Chapter 40: The Tension Is About to Explode

Lin Ran was chatting with the receptionist, who knew that this young man was Jian Wei'an's boyfriend, but had no idea he was actually Ji Bochang. Not everyone liked to pay attention to those unrealistic fantasies, but Lin Ran, tall, handsome, and sweet-talking, came every day at noon to pick up Jian Wei'an for lunch. The receptionist sighed inwardly—good boyfriends always belonged to someone else.

Wang Ting walked out of the sound studio, spraying a little perfume on her collarbone, then stepped forward gently and greeted, "Hello~"

As she drew near, Lin Ran caught a faint scent of jasmine perfume, which complemented her white dress, giving her an overall fresh and sweet appearance.

Innocence was a girl's ultimate weapon—the type every man liked best.

Wang Ting tucked her hair behind her ear, blushing shyly, yet did not stop 'Ji Bochang' from admiring her so unabashedly.

Every detail of her outfit today, inside and out, had been carefully designed for Ji Bochang's eyes.

The receptionist stared in astonishment—why was Wang Ting coming out? Shouldn't Lin Ran be here to see Jian Wei'an? What was Wang Ting doing, acting so bashful? The receptionist was thoroughly confused.

"Your USB drive."

"Thank you~"

Wang Ting reached out her slender, fair hand to take the USB drive, her fingers touching Lin Ran's hand, intentionally or not. Lin Ran felt the soft, delicate sensation at her fingertips.

"Tingting, why was your USB drive with him?" the receptionist asked curiously.

Wang Ting explained first, "I left it with him yesterday, and he brought it back for me."

That sounded fine at first, but on second thought, it was full of questions.

Wasn't a USB drive something you carried to and from work? How did it end up with Jian Wei'an's boyfriend? Did she spend the night at his place last night?

The receptionist's mind raced with wild guesses, then she asked again, "Lin Ran... why are you here today...?"

Lin Ran answered naturally, "Of course I'm here to have lunch with my girlfriend."

Wang Ting's beautiful eyes flickered.

He came especially to return my USB drive, but he said he's here to have lunch. That means... he wants to eat with me.

Wang Ting thought to herself that innocence truly was invincible.

Success!

In front of the receptionist, Wang Ting boldly took a step closer to Lin Ran, closing the distance beyond what was normal for friends.

She smiled brightly, saying, "Let me treat you to lunch as thanks for bringing my USB drive."

Lin Ran laughed, "So polite?"

Wang Ting replied, "It's only right."

Lin Ran suggested, "Let's eat together after work."

Wang Ting smiled, "Alright."

What Lin Ran meant was to have lunch with Wei'an and the others. What Wang Ting heard was just the two of them dining alone.

Wang Ting noticed Lin Ran holding a set of car keys in his right hand, bearing a 'B'—he had already picked up his car, becoming a distinguished Bentley owner. But the passenger seat still lacked a lady.

From today, Wang Ting would become that lady.

"We have ten minutes until the end of the workday. I can't skip out, but let me show you around the company first," she said.

"Sure." Lin Ran nodded in agreement; he hadn't seen the inside of the company yesterday. Wang Ting led the way, introducing the company.

The receptionist was even more bewildered. Wang Ting, who skipped work nearly every day, was actually not skipping today—she was showing Jian Wei'an's boyfriend around. What was their relationship? It was impossible to understand.

Wang Ting chatted as they walked, "Can you sing?"

"I'm tone-deaf."

"Really? I don't believe it. You're so handsome, your singing must be wonderful."

"You're flattering me. I have nothing going for me except my looks."

"Self-absorbed, hmph~"

Wang Ting laughed behind her hand.

It seemed that the Ji Bochang in real life wasn't as aloof as he appeared online—he was approachable and witty, the type girls liked best.

Colleagues in the company whispered among themselves. Some had seen Lin Ran pick up Jian Wei'an yesterday, others hadn't. Now nobody knew what was going on. Was he Wang Ting's boyfriend now?

It was chaos.

Just then, the elevator doors opened. Li Tai walked out, carrying a bouquet of flowers, heading toward Lai Le's studio.

It was his first time upstairs. During his internship, he'd always called his girlfriend from downstairs, and she'd rush out to greet him.

He had no idea his girlfriend had any ulterior motives.

Today he came up because a colleague was treating everyone, and he wanted to check on his girlfriend at work.

The receptionist was scratching her head, still confused, when another handsome man entered the company carrying flowers.

She stood up and smiled, "Hello, who are you here to see?"

"I'm looking for Wang Ting."

"Wang Ting?"

"Yes."

The handsome man carefully arranged the flowers in his hands.

"And you are...?"

Li Tai introduced himself straightforwardly, "I'm Wang Ting's boyfriend."

What!

The receptionist grabbed her chair, nearly losing her balance.

She didn't even question it, because when this young man introduced himself as Wang Ting's boyfriend, he wore a proud, happy smile, and his eyes sparkled.

That was definitely the look of a boyfriend.

But Lin Ran earlier—his gaze was full of condescension toward Wang Ting, while Wang Ting's was careful and accommodating, far from equal.

Li Tai asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing... nothing..."

The receptionist heard laughter coming from inside the company—Wang Ting and Lin Ran were having a good time.

As the receptionist, she was very professional. The company couldn't afford any messy drama.

So she quickly said, "Wang Ting and the boss just left to deliver a song. They won't be back until afternoon. Maybe you should come back later?"

"They went out? I'll call and check."

Li Tai pulled out his phone to make a call.

The receptionist grew anxious.

Ring, ring, ring—

The call was disconnected: "Sorry, the number you dialed is currently unavailable."

Couldn't get through. The receptionist said the same. That meant it really was a sudden business trip.

"Alright, I'll come back this afternoon." Li Tai turned and left.

Whew—

The receptionist collapsed into her seat, scared out of her wits.

Li Tai had just stepped out when he heard a voice from inside the company—

"Lin Ran, you're so funny! Of course I'm single. I work every day—who has time for a boyfriend, hahaha~"

The voice was cheerful and familiar—Wang Ting's voice?

Li Tai stopped, turned, and walked back toward the company.

What was this!

The receptionist immediately got up to intercept him, "Sir, sir..."

Li Tai ignored her, striding past the front desk into the company lobby, and looked toward the musical instruments area, where Wang Ting was teaching a young man to play guitar.

Li Tai had wanted to learn guitar—Wang Ting had taught him once and was very impatient, feeling it was a waste of time.

But the boy in front of her was strumming poorly, and Wang Ting was teaching him carefully, patiently, and happily, even saying he was very talented.

What boyfriend could tolerate this?

Li Tai's hand clenched the flowers so tightly his veins bulged as he strode forward angrily.

"Sir, sir..." The receptionist chased after him.

In the office area, everyone craned their necks to watch.

Who was that boy?

"Wang Ting—"

A voice rang out.

Wang Ting turned her head, suddenly stunned, her body trembling.

It was Li Tai.

Why had he come to the company?

Beside the instruments area was the sound studio. Chen Tao was leaning against the door, listening, "I heard Li Tai's voice. I'm going out to check."

Jian Wei'an gave him a cold look, "Are you so idle?"

"I..."

Chen Tao obediently returned to his workstation, mixing in discomfort as if sitting on pins and needles.