Chapter 106: She Doesn't Like

Outside the door, Ah Kuan had been waiting for Ran Mianmian to come out, hoping to gossip with her. Who would have thought that after Ruan and Laoda entered the room, they still hadn't come out for a long time.

When midnight arrived, Ran Mianmian had not emerged from Jiang Ce's room yet, and Ah Kuan had not noticed anything amiss. After all, both were night owls.

But when two o'clock in the morning came, Ran Mianmian still had not left Jiang Ce's room. Ah Kuan suddenly seemed to understand something.

The next morning, Ah Kuan had been guarding the second-floor staircase early and witnessed Ran Mianmian slowly walking out of Laoda's room.

"Ran Ge!"

Ah Kuan sprang up excitedly from the ground, nearly scaring Ran Mianmian out of her wits.

"What are you doing? Why scare someone so early in the morning?"

"Hehehe!"

Ah Kuan's face lit up with excitement as he leaned in close and whispered, "Has the rice been cooked?"

That expectant little gaze made Ran Mianmian unable to feign ignorance.

Her cheeks flushed scarlet, and she shook her head.

Almost, but no.

Ah Kuan froze, his face full of doubt. "No way? No way? You two sleep on the same bed, do you just chat under the quilt? So innocent?"

Is your self-control locked tighter than Fort Knox, or did you stack a super buff on it?

"......"

Ran Mianmian shot him a disgusted look and asked, "Can you use different words?"

"Is changing words the main point?"

"The main point is no—don't overthink it!"

Ran Mianmian waved her hand and slipped away from Ah Kuan's side as if nothing had happened, retreating to her own room.

But the moment she stepped inside, Ran Mianmian's legs gave out. She leaned against the door, face burning red, clearly still shaken.

Last night, she had nearly lost control...

Ran Mianmian was clearly embarrassed.

Outside, Ah Kuan remained puzzled and soon saw Ran Mianmian change her clothes in a hurry, then rush downstairs.

Ah Kuan chased after her. "Ran Ge, why are you rushing out like this?"

"To work!"

"The time's still early. Why not eat breakfast first?"

"I won't eat!"

Ran Mianmian fled like someone was chasing her, terrified of losing a second. She dashed out, waving her hands.

Ah Kuan stared at her retreating figure, emotions swirling. Why was Ran Ge so guilty?

Had the rice been cooked or not?

Behind him, the door clicked shut and opened again. Ah Kuan whipped around.

Only to find Jiang Ce standing in the doorway, face etched with resentment, eyes coldly staring at the empty hallway.

"Laoda, what's this?"

Ah Kuan hesitated.

Jiang Ce glanced at him, ice-cold expression unchanged, and countered, "Can't you tell?"

Then Jiang Ce turned and slammed the door with a thud.

Ah Kuan gnawed on his finger, cursing inwardly: He's still not satisfied!

No wonder Ran Ge ran so fast—did she turn him down?

Sigh, truly undisciplined!

Ran Mianmian rushed to the office. Since it was still early, she stopped at a quiet breakfast shop and ate a simple meal.

Passersby noticed her flushed cheeks and assumed she had a summer fever.

Ran Mianmian ate while covering half her face, hoping the blush would fade quickly.

When time was right, she left the shop and entered the company building.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the design department, her workstation was surrounded.

"What are you all doing?"

Ran Mianmian stood behind them and asked softly.

"Director, here's a bouquet for you!"

A bouquet? What bouquet?

Ran Mianmian approached with suspicion. Reaching the desk, she found a beautifully wrapped bouquet of white roses.

"Who sent it?"

Ran Mianmian picked it up for a closer look, wondering who would bother sending flowers.

"We saw it already placed here when we arrived. We didn't catch who brought it."

Ran Mianmian grew even more puzzled.

She inspected it closely, but no card or signature adorned the bouquet.

Whoever sent it would remain a mystery for now.

"Everyone, back to work."

Ran Mianmian placed the bouquet aside with a cool expression and paid it little mind.

"Wow! What a lovely bouquet! Director, you bought flowers for the office? Your mood must be fantastic today—did last night's date do it?"

When Xiang Nuan saw the flowers on the desk, she teased lightly.

Sure enough, the mention of "date" drew every head around, eyes filled with mischief.

Ran Mianmian curved her lips and smiled. "What date? This bouquet is for you."

"For me? Really?"

Xiang Nuan looked genuinely startled for a moment. But seeing the others' reactions, she knew the director was joking.

"Never mind the flowers. Feeling better now?"

Ran Mianmian changed the subject and asked Xiang Nuan a few questions.

Last night had been terrifying. The young girl had probably been frightened.

Xiang Nuan sat back down and thanked Ran Mianmian again. "I'm fine now. Thanks to you, it's all good."

After a night's rest, Xiang Nuan looked refreshed. Ran Mianmian could relax.

"I'm glad you're well."

Xiang Nuan nodded and turned her attention back to the bouquet.

"I remember there's an empty glass vase in the tea room. Shall I put the flowers in it? They'll stay fresh."

"Whatever you prefer."

Ran Mianmian didn't care.

Xiang Nuan busied herself happily.

"Director, here's the briefing for today's meeting. Please review it."

Ran Mianmian looked up at the voice. It was Duan Lingyue.

"Alright, thank you."

Ran Mianmian accepted the papers and glanced at them, noting they concerned the company's next phase of cooperation with Kaiyue Group.

"When is the meeting?"

"Ten o'clock."

Still early.

Ran Mianmian nodded, and Duan Lingyue turned to Wang Yue's office.

Duan Lingyue personally delivering the briefing indicated the Kaiyue Group partnership was taken very seriously.

Ran Mianmian opened a drawer to store the papers and noticed a red velvet jewelry box lying quietly inside.

This...

Was this from Jian Zhiyan?

Ran Mianmian suddenly recalled.

Wasn't this the ring Jian Zhiyan had given her?

She had refused it before, yet he had secretly placed it in her drawer.

In that case, the bouquet must also be from him?

"Director, what do you think of this vase?"

Xiang Nuan had arranged the bouquet inside the glass vessel, looking eager for praise as she smiled at Ran Mianmian.

Ran Mianmian stared at the bouquet, knowing it came from Jian Zhiyan, and instantly felt annoyed.

"I don't like this flower much. Put it on your desk."

Xiang Nuan looked disappointed. "Such beautiful white roses, and the director doesn't like them? What a waste."

Ran Mianmian smiled without replying.

No matter how exquisite the bouquet, anything from Jian Zhiyan was unwelcome.