She had only wanted to see what Zhou Nian’s company looked like.
After finishing lunch nearby, she had spent quite a while searching before finally finding the office.
She had only stood outside observing it for a few moments when a woman suddenly walked out.
An ice-cold beauty, no less.
Glancing at the woman named Yi Luo, Wen Lan felt rather speechless.
The watch on Yi Luo’s wrist was the newest model released by Aisizhe not long ago.
Without several million, no one could afford it.
No wonder people always said Shangcheng was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
You could never judge anyone lightly.
For some unknown reason, this obviously wealthy young woman insisted on applying to become an artist at the company.
“I saw the recruitment notice.”
Yi Luo lazily pointed a black-painted fingernail at the hiring poster by the entrance.
Her voice was unexpectedly low, husky, and languid, carrying an almost seductive softness that completely contradicted her icy, exquisitely beautiful face.
Wen Lan reached over and tapped the date printed at the bottom.
“This was posted four years ago.”
Only then did Yi Luo let out a quiet sound of realization, as though noticing it for the first time.
“Oh… so it expired.”
Her voice became even more lazy and drowsy.
Unlike the bold, hearty voices Wen Lan usually heard from women in this world, every one of Yi Luo’s gestures and mannerisms reminded her of the women from her own world.
The thought made Wen Lan’s heart suddenly pound.
Looking intently at the woman before her, she cautiously tested,
“Heaven’s King covers the tiger.”
Yi Luo looked at her in confusion.
Weren’t they just talking about the job opening?
Why had this woman suddenly blurted out something so strange?
Seeing the bewilderment in Yi Luo’s eyes, Wen Lan could not help feeling a little disappointed.
“Yi Luo, why do you want to work here?”
Judging from the way Yi Luo was dressed, Wen Lan found it hard to believe she was short on money.
“Because Yi Yi said the entertainment industry pays well.”
Yi Luo answered honestly.
Wen Lan looked speechlessly at the naïve woman before her.
“You should just go home.”
She was ready to send her away.
Yi Luo frowned, looking genuinely troubled.
“But I still haven’t found a job.”
She looked so distressed that she placed a hand over her chest, as though her heart ached.
Wen Lan’s eyes flickered.
That gesture seemed oddly familiar.
She had seen that signature pose on television only a few days ago. The lead actor had seemed to be Yi Yi.
Now that this woman’s name was Yi Luo, Wen Lan could only marvel at how small Shangcheng really was.
She had somehow run into a relative of one of her legal husband’s artists.
“What relation is Yi Yi to you?”
Yi Luo blinked slowly.
“He’s my younger brother.”
Wen Lan tore down the old recruitment notice and lowered her head as she asked,
“Do you have any salary requirements?”
Yi Luo shook her head.
“No. I just want to find a job.”
Another person who clearly wasn’t short of money.
Smiling faintly, Wen Lan extended her hand.
“Congratulations. You’re hired.”
“Huh?”
Yi Luo’s eyes widened.
Taking out the electronic key, Wen Lan pressed the unlock button.
The glass doors slowly slid open from both sides, revealing the reception hall and waiting area.
“You’re the owner here?”
Yi Luo asked curiously.
Wen Lan nodded.
“I started it with a friend. So, are you interested?”
“I am.”
Yi Luo answered slowly.
Successfully recruiting such a beautiful woman into this company that had not even officially opened yet left Wen Lan feeling very satisfied.
Zhou Nian would probably be delighted too.
“Let’s add each other on Duoxin. I’ll let you know when it’s time to start work.”
Wen Lan took out her phone.
As Yi Luo unlocked hers, Wen Lan clearly spotted the Qiandu Maps navigation app on the screen.
So she’s terrible with directions too, Wen Lan thought.
After they became Duoxin contacts, Wen Lan glanced at the sky, then at her brand-new employee who apparently had no sense of direction.
With a helpless wave, she said,
“Get in. I’ll drive you home.”
Yi Luo’s eyes lit up.
Just as she was about to get into the front passenger seat, Wen Lan stopped her.
“Ahem… sit in the back.”
She looked a little embarrassed.
Yi Luo had no objections and quietly climbed into the back seat.
She gave Wen Lan her address.
“Fasten yourself in.”
Wen Lan reminded her before pulling away.
It was getting late.
She still had to pick up Lu Zhixing.
“Mm.”
Yi Luo nodded, gripping the handle on the back of the front seat.
The blazing afternoon sun gradually softened into the cool light of evening.
After dropping Yi Luo off at the entrance to her residential complex, Wen Lan drove to pick up her legal husband.
However, as she passed a flower shop, she found herself slowing to a stop.
The shop was filled with bouquets of every variety.
A light floral fragrance drifted through the cozy space.
It was obvious the owner cared for every bloom with great attention.
The flowers were fresh and vibrant, their green leaves tender and lush.
After looking around for a while, Wen Lan finally chose a bouquet of deep red roses.
Their brilliant crimson petals seemed to radiate warmth, and their fragrance was rich and passionate.
After paying, she carefully placed the bouquet in the trunk before absentmindedly touching her own warm cheeks.
It was the first time she had ever bought flowers for a man.
The entire drive back, her heartbeat remained just a little faster than usual.
By the time she arrived outside Lu Zhixing’s company, she checked the time.
It was only four-thirty.
Waiting seemed unusually long.
