Chapter Fifteen: You Deserve Nothing But Leftovers!

Watching Sun Chuanzi step aside to make a phone call, Lan Ruoxue felt uneasy and whispered, “Xu Wei, do you think Sun Chuanzi can handle it?”

“Of course,” Xu Wei replied confidently, trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry, President Lan. Young Master Sun is the heir of a second-tier family—who would dare deny him face? Even the secretary general of the family association has to show him respect. And, in all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him fail to get something done. Honestly, President Lan, Sun Chuanzi is such a good catch—if you ask me, you should just get together with him.”

She had been bought over by Sun Chuanzi years ago, and whenever there was a chance, she tried to play matchmaker between the two. He’d promised her that if she could bring them together, he’d give her whatever she wanted—money, power, anything.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Lan Ruoxue shot her a glare. She and Sun Chuanzi were just ordinary friends—at most, because of her sister’s relationship with him, they could be considered relatives. As for anything else, she wasn’t interested. Since divorcing Ye Wushang, she had devoted herself to her business and had no intention of pursuing romance.

“If it works out, that would be ideal,” she said. “But if it doesn’t—”

“Young Master Sun!” Xu Wei’s eyes suddenly lit up as she saw Sun Chuanzi walking back with a triumphant smile. “How did it go? What did the secretary general say?”

“No problem at all,” Sun Chuanzi said, waving his phone with a satisfied grin. “Just a phone call. I’m to wait in the lobby, and someone will bring over the auction qualification certificate shortly.”

“Really?” Xu Wei’s eyes widened.

Lan Ruoxue couldn’t conceal her excitement either, and she thanked him gratefully. “Thank you, Chuanzi. This An family agency is crucial for both me and the Lan family’s future. If I get the qualification, there’s a real chance I can secure the agency. If that happens, I—”

“It’s nothing, Ruoxue. Helping you is my duty,” Sun Chuanzi said, stepping closer. The fragrance she wore was intoxicating, like fine wine aged in a cellar. He licked his lips. “But as I’ve said before, if you really want to thank me, cook me a meal. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Lan Ruoxue’s expression shifted. She wasn’t ready for that at all, and as she hesitated, a call came from the entrance, inviting the guests inside.

“Chuanzi, let’s talk about it later. We should go in first. I still don’t know when that qualification will arrive, and I need to prepare so I can present myself well to the An family.”

With that, she hurried inside.

Sun Chuanzi’s face darkened, but Xu Wei quickly tried to comfort him. “Don’t lose heart, Young Master Sun. Keep at it. I know President Lan—if she didn’t say no, it means yes. Once you get her the auction qualification and help her win the agency, she’ll be yours for sure.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Sun Chuanzi chuckled. “Our deal still stands—help me win Ruoxue over, and whatever you want, it’s yours.”

“Just wait and see!” Xu Wei beamed, pulling him along as they headed into the hall.

—

Inside the hall, Ye Wushang instinctively withdrew his arm.

An Lan smiled awkwardly, apologizing, “I’m sorry, Mr. Ye. Did I overdo the act just now?”

“Not at all,” Ye Wushang replied, not wanting to appear ungrateful. “You helped me out, and I appreciate it. But, well, it’s better if we keep a bit of distance—men and women shouldn’t get too close…”

“Mr. Ye, you saved me and my grandfather, and now you’re my bodyguard tonight—at the very least, we’re friends, aren’t we? Keeping a little distance is fine, but I have a request, and I hope you’ll agree.”

An Lan blinked, her eyes bright and expressive, as if they could speak. To be honest, it was quite bewitching.

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Ye Wushang said, deliberately avoiding her gaze.

“Since we’re friends, it feels too formal to keep calling you ‘Mr. Ye.’ If possible, can I call you by your name, Wushang, like I did just now?”

Ye Wushang hesitated. After all, she’d helped him out; it would seem rude to refuse her over something so trivial.

“No problem. You can call me Wushang from now on.”

“Really?” An Lan lit up like a child, smiling. “Then you can call me Lanlan, too. That sounds more like friends, doesn’t it?”

