Chapter 49: My Boss Isn’t for Sale

Shang Zhitao stood below the stage, watching Luan Nian’s speech. This wasn’t the first time. Luan Nian still made her feel dizzy. A person standing on such a large stage, yet not appearing insignificant, with an extraordinary aura. He was talking about Lingmei’s new strategy in China this year, deeply researching local culture, promoting the spirit of craftsmanship, connecting domestic and international markets, allowing the brand to sink roots and also go global.

The research and promotional video jointly produced by the creative center and the marketing department were also released during his speech, exquisitely beautiful and profoundly rich.

Luan Nian was that kind of person, in such an industry, not swayed by material desires and popular aesthetics, always adhering to his true self. This was his courage and his charm.

During the rehearsal, Luan Nian only looked for his position on the stage, not saying a word. Today was the first time he presented the content, and Shang Zhitao listened to it completely.

She had barely slept these past few days, all for the final presentation. This conference had exhausted all her recent energy. Now she was hanging on by that last breath, and it would be almost perfect once the guest speaker finished.

“When will the PR draft be released?” Lumi asked Shang Zhitao.

“The first round of PR will be released uniformly twenty minutes after the official end. The second round will be after the exclusive interview, and the third batch of drafts will be tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thorough,” Lumi gave Shang Zhitao a thumbs-up.

“Good teaching by the master,” Shang Zhitao smiled at her, leaning her head affectionately on Lumi’s shoulder for a moment.

“Are you tired? If you are, you can go to Xi’an later next week, I’ll handle it myself,” Lumi felt a little sorry for Shang Zhitao. She worked like her life depended on it, and Lumi worried she might collapse.

“No, there are still two sub-venues in Xi’an. It’ll be too tiring for you alone. I’ll assist you, it won’t be too much work.”

“Alright then, I’ll treat you to paomo in Xi’an.”

“Okay.”

Luan Nian stepped down from the stage. Shang Zhitao spoke into her walkie-talkie, “The host is on stage. Next is Ms. Jiang Lan, please have the protocol team follow.” She had gone through the conference流程 countless times, it was all in her mind, timing accurate to the second, positioning accurate to the centimeter, and the division of personnel was clear and detailed. When Luan Nian knew she was handling the first stop, he had told her: only by doing enough homework can you cope with the variables of the venue.

Jiang Lan was very beautiful, a powerful businesswoman honed by years in the business world, handling herself with ease in such occasions. She started speaking, her first sentence in Suzhou dialect, saying, “真好，回家了 (It’s so good to be home).”

Lumi clicked her tongue and nudged Shang Zhitao with her elbow. “Did you hear that?”

“What?”

“That association president, our Luke got her.”

“How did he get her?”

“What do you think?”

The unspoken meaning was obvious. A woman like Jiang Lan had seen all kinds of situations and things, so what was she after? Just pleasure.

Shang Zhitao nodded, she understood.

“Will he?” she asked Lumi.

“Rumors are just rumors, but I think our friend Luke has integrity. He wouldn’t actually do anything with her, maybe just cast a little spell,” Lumi said, laughing twice after speaking. “Someone even said he’s gay these past few days.”

“Huh?”

“There’s a recent rumor that nine out of ten creative people are gay. They say our Luke grew up abroad, is in such an industry, and is so energetic, he seems to appeal to both men and women.”

Shang Zhitao chuckled. She thought carefully about Luan Nian being gay, cleared her throat, and said, “We need to be serious. You keep teasing me, and I’ll forget the next steps.”

“Prejudice, prejudice, all industry prejudice,” Lumi continued.

The two giggled. After Jiang Lan finished speaking, Shang Zhitao saw Luan Nian applaud and stand up to guide Jiang Lan off the stage, his service impeccable, a rare display of his attentiveness. She turned her gaze back to follow up on the subsequent流程, finally enduring until the end of the speech segment, and she let out a long breath of relief.

“The protocol and guiding team should orderly lead the guests to disperse. There are fifteen negotiation tables available for the sales colleagues. VIPs should be guided to the VIP lounge on the first floor to wait for the banquet. Luke needs to do an exclusive interview, I’ll go get him.”