She watched the minute hand creep forward.
Four-thirty became four-forty.
Then four-fifty.
Finally, it reached five o’clock.
Yet Lu Zhixing did not appear as promised.
Looking up at the brightly lit office building, Wen Lan waited patiently.
He must be busy today…
Time continued to slip away.
Employees gradually began leaving the building.
None of them were Lu Zhixing.
The car she was driving was rather conspicuous.
She noticed several people sneaking curious glances at it.
After some thought, she drove into a nearby parking lot instead.
By the time darkness had completely fallen, Wen Lan took the bouquet of roses and walked back to wait beside the corner of Lu Zhixing’s office building.
Her eyesight was excellent.
She could clearly see that the lights on the top floor remained brightly lit.
As time passed, every light in the building gradually went out until only a single one remained.
Wen Lan glanced at her phone.
It was already past eight fifty.
After hesitating for a moment, she called Lu Zhixing.
No one answered.
Frowning, she called several more times.
Still nothing.
Just as she was about to go upstairs to look for him, the lone light on the top floor finally went out.
Her heart eased slightly.
Then she noticed a faint trail of light moving downward from the top floor, like the glowing tail of a firefly.
She watched it curiously.
Why isn’t Zhixing taking the elevator?
The lights clearly came from motion-activated stairwell lighting.
Judging from how quickly they lit up one after another, he had to be running down the stairs.
Within moments, the trail of light had reached the ground floor.
Holding the bouquet of roses, Wen Lan felt unusually nervous.
After a moment’s thought, she walked over and waited beside the stone statue near the building’s staircase entrance.
Never in his life had Lu Zhixing been so panicked.
He had only intended to close his eyes for a short nap so he could meet his wife in the best possible condition.
He had never imagined he would fall into such a deep sleep.
When he finally woke and checked the time, it was already nearly nine o’clock.
To avoid being disturbed while resting, he had also switched his phone to silent mode before putting it into his pocket.
No one knew that the moment he saw the countless missed calls, his vision had nearly gone black.
He did not even have time to put on his jacket.
There was only one thought in his mind.
He had to get downstairs as quickly as possible.
His wife had promised to pick him up at five.
And he had promised he would be there.
The stairwell seemed endless.
Lu Zhixing clutched his chest, gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his face.
His physical stamina had never been very good.
But…
Wen Lan was waiting for him downstairs.
But when he ran outside, he saw neither the familiar silver car nor… his wife.
Lu Zhixing bent over, accidentally pressing the screen. The large digits displayed 9:05.
It had been four hours and five minutes past the time they had agreed to meet. So… it was only natural that his wife was no longer here.
He desperately tried to comfort himself. It was his own fault for missing the appointed time. He had no right to complain. If nothing else, they could simply arrange another date…
But… it still hurt so much.
Lowering his head to stare at his phone, Lu Zhixing could not forgive himself for oversleeping.
“Wife…”
His fingertips trembled slightly as he looked at the phone, wanting to explain everything to Wen Lan. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not bring himself to press the number keys. How could he possibly tell her he had overslept? A reason like that sounded so childish that perhaps only a three-year-old would believe it.
“Mm, I’m here.”
The familiar cool, gentle voice suddenly came from behind him.
Lu Zhixing froze.
A bouquet of blazing red roses suddenly appeared before his eyes, their crimson petals dazzling. Then his wife’s face came into view, wearing the same faint, gentle smile as always.
“Wife?”
Seeing the man’s pale face, Wen Lan reached out worriedly and gently cupped his cheek.
“I’m here,” she replied patiently. “What’s wrong?”
“Wife…”
“Mm, I’m here.”
The next instant, Lu Zhixing threw his arms around her with surprising force.
Wen Lan was stunned for a few seconds before slowly stroking his trembling, slender back. She had never realized before just how thin his back was.
She could feel that he was hugging her with every ounce of strength he had, his lean arms wrapped around her with almost obsessive desperation.
“What’s wrong?”
Holding the bouquet in one hand, she used the other to gently stroke his hair.
“Why do you seem so upset?”
“I’m sorry… I overslept.”
His face was buried against her neck, his muffled voice hoarse.
Wen Lan had not expected the reason to be something so minor.
Looking down at the man who refused to lift his head, she gave a soft hum.
“So you overslept.”
She had thought something serious had happened to him.
Lu Zhixing hurriedly looked up, panic filling his eyes.
“Wife, please believe me. I originally…”
“Shh.”
Wen Lan pressed a finger to her lips. Seeing his damp hair clinging to his face, she could not help feeling sorry for him.
“I understand.”
Lu Zhixing stared blankly at her.
She… understood?
She actually believed him?
Wen Lan handed him the bouquet. Once he accepted it, she took his hand and led him away.
Under the warm glow of the streetlights, even her voice seemed touched by their warmth.
“Then after getting some sleep, do you feel any better?”
Lu Zhixing’s hand was completely enveloped within hers, the warmth from her palm spreading through him until it felt as though his whole body had come back to life.
His wife knew he had stood her up.
She knew it was because he had overslept.
Yet instead of blaming him, the very first thing she did was ask whether he felt better after sleeping…
Lu Zhixing felt his heart ache again.
It was overflowing with love and desire so intense that it felt ready to burst apart.
The gentler Wen Lan was, the less he could ever let her go.