Jiang Yichen felt this was just a minor squabble between girls. He didn’t want to get involved, nor did he care to.
At the end of the day, it was because he didn’t care about Xing Luo as a person.
After speaking, Jiang Yichen turned his gaze back to the documents in his hands. Not a single expression crossed his face.
Xing Luo fell silent at that moment. The words that followed never made it past her lips.
Jiang Yichen shot a glance at Assistant Li, who held up the milk tea and said, “President Jiang is treating everyone to milk tea.”
“Wow, thank you, President Jiang!” The staff members took the milk tea with excited expressions.
“Wow, it’s even that trendy brand! Every time I go there, the line is super long—at least an hour just to start. Today I got to enjoy it thanks to Sister Luo Luo.”
Assistant Li handed the milk tea to Xing Luo.
Xing Luo took it. “Thank you.”
Assistant Li: “You’re welcome.”
Jiang Yichen draped his arm around Xing Luo’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you thank me?”
Xing Luo gave the milk tea in her hand a little shake. “Assistant Li worked hard waiting in line, so of course I should thank him.”
Xing Luo smiled, her eyes seemingly radiating light.
But that light seemed to be veiled behind a thin film.
Jiang Yichen’s smile at the corner of his lips suddenly faded. His brows furrowed slightly as he stared at Xing Luo. “Then what about the Song Xi matter?”
“I’d already handled it myself.” Xing Luo’s tone was faint, but her eyes still carried a smile.
“I also found out about her going to the auction. I warned her.” Xing Luo was still smiling.
Jiang Yichen stared at Xing Luo in a daze, his arm around her shoulder tightening.
He raised his hand to check his watch. “I’ll drive you to the station.”
“Alright.” Xing Luo turned back to greet Lin Yuan, then walked out with Jiang Yichen.
Assistant Li drove, with Xing Luo and Jiang Yichen sitting in the back seat.
Jiang Yichen lowered his gaze, slowly turning to look at Xing Luo. His voice was low and husky. “What’s wrong with you today?”
She hadn’t even sent him a message when she woke up, had snapped at him on the phone, and just now hadn’t even offered a single word of thanks.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Xing Luo smiled at Jiang Yichen. “Is there something off about me?”
“Then thank me.” Jiang Yichen didn’t know what had gotten into him today, but he just wanted to hear Xing Luo say thank you.
Thank him—not anyone else.
Only him.
Xing Luo paused for a moment, then said with patience, “Thank you for the Song Xi matter.”
She didn’t actually want to thank him. This belated concern—she’d rather not have it at all.
But she couldn’t afford to provoke Jiang Yichen either. A little temper was fine, but it should stop there.
Jiang Yichen’s lips curled into a smile when he heard that.
He lifted Xing Luo’s chin and left a kiss on her lips.
“Good girl.”
He knew Xing Luo loved him deeply. Even when she got upset, it never lasted more than a minute.
A little coaxing and she’d be fine.
That’s how it had been for the past year.
“Ji Yan has been spoiled since she was little, so she has a bad temper. Don’t hold it against her. You know we’ve known each other since childhood—our families are close. But that’s all there is between her and me.”
“I’ll have a word with her later.” Jiang Yichen leaned back, his tone lazy.
“I’ve already warned Song Xi too. Her father has grounded her for a month.”
“Let’s just move on!”
Jiang Yichen’s tone was so light, as if the conflict from moments ago had never happened at all.
Xing Luo hadn’t planned to make a big deal of it anyway. After all, she was almost free.
She didn’t want to bother keeping score anymore.
“Mm.” Xing Luo said flatly.
“Not angry anymore?” Jiang Yichen asked.
“I wasn’t really angry to begin with.” Xing Luo replied with a smile.
Jiang Yichen watched her smile. Sometimes he felt Xing Luo was like a fussy little kitten, and other times like an obedient little puppy.
He had to admit, she really knew how to keep someone hooked.
She’d often slap you once, then rub it three times to soothe the pain.