After speaking, Shang Zhitao muted her walkie-talkie and walked up to Luan Nian. “Luke, next is your thirty-minute exclusive interview, followed by answering questions from two TV stations, five online media outlets, and ten print media outlets. It will take about fifty minutes.”

“Okay, thank you.” Then he turned to ask Jiang Lan, “Together?”

“I haven’t prepared any topics.”

“Aren’t you eloquent?” Luan Nian smiled. “Please.”

Shang Zhitao listened to their polite conversation, thinking that being a boss was really difficult. Even someone as proud and aloof as Luan Nian had to feign enthusiasm.

Shang Zhitao led them to the interview room. Because there was a change in the guest lineup, she told Lumi and then went to busy herself with other things. After a while, she received a message from Lumi: “I can’t take it anymore!”

“What’s wrong!”

“Why is Jiang Lan so disgusting? Why does she always stand so close to my stubborn mule?” Lumi called Luan Nian her stubborn mule. In the past six months, her happiest moments were watching Luan Nian mess up.

“...”

“Cut all that out after the interview!” Lumi joked.

“No, no, please spare me. If there’s another level-one accident, Luke will fire me directly,” Shang Zhitao begged for mercy.

With Lumi’s message as a foundation, she was mentally prepared for the interaction between Luan Nian and Jiang Lan. When leading them to the VIP lounge, she saw Jiang Lan give Luan Nian a gentle smile, but Shang Zhitao didn’t feel awkward. Instead, she calmly led them to the VIP lounge, handed them over to the waiters to be seated. What happened inside was no longer her concern. Her last task for today was to serve the bosses in the VIP lounge well.

Lingmei was strict. The menu for such banquets was set in advance. Who had dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences had all been researched by sales beforehand. The dishes ordered also incorporated various flavors, focusing on exquisiteness. Since Suzhou was the main battlefield for East China, Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish, Cherry Meat, and Braised Eel in Brown Sauce were must-order dishes. The banquets at this hotel were also known for being delicious. Shang Zhitao had tried the dishes in advance, so she was confident.

Standing at the entrance of the VIP lounge, she watched the dishes being served one by one. After a while, she received a message from Luan Nian: “Which room is Jiang Lan staying in?”

“Alex said it’s arranged next to yours,” Shang Zhitao replied, not mentioning a single word about what she had heard about them today.

“Arranged next to mine?” Luan Nian confirmed with her.

“Yes, they said it’s convenient.”

“Convenient for what?”

“I wouldn’t know about that.”

Shang Zhitao put away her phone, not intending to reply to Luan Nian’s messages anymore. “You ask me what’s convenient, don’t you know it yourself?” She took a deep breath and told herself not to care. Whoever cared was a fool. Then she continued to focus on the upcoming banquet.

Half an hour later, the atmosphere inside livened up. Shang Zhitao heard the sound of a piano. When the waiter was serving dishes, she glanced through the open door. Jiang Lan was playing the piano, and everyone else was listening attentively. Shang Zhitao recalled her childhood experiences again. If she were asked to perform something in such a setting, she would probably have to bring out her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Luan Nian was also watching.

Luan Nian liked dazzling things, and Jiang Lan at this moment was dazzling. He appreciated any woman who dared to show her charm. It made him feel that society was open and that times were progressing.

Shang Zhitao didn’t finish her glance before the door closed. She could only vaguely hear the louder sentences of what was being discussed inside. In short, it was very lively.

She was also guessing what kind of contracts would be signed and what kind of consensus would be reached inside today.

Another hour passed, and Shang Zhitao was a little tired from standing. She found a chair to sit down and saw a message from Alex: “Luke’s a bit drunk.”

“Luke’s drunk? How drunk?”

“Completely wasted.” Shang Zhitao didn’t believe Luan Nian would get drunk. The first time she saw him drink, he drank so much but still remembered to ask the security guard to help her get a taxi. She wouldn’t believe that such a person would get completely wasted within the first hour.

She contacted the hotel sales manager. “Could you lend me two strong male colleagues?”

