Chapter 0446

The personalities of these two individuals are completely different.

Wu Zhishang appears playful on the surface, but deep down, he harbors some insecurity. Outwardly cheerful, he is actually introverted, and when love comes knocking, he tends to overthink things.

Zhang Xinyan, on the other hand, is genuinely carefree and straightforward, without a hint of scheming. Once she gives her heart to someone, she expresses it openly. If there’s an opportunity, she seizes it.

And this opportunity? She’s been grasping at it since before the New Year.

Lin Ran also found it strange. He had only tentatively asked a question earlier, never expecting to uncover such juicy gossip.

It’s just that the progression of their relationship feels abrupt, a bit awkward.

There’s no hatred without reason, and naturally, no love without cause either.

But what they don’t know is that something did happen between Wu Zhishang and Zhang Xinyan recently.

Add to that the fact that a young, accomplished CEO and his stunningly beautiful assistant work together every day—sparks flying between them isn’t all that surprising…

Lin Ran smiled without saying a word. It wouldn’t be bad if Zhang Xinyan and Wu Zhishang ended up together.

Though he had higher hopes for Chen Qingtian, there was an insurmountable gap between her and Wu Zhishang.

The disparity in their family backgrounds was too great. Wu Zhishang was just an ordinary guy, and even now as a CEO, it wasn’t something he achieved through his own efforts.

Lin Ran didn’t mind, but he knew Wu Zhishang would. He guessed Wu Zhishang had probably heard plenty of harsh words—things like, “You’re just Lin Ran’s lackey,” or “Without Lin Ran, you’re nothing.”

Lin Ran could imagine the kind of remarks people would make, even going so far as to say, “Even your boss, Lin Ran, is just a freeloader.”

Lin Ran never avoided the topic, nor did he deny being called a freeloader.

Because it was the truth.

So what if he lived off his wife’s wealth? Could they even dream of doing the same?

Regardless, Wu Zhishang’s family background was no match for Chen Qingtian’s.

Of course, Lin Ran and Luo Yao weren’t a perfect match either, but his wife was fearless.

Luo Yao would tear through her entire family for him—could Chen Qingtian do the same?

Even if she could, she’d have to truly love Wu Zhishang first.

Lin Ran wouldn’t force anyone to be together. At most, he’d play matchmaker—what happened afterward was up to fate.

Chen Qingtian and Wu Zhishang had crossed paths, but at the fork in the road, they each chose their own direction. He respected that.

But the fact that Zhang Xinyan and Wu Zhishang had developed feelings was genuinely unexpected.

And judging by the way they acted, something must have happened between them recently.

(Of course, something did happen—but the author isn’t going to tell you just yet. Annoying, isn’t it?)

Wu Zhishang snapped out of his thoughts, cleared his throat softly, and withdrew his hand. But Zhang Xinyan kept stealing glances at him—one after another.

Chen Qingtian suddenly felt like she was being force-fed dog food. She’d already suffered this once with Lin Ran and Luo Yao—who knew there’d be another pair to rub it in?

So she scrambled into Villa No. 3 in a hurry.

She’d rather not endure this dose of romance.

Lin Ran tactfully avoided bringing up Wu Zhishang’s love life again. If things worked out, great—if not, they’d just drink to it. It wasn’t like Wu Zhishang hadn’t been through breakups before.

They chatted casually for a bit before Wu Zhishang took his leave, reminding Lin Ran and Luo Yao to take care of their health before he left.

It wasn’t that Wu Zhishang wanted to go—after all, it had been a while since he last talked with Lin Ran.

But Luo Yao’s glare was downright terrifying, and Lin Ran had already hinted it was time to leave.

He might as well have been a walking third wheel disrupting their marital bliss.

Lin Ran had Uncle Fu send Wu Zhishang off with an expensive gift.

In the car, Wu Zhishang sighed. “Ah, Lin Ran has changed. He’s completely been won over by his wife. We’ll probably see each other less and less from now on.”

Though his words sounded melancholic, he was genuinely happy for Lin Ran.

After so many years of hardship, his brother was finally living a sweet life.

Zhang Xinyan, who was driving, glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “I think it’s a good thing.”

Wu Zhishang fell silent for a long moment before speaking. “Assistant Zhang, the New Year’s over. Let’s focus on work from now on. Whatever little game we were playing before ends here.”

This was both a test and a warning from Wu Zhishang.

No one could understand the fear in his heart.

What he feared was love. What he warned against was love. What he tested was also love.

Zhang Xinyan didn’t respond. By the time the car pulled up at Nuanyao Group’s building, Wu Zhishang assumed she had accepted it.

But then—

SLAM!

Zhang Xinyan shut the car door with unnecessary force and strode into the building without looking back.

Wu Zhishang stood there, utterly bewildered.

“Is she mad? No way… She wouldn’t get mad, right? Why is she angry? Did I say something wrong? Was I too harsh?”

Back at the estate, with all the third wheels gone, Lin Ran and Luo Yao returned to their usual routine.

“Ah Ran, do you think Wu Zhishang will end up with Zhang Xinyan?”

“Who knows? I just hope Old Wu can see his own heart clearly and find what he’s looking for. Zhao Miaomiao hurt him too deeply. He never said it, but I understand.”

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes. “You understand? Why do you understand? Don’t tell me some woman hurt you like that too—was it Liu Ruxue?”

Lin Ran: “…”

“Wife, your train of thought jumps way too fast. I can’t even keep up…”

“Answer the question. Did Liu Ruxue break your heart?”

“No. She never even stepped into my heart—how could she hurt it?”

Lin Ran lied. He had been hurt by Liu Ruxue. But if he admitted it, Luo Yao would definitely get upset.

Because being hurt meant he had cared.

Sometimes, Lin Ran really wanted to slap his past self. Even now, he couldn’t understand why he had ever simped for Liu Ruxue.

Then again, he wasn’t entirely lying—at least in this lifetime, Liu Ruxue meant nothing to him.

Luo Yao: “Really?”

Lin Ran: “Really. She only ever disgusted me. If you hadn’t brought her up, I wouldn’t even remember her. Let’s not talk about her anymore—it’s pointless. Just thinking about her makes me sick.”

Finally satisfied, Luo Yao let him off the hook.

By the afternoon, Luo Yao was in the study on a call with Liu Meng, while Lin Ran lounged alone on the bedroom balcony, basking in the sunlight.

The February sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a lazy warmth over him as he reclined on the lounge chair.

He reached for the coffee beside him with his uninjured hand and took a sip—bitter.

“Young Master Lin, would you like some sugar or perhaps switch to tea?”

Lin Ran shook his head. “I’ll stick with coffee. Life’s already sweet enough—if I don’t taste a little bitterness, I might forget myself.”

Uncle Fu: “Do you even hear yourself right now?”

“Uncle Fu, you’ve been getting cheeky lately. What, do you want a taste of life’s hardships?”