“I—”

“By the way, Wushang, I think we acted together pretty well just now. Actually, why don’t we just make it real and pretend to be a couple? Wouldn’t your ex-wife be furious if we really got together?”

Ye Wushang’s expression changed, and he said sternly, “Lanlan, that’s enough.”

“I was just joking, trying to liven things up. Don’t be so serious—it’s not a good look…”

“President An! President An!” At that moment, a sharply dressed assistant hurried over and handed An Lan a folder. “Here’s the list for tonight’s charity auction. The secretary general asked you to review it—some substitute names were just submitted. Please check if there are any issues.”

An Lan nodded, leafed through the pages, and suddenly frowned. “Lan Group, Lan Ruoxue?”

She knew exactly who that was, and turned to Ye Wushang. “Don’t worry, Wushang. I’ll make sure she doesn’t get her way. She wants to compete for the An family agency? Not a chance!”

With that, she picked up her pen, ready to strike out the name.

“Lanlan,” Ye Wushang stopped her, shaking his head. “Leave her on. Business is business. Even though we’re divorced, there’s still a bond, and I know Lan Ruoxue—she’s capable. Let’s keep her on the list and see how she does. If she’s actually good for your family’s interests, working together wouldn’t be so bad.”

An Lan looked at him in surprise. She hadn’t expected Ye Wushang to be so loyal and considerate, even after everything his ex-wife had put him through. He still thought of her interests. She felt a surge of indignation on his behalf, but at the same time, she saw his kindness and integrity—even to his ex-wife, he wouldn’t kick someone when they were down. Capable and good-hearted—wasn’t this exactly the kind of man she’d always been looking for?

Suddenly, her heart stirred again, more fiercely than before.

“All right, we’ll keep her on,” An Lan said, taking a deep breath and returning the folder. “But not a word of this to anyone.”

“Yes, President An.” The assistant left.

An Lan was about to say more, but Ye Wushang waved it off. “Lanlan, let’s talk business. You asked me to be your bodyguard tonight. My job is to keep you safe, so just tell me what you need.”

An Lan smiled. “It’s not that serious. I have competitors, but I don’t know if they’ll show up or try to cause trouble. I want you to lead Baldy and his team, patrol the hall, check everywhere. If nothing happens, great. If something does, act as you see fit.”

Just then, Baldy and a dozen men hurried over.

“President An.”

“From now on, Wushang is in charge of security tonight,” she announced. “You’ll follow his orders exactly. If you disobey or mess around, you’ll answer to me!”

Baldy and his men looked displeased, but didn’t protest. They all nodded. “Don’t worry, President An, we’ll do as Mr. Ye says.”

“Good. Wushang, I’ll be busy for a bit. If anything comes up, call me.” With that, An Lan turned and left.

Ye Wushang called after her, “Security is fine, but what about what I asked for?”

“Don’t worry, I brought the Hanlong herb. As soon as the banquet ends, it’s yours.”

With that arranged, An Lan walked off, and Baldy and his men began patrolling under Ye Wushang’s direction. Their focus was on watching for suspicious guests and checking the food and drinks—open violence was unlikely, but sabotage, especially with food, needed attention.

“He’s all right in a fight, but security? He’s no match for our Iron Hands.”

“He’d better hope there’s no trouble. If the Jiaolong group tries anything, you think he can handle it? Might as well forget it.”

“Enough talking. He’s President An’s favorite right now—we can’t afford to offend him.”

The men went about their duties, but their whispered complaints didn’t escape Ye Wushang’s notice. He ignored most of it, but one name caught his attention.

“Jiaolong?”

He remembered Lan Ruoxue mentioning a Jiaolong Group in Jinghan City—a formidable presence. Could they be An Lan’s competitors?

He couldn’t figure it out, so he put it aside and continued his inspection. Coming to a table, he noticed something odd about the dishes. Just as he reached out to check, a familiar mocking voice sounded behind him.

“Useless! If you want a free meal, just wait your turn! None of us guests have eaten yet, and you dare touch the food? Don’t you know you’re only fit to eat leftovers?”

…