The hotel acted quickly and immediately sent people over. She knocked on the door and went in, seeing everyone scattered in various corners of the room. They had all drunk quite a bit, and there weren’t many who looked sober. Alex saw Shang Zhitao come in, swayed as he stood up, and patted her shoulder. “Please, Flora.”

“It’s my duty. Shall I send you off first?”

“Send Luke.” Alex winked at her. Shang Zhitao was a little confused, not understanding what the wink meant. The waiters supported Luan Nian out of the VIP lounge and bumped into Lumi. Lumi looked surprised. “Luke?”

“Yeah!” Shang Zhitao nodded.

“Luke drank this much?”

Shang Zhitao nodded again.

“Holy crap!”

The two of them followed the waiters to escort Luan Nian back to his room. The waiters politely withdrew. Shang Zhitao poured a glass of water and placed it by his bedside. The moment she stood up, she saw Luan Nian open his eyes and sit up against the headboard, winking at her.

?

Luan Nian chuckled softly.

Lumi’s eyes widened, and she whispered, “Luke isn’t drunk?”

Luan Nian sat up. “It was boring, didn’t want to drink. Apollo can handle it. Is there any noodles?”

“Yes, please wait, I’ll call them for you.” Lumi called the hotel to have a bowl of noodles sent up. After hanging up, she said, “I’ll go check first and pick up the noodles on the way. They said today is fully booked because of our event, so delivery might be a bit slow. I’ll go get it myself. Flora, please stay with him first.”

“Then I’ll go back to the VIP lounge.” Shang Zhitao lifted her leg to walk out, but Lumi stopped her. “No, it wouldn’t look right if we didn’t leave someone to take care of him when he’s this drunk. Leave the door open and stay here, it won’t give anyone a reason to talk.” Then she winked at Shang Zhitao again, meaning, “Are you stupid? Luke dislikes you so much, shouldn’t you seize this opportunity to show your worth?”

Shang Zhitao was in a dilemma. She simply did as Lumi said, opened the door, and stood there.

“Am I being inconvenient here?” she texted Luan Nian.

“?”

“In case Director Jiang looks for you later.”

Luan Nian tossed his phone aside and looked at Shang Zhitao quietly. After a long time, he finally asked, “There was only one condom in the hotel, used it the day before yesterday. Do you want to get a few for me now?”

“Okay.”

Luan Nian was amused and exasperated by Shang Zhitao, then nodded. “Unflavored, ultra-thin ones, thank you for your trouble.”

“Oh.”

Shang Zhitao stood there without moving, looking down and replying to messages from the event company, not mentioning buying condoms at all. Luan Nian leaned against the headboard with his hands crossed behind his head, watching her. After a while, he asked her, “Aren’t you going?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“My boss isn’t a gigolo,” Shang Zhitao smiled at him, deliberately trying to provoke him. “My boss isn’t for sale.”

“Your boss indeed isn’t a gigolo, otherwise why wouldn’t you pay for sleeping with your boss?”

...

Shang Zhitao couldn’t argue with him and blushed with anger.

After a while, she heard sounds in the hallway one after another. Luan Nian beckoned her. “Come here.”

“Hmm?”

“Is this how you take care of people?”

“Oh.”

Shang Zhitao wrung out a towel and went to his bedside, squatting down to wipe his face, acting like she was taking good care of her boss. Luan Nian turned sideways, his fingers hooking hers. Shang Zhitao couldn’t pull away and whispered, “Be careful someone sees us.”

Luan Nian didn’t let go, calling her in a very low voice, “Shang Zhitao.”

“Your chest is exposed.”

Luan Nian’s eyes fell on Shang Zhitao’s chest, where the spring scenery inside could be vaguely seen. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he said again, “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Shang Zhitao was about to say something when she heard a knock on the door. She hurriedly pulled back her hand, stood up, and went to greet the person. “Director Jiang.”

“How drunk is he?”

“He just threw up once, and he’s asleep now.”

Jiang Lan took a few steps forward, saw Luan Nian sleeping soundly on the bed, and smiled at Shang Zhitao. “Luke still needs to practice his drinking.”

“This is also the first time I’ve seen Luke drink so much.”

Jiang Lan nodded and walked towards the door, suddenly asking Shang Zhitao, “What’s your name?”