The beautiful CEO falls in love with me
Chapter 436 - 436 423 Accepting Criticism

436: Chapter 423: Accepting Criticism 436: Chapter 423: Accepting Criticism Li Ruo hesitated for a moment before saying, “Okay!”

After all, it was Kong Haoran’s first visit to Jianghuai City, and she couldn’t just leave him unattended, especially since she would be needing him to pay one billion yuan later.

Not a cent less.

Then, the two descended the stairs and dined at the Diou Coffee across from the company.

Diou Coffee, symbolizing ‘God’s love’.

Upon entering the restaurant, rows of black-clad waiters greeted them respectfully with “Welcome!”

Led by a server, they sat down at a window booth, face to face on a sofa with cushions.

Li Ruo ordered a fruit salad and a glass of juice.

Kong Haoran chose a beef steak, goose liver pate, and a glass of red wine.

They sat at the booth, waiting for their food to arrive.

“Xiao Ruo, what kind of person do you think I am?” Kong Haoran looked at Li Ruo with a beaming smile, his eyes twinkling with mirth, and said, “Don’t be hesitant, feel free to speak your mind, be it strengths or weaknesses!”

“Handsome appearance, sensitive personality, strong ambition,” Li Ruo thought a moment before speaking.

She had known Kong Haoran for several years and understood him quite well.

His query was nothing more than an attempt to spark her fondness for him, to have her articulate his strengths and perhaps rekindle her feelings for him.

Li Ruo continued, “However, being too driven can also be considered a drawback!”

“Uh-huh!” Kong Haoran nodded and said, “I accept Xiao Ruo’s criticism.”

Soon, the meal was served.

Kong Haoran talked extensively while eating, recounting his business ventures in the United States, many of which even made television news coverage.

He had become a star entrepreneur in the US.

It was indeed rare for a Chinese to become the head of the Apple Group.

Li Ruo understood the hardships Kong Haoran had endured.

His experiences indeed contained elements of legend, thrilling her with tales, especially several classic Wall Street cases, from which she learned a great deal.

Leaving the restaurant, they slowly walked toward the seaside.

Li Ruo had changed into fresh clothes before stepping out, wearing a short skirt and a snow-white Chanel T-shirt, looking refreshingly beautiful in the balmy July weather.

Kong Haoran had a penchant for Chinese beauties and no love for Western ones.

Seeing Li Ruo’s stunning appearance now, he felt his heart stir.

He moved closer to Li Ruo, then took her hand.

Li Ruo’s face blushed, and she quickly struggled, but ultimately failed to pull away.

Taking a deep breath, she thought to herself, let it be.

After today, there would be no more ties.

Li Ruo decided to be indulgent for one day.

Being with Kong Haoran today was a way to reminisce about past love.

She ceased struggling and, holding Kong Haoran’s hand, revealed a light smile.

They walked along Coastal Road, gazing at the endless sea, with refreshing sea breezes bringing additional comfort.

They rested in a scenic pavilion by the road, viewing the boundless ocean.

Kong Haoran said, “Every time I look at the sea, I think of you.

I believe if I could swim across this vast water, maybe then I could come to China to find you!”

“Is that so?” Li Ruo replied playfully, lightly hooking her hair with her pinky finger.

This gesture was even more captivating and enchanting.

“Of course!” Kong Haoran was drawn to her action and posture.

Too tempting, too lovely.

Unable to resist, he embraced Li Ruo.

She was startled at first, then quickly relaxed and leaned into Kong Haoran’s chest.

This would be the last time, the last time lying in Kong Haoran’s arms, a final farewell to her first love.

Kong Haoran’s heart fluttered, believing Li Ruo had been charmed by his appeal.

He cradled her cheeks, ready to kiss her, but she pulled away.

Li Ruo smiled faintly and said, “Haoran, don’t do this.

We’re just friends now!”

“Then just now…” Kong Haoran puzzled.

“That was just my way of closing the chapter on my first love!” Li Ruo smiled.

Kong Haoran was taken aback and frowned deeply.

He immediately reached into his pocket, grasped his phone, and pressed the dial button.

His expression quickly turned into a smile.

The rest would be taken care of in due course.

Hero saves the beauty, and then the beauty grants the hero her favor.

This is a timeless tale.

Yet, Kong Haoran planned to use a heroic rescue to win back Li Ruo’s favor.

His mission this time was to take complete control of Tianya Group.

Acquiring half of Tianya Group’s shares for one billion yuan was merely a contingency laid out for the worst-case scenario.

The best outcome would be winning his beauty and completing his mission.

Suddenly, a horde brandishing clubs, machetes, and regulated blades came rushing down the street.

