Zhang Yu perked up instantly.

“You’re asking too many questions.”

Lu Yan’s voice had already returned to its usual cold indifference. He didn’t even lift his head, but Zhang Yu instantly snapped back to attention and rushed out to get to work.

The moment he stepped out of the office, he was stopped by the “rich lady,” dripping in gold. She glanced nervously through the glass door toward Lu Yan inside and asked, “Assistant Zhang… what did President Lu say?”

Her company was facing a financial crisis—practically on the edge of collapse. She had assumed it was all over, until Lu Yan unexpectedly chose her for this little performance, thanks to her flashy looks and curvy figure.

Even though she had to play a greasy, lecherous cougar lusting after a younger man, the pay had been generous.

If she could win the bid for that piece of land on the outskirts of the city—thanks to Lu Yan’s influence—her company might just come back to life.

Fidgeting with the mountain of gold rings on her fingers, she asked anxiously, “My acting was okay, right?”

“…,” Zhang Yu’s lips twitched as he looked her up and down, all that gold nearly blinding him. “If President Lu gave you his word, he’ll follow through.”

“Oh, good, that’s good,” she exhaled in relief, sneaking another glance into the office.

Zhang Yu frowned. “Director Zhao, I’d advise you not to get any ideas you shouldn’t have.”

The rich woman’s legs nearly gave out. “Assistant Zhang, don’t joke like that—I wouldn’t dare!”

At most, she had entertained some thoughts in her head.

A man like Lu Yan—she wouldn’t dare show even the slightest hint of disrespect. Not unless she had a death wish… or wanted to end up penniless, begging under a bridge.

She slinked away awkwardly, terrified that even a stray look of longing might cost her everything.

After finishing his tasks, Zhang Yu made his way to the break area and poured himself a cup of coffee. As he turned around, he spotted two junior employees from one of the subsidiary companies slacking off nearby.

He walked over, frowning. “What are you two doing?”

The two female employees jumped in fright and accidentally tapped the volume button on one of their phones.

The sound blasted at full volume—right into Zhang Yu’s ears. It was some kind of lighthearted interview clip.

Lu Yan: “Will you keep me? I’m low maintenance.”

Shi Han: “Sorry, that’s not what I meant! (●°u°●)」

=^_^=