Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 458: Bootlicker

Chapter 458: Chapter 458: Bootlicker

Ruan Hongzhuang invited Hong Wenqing and Luo Gaoyuan to sit down. Taozi poured water for them and then sat down beside them.

Since Hong Wenqing started talking, Luo Gaoyuan had been eyeing him and Ruan Hongzhuang.

Now, after sitting down, he couldn’t help but ask, "Are President Ruan and Shen Siyuan very familiar?"

Hong Wenqing glanced at Ruan Hongzhuang upon hearing this.

As someone pursuing her, and with the next year’s import-export orders to negotiate, the best choice would either be to deny her relationship with Shen Siyuan altogether or give an ambiguous answer, leaving Luo Gaoyuan hanging to secure the order first.

However, clearly, Ruan Hongzhuang was not an ordinary woman. Naturally, it’s also because she had the confidence to flip the table if needed.

Thus, she made no attempt to hide and said, "He’s my boyfriend."

Although he had some vague suspicions, upon hearing this, Luo Gaoyuan’s face turned extremely pale.

He had been pursuing Ruan Hongzhuang for several years, but she was incredibly hard to chase, with many competitors. So he thought to use work as a means for more contact and communication with her.

He stared blankly at Ruan Hongzhuang, his lips twitching as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words, feeling choked.

He ought to be very angry, but looking at Ruan Hongzhuang’s exquisite face, he couldn’t muster any anger.

So he turned to Hong Wenqing and asked solemnly, "Why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

Hong Wenqing: ??

He couldn’t believe Luo Gaoyuan was blaming him. He was completely taken aback by this.

Taozi sat on the side, excitedly watching the drama unfold.

Ruan Hongzhuang, however, appeared somewhat exasperated and spoke up to defend Hong Wenqing, "Today is my first time meeting Mr. Hong."

Upon hearing this, Hong Wenqing quickly nodded, "Yes, we hadn’t met before, but I recognized President Ruan from seeing her photos in Shen Siyuan’s social circle."

Luo Gaoyuan took a deep breath, collected his emotions, and said, "Sorry, I lost my composure."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, his hand seemingly trembling, revealing how unsettled he was.

Actually, Ruan Hongzhuang had also posted many photos of Shen Siyuan in her own social circle, but she had two phones, one for work and one for personal use.

The photos showing off their relationship were, of course, on her personal phone.

And Luo Gaoyuan was not within that circle, purely a business partner.

If Luo Gaoyuan knew this, he would likely feel even more hurt.

Having pursued Ruan Hongzhuang for years, only to find he wasn’t even considered a friend in her mind—a real heartbreaker.

"How long have you two been together? I... I didn’t know at all," Luo Gaoyuan said.

Taozi, sitting to the side, quietly pouted, thinking, why do you need to know? You’re nothing to Ruan Hongzhuang.

Ruan Hongzhuang said, "It’s been quite a few months."

She didn’t explain much, just as Taozi thought, Luo Gaoyuan wasn’t anything to her. Why should she inform him about her private matters?

However, compared to her previous pursuer, Yang Hongwen, Luo Gaoyuan left a somewhat better impression on Ruan Hongzhuang, so her tone was still relatively gentle.

"He... he..."

Luo Gaoyuan wanted to ask Ruan Hongzhuang if Shen Siyuan was that good and what he lacked compared to the other man, but he didn’t know how to position himself to ask.

He could only let out a long sigh, stood up, and said, "I’m not feeling well. Let’s discuss this later."

With that, he didn’t wait for Ruan Hongzhuang to speak, heading straight for the door.

"Brother Luo..."

Hong Wenqing also hurriedly stood to follow but turned back at the door to wave at Ruan Hongzhuang.

Hong Wenqing didn’t expect Luo Gaoyuan to be so fragile. Seeing him silent and with a stern expression, he wanted to comfort him several times but eventually swallowed his words back.

Only when they reached the elevator outside Red Hearts International did Hong Wenqing speak, "Brother Luo, look on the bright side; it’s just a woman. With your conditions, what kind of woman can’t you chase?"

Luo Gaoyuan glanced at Hong Wenqing and said, "Are you mocking me?"

"How could I? I’m not that kind of person," Hong Wenqing quickly said.

In truth, he felt like laughing. Was it worth it over a woman?

"I just couldn’t catch Ruan Hongzhuang," Luo Gaoyuan said.

"Well, President Ruan is somewhat special."

Hong Wenqing knew how to comfort people.

But he didn’t expect Luo Gaoyuan to agree outright.

"It’s precisely because of that I fell for her at first sight, pursuing her for years."

Hong Wenqing was thinking, what falling for her at first sight? Isn’t it just lust?

"Can you tell me about your friend?" Luo Gaoyuan asked.

"Shen Siyuan?"

Luo Gaoyuan nodded, "You have a good relationship, you should know about him, right?"

"I do know."

"Then tell me all about him," Luo Gaoyuan said.

At this moment, the elevator arrived, and he walked straight in, with Hong Wenqing quickly following.

"We’re classmates..."

So, Hong Wenqing shared some information about Shen Siyuan with Luo Gaoyuan.

But to Luo Gaoyuan, it all sounded quite ordinary.

"There’s nothing special about him," Luo Gaoyuan remarked.

"I think so too."

On this point, Hong Wenqing agreed very much.

"Then how did he manage to win over Ruan Hongzhuang?" Luo Gaoyuan asked.

"I heard him say before that President Ruan pursued him," Hong Wenqing thought and said.

Luo Gaoyuan looked at him as if he was an idiot.

Hong Wenqing made an awkward laugh, "I also think he was boasting."

"Can you arrange a meal with him for me?" Luo Gaoyuan thought and said.

Hearing this, Hong Wenqing felt speechless but still said, "Brother Luo, there’s really no need. Their relationship is excellent."

As he spoke, he also took out his phone and showed Shen Siyuan’s social circle to him.

But he found that Shen Siyuan’s social circle was set to be visible for only three days, and he hadn’t posted anything in that period, so...

"I just want to get to know him, nothing else," Luo Gaoyuan said.

No one would believe that, but since the Luo Family and the Hong Family had substantial business ties and the parents of both families were on exceptional terms, Hong Wenqing found it hard to refuse.

He pinched his brow and said, "I’ll ask him for you, but after meeting, you better not..."

"Relax, am I that kind of person?" Luo Gaoyuan said.

Hong Wenqing thought, maybe not before, but you really look like it now, with your face a bit twisted, not very convincing.

But Hong Wenqing still took out his phone, went to the side, and called Shen Siyuan to explain the situation.

"I think he’s just jealous, better not meet, or it might lead to a fight," Hong Wenqing said quietly.

"It’s fine, let’s meet," Shen Siyuan said indifferently.

"If a fight breaks out, I won’t help you."

"Just don’t help the other side."

"What if I do help them?"

"Then I’ll beat you up too."

Hong Wenqing: ...