Chapter Twelve: Are You Following Me?

"Chuan Zhi, what brings you here?"
Seeing Sun Chuan Zhi, Lan Ruoxue's delicate brows knitted slightly.
Sun Chuan Zhi deliberately drew a little closer and smiled. "Of course, I've come to congratulate you."
"Everyone here tonight is from high society—I know most of them. Maybe I can help you build some connections."
Hearing this, Lan Ruoxue's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Chuan Zhi, you're too kind."
"Earlier, I asked Xu Wei to speak with you, but you insisted on informing your family, and in the end, it was you who calmed your brother down."
"If things had really escalated, both our families would have lost face. Thank you."
Sun Chuan Zhi laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "Ruoxue, you’re being too formal. My brother is about to marry your sister. From now on, we’re family—there’s no need to stand on ceremony."
He smiled generously, unconcerned.
In truth, when he'd heard his brother had been beaten, his temper would never have let Ye Wushang off so easily!
But since the divorce, in a moment like this, offering Lan Ruoxue a hand was the perfect opportunity to draw closer to her.
From the first moment he laid eyes on Lan Ruoxue, he was utterly captivated.
He'd sworn then and there that she would be the only woman he would ever marry.
For the sake of lifelong happiness, his brother's grievance could wait.
"Young Master Sun speaks wisely," Xu Wei chimed in with a flattering smile.
"If Miss Ruoshuang marries Young Master Long, and you and President Lan also tie the knot, it would be double the joy."
Sun Chuan Zhi was delighted, almost laughing out loud.
But Lan Ruoxue shot Xu Wei a glare, warning her not to speak recklessly.
She was grateful for Sun Chuan Zhi's help, but at the moment her only focus was her career—marriage was out of the question for now.
As for Sun Chuan Zhi, she regarded him solely as a friend, and that only because of their business interests.
"By the way, Chuan Zhi, you mentioned congratulations for getting the An family’s agency rights—what did you mean by that?"
Returning to the matter at hand, she was here tonight precisely for the agency rights.
But up to now, she hadn't even secured the qualifications to participate in the auction.
Only by sitting at that auction table would she have a shot at competing for the agency.
She’d pulled many strings, yet received no response.
Sun Chuan Zhi's smile didn't falter. He replied casually:
"I'm well acquainted with the guild's secretary-general. I'll get you the auction qualifications in a moment!"
"When it comes time to compete, I'll use my father's connections to help your Lan family win the agency rights. Isn't that reason enough for congratulations?"

"Really?"
Xu Wei's eyes widened in disbelief.
Lan Ruoxue's breath came quick and fast with excitement. "Chuan Zhi, you're not joking? You really can get the auction qualification?"
"Of course."
Sun Chuan Zhi straightened with pride, his face full of arrogance. "The secretary-general is a close friend of mine. It’s just a word from me."
"As for the agency rights, it’s a bit more complicated, but my father and Master An Qingguo are on good terms. It shouldn’t be a problem."
Hearing his confirmation, Lan Ruoxue was overjoyed.
If she could secure the agency rights, with the advantage of resources and the An family’s name, the Lan Group was certain to rise to new heights!
She could barely contain her excitement, thanking him repeatedly, "Thank you, Chuan Zhi, you’re helping me so much—I really don’t know how to thank you enough…"
"As I said, we’re family—no need for such words. Who are we, if not close?"
Sun Chuan Zhi's gaze drifted over her, lingering on her alluring figure that, to him, was as tempting as a ripe peach, stirring his desires. He teased, "But if you really want to thank me, just invite me to dinner.
I hear your cooking is excellent, and I’ve just got a new set of high-end kitchenware at home.
A good horse deserves a fine saddle—pair your skills with my tools, and I can already taste the delicacies."
At this, Lan Ruoxue frowned slightly.
If this worked out, she would indeed owe him a great debt.
Cooking for him would be no big deal, but going to his house…
With propriety between men and women, and her lack of deeper feelings for him, it didn’t seem appropriate.
She was still wondering how to politely decline when her vision darkened and she frowned, "Why is he here?"
In the crowd, Ye Wushang had just stepped out of a taxi and was heading straight toward the clubhouse entrance.
Xu Wei raised her brows, and upon seeing Ye Wushang, could not help but sneer.
"That loser is as persistent as a fly—he turns up everywhere.
No doubt he followed us here in secret.
President Lan, he’s probably after a reconciliation—don’t you dare say yes."
"Ruoxue, marriage is not a child’s game. You must be careful. You can’t fall into the same pit twice," Sun Chuan Zhi added, trying to dissuade her.
He’d just made his move and Lan Ruoxue seemed about to agree.
As long as she came to his house, he was certain he could win her over.
But who would have thought that wretch would show up and ruin everything!
"I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry."
Reconciliation was out of the question.
With Sun Chuan Zhi's help, she would secure the An family agency rights, and the Lan family would only grow stronger.

But he had chosen to be idle and unambitious; someone with his temperament was utterly unsuited for her.
Still, after having been married and given that her sister had smashed a pillar in his family home, she felt a twinge of guilt and wanted to set things straight.
After all, her grandfather had been explicit—
If she didn’t bring him back to see her grandfather, her position as president could be at risk at any time!
"Wushang, stop looking—I’m over here."
Seeing Ye Wushang looking around, Lan Ruoxue walked up quickly and said, "I called you earlier and you didn’t answer.
Now you’re following me in secret—I really don’t know what goes on in your head."
Ye Wushang was taken aback.
He hadn’t expected to run into her here.
She was truly self-absorbed, assuming he’d come for her.
After yesterday’s phone call, he’d already given up on her.
He was actually looking for An Lan, who’d asked him to be her bodyguard, but now she was nowhere in sight.
She wasn’t answering calls or responding to messages—he had no idea what she was up to.
"Who said I’m here for you?"
Ye Wushang’s tone was indifferent.
At this, Xu Wei stepped forward, her voice dripping with disdain. "Still pretending after being caught—how disgusting.
Everyone here tonight is a prominent figure in Jinghan. Besides President Lan, who else would you know?
If you’re not here for her, are you here to be a waiter?"
She crossed her arms and looked him up and down, mocking, "Even to be a waiter, there are standards.
Have you ever looked in a mirror? Your whole outfit isn’t worth more than two hundred yuan. Do you even qualify?
Everyone here tonight is someone important—any one of them could crush you with a snap of their fingers.
With your kind of look, who would want you? Don’t go provoking the wrong person—you might not even know how you died. Just get lost!"
With that, Xu Wei impatiently moved to shove him away.
But before she could touch Ye Wushang, he suddenly lashed out, delivering a stinging slap across her face!
"Say what you will, but keep your hands to yourself.
Touch me again, and I'll kill you!"
…