Chapter 136: If You’re the CEO, Then What Am I?

Near the window seats, Zhang Yang walked over and greeted them.

“Sis, this is Brother Zhang Yang.” Le Yue secretly gave Le Man a look.

Le Man looked up at the tall figure standing before her, bathed in the morning sunlight, and her expression briefly became absent-minded.

“Sis… sis!” Le Yue quietly reminded her again.

Le Man came back to her senses, apologized softly, and quickly smiled gently. “Hello, my name is Le Man. By the way, my sister caused you to spend money yesterday.”

“Well, she calls me Brother Zhang Yang after all. Treating my little sister to a meal is only right.” Zhang Yang smiled. “By the way, shall we walk around?”

“Sure.” Le Man agreed readily.

Song Yumeng arrived a bit late and immediately exchanged looks with Le Yue. The two girls huddled together and whispered for a while.

“My sister seemed a little stunned just now.”

“Haha, my brother wasn’t. As calm as always.” Song Yumeng said with a hint of pride.

“How can that be the same? Your brother isn’t married, he must see plenty of pretty girls. My sister is different. She got married early and even worked at her ex-husband’s family company. Who would dare approach her?” Le Yue said a little unwillingly.

The two girls kept whispering quietly.

“What are you two talking about?” Zhang Yang asked when he noticed them whispering.

“Nothing, nothing.” The two waved their hands together.

Zhang Yang shook his head with a smile and looked toward Le Man.

His little cousin was indeed right. She was a rare beauty. Whether it was her appearance, figure, or temperament, all of it was quite remarkable. She wasn’t the typical cookie-cutter vase.

Having seen a lot in life, his expression barely changed. He simply looked at her with appreciation.

Naturally, his gaze appeared very clear.

“Um… do you also work in Shanghai?” Meeting Zhang Yang’s clear and appreciative gaze, Le Man felt slightly shy.

“Sort of.” Zhang Yang replied casually.

“Then today is a workday. Aren’t you busy?” Le Man asked softly.

“Oh, I’m self-employed. I work for myself.” Zhang Yang answered without thinking. “You seem to be as well?”

“Me… I resigned.” Le Man paused briefly before answering.

Zhang Yang didn’t think there was anything unusual about that. In the workplace, people move up by changing jobs. Resigning or switching companies was very normal.

They walked around the mall, occasionally entering shops along the way.

For Zhang Yang, it didn’t really matter where they shopped. If his little cousin happened to fancy some luxury item, he wouldn’t mind waving his hand and buying it. But now it seemed both girls were quite self-aware, intentionally or unintentionally skipping luxury boutiques.

When they passed the Loro Piana store in Plaza 66, Song Yumeng was eventually drawn to a piece of clothing displayed prominently inside.

“That one is so pretty.”

“Come on, let’s go take a look.” Zhang Yang glanced at it and wanted to pull his cousin inside.

“No, no.” Song Yumeng quickly ran away. “That’s Loro Piana. Each piece starts at tens of thousands. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Loro Piana was the ceiling of the cashmere world and also a top luxury brand under LVMH. She wouldn’t even dare think about it.

Zhang Yang looked at his cousin’s fleeing figure and felt slightly helpless.

“That’s Loro Piana indeed. It’s really expensive.” Le Man standing nearby sighed.

“You’re wearing luxury brands from head to toe. Saying that doesn’t sound very convincing.” Zhang Yang glanced at what she was wearing and carrying and commented with a smile.

He could recognize those luxury brands at a glance.

When he first became rich, he still had some obsession with luxury goods. But now he had more than a hundred million in cash, received a daily rebate of 150,000, and owned properties like commercial streets and office buildings, collecting tens of millions in rent every year.

So-called luxury freedom had long been achieved.

“Ah?” Le Man smiled awkwardly. At this moment she almost wished everything she wore were ordinary brands.

At noon, the four of them had lunch at a Cantonese restaurant on the fourth floor of Plaza 66.

This meal was insisted on by Le Man.

“Sis, Yumeng and I are going to watch a movie later, so…”

At the table full of dishes, Le Yue and Song Yumeng ate for a while, exchanged glances, and suddenly spoke.

“You’ve barely eaten anything.” Le Man couldn’t help asking. Then she noticed the look from her sister and her face immediately flushed slightly.

