Chapter 364: Playing Cupid!

Swish—!

At this moment, Hong Wenyan froze!

That sentence was like a pebble, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in Hong Wenyan's heart.

She suddenly gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles whitening, her expression frozen, even her breath hitched.

The streetlight's glow flickered on her face, revealing her ear tips quietly turning red.

Hong Wenyan was dazed, only the cold light of the instrument panel swaying across her face.

She had originally been looking a bit inquisitive, but now she was utterly astonished, her heart feeling as if struck by something, its rhythm thrown off, even her breath slowing by half a beat.

Having lived so many years, she had navigated the world, heard flattery, faced provocation, yet never had anyone so bluntly say 'I like you'… especially not from Lin Yuan's mouth.

But Hong Wenyan's daze didn't last three seconds before being shattered by Lin Yuan's cold laugh.

"You actually believed it?"

Lin Yuan leaned against the car door, his lips curling in a sneer, his eyes full of contempt: "Stupid woman, I was just teasing you. How could I possibly like you? Even if I liked a sow, I wouldn't like you."

No sooner had his words fallen than he didn't spare Hong Wenyan another glance, pushed open the car door and stepped out……

He shut the door with force, a loud "Bang!" shaking the windows.

Lin Yuan walked away without looking back, his back ramrod straight, not sparing a glance for the person in the car.

Hong Wenyan sat in the driver's seat, her astonishment slowly fading, replaced by scorching embarrassment and fury.

She bit her lower lip, her teeth almost breaking the skin, her earlier racing heart now feeling as if pierced by an ice pick—cold and painful.

"Do you mean you don't even like me as much as a sow?" she whispered, repeating Lin Yuan's words, her voice trembling—not from hurt, but from pent‑up anger.

She raised a hand to wipe her face, and only when her fingertips touched the corners of her eyes did she notice they had turned red at some point.

Not tears—just anger.

She'd been around the streets for so long—when had she ever suffered such humiliation?

To be flirted with, then ruthlessly trampled, and told she wasn't even as good as a sow?

Hong Wenyan drew a deep breath, then clenched her fists tight, her knuckles cracking.

She lifted her gaze to the hallway where Lin Yuan had vanished, her eyes blazing with anger that nearly overflowed, while her lips curled into a fierce smile.

"Wait for me, Lin Yuan."

She gritted her teeth and muttered, "You'd better not fall into my hands, or I'll show you just what this 'not‑as‑good‑as‑a‑sow' woman can do to you."

Having said that, she started the car; the black BMW 7 Series sedan shot forward, tires scuffing the pavement and kicking up a bit of gravel before vanishing into the night……

……

The next day.

Lin Yuan picked up Director Su and drove her to the company, arriving punctually at the office building.

Lin Yuan entered the office to find three stacks of project documents awaiting review on his desk.

Lu Chengyu walked over with a risk‑control report, dropped it straight onto Lin Yuan's desk, and told him to finish it right away.

These past few days, Director Lu Chengyu has been covertly suppressing Deputy Director Lin Yuan.

From morning to afternoon, Lin Yuan hardly left his seat, even lunch being a few hurried bites of takeout at his desk.

It wasn't until 6:30 p. m., when the sky had darkened, that Lin Yuan finished the last report, rubbed his sore shoulders, gathered his things, and prepared to leave work.

Lin Yuan drove, first dropping Director Su off at her villa.

Only then did he return to the Shidai Gongyu Lou; he had just parked when his phone rang, showing Hong Bai Tian as the caller.

Huh?

Why is Hong Bai Tian calling me?

Seeing that number, Lin Yuan furrowed his brow.

Chairman of the K Group, Hong Bai Tian.

Lin Yuan didn't want to get involved with him.

Lin Yuan hesitated a moment, then swiped to answer.

From the other end came Hong Bai Tian's deliberately heightened, enthusiastic voice: "Lin Yuan bro, you just got off work, right?"

