Just as Luo Yunyan was halfway through her cigarette, Gu Shilin reached over and took the remaining half from her fingers.

“Smoking is bad for your health,” he said, then added, “So one whole cigarette is too much—half each is just right.”

And then, to her stunned disbelief, he actually took a drag from it himself.

Luo Yunyan had been about to snap when he started with the preachy bit—she hated being lectured more than anything. Who even dared to discipline her anymore? Not even the old man at home!

But the second half of what he said… and that ridiculous stunt he pulled…
Completely short-circuited her brain.

“Tch. If you wanted to kiss me, you could’ve just said so. What’s with this roundabout ‘indirect kiss’ stuff? You in elementary school or something?” She snorted, tilting her head to scrutinize his lips.

She hadn’t kissed anyone before either, but come on—she wasn’t clueless. And Gu Shilin’s lips… they looked very kissable.

Gu Shilin stiffened under her gaze, his expression just barely holding steady. He didn’t move until the cigarette burned down and scorched his fingers.

“I’ll wrap this up, then we can go eat,” he mumbled, standing up and hastily retreating to his desk, his steps a bit unsteady.

Luo Yunyan watched the flush climb from his neck to his ears, amusement dancing in her eyes.

What is this persona?
A pure-hearted old boy?

“Hey, Pretty Boy, I’m going to the bathroom,” she called, deciding to stop teasing him for now.

Gu Shilin lifted his chin toward the door across the room. “There’s one in the lounge. No need to go out.”

Fair enough.

Luo Yunyan pushed open the door to his private lounge—a sleek, modern space of about 80 square meters.

She swept a glance around.
Tsk tsk, just like a CEO starter pack: black, white, and gray everywhere.

As she stepped inside, the phone she’d left on the couch lit up and rang.

Gu Shilin glanced at it. The contact name was a simple “N”.

It felt rude to answer someone else’s call, so he let it ring until it stopped.

When Luo Yunyan returned, he said casually, “Your phone rang earlier.”

“Oh, okay.”

She checked the call log, then walked over to the window and dialed back.

“Speak.”

“Tsk, Yan Yan, that one word of yours just killed all my enthusiasm.”

“Then I’m hanging up.”

“No, wait! I just called to say—I’ll be in Beijing the day after tomorrow. Make sure you come pick me up, okay?”

“No time. Find Jiang Ziang.”

“Oh, come on~ I miss you!”

“Yeah right, you’re just afraid he’ll chew you out for stealing his LEGO sets.”

“Psh, what are family members for if not to share? Oh, by the way, when are you going to help with the training over there?”

“In a bit. I’m busy right now.” Luo Yunyan looked out the window.
Not bad, the view here’s decent.

Still haven’t been to Pluto’s Beijing division yet. I’ll wait until I see it before I decide how to roast it properly.

“Alright, I’ll just tell them ‘TBD’ then. Heheheheh—I’m such a genius—”
Beep. Call ended.

“Damn it, Luo Yunyan, you hung up on me again?!”

After hanging up, Luo Yunyan opened another secure app on her phone and tapped into a hidden chat.

[Don’t rush me. Rush me again and I’ll refund you and quit.]

Then she calmly switched back and began mindlessly scrolling.

Ten minutes later, Gu Shilin shut his laptop and stood up. “Let’s go eat.”

“It’s only five. Isn’t that considered skipping out early, President Gu?” she teased.

“I’m avoiding traffic,” he replied coolly. “And I finished my work.”

As they walked out together, the staff in the secretary office desperately tried not to stare, eyes filled with the need to gossip.

The moment the two left, the office chat exploded.

【President’s off work! He actually left early! Miss Luo is my new goddess!】
【What’s she like?! Come on, spill @HandsomeSecretaryCheng】
【Super gorgeous! President even carried her bag. I’ve worked here seven years and I’ve never seen him so whipped.】
【Front desk Xiao Li: Right?! I’m telling you, they’re the perfect match, I’m squealing!!】
【Y’all gossiping about the boss now? Shameless. Not me. Probably has to do with my upbringing.】
【Jealousy is loud today. Say you want a milk tea like a normal person and join the fun, dude.】
【Fine. Milk tea it is. You’re paying.】

…

Downstairs, Luo Yunyan suddenly remembered something and walked over to the front desk.

Gu Shilin followed right behind.

Xiao Li, the receptionist, was delighted and terrified at the same time. Her face twisted in a conflicted expression. “Good evening, President. Hello, Miss Luo.”

“Can I get your contact info and address?” Luo Yunyan asked, with a soft smile. “I’ll have my second brother send you the autographs directly. I’m worried I’ll forget otherwise.”

Now this? This she wasn’t shy about!

Xiao Li’s eyes lit up. “Yes yes yes! I’ll write it down right now. Thank you, Miss Luo!”

She handed over the note with both hands. Luo Yunyan took it and even snapped a picture. “Got it. See you next time.”

“Mm mm mm!! Goodbye, Miss Luo!”

It wasn’t until Luo Yunyan left that Xiao Li realized she’d forgotten to say goodbye to the president.

Eh. She’d apologize tomorrow.

She whipped out her phone and posted to Weibo:

【Xi-ge’s sister is insanely pretty!! She visited our company today—barefaced, even! Her features are flawless, I’m crying!! I didn’t think much of it when she said she’d get me an autograph from Xi-ge… but she actually asked for my address before she left, took a photo of it to make sure she wouldn’t lose it! She’s so sweet I’m gonna cry to death!! I’m switching fandoms, bye. Who needs merch when you can stan Luo Yunyan herself?!】

The comments were filled with envy, jokes, and fans chiming in:

【So what do we even buy to stan her? Financial magazines?】
【No way. If it weren’t for the family reunion thing, she might not have even revealed her identity as Pluto’s boss. You think she’d pose for Forbes?】
【Then we buy her brother. Or his merch. To ease the pain.】
【You sure you’re not just advertising for your own brother here?】

…

Meanwhile, Luo Yunyan had already forgotten all about it. She’d sent the address to her second brother and moved on.

Now, she stood in front of Ruyi Pavilion, expression unreadable.

So this was… the place she couldn’t enter on her own?

Seeing her hesitate, Gu Shilin said, “Let’s go. The private room’s already reserved.”

“Alrighty.” Luo Yunyan followed him inside.

But the moment they entered, the manager—who had been waiting in the lobby—froze in shock.

Wait… isn’t that my boss?! What the hell is happening?!

“Boss! President Gu! Good afternoon!”

Crap.

Luo Yunyan had just been about to give her a look—not to expose her identity—and the woman went and outed her right then and there.

(End of Chapter)