Just now she’d been cold and distant on the phone, and yet one cup of milk tea had smoothed everything over.
He didn’t mind indulging Xing Luo’s little moods either—after all, she loved him so much.
They arrived at the radio station. Xing Luo got out of the car, and before leaving, she gave Jiang Yichen a kiss.
She smiled and waved.
The car sped away.
“Oh, your boyfriend, huh?” A voice came from behind Xing Luo.
It was Zhou Yan, a host at the station. She was always overshadowed by Xing Luo—second in ratings, second in advertising revenue.
“Your boyfriend is so mysterious. It’s been a whole year and no one’s ever seen what he looks like. When are you going to let everyone meet him?”
Zhou Yan’s boyfriend was a vice president of some corporate group in the capital, and she never missed a chance to bring him up.
She thought her boyfriend was not only rich, but handsome too.
But everyone knew that was just love being blind.
“There’s no need for that.” Xing Luo didn’t even look at Zhou Yan as she walked straight into the station.
“Why not? Is he too embarrassing to show off?” Zhou Yan followed behind Xing Luo, speaking with ill intent. “You’re so pretty—don’t tell me you’ve got an ugly boyfriend.”
Xing Luo didn’t stop walking, nor did she acknowledge Zhou Yan.
“Even if he’s ugly, we wouldn’t say anything. Come on, bring him out for a spin—let’s see if he’s a horse or a mule.” Zhou Yan continued.
Xing Luo walked into the office, set down her bag, and said, “He’s under 160 centimeters tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has a face full of pockmarks. I was afraid he’d scare you all.”
Zhou Yan let out a light laugh. “Then what do you see in him?”
Xing Luo looked at Zhou Yan with a smile, her tone indifferent. “What’s it to you?”
Zhou Yan: …
Her expression darkened as she glanced at Xing Luo. “By the way, the station director wants to see you.”
Xing Luo: “What about?”
Zhou Yan: “Something about the advertising for Jiang Chen Group’s newly released game. The station wants to secure that ad deal.”
Jiang Chen Group was Jiang Yichen’s company.
Xing Luo: “The station has a marketing department. Why come to me?”
Zhou Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone carrying a hint of flattery. “Well, they couldn’t close the deal. You’re the star of our station, practically a little celebrity in the capital. The director wants you to give it a shot.”
Xing Luo looked at Zhou Yan, whose gaze suddenly darted away.
Xing Luo knew Zhou Yan was doing this on purpose. Everyone knew how difficult it was to negotiate an ad deal with Jiang Chen Group—the station hadn’t signed a single contract with them in all these years.
Zhou Yan sending Xing Luo was just a way to make her look foolish.
In the station director’s office.
Xing Luo sat across from him, a cup of tea set before her.
“Xing Luo, the station places great importance on this advertising partnership. I hope you can help us out.”
“Director,” Xing Luo said with a smile, “I’m a host. I’m not familiar with business negotiations.”
“That’s fine.” The director forced a smile. “You’re our foot in the door. Just get us through Jiang Chen’s gates first. The marketing team couldn’t even get past the lobby several times.”
“Oh, right. Zhou Yan mentioned your boyfriend seems to have some connections. You could ask him to help.”
Xing Luo let out a low chuckle. “She’s never even met him.”
“She hasn’t, but she’s seen your boyfriend’s car and license plate. Shouldn’t be anything shabby.”
The director’s tone was sincere, and Xing Luo didn’t refuse again.
After all, it was just a trip to Jiang Chen Group. Whether the contract went through was beyond her control.
She couldn’t fathom Jiang Yichen’s thoughts anyway, and he certainly wouldn’t sign a contract he didn’t want to sign just for her sake.
As Xing Luo walked out of the director’s office, she happened to run into Zhou Yan.
“It’s fine if the deal doesn’t work out—no one will laugh at you.” Zhou Yan said. “If it doesn’t work, you can always have your 160-centimeter boyfriend pitch in. His car doesn’t look cheap, so his job probably isn’t bad either, right?”