Chapter 41 (Climax) What Is the Aura of a Heroine? This Is What It Means to Dominate Instantly!
In the office, everyone sensed the strange tension hanging in the air and stayed silent, certain that something dramatic was about to unfold.
“What are you doing here at the company?” Wang Ting’s firm rule was that her boyfriend must never show up at work. The collapse of her ‘single woman’ persona would be disastrous, especially in front of Ji Bochang—a grave taboo.
Li Tai jabbed a finger at Lin Ran, demanding, “Who is he?”
Wang Ting frowned in annoyance. “What do you mean by that?”
“You’re asking me what I mean? I want to know what you mean! I want you to say it clearly today: I am your boyfriend!” Li Tai’s words were loud and clear.
The entire office erupted in astonishment. So Wang Ting had a boyfriend after all.
Lin Ran commented coolly, “Didn’t you just say you were single?”
“I’m sorry, I lied. I’m not single.” Wang Ting admitted honestly—there was no point lying further, now that the truth was out. To insist she was single would only provoke more resentment. Better to admit the truth with dignity.
Her colleagues now cast her complicated looks—watching this ‘Sea King’ woman in action.
The situation was sudden, but not unsolvable; a single-girl persona could crumble, but it could also be rebuilt. Wang Ting, a woman of high skill, handled it with ease.
Turning to Li Tai, she put on a pained and innocent expression. “Li Tai, since you came to the company, I’ll be honest with you today. We’re not right for each other. You’re a wealthy second-generation heir; I’m just an ordinary girl. I’ve just graduated and started working—I have a lot of pressure. I’m an only child, I have to work to make money. I really don’t have time to fool around. I have to fight for my future and for my parents. I have to rely on myself. Do you understand?”
Just moments ago, Li Tai had been so forceful—now, hearing her words, he realized why she’d been so hot and cold recently. It was the pressure she felt, her sense of responsibility. She was shouldering her family’s future happiness.
“Tingting, I am your boyfriend. If you’re in trouble, I can help you.”
“I appreciate your kindness, but your money is yours. I don’t want to be known as a woman who relies on a man for everything. Don’t come looking for me anymore—we really aren’t right for each other. Let’s break up.” Wang Ting’s eyes glistened with tears, her voice wounded and helpless.
She knew how to handle a lovesick man; show a little vulnerability, and no matter how angry he was, he would soften.
Her colleagues’ judgmental looks shifted to surprise. Wang Ting’s boyfriend was wealthy, yet she was breaking up with him to earn her own living.
Independent, not materialistic, a good girl who stood on her own two feet—the persona was instantly repaired.
This round, Wang Ting’s ‘scandal’ was averted. In fact, she had just won everyone’s admiration—how lucky to have a girlfriend like her who wasn’t interested in money.
“I don’t agree to break up. Whatever difficulties you have, we’ll face them together. Tingting, this bouquet is for you. Let’s make up.”
“Take it back, I won’t accept it. We’re over!” Wang Ting declared firmly, tears streaming down her face, while Lin Ran casually pulled a tissue from the box and handed it to her.
“Thank you,” Wang Ting choked out, dabbing at her eyes.
Li Tai, seeing this, grew furious and pointed at Lin Ran. “Who are you?”
Wang Ting replied, “A friend. None of your business.”
Li Tai sneered. “A friend? You break up with me, then sit here playing guitar with him? Hey, if you’re a man, stand up and say clearly—what are you doing here?”
Lin Ran set down the guitar, stood by Wang Ting’s side, and said, “I came to pick up my girlfriend for dinner after work.”
“When did you two get together?!” Li Tai exploded.
Lin Ran: ???
I’m just here to take my girlfriend out for dinner—why is this guy so furious?
Wang Ting thought to herself, Ji Bochang had said he was here to take his girlfriend out for dinner—twice now, and this time, right in front of Li Tai. That meant he acknowledged her. Since that was the case, Wang Ting decided to show no mercy.
She said to Li Tai, “Yes, he’s my boyfriend. Are you satisfied? You can leave now. Don’t harass me anymore.”
“Harass? I’m your boyfriend—coming to see you is harassment?”
“Don’t mind him. Let’s go.” Wang Ting took Lin Ran’s arm and started to leave.
Li Tai blocked their way. “When did you get together?!”
Wang Ting said, “It’s none of your concern. Please step aside.”
Li Tai turned to Lin Ran, grinding his teeth. “When did you start hitting on my girlfriend?”
Lin Ran smiled. “I really am just here to take my girlfriend out for dinner.”
“Still pretending?” Li Tai raised his fist, ready to strike.
At that moment, a colleague suddenly recognized Lin Ran and exclaimed, “Wait a minute! Isn’t that... Ji Bochang?”
“What do you mean, Ji Bochang?” others asked, puzzled.
Excitedly, the colleague explained, “The second-generation heir who bought a Bentley yesterday!”
People began to recall the news and started whispering among themselves.
“A rich heir? Didn’t Wang Ting just say she was breaking up to be an independent woman, not chasing after money? How come she’s now with this rich guy?”
The question came from someone who hadn't seen Lin Ran come for Jian Wei’an the day before.
Those who had seen Jian Wei’an’s boyfriend yesterday weren't so sure anymore—after all, Jian Wei’an hadn’t appeared yet. Maybe it was just a resemblance?
Someone checked a video. “It really does look like him—same height, wearing a Rolex, damn, is it really the rich guy from the video?”