“We both have tiny appetites. You and Brother Zhang Yang can just eat slowly. No rush.” Le Yue said with a smile.

“Alright then.” Le Man could only nod.

With the words her sister had said earlier lingering in her mind, she couldn’t act completely relaxed and natural.

But Zhang Yang could.

From beginning to end he remained natural and relaxed, chatting easily, completely unaware of the little schemes of the two girls.

Soon, Le Yue and Song Yumeng stood up and left, leaving only Zhang Yang and Le Man sitting across from each other.

While eating, Zhang Yang even helped put some dishes into Le Man’s bowl.

Throughout the meal they talked and laughed as if they were old friends who had known each other for a long time.

“Well… should we…” Amid the laughter, Le Man rested her chin lightly on her hand and looked at the extremely handsome man before her, hesitating slightly as she wanted to take the initiative.

For example, exchanging WeChat or something.

“Sorry, I need to take this call.” Zhang Yang lowered his head when he saw a call from Bei Wei and answered it.

Across from him, Le Man’s smile gradually stiffened.

Looking at Zhang Yang’s expression while answering the phone and hearing the faint voice of a girl from the other side, her eyes immediately dimmed.

“What is this… They didn’t even find out he has a girlfriend before trying to introduce him to me.”

Le Man didn’t think anyone had intentionally hidden it. Everything was probably just a misunderstanding, and they had been too wishful.

After a while, Zhang Yang finished the call.

“Your girlfriend?” Le Man asked with a smile despite the bitterness in her heart.

“Yes, she was asking if I had eaten.” Zhang Yang casually put down his phone. “By the way, why did you stop eating? There’s still so much food.”

“I… think I’m a bit full.” Le Man stirred her spoon gently, her smile somewhat forced.

“You’re full already?” Zhang Yang called a waiter over. “The bill, please.”

“No, I said I would treat.” Le Man quickly said.

“Next time. I’ll pay this time.” Zhang Yang smiled and paid the bill. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. You seem like you have something on your mind.”

Le Man paused for a moment and obediently stood up.

Outside the restaurant, Zhang Yang and Le Man walked around for a while, passing the time.

“Go ahead and tell me. What’s bothering you? I’m actually quite good at helping people solve their worries.” Zhang Yang stood by the railing, leisurely looking down at the massive central atrium below.

“It’s nothing really.” Le Man brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually, I just got divorced.”

“Huh?” Zhang Yang blinked.

“Surprised?” Le Man looked at him and asked with a smile.

“No, I’m just wondering what kind of man could be so blind to divorce someone like you. Doesn’t he know how to cherish you?” Zhang Yang couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice.

“But some people just turn a blind eye.” Standing beside Zhang Yang, Le Man calmly explained the entire story.

Her tone was very calm, as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself.

After a while, Zhang Yang widened his eyes slightly and finally sighed. “That’s really quite dramatic.”

“No one’s to blame. I was just too foolish back then.” Le Man shook her head.

“You can’t really blame yourself. Think about it-your boss’s son, handsome, proposing a contract marriage and promising ten million after three years. Your choice is understandable.” Zhang Yang said.

“By the way, according to the usual storylines, has he realized his mistake? Did he only understand your value after losing you?”

“Oh, stop it. Why are you saying the same thing as my sister? That’s in novels. How can novel plots be copied into real life?” Le Man laughed and scolded lightly.

“So that’s how it is.” Zhang Yang nodded. “By the way, what does your ex-husband look like? Is he as handsome as me?”

Hearing that, Le Man burst into laughter.

She looked at Zhang Yang’s face carefully and then decisively shook her head.

“Of course not. But…”

“But what?” Zhang Yang asked curiously.

“But people like him don’t rely on looks. You know what I mean. For rich and powerful men, being called handsome doesn’t necessarily require strict standards. As long as they have wealth and status, even an average appearance can count as handsome.” Le Man said with a smile.

“So in reality, those domineering CEO types in novels are nonsense.”

Zhang Yang smiled and said nothing.

He didn’t know about others, but as for himself-with money, a great physique, and a face that could stun anyone-he was indeed a genuine rich and handsome man.

Of course, he wasn’t boasting. He was simply stating a fact.

Everyone who knew him knew that Zhang Yang was a naturally low-key and honest person.

