The reason Shang Xinglu called Ye Songtao was simple.

Li Xinyue was just using her connections, acting bold because someone had her back. Since her sponsor was Ye Songtao, it seemed like it would be best for him to deal with her.

She got Ye Songtao’s private number from Yin Yao.

When the call connected, Ye Songtao answered with a casual “Hello.”

The cheesy pick-up lines and awkward flirting she had just seen flashed through her mind like a barrage of comments.

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Her face turned a deep shade of red, and she almost burst out laughing.

She had to hold it in—it was so hard.

Poor Yao Yao…

Shang Xinglu exchanged pleasantries with Ye Songtao for a while before getting to the point.

“Mr. Ye, recently BiChen has been trending online. I’m sure you’re aware of it, given your attention and understanding of the brand, right?”

Ye Songtao replied, “Yes, Miss Shang, I know. Your crisis management was well done. Not only did you turn the situation around, but you also used the public opinion to create momentum for the brand. BiChen’s reputation has completely changed from what it was before.”

His words were partly flattery, but they were also the truth. BiChen had turned the crisis around. Whether it was luck or skill, it was impressive.

Shang Xinglu was too tired to engage in pleasantries anymore, so she said directly: “Mr. Ye, to be honest, after our investigation, we found that the person behind the smear campaign has some ties to you. I assumed that, given your relationship with our Mr. Yin, I’d just give you a call to ask about it.”

Her words immediately made Ye Songtao feel more comfortable.

In just a few sentences, she had effectively bridged the relationship between BiChen and him.

“Miss Shang, since you’ve called, just tell me directly,” he said.

Shang Xinglu didn’t hold back. She dropped the name: “Li Xinyue.”

Ye Songtao was stunned.

He couldn’t understand why Li Xinyue, who should be focusing on her career as a celebrity, would go after BiChen like this.

Shang Xinglu didn’t mention the conflict in Tahiti earlier but instead said, “Perhaps Li Xinyue knows about your relationship with Yao Yao. Yao Yao mentioned to me that she had received threatening calls.”

There had been threatening calls, but they didn’t come from Li Xinyue.

Shang Xinglu continued, “Actually, I haven’t told Yao Yao about the incident in Tahiti yet. She doesn’t really follow online things, and I’ve been busy with the company. She probably doesn’t know about it.”

“It’s one thing if it’s just small trouble, but once it affects the company’s interests, I’m afraid Yao Yao won’t stay idle. So, Mr. Ye…”

It was clear what needed to be done.

If Mr. Ye wanted to earn Yao Yao’s favor, he needed to deal with the troublemakers.

If he didn’t act, they would. And then, whatever Yao Yao thought of him, Shang Xinglu wouldn’t be able to control that.

Ye Songtao said, “I understand.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before hanging up.

As soon as the call ended, Yin Yao peeked her head out. “Is everything taken care of?”

Shang Xinglu gave her an “OK” gesture.

Yin Yao was her business partner, and she was fully aware of the phone conversation’s details.

Yin Yao wrinkled her nose and said, “Let them fight it out!”

Shang Xinglu immediately covered her nose.

Oh my god, was this an angel walking on earth? That expression was just too cute!

Shang Xinglu couldn’t resist taking a picture and posted it on their official Weibo account.

Ever since the crazed fan influx last time, Le Hao had been granted the “free to shoot” privilege at the company—she could shoot anything and anyone she wanted!

Since Shang Xinglu didn’t have a personal verified account, if people wanted to see her, they had to go to BiChen’s official account, which was now booming with over 4 million followers after the recent drama.

Once the photo went up, people reacted:

“Whoa! Who is this?!”

Official Weibo: “Our President Yin [Rabbit emoji].”

“Do you guys choose your CEOs based on looks?”

“Is every beautiful girl in the world working for your company?”

“Coach, I want to work at BiChen too!”

Then someone noticed: “Wait, does President Lu’s expression seem off…?”

“It’s so citrusy.”

“Official Weibo, I advise you to prioritize the big orange…”

“How about the name ‘Yin Shang’? Isn’t that a dynasty CP?”

Assistant Yuan, who closely followed BiChen’s official Weibo: “…”

No way, from today on, he had to register an account for Lin and Lu’s CP!

Lin could not lose!

After thinking for a moment, Assistant Yuan considered names like “Lin Shang” or “Heng Lu,” but those didn’t sound quite right… maybe “Heng Xing”? Was that too domineering?

Assistant Yuan: “…”

Forget it.

The thought of creating a CP account never crossed Assistant Yuan’s mind again.

At this point, Lin Heng’s personal phone rang.

Assistant Yuan handed him the phone. “It’s a message from Miss Shang.”

Recently, Lin Heng had been buried in work, so much that it felt like the world was spinning out of control. Right in front of him, Lin Yan was eating crunchy snacks—each bite loud and annoying.

Lin Yan asked, “Why are you in such a rush?”

Lin Heng ignored him.

The implied message: If you’re not helping, shut up and leave.

Lin Yan stayed put, munching on snacks. This was his sacred afternoon tea time, paired with black tea while his cousin struggled with his hectic work.

Lin Heng looked at Assistant Yuan. “What did she say?”

Assistant Yuan opened the message.

Assistant Yuan: “…………”

Lin Heng: “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Assistant Yuan: “Mr. Lin, you… you’d better see for yourself…”

Lin Heng glanced quickly at the screen. “……”

It was filled with cheesy pickup lines that Shang Xinglu had learned from Ye Songtao.

