TPLTMOE - Chapter 24

Just then, a server arrived with glasses of wine.

Ling Ran hastily scrambled off Jiang Zhiyu's lap, eager to escape, only to have his wrist seized.

Turning back, he heard Tang Bei say as Jiang Zhiyu met his gaze: "Since you're here, young master, why not join us for a round?"

With a subtle twist of Jiang Zhiyu's wrist, an insistent pull guided Ling Ran down onto the adjacent sofa.

"Do you know how to play cards?"

Ling Ran thought for a moment before turning his head and asking, "Does 'Fishing for Kitties' count?"

Yan Xiwen, who was sitting nearby, couldn't help but burst into laughter. "That's a game for kindergarten kids, isn't it?"

Ling Ran replied with righteous indignation, "Elementary and middle schoolers play it too."

Yan Xiwen: "..."

"Hahaha, alright, alright," Yan Xiwen chuckled. "Anyway, that's a game for you little kids. We're not playing 'Fishing for Kitties' today—we're playing 'Cast a Long Line to Catch a Big Fish."

"Ah, but I don't know any other games..." Ling Ran glanced at the person beside him with a pleading look.

The dealer had already dealt a card to Jiang Zhiyu and was about to give one to Ling Ran as well when someone interrupted.

"He'll use mine."

With that, Jiang Zhiyu picked up the playing card in front of him and placed it in front of Ling Ran with effortless ease.

Ling Ran's eyes held a trace of confusion, but then he saw Jiang Zhiyu casually lean back against the sofa, one arm draped loosely behind him, as if forming a half-embrace that enveloped most of Ling Ran's body within his own claimed territory.

"Don't worry," a deep voice murmured by his ear. "I'll teach you."

The group on the sofa chatted and laughed, ready to start the game, completely forgetting about Ling Xu, who stood awkwardly by the table.

Ling Xu stared at the scene in shock. When had Ling Ran and Jiang Zhiyu become so close? He racked his brain but couldn't recall any interaction between them. Hadn't Ling Ran always liked Jiang Shengyi? So why did he now seem so soft and docile beside Jiang Zhiyu, looking utterly at ease and dependent?

Moreover, Jiang Zhiyu's attitude toward Ling Ran didn't seem like the protective care of an elder toward a younger person—it was more like...

More like a beast eager to drag its prey back to its den to savor at leisure.

Seeing that no one was paying him any attention, Ling Xu shamelessly stepped forward and plopped down onto the only empty spot on the sofa.

"Aren't you guys short one player? Let me join in," Ling Xu said with an ingratiating smile toward Tang Bei. "President Tang, you don't mind if I join a round, do you?"

Tang Bei had never intended to acknowledge him in the first place. Although the Ling family had some reputation in Haishi, the people at this table looked down on them. The only reason they treated Ling Ran kindly was because of Jiang Zhiyu. As for Ling Xu-a mere deputy manager of the Ling Corporation—what kind of figure did he even cut?

But Ling Xu was too thick-skinned to take the hint. With an annoyed wave of his hand, Tang Bei signaled the dealer to deal him a card as well.

It was just a casual game, after all. If someone was eager to throw money their way, why refuse?

Ling Ran truly didn't know how to play and couldn't read the situation on the table. He simply followed Jiang Zhiyu's instructions—playing whatever card he was told to play, picking up whatever card he was told to pick up.

A mindless card-drawing machine.

After a few rounds, Jiang Zhiyu occasionally explained why certain moves were made. Gradually, Ling Ran began to grasp the patterns and could even find the right cards before Jiang Zhiyu pointed them out, asking for confirmation. Whenever Jiang Zhiyu nodded, Ling Ran's peach-blossom eyes would sparkle with excitement, brimming with delight.

Turns out, this "Cast a Long Line to Catch a Big Fish" wasn't so hard after all.

Seeing how much Ling Ran was enjoying himself, Jiang Zhiyu stopped restricting him. No matter which card Ling Ran wanted to play, he would nod in approval. Winning or losing didn't matter to him.

But Ling Ran had just learned the rules, so naturally, he couldn't compare to the others. After losing several rounds in a row, it seemed Tang Bei and Ling Suo were about to become the biggest winners.

Ling Ran tensed up, focusing all his attention on the game. He even tried to secretly memorize the cards in his mind, but he quickly gave up—keeping track of the cards, calculating odds, and strategizing his moves were all too mentally exhausting.

After losing yet another round, Ling Ran was frustrated. He lowered his head and kicked the leg of the table beside him.

Suddenly, a hand ruffled the back of his head, and Jiang Zhiyu leaned in. "Giving up already?"

The touch was unexpectedly soothing. Ling Ran straightened up, his dark eyes brightening as if encouraged. He clenched his fist. "No, I won't give up."

