Chapter 217: Unexpected Office Reunion

Lin Zheng Ran and Pan Lin made their way into the office building’s first floor, waiting for the elevator.

They happened to cross paths with a group of men and women heading downstairs. Though not everyone in the company knew Lin Zheng Ran, they all nodded greetings to Pan Lin and the deputy minister.

They nodded to Lin Zheng Ran as he walked ahead too.

Pan Lin quickly pressed the elevator button for their floor.

Once the group stepped into the elevator.

“Who was that just now? Pan Lin was following him, and he’s so handsome,” the female or male employees whispered curiously.

An older employee smiled and said, “You don’t know? That’s our company boss.”

Those who didn’t recognize him were shocked. “That young guy is our company boss? The legendary General Manager Lin?”

“He’s way too young!”

Someone asked, “I heard Boss Jiang is in a relationship with our boss, right?”

The older employee coughed lightly. “I’m not sure about that. There’s a rumor, but no one knows if it’s true.”

Lin Zheng Ran and Pan Lin stood in the elevator as the deputy minister got off midway.

With just the two of them left, Pan Lin said, “You don’t come to the company often, so many people still don’t recognize you.”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled. “That’s normal. Even when I have time, I rarely visit the head office. I think I’ve only been here three or four times, and it changes so much each visit.”

“Two years ago, the head office wasn’t fully set up, but now it’s all in place. Zheng Shi Company is gaining real influence among city enterprises.”

Lin Zheng Ran knew Jiang Jingshi had played a big role in that. She’d brought over a lot of connections from the Jiang Group to build this company.

Out of the blue, Pan Lin added:

“Boss Jiang was especially thrilled when she heard you were coming. She’s been pretty down lately because of all the issues at the Jiang Group, which have worn her out. But as soon as you messaged her the other day, she perked right up.”

“Is the Jiang Group really that busy lately?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Pan Lin.

“Yeah, they’ve had a ton of calls, and Boss Jiang has to handle most of it herself.”

As Jiang Jingshi’s secretary for several years, Pan Lin knew better than to say too much around big bosses—talk too much and you risk trouble.

Still, she wanted to do what she could to support Jiang Jingshi.

In the seventh-floor general manager’s office, Jiang Jingshi paced restlessly in her high-heeled suit and slightly curled long hair cascading over her shoulders.

She wandered between the door and the room, anxiously waiting for someone’s arrival.

Every now and then, she’d check her phone, fuss with the hair by her ear, or take a deep breath, annoyed at herself for feeling so tense.

It was just over a month since they’d last met, after all.

The wait ended when the elevator arrived.

With a ding.

Jiang Jingshi froze for a second, then composed herself and sat elegantly on the sofa.

When Lin Zheng Ran and Pan Lin entered the office, Jiang Jingshi stood up, acting as if she hadn’t been eagerly waiting. “Zheng Ran, you’re here!”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded. “Jiang Jie, it’s been a while. I’ve been swamped with exams lately, so thanks for holding down the fort at the company.”

Seeing the person she’d been thinking about, Jiang Jingshi’s face lit up with a subtle joy, her red lips curving into a smile as she said gently, “It’s nothing. The company just runs on routine stuff. Come, sit down.”

Pan Lin poured tea for them and said, “I’ll head out then. Boss Jiang, General Manager Lin, just call if you need anything,” before quietly leaving and closing the door.

Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi sat on the sofa, and he noticed the stack of messy files on the table—clear sign she’d been overwhelmed with work lately.

At first, after not seeing each other for over a month, their conversation felt a bit awkward.

So they quickly shifted to discussing work.

About half an hour later, Jiang Jingshi seemed to relax, her mood steadying.

Though her heart still raced when she looked at Lin Zheng Ran, she could talk casually now. “Your exam results should be out soon, right?”

Lin Zheng Ran, glancing at the files, suddenly heard her question and replied, “Yeah, they’re coming out soon.”

“You’re probably going to be first again, right? The provincial top scorer? I know your capabilities well.”

“No one dares claim that title before the results are out. But getting into the university I want shouldn’t be an issue. Anyway, the company’s grown so fast these past two years—with all branches and the head office, we’ve got over fifteen thousand people now.”

Jiang Jingshi nodded:

“It has been fast. Two years ago, before we partnered, my teams in taekwondo, music, and live streaming had maybe seven or eight hundred people total.

“In just two years, the staff has multiplied by over ten times, even with strict hiring. And revenue keeps climbing every month.”

Seeing Lin Zheng Ran’s tea was empty, she refilled it. “At this rate, it’s not impossible we’ll surpass the Jiang Group in a couple of years.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at Jiang Jingshi and smiled. “Have your uncle and aunt already talked to you about this?”

Jiang Jingshi said happily:

“Oh, more than talked. They’re shocked at how quickly the company’s expanding and ask me about it now and then. But it’s confidential, so I just brush them off.

“They know you and I started this together, so they keep praising you—saying you’re talented and accomplished at such a young age. They’ve wanted to meet you for a meal several times, but I told them you’re busy with exams and put it off.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought about it—the Jiang family and his own were old friends from previous generations, and Jiang Qian and Jiang Jingshi were close to him too, so there was no reason to avoid them.

“I’ll make time to visit your uncle and aunt. It’s only polite.”

Jiang Jingshi hadn’t expected him to suggest it and beamed with delight:

“You want to come to my place? Great! Just let me know when you’re free, and I’ll help set it up. I’ll talk to my parents about it.”

“Sounds good, thanks, Jiang Jie.”

Right after she spoke, her phone rang—it was another call from the Jiang Group.

Jiang Jingshi said, “I’ll take this call.”

She grabbed her phone and stepped to the floor-to-ceiling window to chat with them.

Lin Zheng Ran looked over the files and recalled what Pan Lin had said in the elevator.

Clearly, Jiang Jingshi had been swamped lately.

Though she seemed energetic today, he could tell she was actually worn out—today’s boost was just temporary.

By midday, after reviewing the files, Pan Lin came in before lunch and asked, “Boss Jiang, should I have the kitchen prepare lunch or…”

Jiang Jingshi glanced at Lin Zheng Ran. “How about I cook for you?”

“No need, Jiang Jie. Cooking’s tiring, and we’ve been going over files all morning. Let’s just leave it to the kitchen.”

Jiang Jingshi smiled gently. “It’s no trouble at all. I’d be happy to make something for you. It’s settled.”

She told Pan Lin, “Get the private kitchen ready for me—I’ll cook for General Manager Lin.”

“Right away!”