This answer spoke volumes more than a thousand words. Lin Ran smiled and reached out to wipe the corner of Luo Yao's mouth.
Just then, the expected unexpected happened.
At another booth about ten meters away from Lin Ran, a man and a woman took their seats.
After sitting down, the man held the woman's hand across the table and said, "Miaomiao, this is the highest-end restaurant in the capital. I heard a single meal here costs tens of thousands. Are you really willing to treat me here?"
The woman across from him replied proudly, "Of course! You're my best friend! Don’t worry about the price—I just returned a bag my boyfriend bought me today. The refund is more than enough to cover this. Lv Jian, I even gave up my favorite bag for you. That’s how good of a friend I am, right?"
The man looked at her in surprise. "Wow, I didn’t expect your boyfriend to finally be generous for once."
The newcomers were none other than Lv Jian and Zhao Miaomiao. Lin Ran frowned. From the sound of it, Zhao Miaomiao had returned the bag Wu Zhishang bought her. What a bizarre woman.
Noticing Lin Ran’s expression, Luo Yao whispered, "Should we kick them out?"
Ye Lingling, who had been standing nearby serving them, was already prepared. She didn’t care how those two had offended her boss—if he wanted them gone, she’d clear them out immediately.
"No need. They’re here to spend money. It’s bad business to drive away customers." As he spoke, he motioned for Ye Lingling to lean in and whispered something in her ear.
Suddenly feeling an icy gaze, Ye Lingling shivered and subtly pulled her ear away from Lin Ran.
After hearing his instructions, Ye Lingling left. Luo Yao’s curiosity was piqued despite herself. "What did you tell her?"
Lin Ran replied in a low voice, "Nothing major. Just setting up a little show for Wu Zhishang."
Before long, Ye Lingling reappeared, holding a stack of raffle tickets, which she instructed the waitstaff to distribute to every table.
"Thank you all for dining at Pangu Hotel. Today, as a special treat for our valued guests, we’re hosting an on-the-spot lottery with generous prizes to be awarded immediately. Enjoy your meal!"
Soon, an excited voice rang out: "Wow! I won a free meal today! The manager’s too kind!"
Over at their table, Zhao Miaomiao and Lv Jian were taken aback. They checked their own tickets and tore them open to reveal:
[Free Romantic Stay in Our Luxury Suite Tonight]
Huh?
Lv Jian asked, "Free stay? Can we cash it out if we don’t use it?"
Ye Lingling smiled and shook her head. "Of course not."
Though Lv Jian feigned hesitation, he was secretly thrilled.
"Miaomiao, the luxury suites here cost thousands per night. Should we give it a try?"
Zhao Miaomiao hesitated. "But isn’t that a bit inappropriate? I promised my boyfriend I’d go on a date tonight."
Lv Jian’s face instantly fell. "Right, you have a boyfriend now. I shouldn’t keep asking you to accompany me. Forget it, I won’t stay either. After all, I don’t have a girlfriend, and we’re not a couple. Everyone around me is drifting further away… Ugh, I’m sorry for even existing."
Zhao Miaomiao immediately grew anxious. "Stop talking like that! Fine, fine, I’ll stay with you!"
Lv Jian brightened up. Soon, they finished their meal. Throughout, Lin Ran silently observed without saying a word or letting them recognize him.
Only after they left did Lin Ran finally look up, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Yao Yao, do you think I’m being a bit scheming here?"
Luo Yao replied, "Not at all! Everything you do has a reason. I’ll always support you."
A short while later, Ye Lingling returned, giving a thumbs-up and handing Lin Ran a phone with live surveillance footage.
Lin Ran watched with amusement—it was a feed from the luxury suite, where Lv Jian and Zhao Miaomiao were lying leisurely on a large bed, chatting and gradually inching closer. Eventually, Lv Jian rested his head on Zhao Miaomiao’s arm.
Luo Yao asked dryly, "Enjoying the view?"
Lin Ran flipped the phone shut. "Not particularly."
He called Wu Zhishang without explaining, simply telling him to come over.
Before long, Wu Zhishang arrived at Pangu Hotel. Spotting Lin Ran and Luo Yao, he immediately stood straight. "Hello, sister-in-law!"
Luo Yao was pleased with the address, though her expression remained indifferent.
"Mhm… Hurry up. You’re interrupting my date with Ah Ran."
Wu Zhishang was confused. "What did you call me here for?"
Lin Ran asked, "You had plans to meet Zhao Miaomiao today?"
Wu Zhishang nodded. "Yeah, since tomorrow’s the weekend. We were supposed to meet today, but she canceled, saying she had to work overtime tomorrow and couldn’t see me tonight."
Lin Ran raised an eyebrow and spoke slowly.
"I saw her checking into a room with Lv Jian. Right here."
Wu Zhishang’s eyes widened in shock, but he couldn’t bring himself to doubt Lin Ran’s words.
"Room 1801."
Wu Zhishang stood frozen for a long time before finally pulling out his phone and sending a message:
[Baby, where are you?]
[In the company dorm. Why?]
[Video call me. I want to see you.]
[Can’t. My roommates are already undressed—it’s not convenient. If you miss me, I’ll send you some photos.]
[Attached: 3 selfies]
The background was indeed the dorm. Wu Zhishang fell into silence before finally forcing himself to move. Lin Ran exchanged a glance with Luo Yao and followed, worried Wu Zhishang might do something rash.
"Then hurry back. I’ll wait for you in the parking lot." Luo Yao shot Wu Zhishang an icy look before heading downstairs.
Outside Room 1801, Wu Zhishang mustered his courage and knocked. No answer.
He knocked again—still nothing. Pressing his ear to the door, he heard no sounds either.
Lin Ran sighed and had a staff member bring a key card, which he handed to Wu Zhishang. Hands trembling, Wu Zhishang opened the door.
What he saw next would haunt him forever.
Inside the lavish suite, the two were locked in a passionate embrace, Lv Jian’s hand gripping Zhao Miaomiao’s backside.
Only then did Zhao Miaomiao and Lv Jian seem to notice the intrusion. Turning their heads, they froze.
Zhao Miaomiao stammered, "Zhishang, it’s not what it looks like! Lv Jian was feeling down—we were just comforting each other as friends. Nothing inappropriate happened!"
Nothing inappropriate? Then why were they clinging to each other like that?
"Zhao Miaomiao, do you think I’m an idiot?"
Lv Jian scoffed. "You broke-ass loser actually brought people here to catch us? If you don’t even trust Miaomiao this much, what right do you have to be her boyfriend?"
Wu Zhishang watched as a tear rolled down Zhao Miaomiao’s cheek.
"You said you were working overtime, and this is what you meant?"