Lin Yuan gave a noncommittal "uh," leaned against the car door, and said in a flat tone, "Just got home—what's up?"

Hong Bai Tian laughed on the phone, a touch of over‑familiarity in his tone: "I was thinking you must have had a hard day at work, so I wanted to invite you out for dinner—just the two of us chatting a bit."

Lin Yuan pinched his brow and answered honestly: "Today's been swamped at the office, I'm exhausted, I just want to go home and rest—we can talk about dinner another time."

He had expected Hong Bai Tian to take the hint and back off, but instead the man's voice stayed warm, even gaining a note of "surprise": "I know you're tired—I deliberately came over to wait for you!"

Lin Yuan frowned, his tone tinged with doubt: "You came over?"

"Yes! I'm already downstairs at your residential complex, by the streetlight next to the Shidai Gongyu main gate," Hong Bai Tian's voice carried an unbearable familiarity, "Come down, we'll just grab a bite—only half an hour, it won't take up much of your time."

Lin Yuan fell silent for two seconds, hearing the faint traffic on the line, then relented: "Fine, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, Lin Yuan stared at his phone screen, frowned, then locked the car and headed toward the complex gate.

Hong Bai Tian sat in the rear of a black BMW 7 Series sedan; seeing Lin Yuan approach, he immediately opened the door, greeted him, and invited him inside.

The driver drove the BMW out of Shidai Gongyu……

On the road, Hong Bai Tian pulled a gold‑stamped gift box from the storage compartment and extended it toward Lin Yuan.

"Lin bro, this is a mechanical watch I had someone bring from Switzerland—wear it to keep up appearances."

Lin Yuan glanced at the brand logo on the box, didn't lift his hand, and politely declined: "No thanks, I usually wear an electronic watch—it's enough."

Hong Bai Tian didn't withdraw his hand, smiling somewhat eagerly: "It's just a token—don't stand on ceremony. Besides, you're helping me come up with ideas to woo Director Su; I can't let you work for nothing."

Lin Yuan turned his head to look at him, raising an eyebrow: "Director Su isn't easy to win over—I might not be able to help much, so you don't need to send gifts."

Hong Bai Tian tossed the gift box onto Lin Yuan's lap, then settled back into the driver's seat: "Whether or not you can actually help, take this for now. I just want to know what Director Su Mo Nong likes outside of work."

Lin Yuan picked up the gift box and handed it back, his tone tinged with helplessness: "All I have with Director Su is work‑related contact; we're not close privately, so I don't know her tastes. Besides, she's hard to pursue—I really have no idea. Director Hong, I advise you to just give up."

Hong Bai Tian didn't take back his hand; instead, he kept pushing the gift box toward Lin Yuan, his eyes full of obsession: "I know she's hard to win over; if it were easy, I wouldn't bother you."

"I've been chasing her for half a month, I've given jewelry, booked Michelin, she hasn't even given me a smile, but I don't want to give up. Director Su, a woman so stubborn and principled, is all the more attractive. I won't marry anyone else." Hong Bai Tian said firmly.

Lin Yuan was speechless upon hearing that.

This gangster big brother is such a simp.

You're supposed to be the big boss of the K Group!

One of the heroes of the New Faction!

How can you be such a simp?

Lin Yuan glanced at him, saw his serious expression, sighed, and said: "First put the stuff away; if you really want to give advice, I can only tell you the truth."

Hong Bai Tian's eyes lit up; he quickly shoved the gift box back into the storage compartment and said eagerly: "Go on, go on, I'm listening!"

Lin Yuan said slowly: "What I want to say is, Director Hong, just give up. Director Su doesn't like you."

That sentence is Lin Yuan's honest words.

Hong Bai Tian stared for a while, gritted his teeth, and said: "No, I won't give up. I will definitely win Director Su's heart. Xiao Lin, just you wait."

Lin Yuan was speechless and couldn't be bothered to reply.

Ten minutes later, the BMW car arrived at the restaurant.