A scar-faced man, leading with a steel pipe, aimed at Li Ruo, shouting, “That’s the bitch, the owner of Tianya Group, goddamnit, she tore down all our homes in the Northern City District, now where the hell do we live, brothers, get her, take her down!”

Instantly, more than a dozen men charged forward, armed and ready.

“Ah!” Li Ruo screamed, turning pale with fright.

She hadn’t expected to need a bodyguard while out with Kong Haoran today.

She yelled, “What…

what are you guys going to do!”

“Hmph, what else could we do?

You’ve left us homeless.

Today, we’re taking you with us, to gang rape!” the scar-faced man said coldly, smiling.

“Brothers, they say the boss of Tianya Group is a beauty.

Take a good look, guys.

Soon, this woman will be entertaining us under our bodies!”

“Roar…” Everyone shouted loudly in unison.

Such intimidation had already frightened Li Ruo considerably.

The scar-faced man sneakily glanced at Kong Haoran, who subtly nodded in return.

The scar-faced man immediately shouted, “Get her, boys!

Take this chick!

After having our fun, we’ll extort a few hundred million from Tianya Group for more amusement!”

“Charge!” On hearing this, the little brothers rushed forward.

“Don’t, please don’t!” Li Ruo was suddenly in distress.

At that moment, Kong Haoran stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Li Ruo, and said, “Brothers, let’s all calm down a second.

How about you listen to me first?”

“You little shit, what do you want to do!” the scar-faced man barked angrily.

“I don’t want to do anything.

I just want to talk.

I’ve got five thousand yuan cash on me; I’ll give it to you guys to buy some drinks.

How’s that?” Kong Haoran said, smiling.

“Dammit, you think you can buy us off with five thousand yuan!” Scar exploded in anger.

“Now, we’re not only taking your money, but the girl too!

Get her!”

Immediately, a crowd rushed up and Kong Haoran quickly shielded Li Ruo.

However, the attackers didn’t hesitate to swing their clubs, one violently hitting Kong Haoran in the head.

Instantly, ‘blood’ flowed freely.

“Ah!

Haoran, you’re bleeding!” Li Ruo cried out in alarm.

“I’m fine, Xiao Ruo, you run!” Kong Haoran protected Li Ruo as they pushed through the crowd.

Eventually, they managed to break free from the pavilion, then Kong Haoran alone stood at the entrance, shouting to Li Ruo, “Xiao Ruo, run.

Run!”

Kong Haoran’s ‘strained voice’ left Li Ruo with no choice but to run away crying.

As she fled, she made a call to the police.

She helplessly watched as Kong Haoran was beaten to the ground by the attackers, with two more little brothers crazily pursuing her.

Li Ruo bit her lip and ran on.

After Li Ruo had left, the scar-faced man helped Kong Haoran up, laughing, “Boss, are you satisfied?”

“Shit, that hurt like hell!” Kong Haoran tossed over ten thousand yuan from his wallet and said, “You guys need to go easier next time.”

“Don’t worry, our clubs are all foam inside, all fake!” the scar-faced man revealed a naive smile.

Grasping a stack of bills, he grinned and said, “Boss, make sure you come back to us for more business!”

“Don’t worry, there will definitely be a next time!” Kong Haoran nodded, then reached up to his head and threw a small hidden blood bag onto the ground.

Next, a black Mercedes stopped nearby.

A man got out of the car, opened the door for Kong Haoran, and he stepped in.

The Mercedes sped away from the scene.

At that moment, a police car came racing towards them, passing the Mercedes.

Li Ruo sat inside the police car, her tears falling crazily, uncertain of Kong Haoran’s welfare and whether he might be beaten to death.

These fiendish thugs had used such despicable means against her.

Moreover, without hesitation, Li Ruo labeled that bunch as the lackeys of Si Yang Group.

“Mr.

Li, don’t panic; we’ll be there soon!” Fang Qin comforted from the side.

“How can I not panic?

My friend could have been beaten to death by now!” Li Ruo was frantic, sobbing again.

Fang Qin, helpless, could only hand over a tissue.

Li Ruo took the tissue, muttering a thank you.

When the police car arrived at the scene, there was no one there.

However, there were pools of blood left behind.

Seeing the blood, Li Ruo became even more panicked and exclaimed, “God, did those bastards take Kong Haoran away?”

“You guys, go check the nearby docks and factories to see if you can catch them.

If they’re carrying a person, they won’t get far!” Fang Qin was a very experienced police officer, with a wealth of investigative and case-solving experience.

“Yes!” Several police officers immediately nodded and then chased after the attackers towards the nearby docks and factories.