Chapter 288: Office Whispers and Reunions

In the stifling third-floor meeting room, the department heads sat in silence, all staring at their meeting notes.

After a while, Pan Lin knocked on the door and stepped inside, jolting everyone’s nerves:

“Ladies and gentlemen, Boss Jiang has an urgent matter, so today’s meeting is over for now. But before she left, she asked me to remind you all to learn from this mistake and handle your responsibilities properly going forward. We can’t let anything like this happen again.”

Hearing the meeting was ending and Jiang Jingshi had left, the department leaders all breathed a sigh of relief.

The heavy weight on their shoulders lifted in an instant.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Pan Lin couldn’t help but smile slightly, thinking to herself that they were all still afraid of Boss Jiang.

She stepped out of the meeting room.

In the seventh-floor general manager’s office, Lin Zheng Ran sat on the sofa.

Jiang Jingshi sat gracefully beside him, nestled in his arms.

The fierce heiress of the Jiang family and deputy general manager of Zheng Shi Company now seemed as gentle as a newlywed wife.

Her face flushed with a soft red and longing, one hand held in his, the other gripping the back of his shirt.

“Zheng Zheng, when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lin Zheng Ran breathed in Jiang Jingshi’s unique scent, her slightly curly hair and slender figure feeling different from holding their three little ones.

“I got back the day before yesterday. I tidied up at home and then thought I’d drop by the company to see you and check if anything needed handling.”

Jiang Jingshi leaned happily against him, her eyes on their clasped hands: “You came back the day before yesterday and didn’t even tell me? I could’ve picked you up.”

“No need every time. I can just take a cab over.”

Jiang Jingshi smiled and pressed her slender fingers firmly against the back of Lin Zheng Ran’s shirt: “This time you’re back for good, right? No more trips away?”

“Yeah, not much time for trips anymore. It’s just about getting through the holiday and then back to school.”

Back to school… Jiang Jingshi knew their meetings would become less frequent then.

But at least they had some time now.

Outside the general manager’s office, Pan Lin carried a tray of tea to the door and peeked through the gap, seeing the two embraced inside.

Secretary Pan Lin stared for a moment, growing even more convinced of the romance between Boss Jiang and Lin Zheng Ran.

She knocked lightly twice: “Boss Jiang, Lin Zheng Ran, the tea is ready.”

At the sound of Pan Lin’s voice, Jiang Jingshi quickly sat up straight: “Come in.”

Pan Lin brought in the hot tea and set it on the table in front of them.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out. Just call if you need me, Boss Jiang and Lin Zheng Ran.”

Pan Lin left and closed the door behind her.

Jiang Jingshi picked up the hot tea and offered it to Lin Zheng Ran, noticing his surprised look.

She knew what he was thinking, her face tinged with an embarrassed flush: “You heard what happened in the meeting room just now?”

“Yeah, I listened to you scolding them for a while. I even asked Pan Lin what went on to make you so angry.”

Jiang Jingshi bit her lip slightly, worried about ruining her image in Lin Zheng Ran’s eyes: “I don’t usually get angry like that. It’s just that today’s issue was really… well, it made me look bad in front of you.”

“What’s the big deal?” he laughed. “Though it’s my first time seeing it, from the moment I met Jingshi, I figured you’d have your fierce moments. Otherwise, how could you manage PR and diplomacy for the Jiang Group? You can’t always be soft-spoken—that wouldn’t close deals.”

Jiang Jingshi fixed her peach-blossom eyes on Lin Zheng Ran: “Really? I always thought I was gentle with you, even that first time at the school gate. Did you really think I could be fierce?”

Lin Zheng Ran admitted: “Well, from what I’ve seen, your sister Jiang Qian often argues with you. If you were always gentle, that probably wouldn’t happen, so…”

Jiang Jingshi covered her forehead, blushing and staying quiet, just muttering to herself: “I guess that’s true…”

Lin Zheng Ran picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.

Jiang Jingshi lowered her hand and gently held his.

They exchanged a glance, their eyes speaking volumes.

Soon, Lin Zheng Ran wrapped his arm around her waist, gazing at her enticing red lips before kissing her.

The taste of tea lingered at their lips.

As she closed her eyes, Jiang Jingshi’s long lashes trembled.

They shared the moment for a while.

Then they held each other close and talked again.

Lin Zheng Ran asked: “Has the company been busy lately?”

She shook her head slightly: “Not really. I told you before when I went to see you—I’m handling work much faster now. I don’t know how you did it, but it’s a huge relief.”

“Anything I need to deal with?”

“There is. A few important files need your signature. Should I have Pan Lin bring them?”

She looked at Lin Zheng Ran softly: “But once we’re done with work, don’t head back today. I’ll make lunch for you here at the company, okay?”

“I wasn’t planning to go back anyway. I thought about visiting your place tonight. Not sure if Uncle and Aunt have time—if not, maybe tomorrow.”

Jiang Jingshi perked up at that: “Zheng Zheng wants to visit tonight? Great! I’ll check.”

She turned and called out loudly for Pan Lin, who had been waiting by the door, and she responded before pushing the door open.

“Boss Jiang, you called?”

Jiang Jingshi instructed: “Bring the files that need Lin Zheng Ran’s signature for this week, and the ones I prepared earlier too.”

“Right away, just a moment.”

After Pan Lin left again, Jiang Jingshi pulled out her phone to call her father.

The phone rang for a bit before connecting.

“Hello? Jingshi, what’s up?”

Jiang Jingshi glanced at Lin Zheng Ran with a smile: “Dad, do you and Mom have time tonight? Lin Zheng Ran wants to come over for dinner.”

At the mention of Lin Zheng Ran visiting, Father Jiang was welcoming—he was the one who saved his daughter’s life after all: “He’s coming? Of course we have time. I’ll tell your mom right now. We’ll head back tonight! He’s back from his trip?”

“Yes, just got back. He’s at the company now. You go ahead with what you’re doing—I’ll hang up here.”

“Okay, your mom and I will be home. Let’s have a family dinner tonight.”

After hanging up, Jiang Jingshi happily refilled his tea and gazed at him warmly: “Have some tea. We’ll head home together tonight.”

——

In the general manager’s office of the Jiang Group in Ziteng City, Jiang Qian sat at the desk that once belonged to her father, with Fang Meng standing beside her as her personal secretary.

The two overheard Father Jiang’s phone call nearby.

Jiang Qian set down her pen and looked up: “Dad, who’s coming over tonight?”

Father Jiang put down his phone and replied: “It’s Lin Zheng Ran, the one who saved your sister. He’s joining us for dinner tonight.”

Jiang Qian and Fang Meng both widened their eyes.

Even Jiang Qian’s usual cool demeanor brightened—she hadn’t seen Lin Zheng Ran in a while: “He’s coming? Great! I’ll finish up here and go pick him up with Xiao Meng.”

Father Jiang was puzzled: “Pick him up? No need. Your sister is probably with him right now—they’ll likely come home together.”

Jiang Qian’s expression froze, her face blank as she repeated: “What? He’s going home with my sister?”