Chapter 54: Meat for Dinner Tonight!

"Shuyao, what are you doing at the hotel?"

"You know very well why I'm here."

"If I know very well, then—" Lin Ran suddenly exploded in anger. "Tell me! Who is that man?"

Jiang Shuyao was startled. "What man?"

"You know exactly who! Jiang Shuyao, you’ve let me down!"

Jiang Shuyao: ???

Shouldn’t I be the one disappointed?

What on earth is he disappointed about?

Why is he so angry?

Why is he asking me who the man is?

Is this somehow my fault?

Jiang Shuyao’s mind raced, and suddenly she understood.

"Hey! What are you thinking? I’m not here at the hotel to meet a man. Can’t you have a healthier mindset?"

"Swear it."

"I swear, I, Jiang Shuyao, am not here at the hotel to find a man."

"Shuyao, I knew you were a good girl. Wait—so why are you here?"

"You suddenly went home, grabbed your ID, and left. I followed you to the hotel, and you lied about meeting a client. Don’t think I’m stupid; who does business in a presidential suite? You’re here to meet some woman!"

Some friends can’t stand to see their girlfriends doing well, but Jiang Shuyao genuinely wanted the best for Jian Wei’an. Otherwise, when Jian Wei’an said she wanted to cook for everyone, Jiang Shuyao was the first to buy groceries and help out. And... all three of them lived together, sharing a room every night. Even so, Lin Ran still left his girlfriend behind to come to the hotel and meet another woman. Jiang Shuyao was deeply disappointed.

Lin Ran laughed. "You misunderstood. I’m not here to meet another woman. I’m booking the presidential suite to give Wei’an a surprise."

Brother Zhang interjected, "I can vouch for him. Lin Ran is telling the truth. Miss, you have to believe he’s a good man. Besides… this presidential suite is 120,000 a night. Even if Lin Ran is wealthy, if he wanted to meet a woman, he wouldn’t spend like this, right?"

Jiang Shuyao thought about it and realized it made sense. "But why did you keep it from me and lie?"

Lin Ran replied, "A surprise can’t be revealed to anyone. If you don’t believe me, let’s wait here and see if any women come."

"Alright, I believe you. It’s just that you were acting so secretive that I started imagining things. What’s your plan? How can I help?"

Jiang Shuyao loved creating surprises and romantic moments.

"First, let’s make this place more romantic. Decorate it with flowers. Wei’an loves Blue Enchantresses, so let’s turn the whole room into a sea of blooms..."

Lin Ran pointed out every corner, describing his grand and romantic ideas.

A sea of flowers.

A blue ocean.

Jiang Shuyao gazed at him, entranced.

He’s truly wonderful.

I wrongly suspected him of being a scoundrel.

I deserve to be chastised.

"...That’s all I can think of for now. Shuyao, do you have any suggestions?"

"I have nothing to add—you’re amazing."

Jiang Shuyao thought to herself—he’s incredibly romantic.

Romance requires extravagance, and now that Lin Ran has money, he certainly understands romance.

Lin Ran said, “Brother Zhang, note everything I want. Find someone to decorate the place. Make sure it’s ready by nine tonight.”

Brother Zhang replied, “It’s already three in the afternoon. That might…”

Before he finished, Lin Ran declared, “I’ll pay extra!”

Lin Ran didn’t want to wait. Tonight, he wanted to win over Jian Wei’an!

Brother Zhang said, “No problem. It’ll be done before nine, guaranteed.”

There’s nothing money can’t solve. If there is, it means there isn’t enough money.

Lin Ran paid for one night—120,000.

“The decoration fee is settled. I’ll pay you. Thanks for your hard work, Brother Zhang.”

“No trouble, no trouble at all.”

“Alright, we’ll head out now.”

“You go pick up Wei’an after work. I’ll stay behind to help with the setup,” Jiang Shuyao said with a radiant smile.

Lin Ran replied, “Alright.”

…

Lin Ran arrived at Laile Studio.

The receptionist greeted him, “Lin Ran, you’re early to pick up Wei’an after work.”

