Chapter 24: Acquaintances

The time for applying the medicine was clearly only two minutes, but for Lin Luan, it felt like a whole year had passed.

He didn’t even want to talk about the softness of Su Jin sitting on his lower back; ever since he’d asked whether she was really helping him apply the medicine, the woman had acted as if she’d taken the wrong medication herself, inexplicably starting to jab his bruises hard with the cotton swab, making Lin Luan hurt quite a bit.

But it was finally over.

Lin Luan fumbled as he sat up, the blindfold still on his face. Without Su Jin’s instructions, he wouldn’t take it off.

Su Jin quickly tidied up the medical kit, as if that brief moment of gentleness had never existed. She cleared her throat, crossed her arms, and once again put on her usual haughty demeanor.

Although Lin Luan, still blindfolded, couldn’t see any of this.

“Listen up, Lin Puppy.” Su Jin’s tone returned to businesslike formality. “The important ‘Jinse Technology’ meeting you delayed last time has been rescheduled for today at three in the afternoon.”

“This time, there will be media on site broadcasting live. It’s also your first public appearance as my boyfriend. My father will be watching too. Do you understand what I mean?”

Lin Luan nodded slightly in the darkness behind the blindfold.

“Yes, Miss Su Jin. I’ll do my best and absolutely won’t let you down.”

“I hope you remember that clearly.”

“I’ll take it seriously, Miss Su Jin.”

Lin Luan meant every word. After all, this meeting was the real start of his ‘rented boyfriend’ job—he had to show his worth at the meeting.

Before? Before, he could only be considered a manservant.

“Hmph, you’d better.” Su Jin snorted softly.

After receiving Lin Luan’s assurance, her heart felt a bit more at ease.

It definitely wasn’t because Lin Luan seemed reliable, so if he promised, he’d surely pull it off! Who needed his promise, anyway!

“All right, all right, you haven’t even been properly fitted for a real set of clothes. I’ll take you shopping.” Su Jin clapped her hands and snapped her fingers. “Song Li—”

“Miss, I’m here.”

Song Li appeared in front of the two at a speed that could be called teleportation.

“Start the car. We’re going to get him a suit.”

“Yes, Miss.”

It was a weekday morning, and the roads of Chang City were almost deserted.

After driving for only a short while, Song Li parked the Bugatti Veyron in front of a brightly lit building.

Lin Luan glanced up at the store’s name. It was a string of flowery English letters—he worked hard to recognize what they spelled.

[Brioni]

Brioni. Lin Luan knew this place—he’d done his homework in advance.

This was Rome’s top bespoke suit brand, known as the ‘power suit.’ The level of craftsmanship was exceptional, beloved by politicians and the wealthy alike.

Just one suit here would cost him months’ living expenses. In the past, he wouldn’t have dared even to look inside, let alone buy anything.

But now he really was here.

What the—?!

“Get out.” In the front passenger seat, Su Jin put on sunglasses and opened the door.

Lin Luan didn’t ask any unnecessary questions. He quickly got out and followed Su Jin’s lead.

Su Jin led Lin Luan into the store like she’d done it a hundred times.

The clerk, a young woman in a black uniform, greeted them with a professional smile as soon as they entered. “How may I help you?”

“Find him a suitable formal suit for a company meeting.” Su Jin pointed at Lin Luan.

“This way, please.” The clerk bowed slightly and led the way deeper into the racks. Su Jin followed right behind.

Lin Luan trailed along, step for step, feeling like a little shadow tagging after her.

As they walked, Su Jin casually flipped through the hangers, taking out shirts and suits and holding them up to Lin Luan for comparison.

Lin Luan was like a puppet, letting her move him around. Occasionally, he could smell Su Jin’s perfume as she came close.

“Try this one.” Su Jin shoved a black suit into his arms and pushed him into the fitting room.

***

Inside the fitting room, Lin Luan sighed. To be honest, he couldn’t tell the difference between these suits, nor why they cost so much.

He glanced at the price tag. Sure enough, it was an astronomical number.

Oh well, it’s not my money, anyway.

Lin Luan put on the suit and stepped out. To his surprise, it fit perfectly—no need for the clerk to fetch another size.

Su Jin crossed her arms and circled him, inspecting him from head to toe.

“Turn around so I can see.”

Lin Luan obediently spun in a circle.

“Mm, clothes make the man, just as a saddle makes the horse.” Su Jin nodded in satisfaction. “Now you finally look like you could be my boyfriend.”

Meanwhile, the clerk thoughtfully pushed over a mirror.

“Sir, would you like to take a look?”

