Chapter Nine: Meeting His Gaze

Ye Huai’s voice was cold and indifferent. Li Ran gazed into his eyes and found them so deep and dark that it was impossible to discern any trace of emotion. His aura, as though everything was firmly within his grasp, made her feel distinctly uncomfortable.

“Mister, what makes you so sure that I’ll come looking for you?” she asked.

“Intuition.”

She let out a short, mirthless laugh. “We’ve never even met before. Where does this so-called intuition come from?” Li Ran found the notion absurd.

Yet, in Ye Huai’s ears, her words took on another meaning. Never met before? Had she so easily cast aside the memory of climbing into his bed of her own accord that night?

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“My own affairs are none of your concern,” Li Ran replied, her tone tinged with irritation. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to let me go, can we discuss work?”

She tilted her chin up, meeting his gaze without the slightest sign of fear, though deep inside, she was somewhat intimidated by this man she was meeting for a second time. The force he exuded threatened to smother her stubbornness completely.

But Li Ran reminded herself that this was the office—he wouldn’t dare do anything to her here.

At last, Ye Huai released his grip and returned to his seat.

Li Ran exhaled deeply, only then noticing sweat beading in her palms and tracing down her back.

Outside the door, An Qi had witnessed their exchange and movements, and couldn’t help but wonder about the true nature of their relationship. What on earth did their conversation mean? Though she couldn’t quite make sense of it, she could sense that there was nothing ordinary about the connection between Li Ran and this Ye Huai.

“What are you standing here for?” A cold, harsh voice suddenly sounded behind her.

Startled, An Qi turned to see Ding Lei standing there. She hurriedly stepped aside. “I—I’m Ms. Ran’s secretary, here to discuss business.”

Ding Lei said nothing more, simply pushed open the half-closed door, and entered.

An Qi pretended she hadn’t seen anything unusual and followed him inside.

Since they had already reviewed the proposal in advance, everything proceeded smoothly. Throughout the discussion, Ye Huai never once looked directly at Li Ran.

“Boss, are you really so sure that Miss Li Ran will come to you?” Ding Lei finally voiced his thoughts as they reached the ground floor.

“She will,” Ye Huai replied with certainty.

Ding Lei didn’t know why, but as this was his boss’s business, it wasn’t his place to question further.

When it was time to get off work, Li Ran received a call from Chu Jing.

“Ranran, you left in such a hurry today, you didn’t finish your discharge paperwork. If you have time, could you come take care of it?”

“All right, I’ll head over now.”

Li Ran gathered her things, intending to give An Qi some instructions, but her secretary was nowhere to be found. Passing by Zhang Dechuan’s office, she caught faint voices from inside, and thought she heard her own name mentioned. She paused outside for a moment, but the voices soon faded, so she thought nothing more of it and went straight to the hospital.

Chu Jing was already waiting for her and accompanied her through the discharge process. Remembering the events of the previous day, she couldn’t help but ask, “Ranran, are you sure you want to go back? I really don’t think your mother-in-law or Zhang Fanfan treat you well.”

“If I don’t go back, I can’t stay in the hospital forever, can I?” Li Ran laughed. Even outsiders could see how they treated her—how could she not know? But if she didn’t return, who knew what malicious things that mother and son would say about her?

“Of course I’m not suggesting you stay in the hospital. There’s plenty of room at my place. Why don’t you move in with me? You’re newly pregnant; it would be easier for me to look after you.” Chu Jing’s cheeks flushed slightly as she added, “And… isn’t your younger brother coming back soon?”