Chapter 3 : Long Time No See

Lin Ran’s expression briefly froze, but she soon smiled again. “Long time no see.”

With that, the two raised their glasses and drank in one go.

Fu Xingjian’s eyes lingered on her briefly. Satisfied with her calm demeanor, he stepped away toward another table.

Zhuo Ting sat down and carefully observed Lin Ran, then stroked her chin with a sigh. “You’ve really let it go, haven’t you?”

Lin Ran smiled again, sitting a bit straighter. She caught sight of Fu Xingjian’s sharp profile, his features almost too dazzling under the dim light of the private room.

There was a time she had been enchanted by that face.

“After all, he’s been in the U.S. for six years. He’s probably married with kids by now. His children might even be a few years old,” she said.

 Reminded by her, Zhuo Ting also remembered, “Yes, he didn’t go to the United States to chase Bai Yueguang at the beginning, and he was gone for six years. With his charming face and the money of the Fu family, there is no Bai Yueguang that he can’t handle. Even if the queen comes, she will throw herself into his arms.”

The gathering quickly came to an end. Zhuo Ting suggested going to the mall next door to shop and grab some afternoon tea, but everyone declined. Lin Ran also refused. “Another day. We all have plenty of time in Xicheng.”

With that, the group disbanded.

Zhuo Ting offered to drive Lin Ran home, but Lin Ran pointed to her phone. “I need to head back to the office. It’s not on your way. You go ahead; I’ll take the subway.”

    “What kind of Zhou Ba Pi is your company? You must send me the full name of the company later so that I can avoid it.”

“Ugh, it’s not like I want to. I need the money.”

Slaving away day after day for a pittance, it was miserable.

Zhuo Ting then recalled the only capitalist present at the gathering and sneered. “Those damn capitalists. If I ever get the chance to enslave them, I’ll make them wear a stone slab on their heads and grind grain like donkeys.”

“The biggest slab goes to Fu Xingjian!”

The two laughed beside the elevator. But when Lin Ran turned, she saw Fu Xingjian standing behind them. Her laughter died, and she looked awkward.

Zhuo Ting was a bit embarrassed too, but her thick skin made her act as if she hadn’t noticed.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slowly opened. Zhuo Ting, Lin Ran, and Fu Xingjian entered in turn.

The already tense air in the elevator grew thinner. Lin Ran felt like she couldn’t breathe. That minute felt like an eternity.

Thankfully, the elevator soon reached the first floor. Lin Ran stepped out and waved toward the elevator. “Tingting, I’ll go first. Bye… uh, bye, Fu Xingjian.”

Zhuo Ting nodded repeatedly. Fu Xingjian replied indifferently, “Mm.” Afterward, the two exited at the basement level, retrieved their cars, and drove off separately.

Directionally challenged, Lin Ran tried to retrace her steps to the subway station but accidentally turned down a small road.

While staring at her phone’s navigation app in confusion, she heard a car horn behind her.

It was the Cullinan she had seen earlier.

Lin Ran moved aside to let it pass.

To her surprise, the Cullinan stopped. The window rolled down, revealing Fu Xingjian’s composed and striking face in the back seat.

“Heading back to the office?”

Lin Ran froze, clutching her phone. She hadn’t expected Fu Xingjian to be the car’s owner.

Remembering her earlier attempt to make way for the car, she felt her cheeks heat up.

Surely he didn’t think she had gone out of her way to let him pass?

If so, it would be utterly embarrassing.

Fu Xingjian waited patiently. “Hmm?”

Lin Ran nodded quickly. “Yes, I need to handle something at the office.”

He gestured toward the car. “Get in. I’ll take you.”

Lin Ran shook her head and started walking. “No need. The subway station is just ahead. It’s convenient.”

The driver looked back and asked Fu Xingjian, “Mr. Fu, should I catch up?”

Fu Xingjian massaged his temples. “Forget it. Let’s go.”

“Understood.” The driver pressed the accelerator, and the Cullinan sped off.

Once the car disappeared from sight, Lin Ran let out a sigh of relief. Only after boarding the subway did she feel a bit calmer.

She touched her face, puzzled by her own reaction. Why would she even care if Fu Xingjian misunderstood her?

Ha. As the CEO of a conglomerate, he likely didn’t have the time to entertain such thoughts.

Before her subway ride ended, a message popped up in the project group chat:

“All project members, log in now for a meeting! Attendance is mandatory!”