Lin Ran smiled, “Actually, I came to see you.”

She chuckled, “Handsome and charming—thank you. Wei’an is in that room.”

“Thanks.”

Lin Ran pushed open the sound studio door. Jian Wei’an removed her headphones and ran over in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to pick you up after work. Hey, where are the two interns?”

“Wang Ting left, and naturally, Chen Tao followed.”

“So you’re officially hired now?”

“You guessed it. The lady boss came to the office today to tell me. I was going to go home and share the good news with you.”

“Since you’re official now, tonight I’ll take you out for a celebration.”

“Great! Give me a moment, I just need to finish up.”

“No rush. I’ll wait here with you.”

Lin Ran sat beside her. “What song are you working on?”

“A client’s sad love song. Sigh… I can’t relate to these songs about longing anymore.”

Lin Ran smiled.

At five in the afternoon, they finished work. Lin Ran took Jian Wei’an out for dinner, then to a movie…

…

Meanwhile, in the presidential suite, a whole crew, powered by cash, rushed to finish the decorations. By 8:40 that evening, through sweat and effort, the work was finally completed.

The living room and every bedroom were beautifully adorned.

“Phew—finally done. I’m exhausted,” Jiang Shuyao collapsed onto the bed.

Brother Zhang came over, “Shuyao, I’ve messaged Lin Ran. They’re watching a movie and should arrive around nine-thirty.”

“OK! I’ll rest for a bit and then leave.”

“Rest up. I’ll go handle other things.”

Brother Zhang closed the door to the presidential suite and left.

Jiang Shuyao meant to rest for half an hour, but lying on the bed was so comfortable, she fell asleep without realizing it.

…

Night, nine o’clock.

After the movie, back in the car, Jian Wei’an laughed, “Haha, Xiang Zuo was hilarious in ‘Treasure at the Door.’ His hand was always on his nose, especially that scene with Guo Ting. I can’t figure out why he slapped himself before leaving. Haha~ When we get home, I’ll definitely recommend it to Shuyao.”

Lin Ran replied, “Alright.”

Beep, beep, beep—

Lin Ran answered a call. “Hello, what! You were beaten up at the hotel? Alright, I’ll come right away.”

He hung up, and drove off in a hurry.

Jian Wei’an asked anxiously, “Who got hurt?”

Lin Ran said, “A friend who works at the hotel—someone attacked him.”

Soon, they arrived at the Waldorf Hotel.

Lin Ran said anxiously, “Wait in the car, I’ll handle this—it won’t take long.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jian Wei’an said, opening the door and getting out.

Lin Ran insisted, “Really, you don’t need to. I’ll take care of it.”

Jian Wei’an replied, “I’m your girlfriend. If your friend got hurt, that’s my friend too. Let’s see who’s so arrogant.”

Lin Ran relented, “Alright, let’s go.”

In the lobby, Brother Zhang saw Lin Ran and hurried over. “Lin Ran, you’re finally here.”

Lin Ran asked angrily, “Where is he?”

Brother Zhang replied, “Upstairs. I’ll take you up.”

The elevator reached the presidential suite floor. As they stepped out, Lin Ran’s anger flared, “Damn it, let’s see who dares to hurt my friend!”

Jian Wei’an stopped him. “Calm down, don’t start a fight. Brother Zhang, hold him back. I’ll go check the situation first.”

“Right in that room,” Brother Zhang pointed at the door and blocked Lin Ran, who kept protesting, “Let go of me, don’t hold me back.”

Jian Wei’an strode forward and pushed open the door.

Inside, beneath the night sky, the vast living room was transformed into a blue ocean, shimmering with star-like lights, and playing Jian Wei’an’s song, “A Little Sweetness.”

Jian Wei’an’s heart skipped a beat. She turned to Lin Ran, “You lied to me?”

Lin Ran walked up, smiling, and wrapped her in his arms. “It’s a surprise for you. Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

“Come on, let’s look around.”

Lin Ran took Jian Wei’an’s hand and led her into the sea of blue flowers. The door to the presidential suite closed behind them…