Pause the meeting. I'll go get him

Ning Shile spent the whole night worrying about Zheng Father and Zheng Mother, tossing and turning anxiously. In the end, he fell asleep with his brows knitted, his lips pressed together, and worry written all over his face.

As soon as he woke the next morning, Ning Shile got up and headed to Zheng Corporation.

Zheng Corporation was in the city center. Its office tower rose well above the surrounding buildings and looked very imposing.

The moment Ning Shile entered, the young woman at reception looked up with a smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"

Ning Shile walked over. "I'm here to see Zheng Ye."

Zheng Ye?

The receptionist pressed her lips together and looked Ning Shile up and down in surprise.

Who was this? How did he dare call the president by his full name?

"Do you have an appointment? What time is it for?" the receptionist asked politely.

"Ah... I didn't arrange a time." Coming to his senses, Ning Shile hurriedly pulled out his phone. "Let me contact him."

The receptionist nodded. "Of course."

After mentioning his visit to Zheng Ye yesterday, Ning Shile hadn't spoken to him again. He'd forgotten how busy things were at Zheng Corporation and that he needed an appointment.

Ning Shile first called Zheng Ye on WeChat, but he didn't answer. Then he sent him a message:

Le: Brother Ye, I'm downstairs at your company!

Le: I can't get in. They say I need an appointment. President Zheng, please approve my request! [pitiful.jpg]

There was still no reply after quite a while. Seeing Ning Shile's confusion, the receptionist kindly reminded him, "The president is in a meeting right now, so he might not have time to check his phone. Why don't you take a seat in the lobby for now?"

"Oh, I see." Ning Shile nodded. "Okay, thank you."

Zheng Corporation had many subsidiaries. Its headquarters managed investments and controlled virtual financial markets, and this year it was also attempting to expand into new sectors. Management at headquarters was clearly structured, with ranks ranging from K1 to K30. Bringing such a vast, systematic workforce together naturally left no room for mistakes, so meetings tended to run long.

Ning Shile waited in the lobby for ages without any news. He hadn't slept well the night before, and the longer he sat, the sleepier he became. He curled up at the edge of the sofa, yawning nonstop.

I wonder when Brother Ye will be done.

Ah... I'm so sleepy. Maybe I should take a nap.

Wait... that voice?

Chu Ran had just stepped out of the elevator when he instantly perked up. The moment he heard that voice, he knew Ning Shile was here and immediately followed it.

People moved through the bright, spotless lobby, but Chu Ran spotted Ning Shile at once.

Ning Shile was half-reclining on the sofa, his head lowered and his eyelids drooping. He held his phone and glanced at it now and then, looking utterly listless.

Chu Ran had been looking for Ning Shile these past two days. First, Ning Shile had bought his painting, helping him through a difficult time.

Second, if Ning Shile hadn't casually told him to take the main road that day, he might have been beaten to death in that alley.

Chu Ran strode over and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Startled by the large shadow that suddenly fell over him, Ning Shile looked up to find a man standing before him.

He looks... familiar?

Ning Shile studied his face carefully.

Is that... the protagonist top?

Chu Ran was puzzled. What protagonist top?

"Waiting for someone," Ning Shile answered, then asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Discussing a partnership," Chu Ran said succinctly.

A partnership?

Did Chu Ran ever work with Zheng Corporation?

Surprised, Ning Shile carefully recalled the novel's plot. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

Oh, right! I remember now. Wasn't it that Blue Ocean Project?

Chu Ran frowned slightly.

How did Ning Shile know about the Blue Ocean Project?

Chu Ran had noticed something strange about Ning Shile at their last meeting. First, he'd inexplicably wanted to buy his painting, then he'd warned him not to take the alley. At first, Chu Ran had thought Ning Shile had happened to learn something and come specifically to warn him.

But now it seemed he knew far more than that.

No wonder Chu Ran is the protagonist top. He's really capable! The first major project he took on himself was a huge success!

The Blue Ocean Project even won him the favor of old Mr. Bai Hai, the richest man in Haicheng!

It was Bai Hai's support later on that gave Chu Ran the standing and confidence to contend with Zheng Corporation, even getting the upper hand and reshuffling the Imperial Capital's business world.

Hearing this, Chu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly.

He had indeed been considering approaching Bai Hai.

And getting the upper hand over Zheng Corporation?

