Chapter 52: Come In

Tang Pei had just entered the pantry when Linglan quietly closed the door behind him and asked in a low voice, “Was I very inappropriate last night?”

“Don’t you remember?”

She shook her head. “I drank too much, so my memory’s a bit hazy.”

“You’re always so polite and measured, everything you do is perfectly appropriate. But your behavior after drinking was dreadful!” Tang Pei teased her lightly.

Linglan furrowed her brows in anxious uncertainty. “Did I say anything reckless?” This was her greatest worry. If she had accidentally revealed her true purpose for infiltrating Sky City, everything would be ruined.

“Why are you so afraid?” Tang Pei asked, curious.

“It’s not that,” Linglan hurried to cover up. “I just know that trouble often comes from what we say, so I’m concerned.”

“Do you remember pushing Mr. Mo away on the dance floor?”

“I vaguely remember,” she nodded.

“You pushed Mr. Mo away in front of so many people. Honestly, it made things very awkward for him. A man in his position has more pride than most, so I wanted to help you leave quickly. But in the end, it was Mr. Mo who took you away, and as for why, I don’t know.”

It really was him!

Linglan leaned in, cautiously asking, “Is Mr. Mo not in the office today?”

“He’s in a meeting.”

Linglan sighed softly, gripping the water cup tighter in her hand. “Alcohol causes nothing but trouble!” She lifted her chin, drained the last drops of coffee, and bitterness lingered on her lips.

***

Though Ye Linglan had joined the group, since the night she got drunk, she had seen Mo Zicheng only a handful of times in the past half month. Her workload remained heavy and overwhelming; occasionally, when she lifted her head, her gaze would stray toward his office. Sometimes the door was half open; sometimes people came and went; sometimes the pleated blinds were tightly drawn. In short, all these days, she hadn’t had a proper face-to-face encounter with him.

On the other hand, whenever she opened her computer, news about him flooded the screen. She stared at the man’s image, his gaze always intense.

—You pushed Mr. Mo away in front of so many people. Honestly, it was very awkward.

—A man in his position has more pride than most.

Tang Pei’s words lingered faintly in her ears. Linglan pressed her forehead, lost in thought.

“Ye Linglan, have you finished the materials for yesterday?” A woman’s voice suddenly rang out.

Ye Linglan immediately closed the page and responded, “They’re ready, Manager Lin.” She quickly stood and handed over the organized files to the woman in front of her. Lin Jia was the supervisor in charge of Project Group Three, her direct superior. Lin Jia glanced through the documents and said, “Take these to Mr. Mo for his signature.”

Linglan hesitated for a moment, not reaching out to take them. Lin Jia looked up. “What’s wrong? Any questions?”

“I’ll go right away.” She pulled herself together and took the files.

A few steps from Mo Zicheng’s office, Linglan slowed, gazing at the slightly ajar door. She drew a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked gracefully forward, gently knocking on the solid wooden door.

“Come in,” the man’s voice was calm and unhurried.

Ye Linglan pushed the door open and entered. He didn’t look up, engrossed in the documents before him. The walnut floor was covered with a dark carpet; her footsteps were silent. Quiet—he disliked being disturbed, and his office was always tranquil. The room was heated, and he wore only a black shirt, ironed and immaculate.

She placed the file gently in front of him. “Please approve this, Mr. Mo.”

Mo Zicheng took it, still not looking up, and said lightly, “Alright, I’ll look at it later. You can go now.” His words were few, tinged with a faint coldness.

Ye Linglan hesitated. “Mr. Mo…”