The Breakup Didn’t Stop Me From Owning the World - Chapter 16

After hanging up the phone, Li Ruonan rested one hand on the windowsill, gazing at the night sky dotted with stars.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The sound of knocking came, and standing outside the door was Lan Muyu with a sly smile. “Good evening, President Li?”

“What do you want?” A hint of wariness involuntarily surfaced on Li Ruonan’s face, yet her feet instinctively moved toward Lan Muyu.

Lan Muyu leaned against the doorframe with one hand, deliberately swaying her hips and cooing in a soft voice, “The night is long, lonely and cold.”

“Speak properly.”

Lan Muyu twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “President Li, would you like some special services~”

A vein twitched on Li Ruonan’s forehead as she picked up her phone and snapped a photo. “How about I send this to your parents?”

“No, no, don’t send it! I came to talk to you about something.”

“Go on, what is it?” Li Ruonan walked over to the desk and sat down.

Lan Muyu approached, placing both hands on the desk and tilting her head slightly. “I have a great money-making idea. Would the great President Li like to hear it?”

“No, I don’t need it.” Li Ruonan checked the time and pointed to the study door. “I’m afraid I’d lose my shirt.”

Lan Muyu clung to Li Ruonan’s arm, rubbing her hands against it. “Come on, it’s an investment that could multiply your money several times over. The payback period isn’t long, and it’s a sure win. Won’t you at least consider it?”

“Oh? That does sound good.” Though her words were complimentary, Li Ruonan’s expression remained skeptical.

Unfazed, Lan Muyu pressed on. “Right, right? I wouldn’t share such a great investment opportunity with just anyone. Outsiders wouldn’t get a chance.”

Li Ruonan nodded teasingly. “I’m an outsider too. Miss Lan, with such sharp investment instincts, why not return to Yancheng and help your parents?”

Lan Muyu deflated slightly. “I’m not joking. There really is a great opportunity—one that could multiply your money several times.”

“Are you involved in gambling, drugs, or something illegal?”

“I’m a law-abiding citizen! What nonsense are you spouting?” Lan Muyu pulled a chair over and sat across from Li Ruonan.

“Foxes like you always act this way.”

“Oh, so President Li, you’re…”

“I’m not a chicken.”

Lan Muyu spread her hands innocently. “You said it, not me.”

Finally unable to resist, Li Ruonan reached out and pinched both of Lan Muyu’s cheeks. “Feeling bold today, are we?”

“Mm… I… mmph…”

Lan Muyu’s face was already fair and flawless, but to Li Ruonan’s surprise, it was also delightfully soft to pinch. Seeing Lan Muyu obediently not resisting, Li Ruonan played with her cheeks a little longer before finally relenting. “So, what’s this investment?”

“Limited Edition is going to be a blockbuster. Would you consider investing some money?”

“Reason?”

“Me.” Lan Muyu lifted her chin and batted her eyelashes. “With me in it, how could it not explode?”

“With Ling Shan’s endorsement, if it were someone else acting, I might have invested right away.” Li Ruonan delivered the blow mercilessly. “But with you, I’ll have to think twice.”

“Hey, you—!”

Lan Muyu stood up angrily, her claws about to reach for Li Ruonan’s face when she heard Li Ruonan say leisurely, “Keep this up, and I’ll withdraw my investment.”

The outstretched claws instantly retracted. “What did you say?”

“I’ve already called Ling Shan and asked her to contact the director’s team. But based on your attitude toward the investors just now, I think I need to reconsider. What do you think, Miss Lan?”

Lan Muyu immediately went into action, massaging Li Ruonan’s shoulders while showering her with flattery: “President Li truly lives up to being a mastermind in the investment world. Your discerning eye immediately recognized the potential of our production team. With your endorsement, our production will surely become a sensation across China.”

Li Ruonan closed her eyes and pointed to the back of her neck. “My neck is a bit sore today too.”

“Right away, President Li! How’s this pressure? Is it comfortable?”

“Mmm, not bad. A little more to the right… yes, there. The left side needs attention too. Gently now… yes, that’s it.”

Some massages might be avoided once, but they always come around eventually. Lan Muyu diligently served her financial backer while voicing her confusion: “But why did you suddenly decide to fund our production?”

“What do you think?”

