The time and place were correct; she had even arrived fifteen minutes early.
Inviting her here only to avoid meeting her—Su Ran had encountered this many times while working in sales. It was typical obedience training.
“Miss Su, looking for CEO Lu?”
Someone called out to her from behind. Su Ran turned around; it was Zhang Sheng.
Su Ran nodded. “Director Zhang.”
A knowing smile spread across Zhang Sheng’s large face. “For a small project like Tianlei, there is no need for CEO Lu to personally oversee it. Miss Su, you certainly have quite the influence.”
Su Ran replied, “It is all thanks to a ‘kind soul’ for building the bridge.”
Zhang Sheng scrutinized Su Ran. With that effortless, captivating charm, it was no wonder she had caught Lu Jingxing’s eye at first sight and made Xue Yi so hesitant to let her go.
If his own wife didn’t keep him on such a tight leash, and if she weren’t someone CEO Lu had claimed, he wouldn’t have been able to resist trying to get a taste for himself.
“Your family’s investment plan has already been submitted to CEO Lu. As long as Miss Su is willing, funding definitely won’t be an issue.”
Su Ran’s dark brows furrowed slightly. This Lu Jingxing really was a hypocrite through and through.
On the surface, he claimed to keep business and personal matters separate, but in reality, he was using the investment to pressure her. He had even found someone to act as a lobbyist, hinting that she should trade her body for money.
He was two-faced. Aside from not directly resorting to dirty tricks, he wasn’t much better than Xue Yi.
“I’ll leave you to your business, Director Zhang. I have things to attend to.” Su Ran didn’t want to listen to his goading any longer and turned to leave.
Zhang Sheng called after her, “Miss Su, you’re not going to see CEO Lu?”
Su Ran replied, “CEO Lu isn’t here.”
Zhang Sheng’s eyes shifted. CEO Lu had clearly just finished a meeting. One of the vice presidents had been scolded so harshly that he was just complaining to Zhang Sheng a moment ago.
From the anniversary banquet last month when Lu Jingxing had proactively asked for Su Ran’s name, to the hotel room card on the table yesterday, Zhang Sheng was certain he hadn’t misread the situation.
Lu Jingxing was definitely playing some kind of game.
Zhang Sheng offered a polite smile. “Good things take time. Although fortune favors you, Miss Su, you must also be a bit more proactive.”
Su Ran kept up appearances and humored him against her better judgment. “Thank you for the advice, Director Zhang.”
Back in her car, she prepared to head home first. She needed to find an excuse to explain things to her parents before Xue Yi could spout nonsense and stir up new trouble.
Her phone buzzed. It was a call from her mother, Song Huiping.
Su Ran quickly answered, “Mom?”
Song Huiping asked worriedly, “Xiao Ran, did you and Xue Yi have a fight?”
As expected.
Su Ran cracked the car window open. “Is he at the house?”
Song Huiping urged, “Xiao Ran, don’t blame Xiao Xue for the financing issues. He’s worked very hard, running back and forth for us. Let’s discuss it further; we can always find a way.”
A light drizzle began to fall from the gloomy sky, drifting into the car like mist.
Su Ran took a deep breath of the damp, cold air. “Don’t listen to Xue Yi’s nonsense, and don’t let Dad agree to anything he says. I’m coming home now.”
Song Huiping instructed, “Xiao Xue said he’d wait for you at home, so there’s no rush. Drive slowly on the road. Just make sure you’re back before lunch.”
Xue Yi had been introduced by a friend of her father; they had essentially met through a blind date.
Previously, he had always behaved sincerely and politely. Coming from a wealthy background, he truly had been helpful. Even the investment proposal had been organized by professionals he had hired.
Because of this, her parents had a very high opinion of him, believing that she had managed to “climb high” and should be grateful.
Su Ran didn’t tell them directly about the terrible things Xue Yi had done. Firstly, she didn’t want her father to think she had poor judgment, and secondly, she didn’t want them to worry about her.
Su Tianlei was already fifty-seven. Although her mother was four years younger, she had spent her youth juggling business and raising two children. Arriving in Jicheng with no background, she had suffered a lot and couldn’t handle much more stress.
At this thought, Su Ran forced a warm smile. “Mom, I want to eat sweet and sour pork.”
Song Huiping said tenderly, “Alright, I’ll make pineapple sweet and sour pork for you. I’ve also already prepared the crispy fish you like.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Just as she started the car, her phone rang again. The curve of Su Ran’s lips vanished.
