All the bookies showed looks of gratitude. These guys had all bet that the boss would come, which would have guaranteed a loss for the bookies.

Now, Wang Fang was betting that he wouldn’t come, essentially handing money to the bookies and helping them minimize their losses.

Wang Fang’s money would eventually be won by the other assistants, who would also feel grateful to her.

"Wang Fang, you’re the best."

"Is this the level of an executive assistant? Totally different from us."

Wang Fang: "Heh."

Shu Qian: [No more bets—we’re closing the pool.]

The betting pool closed, and everyone waited for the results.

While the assistants were settling the bets, Lin Ran walked out of Luo Corporation.

He arranged for two bodyguards to escort the photos back to the estate and hand them over to Uncle Fu, while he headed to Nuanyao Group.

It had been a while since he last saw Wu Zhishang—the last time was when Wu Zhishang visited him at the estate.

The guy was really considerate, not even calling him during this period.

Seemed like Nuanyao Group was doing well.

Ever since getting together with Luo Yao, Lin Ran had voluntarily given up certain things.

For example, he had to let go of some friendships to accommodate Luo Yao’s possessiveness.

The kind of love he shared with Luo Yao suited him, but it might not be for everyone.

Or rather, most people couldn’t handle the intensity of yandere love.

One wrong move, and you could be doomed forever.

When he entered Nuanyao Group, the employees there were just as excited, staring at him like he was some kind of spectacle.

They might as well have said, "Hey, monkey, entertain us humans with a show."

Lin Ran shook his head helplessly.

He wasn’t going to take it personally.

As the man of the top financial conglomerate, he had to maintain his dignity.

What was his status now? Why would he bother with ordinary people?

Doing so would not only be beneath him but also make him look petty—embarrassing his wife in the process.

Honestly, the more people talked about him, the more it proved his status.

Sigh. Guess he still had a long way to go.

If Luo Yao were here, one glare from her would be enough to shut everyone up—no one would dare even breathe wrong.

As he approached the reception area, he unexpectedly saw Shen Jingbing flirting there, though Shen Jingbing hadn’t noticed Lin Ran yet.

"Xiao Xiaole, do you know why socks always go missing in pairs?"

Xiao Xiaole shook her head.

Shen Jingbing: "Because if you lose both, no one notices! Hahahaha!"

Xiao Xiaole: "..." So lame.

"Shen Jingbing, you come to see me every day—are you trying to chase me?"

Shen Jingbing: "No, I’m just figuring out your strengths and weaknesses so I can tailor my approach."

"Have you figured them out yet?"

"Of course. Which do you want to hear first?"

Xiao Xiaole pretended to think. "Let’s start with the strengths. I like eating dates."

Shen Jingbing smirked and leaned closer. "Too many strengths to count. You’re… sweet, kinda pretty, kinda beautiful, kinda kind, kinda cute, kinda impossible for me to stay away from."

Lin Ran: ...Damn, since when was Shen Jingbing this smooth?

Xiao Xiaole was struggling to keep her smile in check but forced a frown. "Eww, gross. So what’s my weakness? I won two million and still didn’t quit my job as a receptionist—how could a stable girl like me have any flaws?"

Shen Jingbing’s grin was practically a Nike swoosh by now.

Xiao Xiaole was clearly hinting that she was a stable, dependable girl.

Realizing this, Shen Jingbing closed the distance between them even more.

"Flaws... well, me."

"Pfft!" Xiao Xiaole finally couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Shen Jingbing, you're not trying to scam me out of twenty million with feelings, are you?"

Shen Jingbing raised both hands. "I swear to heaven, I’ve already achieved financial freedom under my boss’s guidance. Plus, this job pays really well. Stick with me, and I guarantee you three flowers."

"What three flowers?"

"Money to spend, spend it freely..." Shen Jingbing then raised his hands to his chin, grinning, "And this warm little sunflower right here."

"Pfft!" This time, it was Lin Ran who couldn’t hold back. How had he never noticed this disgustingly cheesy side of Shen Jingbing before?

"Boss?" / "Chairman Lin."

Shen Jingbing excitedly approached Lin Ran—this was the man who’d turned his life around.

Xiao Xiaole lowered her head awkwardly. Getting caught slacking off with a company streamer by the chairman himself? Talk about workplace nightmare fuel.

"Boss... I mean, sir, were you looking for me?" Shen Jingbing realized calling him "boss" in the office sounded a bit too gangster.

"Did Liang Jingru give you the courage, but Na Ying forgot to lend you the wisdom? What made you think I was here for you?"

"Heh, a man’s gotta aim high, right? What if you were here for me?"

Lin Ran pointed at Shen Jingbing, then glanced at Xiao Xiaole, who was still staring at the floor.

"You into my boy here?" Lin Ran wasn’t one for beating around the bush.

Shen Jingbing wasn’t shy either, staring straight at Xiao Xiaole, waiting for an answer.

Hate could be hidden, but liking someone? That deserved to be said out loud.

Now that Shen Jingbing had laid his feelings bare, he clearly wanted a response.

When someone confesses, you owe them an answer.

Reject them, say yes, ask for time, even play coy—but silence? That’s just rude.

Xiao Xiaole looked up and flashed Shen Jingbing a cute grin. "You’ll have to confess properly first. And I’ve never dated before—no scamming my heart, got it?"

Done deal. The two were officially a thing now.

Lin Ran gave Shen Jingbing an encouraging pat on the shoulder before walking off.

"I’ll head up first. You two talk."

"Chairman Lin, take care."

As Lin Ran rounded the elevator corner, he suddenly ducked behind the wall to peek.

There was Shen Jingbing, arm braced against the front desk, cornering Xiao Xiaole into his embrace.

"Woman, you’ve successfully caught my attention. So, dinner tonight?"

Lin Ran took one look and left, stepping into the elevator.

These two? Definitely happening.

Shen Jingbing was his right-hand man, no question.

And Xiao Xiaole had a point—a girl who could win twenty million and still show up to work? What kind of schemer does that?

At least it proved her character. Plus, as Nuanyao Group’s receptionist, her looks were undeniable. More than enough for his goofy wingman.

He was rooting for them. Everyone deserved their happy ending.

Back in the CEO’s office, Wu Zhishang was buried in work. Seeing him like this, Lin Ran suddenly felt like a slacker.

Even Old Wu was grinding. Was he the only one coasting through life?