Chapter 20: Fine, Have It Your Way

Inside the private dining room, exquisite dishes were laid out across the table as the three of them sat around it.

"Come, try this fish. It's their signature dish."

Liu Ruyan picked up a piece of fish and placed it in Lin Mo's bowl, speaking with a beaming smile.

At this moment, Lin Mo was starting to feel a bit flustered again, but fortunately, Yuan Meng gave him a punch from the side.

"Hey, everyone in the company knows Mo-zai is with me. Go flirt somewhere else!" Yuan Meng glared at Liu Ruyan and spat out the words indignantly.

She simply couldn't stand Liu Ruyan's flirtatious manner; it made her feel dull, like an underage child.

Of course, one could also interpret it as jealousy. Yes, pure jealousy.

After all, whether in terms of figure or looks, Liu Ruyan was top-tier. Although Yuan Meng expressed nothing but disdain, privately, she was likely incredibly envious—she just had too much pride to admit it.

"What kind of talk is that? I'm classmates with his cousin. Logically speaking, it wouldn't be an issue if he called me 'Sister.' I'm just serving my younger brother some food; why are you in such a rush? Right, little brother? That day when you and your cousin drank too much, I was the one in the backseat holding you and patting your back!"

Liu Ruyan glanced at Yuan Meng before turning back to Lin Mo. She omitted the fact that she had heard it was her best friend's brother that night, and since he was quite handsome, she had leaned in and given him a kiss.

She had thought it was just a chance encounter; had she known they would meet again, she never would have gone for it. How embarrassing would that have been?

"Haha... you guys talk. I'm just here for the free meal, don't mind me," Lin Mo quickly switched into "eating mode." It was best not to get involved in such topics.

"Shameless! Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're somewhat good-looking. Do you think this is a novel? 'Is Your Sister Returning?' where every man loves you?"

Hearing this, Yuan Meng grew even angrier. She hadn't believed Lin Mo at first, but she hadn't expected it to actually be true.

"Heh~ With looks like mine, even if it were a novel, I'd definitely be the protagonist, Liu Ruyan," Liu Ruyan replied with immense confidence. This was, of course, a result of her life experiences growing up, which had indeed been quite colorful.

"Hmph. But speaking of which, the whole company is a mess right now. If you don't want to deal with it, you might as well just close it down early. It's just a subsidiary anyway; it's not a big deal for your family," Yuan Meng decided to steer the conversation back to business.

Even though she didn't get along with Liu Ruyan and didn't care much for the job, it was nonetheless a decent place to enjoy some peace and quiet. Furthermore, despite her annoyance, she had noticed problems within the company and felt the need to provide a warning; after all, the relationship between the two families was still decent.

"If I didn't want to deal with it, why would I come here?" Liu Ruyan took a sip of water and continued. "Actually, we noticed some signs since the beginning of this year. Not only has profitability declined, but investment costs have also increased significantly. However, Yang Chuan is a veteran of the company, so it wouldn't be easy for my family to say anything about him managing the branch. It just so happens that my family feels I've gained enough experience, so they sent me here to test the waters."

Yuan Meng tapped her fingers on the table, frowning. "So, you're saying Uncle Liu is too embarrassed to step forward himself and is using your hand to do it?"

Liu Ruyan nodded. "Exactly. There's a long-standing relationship there. If my father stepped in, it would inevitably seem cold and heartless."

"I see. Then why haven't you shown your face at the company for so many days? Why not investigate?" Yuan Meng asked, somewhat puzzled.

Liu Ruyan was almost laughed into anger. "What use would I be at the company? Most people there are his men. As for the investigation, since I've come here, I've already made arrangements. I just need to wait for the news. Besides, you don't seriously think I'm unaware of what's been happening in the company lately, do you?"

"You did it on purpose?"

"Otherwise? If I were at the company every day, they wouldn't lose their composure so easily. It's only because I'm doing nothing that they'll start making mistakes themselves."

"Tch~ You capitalists have black hearts," Yuan Meng said with disdain.

Liu Ruyan didn't mind. In business, there is no such thing as an honest merchant; a "sweet and innocent" person without any tricks would have been devoured long ago.

"You're talking about me? Aren't you the same?"

"Hey! Don't slander me. I'm not a capitalist. At most, I'm just a rich second generation—the kind that's idle and wasteful," Yuan Meng retorted.

"You're quite proud of that."

"Damn right!"

Liu Ruyan:...

Listening to their conversation, Lin Mo, who was busy eating, felt as if he were listening to a divine text. As expected, there was a massive generational and class gap.

"Hey? Little brother, why do I feel like your face looks even more tender?" As she spoke, Liu Ruyan reached out to pinch his cheek, then added in confusion, "You aren't wearing any makeup, are you?"

Lin Mo felt like he was being teased again, but he had no proof.

"Ahem," Yuan Meng coughed twice, lifting her chin and looking at Liu Ruyan with a boastful expression.

"What are you doing? If you're sick, go get treated," Liu Ruyan snapped.

Yuan Meng's face flushed. She gritted her teeth and said, "Can't you see any difference in me? I'm not wearing any makeup today, you know?"

As a woman, Liu Ruyan could naturally tell, and she had noticed it from the moment they walked in. Moreover, her own skin was quite good; being wealthy, she was willing to spend on her appearance. However, since work required effort, she had started wearing makeup after graduation; even now, she was wearing light makeup.

If only one of them had suddenly developed better skin, Liu Ruyan wouldn't have suspected anything. But since both of them had shown significant changes in a short period, she knew things were definitely not simple.

Compared to Yuan Meng, she felt Lin Mo would be easier to break through.

"It's alright, I guess. I still think little brother's face is more tender. With this look, if you weren't his cousin, I might actually be interested," Liu Ruyan said, staring intently at Lin Mo. Her eyes seemed to have hooks in them, as if the "Empress of Smoke and Mist" had possessed her.

"I... I am..." A pure-hearted college student who hadn't even graduated could not withstand such a gaze. His already clean face turned even redder—it was a visible, rapid flush.

Seeing this, Yuan Meng realized something was wrong. That useless little black dog was acting up again. Just when she finally had something to use against the other woman, how could Liu Ruyan not see the secret?

She immediately gave Lin Mo two kicks under the table, then stood up abruptly, pulling him along.

"Well, we've eaten enough, so we'll be heading off. You handle the company matters as you see fit."

Snapping out of it, Lin Mo hurriedly stood up, intending to follow "God Yuan" out, but in the next second, his hand was caught by Liu Ruyan.

"Xiao Mo, look at my face. I've looked quite haggard lately. Do you have any ideas? Tell me~"

Liu Ruyan's eyes appeared slightly shy, and her tone was incredibly soft. As she spoke, she actually leaned her face closer to him.

Looking at the beautiful face right before his eyes, Lin Mo couldn't help but swallow hard. Just as he was about to speak, a sharp pain shot through his arm.

He turned his head to see Yuan Meng frantically signaling him with her eyes.

"Uh, that... let's talk about it another day. Another day!"

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan pretended to be stunned for a moment, then bit her lip. "Fine, as you wish!"

Lin Mo:???

Yuan Meng: @#￥%……&*

(End of Chapter)