“So Wang Ting dumped her boyfriend for this rich heir who came to take her to dinner?”
“No way—she just said she didn’t care about money and wanted to rely on herself.”
“Ha, and you believe that? She said it on purpose so the rich guy would know she’s a good girl.”
The tide of office gossip shifted again, the chatter growing louder.
Li Tai sneered through clenched teeth. “Well, Wang Ting, I never thought you were this kind of woman. You dumped me the moment someone richer came along?”
“No, no...” Wang Ting turned to Lin Ran, trying to explain, “I really didn’t know you were some rich heir, you have to believe me!”
Lin Ran’s smile was teasing. “Of course I trust my own judgment—you’re a ‘good girl.’”
Relieved that Lin Ran seemed to believe her, Wang Ting faced Li Tai. “Li Tai, I just don’t want to be with you anymore. Is that reason enough to slander me?”
Li Tai snapped, “Slander you? Didn’t you say you were leaving me because you wanted to be independent, not because of money? So why are you with this Bentley-driving guy now?”
Wang Ting was ruthless. “We’re over. Who I’m with now is none of your business!”
Fortune favors the bold. Since she had already burned bridges with Li Tai, there was no need to hold back. Besides, Lin Ran had said he believed she was a good girl—Wang Ting felt emboldened. She clung openly to Lin Ran’s arm.
“Yes, he’s my boyfriend. I like him. Are you satisfied? Please stop harassing me—I don’t want my boyfriend to misunderstand. We’re going to dinner now, so please move.”
“No!” Li Tai blocked them, pointing angrily at Lin Ran and challenging Wang Ting, “Just because you say he’s your boyfriend doesn’t make it true! He hasn’t agreed!”
Wang Ting found him insufferable; he just wouldn’t let go of this issue.
“My boyfriend came to take me out for dinner—of course he loves me, right?”
She looked at Lin Ran.
Lin Ran smiled and nodded. “Of course, taking my girlfriend out to dinner is an act of love.”
Wang Ting replied proudly, “Did you hear that? Now, please move!”
Hearing this, seeing his beloved girlfriend hanging on another man’s arm and telling him to get out of the way with utter disdain, Li Tai had nothing more to say. He let go, and the bouquet he’d brought for her dropped to the floor, petals scattering everywhere.
At that moment, the receptionist noticed the light in Li Tai’s eyes fade—the brightness of love was gone.
Everyone felt a pang of pity for this man.
But there was nothing to be done; love falls like petals, but the river keeps flowing. The rich heir had chosen Wang Ting—there was little bystanders could say.
At least, they consoled themselves, Li Tai had finally seen his girlfriend’s true colors.
Still, some male colleagues couldn’t help feeling bitter. No matter how much you love your girlfriend, when confronted with a super-rich rival, what chance does love really have?
Yet everyone was looking at Li Tai now, hoping he might muster some courage—not to win her back, but at least to stand up to the rich guy! To prove that money alone shouldn’t rule all.
Li Tai took a deep breath, lifted his head, and forced a bitter smile as he stepped aside.
A sigh ran through the room. With that step back, the men and women of Laile Music Studio stopped believing in love that day. It was resignation, a sense of powerlessness—girlfriends leaving their boyfriends for someone richer.
“Let’s go,” Wang Ting said, holding Lin Ran’s arm as she strode toward the door.
She had won.
She had made sure everyone knew it—she had succeeded.
They all watched as Wang Ting and her new rich boyfriend walked right past her ex, and Wang Ting didn’t spare Li Tai a single glance. All her affection was for the super-rich man at her side.
At that moment, the second hand ticked to eleven o’clock.
In the sound studio, Jian Wei’an stretched and said, “Finally off work.”
Chen Tao, who had been counting the seconds, muttered, “My dear, you’ve got some nerve. Your boyfriend’s about to be stolen by Tingting.”
“Oh,” Jian Wei’an replied calmly.
Chen Tao: ???
The door of the studio creaked open. Jian Wei’an walked out, dressed simply in a white T-shirt and shorts—after all, this wasn’t a beauty contest, unlike Wang Ting’s carefully calculated attire.
By now, everyone was packing up, ready to head out for lunch.
At the company entrance, Wang Ting walked ahead with Lin Ran, arm in arm, while behind them colleagues whispered and gossiped.
Indeed, the rich always end up together.
Love? Pah, not even a dog wants it!
Everyone felt bitter, but didn’t know what to say. After all, no one had stepped up to stop it.
If only someone had, perhaps things would have been different. Wang Ting would have realized that toying with people’s feelings, abandoning her boyfriend for a rich heir, would bring retribution.
But alas, there was no one left with the courage.
Just then, a voice rang out from behind.
“You’re all going out for lunch without me?”
Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned abruptly. It was Jian Wei’an.
She walked forward, hands behind her back, humming a little tune, her step light and confident as she approached the scene of drama. Passing by Li Tai, she glanced at the wounded ex-boyfriend.
Useless, she thought. She’d expected him to win back his girlfriend, but he’d been robbed of everything.
At this point, Wang Ting had practically seized all the bonuses—she was fully equipped.
Well then, time for Jian Wei’an to finish her off.
Everyone instinctively moved aside, sensing Jian Wei’an’s powerful aura—the unmistakable presence of the real deal.
She stopped in front of Lin Ran and, without so much as a glance at Wang Ting, lifted her head and called sweetly, “Honey, your wife is off work!”
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
Everyone was utterly stunned.