As long as it wasn't the final moment, there was still a chance to turn things around.

Only then did Jiang Zhiyu curve his lips slightly. His fingers slid down to the back of Ling Ran's neck, where the scent-blocking patch was placed. His fingertips brushed over it lightly, like a dragonfly skimming water, yet it sent a sudden shiver through the person beneath his touch.

A surge of inexplicable grievance welled up in Ling Ran's chest. He quickly raised a hand to cover the back of his neck, wanting to turn and look at the man beside him, but Jiang Zhiyu held his head in place with a firm grip.

"Focus," Jiang Zhiyu said. "Watch the cards your opponent plays."

In the final round, Ling Ran kept Jiang Zhiyu's words in mind, carefully observing Tang Bei, who was seated to his left. When he spotted a vulnerable opening, he hesitated—should he strike? Just then, the hand resting on the back of the sofa suddenly moved to his spine, tapping lightly along its slender curve.

A reminder. A guide.

Ling Ran instantly understood. He played his hand decisively, and within just two rounds, the game began to tilt overwhelmingly in their favor.

By the time the last card was played, the outcome was clear—Ling Ran emerged as the final winner.

Yan Xiwen wasn't surprised in the least. He had experienced Jiang Zhiyu's terrifying card skills before—playing against him meant resigning yourself to losing. The only thing left to do was prepare to empty your wallet.

Only Tang Bei and Ling Suo remained at the table, their expressions sour in different ways.

Ling Suo was already dreading how he would explain this to his father later. If the old man found out how much he had lost, he'd probably break his legs.

Tang Bei tossed the cards onto the table carelessly, declaring he was done playing. Making an excuse about having other matters to attend to, he left the lounge first.

The others also dispersed, heading downstairs to enjoy the other entertainment options. The lounge soon emptied.

Ling Suo wanted to leave as soon as possible, but he still intended to take Ling Ran back with him. He waited by the lounge entrance, but after a while, there was no sign of Ling Ran. Just as he was about to go back inside to check, Zhao Qin blocked his path.

"The lounge is already closed. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to re-enter," Zhao Qin said.

Ling Suo narrowed his eyes. "What if I'm just going in to find someone?"

Zhao Qin smiled politely. "I'm afraid not. Besides, the only reason you were allowed in earlier was out of respect for Mr. Ling Ran. Otherwise, you might not have even qualified."

The dismissive tone angered Ling Suo. "You'd better watch how you speak to me. You're just Jiang Zhiyu's assistant."

"Correct. I am Assistant Zhao, which means I only convey President Jiang's intentions," Zhao Qin replied smoothly. "And President Jiang's message is this—you can delay repaying the money you lost today, provided you agree to two conditions."

Though Ling Su hadn't interacted much with Jiang Zhiyu, he knew the man wasn't someone easily persuaded.

Ling Su eyed Zhao Qin warily and asked, "What conditions?"

Zhao Qin replied, "Nothing difficult for you, of course. The Jiang Group will soon secure another project in Southeast Asia, and we'll just need full cooperation from Ling Corporation's overseas division."

"I'm aware. Didn't Jiang Shengyi discuss cooperation with our company recently?"

"Not that minor project," Zhao Qin said. "This time, it's direct collaboration with Jiang Group headquarters."

Hearing this, Ling Su immediately understood.

It seemed Jiang Zhiyu had cut Jiang Shengyi out, planning to enter the Southeast Asian market alone. He couldn't help but wonder what spectacular reaction Jiang Shengyi would have when he found out.

Ling Su agreed readily, "That condition is acceptable. And the other one?"

Zhao Qin didn't speak, merely closing the conference hall doors securely behind them before silently watching Ling Su.

"Well? What's the other—“

Mid-sentence, Ling Su froze as he took in Zhao Qin's utterly matter-of-fact expression, suddenly realizing what Jiang Zhiyu's second condition entailed.

So shocked was he that even when two bodyguards escorted him to the elevator, he still hadn't fully processed it.

Could it be that today's setup was actually for him?

All to make him personally deliver Ling Ran into Jiang Zhiyu's hands?!

***

Ling Ran followed Jiang Zhiyu through the conference hall's private door down to the cruise ship's second deck.

Emerging from the elevator, they stepped onto a spacious, unusually quiet section of deck—this area guarded to keep other guests away, leaving only the two of them to behold the vast azure expanse before them.

The salty sea breeze brushed gently against their faces, the moist air carrying a warmth so soothing it felt intoxicating.

Ling Ran took a deep breath of the fresh air before turning to the man beside him.

"You said there was something important I needed to know?" Ling Ran asked. "We're alone now. Can you tell me?"

Noticing the flush on Ling Ran's cheeks, Jiang Zhiyu reached up to check his forehead, confirming it wasn't feverish.