Hong Bai Tian pushed the door open, got out, and smiled: "Xiao Lin, let's go; let's eat first, we can chat while eating and maybe come up with another plan."

Lin Yuan pushed open the car door, his tone flat: "Eating is fine, but don't bring up chasing Director Su again—I've told you everything I know."

Hong Bai Tian quickly nodded: "Okay, okay, not mentioning it—just eat, eat!"

Saying that, he got out first, hurried to the restaurant entrance, didn't forget to greet Lin Yuan looking back, his face full of uncontainable anticipation.

Lin Yuan followed Hong Bai Tian into the restaurant.

Hong Bai Tian had reserved a private room.

Lin Yuan pushed open the private room door; as he stepped in, his steps halted.

At the round table inside the private room, Hong Wenyan sat by the window, her fingertips holding a tea cup.

Seeing the private room door pushed open, the moment Lin Yuan entered, Hong Wenyan's formerly calm pretty face instantly stiffened.

Hong Wenyan froze.

Lin Yuan at the doorway also froze.

Hong Wenyan set down her tea cup, her voice tinged with obvious surprise and displeasure: "How are you here?!"

Lin Yuan also froze for a moment, his tone full of resentment: "How come you're here too?"

Hong Wenyan didn't answer; she stood up straight away, grabbed the coat draped over the chair back, and headed for the door, clearly not wanting to stay. She was about to leave.

Seeing that, Lin Yuan also backed out of the private room, turned sideways to leave, and said: "Since you're here, I'll go first."

Hong Wenyan didn't answer; she stood up straight away, grabbed the coat draped over the chair back, and headed for the door, clearly not wanting to stay.

Seeing that, Lin Yuan also reached for the coat placed by the door, turned sideways to follow, and said: "Since you're here, I'll go first."

"Hey! You two don't go!" Hong Bai Tian rushed forward a step, one hand blocking Hong Wenyan's face, the other grabbing Lin Yuan's arm, his smile a bit anxious: "Wenyan, don't be impulsive; Xiao Lin, sit a while, the dishes are all ordered!"

Hong Wenyan shook off his hand, glaring at Hong Bai Tian: "Dad, you said there was an emergency at home—is this what you meant by an emergency?"

Hong Bai Tian rubbed his hands, scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "I just wanted the two of you to ease your relationship..."

"Who wants to reconcile with him?" Hong Wenyan cut him off, her gaze shifting to Lin Yuan, her tone icy: "I have nothing to say to him."

Lin Yuan broke free of Hong Bai Tian's hand, his tone flat: "I have other things to do; you father and daughter eat."

"No, Xiao Lin brother!" Hong Bai Tian came over again, gripping Lin Yuan's arm and not letting go: "I specially ordered a lot of big dishes!"

But Lin Yuan and Hong Wenyan couldn't be persuaded; they both insisted on leaving.

Hong Bai Tian slammed the table, his voice sinking, carrying an irresistible force: "What's with all this leaving? You two kids are really disobedient—sit down! No one may leave without my order today!"

As his words fell, a large group of suit-clad bodyguards appeared outside the private room door, blocking it completely.

Hong Wenyan and Lin Yuan couldn't get out, so they could only return to the private room.

Lin Yuan frowned, glanced back at Hong Bai Tian, then flicked a look at the bodyguards by the door, realizing he couldn't leave today, so he released the door handle, turned, and sat back in his original seat.

Hong Wenyan bit her lip, glared at Hong Bai Tian once, but didn't try to force her way out; she sullenly sat back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest, her face turned away so she wouldn't look at Lin Yuan.

The air in the private room instantly went silent; the braised pork on the table still steamed, but nobody had the appetite to touch their chopsticks.

Hong Bai Tian cleared his throat, was the first to break the silence, his gaze falling on Lin Yuan, his tone softened considerably: "Xiao Lin, I heard last night you saved my daughter; I thank you on her behalf."