Lin Luan looked into the mirror. The man reflected back at him wore a sharp suit and shiny shoes, and there wasn’t the slightest sense of awkwardness in the fit.

He didn’t know when it started, but he’d gotten used to wearing these expensive suits—as if he’d always been meant to dress like this.

Maybe he’d just gotten too used to being Su Jin’s manservant.

“This set will do.” Su Jin pulled a black credit card from her wallet and handed it to the clerk.

“Yes, Miss Su.” The clerk received it with both hands.

Lin Luan watched as Su Jin paid and signed with practiced ease, smooth as flowing water.

Truly, a rich woman is in a class of her own. Spending that kind of money without batting an eye.

Lin Luan didn’t bother to play the curious child and ask Su Jin if she ever felt bad about spending money like that. There was a saying that went something like… what was it…

‘I kill without batting an eye—so why would I care if my eyes are dry?’

It probably applied to Su Jin paying right now, too.

“What are you spacing out for?” Su Jin’s words pulled Lin Luan’s drifting soul back. She tucked away her card and tossed some warranty cards and bags to Song Li. “Let’s go, next store.”

“There’s another one?” Lin Luan blinked in surprise.

“Of course. You still need matching shirts and a bowtie.” Su Jin knocked Lin Luan on the head. “And! Don’t answer my questions with another question!”

***

Three o’clock in the afternoon.

Jinse Technology, company penthouse.

The meeting was held in the company’s top-floor banquet hall.

Lin Luan followed Su Jin through the doors, and was immediately struck by the scene before him.

There weren’t any artificial lights that Lin Luan could see—the entire hall was built under a huge glass dome.

The afternoon sun at three o’clock shone down from above, but Lin Luan didn’t feel hot at all—he guessed there were several powerful air conditioners hidden somewhere.

At the center of the banquet hall stood a massive ancient tree, obviously transplanted there on purpose. Lin Luan couldn’t tell what kind of tree it was—he just knew its leaves looked very green.

The hall was alive with guests, men in black evening suits and women in all manner of gowns chatting and laughing quietly. The air was filled with the scent of perfume and champagne.

Beneath the ancient tree was something like a stage, where a small band played soothing jazz music.

Lin Luan was stunned.

Is this really how big companies hold meetings? Or do I just not understand the meaning of the word ‘meeting’? What is this?

“Every year, our company invites the CEOs of Chang City’s leading firms to this event. It’s really more of a networking gathering—you can think of it as a university mixer.”

Su Jin gently patted Lin Luan’s back. “So, how do you feel? Not nervous anymore, right?”

“Uh… Miss Su Jin, I never went to university.” Lin Luan turned to look at her.

Today, Su Jin wore a black evening gown, dotted with white glitter like the Milky Way, drawing admiring glances wherever she went.

“Talk back to me again and I’ll dock your pay.” Su Jin smiled faintly.

“Sorry.”

Su Jin ignored Lin Luan, slipping seamlessly into her work mode. She unceremoniously took his arm and led him into the banquet hall.

The attendant at the door clearly recognized Su Jin—he just nodded and wrote down Su Jin and Lin Luan’s names.

“Where are we going now?” Lin Luan asked softly, putting on a proper manner.

“Let’s get something to drink first.” Su Jin’s long dress trailed behind her as she pulled Lin Luan toward a long table covered in champagne towers. “The meeting will start soon—just wait.”

With Su Jin leading him by the hand, Lin Luan couldn’t wander anywhere on his own. He could only follow behind her, like a retainer trailing after a queen on her rounds.

Well, that’s pretty much what his position actually was.

At the table, Lin Luan glanced over the champagne and picked up a glass, twirling it in his hand.

He didn’t know how to taste wine, let alone appreciate it. Still, since he was here, he might as well have a sip. He brought the champagne to his lips.

Just as Lin Luan was wondering whether this kind of wine was meant to be downed in one gulp, a small commotion came from the entrance.

He turned to look, just as another pair entered.

The man wore a well-tailored white suit trimmed with gold at the collar and cuffs, exuding a refined, elite air.

The woman wore a blazing red gown—she looked like a living flame.

After they entered, a nearby attendant stepped up to record their names.

“Miss, may I ask your name?”

“Xià Wǎn Yú.”

Lin Luan took a sip of champagne and looked away.

Just another normal pair of social elites. Nothing much to see. Better to keep his eyes on his own boss, Su Jin.

“And you, sir?” the attendant continued.

Lin Luan set his empty glass back on the table. The champagne was fine, but to him, it was just pearls before swine—he couldn’t tell the difference.

He figured serving him this kind of liquor was a bit of a waste.

“Chen Siye.”

Lin Luan froze.

Who?