Appreciation Like

Chapter 221

"A toast to the boss!"

"A toast to us for crushing Penguin!!"

"More than just crushing them, we literally rubbed their faces in the dirt! The whole internet is flooded with posts saying WeChat is too greedy, and they couldn't even copy our homework right!"

"So satisfying! We absolutely killed it this time!"

The programmers excitedly pumped their fists, the exhaustion usually hidden behind their thick black-framed glasses completely swept away.

It was replaced by the ecstasy of surging adrenaline.

Li Sinan stood in the crowd.

Looking at these soldiers she and Gu Ran had personally trained, her nose tingled with emotion.

This battle had been risky, but they won it beautifully.

"Boss."

Li Sinan adjusted her emotions and walked over, her voice filled with sincere admiration.

"I've already booked the place for tonight's celebration party, 'Heaven on Earth', the most prestigious club in Qinglin! The brothers are all waiting for our greatest hero to say the word. Tonight, we don't go home until we're drunk!"

Hearing this, Gu Ran smiled.

His gaze swept over Li Sinan's face, flushed with excitement, and then looked at the group of fired-up brothers.

"I won't be going."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Everyone looked at him with a "Did I hear that right?" expression.

Not going?

Was this some kind of joke?

This was the celebration party for taking down an internet giant!

How could the main character be absent?

Li Sinan was also stunned, her smile freezing on her face.

"Why? Everyone... everyone really wants to celebrate with you."

She subconsciously gripped the hem of her shirt.

The man before her was calm and powerful.

Even though he had just won a commercial war worth tens of billions, he remained indifferent.

This composure that radiated from his very bones held a unique attraction for her.

She knew very well that her feelings for him had long surpassed the mere appreciation of a subordinate for a superior.

Gu Ran seemed to see through something, but he just acted like usual.

He gently patted Li Sinan's shoulder, his tone relaxed.

"Teacher Li, take the brothers out and have a good time. Put all the expenses on my tab. Full reimbursement, no limit."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the astonished employees.

A gentle smile suddenly rippled in the depths of his eyes.

"I'm... busy going home to pet my cat."

"Pet your cat?"

Everyone looked at each other, their heads full of question marks.

Wasn't this excuse a bit too outrageous?

Whose cat was more important than a multi-million dollar business?

What kind of new humblebrag was this?

Only Li Sinan understood instantly.

This cat was not an actual cat.

It was the "cat" in Gu Ran's heart.

Being able to meet such an excellent boss and fight alongside these lovely colleagues

was a blessing in itself, and she was already very satisfied.

Having figured this out, a bright smile bloomed on Li Sinan's face again.

She waved at Gu Ran and teased.

"Alright, the world is big, but the boss's cat is the biggest! Then we will celebrate properly for you. We'll definitely eat you into bankruptcy tonight!"

"Go on, don't try to save me money."

Gu Ran smiled and nodded, saying no more.

Amidst the deafening cheers of the employees, he turned, pushed open the door, and blended into the night without any hesitation.

To Gu Ran, defeating WeChat and securing financing were just the first stepping stones in the blueprint of his massive business empire.

It was expected, so why be surprised.

His real treasure was still in school attending classes.

This feeling of anticipation was more addictive to him than making any amount of money.

Sigh... he felt like he hadn't seen her in ages.

He missed her.

Carrying this anticipation, the young man quickened his pace.

Gu Ran didn't go straight back to school; instead, he took a detour to the commercial street.

He stopped in front of an elegant flower shop.

"Boss, please wrap a bouquet of flowers for me."

"Okay, sir. What kind of flowers would you like? And who are they for?"

The female shop owner came up to him enthusiastically.

"Jasmine and white roses."

Gu Ran's gaze swept over the brightly blooming flowers, his eyes softening unconsciously.

"For my girlfriend."

When he said the word "girlfriend," his tone naturally softened.

"Ninety-nine stems, the freshest ones. As for the wrapping... um, make it look ceremonial, but not too tacky,"

he added.

Seeing that he drove a luxury car, spent generously, and was handsome, the shop owner's eyes were full of envy.

"Your girlfriend is so lucky, sir. Don't worry, I'll definitely wrap it beautifully and grandly for you."

Leaving the flower shop, the young man went to a famous French bakery nearby.

"Please give me a six-inch strawberry cake. And two small desserts."

He pointed at the most exquisite one in the display window.

Ye Zhenzhen had a typical sweet tooth, but she always complained about being afraid of getting fat, so she only dared to take a tiny, careful bite every time.

This size was just right.

It would satisfy her cravings without making her feel guilty.

Carrying the cake and flowers, he drove to the Nanning District Library.

This was the closest district-level library to Qinglin University.

After Gu Ran got a library card made, he carefully placed it on the bouquet.

He remembered Ye Zhenzhen casually mentioning last time that the school library during finals week was like the set of Train to Busan.

It was impossible to grab a seat.

He heard that the district library had complete resources and a good environment, but the threshold for getting a card was high and the procedures were troublesome.

...

Twenty minutes later.

Gu Ran glanced at his watch and parked his car steadily below the medical school's teaching building.

He had checked Ye Zhenzhen's schedule, and this time was exactly her last class.

Turning off the engine, Gu Ran rolled down the window and rested his elbow on the ledge.

He quietly looked at the brightly lit teaching building not far away, feeling completely at peace inside.

"Ring, ring—"

The class dismissal bell finally rang.

Soon, students poured out of the teaching building in twos and threes.

"Holy crap, look, it's God Gu!"

"Wow, he's here to pick up Goddess Ye from class again? This is way too sweet!"

"I'm so jealous. Why are other people's boyfriends so amazing? Handsome, rich, and loyal!"

"I just saw the news saying his company's valuation doubled, and he immediately turns around to pick up his girlfriend from school. What kind of fairy tale plot is this?"

Amidst the uncontrollable discussions,

Gu Ran pushed open the car door and stood leaning against the vehicle.

The streetlights stretched his shadow long. A luxury car, flowers, and a handsome guy—this scene was even more like an idol drama than an actual idol drama.

The young man's gaze accurately pierced through the crowd and locked onto that familiar figure.

The girl was wearing a light yellow dress and carrying a backpack, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders. She was so fair she seemed to glow in the crowd.

She was looking down and saying something to her roommate next to her, seemingly not having noticed him yet.

The smile in Gu Ran's eyes rippled outward.

He didn't make a sound, but just stood there quietly.

Waiting for his prey to discover him.

...