Chapter 132: Things Are Getting Lively~~!

Although Wang Zheng claimed that Lin Xiaolei was no different from any other woman in his eyes, his heart told a different story. They had spent a significant amount of time together, and even a spectator can develop an attachment to a character on screen, can they not?

Moreover, from the very beginning, Wang Zheng had observed and tested Lin Xiaolei to see if she was worth his investment. While she had made mistakes, they were the kind every woman encounters during her growth. Wang Zheng had no reason to abandon her over such trifles; otherwise, he would not have assigned Lin Xuan to assist her.

Sending flowers? Wang Zheng disdained such things. To him, they were merely a tool for men lacking self-confidence to curry favor with women. Though he looked down on the tactic, he had to admit that women were, indeed, susceptible to it. However, given the nature of his relationship with Lin Xiaolei, he dismissed the idea.

As Wang Zheng sat lost in thought, he noticed Bai Bing, sitting opposite him, raise her right hand like a primary school student with a question. She had been much better behaved since he had reprimanded her earlier. Wang Zheng looked at her and gestured with his nose for her to speak.

"I have something to say!" Bai Bing said after receiving his silent permission.

"You had better say something of value, or I’ll be forced to act like a scoundrel," Wang Zheng replied.

"Fine, I’ll say it!" Bai Bing declared. "Even though you have your own ways of seducing women, you cannot deny that they love receiving flowers—especially red roses, which symbolize 'I love you.' They represent true passion, romantic devotion, and courage. Someone has already made a move on Lin Xiaolei with a thousand roses. As far as I know, a thousand red roses represent loyal, everlasting love until death!"

"Get to the point," Wang Zheng interrupted, sensing where she was heading.

"The point is: if you want a girl to be willingly seduced by you, sending red roses is the best way to win her heart!"

"Are you trying to teach me how to pick up women?" Wang Zheng cut her off again. Her tone, like a teacher lecturing a student, was nauseating. He had been with dozens, if not hundreds, of women. To have a virgin try to lecture him on seduction was the ultimate insult.

Too lazy to argue, Wang Zheng stood up and left the office, ignoring Bai Bing, who continued to blather on, convinced of her own expertise. As he passed Lin Xiaolei’s office, he glanced through the crack in the door. The hundreds of remaining roses were gone, and Lin Xiaolei was working as diligently as ever. Once in "work mode," she ignored everything else, so Wang Zheng could not tell if she was lingering on the memory of the roses he had thrown away.

He retreated to the top-floor observation restaurant, sipping cooling tea and gazing out at the cityscape of Jinghua, his expression lost in thought.

***

Time passed, and the ringing of a mobile phone pulled Wang Zheng back to reality. A text message. He opened it to find a message from Bai Bing: "Lin Xiaolei has left with a strange man. Come back!"

A strange man? Wang Zheng smiled coldly. If he wasn't mistaken, this was the man who had sent the roses. Surveillance was Bai Bing's specialty; her message was likely an invitation for him to return to the office so they could follow them.

Wang Zheng finished his tea—wasting it would be a crime. Just as he prepared to leave, a man and a woman entered the restaurant. He didn't recognize the man and had no interest in looking, but the woman... it was Lin Xiaolei. Wang Zheng’s gaze shifted to the man she was with. Young, tall, and a refined "pretty boy"—that was his immediate assessment.

Perhaps because it was lunch hour, the restaurant had only two empty tables—one to Wang Zheng’s left and one to his right. Having already risen, Wang Zheng sat back down. What was destiny? This was destiny. He wouldn't even need to follow them to hear what they were saying.

The man gestured gallantly for Lin Xiaolei to take a seat—at the table to Wang Zheng’s right. Lin Xiaolei looked slightly startled as she spotted Wang Zheng by the window; she clearly hadn't expected to see him here. Wang Zheng pretended not to notice, pouring himself another cup of tea and enjoying the afternoon sun. If a woman in a bikini were sitting with him, it would be perfect.

The man and Lin Xiaolei sat down. From his angle, Wang Zheng had a clear view of Lin Xiaolei’s face and the man’s back. He took a sip of tea and offered a simple smile—a smile that could be interpreted in many ways.

The phone chimed again. That fool, Bai Bing. *Hurry, hurry, hurry!* Her insistence left Wang Zheng speechless. Despite her good intentions, he simply turned off his phone and watched the drama unfolding before him.

"Miss Lin, did you like the roses I sent?" the man asked with a smile. It seemed he didn't know they had been tossed out, nor had he seen Wang Zheng’s middle finger earlier.

Lin Xiaolei kept her head down, feeling conflicted. She had only accepted the lunch invitation out of politeness to decline it firmly, never imagining she would encounter Wang Zheng here. She lacked the courage to look up. Seeing her silence, the man assumed she was shy and summoned a waiter to order.

"I hope you don't mind that I ordered on your behalf, Miss Lin?" he asked with gentlemanly flair. He clearly came from a wealthy, well-educated background; such poise couldn't be faked.

Lin Xiaolei shook her head slightly, stealing a glance at Wang Zheng behind the man. Seeing him calmly drinking his tea, she felt a wave of relief and finally looked up. *He doesn't seem angry!* she thought.

"Miss Lin, please allow me to introduce myself," the man said. "My name is Zhang Fan, General Manager of Hailan Chemicals. We haven't met, but I have seen you once and was deeply captivated by your grace. I hope you will accept my pursuit."

Direct and bold—he was no ordinary character. Knowing he was the rose-sender, Lin Xiaolei had prepared herself. Seeing Wang Zheng still acting nonchalant, she looked at Zhang Fan and said politely, "I’m sorry, I cannot accept."

"Why? Does Miss Lin not find me worthy?" Zhang Fan pressed.

"No! I... I have already given my heart to someone else."

As Wang Zheng listened intently, a familiar scent drifted toward him. He opened his eyes to see Bai Bing sitting opposite him.

"You're late. The show is already over," Wang Zheng said dryly.

"Not necessarily!" Bai Bing smiled mysteriously and beckoned him closer. When Wang Zheng didn't lean in, she moved toward him, lowering her voice. "Do you know who this Zhang Fan is? He is the son of Zhang Xu, the Chairman of Fuhai International who once had people tailing Lin Xiaolei!"

Wang Zheng’s eyes widened. He vaguely remembered the incident—when Zhongtian was in crisis, the boss of Fuhai International had offered help on the condition that Lin Xiaolei become his mistress. Wang Zheng had even taught the stalker a lesson in the restroom.

So, both father and son had their eyes on Lin Xiaolei?

*Damn,* Wang Zheng thought, *this is going to be interesting—a father and son becoming romantic rivals!*