Her goal wasn’t romance—it was just to give Lin Heng a shock.

A pure act of mischief.

Lin Yan said, “Let me see.”

Then, he grabbed the phone, not only reading through the messages but also smirking as he engaged in a full-blown battle of corny pickup lines with Shang Xinglu.

Shang Xinglu had only intended to tease Lin Heng. But now: “……”

There was no way she was going to admit defeat. How could she lose to Mr. Lin?!

But after a few rounds, she finally responded: “Who is this? Assistant Yuan?”

Lin Yan: “How do you know it’s not Lin Heng?”

Shang Xinglu: “…… Lin Heng hasn’t seen me in a month. You think he has time for corny pickup lines?”

Lin Yan looked up at Lin Heng and said, “I think your ‘cooked’ fiancée is about to fly away. Edmond, please stop your brother immediately.”

Lin Heng: “…… Give me back my phone!”

Even as he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on his computer screen—he was truly drowning in work.

Lin Yan didn’t press the matter further.

He handed the phone back and, before leaving, said, “You’re considering things for her, but she needs to know that. And she has to have the patience to understand it.”

Lin Heng ignored him. Lin Yan always spoke like some cryptic fortune teller—annoying as hell.

But later that night, after hurriedly washing up, Lin Heng collapsed onto his bed and, for once, had a rare dream.

Even rarer—it was about a time he seldom recalled. A time before he and Louise were married.

To be precise, it was the second time they met.

After stumbling upon her crying in that garden, Lin Heng had been away from the country for a while. When he returned, the first business-related banquet he attended—he ran into Shang Xinglu again.

She no longer showed any trace of the sadness, anger, or despair from before. Surrounded by people, she radiated a kind of warmth, like a rose in full bloom in a courtyard, exuding an intoxicating fragrance.

It was consistent with what he had seen before—even when she cried, she cried freely, holding nothing back.

But they had only met once before, so Lin Heng didn’t take the opportunity to start a conversation.

She didn’t seem to notice him, either.

Lin Heng had always disliked social gatherings. Finding an excuse, he slipped away to the outer courtyard, lighting a cigarette. Just as he took a drag, someone suddenly emerged from behind the shrubs, clutching the hem of her dress and holding her high heels.

He took a closer look—it was her again.

And she looked like a panicked Cinderella, desperately trying to escape before midnight struck.

Lin Heng: “……”

Shang Xinglu was just as embarrassed.

She had just crossed paths with Shen Wang and… lost.

Fuming, she had rushed outside to take deep breaths, curse him under her breath, and throw some air punches.

Then, as she was heading back—

She ran into someone.

Again.

And when she looked closer—

It was the same person as before!

Shang Xinglu: “……”

Ah, crap.

What kind of ridiculous coincidence was this?!

Do I not deserve dignity?!

But dignity aside, she still had something to return.

The handkerchief she had borrowed to wipe her tears that day—she had taken it home, washed it, and realized it was expensive. Really expensive. Expensive enough that even in her eyes, it was very expensive.

She felt a little guilty.

She was about to sneak away quietly but hesitated, then turned back and said, “Excuse me, sir, could you wait here for a moment? I have something to return to you.”

Lin Heng was a clean freak.

A handkerchief that had wiped away someone’s tears and snot—even if washed, he wouldn’t want it back.

Lin Heng: “That won’t be necessary.”

Shang Xinglu: “It’s a new one! I bought ten of them, just in case I ever ran into you again. I always carry one with me. Just wait a second, don’t run away.”

She pointed in a direction, indicating it wasn’t far.

As she lifted her foot, Lin Heng noticed her bare feet on the grass.

Delicate and fair, standing lightly on the green blades. For the first time, he didn’t think walking barefoot on grass looked dirty.

Shang Xinglu’s face flushed slightly as she quickly slipped her heels back on and rushed off to fetch the handkerchief.

By the time she returned, Lin Heng was gone.

Shang Xinglu: “……”

Would he think she had been trying to hit on him?

She stood there, awkwardly scratching her cheek.

Just then, a pair of leather shoes stepped onto the grass in her view.

She looked up.

Lin Heng was standing there, the cigarette gone from his hand.

He said coolly, “Were you looking for me?”

Shang Xinglu smiled openly, handing him a small pouch containing the handkerchief.

“Returning your handkerchief. Thanks for last time.”

Lin Heng saw her smile up close—still as vibrant as a rose in full bloom, infectious and full of life.

He took it, but didn’t withdraw his hand.

Then, he suddenly said, “My last name is Lin. Just one character—Heng.”

A little exclamation mark popped up in Shang Xinglu’s mind.

She quickly grabbed Lin Heng’s hand, which was still holding the pouch, and shook it up and down.

“Mr. Lin! Hello, hello! Thank you so much for last time.”

Lin Heng: “……”

He paused before asking, “What’s your name?”

“Huh?” Shang Xinglu looked up in confusion.

This guy… had so few facial expressions.

She still had her hand clasped around his.

Shang Xinglu: “I’m Shang Xinglu. You can call me Louise.”

Lin Heng: “Louise.”

Hearing her name spoken by him, Shang Xinglu’s face grew a little warmer.

She had heard her English name said countless times before.

But somehow, when he said it, it felt… different.

Lin Heng: “Until next time.”

He raised the pouch slightly, then turned and left.