Just then, another gust of wind tangled soft strands of hair around slender fingers, the silken texture clinging as if reluctant to part.

Guided by the breeze, those fingers gently swept the hair back, revealing exquisite, beautifully defined features.

Ling Ran's cheeks flushed even deeper as he subtly clenched his fingers beneath his sleeves.

For some reason, he didn't feel any aversion to the enigma's touch—on the contrary, his heart secretly longed for that hand to caress the nape of his neck again, just like during the card game.

Would it tear off that delicate scent patch once more to soothe the swollen, pitiful gland beneath?

But now, in broad daylight, Jiang Zhiyu withdrew his hand and merely glanced at his watch. "Just wait a little longer," he said.

The more he spoke like this, the more curious Ling Ran became. "Could you give me just a tiny hint? The tiniest bit would do. I really want to know," he pleaded, clasping his hands together and shaking them slightly, looking both adorable and pitiful.

A faint smile tugged at Jiang Zhiyu's lips, but he still refused to reveal a single word.

Soon after, Ling Ran's phone rang.

Though it was an unsaved number, it looked strangely familiar. Suddenly, he realized—it was the personal number of the HR manager from Jiang Corporation's headquarters, the same one that had called him before.

He immediately turned to look at the man beside him. "Answer it," Jiang Zhiyu said.

When Ling Ran picked up, the HR manager first asked if it was a convenient time to talk, then inquired whether he was still interested in joining Jiangzhou Entertainment. The company remained very interested in him and was willing to arrange a final interview if he was still open to it.

For a moment, Ling Ran felt dazed. But as he met those calm, unreadable eyes beside him, understanding dawned. An overwhelming joy surged through him—he had never imagined getting another chance to enter Jiangzhou, especially after publicly calling off his engagement with Jiang Shengyi. This unexpected second chance filled him with even more exhilaration than when he'd first passed the preliminary round.

No one had ever supported his dreams. Even his family had vehemently opposed his decision to study broadcasting.

Yet here was this man—no relation, no obligation—who had helped him time and time again.

His grip on the phone tightened as a faint mist blurred his vision. "I'd love to," he replied.

The HR manager went over the materials needed for the final interview and told him to come in anytime the following week, as long as he scheduled it in advance.

After hanging up, the corners of Ling Ran's eyes tinged pink. All those late nights preparing for the interviews—he'd thought they'd all been for nothing. Yet somehow, a miracle had happened.

All he'd ever wanted was a fair chance. Even if he ultimately didn't make it, at least he could say he'd tried his best without regrets. "Thank you," he said softly. "I know without you, I wouldn't have gotten this opportunity. This... means everything to me."

Words felt woefully inadequate at this moment, but beyond gratitude, he didn't know how else to express himself.

Taking half a step back, he bowed his head deeply toward Jiang Zhiyu. "Really... truly... thank you, Mr. Jiang..." His voice cracked slightly—perhaps from happiness, or perhaps something more.

A hand reached out, tilting his chin up until he stood straight again.

Jiang Zhiyu steadied his head and said, "It's not because of me. You performed exceptionally well during the initial interview, leaving a deep impression on every interviewer. They wanted you, so naturally, they'd give you another chance."

"I didn't intentionally skip the final interview," Ling Ran's eyes grew moist, his expression teetering between tears and grievance. "Something came up last minute, and I got delayed…"

"Hmm."

Punishment received.

Ling Ran added, "I'll do my best in the final interview."

"That's more like it."

Jiang Zhiyu withdrew his hand, his fingertips brushing Ling Ran's chin almost absentmindedly before asking in a low voice, "What did you call me earlier?"

Ling Ran's ears burned with embarrassment, finding it hard to repeat the address. "M-Mr. Jiang... Since my engagement with Jiang Shengyi has been called off, it wouldn't be appropriate to keep calling you 'Uncle' like him. That was a slip of the tongue earlier. From now on, I'll address you as 'President Jiang' like everyone else."

"No need to change," Jiang Zhiyu said. "You don't have to be like them."

Ling Ran's eyes widened slightly. Did that mean he was to keep calling him 'Mr. Jiang' from now on?

Zhao Qin, having finished dealing with Ling Su, hurried to the deck and whispered something to Jiang Zhiyu, who acknowledged it before instructing, "Schedule the meeting for tonight. We'll discuss everything then."

"Understood," Zhao Qin replied. "I'll arrange for a speedboat to return to the island now."

He then glanced at the well-behaved little Omega standing quietly by the railing, watching the seagulls, and asked, "What about Mr. Ling?" Jiang Zhiyu gave him a cool look, and Zhao Qin immediately realized his question was foolish.

"Right, Mr. Ling will return with us."

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