“So today’s situation turned into a bit of a joke.” Le Man looked at Zhang Yang. “My sister kept praising her roommate’s brother and insisted I meet you. When I came today, you really are good-but you already belong to someone.”

Le Man spoke frankly.

After all, she was long past the age of innocent first love. Technically speaking, she was even a divorced woman now.

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Zhang Yang smiled apologetically.

Le Man pressed her lips together.

For some reason, saying these things out loud made her feel completely relieved. She felt that she might truly be ready to start a new chapter of her life.

Just as she was about to say something, the phone beside her suddenly rang.

She picked it up and looked at the screen, sighing softly.

“Let me guess, your ex-husband?” Zhang Yang glanced at it and guessed.

“You guessed right. I’ll take this call.” Le Man gestured with the phone.

“No problem, go ahead.” Zhang Yang nodded.

Le Man lowered her head to look at her phone, then answered and held it to her ear.

“I just saw your Moments. You’re at Plaza 66?” the voice on the other side asked.

“Yes.” Le Man replied calmly.

“I’m at Hermès buying clothes. You have good taste, come help me pick something.” The other side spoke as if it were only natural.

“Lin Zichuan, we’re already divorced.” Le Man said with a helpless smile.

“Come over. I’ll wait for you.” The other side hung up immediately.

Le Man put down her phone, feeling completely helpless.

“Your ex-husband looking for you?” Zhang Yang asked curiously.

“Yes. Even though we’re divorced, he keeps finding excuses-one thing after another.” Le Man shook her head lightly. “I only kept his number unblocked because there were still things to settle. Now it seems there’s really no need.”

Right in front of Zhang Yang, Le Man blocked the number, then looked up and smiled.

“That’s much quieter now.”

They continued walking for a while when Le Man’s phone rang again.

This time it seemed to be an unfamiliar number.

Le Man looked at it for a moment, then decisively hung up and blocked it as well.

This situation repeated several times.

Who knew where he kept getting so many numbers from.

“You can’t keep blocking numbers like this forever. How about I go with you and take a look?” Zhang Yang looked at Le Man and suggested.

“Huh?” Le Man paused, raising her head in confusion.

“I’m volunteering myself. Let’s go meet your ex-husband. Just treat me as your boyfriend.” Zhang Yang said naturally. “I really don’t get it. When you were together he didn’t care about you, but after the divorce he keeps finding ways to bother you. Could it really be that cliché…”

“No, it’s impossible. I know him.” Le Man shook her head with a bitter smile. “He just thinks everything should revolve around him and convenience him. Calling me is simply because he’s used to my presence. Being at his beck and call? I’m not his nanny.”

“Alright, I get it.” Zhang Yang nodded and extended his hand.

“What?” Le Man froze slightly, not understanding.

“If I’m pretending to be your boyfriend, we should at least act the part. Come on.” Zhang Yang stepped forward and casually took Le Man’s hand.

Le Man was completely stunned. She just stood there while Zhang Yang held her hand, her heart pounding wildly and her thoughts running everywhere.

But when she looked at Zhang Yang’s calm expression, she felt she might be overthinking it.

“Get used to it in advance. Don’t make it look like we barely know each other. That would give us away.” Zhang Yang laughed at her expression.

“But… we really aren’t that familiar yet…” Le Man said hesitantly.

“Don’t worry about it.” Zhang Yang thought for a moment and then casually pulled Le Man into his arms. “Something like this. Time is limited, so I’ll give you a few minutes to get used to it.”

Le Man froze as she felt the broad, warm embrace, curling slightly in Zhang Yang’s arms.

The faint scent of vanilla lingered at the tip of her nose.

It smelled wonderful.

For a brief moment, she truly wanted to stay in that embrace forever, until the end of time.

“Feeling better now?” A voice brought her back. She raised her head blankly and met Zhang Yang’s gaze.

“Can you get used to the feeling of us being a couple now?” Zhang Yang asked as he released her slightly.

“B-better.” Le Man came back to her senses, feeling the warmth leaving her and suddenly sensing an empty feeling inside.

“Since you’re mostly used to it, let’s go.” Zhang Yang smiled and took her hand again.

The two walked together straight toward the Hermès store in Plaza 66.

After hearing Le Man talk again and again about how domineering her ex-husband was, Zhang Yang was actually quite curious.

Did such a creature as a domineering CEO really exist in real life?