In other words, it wasn't certain yet who would ultimately call the shots in the Imperial Capital's business world?

Chu Ran smiled. Things seemed to be getting interesting.

Wasn't this also what made Chu Ran start holding a grudge against Zheng Ye?

Then again, although the Blue Ocean Project succeeded, it also took an enormous amount of time and effort.

At Zheng Corporation's level, they weren't short of money at all. What they lacked was time.

It was perfectly normal to turn Chu Ran down.

Chu Ran didn't know where Ning Shile had learned all this, but every word was accurate. It was as though he had the script in his hands and genuinely knew how the plot would unfold.

So did that mean Ning Shile could be trusted?

And did "protagonist top" mean he was the protagonist of this world?

Chu Ran felt that if he really was, then perhaps Ning Shile was his canon bottom. Otherwise, why would he be able to hear his thoughts?

At that thought, Chu Ran's gaze deepened as he looked at Ning Shile, as though admiring something that belonged to him.

Bright eyes, pearly teeth, delicate and handsome.

Chu Ran's impression of Ning Shile wasn't bad. In fact, he could even say he felt a little attracted to him.

Every smile and frown, along with the contrast between his thoughts and his outward appearance, appealed to Chu Ran immensely.

Since that was the case, Chu Ran certainly didn't mind taking things further. He checked the time and asked, "It's getting late. Have you had lunch?"

"Not yet." Ning Shile sighed, feeling a little aggrieved.

Forget lunch. I haven't even had breakfast!

"Perfect, then." Chu Ran smiled and offered directly, "Come on. I'll treat you to lunch."

"Huh? No, you don't have to." A little embarrassed, Ning Shile waved his hands in refusal.

"It's fine. You helped me, so I ought to thank you." Chu Ran was fairly tall, with sharp features: single-lidded eyes, a high nose bridge, and slightly thin, well-defined lips. When he wasn't smiling, he looked a little fierce.

When he smiled, however, it was like a glacier thawing, as soothing as a spring breeze. Curling his lips, Chu Ran softened his voice as much as possible. "Come on."

Zheng Ye rarely checked his phone, and he always kept it on silent while working. Today, for some reason, an inexplicable impulse made him glance at it.

He found two messages on the screen.

Le: Brother Ye, I'm downstairs at your company!

Le: I can't get in. They say I need an appointment. President Zheng, please approve my request! [pitiful.jpg]

The attached picture showed a cream-colored kitten lying on a sofa, its paws tucked beneath its chin as it gazed pitifully at the camera.

For some reason, Zheng Ye thought of Ning Shile's timid yet curious little expression when he was enjoying gossip. He couldn't help smiling slightly, his eyes softening.

Perhaps even Zheng Ye himself hadn't realized how doting his expression was at that moment.

The subordinate giving his report faltered, startled by the sight.

Zheng Ye actually smiled? Was that real? Had he gone crazy, or had I?

"Assistant Zhang." Zheng Ye tapped his knuckles on the table and spoke in a low voice. "Go downstairs and pick someone up for me. His name is Ning Shile. Just take him to my office."

Wait, what did I just hear? Take him to his office!

The subordinates who had been concentrating on the meeting all looked up, keenly sensing some juicy gossip! How could someone unimportant be allowed into the president's office? Forget outsiders—even K30 executives were forbidden from entering the president's office when he wasn't there.

Yet today, President Zheng had actually invited someone into his office!

So who on earth had that much special treatment!?

Assistant Zhang adjusted his glasses, nodded in acknowledgment, and got up to leave.

The subordinate giving the report watched Assistant Zhang go.

He marveled inwardly. No wonder he's the special assistant. He just goes to fetch the person without asking a single question. Not a shred of curiosity.

"Are you finished?" Zheng Ye suddenly asked, looking calmly at the man at the front.

The subordinate sucked in a frightened breath, shook his head repeatedly, and continued his report.

Before long, Assistant Zhang returned. He leaned close to Zheng Ye's ear and quietly said a few words.

Zheng Ye's brows drew together slightly, but he said nothing.

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly turned cold.

The subordinate at the front felt his heart leap into his throat. As he looked at his PowerPoint, he wondered where he'd gone wrong. He stumbled over his words and lost his place, until even his legs began to shake.

"That's enough," Zheng Ye suddenly said. He stood, his expression dark. "We'll stop here for now. The second half of the meeting is postponed."

With that, he strode out without looking back.