Lan Muyu’s lips curved upward: “On behalf of our production team, thank you, financial backer, for the generous funding.”

“Funding? You’re quite the dreamer.” Li Ruonan opened her eyes. “This money counts as a loan to you.”

“A loan to me?” Lan Muyu stopped her movements and circled around to face Li Ruonan. “So you’re using my money to invest in my own production?”

Li Ruonan lifted her eyelids slightly. “Did you expect me to use my own money?”

“W-well… could you?”

Li Ruonan seemed astonished that the little white rabbit she knew years ago had grown into such a cunning fox. After staring at Lan Muyu for several seconds to confirm she was serious, she scoffed coldly: “If you take my surname, then I’ll let you use it. How about that?”

Lan Muyu seriously considered the feasibility for a few seconds before batting her big eyes: “Then could I inherit your estate too?”

Li Ruonan: …She had underestimated Lan Muyu’s shamelessness.

Since Lan Muyu had abandoned all pretense of dignity—

Li Ruonan sighed, “There was once someone who could have rightfully inherited it all. Pity she insisted on breaking off the engagement. I find it quite regrettable too. What do you think, Miss Lan?”

At this topic, Lan Muyu fell silent. She wanted to strangle her past self who had broken off the engagement too.

Never mind how Li Ruonan had treated her after her death in her past life—even in this lifetime, though Li Ruonan’s words might be sharp and her rules numerous, whenever Lan Muyu was in need, hadn’t Li Ruonan always gone all out to help, even acting first and reporting later?

The problem was Lan Muyu couldn’t pinpoint when exactly Li Ruonan had fallen for her in their past life. Whatever the reason, in this second chance, she couldn’t push too hard—she had to take it step by step.

As long as she shamelessly clung to Li Ruonan, no other temptress would get close. Surely she could make Li Ruonan grow accustomed to having her in her life?

But what if Li Ruonan truly had no interest in her—

Brave Muyu fears no hardship! She would absolutely never leave!

“Miss Lan?” Li Ruonan prompted.

“I, I…”

Li Ruonan grasped Lan Muyu’s wrist, pulling her closer. “Why so quiet now?”

Lan Muyu mumbled, “As long as you’re happy.”

“I am quite happy indeed. After all, profits are mine, and losses—I’ll come collecting from you.”

“You’d come after me? Aren’t you supposed to be a CEO? Don’t you know investments carry risks?”

“But you were the one who said it was a sure profit just now.”

Lan Muyu swallowed her frustration and muttered, “With me here, why worry about losing money?”

“I’m a businesswoman, so I have to worry a little. But if it comes to that, I can always ask your parents for the money. I’m sure they won’t renege.”

“I… I’m going to bed.” Lan Muyu turned and headed for the door without looking back. If she couldn’t win the argument, she could at least escape.

After all, Li Ruonan had already invested. Once the profits rolled in, she’d make sure Li Ruonan thanked her properly.

The next afternoon, Lan Muyu received a call from the “Limited Release” film crew, informing her that she had passed the audition and asking if she was free for dinner that evening so the cast could get acquainted.

Ling Shan hadn’t yet returned to Yuncheng, and the company hadn’t assigned her a suitable assistant, so Lan Muyu had no choice but to bring Xiao Zhang along to meet the crew. Perhaps due to the trauma left by her manager in her past life, this time around Ling Shan only handled her schedule and major affairs, staying out of her daily life—a relief for Lan Muyu.

She already had one old-fashioned control freak at home; she couldn’t handle another one at work.

The dinner was booked at Minglaige, an upscale private club. Lan Muyu was delighted by the news. In her past life, the film hadn’t even made it to theaters and was relegated to online streaming. This time, just a casual dinner was being held at such a high-end venue—proof that the crew wasn’t short on funds.

Minglaige was a favorite among Yuncheng’s elite, with limited seating available daily. In her past life, she had visited the restaurant with Fu Yao. Setting aside the unpleasantness during the meal, the food had been exquisite.

Arriving early with time to spare, Lan Muyu approached the front desk to inquire about a membership card, thinking she might use a delivery service to win over Li Ruonan’s stomach.

“Hello, I’d like to apply for a membership card.”

But before the receptionist could respond, a familiar voice called from behind, “Lan Muyu? What are you doing here?”

Lan Muyu’s brow furrowed slightly as she turned around.