8086: Black Maybach by the roadside, Jicheng A10000.
Su Ran gritted her teeth. He was like a wild cat catching a mouse; even if he didn’t intend to eat it, he wanted to play with it, catching and releasing it over and over.
But even if Lu Jingxing was intentionally making things difficult, she had to endure it.
There was a hook in front of her and a hyena behind her. No matter how hard it was, she could only move forward.
Braving the light rain, Su Ran jogged to the roadside.
Lu Jingxing’s polished black extended luxury car was conspicuous; one could find it with their eyes closed.
The car door opened automatically, and a wave of warmth rushed out.
Su Ran ducked inside and saw Lu Jingxing sitting there in a sharp suit. A laptop was open across his long legs.
Su Ran greeted him politely, “Hello, CEO Lu.”
Lu Jingxing gave a curt “Mm.” “Sorry, an unscheduled business trip. Let’s talk on the way.”
Su Ran quickly scanned the interior. There was someone in the front passenger seat whose face she couldn’t see. She guessed Lu Jingxing was going to play the role of the upright gentleman again.
“Alright.” Su Ran fastened her seatbelt, and the car slowly pulled away.
Lu Jingxing didn’t speak again, keeping his head down as he reviewed the files on his computer.
On the screen, the words “Investment Research and Analysis Report for Jicheng Tianlei Food Factory Co., Ltd.” were displayed in large, bright letters.
Not wanting to pry into the contents of the file, Su Ran slowed her breathing, reminding herself to be humble and say pleasant things.
The cabin fell silent. Su Ran watched Lu Jingxing out of the corner of her eye, waiting quietly for him to speak.
It was rainy outside and dim inside the car. The glow from the screen hit his face, making his features appear even more defined and three-dimensional.
His thick eyelashes trembled slightly as his pupils moved; the corners of his eyes were wide, and his eyelids held a faint, moist shimmer.
Su Ran looked away. Setting aside his status, his “upright gentleman” act alone must have fooled many young girls.
As her mind wandered, a fair, large hand holding a man’s handkerchief reached out toward her.
Lu Jingxing kept his head slightly lowered, continuing to flip through the file. “Wipe yourself off. Don’t catch a cold.”
“Thank you.” Su Ran hesitated for a moment before taking the handkerchief and gently dabbing at the lingering rainwater on her face.
The soft silk handkerchief carried Lu Jingxing’s unique scent—a warm, sandalwood fragrance that drifted into her nose.
It couldn’t help but remind her of the night before last.
“During the upgrade and renovation period, how will existing orders be handled?” Lu Jingxing asked suddenly.
Su Ran clutched the handkerchief, unsure if she should return it to him yet. “If we can secure the funds quickly, we can temporarily lease factory space or outsource production. If we exceed the deadline of the new regulations, compliant factories on the market will be in high demand, and we will have to negotiate with the clients to delay the orders.”
If they didn’t get the funding, not only would the factory shut down, but they would also have to pay breach-of-contract penalties to the clients and severance pay to the employees.
Before Lu Jingxing could speak, the person in the passenger seat turned around to interject, “Brother Lu, if you just approve the money sooner, there won’t be a problem.”
Su Ran turned her head. It was a fair-skinned man with soft features but sharp eyes.
Lu Jingxing looked up and teased, “Is Director Ye interested in being a guarantor?”
Wang Ye squinted at Su Ran, offering a flirtatious smile. “If Miss Su begs me, I’ll guarantee ten million.”
Su Ran had heard Xue Yi mention him. Wang Ye, the second son of the Wang Group, was Lu Jingxing’s loyal “brother”—a ruthless and sinister character.
However, Xue Yi had also said that Lu Jingxing had the style of an old-school cadre. His accuracy was truly like peering at a leopard through a tube; he only saw a tiny fraction of the truth.
Su Ran pursed her lips. “I’m sorry, I won’t.”
Wang Ye gave a lazy, wicked grin. “Let Brother Lu teach you.”
Lu Jingxing shot Wang Ye a sidelong glance.
Wang Ye’s playful mood hadn’t faded; his eyes traced Su Ran with narrowed curiosity. “If Miss Su wants to sue Xue Yi, I can help with that, too.”
Lu Jingxing glared at Wang Ye. “What does that have to do with you?”
Su Ran, meanwhile, looked at Lu Jingxing with eyes like daggers. He had told Wang Ye about her situation? Was she just a piece of amusing gossip to them when they were bored?