Lin Yuan lifted his eyes, his tone flat: "It was nothing; no thanks needed."

Hong Bai Tian smiled, took out a bunch of car keys from his briefcase, placed them on the table, and pushed them toward Lin Yuan:

"This is a token of my gratitude—a brand‑new BMW 7 Series just picked up, worth nearly a million on the road; take it and drive it, and it counts as my repayment for your kindness."

The metal tag on the key chain glinted in the light; Lin Yuan glanced at it, immediately pushed the keys back, and shook his head firmly: "This gift is too valuable—I can't accept it."

Hong Bai Tian blinked, then pushed the keys toward Lin Yuan again: "What's so valuable about it? You saved my daughter—not just one car, even two would be worth it!"

But Lin Yuan stubbornly refused to accept it.

Hong Bai Tian's hand holding the keys paused; seeing Lin Yuan's resolute gaze, he finally sighed and slipped the keys back into his pocket.

"Fine, you're a stubborn kid; I won't force you."

He raised his hand and shouted toward the private room door, telling the server to bring the menu in.

The server walked in holding a gilt‑edged menu, and Hong Bai Tian directly pushed the menu toward Lin Yuan.

"Today you call the shots—order whatever you want, don't stand on ceremony with me."

Lin Yuan didn't take the menu, merely said flatly: "Ordinary home‑style dishes are fine; no need for anything fancy."

Hong Bai Tian, however, waved his hand and directly instructed the server: "Bring out all your signature dishes, open a bottle of 1982 Lafite, and also bring that limited‑edition Moutai."

The server acknowledged and hurried out.

Hong Wenyan sat to the side, arms crossed over her chest, watching her father's actions, the corner of her mouth curling with derision.

"Dad, are you trying to bribe someone with money?"

"Hong Bai Tian glared at her: 'Kids shouldn't talk nonsense; I'm thanking Xiao Lin for saving you.'"

"Lin Yuan didn't respond, picked up the teacup on the table, and slowly drank the warm water."

"Soon, the waiter pushed a serving cart in."

"Exquisite dishes filled the table, the red wine and Maotai were opened, and the rich aroma of alcohol instantly spread."

"Hong Bai Tian picked up the Maotai bottle, poured a cup for Lin Yuan, and then poured one for himself."

"'Come, Xiao Lin, I toast this cup to you—thank you for saving Wenyan last night.'"

"Lin Yuan raised his cup but didn't drink, just looked at Director Hong: 'Director Hong, it was just a small effort; no need to be so polite.'"

"'How could I not be polite?' Hong Bai Tian took a sip of wine, set down his cup, his eyes full of admiration."

"'There aren't many young people like you who aren't greedy for money; just now, anyone else would have taken that BMW, but you held to your principles—good, really good.'"

"He paused, shifted his tone, and his gaze swept back and forth between Lin Yuan and Hong Wenyan."

"'Xiao Lin, I think you're a good person, virtuous, capable, and you'd be a good match for our Wenyan.'"

"Lin Yuan's cup trembled slightly, the liquor almost spilling; he furrowed his brows: 'Director Hong, what do you mean by that?'"

"Hong Wenyan jumped up, her face flushing red: 'Dad! What nonsense are you spouting! Who wants to be a match for him!'"

"Hong Bai Tian continued, 'Xiao Lin, I mean, let you date our Wenyan, fall in love. I think you two are quite suitable; if it works out, we'll become one family.'"

"Lin Yuan set down his cup, his tone stern: 'Director Hong, don't meddle in this. I have no interest in your daughter.'"

"'Not now doesn't mean never!' Hong Bai Tian slapped the table, speaking enthusiastically:"

"'Spend more time together, you might develop feelings. Wenyan is cold outside but warm inside, kind-hearted; please be more accommodating.'"

"Hong Wenyan was so angry her hands trembled:"

"'Dad! What are you spouting?! Even if you wanted to find me a partner, you couldn't pick him! Even if I liked a male pig, I could never like him!'"