Chapter 844


    When Ning Ran and Lu Jingyuan emerged from the hotel, they encountered a young man in a white


    suit in the lobby.


    He was tall and good-looking but had a shifty look to his eyes.


    Ning Ran recognized him immediately. At the press conference where the Rong family announced their


    strategic coboration with Sunshine Corporation, the man was sitting right beside Ouyang Li.


    Back then, Nan Chen had mentioned to Ning Ran that the man was none other than Rong Jilin, the


    second son of the Rong family.


    Rong Jilin, too, spotted Ning Ran. After scrutinizing her in detail, he turned his attention to Lu Jingyuan.


    Given that bothdies were beauties who would be the center of attention wherever they went,


    they were used to being ogled at by men.


    Even then, the brazenness of Rong Jilin''s gaze unsettled both of them.


    What made it worse was that he came forward to block their way.


    “You must be Ding Mi, the actress and Nan Chen''s rumored girlfriend?” Rong Jilin spoke in a flirty tone,


    leaving a bad first impression on thedies.


    Despite knowing who he was, Ning Ran pretended not to. “We don''t know you. Please step aside.”


    “I''m Rong Jilin, Prosperity Entertainment''s CEO. I''m here to discuss business with Mr. David. What are


    you doing here? Did Nan Chen send a woman to take care of something he couldn''t? Is he trying to


    win the sole broadcasting rights for Nanshi Corporation by using a honey trap?”


    Rong Jilin didn''t bother mincing his words the moment he spoke.


    “Shut up! If you dare spew such nonsense again, I''ll make you regret it!”


    Ning Ran was outraged by his words.


    Truth be told, Ning Ran had met members of the Rong family before. The very first one was the


    beautiful songstress, Rong Rong. Subsequently, she met the elegant pianist, Rong Yi. All of them were


    extraordinary people whom she admired.


    However, the Rong family son she ran into today was nothing but an annoying nuisance.


    Despite being members of the same family, the difference in characters was staggering.


    Rong Jilin sneered, “You''re going to make me regret it? How do you n on doing that? Nanshi


    Corporation has brazenly involved itself in plenty of illegal businesses from tax evasion to money


    laundering. And now, Nan Chen has even gotten his girlfriend to sell her—”


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    p!


    Lu Jingyuannded a p on Rong Jilin''s face before he could even finish.


    The sudden turn of events stunned Ning Ran, who didn''t expect the former to be one step ahead of


    her. She''s a true friend indeed.


    “How dare you hit me? You—”


    p! p!


    Lu Jingyuan repeated her actions with a vengeance.


    All this while, Rong Jilin had grown used to being a spoilt rich heir. Little did he expect to be pped


    that day.


    Just as he prepared to strike back, two men who were watching themotion suddenly stepped in


    front of Lu Jingyuan.


    With towering figures and frosty looks in their eyes, these men were obviously not to be trifled with.


    “Please don''t cause any trouble,” one of them warned Rong Jilin.


    “But she hit me first—”


    “You were the one who started it with insults. Don''t make any hasty moves, or we''ll detain you at once,”


    the other threatened.


    Just as Rong Jilin wanted to protest further, his secretary whispered, “Mr. Rong, please calm down, as


    we''re in the capital. Your brother has instructed that you mind yourself and not cause any trouble.”


    After letting out a snort, the disgruntled Rong Jilin stormed off to the elevator.


    Once the two men who “protected” Lu Jingyuan saw that the threat had been neutralized, they went


    back to being “passersby.”


    Thereafter, Ning Ran gave Lu Jingyuan a grateful look. “Thank you for standing up for me.”


    “You''re my friend. There''s no way I''m going to allow you to be bullied here in the capital,” Lu Jingyuan


    dered proudly.


    “Thank you. Now that the matter is settled, I''ll be heading back to Flower City. I still have work to do


    there.”


    “Do you have time to spare? Why don''t you leave after a meal? I''ll treat you to some local delicacies,”


    Lu Jingyuan suggested with a smile.


    “I''m extremely grateful to you for arranging the meeting with David. I''m sorry I don''t have time to eat, as


    I need to rush to the airport. I still have work to do tomorrow.”


    “Come on, you can leave after that. There''s something I would like to discuss with you. Don''t worry. I


    guarantee that you''ll be back in Flower City by tonight. It won''t get in the way of your work,” Lu


    Jingyuan promised.


    Although Ning Ran was anxious to get back, it would be rude to refuse Lu Jingyuan''s invitation after the


    help she had rendered.


    With that, Lu Jingyuan brought Ning Ran to a restaurant that had a traditional courtyard decorated with


    lanterns.


    “They serve local specialties here and the food is delicious. Usually, one would need to make an


    advance reservation, but after begging my brother for help, he managed to get us a table,” Lu Jingyuan


    exined with a smile.


    It was just as Ning Ran had guessed. Not only was the restaurant expensive, but it was also difficult to


    get a table.


    No sooner had they taken their seats than the food was served.


    “Thank you for everything today.” When Ning Ran raised her ss for a toast, Lu Jingyuan raised hers


    to reciprocate.


    “Don''t mention it. We''re best friends after all. Besides, there''s something I need your help with.”


    Just the idea alone pressured Ning Ran. Given Lu Jingyuan''s mysterious background and her


    seemingly powerful elder brother, Ning Ran couldn''t figure out why Lu Jingyuan needed her help,


    especially if the matter was something even Lu Jingyuan''s powerful family couldn''t resolve.


    If even Lu Jingyuan can''t deal with it, what hope do I have?


    “Tell me. I''ll do my very best to help,” Ning Ran replied sincerely.


    “Find me a boyfriend.”


    “What?” Ning Ran''s jaws dropped, thinking that what she heard was a mistake.


    Lu Jingyuan beamed. “You didn''t hear me wrong. I really want you to find me a boyfriend.”


    Finally, Ning Ran, too, broke into a smile. “Are you kidding me? With your qualities, why would you


    need me to introduce anyone to you? There''re plenty of eligible bachelors in the capital. Can''t you


    randomly pick someone?”


    “I''m serious. Ever since I returned to the capital, my family has been driving me crazy by trying to


    matchmake me with someone. Every day, I''m forced to meet all sorts of distinguished people, and I


    can''t stand it anymore. I need to leave this ce. If I pretend to have a boyfriend somece else, I can


    do so by using him as a pretext. However, he must be willing to y along with my brother''s


    investigations and be of decent pedigree. Otherwise, my brother won''t allow me to leave. Look, it''s


    difficult to find someone that fits the bill. Since I''ve failed, I figured that you would be able to help me.”


    Ning Ran finally understood the situation after listening to Lu Jingyuan''s exnation.


    Thetter wasn''t looking for a real boyfriend, just someone who could help her leave the capital.


    However, given how distinguished the Lu family was, she was only allowed to leave for someone who


    was worthy of her.


    Despite her outstanding qualities, Lu Jingyuan refused to be matchmade and settle down with a


    random man in the capital. That was the reason why she needed Ning Ran''s help.


    Also, Ning Ran gathered that Lu Jingyuan had no intention to fall in love or get married. All she wanted


    was to use the man as an excuse to leave the capital and escape the hassle of the matchmaking


    process.


    Consequently, it was rare to find anyone who fit that profile. What Lu Jingyuan was truly looking for was


    a willing actor.