Chapter 15: A Blinding Crush part 3

Lin Yuran noticed a box of steamed buns on the center console. “You stopped by the bun shop again?”

“Yep,” Chi Ye said with a faint smile. “Mr. Wang probably won’t be back for a while. Our company’s not planning to hire a new driver. And since I like the buns from this place anyway and come by daily, I figured I’d handle your rides myself. Keeps things simple. That work for you?”

With things said like that, how could she say no? She’d only be making trouble if she forced them to hire a new driver. “Of course. Sounds good to me.”

Chi Ye chuckled, turned on the car’s music system, and started the engine.

When they arrived at the lobby of Ran Ye, Chi Ye said, “Go on up. I’ve got something to take care of outside today.”

“Okay.” Lin Yuran opened the door and got out. Just as she was about to close it, a voice called from behind, “Designer Lin!”

Qin Lang came over, poked his head toward the car, and grinned. “You and Chi Ye coming to work together now?”

It was a perfectly normal question, but something about his tone made it sound suggestive. Lin Yuran didn’t bother being nice. “Is that a problem?”

Qin Lang gave her a knowing smile. “No problem at all.”

Lin Yuran found him utterly ridiculous and slammed the car door shut.

Then, Qin Lang cheekily opened the passenger door again and leaned in. “Chi Ye, you were practically drowning in vinegar yesterday. Just one night and you’re all better?”

Chi Ye shot him a look and tossed the box of buns at him. “Scram. And shut the door, will you?”

Qin Lang laughed as he pulled back and closed the passenger door.

Chi Ye didn’t return to the office that day. But Lin Yuran’s day was anything but peaceful.

Secretary Li, who normally had little to do with her, suddenly became unusually attentive: dropping off coffee twice, warmly inviting her to lunch at the cafeteria, and even delivering afternoon tea. Right before the end of the workday, Xu Jianwei did something rare and sent Lin Yuran a video call.

Lin Yuran picked up. “Girl, you really just dropped me off here and completely forgot I exist, huh?”

Xu Jianwei laughed. “Like you’ve reached out to me either!”

“I wouldn’t dare! You’re so busy. What if I interrupted a date?”

“You do get me,” Xu Jianwei laughed again. “I just met a guy, went on a trip with him, and got back yesterday.”

“So what’s up?”

“Wanna go out tonight? Ye Hui’s back from abroad. Let’s hit a bar, the three of us.”

“Ye Hui’s back?” Lin Yuran perked up. “Perfect. It’s been ages since I saw him.”

Ye Hui was Xu Jianwei’s childhood friend. Their families were neighbors. They’d been in the same class from kindergarten through elementary school, went to different middle schools, then ended up at the same high school again.

Though they weren’t in the same class in high school, Lin Yuran got along well with Ye Hui thanks to Xu Jianwei. They were the only two art students at Jinxi No. 3 High, and often got called together for meetings. They even signed up for the same studio during senior year and supported each other through the intense, closed-off training period.

Their friendship ran deep. With Ye Hui back, of course she wanted to meet up.

“What time?”

“How about seven?”

Lin Yuran glanced at the time on her computer. If she left now, she’d make it just in time. “Okay, seven it is.”

Just as she hung up the call, a wave of presence swept in behind her, crisp and cool, with a hint of soapy woodsy scent. She hadn’t even noticed Chi Ye had returned. One hand in his pocket, he casually strolled up to her desk, picked up her tablet, and started flipping through her drafts.

“Got plans?”

“Yeah.”

Chi Ye flipped through the designs. “Bit of a shame. I was just going to say we’ve made the announcement about the collaboration, and fans are really excited. We’re getting tons of comments on the official site asking when the products go on sale. So our company decided to do a limited pre-sale for a few of the most popular heroes to test the waters. You can tweak your designs based on the feedback. I saw you’ve already finished most of the flat three-view sketches for those top heroes. We’re hoping to start pre-sales soon. There’s a big e-sports tournament coming up during National Day. If we can generate some hype beforehand, it’ll really boost sales.”

His lashes lowered as he studied her. His tone was unusually serious. “So… would you be able to work some overtime for now?”

Lin Yuran winced a little. She’d just agreed to go out and now might have to cancel. “Didn’t your company have a no-overtime policy?”

“For the most part, yes. But this is a special situation.”

She thought about it. The plan made sense: test sales first, adjust based on fan response, save time and money, and improve satisfaction among blind box collectors.

Classes were starting soon anyway. She’d need to manage her time better. The more she got done now, the easier things would be later.

“Alright,” Lin Yuran agreed. “By early next week, our studio will have the 3D renderings and layout proposals for the top heroes ready. Does that work?”

Chi Ye nodded. “Perfect.”

With no time to waste, Lin Yuran texted Xu Jianwei a quick explanation. Xu Jianwei grumbled, but when it came to making money, the two of them were always on the same page. She forgave the last-minute cancellation.

The final set of flat sketches was nearly complete. One more push tonight and she’d finish. Then 3D rendering could begin tomorrow.

Lin Yuran had been drawing nonstop at the office by day, and at home by night. If she had a clear vision, flat sketches didn’t take long. She’d already sent the first four to the studio’s modelers, Xu Nuo and Ling Chenxi, last week. Those should be ready soon.

Just four left. If she pushed hard, she could still make the deadline.

By the time Lin Yuran came up for air, it was already 8 p.m.

“Lin Yuran.” Chi Ye’s voice called from across the office.

Lin Yuran looked up instinctively, glancing at the time. “It’s only eight.”

“Work-life balance,” Chi Ye said coolly. “If you collapse from overwork, our company can’t afford the liability.”

Lin Yuran could always continue at home, so she didn’t argue. She started packing up.

In the elevator, she finally surfaced from her creative zone and thought of something odd.

If she was working overtime, what was Chi Ye still doing here? Could it be… he stayed just to drive her home?

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out the question. Then instantly regretted how blunt, and slightly suggestive, it sounded. She bit her lip and stayed quiet.

Chi Ye turned to her, eyes locked on her face. “What do you think?”

Lin Yuran blinked, caught completely off guard. Her question, his reply…

The air between them fairly crackled with unspoken tension.

“…”

Chi Ye gave a lazy smirk and added, “Bosses have work to do too. And I promised to drive you home. You’re staying late because I asked you to. If anything happens to you on the way home, we’d still be held responsible.”

Lin Yuran exhaled in relief. “Oh, I see.”

Chi Ye raised a brow, his tone faintly teasing. “Oh? What else did you think? Disappointed?”

“…” Lin Yuran waved her hands. “No, no! This is good. Your company is so responsible. I’m really touched.”

Chi Ye studied her silently for a moment, as if trying to read something in her face. Then he looked away.

Lin Yuran let out a quiet sigh.